Intent To Form a Policy Dialog Advisory Committee to Assist in the Development of Measures To Significantly Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Personal Motor Vehicles |
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President Bill Clinton
Executive Office of the President
April 14, 1994
[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 72 (Thursday, April 14, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-9288] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: April 14, 1994] _______________________________________________________________________ Part V Executive Office of the President _______________________________________________________________________ Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Personal Motor Vehicles; Intent To Form a Policy Dialog Advisory Committee EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Intent To Form a Policy Dialog Advisory Committee to Assist in the Development of Measures To Significantly Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Personal Motor Vehicles AGENCY: Executive Office of the President. ACTION: Intent to Form a Policy Dialog Advisory Committee under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: To address the danger of global climate change from emissions of greenhouse gases, on April 21, 1993, President Clinton announced the nation's commitment to reduce emissions of these gases in the United States to their 1990 level by the year 2000 and to produce a cost- effective plan to continue the trend of reduced emissions thereafter. On October 19, 1993, the President released the Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP), which commits the federal government, in partnership with the private sector, to a broad range of measures in many sectors to meet the target for the year 2000. Studies of greenhouse gas emission trends leading up to the CCAP confirmed that, particularly in the years after 2000, the personal transportation sector is expected to be the fastest growing contributor to carbon dioxide emission levels, as a result of continuing fast growth of vehicle miles travelled and relatively slow improvement in vehicle fuel economy. Although the CCAP contains several measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, there is a need for significant cost-effective longer-term efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles and light duty trucks. The CCAP directed three policy offices in the Executive Office of the President--the Office of Environmental Policy (OEP), the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the National Economic Council (NEC)--to co-chair a process to develop policies to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from personal motor vehicles in the years after 2000. The three offices, in consultation with the Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Council of Economic Advisors (CEA), have established a process under which a Policy Dialog Advisory Committee, constituted pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, will be convened. The Advisory Committee will develop recommendations on the sets of policies that would, if adopted, most cost-effectively obtain a return to 1990 levels of greenhouse gas emissions from personal motor vehicles by the years 2005, 2015 and 2025, with no upturn thereafter. This framework of achievement of 1990 emissions levels in three alternative years is designed to focus the issues and the Committee's recommendations. Decisions on the amount and timing of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from personal motor vehicles, and the policies to attain them, remain the responsibility of the federal government. However, the Administration has stated that it is committed to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from personal motor vehicles. This notice includes the charter of the Advisory Committee. The Executive Office of the President requests public comment on whether it has properly identified interests that are affected by the issues identified and that should be seated on the Advisory Committee, and requests suggestions for potential members of the Advisory Committee. DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: Comments must be received by May 4, 1994. ADDRESS FOR COMMENTS: Comments should be submitted in duplicate, if possible, to EPA Air Docket #A-94-24, room M-1500, 401 M Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information pertaining to the substantive issues to be dealt with by the Advisory Committee, contact: Ellen Seidman, Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, Washington, DC 20500, phone (202) 456-2802, fax (202) 456-2223; Henry Kelly, Assistant Director for Technology, Office of Science and Technology Policy, phone (202) 456-6034, fax (202) 456-6023; Wesley Warren, Associate Director, Office on Environmental Policy, phone (202) 456-6224, fax (202) 456-2710; or Alan Krupnick, Senior Economist, Council of Economic Advisors, phone (202) 395-5012, fax (202) 395-6853. For information pertaining to the establishment of the Advisory Committee and associated administrative matters contact: Deborah Dalton, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460, phone (202) 260-5495. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Goal of the Advisory Committee The goal of the Advisory Committee's deliberations will be to develop a consensus among major stakeholders on the sets of policies that would, if adopted, most cost-effectively return greenhouse gas emissions from cars and light trucks to 1990 levels by the years 2005, 2015, and 2025, with no upturn thereafter. (There will be three different sets of policies, one for each year.) The Advisory Committee process is structured this way to generate maximum consideration of potential policies, their interactions and trade-offs and to increase the potential to reach consensus. By law, the Advisory Committee's functions must be purely advisory. Therefore the decisions on the amount and timing of emissions reductions from personal motor vehicles and the policies to attain them, ultimately remain the responsibility of the federal government. However, in the CCAP the Administration stated its intention to take action--regulatory, legislative or otherwise--immediately after the process is completed to begin responding to the problem of increased greenhouse gas emissions from personal motor vehicles, with or without consensus among the stakeholders. The Advisory Committee will consider a broad range of policy alternatives, including policies affecting: (i) Demand for personal vehicle travel, (ii) vehicle and fuel technology changes (including increases in vehicle and fuel system operating efficiency); and (iii) shifts in consumer choice among vehicle and fuel technology options. Policies to be considered will focus on those that can be implemented by the federal government, but such policies will be considered in the context of what can and should be accomplished at the state, local and regional levels, and by private parties, both consumers and producers. Groups of policies designed to achieve 1990 levels of greenhouse gas emissions in each of the three targeted years will be evaluated on the basis of costs and projected reductions in metric tons of carbon equivalents (greenhouse gas emissions). Policy groups will also be evaluated on the basis of the speed, reliability, sustainability and efficiency of greenhouse gas reductions; the potential impact of options on urban air pollution and on safety; the cost of alternative policies affecting this sector (including their impact on consumers, jobs, competitiveness and mobility); improvements in energy security; and the feasibility of adoption and ease of implementation. Membership; Steering Committee The Advisory Committee will consist of up to thirty members, appointed for a term of one year from the date of the Committee's first meeting. No employee of the federal government will be a member of the Committee. The Advisory Committee will make recommendations to the President through a steering committee chaired by representatives of the OEP, OSTP and NEC, and consisting of representatives of the other agencies named above. A member or representative of the steering committee will serve as Executive Director of the Advisory Committee and at least one member of the steering committee will attend each meeting of the Advisory Committee and any subcommittees. The deliberations of the Advisory Committee will be assisted by a facilitator under contract to EPA, who will serve as Chair of the Advisory Committee. Members of the Advisory Committee will be chosen by the President, upon the recommendation of the steering committee, to achieve balanced representation of the following stakeholder interests: State, local and regional governments and agencies, including those responsible for land use, transportation, energy use and air quality; Automobile and light truck manufacturers and related parties such as suppliers, dealers and the insurance industry; Labor; Transportation fuel (including potential alternative fuel) industry; and Public interest groups, including environmental, safety, consumer and low income groups and those representing the driving public. This list of interests is illustrative, and is not meant to imply that each named interest will be represented by any specific number of Advisory Committee members. We invite suggestions for members of the Advisory Committee. In making a suggestion, please indicate the interest or interests proposed to be represented. Suggestions may be in the form of groups or individuals, although names of specific individuals are preferred. Proposed members of the Advisory Committee should be prepared to devote significant time to the project and to engage in meaningful consultation and negotiation. Operation of the Advisory Committee The Advisory Committee will be expected to meet approximately eight times over a period of one year. Meetings are expected to be two days in duration. Although most meetings will be held in Washington, DC, one to two meetings may be held in other locations to maximize public participation. Meetings will be open to the public. To maximize the opportunities for participation by those representing the public, the federal government may pay travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, of Advisory Committee members representing not-for- profit entities and state or local governments who would not otherwise be able to participate. On-line facilities will be used to enhance the operation of the Advisory Committee, to broaden opportunities for public participation, and to reduce costs. The Advisory Committee and steering committee will be able to work with an interagency analytical support team led by the CEA. The Advisory Committee will issue an interim report within six months of the date of its first meeting. This report shall advise the President, through the steering committee, of the Advisory Committee's proceedings. The Committee shall submit its final report to the President, through the steering committee, within on year of the date of its first meeting, unless this period is extended by the President. Advisory Committee Charter Following is the charter that has been adopted for the Advisory Committee. Charter--Advisory Committee on Personal Motor Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Reductions 1. Committee's Official Designation Advisory Committee on Personal Motor Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Reductions (the ``Advisory Committee'' or ``Committee''). 2. Authority Presidential Review Directive NEC-1, concerning the implementation of a process to develop measures to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from personal motor vehicles. 3. Objectives and Scope of Activities The Climate Change Action Plan directed the National Economic Council (NEC), the Office of Environmental Policy (OEP), and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to co-chair a process to develop measures to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from personal motor vehicles, including cars and light trucks. This process, called the Personal Motor Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Reduction Project, will be directed by a steering committee responsible for making recommendations to the President at the close of the project. The steering committee will consist of representatives of the NEC, OEP, OSTP, Department of Transportation, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Management and Budget and Council of Economic Advisors. A representative of the Office of the Vice President will participate in meetings of the steering committee. As set forth in section 4 of this Charter, the Advisory Committee shall provide to the President, through the steering committee, advice and recommendations concerning cost-effective groups of policies that would, if adopted, return total greenhouse gas emissions from use of personal motor vehicles to their 1990 levels by the years 2005, 2015 and 2025 (and then stabilize or continue to reduce such emissions). 4. Duties of the Committee The duties of the Advisory Committee are solely advisory and shall be as follows: a. The Advisory Committee shall develop recommendations concerning the most cost-effective manner in which to return greenhouse gas emissions from personal motor vehicles to their 1990 levels by the years 2005, 2015 and 2025 (and then to stabilize or continue to reduce such emissions). In developing its recommendations, the Advisory Committee shall consider a wide range of policy alternatives, including policies affecting: (i) Demand for personal vehicle travel; (ii) vehicle and fuel technology changes (including increases in vehicle and fuel system operating efficiency); and (iii) shifts in consumer choice among vehicle and fuel technology options. Policies to be considered will focus on those that can be implemented by the federal government, but such policies will be considered in the context of what can and should be accomplished at the state, local and regional levels, and by private parties, both consumers and producers. b. In developing recommendations, the Committee shall consider the speed, reliability, sustainability and efficiency of greenhouse gas reductions; the potential impact of options on urban air pollution and on safety; the cost of alternative policies affecting this sector (including their impact on consumers, jobs, mobility and competitiveness); improvements in energy security; and the feasibility of adoption and ease of implementation. c. The Advisory Committee may recommend analyses and studies to be undertaken by agencies of the federal government to support the deliberations of the Advisory Committee. d. The Advisory Committee may carry out such additional functions as the steering committee may from time to time request. 5. To Whom the Advisory Committee Reports The Advisory Committee shall report to the President through the steering committee. At least one member of the steering committee shall attend every meeting of the Advisory Committee and any subcommittees. The Advisory Committee shall submit its final report to the President, through the steering committee, within one year of the date of the first meeting of the Advisory Committee, unless such period is extended by the President. The Advisory Committee shall issue an interim report not more than six months after the date of the first meeting of the Advisory Committee. The interim report shall advise the President, through the steering committee, of the Advisory Committee's proceedings and the likelihood that the Committee will be able to complete its duties within one year of the date of the first meeting of the Committee. 6. Duration and Termination Date The Advisory Committee shall terminate thirty days after submission of its final report. 7. Agency Responsible for Providing Financial and Administrative Support to the Advisory Committee Financial and administrative support shall be provided by the Department of Transportation, through an Interagency Agreement between the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency. Financial support may include payment of travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, of Advisory Committee members representing not-for-profit entities and state or local governments who could otherwise not participate in Advisory Committee meetings, as permitted by law for persons serving intermittently in the government service (5 U.S.C. sections 5701-5707). 8. Estimated Operating Costs The total operating costs of the Advisory Committee shall not exceed $250,000. 9. Estimated Number and Frequency of Meetings The Advisory Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairperson or the steering committee or otherwise as it deems necessary to complete its functions. 10. Subcommittee(s) To facilitate functioning of the Advisory Committee, subcommittee(s) of members of the Advisory Committee may be formed. The objectives of such subcommittee(s) shall be to make recommendations to the Advisory Committee with respect to specific matters related to the responsibilities of the Advisory Committee. Subcommittee(s) shall meet as the Advisory Committee deems appropriate. 11. Consultations The Advisory Committee is authorized to consult with public and private sector individuals, who need not be members of the Advisory Committee. If appropriate, such individuals can be consulted in workgroups. Workgroups have no authority to make decisions on behalf of the full Advisory Committee, nor can they report directly to the steering committee. 12. Members Up to thirty Advisory Committee members shall be appointed by the President for a term of one year, which may be extended by the President. Committee members shall not be compensated for service on the Committee. Membership shall be fairly balanced in terms of points of view represented. 13. Chairperson and Executive Director The facilitator serving the Advisory Committee shall serve as Chairperson. A member or representative of the steering committee shall serve as Executive Director. Dated: April 13, 1993. W. Bowman Cutter, Deputy Assistant to the President for Economic Policy. John H. Gibbons, Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy. Kathleen A. McGinty, Director, Office on Environmental Policy. [FR Doc. 94-9288 Filed 4-13-94; 2:30 pm] BILLING CODE 4910-62-M