[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 137 (Monday, July 20, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 35185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-17161]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Notice of Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment as a Member
of the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee
AGENCY: Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5
U.S.C. App. 2, the U.S. Department of Energy is soliciting nominations
for candidates to fill vacancies on the Biomass Research and
Development Technical Advisory Committee.
DATES: Deadline for Technical Advisory Committee member nominations is
August 20, 2009.
ADDRESSES: The nominee's name, resume, biography, and any letters of
support must be submitted via one of the following methods:
1. E-mail to [email protected] or hq.com">theibel@bcs-hq.com.
2. Facsimile to 202-586-1640, Attn: Laura Neal.
3. Overnight delivery service to the Designated Federal Official
for the Committee, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,
U.S. Department of Energy, Mail Stop EE-2E, 1000 Independence Avenue,
SW., Washington, DC 20585.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Neal, Designated Federal
Official for the Committee, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585; (202) 586-0937; E-mail: [email protected] or
T.J. Heibel at (410) 997-7778 ext. 223; E-mail: hq.com">theibel@bcs-hq.com.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Biomass Research and Development Act of
2000 (Biomass Act) [Pub. L. 106-224] requires cooperation and
coordination in biomass research and development (R&D) between the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
The Biomass Act was repealed in June 2008 by Section 9001 of the Food,
Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA) [Pub. L. 110-246, 122 Stat.
1651, enacted June 18, 2008, H.R. 6124].
FCEA Section 9008(d) establishes the Biomass Research and
Development Technical Advisory Committee (Committee) and lays forth its
meetings, coordination, duties, terms and membership types. The
Committee must meet quarterly and should not duplicate the efforts of
other Federal advisory committees. The Committee advises the DOE and
USDA points of contact with respect to the Biomass R&D Initiative
(Initiative) and also makes written recommendations to the Biomass R&D
Board (Board). Those recommendations regard whether: (A) Initiative
funds are distributed and used consistent with Initiative objectives;
(B) solicitations are open and competitive with awards made annually;
(C) objectives and evaluation criteria of the solicitations are clear;
and (D) the points of contact are funding proposals selected on the
basis of merit, as determined by an independent panel of qualified
peers.
The Committee members must include: (A) An individual affiliated
with the biofuels industry; (B) an individual affiliated with the
biobased industrial and commercial products industry; (C) an individual
affiliated with an institution of higher education who has expertise in
biofuels and biobased products; (D) 2 prominent engineers or scientists
from government or academia who have expertise in biofuels and biobased
products; (E) an individual affiliated with a commodity trade
association; (F) 2 individuals affiliated with environmental or
conservation organizations; (G) an individual associated with State
government who has expertise in biofuels and biobased products; (H) an
individual with expertise in energy and environmental analysis; (I) an
individual with expertise in the economics of biofuels and biobased
products; (J) an individual with expertise in agricultural economics;
(K) an individual with expertise in plant biology and biomass feedstock
development; (L) an individual with expertise in agronomy, crop
science, or soil science; and (M) at the option of the points of
contact, other members (REF: FCEA 2008 Section 9008(d)(2)(A). All
nominees will be carefully reviewed for their expertise, leadership,
and relevance to an expertise. Appointments will be made for three-year
terms as dictated by the legislation.
Nominations are being solicited from organizations, associations,
societies, councils, federations, groups, universities and companies
that represent a wide variety of biomass research and development
interests throughout the country. Nominations for one individual who
fits several of the categories listed above or for more than one person
who fits one category will be accepted. In your nomination letter,
please indicate the specific membership category for each nominee. Each
nominee must submit their resume and biography along with any letters
of support by the deadline above. All nominees will be vetted before
selection.
Nominations are open to all individuals without regard to race,
color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical
handicap, marital status, or sexual orientation. To ensure that
recommendations of the Technical Advisory Committee take into account
the needs of the diverse groups served by the Department, membership
shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated
ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
Appointments to the Biomass Research and Development Technical
Advisory Committee will be made by the Secretary of Energy and the
Secretary of Agriculture.
Issued at Washington, DC on July 14, 2009.
Rachel Samuel,
Deputy Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-17161 Filed 7-17-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P