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

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

(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.

    (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.