Stories
Trump Uses Cold War Law to Boost Fuel Supplies Ahead of Midterms
F
Firstpost•14-10-2026, 07:37
Trump Uses Cold War Law to Boost Fuel Supplies Ahead of Midterms
- •The Trump administration plans to expand the Delek US Holdings oil refinery in Tyler, Texas, using the Cold War-era Defense Production Act to increase fuel supplies.
- •US Vice President JD Vance announced the move, stating the expansion aims to produce millions of gallons of commercial and military-grade fuel to lower everyday costs for Americans.
- •The administration has not yet disclosed funding details, the project timeline, or how much the refinery's processing capacity will increase.
- •High energy costs have become a defining issue for voters ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, putting pressure on the administration to address household affordability.
- •Refinery expansion projects typically require significant time and capital, meaning the move is unlikely to provide an immediate fix for current high fuel prices.
Key Questions Answered
The Trump administration is using the Defense Production Act (DPA), which was enacted in 1950 during the Korean War, to support the expansion of the Delek US Holdings refinery in Tyler, Texas.
The refinery in Tyler, located about 322 km north of Houston, currently processes approximately 74,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
The administration issued a US general licence easing restrictions on Russian-origin diesel, a step that drew criticism from both Democrats and Republicans over foreign policy implications.
