Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended, on Natural Gas Transmission, Processing, Storage, and Liquefied Natural Gas Capacity

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Published

April 23, 2026

Signed

April 20, 2026

Issuing agencies

Executive Office of the President

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 78 (Thursday, April 23, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 78 (Thursday, April 23, 2026)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 21935-21936]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08017]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 91 , No. 78 / Thursday, April 23, 2026 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 21935]]


                Presidential Determination No. 2026-12 of April 20, 
                2026

                
Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 
                303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended, 
                on Natural Gas Transmission, Processing, Storage, and 
                Liquefied Natural Gas Capacity

                Memorandum for the Secretary of Energy

                On January 20, 2025, I issued Executive Order 14156 
                (Declaring a National Energy Emergency), under the 
                National Emergencies Act. That order found that hostile 
                foreign actors have weaponized America's reliance on 
                foreign energy and used it to cause dramatic swings in 
                international commodity markets, leaving the United 
                States and its allies dangerously exposed. It 
                emphasized that America must develop its capacity to 
                supply reliable, diversified, and affordable energy to 
                international allies and partners to compete with 
                hostile foreign powers, strengthen relations with 
                allies and partners, and support international peace 
                and security.

                Consistent with that declaration, I find that ensuring 
                sufficient natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) 
                capacity is critical to sustaining United States 
                defense operations and ensuring allied energy security. 
                Inadequate pipelines, processing, storage, or natural 
                gas and LNG export capacity would leave the United 
                States and its partners dangerously exposed in times of 
                crisis.

                Therefore, by the authority vested in me as President 
                by the Constitution and the laws of the United States 
                of America, including section 303 of the Defense 
                Production Act of 1950, as amended (the ``Act'') (50 
                U.S.C. 4533), I hereby determine, pursuant to section 
                303(a)(5) of the Act, that:

(1) natural gas and LNG capacity, including gathering and transmission 
pipelines, compression, processing plants, underground storage, LNG 
liquefaction, storage and marine load, export facilities, and critical 
distribution infrastructure, are industrial resources, materials, or 
critical technology items essential to the national defense;

(2) without Presidential action under section 303 of the Act, United States 
industry cannot reasonably be expected to provide these capabilities for 
the needed industrial resource, material, or critical technology item in a 
timely manner due to financing constraints, long-lead equipment and 
construction schedules, permitting delays, and infrastructure bottlenecks; 
and

(3) purchases, purchase commitments, financial support for the development 
of production capabilities, or other action pursuant to section 303 of the 
Act are the most cost-effective, expedient, and practical alternative 
methods for meeting this need.

                I have declared a national emergency under Executive 
                Order 14156, and I further determine that action to 
                expand domestic natural gas transmission, processing, 
                storage, and LNG capacity is necessary to avert an 
                industrial resource or critical technology item 
                shortfall that would severely impair national defense 
                capability. Therefore, pursuant to section 303(a)(7) of 
                the Act, I waive the requirements of section 303(a)(1)-
                (a)(6) of the Act for the purpose of expanding such 
                capability.

[[Page 21936]]

                You are authorized and directed to implement this 
                determination, including making necessary purchases, 
                commitments, and financial instruments to enable these 
                projects, and to publish this determination in the 
                Federal Register.
                <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT>
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

                THE WHITE HOUSE,

                    Washington, April 20, 2026

[FR Doc. 2026-08017
Filed 4-22-26; 11:15 am]
Billing code 6450-01-P


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