Notice of Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council Vacancy, 65769-65770 [2014-26288]

Download as PDF mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 214 / Wednesday, November 5, 2014 / Notices C&NC has leased and operated the lines since 1997.2 The original lease agreement, dated December 18, 1997, by its terms, expired on December 31, 2009, and C&NC and NSR agreed to continue operations under the terms of the 1997 agreement pending renegotiation of a new lease. On March 11, 2011, the parties executed a new lease, which, by its terms, expires on March 11, 2021, and contains a lease provision enabling C&NC to reduce its lease payments by receiving a credit for each car interchanged with NSR. On June 17, 2011, C&NC filed a verified notice of exemption to renew its lease arrangement, which request was granted by decision served July 1, 2011.3 As required at 49 CFR 1150.43(h), C&NC has disclosed in this notice that the parties have recently amended their lease agreement to add a second interchange commitment as well as provisions reducing C&NC’s lease payments. According to C&NC, it has encountered traffic reductions that have decreased the expected opportunity to reduce the rental obligations through the operation of the lease credits. In return for reduced rental payments, C&NC has agreed to a further interchange commitment. C&NC has certified that its projected annual revenues as a result of the proposed transaction will not exceed those that would make it a Class III rail carrier and further certifies that its projected annual revenues would not exceed $5 million. C&NC states that it intends to consummate the transaction on or after November 19, 2014, the effective date of the exemption (30 days after the exemption was filed). If the verified notice contains false or misleading information, the exemption is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed at any time. The filing of a petition to revoke will not automatically stay the effectiveness of the exemption. Petitions for stay must be filed no later than November 12, 2014 (at least 7 days before the exemption becomes effective). An original and ten copies of all pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 35858, must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423–0001. In addition, a copy of each pleading must be served on Richard R. Wilson, Esq., 2 See C&NC R.R.—Lease and Operation Exemption—Lines of the Norfolk and W. Ry. and Ind. Hi Rail, FD 33475 (STB served Oct. 31, 1997). 3 See C&NC R.R.—Lease Renewal Exemption— Norfolk Southern Ry., FD 35529 (STB served July 1, 2011). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Nov 04, 2014 Jkt 235001 518 N. Center Street, Ste. 1, Ebensburg, PA 15931. Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at WWW.STB.DOT.GOV. Decided: October 31, 2014. By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of Proceedings. Raina White, Clearance Clerk. [FR Doc. 2014–26282 Filed 11–4–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [Docket No. EP 526 (Sub-No. 6)] Notice of Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council Vacancy AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT. Notice of vacancies on the Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC) and solicitation of nominations. ACTION: The Surface Transportation Board (Board) hereby gives notice of two vacancies for small railroad representatives on RSTAC. The Board is soliciting suggestions from the public for candidates to fill these two vacancies. DATES: Suggestions of candidates for membership on RSTAC are due on 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 https://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: Docket No. EP 526 (SubNo. 6), 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423–0001 (if sending via express company or private courier, please use Zip Code 20024). 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 526 (Sub-No. 6). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gabriel Meyer at 202–245–0150. 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 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00155 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 65769 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). RSTAC was established to advise the Board’s Chairman, the Secretary of Transportation, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives with respect to rail transportation policy issues that RSTAC considers significant. RSTAC focuses on issues of importance to small shippers and small railroads, including car supply, rates, competition, and procedures for addressing claims. ICCTA directs RSTAC to develop private-sector mechanisms to prevent, or identify and address, obstacles to the most effective and efficient transportation system practicable. The Secretary of Transportation and the members of the Board cooperate with RSTAC in providing research, technical, and other reasonable support. RSTAC also prepares an annual report concerning its activities and recommendations on regulatory or legislative relief it considers appropriate. RSTAC is not subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act. RSTAC consists of 19 members. Of this number, 15 members are appointed by the Chairman of the Board, and the remaining four members are comprised of the Secretary of Transportation and the Members of the Board, who serve as ex officio, nonvoting members. Of the 15 members, nine members are voting members and are appointed from senior executive officers of organizations engaged in the railroad and rail shipping industries. At least four of the voting members must be representatives of small shippers, as determined by the Chairman, and at least four of the voting members must be representatives of Class II or III railroads. The remaining six members to be appointed—three representing Class I railroads and three representing large shipper organizations—serve in a nonvoting, advisory capacity, but are entitled to participate in RSTAC deliberations. RSTAC is required by statute to meet at least semi-annually. In recent years, RSTAC has met four times a year, with the first meeting each February. Most meetings are held at the Board’s headquarters in Washington, DC, although some have been held in other locations. E:\FR\FM\05NON1.SGM 05NON1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 65770 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 214 / Wednesday, November 5, 2014 / Notices RSTAC members receive no compensation for their services and are required to provide for expenses incidental to their service, including travel expenses, as the Board cannot provide for these expenses. The RSTAC Chairman, however, may request funding from the Department of Transportation to cover travel expenses, subject to certain restrictions in ICCTA. RSTAC also may solicit and use private funding for its activities, again subject to certain restrictions in ICCTA. RSTAC members currently have elected to submit annual dues to pay for RSTAC expenses. RSTAC members must be citizens of the United States and represent as broadly as practicable the various segments of the railroad and rail shipper industries. They may not be full-time employees of the United States. 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 RSTAC, 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 RSTAC are appointed to serve in a representative capacity. The members of RSTAC are appointed for a term of three years. A member may serve after the expiration of his or her term until a successor has taken office. No member will be eligible to serve in excess of two consecutive terms. Two vacancies for small railroad representatives currently exist. Representatives must be senior executive officers within their organizations. Upon appointment by the Chairman, both representatives will serve for three years, and may be eligible to serve second three-year terms following the end of their first terms. Suggestions for candidates to fill the two vacancies should be submitted in letter form, identify the name of the candidate, provide a summary of why the candidate is qualified to serve on RSTAC, and contain a representation that the candidate is willing to serve as a member of RSTAC effective immediately upon appointment. RSTAC candidate suggestions should be filed with the Board by December 3, 2014. Candidates selected to serve on RSTAC are chosen at the discretion of the Board’s Chairman. 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 526 (Sub-No. 6). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Nov 04, 2014 Jkt 235001 This action will not significantly affect either the quality of the human environment or the conservation of energy resources. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 726. Decided: October 31, 2014. By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of Proceedings. Jeffrey Herzig, Clearance Clerk. [FR Doc. 2014–26288 Filed 11–4–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P 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. Notice of vacancy on federal advisory committee and solicitation of nominations. ACTION: 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 https://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 (SubNo. 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 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00156 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 E:\FR\FM\05NON1.SGM 05NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 214 (Wednesday, November 5, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65769-65770]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26288]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. EP 526 (Sub-No. 6)]


Notice of Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council 
Vacancy

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of vacancies on the Railroad-Shipper Transportation 
Advisory Council (RSTAC) and solicitation of nominations.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board (Board) hereby gives notice 
of two vacancies for small railroad representatives on RSTAC. The Board 
is soliciting suggestions from the public for candidates to fill these 
two vacancies.

DATES: Suggestions of candidates for membership on RSTAC are due on 
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 https://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: 
Docket No. EP 526 (Sub-No. 6), 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-
0001 (if sending via express company or private courier, please use Zip 
Code 20024). 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 526 (Sub-No. 6).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gabriel Meyer at 202-245-0150. 
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 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).
    RSTAC was established to advise the Board's Chairman, the Secretary 
of Transportation, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives with respect to rail 
transportation policy issues that RSTAC considers significant. RSTAC 
focuses on issues of importance to small shippers and small railroads, 
including car supply, rates, competition, and procedures for addressing 
claims. ICCTA directs RSTAC to develop private-sector mechanisms to 
prevent, or identify and address, obstacles to the most effective and 
efficient transportation system practicable. The Secretary of 
Transportation and the members of the Board cooperate with RSTAC in 
providing research, technical, and other reasonable support. RSTAC also 
prepares an annual report concerning its activities and recommendations 
on regulatory or legislative relief it considers appropriate. RSTAC is 
not subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
    RSTAC consists of 19 members. Of this number, 15 members are 
appointed by the Chairman of the Board, and the remaining four members 
are comprised of the Secretary of Transportation and the Members of the 
Board, who serve as ex officio, nonvoting members. Of the 15 members, 
nine members are voting members and are appointed from senior executive 
officers of organizations engaged in the railroad and rail shipping 
industries. At least four of the voting members must be representatives 
of small shippers, as determined by the Chairman, and at least four of 
the voting members must be representatives of Class II or III 
railroads. The remaining six members to be appointed--three 
representing Class I railroads and three representing large shipper 
organizations--serve in a nonvoting, advisory capacity, but are 
entitled to participate in RSTAC deliberations.
    RSTAC is required by statute to meet at least semi-annually. In 
recent years, RSTAC has met four times a year, with the first meeting 
each February. Most meetings are held at the Board's headquarters in 
Washington, DC, although some have been held in other locations.

[[Page 65770]]

    RSTAC members receive no compensation for their services and are 
required to provide for expenses incidental to their service, including 
travel expenses, as the Board cannot provide for these expenses. The 
RSTAC Chairman, however, may request funding from the Department of 
Transportation to cover travel expenses, subject to certain 
restrictions in ICCTA. RSTAC also may solicit and use private funding 
for its activities, again subject to certain restrictions in ICCTA. 
RSTAC members currently have elected to submit annual dues to pay for 
RSTAC expenses.
    RSTAC members must be citizens of the United States and represent 
as broadly as practicable the various segments of the railroad and rail 
shipper industries. They may not be full-time employees of the United 
States. 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 RSTAC, 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 RSTAC are appointed to serve in a representative 
capacity.
    The members of RSTAC are appointed for a term of three years. A 
member may serve after the expiration of his or her term until a 
successor has taken office. No member will be eligible to serve in 
excess of two consecutive terms.
    Two vacancies for small railroad representatives currently exist. 
Representatives must be senior executive officers within their 
organizations. Upon appointment by the Chairman, both representatives 
will serve for three years, and may be eligible to serve second three-
year terms following the end of their first terms.
    Suggestions for candidates to fill the two vacancies should be 
submitted in letter form, identify the name of the candidate, provide a 
summary of why the candidate is qualified to serve on RSTAC, and 
contain a representation that the candidate is willing to serve as a 
member of RSTAC effective immediately upon appointment. RSTAC candidate 
suggestions should be filed with the Board by December 3, 2014. 
Candidates selected to serve on RSTAC are chosen at the discretion of 
the Board's Chairman. 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 526 (Sub-No. 6).
    This action will not significantly affect either the quality of the 
human environment or the conservation of energy resources.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 726.

    Decided: October 31, 2014.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2014-26288 Filed 11-4-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P
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