[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 16, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55812-55813]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17588]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

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


Notice of Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee Vacancies

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 six vacancies on its Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee 
(RETAC) for one representative from Class I railroads; two 
representatives from Class II or Class III railroads; one 
representative from biofuel feedstock growers or providers and biofuel 
refiners, processors, and distributors; one representative from private 
car owners, car lessors, or car manufacturers; and one at large 
representative. The Board is soliciting nominations from the public for 
candidates to fill these vacancies.

DATES: Nominations for candidates for membership on RETAC are due 
September 15, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Nominations may be submitted either via the Board's e-filing 
format or in paper format. Any person

[[Page 55813]]

using e-filing should attach a document and otherwise comply with the 
instructions at the E-FILING link on the Board's website, 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: Kristen Nunnally at 202-245-0312. If 
you require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 
please call (202) 245-0245.

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 feedstock growers or providers and biofuel 
refiners, processors, and distributors; two representatives from 
private car owners, car lessors, or car manufacturers; one 
representative from the petroleum shipping industry; two 
representatives from renewable energy sources; and one representative 
from a labor organization. The Committee may also include up to two at 
large members with relevant experience but not necessarily affiliated 
with one of the aforementioned industries or sectors.
    Members are selected by the Chair of the Board with the concurrence 
of a majority of the Board. The Chair 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 virtually 
or 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 https://www.stb.gov/resources/stakeholder-committees/retac/.
    The Board is soliciting nominations from the public for candidates 
to fill six vacancies: one representative from Class I railroads; two 
representatives from Class II or Class III railroads; one 
representative from biofuel feedstock growers or providers and biofuel 
refiners, processors, and distributors; one representative from private 
car owners, car lessors, or car manufacturers; and one at large 
representative. All the vacancies are for three-year terms ending 
September 30, 2026. 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 vacancies should be 
submitted in letter form and should include: (1) the name, position, 
and business contact information of the candidate to include email 
address and phone number; (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. Candidates may nominate themselves. The Chair is committed to 
having a committee reflecting diverse communities and viewpoints and 
strongly encourages the nomination of candidates from diverse 
backgrounds. Nominations for candidates for membership on RETAC should 
be filed with the Board by September 15, 2023. Please note that 
submissions will be posted publicly 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: August 11, 2023.

    By the Board, Mai T. Dinh, Director, Office of Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2023-17588 Filed 8-15-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P