January 5, 2026 – As 2026 begins, Fueling Freedom is reaffirming our core commitment to strengthening the foundation of American energy. This new year offers a renewed opportunity to advance meaningful policy, promote innovation, and support the people and industries that keep our country powered. With the National Energy Dominance Council entering its second full year, we believe now is the time to focus on clear priorities that will keep the United States on the path to long-term energy leadership.
We are calling on the Council to pursue a forward-looking policy agenda that addresses real-world energy needs while reinforcing our nation’s strategic advantage. This is about more than production. It is about building an energy framework that is reliable, secure, affordable, and globally competitive.
Here are a few public policy priorities we recommend for 2026:
1. Fix the Permitting Process
Too many critical energy projects are delayed by a maze of overlapping reviews and bureaucratic hold-ups. The Council should support practical reforms that streamline permitting for pipelines, power plants, LNG terminals, and transmission lines. Timely approvals are essential to meeting demand and encouraging private investment.
2. Strengthen LNG Export Capacity
American natural gas is helping countries around the world move away from coal and reduce reliance on unstable foreign suppliers. In 2026, the Council should continue to support LNG infrastructure expansion and create a regulatory environment that gives developers the certainty they need to move projects forward.
3. Encourage Domestic Oil and Gas Development
Domestic energy production remains vital to American economic strength and energy security. The Council should recommend consistent, transparent leasing policies for federal lands and offshore areas and work to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers that discourage investment.
4. Expand Advanced Nuclear Energy
As demand for clean, baseload power grows, nuclear energy must play a larger role. The Council should champion efforts to streamline licensing, promote advanced reactor technologies, and ensure the U.S. leads in next-generation nuclear development.
5. Build Resilient Supply Chains for Critical Minerals
A secure energy future depends on access to the minerals and materials that power new technologies. The Council should prioritize expanding domestic mining and processing capacity and build partnerships with allies to reduce dependence on adversarial suppliers.
6. Modernize the Electric Grid
The American power grid must be updated to meet growing demand from new technologies like AI, electric vehicles, and industrial development. The Council should promote policies that support grid resilience, expand transmission infrastructure, and increase flexibility across regional systems.
7. Invest in Innovation
Carbon capture, hydrogen, long-duration energy storage, and other emerging technologies offer real potential. The Council should encourage public-private partnerships, support early-stage research, and ensure that regulatory policy keeps pace with innovation.
8. Connect Energy Policy to National Security
A reliable domestic energy supply strengthens our position on the world stage. The Council should integrate energy policy with broader national security planning, support our allies through strategic exports, and reduce vulnerabilities across critical infrastructure.
Fueling Freedom believes 2026 is the year to take bold, thoughtful action. America’s energy advantage is one of our greatest strengths, but it must be actively protected and expanded through policy that reflects today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.
We are committed to supporting leadership that prioritizes reliable energy, smart infrastructure, and long-term national prosperity. This year, let’s move beyond the basics of energy independence and set the standard for what real energy leadership looks like in a changing world. Fueling Freedom stands ready to support that vision every step of the way.