President Trump has declared October National Energy Dominance Month, signing a proclamation that celebrates expanded domestic coal, oil, and gas production while marking a sharp departure from prior environmental policies. The October 3 announcement frames the designation as recognition of what the White House calls historic gains in American energy output.
Policy Rollbacks Fuel the Proclamation
The proclamation credits the administration with reversing regulations it describes as harmful to energy sectors, including the repeal of the EPA endangerment finding. Federal land access for drilling and mining has also expanded, with the document citing approval of more than 6,000 drilling permits.
Coal received particular emphasis, with the proclamation noting over $1 billion in funding aimed at revitalizing the industry and claiming credit for preventing the closure of roughly 100 coal-fired power plants. The text also references withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, describing those pacts as threats to national sovereignty. The proclamation characterizes these international agreements as instruments designed by globalist politicians to undermine American economic interests and restrict domestic energy development.
The document also marks the administration’s decision to end what it refers to as the “Green New Scam,” a label applied to prior climate-focused legislative initiatives. Officials describe this rollback as necessary to restore industrial capacity and reduce regulatory burdens on American manufacturers and energy producers.
Education and Outreach Efforts
The tone of public outreach around the designation has leaned informal, with references to classroom activities such as constructing model oil derricks and holding contests for student artwork. Prizes reportedly include items like bags of coal and small containers of motor oil.
Here’s the centerpiece of his October 3 proclamation: “In less than 2 years since returning to office, my Administration has transformed the United States into the most dominant energy superpower in the history of the world.” He doesn’t use exclamations marks and ALL CAPS in the staid prose of official proclamations, but you can tell he’s dying to add them.
Looking ahead, the proclamation sets no specific deadlines or measurable targets beyond general commitments to continued fossil fuel development.