What Has the First 200 Days of the Trump 2nd Term Meant for Energy Dominance?
The first 200 days of President Donald Trump's second term, spanning from January 20, 2025, to August 8, 2025, have marked a seismic shift in America's energy landscape. Under the banner of "Energy Dominance," Trump has prioritized unleashing domestic resources, slashing regulations, and reversing the Biden administration's climate-focused policies. This approach aims to bolster national security, create jobs, and lower costs for consumers.
Drawing from official data and executive actions, this article examines key areas: oil and gas production, energy sector stock performance, executive orders supporting coal and mining, electricity costs, and the financial savings from regulatory cuts.
Surging Oil and Gas Production: A Return to Record HighsOne of the most tangible outcomes of Trump's pro-energy agenda has been a robust uptick in U.S. oil and gas output.
Monthly crude oil production figures from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) show steady growth in early 2025: January at 13,141 thousand barrels per day (b/d), February at 13,240, March at 13,453, April at 13,464, and May at 13,488.
Natural gas production followed suit, with January at 3,932,656 million cubic feet (mmcf), February at 3,579,361 mmcf, March at 4,057,699 mmcf, April at 3,912,977 mmcf, and May at 4,045,788 mmcf.
The EIA forecasts an annual average of 13.4 million b/d for crude oil in 2025, potentially hitting a record 13.41 million b/d before a slight dip in 2026 due to market dynamics.
The Permian Basin remains the engine of this growth, contributing 46% of U.S. crude oil and 20% of natural gas production.
Trump's "Drill, Baby, Drill" mantra has materialized through expedited permitting and reduced bureaucratic hurdles, countering the Biden-era restrictions that stifled output. This surge not only enhances energy independence but also positions the U.S. as a global exporter, with projections indicating output could exceed 13.7 million b/d in 2026.
Energy Stocks Thrive Amid Policy Tailwinds
The stock market has responded enthusiastically to Trump's energy initiatives. The S&P 500 Energy sector posted a 3.92% year-to-date gain through June 13, 2025, outperforming broader market expectations amid policy shifts favoring fossil fuels.
Standout performers include Ramaco Resources Inc. (METC), Sable Offshore Corp. (SOC), and NextDecade Corp. (NEXT), which topped the list for 30-day returns in August 2025.
The MSCI Energy Index surged nearly 9% year-to-date, as investors pivoted from tech to value plays in energy, fueled by deregulation and increased production.
Historical data for the S&P 500 Energy sector in early August 2025 hovered around 650 points, reflecting stability and growth.
This performance contrasts with the sector's 7.8% return in 2024, lagging the broader S&P 500, but Trump's actions—such as reviving coal and accelerating LNG exports—have injected confidence, driving capital back into American energy firms.
Executive Orders: Reviving Coal, Opening Mines, and Stabilizing ElectricityTrump wasted no time issuing executive orders (EOs) to fortify traditional energy sources. On January 20, 2025, the "Unleashing American Energy" EO directed agencies to review and rescind burdensome regulations, policies, and guidance that hindered production.
This set the stage for the April 8, 2025, EO "Reinvigorating America's Beautiful Clean Coal Industry," which revoked federal limits on coal production, opened new leases on federal lands, and loosened emission standards for coal plants.
These moves aim to keep coal plants operational, countering closures under prior administrations, and support grid stability amid rising demand from AI and manufacturing.
Mining has also seen a boost. The administration accelerated reviews for expansions like the Black Butte Mine, unlocking millions of tons of coal.
Additional EOs established the National Energy Dominance Council to streamline permits and prioritize fossil fuels.
On electricity costs, while national averages rose 6.5% from April 2024 to 2025—reaching 13.17 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in May 2025—Trump's policies are designed to reverse this trend by increasing supply.
The EIA projects a 13% nominal increase from 2022 to 2025, but expanded coal, gas, and nuclear production could mitigate hikes, potentially lowering costs through greater efficiency.
Social media buzz highlights this impact, with posts noting Trump's reversal of Biden's "war on American energy" leading to lower gas prices and stabilized grids.
Slashing Regulations: Billions in Savings and Economic BoostRegulatory reform has been a cornerstone of Trump's energy strategy. The January EO mandated a comprehensive review of existing rules, leading to the elimination of barriers to drilling, fracking, and exports.
By March 2025, these efforts had already saved families thousands of dollars annually through halted new regulations and streamlined processes.
Estimates suggest broader deregulation could yield $10 billion in annual savings from avoided penalties and compliance costs in the energy sector alone.
The American Energy Alliance tracked 200 actions in the first 200 days, including overturning Biden's climate agenda, which experts say will reduce household energy burdens by promoting affordable fossil fuels over subsidized renewables.
While some analyses warn of long-term environmental trade-offs, the immediate economic relief—projected at $2,500 per household from pre-Biden savings restored—underscores the fiscal benefits.
Trump's focus on cutting red tape has fast-tracked projects, creating jobs and attracting $92 billion in investments.
The Road Ahead: True Energy Independence
In just 200 days, Trump's second term has redefined energy dominance, with record production, buoyant stocks, revived coal and mining sectors, and aggressive deregulation delivering real savings. Challenges remain, including market volatility and rising electricity demand from AI, but the trajectory is clear: America is reclaiming its role as an energy superpower.
As one X post aptly put it, "Drill, Baby, Drill" is turning policy into power, ensuring affordable, reliable energy for generations.
As an oil and gas producer, we can see the positive effects of the regulations and cost savings, but we have a long way to go. We will not achieve energy dominance due to unresolved key issues in California, which imports 70% of its oil, and the lack of United States-flagged LNG tankers. I am confident that the adminstration is working to solve these huge issues. The cool thing is that this is the first 200 days. What will be in store for us after the next 200?
I am hoping for peace in Ukraine as they are meeting in the White House, and we can put an end to the killing.
This isn't just about dominance—it's about prosperity. And that is the Crude Truth