Why Was the PCAST Meeting Moved to November 13 and What Changes for Public Access?

The rescheduled session and why the notice exists

The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, known as PCAST, was originally set to meet on Friday, November 6, 2026. That date appeared in the Federal Register on Thursday, October 22, 2026. A new notice published on November 6, 2026, announces the change to November 13. The Federal Advisory Committee Act requires public notice of every meeting in the Federal Register, so the Department of Energy issued this document to satisfy that requirement.

A livestream will carry the session. Registration for the ZoomGov webinar is available at the link provided in the notice. No physical location is listed.

What the council does and what the agenda covers

PCAST advises the President on matters involving science, technology, education, and innovation policy. The council provides scientific and technical information needed to inform public policy relating to the American economy, the American worker, national and homeland security, and other topics. It responds to requests from the President or co-chairs for information, analysis, evaluation, or advice. The council also solicits input from the research community, private sector, universities, national laboratories, state, local and Tribal governments, foundations, and non-profit organizations. In addition, PCAST provides advice in response to requests from the Super Intelligence Force.

The tentative agenda lists five items: Chair Update, Charges to the Board, Board Business, Public Comments, and Closing Remarks. Agenda topics are subject to change. The notice directs anyone wanting the most current agenda to contact Kristen Ellis at pcast@doe.gov.

How the public can participate

The meeting is open to the public. Fifteen minutes are allocated for public comment. Anyone wishing to speak orally will be given a maximum of two minutes. To register to speak, a request must be sent to pcast@doe.gov not later than seven days before the meeting.

Written comments follow a different timeline. Comments received at least two working days before the meeting will be provided to members and included in the meeting minutes. Comments received within two working days after the meeting will also be included in the minutes. All written comments should be sent to pcast@doe.gov.

The council welcomes public attendance and will make every effort to accommodate persons with physical disabilities or special needs. Requests for special accommodations must reach pcast@doe.gov at least seven days in advance.

Rules that shape the meeting

The Designated Federal Officer is empowered to conduct the meeting in a fashion that facilitates orderly conduct of business. Questioning of board members or presenters by the public is not permitted. Minutes will be posted at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy website.

The document was signed on November 3, 2026, by David Borak, Committee Management Officer, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. For administrative purposes, Treena V. Garrett, Federal Register Liaison Officer, submitted the electronic version on November 4, 2026. The notice cites billing code 6450-01-P.

The notice does not explain why the original November 6 date was moved. It does not state how many people typically attend or how many public comments are usually received. The ZoomGov registration link is the only access method provided.