Energy, environment and natural resources

Executive Order 12915: Federal Implementation of the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation

President: Bill Clinton

Set United States priorities, representation, transparency, state consultation and funding for NAFTA’s environmental commission.

Status: Superseded. Is Executive Order 12915 still in effect? No. Executive Order 12915 was superseded. See Federal Register record.

What does Executive Order 12915 do?

EO 12915 made the EPA Administrator the United States representative on the Commission for Environmental Cooperation Council, set policy priorities, supported public access and participation, established state and national advisory channels, and designated EPA to make the United States contribution. NAAEC was superseded when USMCA entered into force on July 1, 2020, but the successor Environmental Cooperation Agreement expressly continues the CEC.

Administration position: The order embedded openness and consultation in United States implementation. It did not make commission recommendations binding domestic law.
SignedMay 13, 1994
United States representativeEPA Administrator
Advisory structureState and national committees

Before and after

Before the order

The new environmental side agreement lacked a consolidated United States implementation directive.

After the order

EPA led representation, funding and public and state consultation.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
EPARepresent the United States and coordinate positionsUnder the applicable agreement
Federal agenciesConsult states on matters affecting their authorityThrough the governmental committee or other means

What happened next

EO 12915 established federal arrangements.

The successor agreement superseded NAAEC while continuing the CEC.