The Secretary of Energy
Washington, DC 20585

The Task Force on Worker and Community Transition was created on April 21, 1993 to coordinate adjustment assistance as the Department goes through a period of changing priorities. The task force was originally chartered for four months with the expectation that the primary emphases would be on facilitating compliance with section 3161 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 and developing uniform policy across the Department for worker and community adjustment assistance.

After reviewing progress thus far and assessing the job ahead, the task force has recommended, and by this memorandum I am approving, an extension of this temporary body. The main objectives of the task force over this next period will be

(1) formalizing Departmental guidance for implementing the objectives of section 3161 through broad stakeholder review and

(2) establishing Departmental guidance for assisting host communities to stimulate economic development at facilities no longer needed for the defense mission.

A major new focus of the task force will be on the economic development mission of the Department as it applies to converting surplus resources at defense nuclear facilities for commercial purposes. Our goal is to make Departmental resources available to community partnerships for local business development that supports the President's broader objective of stimulating economic growth.

The task force's role will be reevaluated in July 1994. I know that I can count on your strong support for this most important effort.