PUBLIC PARTICIPATION POLICY
Public participation is a open, ongoing, two-way communication, both formal and informal,
between the Department of Energy and its Stakeholders. This steady, interactive communication
enables each party to learn about and better understand the views and positions of the other. The
Department recognizes the many benefits to be derived from public participation, for both
stakeholders and DOE. Public participation provides a means for the Department to gather the
most diverse collection of opinions, perspectives, and values from the broadest spectrum of the
public, enabling the Department to make better, more informed decisions. Public participation
benefits stakeholders by creating an opportunity to provide input and influence decisions.
POLICY
Public participation is a fundamental component in program operations, planning activities, and
decision-making within the Department. The public is entitled to play a role in Departmental
decision-making.
PURPOSE
This policy is intended to ensure that public participation is an integral and effective part of
Departmental activities and that decisions are made with the benefit of important public
perspectives. This policy provides a mechanism for bringing a broad range of diverse
stakeholder viewpoints and values early into the Department's decision-making processes. This
early involvement enables the Department to make more informed decisions, improve quality
through collaborative efforts, and build mutual understanding and trust between the Department
and the public it serves.
SCOPE
This policy is designed to function as a, general framework within which all Department
programs shall operate. While it applies to all levels of DOE, its intent is development and
implementation of effective public participation programs at each site. In conjunction with its
stakeholders and field manager, each site shall develop and implement a public participation
program that promotes openness and two-way communication and is tailored to meet specific
program, site, and stakeholder needs. This policy is not intended to- affect legal requirements
imposed by law, regulation, or contractual agreement; neither does it modify any legal rights
"avail able to the public under current law.
DEFINITION
Under this policy, the Department actively seeks, considers, and incorporates or otherwise
responds in a timely manner to the views of #its stakeholders, thereby providing them an
opportunity to influence decisions. Stakeholders are defined as those individuals and groups in
the public and private sectors who are interested in and/or affected by the Department's activities
and decisions. Public participation is defined as open, ongoing two-way communication, both
formal and informal, within the DOE Complex and between the Department and its stakeholders.
This communication will vary widely in nature and scope and may include, but is not limited to,
informal conversations, scheduled meetings and workshops, legally required hearings, and
Federal-State-local -Tribal agreements.
GOALS
The goals of the Department's Public Participation Policy are:
I. The Department actively seeks and considers public input, and incorporates or
otherwise responds to the views of its stakeholders in making its decisions.
II. The public is informed in a timely manner about and empowered to participate in
the Department's decision-making processes, which are open, understandable, and
consistently followed. Access points for public input are clearly defined from the
earliest stages of a dec is ion process and provide adequate time for stakeholders
to participate.
III. Credible, effective public participation processes are consistently incorporated
into the Department's program operations, planning activities, and decision-making processes, at headquarters and in the field. Every employee within the
DOE Complex shares responsibility to promote, practice, and improve public
participation.
CORE VALUES
Though program-specific public participation activities may vary throughout the DOE Complex,
each program will be characterized by the following core-values:
Accessibility: Known avenues to Department leaders who are available,
approachable, and open to the public.
Accountability: Responsibility to the public for its decisions and a willingness to
provide explanations for the rationales behind its decisions.
Accuracy: Commitment to the truth.
Communication: Open, two-way exchange of information, knowledge, and
perspectives between the Department and its stakeholders.
Consistency: Stakeholder interact ions marked by regularity and continuity.
Fairness: Objectivity and freedom from 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 to, consider, and
respond to stakeholders.
Peer review: Reexamination of key issues and decisions by internal and external
peers.
Respect: Consideration and deference in the treatment of stakeholders.
Responsiveness: Timely and empathetic consideration of and response to the needs,
wants, and concerns of stakeholders.
Scientific Credibility: Commitment to the pursuit of sound, dependable, leading edge
science.
Sincerity: Openness, frankness, and truthfulness in all stakeholder
communications.
Time/Timeliness: Adequate amount of time for stakeholders to participate in
Department decision-making processes. Timely responses to
stakeholder input and requests. Timely Departmental decision-making processes supported but not
hindered or delayed by public participation.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Senior departmental, program, and field managers are accountable for assuring that public
participation activities meet the goals of this policy and the needs of stakeholders; are
fully coordinated; and reflect Departmental principles and values. Managers are
responsible for implementing plans that assure that public participation needs for their
programs or projects are identified and satisfied in the decision-making process.
