Speaking Energy

Federal energy regulators are assuming expanded roles as the administration prioritizes energy dominance and infrastructure development to meet unprecedented power demand. FERC Chairman Laura Swett has vowed to expedite data center interconnections while addressing jurisdictional challenges, warning that unmet electricity demand could drive data centers abroad and create national security risks. The agency is processing pipeline applications faster than in prior years and considering blanket authorizations for certain LNG and hydroelectric projects to streamline approvals. 

Pipeline projects previously stalled by Clean Water Act permits are being revitalized, particularly in northeastern states where historically high electricity prices have increased openness to natural gas infrastructure. The Department of Energy is expanding its emergency authority to require retention of generation resources and has granted major LNG export approvals, signaling commitment to expanding U.S. export capacity under a streamlined framework that deprioritizes climate considerations.  

The Administration is bullish on the opportunities for the U.S. energy industry in Venezuela and eager to support companies willing to navigate the political risk inherent in the operations at the moment. Early meetings with President Trump and industry leaders showed the path forward may be longer and more complex than anticipated by the President. 

As permitting reforms advance and the pendulum swings toward fossil fuel favorability, the regulatory and policy landscape is fundamentally reshaping energy infrastructure development timelines and investment opportunities. 

Oil & Gas in 2026: Energy Policy & Regulation 

Delve into the complete regulatory & policy outlook at our Oil & Gas in 2026 report.

The global energy sector enters 2026 amid major policy shifts, geopolitical tension and evolving market dynamics. The Trump administration’s reversal of Biden-era climate initiatives and renewed emphasis on domestic production have reshaped the policy landscape, offering a more favorable regulatory environment even as conflicts abroad, oil price volatility and shifting trade policies tempered deal activity through 2025.

On October 21, 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a final order (DOE/FECM Order No. 5264-A¹) granting Venture Global CP2 LNG, LLC long-term authorization to export up to 1,446 billion cubic feet per year of domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) from its Louisiana facility to countries without a free trade agreement with the United States (Non-FTA Countries). The final order follows a March 2025 Conditional Order,² which issued while DOE was still completing its review of the agency’s 2024 LNG Export Study.³ The final order confirms that the project’s export volume and term authorization (through December 31, 2050) are unchanged, but provides for a three-year “make-up period” to allow export of any approved volume not shipped during the original term.

On May 19, 2025, the Department of Energy (DOE) finalized its 2024 LNG Export Study: Energy, Economic and Environmental Assessment of U.S. LNG Exports (the 2024 Study) through the release of a Response to Comments on the 2024 Study. The Response to Comments concludes that the 2024 Study, as augmented through public comments submitted on or before March 20, 2025, supporting a finding that liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports serve the public interest. With the comment process complete, DOE will move forward with final orders on pending applications to export LNG to non-free trade agreement (non-FTA) countries.

On Thursday, May 15, the Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines and Safety held a hearing titled, “Pipeline Safety Reauthorization: Ensuring the Safe and Efficient Movement of American Energy.” The hearing examined legislative priorities for reauthorizing the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

Under a second Trump presidency, the U.S. is expected to consider reversal of many of the Biden administration’s climate and environmental policies, in addition to a markedly different approach to trade policy and oil & gas regulation. This includes expanding oil & gas development on public lands and offshore, lifting the pause on liquified natural gas (LNG) exports to non-Free Trade Agreement countries and repealing the methane fee.

Akin senior counsel Scott Johnson will present part of a live webinar with Strafford entitled “PURPA Rules: FERC Revisions Regarding QF Power Sales, Requirements for Utilities, QF Certification, State Authority.” The panel will provide in-depth analysis of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) regulations under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA), recent revisions to those regulations and appeals of those revisions. It will discuss critical aspects of the rules to encourage the development of qualifying small power production facilities and cogeneration facilities (QFs), requirements for electric utilities, state authority to set rates in QF power sales contracts and modification of FERC’s “one-mile rule.” It will also address changes to a utility’s obligation to purchase QF output, QF certifications and other important aspects of FERC’s PURPA regulations. The webinar is approved for CLE credit and will take place on Thursday, April 18, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET. Please click here for more information and to register.

On February 9, 2024, it was reported that Commissioner Allison Clements will not seek a second term on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) following the expiration of her first term in June of this year.¹ The Commission is already down two out of five members. Commissioner Clements’ departure without replacement would leave FERC without a quorum and introduce additional uncertainty regarding the direction FERC may take on key energy issues in the coming years. FERC last went without a quorum in 2017, as explained in a prior Speaking Energy post.

2023 saw two megadeals in the oil & gas industry that have led to calls from environmental interest groups for the FTC to intervene despite a lack of obvious antitrust issues. Whether the FTC will sue to block the deals remains to be seen.