[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

[[Page 1537]]

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.