For RSTAC, the STB will fill vacancies for a small railroad representative and a small shipper representative (download STB announcement below). Each will be appointed to a three-year term.
The Council’s goal is to “strengthen the national rail industry, improve service levels, and foster mutually beneficial relationships between large and small railroads and shippers, across all commodity groups,” according to the STB. To that end, it addresses improvements in the primary issues of capacity constraints and the evolution of the merchandise carload network. RSTAC provides advice on regulatory, policy, and legislative matters, as appropriate, to the STB Members; the Secretary of Transportation; the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation; and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Its 15 appointed members include representatives of small and large shippers, and small and large railroads. They are appointed by the STB Chairman. Also, STB members and the Secretary of Transportation serve as ex officio members.
According to the STB, of the 15 appointed members, nine 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 STB Chairman, and at least four of the voting members must be representatives of Class II or III railroads. The remaining voting member has traditionally been an at-large representative, according to the STB. The other six members—three representing Class I’s and three representing large shipper organizations—serve in a non-voting, advisory capacity, but may participate in RSTAC deliberations.
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 U.S. government. The STB noted that it is permissible for federally registered lobbyists to serve on RSTAC, as long as they do so in a representative capacity, rather than an individual capacity. Members of RSTAC are appointed to serve in a representative capacity.
Each RSTAC member serves a three-year term. The STB noted that no member will be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms, but a member may serve after the expiration of his or her term until a successor has taken office.
RSTAC meetings are typically held quarterly at the Board’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., although some meetings are held virtually or in other locations. Members receive no compensation for their services and are required to cover expenses incidental to their service, including travel expenses, according to the STB, which noted that currently RSTAC members have elected to submit annual dues to pay for certain RSTAC expenses.
Nominations for candidates to fill either the small railroad or small shipper representative vacancy should be submitted in letter form, identifying the name of the candidate and the vacancy for which the candidate is being nominated, providing a summary of why the candidate is qualified to serve on RSTAC, and containing representations that the candidate is willing to serve as an RSTAC member effective immediately upon appointment.
For RETAC, the STB will fill nine vacancies: one representative from Canadian Pacific Kansas City; one representative from CSX; one representative from Class IIs and IIIs; two representatives from electric utilities; one representative from biofuel feedstock growers or providers and biofuel refiners, processors, and distributors; two representatives from the petroleum shipping industry; and one at-large representative. All vacancies are for three-year terms ending Sept. 30, 2028 (download STB announcement below).
The STB 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’s membership consists of not less than: one representative from each of the Class I’s; three representatives from Class IIs and IIIs; 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; three representatives from the petroleum shipping industry; two representatives from renewable energy sources; and one representative from a labor organization. According to the STB, 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 Chairman 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 in advisory capacities as ex officio (non-voting) members. The members of the Board serve as ex officio members of the Committee.
According to the STB, it is permissible for federally registered lobbyists to serve on RETAC, as long as they do so in a representative capacity, rather than an individual capacity. Members of RETAC are appointed to serve in a representative capacity.
RETAC meetings are held at least twice per year, typically at the STB’s Washington, D.C., headquarters, but may be held virtually or in other locations. Members of RETAC serve without compensation and without reimbursement of travel expenses.
Nominations for candidates to fill the vacancies should be filed in letter form, providing: (1) the name, position, and business contact information of the candidate to include email address and phone number; (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.
