President George W. Bush has issued an executive order directing that permit applications be expedited for construction of border crossings, fuel import facilities and energy production projects.

President Bush signed the order April 30.

It directs the secretary of state to receive permit requests and gather comments from relevant agencies within 90 days. Following those comments, permits are to be decided within 15 days after the comment period.

The order applies to:

• Pipelines, conveyor belts and similar facilities for the export or import of all products;
• Facilities for the transportation of persons or things, or both, to or from a foreign country;
• Bridges, to the extent that congressional authorization is not required;
• Similar facilities above or below ground; and
• Border crossings for land transportation, including motor and rail vehicles, to or from a foreign country.

The order was published in the May 6 Federal Register.