Trump invokes Cold War law in move to boost energy supply [View all]

Source: Axios

President Trump said Monday he'll use a Cold War-era national security law to try and bolster domestic production of motor fuels and electricity.

Why it matters: His use of the Defense Production Act comes amid high gasoline prices during the Iran war, and rising power costs.

The series of presidential memos Trump signed are needed for the Energy Department to use funding secured in last year's GOP budget law, a White House official said.

Driving the news: The memos address petroleum production and refining, coal-fired power, natural gas pipelines and processing, and more.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2026/04/20/trump-energy-fuel-cold-war-defense-law