This executive order was signed by President Trump in 2025 as a response to increasing concerns over climate change and environmental degradation caused by human activities, particularly those related to energy production. The order seeks to remove all “illegitimate impediments” to the identification, development, siting, production, investment in, or use of domestic energy resources by restricting the ability of States to impose regulations that may interfere with these activities. It also aims to protect American energy dominance and the equality of all States through the enforcement of Federal laws and preemption over any conflicting State laws or causes of action.
The order specifically targets States that have enacted burdensome or ideologically motivated “climate change” or environmental policies, such as New York’s proposed carbon tax on businesses. It also calls out California for imposing cap-and-trade systems and limiting the amount of carbon businesses can use to meet its radical requirements.
The order seeks to protect Americans from unreasonably high energy costs by preventing States from creating de facto barriers to entry in the energy market, such as through permit delays. It also addresses concerns over environmental damage caused by certain energy production practices and aims to hold businesses accountable for their actions through enforcement of Federal laws and preemption over conflicting State laws or causes of action.
In summary, the order seeks to protect American energy dominance and the equality of all States while ensuring that Federal laws are enforced and State laws are not permitted to interfere with energy production activities.
Read the full text of the order at the whitehouse.gov website.