The Federal Register of April 27, 2010 carried the text of Executive Order 13539, issued by President Obama on April 21st. E.O. 13539 is the latest in a series of Executive Orders revoking earlier Executive Orders and establishing a new Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). The first PCAST was established by Executive Order 12700, issued by President George H.W. Bush on January 19, 1990. E.O. 13539 revokes E.O. 13226, issued by President George W. Bush on September 30, 2001. With each Executive Order, the membership and duties of the PCAST have changed and E.O. 13539 continues the changes.
PCAST is now to be composed of 20 members drawn from non-governmental sectors, with the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology (aka "The Science Advisor") serving as co-chair, with the President designating one of the non-governmental members as the other co-chair.
The PCAST will have a very broad mandate, giving advice to the President
on matters
involving science, technology, and innovation policy.
This advice shall include, but not be limited to,
policy that affects science, technology, and
innovation, as well as scientific and technical
information that is needed to inform public policy
relating to the economy, energy, environment, public
health, national and homeland security, and other
topics. The PCAST shall meet regularly and shall:(i) respond to requests from the President or the Science Advisor for
information, analysis, evaluation, or advice;(ii) solicit information and ideas from the broad range of stakeholders,
including but not limited to the research community, the private sector,
universities, national laboratories, State and local governments,
foundations, and nonprofit organizations;(iii) serve as the advisory committee identified in subsections 101(b) and
103(b) of the High Performance Computing Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-194),
as amended (15 U.S.C. 5511(b) and 5513(b)). In performing the functions of
such advisory committee, the PCAST shall be known as the President’s
Innovation and Technology Advisory Committee; and(iv) serve as the advisory panel identified in section 4 of the 21st
Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7503) (21st
Century Act). In performing the functions of such advisory committee, the
PCAST shall be known as the National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel. Nothing
in this order shall be construed to require the National Nanotechnology
Advisory Panel to comply with any requirement from which it is exempted by
section 4(f) of the 21st Century Act.(b) The PCAST shall provide advice from the
nonfederal sector to the National Science and
Technology Council (NSTC) in response to requests from
the NSTC.
Among it’s other duties, and the one of interest to the readers of this blog
(iv) serve as the advisory panel identified in section 4 of the 21st
Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7503) (21st
Century Act). In performing the functions of such advisory committee, the
PCAST shall be known as the National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel. Nothing
in this order shall be construed to require the National Nanotechnology
Advisory Panel to comply with any requirement from which it is exempted by
section 4(f) of the 21st Century Act.
Via the PCAST, the nanotechnology field will have a direct line to the President’s ear. This may also be seen as further federal recognition of the growing importance of nanotechnology and nanoindusties in the US economy and society.
A list of the principal members of PCAST is available here.
