The Department of the Interior and Department of Energy have announced more details on the Conference on Opportunities to Expand Renewable Energy on Public Lands scheduled for Nov. 28 at Interior's South Building* in Washington, D.C.

"Our renewable energy conference will bring government officials together with renewable energy and environmental leaders and other citizens to focus on the best ways to increase wind, solar and geothermal production on public lands," Secretary Norton said. Developing renewable sources of energy is a key component in the President?s National Energy Policy released in May.

WHO:  Gale Norton, Secretary of the Interior

David Garman, DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

James Connaughton, Chairman, President's Council on Environmental Quality

Sen. Byron Dorgan, Co-chair, Senate Renewable Energy Caucus

Rep. Zach Wamp and Rep. Mark Udall, co-chairs, House Renewable Energy Caucus

Jim Moseley, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture

Linda Fisher, Deputy Administrator, EPA

Other leading Administration officials, Members of Congress and panelists from trade associations, renewable energy companies, utilities and institutional think-tanks

Daybook note: Open to credentialed media with valid press identification.

WHAT: Conference on Opportunities to Expand Renewable Energy on Public Lands. Discussion likely will relate to: Permitting, leasing, public lands access and other regulatory matters.

National Conference Session - 8:30 am to 3:00 pm:

        Opening Statements: Secretary Gale Norton, other key officials

        Renewable Geothermal Energy Panel

        Renewable Wind Energy Panel

        Renewable Biomass Energy Panel

        Renewable Solar Energy Panel

        Utilities, Hydro & Environmental Aspects of Renewable Energy

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2001, National Conference session beginning at 8:30 a.m.

WHERE: South Building, U.S. Department of the Interior *(Note building change), 1951 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20240. (Enter 19th Street and Virginia Avenue, N.W.)

WHY: The genesis of the conference is a May 2001 recommendation from Vice President Cheney's National Energy Policy Development Group that the secretaries of the Interior and Energy reevaluate existing limitations on access to public lands in order to increase production of renewable sources and to reduce delays in geothermal lease processing.