[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 9, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37283-37284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-16799]


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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 vacancies on Federal advisory committee and 
solicitation of nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board (Board) hereby gives notice 
of two vacancies on its Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee 
(RETAC) for (1) a representative from biofuel feedstock growers or 
providers and biofuel refiners, processors, and distributors, and (2) 
an ``at large'' representative with relevant experience in the 
transportation of energy resources. The Board is soliciting suggestions 
from the public for candidates to fill these two vacancies.

DATES: Suggestions for candidates for either RETAC membership position 
are due August 30, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Suggestions may be submitted either via the Board's e-filing

[[Page 37284]]

format or in 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.gov. Any person 
submitting a filing in paper format should send the 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:  Jason Wolfe at 202-245-0239. 
[Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board exercises broad authority over 
transportation by rail carriers, including rates and services (49 
U.S.C. 10701-10747, 11101-11124), construction, acquisition, operation, 
and abandonment of railroad lines (49 U.S.C. 10901-10907), and 
consolidation, merger, or common control arrangements between railroads 
(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, railroads, and users of energy resources. 
RETAC operates under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 
2, Sec. Sec.  1-16).
    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 feedstock growers or providers and biofuel 
refiners, processors, and distributors; one representative of the 
petroleum shipping industry; and two representatives from private car 
owners, car lessors, or car manufacturers. RETAC may also include up to 
two members with relevant experience but not necessarily affiliated 
with one of the aforementioned industries or sectors. (At present, the 
at-large seats are occupied by representatives of railway labor and the 
downstream petroleum production industry.) 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 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. Further 
information about RETAC is available on the RETAC page of the Board's 
Web site at http://www.stb.gov/stb/rail/retac.html.
    The Board is soliciting nominations from the public for candidates 
to fill two vacancies on RETAC. One vacancy will be for a 
representative from biofuel feedstock growers or providers and biofuel 
refiners, processors, and distributors, for a three-year term ending 
September 30, 2020; and one vacancy will be for an ``at large'' 
representative with relevant experience in the transportation of energy 
resources, for a three-year term ending September 30, 2020. According 
to revised guidance issued by the Office of Management and Budget, it 
is permissible for federally registered lobbyists to serve on advisory 
committees, such as RETAC, as long as they do so in a representative 
capacity, rather than an individual capacity. See Revised Guidance on 
Appointment of Lobbyists to Fed. Advisory Comms., Bds., & Comm'ns, 79 
FR 47,482 (Aug. 13, 2014). Members of RETAC are appointed to serve in a 
representative capacity.
    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 statement that the candidate agrees to serve in a 
representative capacity. Suggestions for candidates for membership on 
RETAC should be filed with the Board by August 30, 2017. 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).

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 1321; 49 U.S.C. 11101; 49 U.S.C. 11121.

    Decided: August 4, 2017.
By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2017-16799 Filed 8-8-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4915-01-P