ADJUSTING CERTAIN DELEGATIONS UNDER THE DEFENSE PRODUCTION ACT

This Executive Order, signed by President Donald J. Trump on March 13, 2026, amends and clarifies federal authorities related to national defense resources and the ongoing national energy emergency. The order focuses on streamlining the use of the Defense Production Act (DPA) and accelerating executive action.Key components of the Executive Order include:Expanded Authority for the Secretary of Energy: The order amends Executive Order 13603 (National Defense Resources Preparedness) to grant the Secretary of Energy independent authority to exercise delegated DPA powers. Previously, these specific authorities were primarily held by the Secretary of Commerce; now, both secretaries may exercise them independently of one another.Streamlining Emergency Actions: The order clarifies Section 2(a) of Executive Order 14156 (which declared a National Energy Emergency on the President's first day in office). It specifies that agency heads do not need to submit recommendations to the President before taking action if the authority to act has already been delegated to them.Reducing Bureaucratic Delays: By clarifying these delegations, the order ensures that agency heads can act swiftly under existing authorities—such as those found in the DPA—without seeking additional presidential approval, unless the specific authority remains solely with the President.Policy Context: This move appears designed to accelerate the administration’s "Energy Dominance" agenda by giving the Department of Energy more direct power to manage and prioritize resources critical to national security and the energy sector.The administration characterizes these changes as necessary to remove "doubt" and eliminate unnecessary procedural hurdles, allowing the federal government to respond more effectively to the declared energy emergency.