[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 137 (Monday, July 20, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 35185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-17161]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Notice of Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment as a Member 
of the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice.

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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.

DATES: Deadline for Technical Advisory Committee member nominations is 
August 20, 2009.

ADDRESSES: The nominee's name, resume, biography, and any letters of 
support must be submitted via one of the following methods:
    1. E-mail to [email protected] or hq.com">theibel@bcs-hq.com.
    2. Facsimile to 202-586-1640, Attn: Laura Neal.
    3. Overnight delivery service to the Designated Federal Official 
for the Committee, 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: Laura Neal, Designated Federal 
Official for the Committee, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable 
Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20585; (202) 586-0937; E-mail: [email protected] or 
T.J. Heibel at (410) 997-7778 ext. 223; E-mail: hq.com">theibel@bcs-hq.com.

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The Biomass Act was repealed in June 2008 by Section 9001 of the Food, 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) establishes the Biomass Research and 
Development Technical Advisory Committee (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. 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, as determined by an independent panel of qualified 
peers.
    The Committee members 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 who has expertise in 
biofuels and biobased products; (D) 2 prominent engineers or scientists 
from government or academia who have expertise in biofuels and biobased 
products; (E) an individual affiliated with a commodity trade 
association; (F) 2 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 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 are being 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 who 
fits several of the categories listed above or for more than one person 
who 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. 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. To ensure that 
recommendations of the Technical Advisory Committee take into account 
the needs of the diverse groups served by the Department, membership 
shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated 
ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
    Appointments to the Biomass Research and Development Technical 
Advisory Committee will be made by the Secretary of Energy and the 
Secretary of Agriculture.

    Issued at Washington, DC on July 14, 2009.
Rachel Samuel,
Deputy Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-17161 Filed 7-17-09; 8:45 am]
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