[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 23, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35766-35767]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-15158]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Establishment of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Advisory Committee and Solicitation of Nominations for Membership
AGENCY: International Trade Administration, DOC.
ACTION: Notice of establishment of the Renewable Energy and Energy
Efficiency Advisory Committee and solicitation of nominations for
membership.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to provisions under the Federal Advisory Committee
Act, 5 U.S.C. App., the Under Secretary of Commerce for International
Trade announces the establishment of the Renewable Energy and Energy
Efficiency Advisory Committee (the Committee) by the Secretary of
Commerce. The Committee shall advise the Secretary regarding the
development and administration of programs and policies to expand the
competitiveness of the U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency
sectors, including programs and policies to expand U.S. exports of
goods and services related to renewable energy and energy efficiency in
accordance with applicable United States regulations. This notice also
requests nominations for membership.
DATES: Nominations for members must be received on or before July 30,
2010.
Nominations
The Secretary of Commerce invites nominations to the committee of
U.S. citizens who will represent U.S. companies in the renewable energy
and energy efficiency sector that trade internationally, or U.S. trade
associations or U.S. private sector organizations with activities
focused on the competitiveness of U.S. renewable energy and energy
efficiency goods and services. No member may represent a company that
is majority owned or controlled by a foreign government entity or
foreign government entities. Nominees meeting the eligibility
requirements will be considered based upon their ability to carry out
the goals of the Committee as articulated above. Self-nominations will
be accepted. If you are interested in nominating someone to become a
member of the Committee, please provide the following information:
(1) Name, title, and relevant contact information (including phone,
fax, and e-mail address) of the individual requesting consideration;
(2) A sponsor letter on the company's, trade association's, or
organization's letterhead containing a brief description why the
nominee should be considered for membership;
(3) Short biography of nominee including credentials;
(4) Brief description of the company, trade association, or
organization to be represented and its business activities; company
size (number of employees and annual sales); and export markets served;
(5) An affirmative statement that the nominee is not a Federally
registered lobbyist, and that the nominee understands that if
appointed, the nominee will not be allowed to continue to serve as a
Committee member if the nominee becomes a Federally registered
lobbyist;
(6) An affirmative statement that the nominee meets all Committee
eligibility requirements.
Please do not send company, trade association, or organization
brochures or any other information.
Nominations may be e-mailed to [email protected] or faxed to
the attention of Brian O'Hanlon at 202-482-5665, or mailed to Brian
O'Hanlon, Office of Energy & Environmental Industries, Room 4053, U.S.
Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC
20230, and must be received before July 30. Nominees selected for
appointment to the Committee will be notified by return mail.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian O'Hanlon, Office of Energy &
Environmental Industries, Room 4053, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230; phone 202-482-3492; fax
202-482-5665; e-mail [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background and Authority
The Committee is being established under the discretionary
authority of the Secretary, in response to an identified need for
consensus advice from U.S. industry to the U.S. government on the
development and administration of programs and policies to expand the
competitiveness of the U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency
industries. The Department of Commerce will also use the Committee's
advice in the Department's role as co-chair of the Renewable Energy and
Energy Efficiency Working Group of the Trade Promotion Coordinating
Committee (TPCC). The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.)
governs the Committee and sets forth standards for the formation and
use of advisory committees.
For purposes of the Committee, the ``renewable energy and energy
efficiency industry'' refers to goods and services related to renewable
energy and energy efficiency. However, to maintain focus on electricity
generation, the strategy will not include biofuels, feedstock for
biofuels, transportation, and energy efficiency as it relates to
consumer goods. Biomass used for power or heat generation is included.
In advising on the development and administration of programs and
policies to expand the competitiveness of the U.S. renewable energy and
energy efficiency industry, the Committee shall advise on matters
concerning:
1. The competitiveness of the U.S. renewable energy and energy
efficiency industries and its ability to develop products, services and
technologies,
[[Page 35767]]
including specific challenges associated with exporting;
2. Trade policy development and negotiations relating to U.S.
renewable energy and energy efficiency exports;
3. U.S. Government programs to encourage U.S. producers of
renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies, goods and services
to enter foreign markets and enhance the competitiveness of the
renewable energy and energy efficiency industry;
4. The effects of domestic policies, regulations, and programs on
the competitiveness of U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency
companies;
5. Priority export markets for the renewable energy and energy
efficiency industries, both in the short- and long-term;
6. Industry and trade association export promotion programs, and
improved resource allocation for export promotion efforts; and
7. Policies and practices of foreign governments impacting the
export of U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency goods, services
and technologies.
II. Structure, Membership, and Operation
The Committee shall consist of approximately 30 members appointed
by the Secretary in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce
guidance and based on their ability to carry out the objectives of the
Committee. Members shall represent U.S. companies, U.S. trade
associations, and U.S. private sector organizations with activities
focused on the competitiveness of U.S. renewable energy and energy
efficiency goods and services. Members shall reflect the diversity of
this sector, including in terms of entity or organization size,
geographic location, and subsector represented. The Secretary shall
appoint to the Committee at least one individual representing each of
the following:
a. A U.S. renewable energy company.
b. A U.S. energy efficiency company.
c. A U.S. small business in the renewable energy or energy
efficiency industry that is involved in international trade.
d. A U.S. trade association in the renewable energy sector.
e. A U.S. trade association in the energy efficiency sector.
f. A U.S. private sector organization involved with activities
concerning the international trade of renewable energy and energy
efficiency products and services.
Members, all of whom come from the private sector, shall serve in a
representative capacity, expressing the views and interests of a U.S.
entity or organization, as well as their particular subsector; they
are, therefore, not Special Government Employees. Each member of the
Committee must be a U.S. citizen, and not registered as a foreign agent
under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Additionally, a member must
not be a Federally registered lobbyist. No member may represent a
company that is majority owned or controlled by a foreign government
entity or entities. Appointments will be made without regard to
political affiliation.
Members shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary from the date
of appointment to the COMMITTEE to the date on which the COMMITTEE's
charter terminates (normally two years).
The Secretary shall designate the Committee Chair and Vice Chair
from selections made by the members. The Chair and Vice Chair will
serve in those positions at the pleasure of the Secretary.
The Department, through the Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing
and Services, may establish subcommittees or working groups from among
the Committee's members as may be necessary, and consistent with FACA,
the FACA implementing regulations, and applicable Department of
Commerce policies. Such subcommittees or working groups may not
function independently of the chartered committee and must report their
recommendations and advice to the Committee for full deliberation and
discussion. Subcommittees or working groups have no authority to make
decisions on behalf of the Committee nor can they report directly to
the Secretary or his or her designee.
The Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services shall
designate a Designated Federal Officer (DFO) from among the employees
of the Office of Energy and Environmental Industries. The DFO will
approve or call all of the advisory committee meetings, prepare and
approve all meeting agendas, attend all committee meetings, adjourn any
meeting when the DFO determines adjournment to be in the public
interest, and chair meetings when directed to do so by the Secretary.
The Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services also shall
designate the Committee's Executive Director from among the employees
of the Manufacturing and Services unit.
III. Meetings
The Committee shall, to the extent practicable, meet approximately
three times a year. Additional meetings may be called at the discretion
of the Secretary or his designee.
IV. Compensation
Members of the COMMITTEE will not be compensated for their services
or reimbursed for their travel expenses.
Dated: June 17, 2010.
Edward A. O'Malley,
Director, Office of Energy and Environmental Industries.
[FR Doc. 2010-15158 Filed 6-22-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P