[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 173 (Thursday, September 8, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22185]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 8, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
 

Financial Assistance Award: National Association of State Energy 
Officials

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Seattle Regional Support 
Office.

ACTION: Notice of intent to make a noncompetitive financial assistance 
award.

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SUMMARY: The DOE Seattle Regional Support Office, in accordance with 10 
CFR 600.7(b)(2), gives notice of its plan to make a noncompetitive 
financial assistance award under grant No. DE-FG51-94RO20454. A grant 
will be awarded to the National Association of State Energy Officials 
(NASEO) for the purpose gathering and disseminating information on a 
number of different energy efficiency and renewable energy-related 
topics which are connected to the Administration's Climate Change 
Action Plan and the Energy Policy Act of 1992.

SCOPE: The U.S. Department of Energy is undergoing several policy 
initiatives that directly or indirectly relate to the Administration's 
Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) and the Energy Policy Act of 1992 
(EPAct). Within the Department, the Office of Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy is charged with the task of developing and 
implementing various programs required by these two initiatives, which 
also directly or indirectly affects the Department's clients and 
stakeholders. The network of state energy offices is a key component to 
the Department's ability to implement these plans and initiatives.
    As representatives of the various state energy offices (including 
territories), the NASEO is best suited to perform work related to 
gathering and disseminating information relating to energy efficiency 
and renewable energy-related projects outlined in the CCAP and the 
EPAct. Collectively, these offices form a valuable network for exchange 
of views and information on a variety of energy-related issues. As the 
NASEO is the only organization which represents state energy offices, 
it has been determined to the best suited to perform the task of 
working with Departmental personnel in gathering and disseminating the 
energy-related issues from the CCAP and the EPAct.
    Funding for this project is being provided by the Office of Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy as authorized by the Department of 
Energy Organization Act, as amended, Public Laws 95-91 and 97-377. The 
estimated DOE share of costs for this project is $600,000 to cover a 
three-year period.

ELIGIBILITY: Pursuant to the requirements of 10 CFR 600.7(b)(2)(i), the 
following reasons are stated for the basis of issuing this 
noncompetitive grant to NASEO:
    1. The NASEO is uniquely qualified and has exclusive domestic 
capability to perform this proposed activity successfully [Criteria 10 
CFR 600.7(b)(2)(i)(D)]. This proposal identifies a broad array of tasks 
and activities designed to gather, analyze, and disseminate information 
on a nation-wide basis. These actions would significantly help the 
Department carry out the Administration's CCAP and fulfill its mandated 
responsibilities under the EPAct of 1992. State energy offices are the 
organizations best suited to perform this work. They have up to twenty 
years experience complying with Federal energy requirements and 
delivering energy programs. They are ``experts'' on their state energy 
issues, interests, and priorities. Collectively these offices form a 
valuable network for disseminating information from DOE and gathering 
intelligence on state needs and accomplishments.
    NASEO is the only organization which represents state energy 
offices--its membership currently includes 54 out of 56 state and 
territorial energy offices. NASEO holds at least 2 national meetings of 
state energy officials each year to gather information and exchange 
views on a variety of energy-related issues. NASEO's organization and 
management help ensure that a diversity of state views are represented 
and heard within the organization. NASEO provides the opportunity for 
at least one Energy Office Director from each of the 10 DOE regions and 
5 officers from throughout the nation to manage the organization. This 
allows producing states, consuming states, and others the opportunity 
to voice their concerns and opinions on energy issues through a non-
partisan process. NASEO has successfully assisted DOE in past efforts 
to (1) develop training exercises on energy emergencies, (2) 
unanimously endorse programmatic changes in federally-funded 
conservation programs effecting the states, and (3) collect, 
categorize, and distribute information relating to national energy 
issues.
    2. The activities would probably be conducted, at least in part, by 
the applicant using its own resources. However, DOE support of that 
activity would enhance the public benefits to be derived and DOE knows 
of no other entity which is conducting, or plans to conduct, the 
activities. [Criteria 10 CFR 600.7(b)(2)(i)(B)]. Without additional 
funding from DOE a number of the larger states, with greater existing 
resources, would probably conduct a number of the activities covered by 
the proposal. However, this data would be spotty and incomplete. 
Additional DOE funding, provided through this proposal, will ensure 
that more uniform, complete, and high quality product is produced for 
DOE. Specifically, funding from DOE will help ensure that information 
provided DOE is: (1) collected from all states, rather than just those 
states with large existing energy offices and resource bases, (2) 
collected on all, not just some of the activities proposed; and (3) 
uniform in format and quality.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Inquiries must be submitted within fourteen (14) calendar days of 
publication of this notice to: Julie A. Riel, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Seattle Regional Support Office, 800 Fifth Ave., Suite 3950, 
Seattle, WA 98104.

    Issued in Golden, Colorado on August 25, 1994.
John W. Meeker,
Contracting Officer, Golden Field Office.
[FR Doc. 94-22185 Filed 9-7-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-M