    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [September 14, 1999]
    [Pages 1536-1537]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on the Working Group on International Energy
    September 14, 1999

    Memorandum for the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology

    Subject: Working Group on International Energy

        The report of the President's Committee of Advisors on Science and
    Technology (PCAST), Powerful Partnerships: The Federal Role in
    International Cooperation on Energy Innovation, will help advance my
    Administration's goals for addressing energy-linked economic,
    environmental, and security challenges. As you point out in the
    synthesis of the report, our window of opportunity for moving the world
    off of its

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    current energy trajectory--which entails higher consumer costs, greater
    regional pollution, more pronounced climate disruption, and increasing
    risks to energy security--is closing fast. Thus, we should act
    expeditiously on PCAST's recommendations for strengthening capacities
    for energy technology innovation, promoting technologies to limit energy
    demand and for a cleaner energy supply, and improving management of the
    Federal international energy research and development portfolio.
        As a first step, I direct you to form a working group on
    international energy research, development, demonstration, and
    deployment under the National Science and Technology Council, as
    recommended by PCAST. The working group should build on the PCAST report
    and assess the portfolio of programs underway in the Federal agencies
    and develop a strategic vision, including budget recommendations that
    can be considered in agency requests for FY 2001.
        Please commend John Holdren, the members
    of his panel, and all of PCAST for its fine report on this important
    matter.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: This memorandum was released by the Office of the Press Secretary
    on September 15.