Cooperation Among Agencies in Protecting the Environment With Respect to Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Motor Vehicles, Nonroad Vehicles, and Nonroad Engines

This executive order requires the Department of Transportation, Department of Energy, and Environmental Protection Agency to coordinate their regulatory actions affecting greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles and nonroad engines. It mandates joint rulemaking where practicable, inter-agency consultation at least 30 days before publication, and establishes OMB monitoring with semiannual reporting to the President.

Federal Register Open PDF 72 FR 27717

Impact dates

Nov 10, 2007
OMB Director must report to President semiannually on implementation
Jun 13, 2007
Obtain concurrence or views from other agencies prior to publication of regulatory action

Key directives

Agencies must undertake regulatory actions jointly to maximum extent permitted by law and practicable
Agencies must obtain concurrence or views from other agencies no later than 30 days prior to publication of regulatory actions
Agency heads must designate personnel to direct implementation and ensure coordination
Agencies must continue and share research on emissions-reduction technologies
Agencies must facilitate sharing of personnel and information
Agencies must coordinate to avoid duplicative public information requests
Agencies must consult with Secretary of Agriculture on regulatory actions significantly affecting ethanol, biodiesel, or renewable fuels
OMB Director must monitor implementation and report to President semiannually with recommendations

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Agency heads must designate personnel to implement coordination requirements
Inter-agency consultation process takes effect for pending regulatory actions

Near term (90d)

OMB begins semiannual monitoring and reporting cycle
Agencies establish information-sharing protocols and personnel exchange mechanisms

Long term

Sustained inter-agency coordination on vehicle emissions regulations
Technology research advancement through Committee on Climate Change Science and Technology
Potential restructuring of regulatory responsibilities among agencies

Risks & tensions

Joint rulemaking requirement may slow regulatory pace due to inter-agency negotiation
Concurrence process 30 days before publication could create veto points or delays
Vague 'to the maximum extent permitted by law and determined...to be practicable' creates flexibility but also potential for non-compliance
Agricultural consultation requirement adds stakeholder layer that may complicate renewable fuel regulations
Semiannual OMB reporting lacks specific content requirements, creating uncertainty about accountability strength