[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 231 (Friday, November 30, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71478-71479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-28941]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[Docket No. EP 670 (Sub-No. 2)]
Notice of Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee Vacancies
AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of vacancies on federal advisory committee and
solicitation of nominations.
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SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board (Board), hereby gives notice
of four vacancies on the Board's Rail Energy Transportation Advisory
Committee for (1) a representative from a state- or municipally-owned
electric utility, (2) a representative from a biofuel refiner,
processor, or distributor, or biofuel feedstock grower or provider, (3)
a representative from a coal producer, and (4) a representative from a
petroleum producer or shipper. The Board is soliciting suggestions for
candidates to fill those vacancies.
DATES: Suggestions of candidates for membership on RETAC are due
December 27, 2012.
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 an 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: Scott M. Zimmerman at 202-245-0386.
[Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board, established in 1996 by Congress
to take over many of the functions previously performed by the
Interstate Commerce Commission, exercises broad authority over
transportation by rail carriers, including regulation of railroad rates
and service (49 U.S.C. 10701-10747, 11101-11124), as well as the
construction, acquisition, operation, and abandonment of rail lines (49
U.S.C. 10901-10907), and railroad line sales, consolidations, mergers,
and common control arrangements (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, carriers, and users of energy resources.
RETAC operates subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
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, and two representatives from
private car owners, car lessors, or car manufacturers. RETAC may also
include up to three 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 of the Board 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, and the three members of the Board serve as ex officio members
of the Committee as well.
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. RETAC
members appointed or reappointed after June 18, 2010, are prohibited
from serving as federally registered lobbyists during their RETAC term.
The Board is soliciting nominations for candidates to fill four
vacancies on RETAC for representatives from (1) a state- or
municipally-owned electric utility, for a three-year term ending
September 30, 2015, (2) a biofuel refiner, processor, or distributor,
or biofuel feedstock grower or provider, for a three-year term ending
September 30, 2015, (3) a coal producer, for the remainder of a three-
year term ending September 30, 2014, and (4) a petroleum producer or
shipper, for a three-year term ending September 30, 2015. The petroleum
position is a new one, to be established in light of the growing trend
of shipping petroleum by rail, and will fill one of the three ``at
large'' RETAC seats.
[[Page 71479]]
Nominations for candidates to fill these vacancies 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 representation that the candidate is not a federally
registered lobbyist. Suggestions for candidates for membership on RETAC
should be filed with the Board by December 27, 2012. 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.
By the Board.
Decided: November 26, 2012.
Rachel D. Campbell,
Director, Office of Proceedings.
Derrick A. Gardner,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2012-28941 Filed 11-29-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P