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HTAC Nomination Process

Committee members for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee (HTAC) were selected in June 2006. Refer to the DOE news release or HTAC Federal Register Notice (PDF 52 KB) for more information. Download Adobe Reader.

HTAC Nomination FAQs

Q. Can foreign nationals serve on Federal advisory committees?

A. Foreign nationals are, in certain instances, permitted to serve on Federal advisory committees. Among others, individuals from NATO countries or countries allied with the United States in current defense efforts will be permitted to serve.

Q. What's the time commitment for participation on the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee?

A. There will be two meetings per year (approximate duration of 1 to 1.5 days). There could possibly be some sub-committee action items ("homework"), but DOE would help provide resources necessary to support any analysis or studies.

Q. Will travel be provided to committee members for HTAC meeting attendance?

A. DOE will provide "invitational travel" for those members who do not have outside travel resources available to fund their trips to the HTAC meetings. Ability to pay for travel would not be a factor in the selection process.

Q. Can DOE contractors (e.g., recipients of DOE financial assistance) be members of the committee?

A. Yes. Sources of funding (including DOE funds) for research activities must be disclosed in the nomination process, and this information will be weighed in order to achieve a committee that is balanced in terms of points of view. Also, a member might have to recuse him/herself in any specific matter discussed by the committee in which he/she has a conflict of interest. DOE ethics counselors are available to advise members on such matters.

Q. Who needs to complete financial disclosure forms?

A. As noted in the Federal Register Notice, some committee members may be appointed as special government employees (SGEs) and will be required to fill out the Confidential Financial Disclosure Form for SGEs Serving on Federal Advisory Committees at the U.S. Department of Energy (Word 47 KB). This confidential form allows government officials (DOE General Counsel) to determine whether there is a conflict between the SGE's public responsibilities and private interests and activities, or the appearance of a lack of impartiality, as defined by statute and regulation.

Q. What constitutes a special government employee?

A. Nominees are selected as "representative members" to represent the view points of a particular organization. On the other hand, nominees are chosen as special government employees because they're independent experts in a specific area; they are expected to provide advice on behalf of government on the basis of their best judgment, in a manner that is free of conflict of interest, as an occasional service (<130 days/yr). Upon selection by the Secretary, SGEs are required to submit DOE's Confidential Financial Disclosure Form for Special Government Employees Serving on Federal Advisory Committees (Word 47 KB). This confidential financial disclosure form allows government officials (DOE General Counsel) to determine whether there is a conflict between the SGE's public responsibilities and private interests and activities, or the appearance of a lack of impartiality, as defined by statute and regulation.

Q. How will DOE determine if someone will be designated as a special government employee or a representative member?

A. It depends on how the committee plans to use the person. If the driving force behind the appointment is because the head of an organization is required to present a position on behalf of the organization, that person is a representative. However, if the committee wants the head of the same organization because that person tends to be an expert in a particular matter, then the person will be an SGE.

Q. Will the meeting be held in Washington, DC?

A. Yes. Meetings will be hosted by the Department of Energy in a large conference room either at DOE headquarters or a local hotel.

Q. What is the size of the budget and/or staff to support the administrative duties of the committee?

A. The estimated annual operating cost of direct support to the committee and its subcommittees is $250,000, inclusive of 0.7 persons-year for support.

Additional questions about the nomination process should be directed to htac.nominees@ee.doe.gov.