[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 135 (Thursday, July 15, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41166-41167]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-17285]


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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 of solicitation of members.

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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 
July 30, 2010.

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 
[email protected].
    2. Facsimile to 202-586-1640, Attn: Laura McCann.
    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 McCann, 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) 586-7766; e-mail: [email protected] 
or Christina Fagerholm at (202) 586-2933; e-mail: 
[email protected].

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The Biomass Act was repealed in June 2008 by section 9001 of the Food, 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 may serve up to two, three year terms and 
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 this year are being accepted only for the following 
categories in order to address the Committee's needs: (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; (H) an individual with expertise in energy and environmental 
analysis; and (M) at the option of the points of contact, other 
members.
    Nominations are solicited from organizations, associations, 
societies,

[[Page 41167]]

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. 
Please note, however, that registered lobbyists and individuals already 
serving on another Federal Advisory Committee are ineligible for 
nomination.
    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 12, 2010.
Rachel Samuel,
Deputy Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-17285 Filed 7-14-10; 8:45 am]
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