2013-00668. Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee

AGENCY:

International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice of an open meeting.

SUMMARY:

The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee (RE&EEAC) will hold its inaugural meeting under its second charter. During the course of this charter term, which began in June 2012, the Committee is expected to develop recommendations on improving the competitiveness of U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency exports. The meeting is open to the public and the room is disabled-accessible. Public seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

DATES:

February 20th, 2013, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Members of the public wishing to attend the meeting must notify Ryan Mulholland at the contact information below by 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, February 15, in order to pre-register for clearance into the building. Please specify any requests for reasonable accommodation at least five business days in advance of the meeting. Last minute requests will be accepted, but may be impossible to fill.

ADDRESSES:

The meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 4830, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ryan Mulholland, Office of Energy and Environmental Industries (OEEI), International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce at [phone]; email: [e-mail]. This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for auxiliary aids should be directed to OEEI at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background: The Secretary of Commerce established the RE&EEAC pursuant to his discretionary authority and in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) on July 14, 2010; and was re-chartered on June 18, 2012. The RE&EEAC provides the Secretary of Commerce with consensus advice from the private sector on the development and administration of programs and policies to enhance the international competitiveness of the U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency industries. The RE&EEAC held its first meeting on December 7, 2010, and has held several subsequent meetings to date.

This inaugural meeting of the RE&EEAC will consist of introductions, the selection by the members of a potential Chair and Vice Chair, and a discussion of the creation of appropriate subcommittees to facilitate the development of recommendations. Additionally, the RE&EEAC will discuss ideas for improving the competitiveness of U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency exporters in foreign markets.

A limited amount of time, from 3:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m., will be available for pertinent brief oral comments from members of the public attending the meeting. To accommodate as many speakers as possible, the time for public comments will be limited to five minutes per person. Individuals wishing to reserve speaking time during the meeting must contact Mr. Mulholland and submit a brief statement of the general nature of the comments and the name and address of the proposed participant by 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, February 15, 2013. If the number of registrants requesting to make statements is greater than can be reasonably accommodated during the meeting, the International Trade Administration may conduct a lottery to determine the speakers. Speakers are requested to bring at least 20 copies of their oral comments for distribution to the participants and public at the meeting.

Any member of the public may submit pertinent written comments concerning the RE&EEAC's affairs at any time before or after the meeting. Comments may be submitted to the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee, Attention: Ryan Mulholland, Office of Energy and Environmental Technologies, U.S. Department of Commerce, Mail Stop: 4053, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230. To be considered during the meeting, written comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, February 15, 2013, to ensure transmission to the Committee prior to the meeting. Comments received after that date will be distributed to the members but may not be considered at the meeting.

Copies of RE&EEAC meeting minutes will be available within 30 days of the meeting.

Dated: January 9, 2012.

Edward A. O'Malley,

Director, Office of Energy and Environmental Industries.