President Donald Trump invoked the Defense Production Act of 1950 in a memorandum on Oct. 22 to increase oil production in the United States as prices remain elevated amid the Iran conflict.
In Thursday’s memorandum, Trump determined that ensuring the United States had a resilient domestic petroleum production, refining, and logistics capacity was essential for national defense.
The memorandum directed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to complete purchases, make commitments, and use financial instruments to expand domestic petroleum infrastructure, including exploration and production, storage, marine terminals, and gathering and transmission pipelines.
“Petroleum fuels the Nation’s Armed Forces, industrial base, and crucial infrastructure,” Trump wrote. “Without immediate Federal action, United States defense capabilities will remain vulnerable to disruption.”…