PRESIDENT TRUMP’S EOs REGARDING ENERGY TRANSITION ISSUES: The President’s Legal Authority to Pause Disbursements
Updated January 29, 2025, as the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a recission of the guidance it issued on January 27, 2025, and instructed all Executive Branch agencies to contact their General Counsels with questions regarding President Trump’s Executive Orders. Despite this recission, as Executive Branch agencies interpret the intent of President Trump in the Executive Orders, it is likely that they will be guided by the rescinded OMB Disbursement Guidance.
The issuance of Executive Orders and associated internal guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) during the first days of President Trump’s second administration have created significant confusion and uncertainty in the energy transition space. News coverage of these events tend towards captivating headlines and a lack detail sufficient for businesses to assess risks.
ETAG will publish several articles over the coming days that provide concrete and objective information about the Executive Orders and OMB guidance that impact the energy transition.
This first article addresses the President’s legal authority to pause disbursements of Federal financial assistance.
Updated January 29, 2025, as the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a recission of the guidance it issued on January 27, 2025, and instructed all Executive Branch agencies to contact their General Counsels with questions regarding President Trump’s Executive Orders. Despite this recission, as Executive Branch agencies interpret the intent of President Trump in the Executive Orders, it is likely that they will be guided by the rescinded OMB Disbursement Guidance.
The issuance of Executive Orders and associated internal guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) during the first days of President Trump’s second administration have created significant confusion and uncertainty in the energy transition space. News coverage of these events tend towards captivating headlines and a lack detail sufficient for businesses to assess risks.
ETAG will publish several articles over the coming days that provide concrete and objective information about the Executive Orders and OMB guidance that impact the energy transition.
This first article addresses the President’s legal authority to pause disbursements of Federal financial assistance.
Mobilizing Private Investment in Global Infrastructure - Video of Wilson Center Event
The Wilson Center hosted a number of experts to discuss mobilizing private investment in global infrastructure on 16 November 2023. Hon. Nisha Biswal, Deputy CEO of DFC, provided the keynote address.
I spoke on the panel hosted by the Wilson Center’s CEO’s Chief of Staff, Eddy Acevedo, on Empowering the DFC for Greater Impact. The entire event can be found at:
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/mobilizing-private-investment-international-infrastructure
My panel starts at 1:41:43.
The Wilson Center hosted a number of experts to discuss mobilizing private investment in global infrastructure on 16 November 2023. Hon. Nisha Biswal, Deputy CEO of DFC, provided the keynote address.
Kimberly Heimert spoke on the panel hosted by the Wilson Center’s CEO’s Chief of Staff, Eddy Acevedo, on Empowering the DFC for Greater Impact. The entire event can be found at:
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/mobilizing-private-investment-international-infrastructure
Kimberly’s panel starts at 1:41:43.
International Development Finance Corporation Recommendations - White Paper
The International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is an effective economic development and foreign policy tool that contributes significantly to the energy transition. As the former General Counsel of its predecessor OPIC (Overseas Private Investment Corporation), I am in a unique position to understand the roadblocks that should be removed to make it even more effective. As a part of a study group formed by the Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition (WISC) at the Wilson Center, I worked with a number of talented colleagues to develop a list of several recommendations, along with a white paper that explains in some detail how and why these recommendations should be implemented.
The International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is an effective economic development and foreign policy tool that contributes significantly to the energy transition. As the former General Counsel of its predecessor OPIC (Overseas Private Investment Corporation), Kimberly Heimert is in a unique position to understand the roadblocks that should be removed to make it even more effective. As a part of a study group formed by the Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition (WISC) at the Wilson Center, Kimberly worked with a number of talented colleagues to develop a list of several recommendations, along with a white paper that explains in some detail how and why these recommendations should be implemented.
Recommendations: https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/empowering-development-finance-corporation-greater-impact
White Paper:https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/strengthening-impact-development-finance-corporation