Administration climate policy throughout the period from before the President's speech through the final decisions in Kyoto. The Chair of CEQ is co-chair of the White House Deputies' Climate Change Committee along with the Chair of the National Economic Council and played a senior policy role throughout this process. Q29.2 The Administration's policy approach to, and strategies concerning, the international climate-change negotiations during the period between the President's October speech and the first day of the Kyoto Conference (December 1, 1997); and A29.2 Please see answer 29.1 above. Q29.3 The Administration's policy approach to, and the strategies concerning, the international climate-change negotiations in Kyoto. A29.3 Please see answer 29.1. White House Task Force on Climate Change Q30. When was the White House Task Force on Climate Change established and what its purpose? A30. The White House Climate Change Task Force was created February 18, 1997 as an interagency task force to coordinate executive agency outreach on U.S. climate change policy. The charter is attached. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY A. IDENTIFICATION OF MANAGEMENT FUND PROJECT Title: White House Climate Change Task Force Task: To coordinate and expand activities among agencies aimed at informing the B. PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY The authority for this project is derived from Section 102(2)(F) of the National Environmental Policy Act; Section 206 of the Environmental Quality Improvement Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 4375; section 602 of the Economy Act, as amended, 31 U.S.C. Sec. 1535; and the authorizing legislation of the Office of Environmental Quality and the agencies involved. The Task Force was created by the Co-Chairs of the Deputies' Climate Change Committee. The task force will: Coordinate interagency activities related to climate change outreach and communications activities; Coordinate interagency activities related to the development of outreach and Coordinate interagency activities to work with and to inform Congress about issues Coordinate outreach activities among agencies to key affected groups including the Participate in development of policies (at Deputies and Assistant Secretaries levels) and in international negotiations in order to ensure effective coordination with outreach activities; Periodically report to the Deputies about its activities. C. FINANCIAL PLAN The Project anticipates an expenditure of $200,000 with funding provided by participating agencies including the Department of Energy, the Department of Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of State, and the Department of Commerce and others. D. PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS The Office of Environmental Quality will be the co-chair of the task force along with the National Economic Council. Other White House offices that will participate include the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the office of Management and Budget, and the Council of Economic Advisors. Other agencies participating in Task Force activities will include: the Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Transportation, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, The National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Science Foundation. Other interagency processes that will contribute to the Task Force include the Global Change Research Program and the President's Commission on Sustainable Development, as appropriate. E. RELATION TO CEQ/OEO STATUTORY AUTHORITY The Council on Environmental Quality was established by Title II of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. The primary role of CEQ is to implement the policy goals set forth in NEPA. One of CEQ's key roles is to coordinate interagency activities related to policy development and implementation. In addition, Section 102(2)(F) provides that federal agencies shall recognize the worldwide and long-range character of environmental problems and, where consistent with foreign policy of the United States, lend appropriate support to initiatives, resolutions, and programs designed to maximize international cooperation in anticipating and preventing a decline in the quality of mankind's world environment. This particular project will assist in furthering CEQ's role in coordinating such a policy. F. STAFFING ARRANGEMENTS Chief Project Officer: David Sandalow, Associate Director for Global Environment, CEQ (202) 456-6543 Administrative Contact: Carolyn Mosley, Administrative Officer, CEQ, (202) 395-5754. G. DUTIES The duties of the task force are advisory in nature. H. TERMS AND DURATION OF THE PROJECT The project is scheduled to commence in February 1997 and is expected to last until June 1998. The Task Force will provide periodic reporting to the Deputies' Climate Change Committee. APPROVED: 21277 Date Kathleen A. McGinty Director Office of Environmental Quality PRESIDENT UNITED STATES EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY On February 12, 1997, the Council on Environmental Quality Management Fund Charter was signed for the White House Climate Change Task Force. The Task Force is chartered to coordinate and expand activities among agencies aimed at informing the public and interested parties about climate change and to build support for Administration policy and international negotiating positions. This project Charter is hereby amended as follows: C. D. H. FINANCIAL PLAN The Project anticipates an additional expenditure of $350,000 with funding provided by PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS Kathleen A. McGinty, Chair, Council on Environmental Policy will co-chair the Task TERMS AND DURATION OF THE PROJECT The project commenced in February 1997 and is expected to last until December 1999. |