§2007 Decision of President

Summary

The President must look at all reports, comments, and other materials about the proposed crude oil transport systems. After talking with the Secretaries of Energy, the Interior, and Transportation, the President must decide which, if any, systems get approval to use the special procedures in this law (for waiving laws, speeding permits, negotiating with Canada, and handling court review). The President can change a proposal when approving it. The decision must come within 45 days after getting the recommendations and comments. The President can delay up to 60 more days if more time is needed, but must quickly tell the House and Senate and explain why. Any approved system must be found to be in the national interest and the decision must be based on a list of specific factors. These include environmental effects and risk reduction; how much oil would reach northern and inland States and their demand; transportation costs and prices by region; construction schedules and possible delays; financing and cost estimates, including risk of overruns; national economic gains and losses; compliance with the Trans‑Alaska Pipeline law; effects on international relations and needed Canadian approvals; competition, safety and efficiency, risk of delivery interruptions from the West Coast, ability and cost to expand capacity, national security, and fit with national energy policy, plus any other factors the President thinks fit. Findings must cover the system’s useful life. When the President decides, a written statement explaining the findings for each factor, describing the approved system and route, and saying why it was chosen must be published and placed in the Federal Register.