80_FR_53560 80 FR 53389 - Notice of Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee Vacancy

80 FR 53389 - Notice of Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee Vacancy

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 171 (September 3, 2015)

Page Range53389-53390
FR Document2015-21915

The Surface Transportation Board (Board) hereby gives notice of one vacancy on its Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee (RETAC) for a representative of the electric utility industry. The Board is soliciting suggestions from the public for a candidate to fill this vacancy.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 171 (Thursday, September 3, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 171 (Thursday, September 3, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53389-53390]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21915]


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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.

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 one vacancy on its Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee 
(RETAC) for a representative of the electric utility industry. The 
Board is soliciting suggestions from the public for a candidate to fill 
this vacancy.

DATES: Suggestions for a candidate for membership on RETAC are due 
October 1, 2015.

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 Web site, at http://www.stb.dot.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.

[[Page 53390]]


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 under 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. (At present, the 
at-large seats are occupied by representatives of railway labor and the 
downstream segment of the domestic petroleum 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 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. 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 a candidate 
to fill one vacancy on RETAC for a representative of the electric 
utility industry, for a three-year term ending September 30, 2017. 
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 Federal Advisory 
Committees, Boards, and Commissions, 79 FR 47482 (Aug. 13, 2014). 
Members of RETAC are appointed to serve in a representative capacity.
    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 a candidate for membership on 
RETAC should be filed with the Board by October 1, 2015. 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).

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 721; 49 U.S.C. 11101; 49 U.S.C. 11121.

    Decided: August 31, 2015.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Tia Delano,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2015-21915 Filed 9-2-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4915-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 171 / Thursday, September 3, 2015 / Notices 53389 successfully implemented new methods public transportation investments. In should participate in that rulemaking of delivering transit capital June 2013, FTA held a Value Capture process by providing comments on the improvements to submit their ideas. forum with experts that had proven NPRM when it is issued. These ideas can include all aspects of experience with Value Capture In the interim, FTA invites interested project delivery including approval, techniques to learn more about how parties to include comments in the construction administration, these techniques can be used upcoming XPEDITE Online Dialogue. procurement, compliance with NEPA, throughout the industry. FTA is particularly interested in hearing and right-of-way acquisition. FTA also Congress enacted Section 20013 and from project sponsors who are is interested in learning more about amended 49 U.S.C. 5315 (Section 5315) considering pursuing Value Capture as barriers to quick implementation of in MAP–21. Specifically, FTA is to: (a) part of their project financing projects both in terms of its own Identify public transportation laws, arrangements. FTA would like to internal business processes as well as regulations or practices that impede explore what mechanisms might be processes related to the delivery of public-private partnerships or private used, and how FTA could work to projects by grantees. The focus should investment in transit capital projects, facilitate such arrangements. FTA be on ways to speed up the delivery of and develop procedures through invites comments on this issue. Again, projects and to address the challenges regulation to address, on a project basis, FTA would consider the input received presented by limited budgets without legal impediments to the use of public- as it updates its administrative compromising quality or safety. Even as private partnerships and private requirements and, if necessary, propose the Section 20008(b) pilot program investment as well as procedures to changes in those requirements, through proceeds, FTA believes that there may protect the public interest and any its normal notice and comment be steps that can be taken to expedite public investment in public processes, to help advance financial the delivery of CIG projects, beyond the transportation capital projects that innovation in public transportation. changes being presented in the draft involve public-private partnerships or private investment in public Signed this 28th day of August, 2015, in interim guidance implementing the Washington, DC. process changes made by MAP–21. transportation capital projects; (b) develop guidance to promote greater Matthew J. Welbes, Accordingly, project sponsors should feel free to submit any such ideas to the transparency and public access to Executive Director. XPEDITE Online Dialogue as well. As public-private partnerships agreements; [FR Doc. 2015–21790 Filed 9–2–15; 8:45 am] with XPEDITE Innovation, FTA would and (c) provide technical assistance on BILLING CODE P consider the input received as it updates best practices and methods for using its administrative requirements and, if private providers of public necessary, propose changes in those transportation and using public-private DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION requirements, through its normal notice partnerships for alternative project and comment processes, to help delivery of fixed guideway capital Surface Transportation Board advance methods to expedite project projects. However, FTA may not waive delivery procedures. any provision of Federal law, including [Docket No. EP 670 (Sub-No. 2)] labor protections of 49 U.S.C. 5333 and 3. XPEDITE Financial Innovation NEPA. FTA has undertaken a number of Notice of Rail Energy Transportation Many observers of public steps to implement these provisions. Advisory Committee Vacancy transportation believe that there are To initiate this effort, FTA has posted AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board. efficiencies in the delivery of capital information on the basics of public- projects which can be achieved through private partnerships identified through ACTION: Notice of vacancy on federal the application of improvements in the workshops and studies and also advisory committee and solicitation of financing of these projects and through included successful public-private nominations. an enhanced partnership role for the partnership contract terms on its Private SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation private sector. FTA is already Sector Participation Web page, http:// Board (Board) hereby gives notice of one undertaking efforts in this area both on www.fta.dot.gov/grants/16030.html. vacancy on its Rail Energy its own and as a part of the DOT’s Further, in December 2014, FTA Transportation Advisory Committee BATIC, described earlier. On August 25, conducted an on-line dialogue on the (RETAC) for a representative of the 2014, FTA published a final circular subject of Section 5315. More electric utility industry. The Board is clarifying the requirements related to information may be found at http:// soliciting suggestions from the public Joint Development projects, with an eye usdot.uservoice.com/forums/268166- for a candidate to fill this vacancy. toward facilitating these important private-sector-participation-in-public- adjuncts to FTA’s capital investments transportat/category/88630- DATES: Suggestions for a candidate for (79 FR 50728). In addition, this circular impediments-to-greater-private-sector- membership on RETAC are due October provides a framework under which involvement. FTA is now in the process 1, 2015. Value Capture techniques could be of reviewing the comments, and expects ADDRESSES: Suggestions may be brought to bear to help finance transit to publish a notice of proposed submitted either via the Board’s e-filing capital investments. Public rulemaking (NPRM) in the near future format or in paper format. Any person transportation infrastructure which will lay out ways in which FTA using e-filing should attach a document investments can increase adjacent land can improve its processes to expedite and otherwise comply with the values, generating an ‘‘unearned’’ profit project delivery through public-private instructions at the E–FILING link on the tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES for private landowners. A portion of partnerships. This notice and ultimate Board’s Web site, at http:// these increases in land value can be final rule will be the main way in which www.stb.dot.gov. Any person submitting ‘‘captured’’ and used for, among other the goal of expediting project delivery is a filing in paper format should send the things, public transportation addressed through involvement of original and 10 copies to: Surface infrastructure or revenue service private sector partners. Parties Transportation Board, Attn: Docket No. operation. Thus, Value Capture interested in this facet of FTA’s EP 670 (Sub-No. 2), 395 E Street SW., internalizes the positive externalities of Expedited Project Delivery Initiative Washington, DC 20423–0001. VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:42 Sep 02, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00113 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03SEN1.SGM 03SEN1

53390 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 171 / Thursday, September 3, 2015 / Notices FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: representatives from biofuel refiners, September 30, 2017. According to Michael H. Higgins at 202–245–0284. processors, or distributors, or biofuel revised guidance issued by the Office of [Assistance for the hearing impaired is feedstock growers or providers; one Management and Budget, it is available through the Federal representative of the petroleum permissible for federally registered Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1– shipping industry; and, two lobbyists to serve on advisory 800–877–8339.] representatives from private car owners, committees, such as RETAC, as long as SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board car lessors, or car manufacturers. they do so in a representative capacity, exercises broad authority over RETAC may also include up to two rather than an individual capacity. See transportation by rail carriers, including members with relevant experience but Revised Guidance on Appointment of rates and services (49 U.S.C. 10701– not necessarily affiliated with one of the Lobbyists to Federal Advisory 10747, 11101–11124), construction, aforementioned industries or sectors. Committees, Boards, and Commissions, acquisition, operation, and (At present, the at-large seats are 79 FR 47482 (Aug. 13, 2014). Members abandonment of railroad lines (49 occupied by representatives of railway of RETAC are appointed to serve in a U.S.C. 10901–10907), and labor and the downstream segment of representative capacity. consolidation, merger, or common the domestic petroleum industry.) Nominations for a candidate to fill Members are selected by the Chairman control arrangements between railroads this vacancy should be submitted in of the Board with the concurrence of a (49 U.S.C. 10902, 11323–11327). letter form and should include: (1) The majority of the Board. The Chairman In 2007, the Board established RETAC name of the candidate; (2) the interest may invite representatives from the U.S. as a federal advisory committee the candidate will represent; (3) a Departments of Agriculture, Energy, and consisting of a balanced cross-section of summary of the candidate’s experience Transportation and the Federal Energy energy and rail industry stakeholders to and qualifications for the position; (4) a Regulatory Commission to serve on provide independent, candid policy representation that the candidate is RETAC in advisory capacities as ex advice to the Board and to foster open, willing to serve as a member of RETAC; officio (non-voting) members. The three effective communication among the members of the Board serve as ex officio and, (5) a statement that the candidate affected interests on issues such as rail members of the Committee. agrees to serve in a representative performance, capacity constraints, RETAC meets at least twice per year. capacity. Suggestions for a candidate for infrastructure planning and Meetings are generally held at the membership on RETAC should be filed development, and effective coordination Board’s headquarters in Washington, with the Board by October 1, 2015. among suppliers, railroads, and users of DC, but may be held in other locations. Please note that submissions will be energy resources. RETAC operates Members of RETAC serve without available to the public at the Board’s under the Federal Advisory Committee compensation and without offices and posted on the Board’s Web Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2, 1–16). reimbursement of travel expenses unless site under Docket No. EP 670 (Sub-No. RETAC’s membership is balanced and reimbursement of such expenses is 2). representative of interested and affected authorized in advance by the Board’s Authority: 49 U.S.C. 721; 49 U.S.C. 11101; parties, consisting of not less than: Five Managing Director. Further information 49 U.S.C. 11121. representatives from the Class I about RETAC is available on the RETAC Decided: August 31, 2015. railroads; three representatives from page of the Board’s Web site at http:// By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Class II and III railroads; three www.stb.dot.gov/stb/rail/retac.html. Director, Office of Proceedings. representatives from coal producers; The Board is soliciting nominations five representatives from electric from the public for a candidate to fill Tia Delano, utilities (including at least one rural one vacancy on RETAC for a Clearance Clerk. electric cooperative and one state- or representative of the electric utility [FR Doc. 2015–21915 Filed 9–2–15; 8:45 am] municipally-owned utility); four industry, for a three-year term ending BILLING CODE 4915–01–P tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:42 Sep 02, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00114 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\03SEN1.SGM 03SEN1


Document Created: 2015-12-15 09:56:50
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 09:56:50
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of vacancy on federal advisory committee and solicitation of nominations.
DatesSuggestions for a candidate for membership on RETAC are due October 1, 2015.
ContactMichael 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.]
FR Citation80 FR 53389 
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