Providing an Order of Succession Within the Environmental Protection Agency

Executive Order 2021-01094
Signed on January 9, 2021
45th Presidency

What it means

This order establishes a clear succession plan for the EPA, designating who will lead the agency if both the Administrator and Deputy Administrator become unavailable. It creates a 17-position depth chart starting with the General Counsel, followed by various Assistant Administrators and other key officials.

Expected impact

  • Provides stability and continuity of operations at the EPA during leadership transitions
  • Ensures environmental protection work continues uninterrupted during vacancies
  • Streamlines the succession process, potentially avoiding gaps in leadership that could delay important environmental decisions and regulatory actions
  • Replaces a previous succession order from the Obama administration with an updated version