[Federal Register: July 22, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 139)]
[Notices]
[Page 36309]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22jy09-135]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[STB Ex Parte No. 670 (Sub--No. 2)]
Notice of Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee Vacancies
AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, Department of Transportation.
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 the Board's Rail Energy Transportation Advisory
Committee (RETAC): (1) A representative of a Class II or III railroad
and (2) a representative of a biofuel refiner, processor, or
distributor, or biofuel feedstock grower or provider. The Board is
soliciting suggestions for candidates to fill those vacancies.
DATES: Suggestions of candidates for membership on RETAC are due July
31, 2009.
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:
STB Ex Parte No. 670, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott M. Zimmerman at 202-245-0202.
Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board, created by Congress in 1996 to
take over 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 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's membership is a balanced representation of interested and
affected parties, consisting of not less than: 5 representatives from
the Class I railroads, 3 representatives from Class II and III
railroads, 3 representatives from coal producers, 5 representatives
from electric utilities (including at least one rural electric
cooperative and one state- or municipally-owned utility), 4
representatives from biofuel refiners, processors, or distributors, or
biofuel feedstock growers or providers, and 2 representatives from
private car owners, car lessors, or car manufacturers. RETAC may also
include up to 3 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 of the Board 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, and
Board members serve as ex officio members of the Committee as well.
RETAC functions solely as an advisory body, in compliance with the
Federal Advisory Committee Act and its implementing regulations. RETAC
typically meets four times per year, at the Board's headquarters in
Washington, DC. No honoraria, salaries, travel or per diem are
available to members of the RETAC; however, reimbursement for travel
expenses may be sought from the Board in cases of hardship.
Two vacancies currently exist for 3-year terms on RETAC beginning
September 1, 2009: (1) A representative of a Class II or III railroad,
and (2) a representative of a biofuel refiner, processor, or
distributor, or biofuel feedstock grower or provider. Suggestions for
members to fill those vacancies should be submitted in letter form,
identifying the name of the candidate and the entity the candidate
would represent, and a representation that the candidate is willing to
serve a 3-year term as a member of the RETAC beginning in the Fall of
2009. Suggestions for candidates for membership on RETAC should be
filed with the Board by July 31, 2009.
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: July 16, 2009.
By the Board, Anne K. Quinlan, Acting Secretary.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. E9-17309 Filed 7-21-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P