[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 119 (Tuesday, June 21, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 36102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-15410]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy


Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of solicitation of nominations.

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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 (Technical Advisory 
Committee).

DATES: The deadline for Technical Advisory Committee member nominations 
is July 15, 2011.

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].
    (2) Facsimile to 202-586-1640, Attn: Laura McCann.
    (3) Overnight delivery service to Laura McCann, Designated Federal 
Officer, 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 
Officer, 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].

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The Biomass Act was repealed and replaced in June 2008 by Section 9008 
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 
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 that 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: (E) An individual 
affiliated with a commodity trade association; (F) 2 individuals 
affiliated with environmental or conservation organizations; and (J) an 
individual with expertise in agricultural economics.
    Nominations are 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 
that 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. If you were nominated in previous 
years, but were not appointed to the committee and would still like to 
be considered, all individuals must submit their nominations again 
during this notice and with all required materials. 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 DOE, membership shall 
include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated 
ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. 
Please note, however, that Federally-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 June 15, 2011.
LaTanya R. Butler,
Acting Deputy Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-15410 Filed 6-20-11; 8:45 am]
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