[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 18, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42298-42299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17397]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee
AGENCY: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment as a
Member of the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory
Committee.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5
U.S.C. App. 2, the U.S. Department of Energy is soliciting nominations
for candidates to fill vacancies on the Biomass Research and
Development Technical Advisory Committee (Technical Advisory
Committee).
DATES: The deadline for nominations for members will be accepted on or
before August 9, 2012.
ADDRESSES: The nominations must include name, a resume, biography, and
any letters of support and are to be submitted via one of the following
methods:
(1) Email to elliott.levine@ee.doe.gov.
(2) Overnight delivery service to: Elliott Levine, Designated
Federal Officer, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S.
Department of Energy, Mail Stop EE-2E, 1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elliott Levine, Designated Federal
Officer, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S.
Department of Energy, Mail Stop EE-2E,1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585; (202) 586-1476; Email: elliott.levine@ee.doe.gov.
Committee's Web site: http://biomassboard.gov/committee/committee.html.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Biomass Research and Development Act of
2000 (Biomass Act) [Pub. L. 106-224] requires cooperation and
coordination in biomass research and development (R&D) between the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
The Biomass Act was repealed and replaced in June 2008 by Section 9008
of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA) [Pub. L. 110-
246, 122 Stat. 1651, enacted June 18, 2008, H.R. 6124].
FCEA section 9008(d) established the Biomass Research and
Development Technical Advisory Committee and lays forth its meetings,
coordination, duties, terms, and membership types. The Committee must
meet quarterly and should not duplicate the efforts of other Federal
advisory committees. Meetings are typically two days in duration. Three
meetings are held in the Washington, DC area and the fourth is held at
a site to be determined each year. Members of the Committee serve
without compensation; however, each appointed member may be reimbursed
for authorized travel and per diem expenses incurred while attending
committee meetings, in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations.
The Committee advises the DOE and USDA points of contact with
respect to the Biomass R&D Initiative (Initiative) and also makes
written recommendations to the Biomass R&D Board (Board). Those
recommendations regard whether: (A) Initiative funds are distributed
and used consistent with Initiative objectives; (B) solicitations are
open and competitive with awards made annually; (C) objectives and
evaluation criteria of the solicitations are clear; and (D) the points
of contact are funding proposals selected on the basis of merit, and
determined by an independent panel of qualified peers.
The Committee members may serve up to two, three-year terms and
must include: (A) An individual affiliated with the biofuels industry;
(B) an individual affiliated with the biobased industrial and
commercial products industry; (C) an individual affiliated with an
institution of higher education that has expertise in biofuels and
biobased products; (D) two prominent engineers or scientists from
government or academia that have expertise in biofuels and biobased
products; (E) an individual affiliated with a commodity trade
association; (F) two individuals affiliated with environmental or
conservation organizations; (G) an individual associated with State
government who has expertise in biofuels and biobased products; (H) an
individual with expertise in energy and environmental analysis; (I) an
individual with expertise in the economics of biofuels and biobased
products; (J) an individual with expertise in agricultural economics;
(K) an individual with expertise in plant biology and biomass feedstock
development; (L) an individual with
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expertise in agronomy, crop science, or soil science; and (M) at the
option of the points of contact, other members (REF: FCEA 2008 section
9008(d)(2)(A)). All nominees will be carefully reviewed for their
expertise, leadership, and relevance to an expertise. Appointments will
be made for three-year terms, as dictated by the legislation.
Nominations this year are being accepted for the following
categories in order to address the Committee's needs: (D) Prominent
engineers or scientist from government or academia that have expertise
in biofuels and biobased products; (I) an individual with expertise in
the economics of biofuels and biobased products; and (M) at the option
of the points of contact, other members. Nominations for other
categories will also be accepted. Nomination categories D, I, and M are
considered special Government employees (SGEs) and require submittal of
an annual financial disclosure form.
Nominations are solicited from organizations, associations,
societies, councils, federations, groups, universities, and companies
that represent a wide variety of biomass research and development
interests throughout the country. Nominations for one individual that
fits several of the categories listed above or for more than one person
that fits one category will be accepted. In your nomination letter,
please indicate the specific membership category for each nominee. Each
nominee must submit their resume and biography along with any letters
of support by the deadline above. If you were nominated in previous
years, but were not appointed to the committee and would still like to
be considered, please submit your nomination package again in response
to this notice with all required materials. All nominees will be vetted
before selection.
Nominations are open to all individuals without regard to race,
color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical
handicap, marital status, or sexual orientation. The DOE and USDA are
committed to bringing greater diversity of thought, perspective and
experience to its advisory committees. Nominees from all races,
gender[s], age[s] and persons living with disabilities are encouraged
to apply. Please note that registered lobbyists and individuals already
serving another Federal Advisory Committee are ineligible for
nomination.
Appointments to the Biomass Research and Development Technical
Advisory Committee will be made by the Secretary of Energy and the
Secretary of Agriculture.
Issued in Washington, DC, on July 11, 2012.
LaTanya R. Butler,
Acting Deputy Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-17397 Filed 7-17-12; 8:45 am]
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