Adjusting Certain Delegations Under The Defense Production Act

The order gives the Secretary of Energy new authority to independently use emergency powers for national defense resource preparedness, previously held only by the Secretary of Commerce. It also clarifies agency action and recommendations during energy emergencies.

What the order does ​

• Adds the Secretary of Energy as an independent authority, alongside the Secretary of Commerce, to exercise delegated powers under the Defense Production Act.
• Clarifies that agency heads only need to recommend action to the President in certain circumstances—specifically when the authority has not been delegated.
• States this order does not limit existing legal authorities or budgetary functions of agencies.

Who it affects ​

• Secretary of Energy.
• Secretary of Commerce.
• Heads of federal agencies handling national defense resources and energy emergencies.

Context ​

The change aims to streamline federal emergency response by clarifying and expanding who can act under existing emergency powers.