Conference Objectives

The purpose of this conference is to identify and synthesize insights and information from conference participants, which the energy resource and science offices of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) might use to improve their methods for estimating the benefits of their R&D programs.

The specific objectives of the conference are to identify major streams of thought on:

1. a useful methodological framework for identifying the benefits of government-sponsored energy R&D; and

2. practical approaches for developing improvements to current methods of estimating the benefits of energy resource and science R&D, which might be used to enhance the performance-based management of these programs under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA).

Following the conference, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will use the ideas, insights, and areas of convergence and divergence that emerge from the conference to draft a report that suggests specific (possibly alternative) methods for estimating the benefits of government-sponsored R&D programs. DOE's Offices of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Fossil Energy (FE), Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology (NE), and Science (SC) might use some of these suggestions as they implement improvements to their methods for estimating the benefits of their energy R&D programs.

Ideas on the methodological framework and on the specific methods that could be applied, which will be described in the ORNL draft, might be used to help meet DOE's requirements under GPRA. DOE might also adapt some of these suggestions in its program planning and development in conjunction with GPRA, as well as for program evaluation on an ongoing basis. The executive branch, the Congress, private industry, national laboratories, and academia will all participate in this conference. It will have applicability beyond the energy field.

If you have any questions, please contact:
Ms. Stephanie Floyd
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
P.O. Box 2008, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6207
Phone: 865-574-5517; Fax: 865-574-8272; E-mail: floydsd@ornl.gov
or
Russell Lee
Phone: 865-576-6818; Fax: 865-574-8272; E-mail: leerm@ornl.gov

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Updated: February 28, 2002