101 - The Secretary of Energy

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced late last month a deal paying French energy company TotalEnergies nearly one billion dollars to cancel two offshore wind projects off the US East Coast. According to the Department of the Interior, this settlement reimburses the company for development costs on leases in Carolina Long Bay and New York Bight, which could have powered over one million homes with clean energy. Civic Media reports the funds must be reinvested dollar for dollar in US oil, gas, and liquefied natural gas export projects, while barring TotalEnergies from new US offshore wind investments. Burgum declared the era of subsidizing unreliable energy is over, as noted in the announcement.

Democrats criticize the move sharply. House Judiciary Ranking Member Jamie Raskin and Natural Resources Ranking Member Jared Huffman called it a lawless abuse of the federal Judgment Fund in a letter dated April six, two thousand twenty six. They argue no lawsuit justifies the payment, labeling it an unprecedented taxpayer giveaway to kill clean energy for fossil fuels. Inside Climate News details how the Trump administration has halted three Atlantic offshore wind programs and seeks to cancel fifteen billion dollars in renewable funding from prior laws.

The Department of Energy under Trump issued emergency orders blocking coal plant retirements in Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, and Washington, per Highland County Press, aiming to keep fossil fuel capacity online amid rising energy demands. The White House fiscal two thousand twenty seven budget proposes slashing Environmental Protection Agency spending in half, cutting renewable energy by four hundred forty nine million dollars, and redirecting funds to oil dominance and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, as outlined in the document released Friday. E and E News notes it targets Biden era programs, though Congress rejected similar cuts last year.

These actions coincide with gasoline prices up thirty five percent since late February due to Strait of Hormuz disruptions from US Iran strikes, fueling debates on energy security and costs.

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The Department of the Interior announced on April 4, 2026, the start of a phased plan to create the Marine Minerals Administration. According to the Department of the Interior press release, this new agency will combine functions from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. The goal is to boost coordination in offshore leasing, permitting, inspections, and environmental oversight while keeping all safety standards intact.

This move aims to handle both traditional energy sources and emerging critical minerals more efficiently. The Interior Department states it will reduce duplication and speed up decisions across the full lifecycle of offshore projects, adapting to modern energy needs.

In related federal budget news, President Donald Trump released his 2027 budget proposal on April 4, 2026. Fortune reports it calls for slashing over 15 billion dollars from Biden-era infrastructure funds, including renewable energy projects and grants from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The plan also cuts programs tied to green energy initiatives, redirecting savings toward a 44 percent Pentagon increase to 1.5 trillion dollars.

Meanwhile, the Department of Energy extended its information collection on spent nuclear fuel, as noted in the Federal Register on April 6, 2026. Form GC-859 gathers data from nuclear reactor operators and others holding irradiated fuel, supporting ongoing management efforts.

These developments highlight shifts in energy policy amid budget pressures and resource priorities. No major headlines emerged this week directly naming the Secretary of Energy, but agency actions reflect broader administration focuses on efficiency and defense.

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Secretary of Energy Chris Wright recently invoked the Defense Production Act of 1950 to order Sable Offshore to restart oil production at the Santa Ynez Unit in Santa Barbara County, California. According to Keyt News, this March 13 order aims to strengthen Americas oil supply and restore a vital pipeline for national security, supporting West Coast military bases. The Trump Administration delegated this authority to Wright via Executive Order 13603, bypassing some state and local regulations.

Sable Offshore confirmed oil sales through the Santa Ynez Pipeline System to Chevron, as stated by CEO Jim Flores in a late March press release reported by Keyt. Flores noted it provides American oil for consumers and the United States military. The restart follows a 2015 pipeline rupture that spilled over 100000 gallons of oil, and it is expected to create hundreds of energy jobs in the area.

The White House fiscal year 2027 budget reflects Wrights influence, abolishing the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy office and redirecting funds to critical minerals and energy innovation. It cuts support for wind energy and other projects, emphasizing domestic supply chains and revitalizing the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

On April 3, the Interior Department announced merging offshore drilling agencies, aligning with energy dominance goals, per World Oil and Bloomberg reports. This streamlines leasing and oversight post Deepwater Horizon.

Wright also directed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in October 2025 to propose rules limiting tribal opposition to hydropower preliminary permits, raising concerns from Navajo groups as covered by Tribal Business News.

These moves underscore a push for fossil fuels and efficiency amid global tensions.

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In the United Kingdom, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband announced on April 1 that energy bills for households are coming down this week, guaranteed until the end of June, as part of the government's response to the cost of living crisis. According to a UK Government video statement, Miliband highlighted actions like cracking down on price gouging by petrol retailers and heating oil companies, plus extra help for vulnerable households through local authorities. He emphasized shifting from fossil fuels to homegrown clean energy for security, including record-breaking renewables auctions powering 23 million homes, the largest nuclear program in half a century, and accelerating plug-in solar sales to save families hundreds of pounds.

Across the Atlantic, the United States Department of Energy faces scrutiny. Plain Press reported on April 1 that advocates urge maintaining strict Linear No Threshold safety standards for radiation protection, opposing President Trump's Executive Order 14300, which proposes categorical exclusions for advanced nuclear reactors and ignores risks from small radiation doses to children, women, and pregnancies. Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee noted on April 1 that the non-partisan Government Accountability Office ruled the Department violated the Impoundment Control Act by delaying awards for the Renew America Schools Program, confirming improper withholding of funds.

Meanwhile, global tensions influence energy talks. White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly stated on Fox News on April 2 that Operation Epic Fury has destroyed Iran's ballistic missiles and navy, aiming to prevent nuclear weapon development amid concerns over civilian and energy impacts, as reported by United Nations news.

These developments underscore urgent pushes for energy affordability, safety, and security worldwide.

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