Interagency Working Group on Coordination of Domestic Energy Development and Permitting in Alaska, 41989-41991 [2011-18065]

Agencies

• Executive Office of the President

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 136 (Friday, July 15, 2011)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 41989-41991]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-18065]



[[Page 41987]]

Vol. 76

Friday,

No. 136

July 15, 2011

Part V





The President





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Executive Order 13580--Interagency Working Group on Coordination of 
Domestic Energy Development and Permitting in Alaska


                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 136 / Friday, July 15, 2011 / 
Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 41989]]

                Executive Order 13580 of July 12, 2011

                
Interagency Working Group on Coordination of 
                Domestic Energy Development and Permitting in Alaska

                By the authority vested in me as President by the 
                Constitution and the laws of the United States of 
                America, and in order to establish an interagency 
                working group to coordinate the efforts of Federal 
                agencies responsible for overseeing the safe and 
                responsible development of onshore and offshore energy 
                resources and associated infrastructure in Alaska and 
                to help reduce our dependence on foreign oil, it is 
                hereby ordered as follows:

                Section 1. Policy. Interagency coordination is 
                important for the safe, responsible, and efficient 
                development of oil and natural gas resources in Alaska, 
                both onshore and on the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf 
                (OCS), while protecting human health and the 
                environment, as well as indigenous populations. A 
                number of executive departments and agencies (agencies) 
                are charged with ensuring that resource development 
                projects in Alaska comply with health, safety, and 
                environmental protection standards. To formalize and 
                promote ongoing interagency coordination, this order 
                establishes a high-level, interagency working group 
                that will facilitate coordinated and efficient domestic 
                energy development and permitting in Alaska while 
                ensuring that all applicable standards are fully met.

                Sec. 2. Establishment. There is established an 
                Interagency Working Group on Coordination of Domestic 
                Energy Development and Permitting in Alaska (Working 
                Group), led by the Department of the Interior.

                Sec. 3. Membership. (a) The Deputy Secretary of the 
                Interior shall serve as Chair of the Working Group and 
                coordinate its work. The Working Group shall also 
                include deputy-level representatives or officials at 
                the equivalent level, designated by the head of the 
                respective agency, from:

(i) the Department of Defense;

(ii) the Department of Commerce;

(iii) the Department of Agriculture;

(iv) the Department of Energy;

(v) the Department of Homeland Security;

(vi) the Environmental Protection Agency; and

(vii) the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas 
Transportation Projects.

                    (b) The Domestic Policy Council shall work closely 
                with the Chair of the Working Group and assist in the 
                interagency coordination functions described in section 
                4 of this order. To maximize coordination with National 
                Security Policy Directive-66 (NSPD-66), ``Arctic Region 
                Policy;'' Executive Order 13547 of July 19, 2010 
                (``Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great 
                Lakes''); the National Response Framework; the National 
                Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan 
                (National Contingency Plan); and other relevant Federal 
                policy initiatives, the Working Group shall also 
                include deputy-level representatives or officials at 
                the equivalent level, designated by the head of the 
                respective agency or office, from:

(i) the Council on Environmental Quality;

(ii) the Office of Science and Technology Policy;

(iii) the Office of Management and Budget; and

[[Page 41990]]

(iv) the National Security Staff.

                    (c) The Working Group shall consult with other 
                agencies and offices, as appropriate, in order to 
                facilitate the sharing of information and best 
                practices.
                    (d) Members of the Working Group shall meet 
                periodically and on a schedule coordinated with 
                significant milestones in the various permitting 
                cycles. Staff from the participating agencies shall 
                meet as appropriate to facilitate the functions of the 
                Working Group.

                Sec. 4. Functions. Consistent with the authorities and 
                responsibilities of participating agencies, the Working 
                Group shall perform the following functions:

                    (a) facilitate orderly and efficient decisionmaking 
                regarding the issuance of permits and conduct of 
                environmental reviews for onshore and offshore energy 
                development projects in Alaska;
                    (b) ensure that the schedules and progress of 
                agency regulatory and permitting activities are 
                coordinated appropriately, that they operate 
                efficiently and effectively, and that agencies assist 
                one another, as appropriate;
                    (c) facilitate the sharing of application and 
                project information among agencies, including 
                information regarding anticipated timelines and 
                milestones;
                    (d) ensure the sharing and integrity of scientific 
                and environmental information and cultural and 
                traditional knowledge among agencies to support the 
                permit evaluation process of onshore and offshore 
                energy development projects in Alaska;
                    (e) engage in longterm planning and ensure 
                coordination with the appropriate Federal entities 
                related to such issues as oil spill prevention, 
                preparedness and response, and the development of 
                necessary infrastructure to adequately support energy 
                development in Alaska;
                    (f) coordinate Federal engagement with States, 
                localities, and tribal governments, as it relates to 
                energy development and permitting issues in Alaska, 
                including:

(i) designating a primary point of contact to facilitate coordination with 
the State of Alaska;

(ii) designating a primary point of contact to facilitate coordination with 
local communities, governments, tribes, co-management organizations, and 
similar Alaska Native organizations;

                    (g) collaborate on stakeholder outreach; and
                    (h) promote interagency dialogue with respect to 
                communications with industry regarding Alaska offshore 
                and onshore energy development and permitting issues.

                Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) This order shall be 
                implemented consistent with applicable law and subject 
                to the availability of appropriations.

                    (b) The Department of the Interior shall provide 
                administrative support for the Working Group to the 
                extent permitted by law.
                    (c) Nothing in this order shall be construed to 
                impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the 
head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

[[Page 41991]]

                    (d) This order is not intended to, and does not, 
                create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, 
                enforceable at law or in equity by any party against 
                the United States, its departments, agencies, or 
                entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any 
                other person.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

                THE WHITE HOUSE,

                    July 12, 2011.

[FR Doc. 2011-18065
Filed 7-14-11; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W1-P