[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 135 (Thursday, July 15, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41166-41167]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-17285]
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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 of solicitation of members.
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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
July 30, 2010.
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
[email protected].
2. Facsimile to 202-586-1640, Attn: Laura McCann.
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 McCann, 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) 586-7766; e-mail: [email protected]
or Christina Fagerholm at (202) 586-2933; e-mail:
[email protected].
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The Biomass Act was repealed in June 2008 by section 9001 of the Food,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 may serve up to two, three year terms and
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 this year are being accepted only for the following
categories in order to address the Committee's needs: (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; (H) an individual with expertise in energy and environmental
analysis; and (M) at the option of the points of contact, other
members.
Nominations are solicited from organizations, associations,
societies,
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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.
Please note, however, that registered lobbyists and individuals already
serving on another Federal Advisory Committee are ineligible for
nomination.
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 12, 2010.
Rachel Samuel,
Deputy Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-17285 Filed 7-14-10; 8:45 am]
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