[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 208 (Monday, October 28, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64197-64198]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-25411]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Renewable Energy Policy Business Roundtable in Livermore, CA
AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)'s International Trade
Administration (ITA) is seeking representatives from 20 qualified U.S.
companies to join Japanese industry counterparts for a U.S.-Japan
Renewable Energy Policy Business Roundtable on Wednesday, December 11,
2013 in Livermore, California. Senior level officials from DOC, the
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and Japanese Ministry of Economy,
Trade and Industry (METI) will attend the Roundtable to provide policy
updates, as well as to ensure that the exchange of views among the
companies will be taken into consideration in the U.S-Japan Clean
Energy Policy Dialogue (Dialogue) that will be held during the same
week and in other bilateral meetings throughout the year.
The Roundtable supports ITA's commitments contained in the
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RE&EE) Export Initiative, which
aims to significantly increase U.S. RE&EE exports under the National
Export Initiative.
DATES: The roundtable will be held on December 11, 2013.
Participants must apply no later than November 15, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cora Dickson, Industry and Analysis,
Office of Energy and Environmental Industries; Phone: 202-482-6083;
Fax: 202-482-5665; Email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background:
In December 2012, agencies of the Governments of the United States
and Japan--DOE, DOC, and METI--convened the first bilateral Renewable
Energy Policy Business Roundtable in Tokyo. Held in conjunction with
the Dialogue, the Roundtable allowed the private sector to explore
areas of mutual concern and share with government officials their
experiences with the policy landscape of renewable energy and energy
efficiency. Both governments agreed to hold a follow-up Roundtable in
the United States. It should also be noted that the American Chamber of
Commerce in Japan held a renewable energy financing workshop in
February 2013 in Tokyo to further address issues highlighted by the
Roundtable.
Goals of Participation:
Gain a deeper understanding of the changing Japanese
policy and regulatory landscape with respect to REⅇ
Interact with Japanese policymakers and private sector
representatives active in the RE&EE sector;
Provide perspectives on how to increase U.S.-Japan
business partnerships in the RE&EE sector; and
Enhance the bilateral Dialogue by identifying key policy
issues and sharing best practices.
Roundtable Structure:
[[Page 64198]]
The Roundtable will be a daylong event. The morning plenary session
will be held at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and the
afternoon breakout sessions will be held at the Livermore Valley Open
Campus.
Lunch will be provided.
Interpretation will be provided.
All participants are invited to a reception hosted by METI
in the evening immediately after the Roundtable.
All participants are also invited to optional, no-host
events in Livermore the evening of December 10 with the Japanese
delegation.
Lodging costs will not be covered, but accommodations for
the Roundtable participants will be offered at a hotel in Livermore at
a group rate.
Topics to be covered:
Renewable energy financing
Rooftop solar deployment
Transmission capacity and storage
Smart grid deployment
Distributed generation
Energy efficiency for residential and commercial buildings
Participation Requirements:
All parties interested in participating in the Roundtable must
complete and submit an application package for consideration by ITA.
All applicants will be evaluated based on their ability to meet certain
conditions and best satisfy the selection criteria as outlined below. A
minimum of 15 and maximum of 20 companies will be selected to
participate in the Roundtable from the applicant pool. U.S. companies
already doing business in Japan as well as U.S. companies seeking to
enter the Japanese market for the first time may apply. Applications
will be reviewed on a rolling basis in the order they are received.
Selected companies will be contacted with information about the
final agenda and payment of the fees. Due to space limitations, only
one participant per company can attend the Roundtable. Each participant
may invite one (1) additional person to the Reception. Participants in
the Roundtable are required to be pre-cleared for access to the
facility. Additional clearance procedures are required for foreign
visitors.
Fees:
After a company has been selected to participate in the Roundtable,
a participation fee of $500 is required. The Roundtable and related
events may be cancelled at any time by the Department of Commerce and
all contributions refunded. If, for any reason, a participant cancels
their participation prior to the Roundtable, the Department of
Commerce, at its sole discretion, and upon its determination that it
would be consistent with its authorities, may allow a partial refund of
the contributed fee.
Exclusions & Expenses:
The Roundtable participation fee does not include any personal
travel expenses such as lodging, most meals, incidentals, local ground
transportation, and air transportation to/from the event location.
Conditions for Participation:
An applicant must send an email to [email protected] with the
following information.
Name of Applicant
Company Name
Company Description
Company Location
Business Phone Number
In addition, the applicant must address how he/she satisfies the
four selection criteria listed below:
(1) Whether the applicant represents a U.S. company that fits one
of the following profiles:
Companies that manufacture technology or provide services
in the renewable energy sector (particularly solar);
Developers of renewable energy projects with global
experience;
Local utilities who are willing to share their experience
with domestic policies; and
Companies active in the smart grid and energy efficiency
industries.
(2) The applicant's interest in the Japanese RE&EE sector;
(3) The applicant's ability to identify and discuss policy issues
relevant to U.S. competitiveness in the renewable energy or smart grid
sectors;
(4) Consistency of the applicant's experiences and background with
the stated scope of the event (see ``Topics to be Covered'').
Diversity of company size and location may also be considered
during the selection process. Referrals from political organizations
and any documents containing references to partisan political
activities (including political contributions) will be removed from an
applicant's submission and not considered during the selection process.
Timeline for Recruitment and Applications
Recruitment for the Roundtable will begin immediately and conclude
no later than November 15, 2013. The U.S. Department of Commerce will
review applications and make selection decisions on a rolling basis
beginning on or about October 28, 2013. Applications received after
November 15, 2013 will be considered only if space and scheduling
constraints permit.
Dated: October 23, 2013.
Edward A. O'Malley,
Director, Office of Energy and Environmental Industries.
[FR Doc. 2013-25411 Filed 10-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P