[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17653]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 20, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
 

Public Meetings on National Energy Policy

AGENCY: Office of Policy, Energy.

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy is announcing a series of public 
meetings around the country to solicit public input in the development 
of the President's National Energy Policy Plan. The Department is also 
requesting that interested parties submit written input for use in 
developing the Plan.

DATES AND LOCATIONS: The following are dates and locations that are 
presently scheduled. Additional information on meetings will be 
available in future Federal Register notices:

Washington, DC. August 2, 1994. Marvin Theater, George Washington 
University, 800 21st Street NW.
Austin, Texas. August 12, 1994. Lyndon B. Johnson Auditorium, 
University of Texas at Austin, 2315 Red River Street.
Denver, Colorado. September 29, 1994. Location TBD.
Athens, Georgia. Location and Date TBD.
Boston, Massachusetts. Location and Date TBD.
Chicago, Illinois. Location and Date TBD.
New Orleans, Louisiana. Location and Date TBD.
San Francisco, California. Location and Date TBD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions regarding the public 
meetings, participation or written submissions, please call the 
National Energy Policy Plan Public Information Hotline: (615) 241-2545. 
For other information, contact Terri Walters, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Office of Policy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20585, (202) 586-5800.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 801 of the Department of Energy 
Organization Act of 1977 requires the President to submit a National 
Energy Policy Plan to Congress every two years. The 1993 requirement 
was waived because of the change of Administration, and the next 
National Energy Policy Plan is required in 1995. In developing this 
Plan, the Administration will solicit input from the public on all 
issues involved with energy. In order to gain input from a diverse set 
of stakeholders, the Department will conduct a series of regional town 
meetings and roundtable discussions. Information from related outreach 
efforts of the Administration will also be compiled to expand the 
record of public input.
    The concept of sustainable development will provide a framework for 
developing a 1995 National Energy Policy Plan. The most common 
definition of sustainable development is ``to meet the needs of the 
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet 
their own needs'' (Bruntland Commission--Our Common Future 1987). The 
Administration intends to use this guiding principle to evaluate energy 
policy options, recognizing the interdependence of economic growth and 
environmental progress, and considering how the production, 
distribution, and consumption of energy affects current and future 
generations.
    In developing the National Energy Policy Plan, the Administration 
will also consider the recommendations of the Energy and Transportation 
Task Force of the President's Council on Sustainable Development. The 
Council is an advisory committee comprised of several cabinet-level 
Administration officials and senior representatives of industry and 
interest groups. By charter, the Council shall ``advise the President 
on matters involving sustainable development. In furtherance of the 
mission, the Council will develop and recommend to the President a 
national sustainable development action strategy that will foster 
economic vitality.''
    A kick-off meeting for the National Energy Policy Plan is scheduled 
for Washington, DC and will be followed by seven public meetings in 
cities across the United States. All meetings will be open to the 
general public. Additionally, written comments on any subject area 
related to energy are welcome and will be considered valuable input to 
the formulation of the National Energy Policy Plan.
    All stakeholders are invited to participate in the meetings as well 
as to submit written input. This includes state, local, territorial and 
tribal governments; industry; interest groups; minority groups and the 
general public.
    An initial meeting in Washington, DC will begin the national 
outreach effort. The Secretary of Energy will host a town meeting on 
energy with the public and conduct a plenary session on energy policy 
with representatives of a broad section of stakeholders.
AGENDA: August 2, 1994; 1:30-5:00 p.m.
George Washington University, Marvin Center
1:30 p.m.--Welcome/Introduction
2:00 p.m.--Town Meeting on Energy with Secretary Hazel R. O'Leary
3:15 p.m.--Plenary Discussion: ``Energy Policy in a Sustainable 
Future'' (Panel to be announced)
5:00 p.m.--Conclusion

    Each of the one-day regional meetings will begin with a town-
meeting format discussion on general energy issues followed by 
roundtable discussion(s) on specific issues of particular interest to 
the regions. A period for general public comment and short public 
presentations will generally be available at the end of each meeting.
Sample Agenda--Regional Meeting
9:00 a.m.--Introduction
9:15 a.m.--Town Meeting on Energy
10:30 a.m.--Roundtable Discussion: Topic I
12:30 p.m.--Lunch Break
1:30 p.m.--Roundtable Discussion: Topic II
3:30 p.m.--Public Presentations--General Topics
4:30 p.m.--Closing Remarks

Meeting Sites and Roundtable Topics

    The following have been scheduled as topics for roundtable 
discussions in each of the indicated meeting locations:

Region and Topics

Athens, GA--Energy and Sustainable Rural Economies, Nuclear Power at 
the Crossroads
Austin, TX--Domestic Energy Production and Sustainable Development, 
International Trade Issues in Energy Resources and Technology
Boston, MA--Energy and the Environment, Energy and Industrial 
Competitiveness
Chicago, IL--Energy Issues in Urban Areas, The Future of Coal as an 
Energy Resource
Denver, CO--Renewable Energy: Progress and Prospects, Competition in 
Electric Power Sectors
New Orleans, LA--Oil and Gas and the Domestic Economy, Natural Gas
San Francisco, CA--Science and Technology: National Laboratories and 
Sustainable Development
    The Transportation Future: Emerging Challenges and Choices.

Submission of Written Comments

    Written comments are requested before October 31, 1994. Mail 
submission to Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, P.O. Box 
117, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 37381-0117, ATTN: Mary Jean Brewer. Please 
submit a DOS or Macintosh diskette copy (ASCII format preferred) and a 
typed copy of input. Submissions can also be sent electronically 
through Internet at [email protected]. For all submissions, please include 
your name, address, and a day-time telephone number.
Susan F. Tierney,
Assistant Secretary of Energy, Office of Policy.
[FR Doc. 94-17653 Filed 7-19-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-M