[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 214 (Wednesday, November 5, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65770-65771]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26287]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

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


Notice of Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee Vacancy

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of vacancy 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 a representative of the downstream segment of the domestic 
petroleum industry (e.g., refiners, petrochemical producers, natural 
gas liquids (NGL) producers/distributors, logistics service providers, 
and other downstream participants) and for a representative of the 
electric utility industry. The Board is soliciting suggestions from the 
public for candidates to fill these two vacancies.

DATES: Suggestions for candidates for membership on RETAC are due 
December 3, 2014.

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 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).
    In 2007, the Board established RETAC 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 subject to 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 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. 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 three members of the 
Board serve as ex officio members of the Committee.
    RETAC meets at least twice per year. Meetings are generally 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 unless reimbursement of such expenses 
is authorized in advance by the Board's Managing Director. According to 
revised guidance issued by the Office of Management and Budget, it is

[[Page 65771]]

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 Federal Advisory Committees, Boards, and 
Commissions, 79 FR 47,482 (Aug. 13, 2014). Members of RETAC are 
appointed to serve in a representative capacity. Further information 
about RETAC is available on the RETAC page of the Board's Web site at 
http://www.stb.dot.gov/stb/rail/retac.html.
    The Board is soliciting nominations from the public for candidates 
to fill two vacancies on RETAC: (1) For a representative of the 
downstream segment of the domestic petroleum industry (e.g., refiners, 
petrochemical producers, NGL producers/distributors, logistics service 
providers, and other downstream participants); and (2) for a 
representative of the electric utility industry. Both vacancies are for 
a three-year term ending September 30, 2017.
    Nominations for a candidate to fill this vacancy 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 December 3, 2014. Please note 
that submissions will be available to the public at the Board's offices 
and posted on the Board's Web site under Docket No. EP 670 (Sub-No. 2).
    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: October 31, 2014.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2014-26287 Filed 11-4-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P