[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 227 (Friday, November 25, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72752-72753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-30347]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. EP 670 (Sub-No. 2)]


Notice of Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee Vacancy

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of vacancy on Federal advisory committee and 
solicitation of nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board (Board), hereby gives notice 
of a vacancy on the Board's Rail Energy Transportation Advisory 
Committee for a representative of a state- or municipally-owned 
electric utility. The Board is soliciting suggestions for candidates to 
fill that vacancy.

DATES: Suggestions of candidates for membership on RETAC are due 
December 21, 2011.

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 Docket No. EP 670 (Sub-No. 2), 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 
20423-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott M. Zimmerman at (202) 245-0386. 
[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).
    In 2007, the Board established RETAC as a Federal 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 operates subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
    RETAC's membership is balanced and representative of interested and 
affected parties, consisting 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 1 rural electric 
cooperative and 1 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. 
Members are selected by the Chairman of the Board with the concurrence 
of a majority of the Board. 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 3 members of the Board serve as ex officio members of the Committee 
as well.
    RETAC meets at least twice per year. Meetings are generally held at 
the Board's headquarters in Washington, DC, but may be held in other 
locations. Members of RETAC serve without compensation and without 
reimbursement of travel expenses unless reimbursement of such expenses 
is authorized in advance by the Board's Managing Director. RETAC 
members appointed or reappointed after June 18, 2010, are prohibited 
from serving as federally registered lobbyists during their RETAC term.

[[Page 72753]]

    One vacancy currently exists on RETAC for a representative of a 
state- or municipally-owned electric utility to complete the remainder 
of a 3-year term ending September 30, 2012. (Under the RETAC Charter, 
once appointed, RETAC members may be reappointed by the Chairman of the 
Board.) Suggestions for a representative to fill this vacancy should be 
submitted in letter form and should include: (1) The name of the 
candidate, (2) the interest the candidate will represent, (3) a summary 
of the candidate's experience and qualifications for the position, (4) 
a representation that the candidate is willing to serve as a member of 
RETAC, and (5) a representation that the candidate is not a federally 
registered lobbyist. Suggestions for candidates for membership on RETAC 
should be filed with the Board by December 21, 2011. Please note that 
submissions will be available to the public at the Board's offices and 
posted on the Board's Web site under Docket No. EP 670 (Sub-No. 2).
    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: November 21, 2011.

    By the Board.
Joseph H. Dettmar,
Acting Director, Office of Proceedings.
Raina S. White,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2011-30347 Filed 11-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-07-P