[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 157 (Monday, August 16, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50365-50366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-18666]


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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 (Public Law 92-463, 
86 Stat. 770) requires notice of these meetings be announced in the 
Federal Register.

DATES: Tuesday, September 21, 2004, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, 
September 22, 2004, 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

ADDRESSES: Sea Lodge, 8110 Camino del Oro, La Jolla, California 92037.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edith Allison, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Office of Oil and Natural Gas, 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:

Tuesday, September 21

Morning
     Welcome and Introductions--James Slutz, Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for the Office of Oil and Natural Gas
     Appointment of Committee Chairman
     Briefings on Methane Hydrate Research Accomplishments--
Alaska, Gulf of Mexico, and International, and Laboratory and Global 
Climate Change Studies.
Afternoon
     Presentation and Discussion--National Research Council 
Report: ``Review of Activities Authorized Under the Methane Hydrate 
Research and Development''
     Report of Hedberg Conference Session on R&D Issues and 
Needs
     Discussion of Future Research Directions.
    Ten minutes will be allowed for questions and public comment at the 
end of each presentation.

Wednesday, September 22

Morning
     Discussion of Draft Strategic Plan.
Afternoon
     Discussion of additional recommendations to Department of 
Energy and to Congress regarding the reauthorization of Methane Hydrate 
R&D Act of 2000

[[Page 50366]]

     Adjourn at 3 p.m. followed by optional tour of Scripps 
Institution of Oceanography.
    Public Participation: The meeting is open to the public. The 
Chairman 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 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. Transcripts will be available by request.

    Issued in Washington, DC on August 11, 2004.
Rachel M. Samuel,
Deputy Advisory Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-18666 Filed 8-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P