Contracts · DPA
White House directs Department of War to expand domestic petroleum capacity
The Defense Production Act directive authorizes purchases, commitments and financial instruments to enable petroleum-capacity projects, without specifying a dollar amount or appropriation.
The White House on Oct. 22 directed the Secretary of War to use Section 303 of the Defense Production Act to expand domestic petroleum production, refining and logistics capacity.1
White House authorizes support for domestic petroleum projects
Defense Production Act determination; domestic petroleum production, refining and logistics capacity
The memo specifies no dollar amount or appropriation.
Source: White House presidential determination. As of October 22, 2026.
The Secretary is authorized and directed to make the purchases, commitments and financial instruments necessary to enable petroleum-capacity projects, though the memo specifies no dollar amount or appropriation.1
The determination includes exploration and production, gathering and transmission pipelines, storage and marine terminals, identifying that capacity as essential to national defense.1
Citing the national emergency declared under Executive Order 14156, the memo waives specified Section 303 requirements for expanding the capacity.1
The memo finds that, without presidential action under Section 303, U.S. industry cannot reasonably be expected to provide the capabilities in a timely manner. It cites constrained financing, long lead times, permitting and infrastructure bottlenecks, and supply chain limitations. It identifies Section 303 support as the most cost-effective, expedient and practical way to meet that need.1
Sources (1)
- White House: Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended, on Domestic Petroleum Production, Refining, and Logistics Capacity (Oct. 22, 2026) www.whitehouse.gov