Public Hearings on a Comprehensive National Energy Strategy

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Public Hearings on a Comprehensive National Energy Strategy

AGENCY: Office of Policy and International Affairs, U.S. Department of

Energy.

ACTION: Notice of public hearing.

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SUMMARY: On January 15, 1998 the Department of Energy published Federal

Register Notice: 63 FR 2371 announcing a series of public hearings to

solicit input from state and local officials, utility representatives,

industry representatives, public interest groups and other interested

parties in the development of a statutorily required national energy

policy plan, hereinafter referred to as the ``Comprehensive National

Energy Strategy'' or ``CNES.'' This is a supplemental notice to provide

additional information on the hearing locations, mechanisms, (i.e.

website address and fax numbers), for obtaining a copy of the draft

Comprehensive National Energy Strategy and deadline for public

comments. The CNES is based on a framework of goals, objectives, and

strategies that will enable the Nation to sustain an economically

competitive, environmentally responsible, and secure energy sector into

the next century. The Department also invites interested parties to

submit written comments for use in developing the CNES.

Dates and Locations:

Houston, Texas. February 12, 1998. 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., George Brown

Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Hearing Chair--

Elizabeth A. Moler, Deputy Secretary of Energy

Davis, California. February 13, 1998. 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.,

University of California at Davis, University Club Building, Club Room

One, Hearing Chair--Ernest J. Moniz, Under Secretary of Energy

Washington, D.C. February 19, 1998. 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., U.S.

Department of Energy--Main Auditorium, 1000 Independence Ave. SW.,

Hearing Chair--Federico F. Pena, Secretary of Energy

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent to the U.S. Department of

Energy,

[[Page 8171]]

ATTN: CNES-Hearings (PO-4), 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Room 7B-044,

Washington, D.C. 20585 or by fax to 202-737-0219 or 202-586-4025 or via

the INTERNET at http://www.eren.doe.gov. COMMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED NO

LATER THAN FEBRUARY 27, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions regarding the public

hearings, participation or written submissions, please visit the

website at http://www.eren.doe.gov/nes.html or send fax inquiries to

CNES-HEARINGS at 202-737-0219 or 202-586-4025.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 801 of the Department of Energy

Organization Act of 1977 requires the President to submit a National

Energy Policy Plan to Congress. The President plans to submit a

National Energy Policy Plan to Congress in 1998. Section 801 also

states that the President shall ``seek the active participation by

regional, State, and local agencies and instrumentalities and the

private sector through public hearings in cities and rural communities

and other appropriate means to insure that the views and proposals of

all segments of the economy are taken into account in the formulation

and review of such proposed Plan.''

A copy of the proposed Comprehensive National Energy Strategy

follows this notice.

The hearings are expected to elicit public input on any aspect of

the framework, including suggestions for additional detail to accompany

the strategies. The five basic goals in the proposed CNES are:

Goal I. Improve the efficiency of the energy system--

making more productive use of energy resources to enhance overall

economic performance while protecting the environment and advancing

national security.

Goal II. Ensure against energy disruptions--protecting our

economy from external threat of interrupted supplies or infrastructure

failure.

Goal III. Promote energy production and use in ways that

reflect human health and environmental values--improving our health and

local, regional, and global environmental quality.

Goal IV. Expand future energy choices--pursuing continued

progress in science and technology to provide future generations with a

robust portfolio of clean and inexpensive energy sources.

Goal V. Cooperate internationally on global issues--

developing the means to address global economic, security, and

environmental concerns.

Participants wishing to speak at the hearings must register on-

site. The speaker registry will open one-half hour before each hearing.

Although it is not necessary to confirm your attendance in advance, you

may notify the Department of your intention to participate by fax or by

mail at the address printed above.

Issued in Washington D.C. on February 9, 1998.

Robert W. Gee,

Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs, U.S.

Department of Energy.

[FR Doc. 98-3992 Filed 2-17-98; 8:45 am]

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