Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
Executive orders directing the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency · 36 in Obama · 138 all terms.
Related departments
Orders
36 shown · Obama
Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience
This executive order establishes the Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area to protect marine ecosystems and Alaska Native subsistence communities from climate change impacts. It withdraws specified offshore areas from oil and gas leasing, creates an interagency task force and tribal advisory council, mandates consideration of traditional knowledge in federal decisionmaking, and directs the Coast Guard to develop shipping route protections and update spill response plans.
Safeguarding the Nation From the Impacts of Invasive Species
This executive order updates and strengthens federal coordination on invasive species by amending Executive Order 13112. It maintains the National Invasive Species Council with expanded membership, adds new priorities including climate change and public health impacts, and mandates a new management plan with specific reporting requirements.
Establishing a Community Solutions Council
This executive order establishes a new Community Solutions Council to coordinate federal community investment programs across agencies, replacing two prior Obama-era councils. The Council is led by two Co-Chairs (one from the White House/OMB, one rotating among eight major agencies every four years) and includes 34+ members spanning nearly the entire Cabinet and key White House offices. It builds on existing place-based initiatives like Promise Zones and StrikeForce, with a mandate to foster interagency collaboration, scale evidence-based practices, and center locally led visions in federal policymaking.
Advancing the Global Health Security Agenda To Achieve a World Safe and Secure From Infectious Disease Threats
This executive order institutionalizes U.S. participation in the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), a multinational initiative to strengthen countries' abilities to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats. It creates a new interagency council chaired by National Security Council staff, assigns specific roles to 13 agencies, and mandates reporting and external evaluation requirements through 2019.
Mitigating Impacts on Natural Resources From Development and Encouraging Related Private Investment
This 2015 presidential memorandum directs five federal agencies to adopt consistent policies for mitigating environmental impacts from development, with emphasis on avoiding and minimizing harm before compensating for it. It establishes principles for advance compensation, mitigation banking, and private investment in restoration, and sets specific deadlines for agencies to develop new guidance and regulations.
Continuance or Reestablishment of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
This executive order continues or reestablishes 40 federal advisory committees until September 30, 2017, transferring FACA compliance responsibilities to designated agency heads and updating administrative oversight for the National Industrial Security Program Policy Advisory Committee.
Delegation of Certain Authorities and Assignment of Certain Functions Under the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015
This executive order delegates presidential authorities and assigns functions under the 2015 Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) law to specific officials, primarily the U.S. Trade Representative, while reserving certain authorities to the President. It establishes interagency processes for environmental reviews, employment impact assessments, labor rights reports, and implementation planning for trade agreements.
Enhancing Coordination of National Efforts in the Arctic
This executive order establishes an Arctic Executive Steering Committee to coordinate federal Arctic policy across agencies during the U.S. chairmanship of the Arctic Council. It mandates improved interagency coordination, tribal consultation with Alaska Native governments, and a report identifying overlaps and gaps in Arctic policy implementation.
Creating a Federal Strategy To Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators
This memorandum establishes the Pollinator Health Task Force co-chaired by the Secretary of Agriculture and EPA Administrator, directing federal agencies to develop a National Pollinator Health Strategy within 180 days and take immediate steps to expand pollinator habitat on federal lands, revise landscaping guidance, assess pesticide impacts, and increase conservation program acreage for pollinators.
Establishing a Quadrennial Energy Review
This memorandum establishes a Quadrennial Energy Review Task Force co-chaired by the OSTP and Domestic Policy Council directors to produce a comprehensive energy policy review every four years, with the first report due January 31, 2015 focusing on U.S. energy infrastructure challenges. The Task Force includes representatives from 23 agencies and is directed to engage stakeholders and recommend executive and legislative actions.
Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security
This executive order establishes an interagency working group to improve coordination among federal agencies, state/local/tribal partners, and private industry on chemical facility safety and security. It mandates multiple assessments, pilot programs, and regulatory reviews to modernize risk management practices, enhance information sharing, and reduce duplicative reporting requirements following chemical facility tragedies.
Expanding National Service Through Partnerships to Advance Government Priorities
This memorandum establishes an interagency Task Force on Expanding National Service, co-chaired by the CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the Director of the Domestic Policy Council. It directs federal agencies to develop partnerships with CNCS to expand national service and volunteer opportunities aligned with the six focus areas of the Serve America Act, and requires specific reports and guidance within set timeframes.
Establishing the White House Council on Native American Affairs
This executive order creates the White House Council on Native American Affairs, chaired by the Secretary of the Interior, to coordinate federal policy across 30+ agencies to support tribal self-governance and improve quality of life for Native Americans. It establishes a formal structure for interagency coordination on economic development, healthcare, education, justice, and environmental protection while mandating three annual meetings.
Power Sector Carbon Pollution Standards
President Obama directed the EPA to develop and issue carbon pollution standards for power plants, including new plants (with a new proposal due by September 20, 2013) and existing/modified/reconstructed plants (proposed by June 1, 2014, final by June 1, 2015, with state implementation plans due June 30, 2016). The memorandum emphasized flexible, market-based approaches and collaboration with states, industry, and other stakeholders.
Modernizing Federal Infrastructure Review and Permitting Regulations, Policies, and Procedures
This memorandum directs federal agencies to modernize infrastructure permitting and review regulations to cut aggregate timelines for major projects in half while improving environmental and community outcomes. It mandates a 60-day prioritization effort and 120-day comprehensive modernization plan by an interagency steering committee, building on Executive Order 13604 reforms.
Establishing the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force
This executive order establishes a cabinet-level task force chaired by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to coordinate long-term rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Sandy. The task force is required to produce a comprehensive rebuilding strategy within 180 days of its first meeting, after which it will terminate 60 days later.
Establishing the White House Homeland Security Partnership Council
This executive order creates the White House Homeland Security Partnership Council and its Steering Committee to institutionalize collaboration between federal field offices and local partners—including state/local/tribal governments, private sector, and nonprofits—to address homeland security challenges ranging from disaster response to terrorism prevention. The Council advises on priorities, promotes best practices, and convenes annually, while the Steering Committee sets its scope, selects members, and reports to the President yearly.
Supporting Safe and Responsible Development of Unconventional Domestic Natural Gas Resources
This executive order creates an interagency working group chaired by the Domestic Policy Council Director to coordinate federal agency efforts supporting safe and responsible development of unconventional domestic natural gas resources, such as shale gas. It aims to streamline policy coordination across 13+ agencies while maintaining environmental and public health safeguards.
Establishing a White House Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities
This executive order establishes a White House Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) within HUD to coordinate federal technical assistance to local communities, helping them compete for federal resources and develop economic strategies. The Council is co-chaired by the HUD Secretary and the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, with broad membership across federal agencies.
Flexible Implementation of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards Rule
This memorandum directs the EPA Administrator to use Clean Air Act flexibilities to ensure smooth implementation of the new Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule for power plants, emphasizing electric reliability while maintaining public health benefits. It instructs broad availability of a fourth compliance year and coordination with energy regulators and stakeholders.
Interagency Working Group on Coordination of Domestic Energy Development and Permitting in Alaska
This executive order establishes an interagency working group led by the Department of the Interior to coordinate federal permitting and environmental review processes for oil and gas development in Alaska, both onshore and offshore. The group brings together deputy-level officials from multiple agencies to streamline decision-making while maintaining health, safety, and environmental standards.
Establishment of the SelectUSA Initiative
This executive order establishes SelectUSA, a Department of Commerce-based initiative to coordinate federal efforts to attract and retain domestic and foreign business investment in the United States. It creates a Federal Interagency Investment Working Group spanning nearly every cabinet department and major economic agency to promote the U.S. as a business location, serve as an investment ombudsman, and provide information to investors.
Establishment of the White House Rural Council
This executive order creates the White House Rural Council, chaired by the Secretary of Agriculture and comprising 25 federal agencies, to coordinate federal policy and investment in rural communities. The Council is tasked with streamlining federal spending, improving economic opportunities, and enhancing quality of life in rural America through better interagency collaboration.
Fundamental Principles and Policymaking Criteria for Partnerships With Faith-Based and Other Neighborhood Organizations
This executive order amends Executive Order 13279 to establish constitutional and operational principles for federal partnerships with faith-based and neighborhood organizations. It mandates equal treatment of faith-based providers in federal social service funding while prohibiting religious discrimination against beneficiaries and requiring separation of explicitly religious activities from federally funded programs. The order creates an Interagency Working Group to ensure uniform implementation across agencies and requires a report within 120 days on model regulations and guidance.
Establishing the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force
This executive order creates an intergovernmental task force to coordinate restoration of Gulf Coast ecosystems damaged by the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill and address long-term ecological decline. The Task Force includes federal agencies, five Gulf State representatives, and tribal representatives, and is charged with developing a regional restoration strategy within one year.
Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes
This executive order establishes a National Ocean Council to coordinate federal stewardship of oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes, implementing recommendations from the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force. It creates a framework for coastal and marine spatial planning to manage competing uses of marine environments while promoting ecosystem-based conservation. The order directs executive agencies to align their decisions with national ocean policy priorities and to participate in regional planning processes.
Establishing the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council
This executive order establishes the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council within HHS, chaired by the Surgeon General, to coordinate federal prevention and wellness efforts. It mandates development of a national health strategy and requires annual reports to Congress through 2015 on progress toward disease prevention goals.
Improving Energy Security, American Competitiveness and Job Creation, and Environmental Protection Through a Transformation of Our Nation's Fleet of Cars And Trucks
This memorandum directs EPA and NHTSA to develop joint fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks (model year 2014, final rule by July 30, 2011) and passenger cars/light-duty trucks (model years 2017-2025). It also requests EPA review of non-greenhouse gas vehicle emissions regulations and DOE promotion of advanced vehicle infrastructure and voluntary standards.
A 21st Century Strategy for America's Great Outdoors
This memorandum establishes the America's Great Outdoors Initiative, led by Interior, Agriculture, EPA, and CEQ, to reconnect Americans—especially children—with nature through community-based conservation, public-private partnerships, and interagency coordination. It mandates listening sessions across the country and requires three reports: an initial strategy report by November 15, 2010, and annual progress reports by September 30, 2011 and 2012.
Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance
This executive order mandates federal agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy and water efficiency, eliminate waste, and adopt sustainable practices in buildings, fleets, and procurement. It establishes a comprehensive framework with specific reduction targets, reporting requirements, and oversight mechanisms through the Council on Environmental Quality and Office of Management and Budget.
Establishing a White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers
This executive order creates a White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers to coordinate federal assistance for areas hit hard by auto industry job losses. The council includes cabinet secretaries and senior officials across multiple agencies, and is tasked with aligning federal programs to support automotive workers and communities. It automatically terminates after two years unless extended by the President.
Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration
This executive order establishes a coordinated federal framework to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. It creates a Federal Leadership Committee led by the EPA, mandates multiple agency reports on pollution control, agricultural practices, climate adaptation, and public access, and requires an annual action plan starting in 2010.
Biofuels And Rural Economic Development
President Obama established an interagency working group on biofuels and directed the Secretary of Agriculture to restructure renewable fuel investments and develop loan guarantee and funding programs within 30 days to accelerate biofuel production and rural economic development.
Establishing a White House Council on Women And Girls
This executive order creates a White House Council on Women and Girls to coordinate federal policy across agencies on issues affecting women and girls, including pay equity, healthcare access, educational opportunity, and workforce participation. The Council is advisory, composed of Cabinet secretaries and senior officials, and must submit an interagency plan within 150 days.
Establishment of the White House Office of Urban Affairs
This executive order creates the White House Office of Urban Affairs within the Executive Office of the President to coordinate federal urban policy across departments and agencies. The Office is tasked with developing a comprehensive urban policy agenda, ensuring federal spending in urban areas is effective, and engaging with state/local officials and private stakeholders.
State of California Request for Waiver Under 42 U.S.C. 7543(b), the Clean Air Act
This memorandum directs the EPA Administrator to review the prior denial of California's Clean Air Act waiver request for greenhouse gas emissions standards for motor vehicles, and to take appropriate action based on that assessment. The action effectively signals reversal of the Bush administration's 2008 denial of California's waiver.