[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 214 (Wednesday, November 5, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65770-65771]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26287]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[Docket No. EP 670 (Sub-No. 2)]
Notice of Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee Vacancy
AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of vacancy on federal advisory committee and
solicitation of nominations.
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SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board (Board) hereby gives notice
of two vacancies on its Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee
(RETAC) for a representative of the downstream segment of the domestic
petroleum industry (e.g., refiners, petrochemical producers, natural
gas liquids (NGL) producers/distributors, logistics service providers,
and other downstream participants) and for a representative of the
electric utility industry. The Board is soliciting suggestions from the
public for candidates to fill these two vacancies.
DATES: Suggestions for candidates for membership on RETAC are due
December 3, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Suggestions may be submitted either via the Board's e-filing
format or in the traditional paper format. Any person using e-filing
should attach a document and otherwise comply with the instructions at
the E-FILING link on the Board's Web site, at http://www.stb.dot.gov.
Any person submitting a filing in the traditional paper format should
send the original and 10 copies to: Surface Transportation Board, Attn:
Docket No. EP 670 (Sub-No. 2), 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-
0001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Michael H. Higgins at 202-245-0284.
[Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board exercises broad authority over
transportation by rail carriers, including rates and services (49
U.S.C. 10701-10747, 11101-11124), construction, acquisition, operation,
and abandonment of railroad lines (49 U.S.C. 10901-10907), and
consolidation, merger, or common control arrangements between railroads
(49 U.S.C. 10902, 11323-11327).
In 2007, the Board established RETAC as a federal advisory
committee consisting of a balanced cross-section of energy and rail
industry stakeholders to provide independent, candid policy advice to
the Board and to foster open, effective communication among the
affected interests on issues such as rail performance, capacity
constraints, infrastructure planning and development, and effective
coordination among suppliers, railroads, and users of energy resources.
RETAC operates subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C.
App. 2, 1-16).
RETAC's membership is balanced and representative of interested and
affected parties, consisting of not less than: five representatives
from the Class I railroads; three representatives from Class II and III
railroads; three representatives from coal producers; five
representatives from electric utilities (including at least one rural
electric cooperative and one state- or municipally-owned utility); four
representatives from biofuel refiners, processors, or distributors, or
biofuel feedstock growers or providers; one representative of the
petroleum shipping industry; and two representatives from private car
owners, car lessors, or car manufacturers. RETAC may also include up to
two members with relevant experience but not necessarily affiliated
with one of the aforementioned industries or sectors. Members are
selected by the Chairman of the Board with the concurrence of a
majority of the Board. The Chairman may invite representatives from the
U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Energy, and Transportation and the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to serve on RETAC in advisory
capacities as ex officio (non-voting) members. The three members of the
Board serve as ex officio members of the Committee.
RETAC meets at least twice per year. Meetings are generally held at
the Board's headquarters in Washington, DC, but may be held in other
locations. Members of RETAC serve without compensation and without
reimbursement of travel expenses unless reimbursement of such expenses
is authorized in advance by the Board's Managing Director. According to
revised guidance issued by the Office of Management and Budget, it is
[[Page 65771]]
permissible for federally registered lobbyists to serve on advisory
committees, such as RETAC, as long as they do so in a representative
capacity, rather than an individual capacity. See Revised Guidance on
Appointment of Lobbyists to Federal Advisory Committees, Boards, and
Commissions, 79 FR 47,482 (Aug. 13, 2014). Members of RETAC are
appointed to serve in a representative capacity. Further information
about RETAC is available on the RETAC page of the Board's Web site at
http://www.stb.dot.gov/stb/rail/retac.html.
The Board is soliciting nominations from the public for candidates
to fill two vacancies on RETAC: (1) For a representative of the
downstream segment of the domestic petroleum industry (e.g., refiners,
petrochemical producers, NGL producers/distributors, logistics service
providers, and other downstream participants); and (2) for a
representative of the electric utility industry. Both vacancies are for
a three-year term ending September 30, 2017.
Nominations for a candidate to fill this vacancy should be
submitted in letter form and should include: (1) The name of the
candidate; (2) the interest the candidate will represent; (3) a summary
of the candidate's experience and qualifications for the position; (4)
a representation that the candidate is willing to serve as a member of
RETAC; and (5) a statement that the candidate agrees to serve in a
representative capacity. Suggestions for candidates for membership on
RETAC should be filed with the Board by December 3, 2014. Please note
that submissions will be available to the public at the Board's offices
and posted on the Board's Web site under Docket No. EP 670 (Sub-No. 2).
This action will not significantly affect either the quality of the
human environment or the conservation of energy resources.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 721; 49 U.S.C. 11101; 49 U.S.C. 11121.
Decided: October 31, 2014.
By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of
Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2014-26287 Filed 11-4-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P