[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 6, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 8151]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-03981]



[[Page 8151]]

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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. 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 the electric utility industry. The 
Board is soliciting suggestions from the public for candidates to fill 
the vacancy.

DATES: Suggestions for candidates for membership on RETAC are due April 
5, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Suggestions may be submitted either via the Board's e-filing 
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 website, at 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: Kristen Nunnally at 202-245-0312. 
[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).
    The Board established RETAC in 2007 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, 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 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. RETAC may also include up to 
two members with relevant experience but not necessarily affiliated 
with one of the aforementioned industries or sectors. (The at-large 
seats are currently occupied by representatives of rail 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 typically 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. Further information about RETAC is 
available on the RETAC page of the Board's website at www.stb.gov/stb/rail/retac.html.
    The Board is soliciting nominations from the public for candidates 
to fill one vacancy on RETAC for a representative of the electric 
utility industry for a three-year term ending September 30, 2022. 
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 the 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 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 April 5, 2019. Please note that 
submissions will be posted on the Board's website 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: February 28, 2019.

    By the Board, Allison C. Davis, Acting Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Tammy Lowery,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2019-03981 Filed 3-5-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4915-01-P