Request for Public Comments on World Trade Center Investigation Draft Final Reports, 38105-38106 [05-13091]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 126 / Friday, July 1, 2005 / Notices and inefficient. The need to serve this region is expected to create more opportunities for companies offering innovative and efficient technologies. III. Goals for the Mission The goal of the Renewable Energy Trade Mission to Brazil is to provide U.S. participants with first-hand market information, access to government decision makers, and one-on-one meetings with business contacts, including potential agents, distributors and partners, so they can position themselves to enter or expand their presence in the Brazilian market. IV. Scenario for the Mission The Renewable Energy Trade Mission will include three stops: Rio de Janeiro, ˜ Sao Paulo and Salvador da Bahia. In each city, participants will meet with potential business partners, customers, end-users and agents/distributors through one-on-one meetings and other activities, including regulatory meetings with high-ranking federal and state officials involved in this sector. Timetable The full program includes Rio de ˜ Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Salvador da Bahia. Members of the delegation who opt to visit additional cities, return to ˜ Rio, or remain in Sao Paulo instead of traveling to Salvador may pay an additional US$400 for Gold Key Service appointments. This fee is exclusive of interpreter and transportation costs, estimated at US$200. Rio de Janeiro October 16, 2005 Arrive Rio de Janeiro October 17, 2005 Market briefing One-on-one business appointments ˜ Evening departure to Sao Paulo ˜ Sao Paulo October 18, 2005 One-on-one business appointments Salvador da Bahia October 19, 2005 Morning departure to Salvador de Bahia Afternoon business appointments V. Criteria for Participant Selection • Relevance of a company’s business line to mission goals. • Timeliness of the company’s signed application and participation agreement (including the participation fees). • Minimum of 7 and a maximum of 25 participating companies on the mission (a maximum of 10 firms with an existing local office in Brazil will be accepted). VerDate jul<14>2003 18:11 Jun 30, 2005 Jkt 205001 • Potential for business in Brazil for the company. • Provision of adequate information on the company’s products and/or services, and the company’s primary market objectives, in order to facilitate appropriate matching with potential business partners. • Certification that the company meets Departmental guidelines for participation. Generally, a company’s products or services should be either produced in the United States, or, if not, marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have at least 51 percent U.S. content of the value of the finished product or service. The participation fee is $3,200 per firm, which includes one representative. The fee for each additional firm representative is $750. The option to participate in the trade mission is also being offered to U.S.-based firms in Brazil; the same fee structure applies. Any partisan political activities (including political contributions) of an applicant are entirely irrelevant to the selection process. Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, including publication in the Federal Register, posting on the Commerce Department trade mission calendar—https://www.ita.doc.gov/ doctm/tmcal.html—and other Internet Web sites, press releases to general and trade media, direct mail, broadcast fax, notices by industry trade associations and other multiplier groups, and publicity at industry meetings, symposia, conferences, and trade shows. The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) plan to publicize the mission to their members. The Commercial Service will explore and welcome outreach assistance from other interested organizations. Recruitment for the mission will begin in June and conclude September 5, 2005. Applications received after that date will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit. Contacts: Eugene Quinn, Senior International Trade Specialist, Global Trade Programs (GTP), Renewable Energy Trade Mission Project Officer, Ph: 202–482–0578 / Fax: 202–482–0973, eugene.quinn@mail.doc.gov. Wake Margo, International Trade Specialist, Global Trade Programs (GTP), Ph: 202 482 2026 / Fax: 202– 482–0973, wake.margo@mail.doc.gov. Contacts for U.S.-based Firms With a Presence in Brazil: John Mueller, Commercial Director, U.S. Commercial Service, Belo Horizonte, PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 38105 Brazil, Tel: (55–31) 3213–1571 / Fax: (55–31) 3213–1575, john.mueller@mail.doc.gov. Mauricio Vasconcelos, International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tel.: (55–31) 3213–1573 / Fax: (55–31) 3213–1575, mauricio.vasconcelos@mail.doc.gov. Dated: June 24, 2005. Donald Businger, Director, Office of Trade Event Programs. [FR Doc. E5–3469 Filed 6–30–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Institute of Standards and Technology [Docket No: 050621163–5163–01] Request for Public Comments on World Trade Center Investigation Draft Final Reports National Institute of Standards and Technology, United States Department of Commerce. ACTION: World Trade Center Investigation Draft Final Reports; request for public comment. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Technology Administration, United States Department of Commerce, announces the availability for public comment of the draft final reports of the study conducted by NIST into the technical causes of the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster on September 11, 2001, after the terrorist attacks. NIST requests comments on any or all of the 43 draft reports issued by NIST concerning various aspects of the WTC buildings, including their design, construction, maintenance and evacuation. These reports total about 10,000 pages. NIST especially encourages public comment on the approximately 200-page draft summary report, which contains the principal findings and recommendations for changes to codes, standards, and practices. NIST will consider all comments received from the public on the 43 draft reports before they are issued in final form. DATES: The public comment period will commence with the release of the draft reports. Comments on the draft reports must be received no later than 5 p.m. EDT August 4, 2005. ADDRESSES: A link on the WTC Investigation Web site, https:// wtc.nist.gov will take users to a page where comments may be entered. The E:\FR\FM\01JYN1.SGM 01JYN1 38106 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 126 / Friday, July 1, 2005 / Notices Web page is the preferred method for submittal of comments as this will allow NIST to electronically sort and group comments that address the same issue. Comments may also be submitted by e-mail to wtc@nist.gov, by fax to (301) 975–6122, or by mail to: WTC Technical Information Repository, Attention: Mr. Stephen Cauffman, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Stop 8610, Gaithersburg, MD 20899–8610. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information or if you have questions, please contact Mr. Steve Cauffman by e-mail at cauffman@nist.gov or by telephone at (301) 975–6051. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released a total of 43 draft reports documenting the Federal Building and Fire Safety Investigation of the World Trade Center Disaster. These reports include the draft summary report on the Investigation of the WTC Towers, 8 project reports, and 34 supporting technical topic reports. Fifteen of these reports, including three project reports, were released on April 5, 2005. These reports are being issued in draft form with a period for public comment. Public comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. EDT on August 4, 2005. In response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) initiated a formal Federal building and fire safety investigation of the World Trade Center disaster on August 21, 2002. NIST issued two written updates on its WTC investigation activities (December 2002 and December 2003) and detailed technical progress reports in May 2003 and June 2004. The investigation objectives are: 1. To determine (a) why and how the WTC 1 and WTC 2 collapsed following the initial impact of the aircraft, and (b) why and how the 47-story WTC 7 collapsed. 2. To determine why the loss of life and injuries were so low or so high depending on location, including technical aspects of fire protection, occupant behavior, evacuation, and emergency response. 3. To determine the procedures and practices which were used in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the WTC buildings. 4. To identify, as specifically as possible, areas in national building and fire codes, standards, and practices that warrant revision. Among the specific questions that NIST is investigating within the above four objectives are the following: VerDate jul<14>2003 18:11 Jun 30, 2005 Jkt 205001 How and why did WTC 1 stand nearly twice as long as WTC 2 before collapsing (103 min versus 56 min), though they were hit by virtually identical aircraft? What factors related to normal building and fire safety considerations not unique to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, if any, could have delayed or prevented the collapse of the WTC towers? Would the undamaged WTC towers have remained standing in a normal major building fire? What factors related to normal building and fire safety considerations, if any, could have saved additional WTC occupant lives or could have minimized the loss of life among the ranks of first responders on September 11, 2001? How well did the procedures and practices used in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the WTC buildings conform to accepted national practices, standards, and codes? The draft final report documents the investigation of the World Trade Center Towers, the findings of the investigation, and the recommendations resulting from the investigation. Additionally, NIST has released in draft form the eight project reports, and 34 technical topic reports that document all aspects of the investigation. All of the reports are being released as drafts for public comment. NIST will separately release a draft supplementary report documenting the collapse investigation of World Trade Center 7 and allow a period for public comment following its release. Request for Public Comment: Persons interested in commenting on the draft investigation reports should submit their comments as instructed above. All comments received in response to this notice will become part of the public record and will be available for inspection and copying at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Freedom of Information Act Reading Room, Gaithersburg, MD. Comments submitted should be specific to the maximum extent possible: they should clearly state the issue, location (report number, page number, paragraph or sentence), provide a short reason for any suggested change, and provide suggested language for the requested revision. Due to the length of the reports, NIST cannot guarantee consideration of comments submitted without this information. Comments may be submitted to NIST in any of four ways. A link on the WTC Investigation Web site, https:// wtc.nist.gov will take users to a page PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 where comments may be entered. The Web page is the preferred method for submittal of comments as this will allow NIST to electronically sort and group comments that address the same issue. Comments may also be submitted by e-mail to wtc@nist.gov, by fax to (301) 975–6122, or by mail to: WTC Technical Information Repository, Attention: Mr. Stephen Cauffman, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Stop 8610, Gaithersburg, MD 20899–8610. All comments should contain the following information: Name (Optional): Affiliation (Optional): Contact (Optional): Phone number or e-mail address where you can be contacted in case of questions. Report Number: (e.g., NCSTAR 1–1). Page Number: Paragraph/Sentence: (e.g., paragraph 2/ sentences 2–4). Comment: Reason for Comment: Suggestion for Revision: Dated: June 24, 2005. Hratch Semerjian, Acting Director. [FR Doc. 05–13091 Filed 6–30–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–13–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Institute of Standards and Technology Meetings: Weights and Measures National Conference National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce. ACTION: Announcement of public meeting of the National Conference on Weights and Measures. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the National Conference on Weights and Measures will be held July 10 through 14, 2005, at the Hilton in Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL. This meeting is open to the public. Meeting registration and hotel information can be found on the NCWM Web site (https://www.ncwm.net). The National Conference on Weights and Measures is an organization of weights and measures enforcement officials of the states, counties, and cities of the United States, and private sector representatives. The Annual Meeting of the Conference brings together enforcement officials, other government officials, and representatives of business, industry, trade associations, and consumer organizations to discuss E:\FR\FM\01JYN1.SGM 01JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 126 (Friday, July 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38105-38106]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13091]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket No: 050621163-5163-01]


Request for Public Comments on World Trade Center Investigation 
Draft Final Reports

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, United States 
Department of Commerce.

ACTION: World Trade Center Investigation Draft Final Reports; request 
for public comment.

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

SUMMARY: The Director of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology (NIST), Technology Administration, United States Department 
of Commerce, announces the availability for public comment of the draft 
final reports of the study conducted by NIST into the technical causes 
of the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster on September 11, 2001, after 
the terrorist attacks. NIST requests comments on any or all of the 43 
draft reports issued by NIST concerning various aspects of the WTC 
buildings, including their design, construction, maintenance and 
evacuation. These reports total about 10,000 pages. NIST especially 
encourages public comment on the approximately 200-page draft summary 
report, which contains the principal findings and recommendations for 
changes to codes, standards, and practices. NIST will consider all 
comments received from the public on the 43 draft reports before they 
are issued in final form.

DATES: The public comment period will commence with the release of the 
draft reports. Comments on the draft reports must be received no later 
than 5 p.m. EDT August 4, 2005.

ADDRESSES: A link on the WTC Investigation Web site, https://
wtc.nist.gov will take users to a page where comments may be entered. 
The

[[Page 38106]]

Web page is the preferred method for submittal of comments as this will 
allow NIST to electronically sort and group comments that address the 
same issue.
    Comments may also be submitted by e-mail to wtc@nist.gov, by fax to 
(301) 975-6122, or by mail to: WTC Technical Information Repository, 
Attention: Mr. Stephen Cauffman, National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, Stop 8610, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8610.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information or if you have 
questions, please contact Mr. Steve Cauffman by e-mail at 
cauffman@nist.gov or by telephone at (301) 975-6051.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Institute of Standards and 
Technology (NIST) released a total of 43 draft reports documenting the 
Federal Building and Fire Safety Investigation of the World Trade 
Center Disaster. These reports include the draft summary report on the 
Investigation of the WTC Towers, 8 project reports, and 34 supporting 
technical topic reports. Fifteen of these reports, including three 
project reports, were released on April 5, 2005.
    These reports are being issued in draft form with a period for 
public comment. Public comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. EDT on 
August 4, 2005.
    In response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) initiated a 
formal Federal building and fire safety investigation of the World 
Trade Center disaster on August 21, 2002. NIST issued two written 
updates on its WTC investigation activities (December 2002 and December 
2003) and detailed technical progress reports in May 2003 and June 
2004.
    The investigation objectives are:
    1. To determine (a) why and how the WTC 1 and WTC 2 collapsed 
following the initial impact of the aircraft, and (b) why and how the 
47-story WTC 7 collapsed.
    2. To determine why the loss of life and injuries were so low or so 
high depending on location, including technical aspects of fire 
protection, occupant behavior, evacuation, and emergency response.
    3. To determine the procedures and practices which were used in the 
design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the WTC buildings.
    4. To identify, as specifically as possible, areas in national 
building and fire codes, standards, and practices that warrant 
revision.
    Among the specific questions that NIST is investigating within the 
above four objectives are the following:
    How and why did WTC 1 stand nearly twice as long as WTC 2 before 
collapsing (103 min versus 56 min), though they were hit by virtually 
identical aircraft?
    What factors related to normal building and fire safety 
considerations not unique to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 
2001, if any, could have delayed or prevented the collapse of the WTC 
towers?
    Would the undamaged WTC towers have remained standing in a normal 
major building fire?
    What factors related to normal building and fire safety 
considerations, if any, could have saved additional WTC occupant lives 
or could have minimized the loss of life among the ranks of first 
responders on September 11, 2001?
    How well did the procedures and practices used in the design, 
construction, operation, and maintenance of the WTC buildings conform 
to accepted national practices, standards, and codes?
    The draft final report documents the investigation of the World 
Trade Center Towers, the findings of the investigation, and the 
recommendations resulting from the investigation. Additionally, NIST 
has released in draft form the eight project reports, and 34 technical 
topic reports that document all aspects of the investigation. All of 
the reports are being released as drafts for public comment. NIST will 
separately release a draft supplementary report documenting the 
collapse investigation of World Trade Center 7 and allow a period for 
public comment following its release.
    Request for Public Comment: Persons interested in commenting on the 
draft investigation reports should submit their comments as instructed 
above. All comments received in response to this notice will become 
part of the public record and will be available for inspection and 
copying at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Freedom 
of Information Act Reading Room, Gaithersburg, MD.
    Comments submitted should be specific to the maximum extent 
possible: they should clearly state the issue, location (report number, 
page number, paragraph or sentence), provide a short reason for any 
suggested change, and provide suggested language for the requested 
revision. Due to the length of the reports, NIST cannot guarantee 
consideration of comments submitted without this information.
    Comments may be submitted to NIST in any of four ways. A link on 
the WTC Investigation Web site, https://wtc.nist.gov will take users to 
a page where comments may be entered. The Web page is the preferred 
method for submittal of comments as this will allow NIST to 
electronically sort and group comments that address the same issue.
    Comments may also be submitted by e-mail to wtc@nist.gov, by fax to 
(301) 975-6122, or by mail to:

WTC Technical Information Repository, Attention: Mr. Stephen Cauffman, 
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Stop 8610, 
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8610.

    All comments should contain the following information:

Name (Optional):
Affiliation (Optional):
Contact (Optional): Phone number or e-mail address where you can be 
contacted in case of questions.
Report Number: (e.g., NCSTAR 1-1).
Page Number:
Paragraph/Sentence: (e.g., paragraph 2/sentences 2-4).
Comment:
Reason for Comment:
Suggestion for Revision:

    Dated: June 24, 2005.
Hratch Semerjian,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 05-13091 Filed 6-30-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P

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