Expediting Review of Pipeline Projects From Cushing, Oklahoma, to Port Arthur, Texas, and Other Domestic Pipeline Infrastructure Projects

This memorandum directs federal agencies to expedite permitting and environmental reviews for domestic oil pipeline projects, particularly a pipeline from Cushing, Oklahoma to Port Arthur, Texas, to alleviate bottlenecks in crude oil transport. It requires agencies to coordinate reviews, avoid duplicative environmental studies by using prior work, and track projects on the Federal Infrastructure Projects Dashboard.

Federal Register Open PDF 77 FR 18891

Impact dates

Mar 22, 2012
Expedited review and coordination for pipeline projects

Key directives

Agencies shall coordinate and expedite reviews, consultations, and processes for domestic pipeline infrastructure projects
Agencies shall utilize and incorporate information from prior environmental reviews to avoid duplicating effort
Applicable projects shall have status tracked on online Federal Infrastructure Projects Dashboard
Implementation consistent with EO of March 22, 2012 (Improving Performance of Federal Permitting and Review of Infrastructure Projects)

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Agencies directed to begin expedited review coordination for pipeline projects

Near term (90d)

Pipeline projects tracked on Federal Infrastructure Projects Dashboard
Agencies to incorporate prior environmental reviews where practicable

Long term

Potential construction of Cushing-to-Port Arthur pipeline and other infrastructure
Reduced foreign oil dependence claimed as strategic goal

Risks & tensions

Expedited environmental review may conflict with thorough environmental and community impact assessment
Vague 'to the maximum extent practicable' qualifier limits binding obligation
Subject to 'availability of appropriations' may constrain implementation
No enforceable rights created per Section 2(c)