BIOMASS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

SEC. 306. BIOMASS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) Establishment.—There is established the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee, which shall supersede the Advisory Committee on Biobased Products and Bioenergy established by Executive Order No. 13134— (1) to advise the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the points of contact concerning— (A) the technical focus and direction of requests for proposals issued under the Initiative; and (B) procedures for reviewing and evaluating the proposals; (2) to facilitate consultations and partnerships among Federal and State agencies, agricultural producers, industry, consumers, the research community, and other interested groups to carry out program activities relating to the Initiative; and (3) to evaluate and perform strategic planning on program activities relating to the Initiative. (b) Membership.— (1) In general.—The Advisory Committee shall consist of— (A) an individual affiliated with the biobased industrial products industry; (B) an individual affiliated with an institution of higher education who has expertise in biobased industrial products; (C) two prominent engineers or scientists from government or academia who have expertise in biobased industrial products; (D) an individual affiliated with a commodity trade association; (E) an individual affiliated with an environmental or conservation organization; (F) an individual associated with State government who has expertise in biobased industrial products; (G) an individual with expertise in energy analysis; (H) an individual with expertise in the economics of biobased industrial products; (I) an individual with expertise in agricultural economics; and (J) at the option of the points of contact, other members. (2) Appointment.—The members of the Advisory Committee shall be appointed by the points of contact. 114 STAT. 433 (c) Duties.—The Advisory Committee shall— (1) advise the points of contact with respect to the Initiative; and (2) evaluate whether, and make recommendations in writing to the Board to ensure that— (A) funds authorized for the Initiative are distributed and used in a manner that is consistent with the goals of the Initiative; (B) the points of contact are funding proposals under this title that are selected on the basis of merit, as determined by an independent panel of scientific and technical peers; and (C) activities under this title are carried out in accordance with this title. (d) Coordination.—To avoid duplication of effort, the Advisory Committee shall coordinate its activities with those of other Federal advisory committees working in related areas. (e) Meetings.—The Advisory Committee shall meet at least quarterly to enable the Advisory Committee to carry out the duties of the Advisory Committee under subsection (c). (f) Terms.—Members of the Advisory Committee shall be appointed for a term of 3 years, except that— (1) one-third of the members initially appointed shall be appointed for a term of 1 year; and (2) one-third of the members initially appointed shall be appointed for a term of 2 years.