In March 2011, the White House released a "Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future" – a comprehensive plan to reduce America’s dependence on oil, save consumers money, and make our country the leader in clean energy industries.　The Blueprint supports the responsible development of the Nation’s oil and natural gas, with the specific goals of promoting safe practices and reducing energy imports.　

The Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of the Interior (DOI), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) each have a critical role to play in this mission, including developing timely, policy relevant science. On April 13, 2012 a Memorandum of Agreement was signed among these three agencies to develop a multi-agency research plan to address the highest priority research questions associated with safely and prudently developing unconventional shale gas and tight oil reserves.

Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future	Executive Order	Memorandum of Agreement