2015-07634. Request for Nominations of Candidates to the EPA's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC)

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites nominations of scientific experts from a range of disciplines to be considered for appointment to the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC).

DATES:

Nominations should be submitted in time to arrive no later than May 4, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

General information about the CASAC is available at http://www.epa.gov/​casac or by contacting Mr. Aaron Yeow, Designated Federal Officer (DFO) for the CASAC, EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office (1400R), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington DC 20460; by telephone at 202-564-2050 or by email at [e-mail].

Background: The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) was established under section 109(d)(2) of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) (42 U.S.C. 7409) as an independent scientific advisory committee. The CASAC provides advice, information and recommendations on the scientific and technical aspects of air quality criteria and NAAQS under sections 108 and 109 of the Act. The CASAC is a Federal advisory committee chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). As amended, 5 U.S.C., App. Section 109(d)(1) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) requires that EPA carry out a periodic review and revision, as appropriate, of the air quality criteria and the NAAQS for the six “criteria” air pollutants. As a Federal Advisory Committee, the CASAC conducts business in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App. 2) and related regulations. Members of the CASAC constitute a distinguished body of non-EPA scientists and engineers who are nationally and internationally recognized experts in their respective fields. Members are appointed by the EPA Administrator for a three-year term.

Request for Nominations: As required under the CAA section 109(d), the CASAC is composed of seven members, with at least one member of the National Academy of Sciences, one physician, and one person representing state air pollution control agencies. The SAB Staff Office is seeking nominations of experts who have demonstrated experience in the following disciplines related to air pollution: ecological and welfare effects; environmental engineering; exposure assessment; biostatistics; toxicology; epidemiology; and/or risk assessment.

The SAB Staff Office is especially interested in scientists with expertise described above who have knowledge and experience in air quality relating to criteria pollutants. For further information about the CASAC membership appointment process and schedule, please contact Mr. Aaron Yeow, DFO, by telephone at 202-564-2050 or by email at [e-mail].

Selection Criteria for the CASAC include:

—Demonstrated scientific credentials and disciplinary expertise in relevant fields;

—Willingness to commit time to the committee and demonstrated ability to work constructively and effectively on committees;

—Background and experiences that would help members contribute to the diversity of perspectives on the committee, e.g., geographic, economic, social, cultural, educational backgrounds, professional affiliations, and other considerations; and

—For the committee as a whole, consideration of the collective breadth and depth of scientific expertise; and a balance of scientific perspectives.

As the committee undertakes specific advisory activities, the SAB Staff Office will consider two additional criteria for each new activity: absence of financial conflicts of interest and absence of an appearance of a loss of impartiality.

How to Submit Nominations: Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified persons to be considered for appointment to this advisory committee. Individuals may self-nominate. Nominations should be submitted in electronic format (preferred) following the instructions for “Nominating Experts for Annual Membership” provided on the CASAC Web site. The form can be accessed through the “Nomination of Experts” link on the blue navigational bar on the CASAC Web site at http://www.epa.gov/​casac. Nominators unable to submit nominations electronically as described below may submit a paper copy to Mr. Yeow at the contact information above. To be considered, all nominations should include the information requested. EPA values and welcomes diversity. In an effort to obtain nominations of diverse candidates, EPA encourages nominations of women and men of all racial and ethnic groups.

The following information should be provided on the nomination form: contact information for the person making the nomination; contact information for the nominee; the disciplinary and specific areas of expertise of the nominee; the nominee's curriculum vitae; and a biographical sketch of the nominee indicating current position, educational background, research activities, sources of research funding for the last two years, and recent service on other national advisory committees or national professional organizations. Persons having questions about the nomination process or the public comment process described below, or who are unable to submit nominations through the CASAC Web site, should contact Mr. Yeow, Designated Federal Officer, as identified above. The DFO will acknowledge receipt of nominations and in that acknowledgement will invite the nominee to provide any additional information that the nominee feels would be useful in considering the nomination, such as: availability to participate as a member of the committee; how the nominee's background, skills and experience would contribute to the diversity of the committee; and any questions the nominee has regarding membership. The names and biosketches of qualified nominees identified by respondents to this Federal Register notice, and additional experts identified by the SAB Staff, will be posted in a List of Candidates on the CASAC Web site at http://www.epa.gov/​casac. Public comments on this List of Candidates will be accepted for 21 days from the date the list is posted. The public will be requested to provide relevant information or other documentation on nominees that the SAB Staff Office should consider in evaluating candidates.

Members of the CASAC serve as Special Government Employees. Therefore, candidates invited to serve will be asked to submit the “Confidential Financial Disclosure Form for Special Government Employees Serving on Federal Advisory Committees at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency” (EPA Form 3110-48). This confidential form allows EPA to determine whether there is a statutory conflict between that person's public responsibilities as a Special Government Employee and private interests and activities, or the appearance of a loss of impartiality, as defined by Federal regulation. The form may be viewed and downloaded through the “Ethics Requirements for Advisors” link on the blue navigational bar on the CASAC Web site at http://www.epa.gov/​casac.

Dated: March 24, 2015.

Thomas H. Brennan,

Deputy Director, EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office.