Energy Secretary Chris Wright on 'Golden Era of American Energy Dominance' and FY26 Budget

FY26 Budget Priorities

• 🎯 The Department of Energy's priorities for Fiscal Year 2026, under President Trump's leadership, are to unleash a golden era of American energy dominance, strengthen national security, and lead in innovation.
• 💡 An abundant energy supply is framed as the foundation for national prosperity, security, and human flourishing.

Core Mission and Financial Review

• 💰 The budget aims to invest DOE resources in affordable, reliable, and secure energy sources and technologies that provide a return on investment for taxpayers.
• ⚠️ A thorough review of financial assistance has identified and terminated 24 projects totaling over $3.7 billion in taxpayer-funded assistance that failed to meet economic, national security, or energy security standards.
• 📉 The department is committed to eliminating spending on projects that did not advance energy needs or economic viability.

Leveraging American Energy Resources

• ⛽ The administration is committed to fully leveraging affordable, reliable, and secure sources like coal, oil, and natural gas to meet growing energy needs.
• ⚛️ Steps are being taken to accelerate innovation in nuclear energy, including the rapid deployment of next-generation technologies like small modular reactors.
• 🚢 The pause on LNG export permits has been ended, returning to a regular order for reviewing and approving new permits.
• 🛢️ Efforts are underway to replenish the strategic petroleum reserve.

Deregulation and Innovation

• 🛠️ As part of a broad deregulatory effort, over 47 regulations are being slashed, projected to save Americans approximately $11 billion and restore consumer freedom.
• 🚀 National labs are highlighted as engines for research and development to expand energy dominance, with a priority on research supporting true technological breakthroughs.

AI and National Security

• 🧠 The Department of Energy has a significant role in driving AI innovation for scientific discovery and national security, leveraging its world-class high-performance computing capabilities.
• ⚡ Harnessing energy potential to power global AI leadership while meeting growing energy demand is identified as a critical challenge.
• 🚢 Modernization of the nation's nuclear weapons system and critical upgrades for the US nuclear stockpile are paramount, along with maintaining engine powerhouses for submarines and aircraft carriers.