The US Energy Department will use Cold War powers to force companies to cooperate

The US Energy Department is holding a public meeting to discuss how it will use the Defense Production Act. This law allows the government to force private companies to prioritize certain contracts for national defense.

The Defense Production Act is a Cold War-era law that gives the President broad powers to direct industrial production. Using it for energy projects means the government can compel companies to produce specific goods or services, or to prioritize certain contracts, even if it's not in their immediate commercial interest. This could accelerate projects deemed critical for national security, like domestic clean energy manufacturing or grid upgrades.