About the Task Force
Task Force Mission as Directed by Congress
Section 369(h) of the Energy Policy Act (2005) directed the Secretary of Energy to form a Task Force:
- “…[to] develop a program to coordinate and accelerate the commercial development of strategic unconventional fuels, including, but not limited to, oil shale and tar sands resources within the United States, in an integrated manner” [Sec 369(h)(1)];
- “…composed of the Secretaries of Energy, the Interior, and Defense, the Governors of affected States, and representatives of local governments in affected areas.” [Sec 369(h)(2)];
- “[to] make such recommendations regarding promoting the development of the strategic unconventional fuels resources within the United States as it may deem appropriate” [Sec 369 (h)(3)];
- “[to] make recommendations with respect to initiating a partnership with the Province of Alberta Canada for purposes of sharing information relating to the development and production of oil from tar sands, and similar partnerships with other nations that contain significant oil shale resources.” [Sec 369 (h)(4)];
- “Submit to the President and the Congress a[n initial] report that describes the analyses and recommendations of the Task Force...” [Sec 369 (h)(5)(A)];
- “[and to]…provide an annual report describing the progress in developing the strategic unconventional fuels resources within the United States for each of the 5 years following submission of the [initial task force] report.” [Sec 369 (h)(5)(B)]
Current Status
The Task Force completed and submitted its initial report of findings and recommendations in 2006; a follow-up 3 volume strategy and program plan was completed in 2007. The Task Force has since issued two Annual Reports (2008 and 2009) addressing the status of unconventional fuels development in the United States and the related efforts of the Federal government, Task Force member states, local communities, and the private sector. The Task Force is presently considering what its future role should be.
Support for the Task Force
Section 369(i)(2) directed the Office of Petroleum Reserves (OPR) of the Department of Energy to “…work closely with the Task Force and coordinate its staff support.” This support was provided primarily by OPR’s Office of Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves (NPOSR).
Other Related Department of Energy Activities
Section 369(i) directed the Office of Petroleum Reserves of the Department of Energy to:
- “…coordinate the creation and implementation of a commercial strategic fuel development program for the United States” [Sec 369(i)(1)(A)];
- “evaluate the strategic importance of unconventional sources of strategic fuels to the security of the United States” [Sec 369(i)(1)(B)];
- “promote and coordinate Federal Government actions that facilitate the development of strategic fuels in order to effectively address the energy supply needs of the United States” [Sec 369(i)(1)(C)];
- “identify, assess, and recommend appropriate actions of the Federal Government required to assist in the development and manufacturing of strategic fuels” [Sec 369(i)(1)(D)];
- “coordinate and facilitate appropriate relationships between private industry and the Federal Government to promote sufficient and timely private investment to commercialize strategic fuels for domestic and military use.” [Sec 369(i)(1)(E)]
- In addition, Section 369(i)(3) directed the Secretary of Energy to “submit to Congress a[n initial and annual] report that describes the activities of the Office of Petroleum Reserves carried out under this subsection.”
