[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 208 (Monday, October 28, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64291-64292]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-25317]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

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


Notice of Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee Vacancy

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

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 one vacancy on its Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee 
(RETAC) for a representative of an electric utility. The Board is 
soliciting suggestions from the public for a candidate to fill this 
vacancy.

DATES: Suggestions for a candidate for membership on RETAC are due 
November 27, 2013.

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: Michael H. Higgins at 202-245-0284. 
[Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board, established by Congress in 1996 
to assume 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, 5 U.S.C. 
app. 2.
    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; one representative of the 
petroleum shipping industry; and two representatives from private car 
owners, car lessors, or car manufacturers.

[[Page 64292]]

RETAC may also include up to two 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 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. The 
three members of the Board serve as ex officio members of the 
Committee.
    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 a candidate to fill one 
vacancy on RETAC for a representative from an electric utility for a 
three-year term ending September 30, 2016.
    Nominations for a candidate 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 a candidate for membership on 
RETAC should be filed with the Board by November 27, 2013. 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: October 22, 2013.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Derrick A. Gardner,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2013-25317 Filed 10-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P