    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 37 (Monday, September 20, 1999)]
    [Pages 1743-1744]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    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 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

    [[Page 1744]]

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