Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee

AGENCY:

Office of Fossil Energy, Department of Energy.

ACTION:

Notice of open meeting.

SUMMARY:

This notice announces a meeting of the Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee. The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 86 Stat. 770) requires that notice of these meetings be announced in the Federal Register.

DATES:

Thursday, July 26, 2012, 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. (CDT)—Registration, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CDT)—Meeting.

ADDRESSES:

Marriott Houston Airport, 18700 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77032.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lou Capitanio, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Oil and Natural Gas, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585. Phone: (202) 586-5098.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose of the Committee: The purpose of the Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee is to provide advice on potential applications of methane hydrate to the Secretary of Energy, and assist in developing recommendations and priorities for the Department of Energy's Methane Hydrate Research and Development Program.

Tentative Agenda: The agenda will include: Welcome and Introduction by the Designated Federal Officer; Welcome by the Chair of the Committee; Committee Business; Update on Prudhoe Bay Testing; FY 2012 Methane Hydrate Program Activities; Update on International Activity; Methane Hydrate Program Budget Requests; Methane Hydrate Program Strategic Direction Discussion; Advisory Committee Discussion; and Public Comments, if any.

Public Participation: The meeting is open to the public. The Designated Federal Officer and the Chair of the Committee will conduct the meeting to facilitate the orderly conduct of business. If you would like to file a written statement with the Committee, you may do so either before or after the meeting. If you would like to make oral statements regarding any of the items on the agenda, you should contact Lou Capitanio at the phone number listed above. You must make your request for an oral statement at least five business days prior to the meeting, and reasonable provisions will be made to include the presentation on the agenda. Public comment will follow the three-minute rule.

Minutes: The minutes of this meeting will be available for public review and copying within 60 days at the following Web site: http://www.fe.doe.gov/programs/oilgas/hydrates/Methane_Hydrates_Advisory_Committee.html .