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DOE P 141.2                                                          05-07-03


                          ERRATA SHEET



This Errata Sheet corrects DOE P 141.2, Public Participation and Community Relations, dated
5-20-02, and must be kept with the Policy.

Cancellation of DOE P 1210.1, Public Participation, dated 07-29-94 was omitted from DOE P
141.2.  This errata sheet cancels DOE P 1210.1.



U.S. Department of Energy 				DOE P 141.2                                                       POLICY
      Washington, D.C.


                                                       Approved: 05-02-03

SUBJECT:   PUBLIC PARTICIPATION and COMMUNITY RELATIONS

PURPOSE

Public participation is open, ongoing, two-way communication, both formal and informal,
between the Department of Energy (DOE) and its stakeholders concerning DOE's missions and
activities.  Effective public participation is at the core of good community relations, which is
essential for DOE facilities to achieve their missions.  Regular, interactive communication
enables all parties to learn about and better understand the views and positions of each other.

The Department recognizes the many benefits to be derived from public participation and good
community relations, for both stakeholders and DOE.  Public participation provides a means for
DOE to gather a diverse collection of opinions, perspectives, and values from the broadest
spectrum of the public, enabling the Department to make more informed decisions.  Public
participation benefits stakeholders by creating an opportunity to provide input on decisions that
            affect their communities and our nation.

This Policy is intended to ensure that public participation and community outreach are integral
and effective parts of DOE activities and that decisions are made with the benefit of significant
public perspectives.  This policy provides a mechanism for bringing a broad range of stakeholder
viewpoints and community values into DOE's decision-making early in the process.  This early
involvement enables DOE to make more informed decisions and build mutual understanding and
trust between DOE, the public it serves, and the communities which host its facilities.

SCOPE

This policy is designed to function as a framework within which all DOE programs, including
programs of the National Nuclear Security Administration, will operate.  While the policy
applies to all levels of DOE, its intent is the development and implementation of effective public
participation programs at each appropriate field site by management officials designated by a
site's Lead Program Secretarial Officer.  It is also intended that these programs will be tailored
to meet specific site and stakeholder needs and that they will include performance goals for
community relations.  This policy is not intended to affect requirements imposed by law,
regulation, or contractual agreement; neither does it expand or limit any rights available to the
                   public under current law.

POLICY

Public participation is a fundamental component in program operations, planning activities, and
decision-making within DOE.  The Department encourages such participation.  Effective public
participation and good community relations both rest on a foundation of positive personal
relationships; DOE managers and staff are encouraged to seek to build and nurture such
                         relationships.

The methods used to encourage public participation will vary widely in nature and scope and
may include, but are not limited to, informal conversations, written and electronic
communication, scheduled meetings and workshops, legally required hearings, and Federal-
State-local-Tribal meetings.  Under this Policy, DOE will actively seek, consider, and respond in
a timely manner to the views of its stakeholders, thereby providing them an opportunity to
influence decisions.  Stakeholders are defined as those individuals, groups, host communities,
and other entities in the public and private sectors that are interested in or affected by any of
                DOE's activities and decisions.

GOALS

The goals of the DOE Public Participation and Community Relations Policy are as follows:

1.   DOE will actively seek to identify stakeholders, consider public input, and incorporate or
otherwise respond to the views of its stakeholders in making its decisions.

2.   The public will be informed in a timely manner and empowered to participate at
appropriate stages in DOE's decision-making processes.  Such processes will be open,
understandable, and consistently followed.  Managers will define clear access points for
public input from the earliest stages of a decision process and will provide adequate time
                for stakeholders to participate.

3.   Credible, effective public participation processes, including active community outreach,
will be consistently incorporated into DOE program operations, planning activities, and
decision-making processes, at Headquarters and in the field.  Employees within the DOE
complex will share responsibility for promoting and improving public participation and
                      community relations.

4.   DOE will conduct periodic reviews of its public participation and community relations
                           efforts.
CORE VALUES

Though program-specific public participation activities may vary throughout DOE, each
  program will be characterized by the following core values:



Accessibility

Known avenues to DOE managers who are available, approachable, and
                                            open to the public.



Accountability

Responsibility to the public for its decisions and a willingness to provide
                               the rationale for its decisions.



Accuracy

                                       Commitment to the truth.



Communication

Open, two-way exchange of information, knowledge, and perspectives
between DOE and its stakeholders, including its host communities.



Consistency

Stakeholder and community interactions marked by regularity and
                                                    continuity.



Fairness

      Objectivity and freedom from undue favor toward any side.



Honesty

Commitment to fairness, trustworthiness, and straightforwardness.



Innovation

            Introduction of new ideas, methods, and approaches.



Openness

Ready accessibility and a willingness to listen, consider, and respond to the
                                         views of stakeholders.



Respect

Consideration of and sensitivity to diversity and cultural concerns of
                                                  stakeholders.



Responsiveness

Timely and thoughtful consideration of and response to the needs and
             concerns of stakeholders and affected communities.



Scientific
Credibility

Commitment to the pursuit of sound, dependable, leading edge science.



Sincerity

Openness, frankness, and truthfulness in all stakeholder and community
                                                communications.



Time/
Timeliness

Adequate amount of time for stakeholders to participate in DOE decision-
making processes.  Timely responses to stakeholder input and requests.
Timely DOE decisions informed but not delayed by public participation.

                                                                                                                 ACCOUNTABILITY

Senior Departmental program, staff office, and field managers are accountable for ensuring that
public participation and community relations activities meet the goals of this Policy, are fully
coordinated, and reflect DOE principles and values.  Program or staff office and project
managers are responsible for ensuring that appropriate public participation and community
relations activities are identified and included  in their decision-making processes.

Public participation is a performance element for these managers; they will be given incentives
for good stakeholder and community relations and held to measurable performance standards.


                           BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY:




                                              KYLE E. MCSLARROW
                                               DEPUTY SECRETARY