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Executive Orders

Executive Order 11912--Delegation of authorities relating to energy policy and conservation

Source: The provisions of Executive Order 11912 of Apr. 13, 1976, appear at 41 FR 15825, 3 CFR, 1976 Comp., p. 114, unless otherwise noted.

By virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the statutes of the United States of America, including the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (Public Law 94-163, 89 Stat. 871, 42 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.), the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.), the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2061 et seq.), and section 301 of Title 3 of the United States Code, and as President of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. (a) The Administrator of General Services is designated and empowered to perform without approval, ratification, or other action by the President, the functions vested in the President by Section 510 of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, as amended (89 Stat. 915, 15 U.S.C. 2010). The Administrator shall exercise that authority to ensure that passenger automobiles acquired by all Executive agencies in each fiscal year achieve a fleet average fuel economy standard that is not less than the average fuel economy standard for automobiles manufactured for the model year which includes January 1 of each fiscal year.
(b) The Administrator of General Services shall also promulgate rules which will ensure that each class of nonpassenger automobiles acquired by all Executive agencies in each fiscal year achieves a fleet average fuel economy that is not less than the average fuel economy standard for such class, established pursuant to Section 502(b) of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, as amended (89 Stat. 903, 15 U.S.C. 2002(b)), for the model year which includes January 1 of such fiscal year. Such rules shall not apply to nonpassenger automobiles intended for use in combat-related missions for the Armed Forces or intended for use in law enforcement work or emergency rescue work. The Administrator may provide for granting exceptions for individual nonpassenger automobiles or categories of nonpassenger automobiles as he determines to be appropriate in terms of energy conservation, economy, efficiency, or service.
(c) In performing these functions, the Administrator of General Services shall consult with the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Energy.

[Sec. 1 amended by Executive Order 12375 of Aug. 4, 1982, 47 FR 34105, 3 CFR, 1982 Comp., p. 202]

Sec. 2. The Secretary of Commerce is designated and empowered to perform without approval, ratification, or other action by the President, the functions vested in the President by section 103 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 877, 42 U.S.C. 6212). In performing each of these functions, the Secretary of Commerce shall consult with appropriate Executive agencies, as set forth in the provisions of section 5(a) of the Export Administration Act of 1969, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2404(a)).

Sec. 3. The Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, in the exercise of his statutory responsibility to provide overall direction of procurement policy (41 U.S.C. 405), shall, after consultation with the heads of appropriate agencies, including those responsible for developing energy conservation and efficiency standards, and to the extent he considers appropriate and with due regard to the program activities of the Executive agencies, provide policy guidance governing the application of energy conservation and efficiency standards in the Federal procurement process in accord with section 381(a)(1) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 939, 42 U.S.C. 6361(a)(1)).

Sec. 4. (a) The Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the heads of appropriate agencies, is hereby authorized and directed to develop for the President's consideration, in accord with section 201 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 890, 42 U.S.C. 6261), the energy conservation and rationing contingency plans prescribed under sections 202 and 203 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 892, 42 U.S.C. 6262 and 6263).
(b) The Secretary of Energy shall prepare, with the assistance of the heads of appropriate agencies, for the President's consideration, the annual reports provided by section 381(c) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 939, 42 U.S.C. 6361(c)).

[Sec. 4 amended by Executive Order 12038 of Feb. 3, 1978, 43 FR 4957, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 136, as amended by Executive Order 12156 of Sept. 10, 1979, 44 FR 53073, 3 CFR, 1979 Comp., p. 427]

Sec. 5. The Secretary of State is hereby delegated the authority vested in the President by Section 252(c)(1)(A)(iii) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 895, 42 U.S.C. 6272(c)(1)(A)(iii)).

Sec. 6. The Secretary of Energy is designated and empowered to perform without approval, ratification, or other action by the President, the functions vested in the President by:
(a) Section 251 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 894, 42 U.S.C. 6271), except the making of the findings provided by subparagraph (b)(1)(B) thereof; however in performing these functions, the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Commerce with respect to the international allocation of petroleum products which are within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States; and provided that the Secretary of Commerce shall promulgate rules, pursuant to the procedures established by the Export Administration Act of 1969, as amended, to authorize the export of petroleum and petroleum products, as may be necessary for implementation of the obligations of the United States under the International Energy Program, and in accordance with the rules promulgated under Section 251 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act by the Secretary pursuant to this subsection.
(b) Section 253(c) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 898, 42 U.S.C. 6273);
(c) Section 254(a) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 899, 42 U.S.C. 6274(a)), including the receipt of petitions under section 254(a)(3)(B); provided that, the authority under section 254(a) may be exercised only after consultation with the Secretary of State;
(d) Section 254(b) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 900, 42 U.S.C. 6274(b)); provided that, in determining whether the transmittal of data would prejudice competition or violate the antitrust laws, the Secretary shall consult with the Attorney General, and in determining whether the transmittal of data would be inconsistent with national security interests, he shall consult with the Secretaries of State and Defense, and the heads of such other agencies as he deems appropriate;
(e) Section 523(a)(2)(A) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 962, 42 U.S.C. 6393(a)(2)(A)), but only to the extent applicable to other functions delegated or assigned by this Order to the Secretary of Energy.

[Sec. 6 amended by Executive Order 12038 of Feb. 3, 1978, 43 FR 4957, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 136, as amended by Executive Order 12156 of Sept. 10, 1979, 44 FR 53073, 3 CFR, 1979 Comp., p. 427]

Sec. 7. (a) The Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency, is designated and empowered to perform without approval, ratification, or other action by the President, the functions vested in the President by section 101(c) of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (89 Stat. 878, 50 U.S.C. App. 2071(c)).
(b) The Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall redelegate the functions provided by section 101(c)(1) of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, to the Secretary of Commerce.
(c) The Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall redelegate the functions provided by section 101(c)(3) of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, to the Secretary of Commerce, who shall redelegate those functions, except the findings that the supplies are scarce and that it is necessary to exercise the authority provided by section 101(c)(1), to the Secretary of Energy.
(d) The Administrator of General Services shall provide for the overall coordination and direction of the functions provided by section 101(c) of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, in a manner similar to the exercise of functions under sections 101 (a) and (b) of that Act; except that, the Administrator shall first obtain the approval of the President if the implementation of any authority under section 101(c) of that Act would result in controlling the general distribution of materials in the civilian market, as that phrase is used in section 101(b) of that Act.

[Sec. 7 amended by Executive Order 12038 of Feb. 3, 1978, 43 FR 4957, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 136, as amended by Executive Order 12156 of Sept. 10, 1979, 44 FR 53073, 3 CFR, 1979 Comp., p. 427; Executive Order 12148 of July 20, 1979, 44 FR 43239, 3 CFR, 1979 Comp., p. 412]

Sec. 8. Nothing in this Order shall be deemed or construed to limit the provisions of Executive Order No. 11790 of June 25, 1974, except that any action taken pursuant to the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, requiring the allocation of, or priority performance under contracts or orders relating to, supplies of materials and equipment in order to maximize domestic energy supplies shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of section 7 of this Order rather than Executive Order No. 11790.

Sec. 9. All orders, regulations, circulars or other directives issued and all other action taken prior to the date of this order that would be valid under the authority delegated by this Order, are hereby confirmed and ratified and shall be deemed to have been issued under this order.

Sec. 10. (a)(1) The Secretary of Energy, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, shall develop, with the concurrence of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, the Administrator of General Services, and the heads of such other Executive agencies as he deems appropriate, the ten-year plan for energy conservation with respect to Government buildings, as provided by section 381(a)(2) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6361(a)(2)).
(2) The goals established in subsection (b) shall apply to the following categories of Federally-owned buildings: (i) office buildings, (ii) hospitals, (iii) schools, (iv) prison facilities, (v) multi-family dwellings, (vi) storage facilities, and (vii) such other categories of buildings for which the Secretary determines the establishment of energy-efficiency performance goals is feasible.
(b) The Secretary shall establish requirements and procedures, which shall be observed by each agency unless a waiver is granted by the Secretary, designed to ensure that each agency to the maximum extent practicable aims to achieve the following goals:
(1) For the total of all Federally-owned existing buildings the goal shall be a reduction of 20 percent in the average annual energy use per gross square foot of floor area in 1985 from the average energy use per gross square foot of floor area in 1975. This goal shall apply to all buildings for which construction was or design specifications were completed prior to the date of promulgation of the guidelines pursuant to subsection (d) of this Section.
(2) For the total of all Federally-owned new buildings the goal shall be a reduction of 45 percent in the average annual energy requirement per gross square foot of floor area in 1985 from the average annual energy use per gross square foot of floor area in 1975. This goal shall apply to all new buildings for which design specifications are completed after the date of promulgation of the guidelines pursuant to subsection (d) of this Section.
(c) The Secretary with the concurrence of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in consultation with the heads of the Executive agencies specified in subsection (a) and the Director of the National Bureau of Standards, shall establish, for purposes of developing the ten-year plan, a practical and effective method for estimating and comparing life cycle capital and operating costs for Federal buildings, including residential, commercial, and industrial type categories. Such method shall be consistent with the Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-94, and shall be adopted and used by all agencies in developing their plans pursuant to subsection (e), annual reports pursuant to subsection (g), and budget estimates pursuant to subsection (h). For purposes of this paragraph, the term "life cycle cost" means the total costs of owning, operating, and maintaining a building over its economic life, including its fuel and energy costs, determined on the basis of a systematic evaluation and comparison of alternative building systems.
(d) Not later than November 1, 1977, the Secretary, with the concurrence of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and after consultation with the Administrator of General Services and the heads of the Executive agencies specified in subsection (a) shall issue guidelines for the plans to be submitted pursuant to subsection (e).
(e)(1) The head of each Executive agency that maintains any existing building or will maintain any new building shall submit no later than six months after the issuance of guidelines pursuant to subsection (d), to the Secretary a ten-year plan designed to the maximum extent practicable to meet the goals in subsection (b) for the total of existing or new Federal buildings. Such ten-year plans shall only consider improvements that are cost-effective consistent with the criteria established by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB Circular A-94) and the method established pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section. The plan submitted shall specify appropriate energy-saving initiatives and shall estimate the expected improvements by fiscal year in terms of specific accomplishments--energy savings and cost savings--together with the estimated costs of achieving the savings.
(2) The plans submitted shall, to the maximum extent practicable, include the results of preliminary energy audits of all existing buildings with over 30,000 gross square feet of space owned and maintained by Executive agencies. Further, the second annual report submitted under subsection (g)(2) of this Section shall, to the maximum extent practicable, include the results of preliminary energy audits of all existing buildings with more than 5,000 but not more than 30,000 gross square feet of space. The purpose of such preliminary energy audits shall be to identify the type, size, energy use level and major energy using systems of existing Federal buildings.
(3) The Secretary shall evaluate agency plans relative to the guidelines established pursuant to subsection (d) for such plans and relative to the cost estimating method established pursuant to subsection (c). Plans determined to be deficient by the Administrator will be returned to the submitting agency head for revision and resubmission within 60 days.
(4) The head of any Executive agency submitting a plan, should he disagree with the Secretary's determination with respect to that plan, may appeal to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget for resolution of the disagreement.
(f) The head of each agency submitting a plan or revised plan determined not deficient by the Secretary or, on appeal, by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall implement the plan in accord with approved budget estimates.
(g)(1) Each Executive agency shall submit to the Secretary an overall plan for conserving fuel and energy in all operations of the agency. This overall plan shall be in addition to and include any ten-year plan for energy conservation in Government buildings submitted in accord with Subsection (e).
(2) By July 1 of each year, each Executive agency shall submit a report to the Secretary on progress made toward achieving the goals established in the overall plan required by paragraph (1) of this subsection. The annual report shall include quantitative measures and accomplishment with respect to energy saving actions taken, the cost of these actions, the energy saved, the costs saved, and other benefits realized.
(3) The Secretary shall prepare a consolidated annual report on Federal government progress toward achieving the goals, including aggregate quantitative measures of accomplishment as well as suggested revisions to the ten-year plan, and submit the report to the President by August 15 of each year.
(h) Each agency required to submit a plan shall submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget with the agency's annual budget submission, and in accordance with procedures and requirements that the Director shall establish, estimates for implementation of the agency's plan. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall consult with the Secretary about the agency budget estimates.
(i) Each agency shall program its proposed energy conservation improvements of buildings so as to give the highest priority to the most cost-effective projects.
(j) No agency of the Federal Government may enter into a lease or a commitment to lease a building the construction of which has not commenced by the effective date of this Order unless the building will likely meet or exceed the general goal set forth in subsection (b)(2).
(k) The provisions of this Section do not apply to housing units repossessed by the Federal Government.

[Sec. 10 added by Executive Order 12003 of July 20, 1977, 42 FR 37523, 3 CFR, 1977 Comp., p. 134; amended by Executive Order 12038 of Feb. 3, 1978, 43 FR 4957, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 136, as amended by Executive Order 12156 of Sept. 10, 1979, 44 FR 53073, 3 CFR, 1979 Comp., p. 427]


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