Supporting Safe and Responsible Development of Unconventional Domestic Natural Gas Resources

This executive order creates an interagency working group chaired by the Domestic Policy Council Director to coordinate federal agency efforts supporting safe and responsible development of unconventional domestic natural gas resources, such as shale gas. It aims to streamline policy coordination across 13+ agencies while maintaining environmental and public health safeguards.

Federal Register Open PDF 77 FR 23107

Key directives

Establish Interagency Working Group chaired by Director of Domestic Policy Council or designee
Include deputy-level representatives from 13 specified agencies/offices
Coordinate agency policy activities for efficient and effective operation
Coordinate sharing of scientific, environmental, technical, and economic information among agencies
Engage in long-term planning for research, natural resource assessment, and infrastructure development
Promote interagency communication with stakeholders
Consult with other agencies and offices as appropriate

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Interagency Working Group established upon signing

Near term (90d)

Agency deputy-level representatives designated to Working Group
Initial coordination mechanisms activated

Long term

Ongoing interagency policy coordination on natural gas development
Long-term planning for research, resource assessment, and infrastructure development

Risks & tensions

No specific deadlines or reporting requirements in text, creating uncertainty about accountability metrics
Vague 'as appropriate' qualifiers on several functions may limit binding coordination
Explicit preservation of agency authority (Sec. 3(b)(i)) may weaken Working Group effectiveness if agencies resist coordination
Subject to appropriations availability (Sec. 3(a)), potentially constraining implementation
Disclaimers in Sec. 3(c) prevent private enforcement, limiting stakeholder leverage