Published December 02, 2024
By Christine Reed
The Center for Energy Regulation and Policy Analysis (CERPA) in the School of Energy Resources (SER) has released a white paper study examining the issuance of executive orders and their impacts on the energy industry.
“We have experienced an increased swing in the “policy pendulum” between administrations, with executive orders being used as unique vehicles for expeditious presidential policy signals,” says CERPA Director Kara Fornstrom. “As we are on the cusp of another change in the federal administration, it is the perfect time to better explain the process, historic use, and influence of executive orders, particularly when it comes to the vulnerability of large-scale projects within the energy industry.”
The paper demonstrates that while the use of executive orders has declined since the mid-twentieth century, they still play an important role in setting the policy agenda with more speed and political influence.
After providing an analysis of the nature and historic use of executive orders, the paper describes the inherent risk for the energy industry given the long-lead time and significant investment required for large projects.
“Energy development entails a series of permitting, infrastructure, and large amounts of upfront capital which can span a significantly long period of time before a project can be deployed,” adds Fornstrom. “Traditional processes around rulemaking and legislation are meant to provide regulatory certainty for project developers while providing oversight. The pendulum swing of Executive Orders between administrations poses a challenge for long-term energy project investment and planning.”
To download the paper, research brief, or other resources released by CERPA, visit the visit the publications tab on the CERPA website www.uwyo.edu/cerpa.
About CERPA
The Center for Energy Regulation & Policy Analysis at the School of Energy Resources is dedicated to producing meaningful, high quality, impartial analysis to inform policymakers and stakeholders about issues critical to the economic development of Wyoming’s energy resources. Through collaboration with other SER Centers of Excellence, CERPA addresses emerging policy and regulatory issues by fostering the exchange of information and engages with stakeholders to inform various audiences about the importance of Wyoming’s energy resources.
