17 April 2012

Prez Orders More Unconventional Natural Gas

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 17, 2012)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 23107-23108]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9473]


[[Page 23105]]

Vol. 77

Tuesday,

No. 74

April 17, 2012

Part VII

The President

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Executive Order 13605--Supporting Safe and Responsible Development of 
Unconventional Domestic Natural Gas Resources

                        Presidential Documents 

Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 74 / Tuesday, April 17, 2012 / 
Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 23107]]

                Executive Order 13605 of April 13, 2012
                
Supporting Safe and Responsible Development of 
                Unconventional Domestic Natural Gas Resources

                By the authority vested in me as President by the 
                Constitution and the laws of the United States of 
                America, and in order to coordinate the efforts of 
                Federal agencies responsible for overseeing the safe 
                and responsible development of unconventional domestic 
                natural gas resources and associated infrastructure and 
                to help reduce our dependence on oil, it is hereby 
                ordered as follows:

                Section 1. Policy. In 2011, natural gas provided 25 
                percent of the energy consumed in the United States. 
                Its production creates jobs and provides economic 
                benefits to the entire domestic production supply 
                chain, as well as to chemical and other manufacturers, 
                who benefit from lower feedstock and energy costs. By 
                helping to power our transportation system, greater use 
                of natural gas can also reduce our dependence on oil. 
                And with appropriate safeguards, natural gas can 
                provide a cleaner source of energy than other fossil 
                fuels.

                For these reasons, it is vital that we take full 
                advantage of our natural gas resources, while giving 
                American families and communities confidence that 
                natural and cultural resources, air and water quality, 
                and public health and safety will not be compromised.

                While natural gas production is carried out by private 
                firms, and States are the primary regulators of onshore 
                oil and gas activities, the Federal Government has an 
                important role to play by regulating oil and gas 
                activities on public and Indian trust lands, 
                encouraging greater use of natural gas in 
                transportation, supporting research and development 
                aimed at improving the safety of natural gas 
                development and transportation activities, and setting 
                sensible, cost-effective public health and 
                environmental standards to implement Federal law and 
                augment State safeguards.

                Because efforts to promote safe, responsible, and 
                efficient development of unconventional domestic 
                natural gas resources are underway at a number of 
                executive departments and agencies (agencies), close 
                interagency coordination is important for effective 
                implementation of these programs and activities. To 
                formalize and promote ongoing interagency coordination, 
                this order establishes a high-level, interagency 
                working group that will facilitate coordinated 
                Administration policy efforts to support safe and 
                responsible unconventional domestic natural gas 
                development.

                Sec. 2. Interagency Working Group to Support Safe and 
                Responsible Development of Unconventional Domestic 
                Natural Gas Resources. There is established an 
                Interagency Working Group to Support Safe and 
                Responsible Development of Unconventional Domestic 
                Natural Gas Resources (Working Group), to be chaired by 
                the Director of the Domestic Policy Council, or a 
                designated representative.

                    (a) Membership. In addition to the Chair, the 
                Working Group shall include deputy-level 
                representatives or equivalent officials, designated by 
                the head of the respective agency or office, from:

(i) the Department of Defense;

(ii) the Department of the Interior;

(iii) the Department of Agriculture;

[[Page 23108]]

(iv) the Department of Commerce;

(v) the Department of Health and Human Services;

(vi) the Department of Transportation;

(vii) the Department of Energy;

(viii) the Department of Homeland Security;

(ix) the Environmental Protection Agency;

(x) the Council on Environmental Quality;

(xi) the Office of Science and Technology Policy;

(xii) the Office of Management and Budget;

(xiii) the National Economic Council; and

(xiv) such other agencies or offices as the Chair may invite to 
participate.

                    (b) Functions. Consistent with the authorities and 
                responsibilities of participating agencies and offices, 
                the Working Group shall support the safe and 
                responsible production of domestic unconventional 
                natural gas by performing the following functions:

(i) coordinate agency policy activities, ensuring their efficient and 
effective operation and facilitating cooperation among agencies, as 
appropriate;

(ii) coordinate among agencies the sharing of scientific, environmental, 
and related technical and economic information;

(iii) engage in long-term planning and ensure coordination among the 
appropriate Federal entities with respect to such issues as research, 
natural resource assessment, and the development of infrastructure;

(iv) promote interagency communication with stakeholders; and

(v) consult with other agencies and offices as appropriate.

                Sec. 3. General Provisions. (a) This order shall be 
                implemented consistent with applicable law and subject 
                to the availability of appropriations.

                    (b) 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.

                    (c) 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,

                    April 13, 2012.

[FR Doc. 2012-9473
Filed 4-16-12; 3:00 pm]
Billing code 3295-F2-P