[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 225 (Wednesday, November 23, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70800-70801]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-23174]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy


Request for Member Nominations; Hydrogen Technical and Fuel Cell 
Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. 
Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of request for member nominations for the Hydrogen 
Technical and Fuel Cell Advisory Committee.

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SUMMARY: The Hydrogen Technical and Fuel Cell Advisory Committee (HTAC 
or Committee) was established by section 807 of Title VIII, Hydrogen 
(``Spark M. Matsunaga Act of 2005''), of the 2005 Energy Policy Act 
(Pub. L. 109-58). In order to ensure a wide range of candidates for 
HTAC and a balanced committee, DOE is using this public announcement as 
an avenue to solicit nominations for this Committee.

DATES: Nominations should be submitted by January 23, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be submitted in electronic format. 
Nominations should be sent via e-mail to [email protected]. Any 
requests for further information should also be sent via e-mail to 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    The Committee will provide advice and recommendations to the 
Secretary of Energy (Secretary) on the program authorized by the Spark 
M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Act of 2005 (``the Act''). This Committee 
supersedes the Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel established by the 
Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Research, Development, Demonstration 
Program Act of 1990, Public Law 101-566, and reauthorized by the 
Hydrogen Future Act of 1996, Public Law 104-271.
    The Committee's scope is to review and make recommendations to the 
Secretary on (1) The implementation of programs and activities under 
the Act (42 U.S.C. 16151 et seq.), (2) the safety, economical, and 
environmental consequences of technologies for the production, 
distribution, delivery, storage, or use of hydrogen energy and fuel 
cells and (3) the plan under section 804 of the Act. The Secretary 
shall consider, but need not adopt, any recommendations of HTAC.
    DOE is hereby soliciting nominations for members of the Committee. 
The Committee is expected to be continuing in nature. The Secretary of 
Energy will appoint 12 to 25 Committee members. Members will be 
selected with a view toward achieving a balanced committee of 
representatives of domestic industry, academia, professional societies, 
government agencies, Federal laboratories, previous advisory panels, 
and financial, environmental and other appropriate organizations based 
on the needs of the Committee and DOE. Committee members will serve for 
a term of three years or less and may be reappointed. Appointments may 
be made in a manner that allows the terms of the members serving at any 
time to expire at spaced intervals, so as to ensure continuity in the 
functioning of the Committee. The Committee members will elect a 
chairperson from among their number. The Committee is expected to meet 
twice per year. Subcommittees to address specific agenda items are 
anticipated and may meet more frequently. Some Committee members may be 
appointed as special Government employees (SGEs) and will be subject to 
certain ethical restrictions as a result. Such members will also be 
required to submit certain information in connection with the 
appointment process.

Process and Deadline for Submitting Nominations

    Qualified individuals can self-nominate or be nominated by any 
individual or organization. Nominators should submit (via e-mail to 
[email protected]) a description of the nominee's 
qualifications, including matters that would enable the Department to 
make an informed decision, such as but not limited to the nominee's 
education and professional experience. Should more information be 
needed, DOE staff will contact the nominee, obtain information from the 
nominee's past affiliations, or obtain information from publicly 
available sources, such as the internet.
    A selection team will review the nomination packages. This team 
will be comprised of representatives from several DOE Offices, as well 
as at least one representative from the Department of Transportation. 
DOE is seeking a balance of appropriate stakeholder viewpoints to 
address the broad statutory mandate. (Note that the Committee will 
address implementation of the Hydrogen Program activities covered in 
the Act; the Committee will not address whether there should be a

[[Page 70801]]

Hydrogen Program.) The selection team will consider many criteria, 
including and not limited to: (a) Scientific or technical expertise, 
knowledge, and experience; (b) stakeholder representation as described 
in the Act; (c) availability and willingness to serve; and (d) skills 
working in committees, subcommittees and advisory panels. Structured 
interviews with some candidates may also occur.
    The selection team will make recommendations regarding membership 
to the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 
(EERE). The Assistant Secretary for EERE will submit a list of 
recommended candidates to the Secretary for review and selection of 
Committee members.
    Candidates selected by the Secretary of Energy to serve as SGEs 
will be required to fill out the Confidential Financial Disclosure Form 
for Special Government Employees Serving on Federal Advisory Committees 
at the U.S. Department of Energy and other forms incidental to Federal 
appointment. The confidential financial disclosure form allows 
government officials to determine whether there is a conflict between 
the special Government employee's public responsibilities and private 
interests and activities, or the appearance of a lack of impartiality, 
as defined by statute and regulation. The form may be viewed from the 
following URL address: http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/advisory_panels.html.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 17, 2005.
Douglas L. Faulkner,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 05-23174 Filed 11-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P