[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 17, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 19759]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9463]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Office of Fossil Energy; Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Department of Energy

ACTION: Notice of open meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a meeting of the Methane Hydrate 
Advisory Committee. Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 86 
Stat. 770) requires notice of these meetings be announced in the 
Federal Register.

DATES: Thursday, May 17, 2001, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM and Friday, May 18, 
2001, 8:30 to Noon.

ADDRESSes: Dome Catering and Conference Center, 539 Woods Hole Road, 
Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edith Allison, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Office of Natural Gas and Petroleum Technology, Washington, DC 
20585. Phone: 202/586-1023.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose of the Committee: The purpose of the 
Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee is to provide advice on potential 
applications of methane hydrate to the Secretary of Energy; assist in 
developing recommendations and priorities for the Department of Energy 
methane hydrate research and development program; and, submit to 
Congress a report on the anticipated impact on global climate change 
from methane hydrate formation, methane hydrate degassing and 
consumption of natural gas produced from methane hydrates.

Tentative Agenda:

Thursday, May 17, 2001

     Call to order by Mr. Arthur Johnson and Mr. Robert S. 
Kripowicz, Co-Chairmen.
     Presentations on historic and current research by 
National Energy Technology Laboratory, Naval Research Laboratory and 
the National Lab Working Group on Hydrates.
     Presentations on research results in: Arctic hydrate 
characterization; Production feasibility; safety and seafloor 
stability for conventional petroleum operations in hdyrate areas; 
and Hydrates and global climate change.
     Roundtable discussion of Hydrates and Global Climate 
Change.
     Ten minutes will be allowed for questions and public 
comment after each presentation.

Friday, May 18, 2001

     Structured discussion of R&D Priorities and funding 
levels in: Resource Characterization; Production; Transport and 
storage of methane from hydrates; Education and training; Mitigating 
drilling risks; and Exploratory drilling.
     Structured discussion of Interagency and International 
Cooperation.
     Planning for May 2002 report.
     Public comment--each person will be allowed up to 5 
minutes.
     Adjournment, about Noon.

    Public Participation: The meeting is open to the public. The 
Chairmen of the Committee will conduct the meeting to facilitate the 
orderly conduct of business. If you would like to file a written 
statement with the Committee, you may do so either before or after the 
meeting. If you would like to make oral statements regarding any of the 
items on the agenda, you should contact Edith Allison at the address or 
telephone number listed above. You must make your request for an oral 
statement at least five business days prior to the meeting, and 
reasonable provisions will be made to include the presentation on the 
agenda. Public comment will follow the 10 minute rule.
    Minutes: The minutes of this meeting will be available for public 
review and copying within 60 days at the Freedom of Information Public 
Reading Room, 1E-190, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. Transcripts will be available by 
request.

    Issued in Washington, DC on April 11, 2001
Rachel M. Samuel,
Deputy Advisory Committee, Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-9463 Filed 4-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P