[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 139 (Friday, July 20, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39894-39895]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14038]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Ex Parte No. 670]


Establishment of a Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Notice of establishment of Federal Advisory Committee.

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SUMMARY: As required by section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App., the Surface Transportation Board 
(Board), hereby gives notice that, following consultation with the 
General Services Administration, the Board is creating a Rail Energy 
Transportation Advisory Committee (RETAC). RETAC will provide advice 
and guidance to the Board, and serve as a forum for discussion of 
emerging issues, regarding the transportation by rail of energy 
resources, particularly, but not necessarily limited to, coal, ethanol 
and other biofuels. The Board is also requesting suggestions for 
candidates for membership on RETAC.

DATES: Suggestions of candidates for membership on RETAC are due August 
9, 2007.

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: 
STB Ex Parte No. 670, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Scott M. Zimmerman at 202-245-0202. 
[Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board, created by Congress in 1996 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).
    The Board views the reliability of the nation's energy supply as 
crucial to this nation's economic and national security, and the 
transportation by rail of coal and other energy resources as a vital 
link in the energy supply chain. The Board is establishing RETAC as an 
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 shall function solely as an advisory body, and will comply with 
the provisions of FACA and its implementing regulations.
    On March 9, 2007, the Board issued a decision announcing its 
proposal to establish a rail energy transportation advisory committee 
and soliciting public comment on the advisability of establishing such 
a committee, the size and composition of the committee, and the scope 
of its mandate. In response, comments were received from more than two 
dozen parties, including rail carriers, energy producers, trade 
associations, and others. Based on its review of those comments and 
consultation with the General Services Administration, the Board has 
decided to establish RETAC and has developed a charter to govern its 
operation.
    RETAC will be balanced and representative of interested and 
affected parties, and will consist of not less than: 5 representatives 
from the Class I railroads, 3 representatives from Class II and III 
railroads, 3 representatives from coal producers, 5 representatives 
from electric utilities (including at least one rural electric 
cooperative and one state-or municipally-owned utility), 4 
representatives from biofuel refiners, processors, or distributors, or 
biofuel feedstock growers or providers, and 2 representatives from 
private car owners, car lessors, or car manufacturers. RETAC may also 
include up to 3 members with relevant experience but not necessarily 
affiliated with one of the aforementioned industries or sectors. 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 
shall serve as ex officio members of the Committee as well.
    RETAC will meet at least two times per year; the Board anticipates 
that RETAC will meet in the fall of 2007. No honoraria, salaries, 
travel or per diem are available to members of the RETAC; however, 
reimbursement for travel expenses may be sought from the Board in cases 
of hardship.
    Chairman Nottingham has appointed Scott M. Zimmerman, Acting 
Director of the Board's Office of Congressional and Public Services, to 
serve as the Designated Federal Official--the agency's liaison to 
RETAC. Suggestions for members of RETAC should be submitted in letter 
form, identifying the name of the candidate; evidence of the interests 
the candidate will represent; and a representation that the candidate 
is willing to serve a two-year term as a member of the RETAC. 
Suggestions for candidates for membership on the RETAC should be 
submitted to the Board by August 9, 2007.
    Copies of the RETAC charter will be available from the Board's 
contractor, ASAP Document Solutions (mailing

[[Page 39895]]

address: Suite 103, 9332 Annapolis Rd., Lanham, MD 20706; e-mail 
address: [email protected]; telephone number: 202-306-4004). The 
charter will also be available for viewing and self-copying in the 
Board's Public Docket Room, Room 131, and will be posted to the Board's 
Web site at: http://www.stb.dot.gov.
    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: July 13, 2007.

    By the Board, Chairman Nottingham, Vice Chairman Buttrey, and 
Commissioner Mulvey.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E7-14038 Filed 7-19-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P