[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 231 (Friday, November 30, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71478-71479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-28941]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

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


Notice of Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee Vacancies

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of vacancies on federal advisory committee and 
solicitation of nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board (Board), hereby gives notice 
of four vacancies on the Board's Rail Energy Transportation Advisory 
Committee for (1) a representative from a state- or municipally-owned 
electric utility, (2) a representative from a biofuel refiner, 
processor, or distributor, or biofuel feedstock grower or provider, (3) 
a representative from a coal producer, and (4) a representative from a 
petroleum producer or shipper. The Board is soliciting suggestions for 
candidates to fill those vacancies.

DATES: Suggestions of candidates for membership on RETAC are due 
December 27, 2012.

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: 
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, established in 1996 by Congress 
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: five representatives 
from the Class I railroads, three representatives from Class II and III 
railroads, three representatives from coal producers, five 
representatives from electric utilities (including at least one rural 
electric cooperative and one state- or municipally-owned utility), four 
representatives from biofuel refiners, processors, or distributors, or 
biofuel feedstock growers or providers, and two representatives from 
private car owners, car lessors, or car manufacturers. RETAC may also 
include up to three 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 three 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.
    The Board is soliciting nominations for candidates to fill four 
vacancies on RETAC for representatives from (1) a state- or 
municipally-owned electric utility, for a three-year term ending 
September 30, 2015, (2) a biofuel refiner, processor, or distributor, 
or biofuel feedstock grower or provider, for a three-year term ending 
September 30, 2015, (3) a coal producer, for the remainder of a three-
year term ending September 30, 2014, and (4) a petroleum producer or 
shipper, for a three-year term ending September 30, 2015. The petroleum 
position is a new one, to be established in light of the growing trend 
of shipping petroleum by rail, and will fill one of the three ``at 
large'' RETAC seats.

[[Page 71479]]

    Nominations for candidates to fill these vacancies 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 27, 2012. 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.

    By the Board.

    Decided: November 26, 2012.
Rachel D. Campbell,
Director, Office of Proceedings.
Derrick A. Gardner,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2012-28941 Filed 11-29-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P