ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13212Executive OrderG.W. Bush · R

Executive Order 13212

Actions To Expedite Energy-Related Projects

This executive order directs federal agencies to expedite permit reviews and other actions for energy-related projects while maintaining safety and environmental protections. It establishes a broad interagency task force, chaired by the Council on Environmental Quality chairman and housed at the Department of Energy, to monitor and coordinate these efforts across federal, state, tribal, and local levels.

Federal Register Open PDF 66 FR 28357

Key directives

  • Agencies shall expedite review of permits for energy-related projects
  • Agencies shall take other actions as necessary to accelerate completion of energy projects
  • Task Force shall monitor and assist agencies in expediting reviews
  • Task Force shall monitor and assist in setting up coordination mechanisms for Federal, State, tribal, and local permitting
  • Task Force shall be chaired by Chairman of Council on Environmental Quality and housed at Department of Energy

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Task Force establishment
  • Directive to agencies to expedite energy project reviews

Near term (90d)

  • Task Force coordination mechanisms for multi-level permitting

Long term

  • Ongoing monitoring of agency expedited review processes

Risks & tensions

  • Vague 'to the extent consistent with applicable law' and 'where appropriate' language creates uncertainty about binding force
  • Explicit disclaimer that order creates no enforceable rights limits legal leverage for project proponents
  • Broad Task Force membership (16+ agencies) may create coordination challenges rather than efficiency
  • Tension between expedited permitting and maintaining environmental protections is acknowledged but not resolved structurally
Executive Order 13212: Actions To Expedite Energy-Related Projects · Executive Orders