[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.