[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 18, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42298-42299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17397]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 for Appointment as a 
Member of the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory 
Committee.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 nominations for members will be accepted on or 
before August 9, 2012.

ADDRESSES: The nominations must include name, a resume, biography, and 
any letters of support and are to be submitted via one of the following 
methods:
    (1) Email to [email protected].
    (2) Overnight delivery service to: Elliott Levine, 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: Elliott Levine, 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; (202) 586-1476; Email: [email protected].
    Committee's Web site: http://biomassboard.gov/committee/committee.html.

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The Biomass Act was repealed and replaced in June 2008 by Section 9008 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) established the Biomass Research and 
Development Technical Advisory 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. Meetings are typically two days in duration. Three 
meetings are held in the Washington, DC area and the fourth is held at 
a site to be determined each year. Members of the Committee serve 
without compensation; however, each appointed member may be reimbursed 
for authorized travel and per diem expenses incurred while attending 
committee meetings, in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations.
    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, and 
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 that has expertise in biofuels and 
biobased products; (D) two 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) two 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

[[Page 42299]]

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 for the following 
categories in order to address the Committee's needs: (D) Prominent 
engineers or scientist from government or academia that have expertise 
in biofuels and biobased products; (I) an individual with expertise in 
the economics of biofuels and biobased products; and (M) at the option 
of the points of contact, other members. Nominations for other 
categories will also be accepted. Nomination categories D, I, and M are 
considered special Government employees (SGEs) and require submittal of 
an annual financial disclosure form.
    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 that 
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, please submit your nomination package again in response 
to this notice 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. The DOE and USDA are 
committed to bringing greater diversity of thought, perspective and 
experience to its advisory committees. Nominees from all races, 
gender[s], age[s] and persons living with disabilities are encouraged 
to apply. Please note that registered lobbyists and individuals already 
serving 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 in Washington, DC, on July 11, 2012.
LaTanya R. Butler,
Acting Deputy Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-17397 Filed 7-17-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P