Vance made the announcement at a campaign stop in Tyler, Texas, saying the administration will work with Delek US Holdings on the expansion and tap the Defense Production Act, the Cold War era law President Trump has already invoked to fund a range of energy projects. The move comes as high energy prices strain household budgets and squeeze the administration politically ahead of the midterms, with diesel costs in particular at the centre of the week’s fight over the Russian fuel deal. It follows September reporting by Reuters that the White House was weighing Defense Production Act use to expand United States refining capacity, with refiners already running near full utilization.
Vance says wartime authority will fund Delek refinery expansion in Texas
Vice President JD Vance said on Tuesday that the Trump administration will use the Defense Production Act to help Delek US Holdings expand a refinery in Texas.
Why it matters: It is the administration's latest use of wartime powers on energy, aimed squarely at the high fuel prices that have become a political liability ahead of the November midterms and that sit behind the fight over the Russian diesel deal.
Data as of Tuesday, October 13, 2026. The Bloomberg report was opened and read in full in the portion outside its paywall; The Hill carried the same announcement the same evening. Developing item, 2 to 3 sentences by design.
Sources
- Vance announces plan to use wartime authority to boost fuel production at Texas refinery · The Hill · 2026-10-13
- US to Help Expand Delek Refinery, Vance Says in Visit to Texas · Bloomberg Law · 2026-10-13