Establishment of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee and Solicitation of Nominations for Membership, 35766-35767 [2010-15158]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• International Trade Administration

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 23, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35766-35767]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing 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 brian.ohanlon@trade.gov 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 brian.ohanlon@trade.gov.

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