In May 2001, Bush signed an executive order to create an interagency task force to streamline energy projects,[152] and later signed two other executive orders to tackle environmental issues.[153]
In 2002, Bush proposed the Clear Skies Act of 2003,[154] which aimed at amending the Clean Air Act to reduce air pollution through the use of emissions trading programs. Many experts argued that this legislation would have weakened the original legislation by allowing higher emission rates of pollutants than were previously legal.[155] The initiative was introduced to Congress, but failed to make it out of committee.[citation needed]
Later in 2006, Bush declared the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands a national monument, creating the largest marine reserve to date. The Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument comprises 84 million acres (340,000 km2) and is home to 7,000 species of fish, birds, and other marine animals, many of which are specific to only those islands.[156] The move was hailed by conservationists for "its foresight and leadership in protecting this incredible area".