ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13614Executive OrderObama · D

Executive Order 13614

Providing an Order of Succession Within the Environmental Protection Agency

Energy & EnvironmentEnergy & EnvironmentFederal WorkforceFederal Workforce

In simple terms

This executive order establishes a formal line of succession for who would serve as acting Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency if both the Administrator and Deputy Administrator are unable to serve. It lists thirteen EPA officials in priority order, from General Counsel down to Deputy Regional Administrator of Region II, and revokes two earlier Bush-era succession orders.

Federal Register Open PDF 77 FR 31157

Record & deadlines

  1. Signed

    Signed by the President

  2. FR published

    Published in the Federal Register · 77 FR 31157

    Federal Register PDF

Key directives

  • Establish 13-person order of succession for EPA Administrator
  • Disqualify acting officials from ascending by virtue of their acting status
  • Require eligibility under Federal Vacancies Reform Act for all successors
  • Preserve presidential discretion to depart from this order
  • Revoke Executive Order 13261 (2002) and Executive Order 13344 (2004)

Prior policyRollback

  • revokeExecutive Order 13261 of March 19, 2002 (Providing an Order of Succession in the Environmental Protection Agency and Amending Certain Orders on Succession)
  • revokeExecutive Order 13344 of July 7, 2004 (Amending Executive Order 13261 on the Order of Succession in the Environmental Protection Agency)

Related orders

What to expect

Immediate

  • Order takes effect upon signing; succession line is now active

Near term (90d)

  • None specified

Long term

  • Remains in effect until superseded; governs any future succession events at EPA

Risks & tensions

  • Low-profile but structurally important for continuity of environmental regulation during crises
  • Presidential discretion clause (Sec. 2(c)) creates uncertainty about when this order would actually be followed
  • No specified process for temporary vs. extended vacancies; standard FVRA rules apply
  • Regional administrators ranked last may reflect geographic/political considerations
Executive Order 13614: Providing an Order of Succession Within the Environmental Protection Agency · Executive Orders