economy
February 22, 2026
The world's largest energy lender has a new head: Here's how it could shape U.S. policy
Gregory Beard heads the Office of Energy Dominance Financing, which has nearly $300 billion in lending authority. These are his energy priorities.
TL;DR
- Gregory Beard has taken over as director of the Office of Energy Dominance Financing (EDF), the world's largest energy lender with $289 billion in loan authority.
- Beard's priorities include dispensing capital at a record rate, focusing on affordability, reliability, and American energy independence.
- The EDF has reevaluated Biden-era loans, resulting in the cancellation or restructuring of a significant portion, aligning with the Trump administration's energy goals.
- The office's focus areas have shifted to nuclear, coal, oil, gas, hydrocarbons, critical materials and minerals, grid and transmission, and manufacturing and transportation.
- Key initiatives include bolstering the U.S. energy grid, supporting AI development, and breaking China's chokehold on critical minerals.
- The EDF plans to be a significant backer of new nuclear projects and aims to revitalize the nuclear industry.
- The agency will also focus on securing domestic supplies of critical minerals to reduce reliance on foreign countries, particularly China.
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