[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 140 (Friday, July 20, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 34646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15604]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. 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 two vacancies on its Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee 
(RETAC) for representatives of the electric utility industry, one of 
which must be filled by a representative of a state- or municipally-
owned utility. The Board is soliciting suggestions from the public for 
candidates to fill these vacancies.

DATES: Suggestions for candidates for membership on RETAC are due 
August 20, 2018.

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 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: Michael H. Higgins at 202-245-0284. 
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, 
Sec. Sec.  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 http://www.stb.gov/stb/rail/retac.html.
    The Board is soliciting nominations from the public for candidates 
to fill two vacancies on RETAC for representatives of the electric 
utility industry (one of which must be a representative of a state- or 
municipally-owned utility) for a three-year term ending September 30, 
2021. 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 these vacancies 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 August 20, 2018. 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: July 17, 2018.

    By the Board, Scott M. Zimmerman, Acting Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2018-15604 Filed 7-19-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P