Zero-based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy

The April 9, 2025 executive order “Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy” mandates a systematic rollback of federal energy regulations. Citing excessive regulatory accumulation, especially under prior administrations, the order directs key energy-related agencies—including the EPA, DOE, FERC, NRC, and Interior Department subcomponents—to adopt a “sunset” model for their regulations. Each existing and future regulation must be assigned a “Conditional Sunset Date,” generally within 1 to 5 years, after which the regulation will automatically expire unless renewed through a public review process. The goal is to regularly reassess whether regulations continue to serve the public good, reduce barriers to innovation, and foster energy development. Expired rules will be removed from the Code of Federal Regulations, and agencies are prohibited from enforcing them. This order excludes statutory permitting regimes and allows the Office of Management and Budget to exempt regulations with a net deregulatory effect. Implementation will be coordinated through DOGE Teams at each agency.