[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 18, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 11603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-5798]



[[Page 11603]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Announcement of Meetings for Information-Gathering on Developing 
an Energy Plan for Conventional and Renewable Resources of the Outer 
Continental Shelf (OCS)

AGENCY: Office of Secretary, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On February 10, 2009, the Secretary of the Interior 
(Secretary) announced his strategy for developing a comprehensive 
energy plan for the OCS. One facet of the four-step strategy was to 
hold meetings along the U.S. coasts and in Alaska to gather information 
on how to move forward with a comprehensive plan for conventional and 
renewable energy resources of the OCS.
    The Secretary announced a series of four meetings to seek ideas and 
information from states, stakeholders, and affected communities as well 
as the regulated industries. See below for information on meeting 
dates, times, locations, and the agenda.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information please contact Ms. 
Renee Orr, 5-Year Program Manager, Minerals Management Service (MS-
4010), 381 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170, (703) 787-1215.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 10, 2009, the Secretary 
announced his strategy for developing a comprehensive energy plan for 
the OCS. The Secretary detailed a four-step strategy to develop a plan 
to lease conventional--oil and gas--and renewable--wind, wave, and 
current--resources of the OCS, both under the statutory authority of 
the OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.). First, the Secretary 
extended the comment period of the Draft Proposed OCS Oil and Gas 
Leasing Program for 2010-2015 (DPP) by 180 days to September 21, 2009. 
A Request for Comments on the DPP and notice of intent to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement was published in the Federal Register on 
January 21, 2009 (74 FR 3631). The DPP can be downloaded from the MMS 
Web site at http://www.mms.gov. Second, the Secretary directed the MMS 
and USGS, within 45 days, to prepare a report on the information 
available on OCS energy resources, information regarding sensitive 
areas and resources in the OCS, and where there are gaps in the 
information. Third, within 30 days of receipt of the report, the 
Secretary will convene regional meetings that are the subject of this 
notice. Fourth, the Secretary will issue final regulations for offshore 
renewable energy in the near future, as mandated by the Energy Policy 
Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-58).

Public Meetings

    The Secretary will convene four public meetings to receive input 
from stakeholders. The meetings will occur on the following dates at 
the listed cities. Logistical information will be posted on the MMS 
home page (http://www.mms.gov) at least 2 weeks before the meetings.
    Monday, April 6, 2009--Atlantic City Convention Center; One 
Convention Boulevard; Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401,
    Wednesday, April 8, 2009--Tulane University; 6823 St. Charles 
Avenue; New Orleans, Louisiana 70118,
    Tuesday, April 14, 2009--Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center; 600 
W. Seventh Avenue; Anchorage, Alaska 99501.
    Thursday, April 16, 2009--University of California, San Francisco, 
Mission Bay Conference Center; Robertson Auditorium; 1675 Owens Street; 
San Francisco, California 94158.

General Meeting Purposes

    The meetings will be convened in the morning by Secretary of the 
Interior Kenneth L. Salazar. A panel will present the Report prepared 
by MMS and USGS on the information available on OCS energy resources, 
information regarding sensitive areas and resources in the OCS, and 
where there are gaps in the information. The meetings will provide an 
opportunity to gather the best ideas for how to accomplish the task of 
gathering the offshore information still needed, and seek 
recommendations from all interested parties on how to move forward with 
a comprehensive energy plan for the OCS. Following the morning session, 
the Secretary will turn over the meeting to MMS for afternoon and 
evening sessions for receipt of public comments.

    Dated: March 10, 2009.
Walter D. Cruickshank,
Acting Director, Minerals Management Service.
 [FR Doc. E9-5798 Filed 3-17-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P