[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 127 (Friday, July 1, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 38648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-16579]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy


Availability of the Geothermal Technologies Program Blue Ribbon 
Panel Report and Request for Public Comment

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
Energy.

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency 
and Renewable Energy (EERE) Geothermal Technologies Program (the 
Program) assembled a geothermal Blue Ribbon Panel (the Panel) on March 
22/23, 2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico for a guided discussion on the 
future of geothermal energy in the United States and the role of the 
DOE Program. The Geothermal Blue Ribbon Panel Report captures the 
discussions and recommendations of the experts and can be accessed at: 
http://geothermal.energy.gov/brp.

DATES: Submit electronic or written comments on or before July 29, 
2011.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by e-mail to: 
DOE.Geothermal@ee.doe.gov. Please include ``Geothermal Blue Ribbon 
Panel Report'' in the subject line. Please put the full body of your 
comments in the text of the e-mail and as an attachment. Please include 
your name, title, organization, postal address, telephone number, and 
e-mail address in the text of the message.
    Comments may also be submitted by surface mail to: Department of 
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, JoAnn 
Milliken (6A-067), 1000 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20585.
    Respondents are encouraged to submit comments electronically to 
ensure timely receipt. The Geothermal Blue Ribbon Panel Report can be 
accessed at: http://geothermal.energy.gov/brp.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: JoAnn Milliken, Acting Geothermal 
Program Manager, at (202) 586-2480 or joann.milliken@ee.doe.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The majority of geothermal energy growth 
occurred prior to 1990. In recent years, the growth of geothermal 
capacity in the U.S. has lagged that of solar and wind energy. The 
purpose of the Blue Ribbon Panel meeting was to identify the obstacles 
to geothermal energy growth, discuss the appropriate role of DOE in 
enabling geothermal energy, and recommend priority research and 
development areas. The 15 panelists included experts from the 
geothermal and oil/gas industries, finance institutions, utilities, 
universities, and national laboratories.
    This notice requests public comment on the recommendations and 
discussions captured in the Geothermal Blue Ribbon Panel Report.

Public Participation Policy

    It is the policy of the Department to ensure that public 
participation is an integral and effective part of DOE activities, and 
that decisions are made with the benefit of significant public input 
and perspectives.
    The Department recognizes the many benefits to be derived from 
public participation for both stakeholders and DOE. Public 
participation provides a means for DOE to gather a diverse collection 
of opinions, perspectives, and values from the broadest spectrum of the 
public, enabling the Department to make more informed decisions. Public 
participation benefits stakeholders by creating an opportunity to 
provide input on decisions that affect their communities and our 
nation.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2011.
JoAnn Milliken,
Acting Program Manager, Geothermal Technologies Program, Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2011-16579 Filed 6-30-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P