STB Seeking RETAC Nominations

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is seeking nominations for candidates to fill nine vacancies on its Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee (RETAC).

The openings are for three representatives from coal producers; one representative from electric utilities; one representative from biofuel feedstock growers or providers and biofuel refiners, processors, and distributors; one representative from private-car owners, car lessors or car manufacturers; two representatives from renewable energy sources; and one representative from a labor organization, according to an STB notice in the Federal Register’s Dec. 27 edition (download below). All RETAC vacancies are for three-year terms ending Sept. 30, 2026. Nominations are due Jan. 26, 2023.

STB in 2007 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,” STB reported. “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 feedstock growers or providers and biofuel refiners, processors, and distributors; two representatives from private-car owners, car lessors or car manufacturers; one representative from the petroleum shipping industry; two representatives from renewable energy sources; and one representative from a labor organization. The Committee may also include up to two at large members with relevant experience but not necessarily affiliated with one of the aforementioned industries or sectors.”

Members are selected by the STB Chair with the concurrence of a majority of the Board. According to STB, the Chair 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 STB members also serve as ex officio Committee members.

RETAC meets at least twice per year, and its members serve without compensation and without reimbursement of travel expenses, according to STB.

In late November, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon called on STB to fill the coal producer vacancies on RETAC, as did U.S. Senators Cynthia M. Lummis (R-Wyo.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.Dak.) and John Hoeven (R-N.Dak.) (Download their two separate letters below.) STB Chair Martin J. Oberman responded to both letters in early December, writing: “As you noted in your letter, the Nation’s freight railroads move significant volumes of coal each year, both for the domestic and export coal markets. I agree that RETAC participation by those with deep experience and knowledge in the coal industry is important for the work of the Committee. Currently, there are several coal-related vacancies on RETAC, and I am committed to filling those vacancies as soon as possible. The Board is in the process of amending the RETAC charter, which will also incorporate additional seats from various sectors. I expect that process to be completed by the end of December. Very shortly after the charter is finalized the Board will announce all vacancies and solicit nominations from interested parties. The solicitation of nominations will be open for 30 days. Once that solicitation is closed, I expect to have new members selected within a month. Altogether I expect this process to be completed by early March.” (See the Oberman response letters below.)