Fossil Energy. CRS - 22 The ERDA Fossil Energy Program had its origins in the transfer of funds and personnel from the Office of Coal Research and Bureau of Mines from the Department of the Interior and certain related activities from the Atomic Energy Commission. The ERDA Fossil Energy Program's current organization is considerably different from that shown on all published organization charts. Under an Assistant Administrator for Fossil Energy (not yet named) and a Deputy Assistant Administrator (Dr. S. William Gouse) are three program divisions: Coal Conversion and Utilization; Petroleum, Natural Gas, and In Situ Technology; and Advanced Research and Supporting Technology. Staff offices include Evaluation and Review, Planning, Environment and Safety, Program Support, and MHD Project. 9/ The Program has several interagency agreements concerning aspects of its functions, including agreements with the Department of Commerce, the Corps of Engineers, and the Department of the Interior. It also has international agreements with the United Kingdom, Russia, Poland and Germany and it cooperates with American industry and utilities. 10/ Energy Resources Council. This high-level interim coordinating and advisory body for all Federal agencies with responsibilities in energy policy or energy resources was authorized by section 108 of P. L. 93-438 and activated by Executive Order 11814 of October 11, 1974. The Chairman of the Council as designated by President Ford is Rogers C. B. Morton, former Secretary of the Interior, now Secretary of Commerce. 9/ Statement of Dr. S. William Gouse, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Fossil Energy, FY 1976 Appropriation Hearings, April 30, 1975. 26 p. CRS - 23 There is speculation, however, that Frank Zarb, the Executive Director of the Council and head of the Federal Energy Administration, exerts an important influence. 11/ The Administrator of ERDA is one of the 24 present members of the Council. As set forth in Executive Order 11855 of May 1, 1975, amending Executive Order 11814, the following are members: the Secretary of State; the Secretary of the Treasury; the Secretary of Defense; the Attorney General; the Secretary of the Interior; the Secretary of Agriculture; the Secretary of Commerce; the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare; the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; the Secretary of Transportation; the Director of the Office of Management and Budget; the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors; the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration; the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality; the Director of the National Science Foundation; the Administrator of General Services; the Chairman of the Federal Power Commission; the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs; the Assistant to the President for Economic Affairs; the Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs; the Special Assistant to the President for Consumer Affairs; and such other members as the President may, from time to time, designate. The Council's duties and functions include The "Good Soldier" Leaves InScience, v. 188, April 18, 1975, p. 244. 11/ Carter, Luther J. Rogers Morton: terior, A Troubled Agency. CRS - 24 (1) to insure communication and coordination among the agencies of the Federal Government which have responsibilities for development and implementation of energy policy or for management of energy resources; (2) to make recommendations to the President and to Congress for measures to improve implementation of Federal energy policies or management of energy resources; (3) to advise the President in preparation of reorganization recommendations for energy coordination required in Section 110 of the Act.12/ The Council will terminate when a new permanent department for energy and natural resources is established, or after two years, whichever occurs first. While the Council is advisory, its recommendations do carry weight with the President. President Ford noted in an October 29, 1974, press conference that he had discussed the resignation of John Sawhill as Administrator of FEA with Chairman Morton and he defended the action with I appointed a new man to head up the Energy Council, and that requires, I think, when you give a man a new assignment, the opportunity to make recommendations for those that will work with him on the Council. "13/ the comment ... To provide for coordination of the Energy Resources Council and the Domestic Council, the Executive Director of the former body has been designated a member of the Domestic Council. 14 / 12/ P. L. 93-438, October 11, 1974 Sec. 108 (b). 13/ The President's News Conference of October 29, 1974. Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, v. 10, Nov. 4, 1974, p. 1380. 14/ President's Memorandum for Members of the Domestic Council, February 13, 1975. Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, v. 11, CRS - 25 On February 25, 1975, the President announced that in order to achieve our energy goals for beyond 1985, he had asked the Federal agencies, and particularly the Energy Resources Council and ERDA, to work with the private sector to develop a broad range of technologies to utilize all of our domestic energy resources. 15/ The above are only indications of what kind of role the Energy Resources Council occupies in the Executive Office structure. 15 White House Conference on Domestic and Economic Affairs. Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, v. 11, March 3, 1975, p. 216. |