Renewable Energy Trade Mission, 38103-38105 [E5-3469]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 126 / Friday, July 1, 2005 / Notices
including the requested partial
revocation of the dumping order with
´
respect to Asociacion de Cooperativas
Argentinas.
Therefore, the Department is
extending the time limit for completion
of the preliminary results until
December 20, 2005, in accordance with
section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act. The
deadline for the final results of this
review will continue to be 120 days
after publication of the preliminary
results.
Dated: June 27, 2005.
Barbara E. Tillman,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import
Administration.
[FR Doc. E5–3470 Filed 6–30–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–583–816]
Certain Stainless Steel Butt–Weld Pipe
Fittings from Taiwan: Notice of Court
Decision and Suspension of
Liquidation
Import Administration,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: On June 14, 2005, in Alloy
Piping Products, Inc., Flowline
Division, et al. v. United States, Slip Op.
05–69, (‘‘Alloy Piping II’’), the Court of
International Trade (‘‘CIT’’) affirmed the
Department of Commerce’s (the
‘‘Department’’) Final Results of
Determination Pursuant to Remand
(‘‘Remand Results’’), dated February 14,
2005. Consistent with the decision of
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
Federal Circuit (‘‘CAFC’’) in Timken Co.
v. United States, 893 F.2d 337 (Fed. Cir.
1990) (‘‘Timken’’), the Department will
continue to order the suspension of
liquidation of the subject merchandise,
where appropriate, until there is a
‘‘conclusive’’ decision in this case. If the
case is not appealed, or if it is affirmed
on appeal, the Department will instruct
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(‘‘Customs’’) to liquidate all relevant
entries from Ta Chen Stainless Steel
Pipe, Ltd. (‘‘Ta Chen’’) and revise the
cash deposit rates as appropriate.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alex
Villanueva, AD/CVD Operations, Office
9, Import Administration, International
Trade Administration, U.S. Department
of Commerce, 1401 Constitution
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230,
telephone 202–482–3208, fax 202–482–
9089.
AGENCY:
VerDate jul<14>2003
18:11 Jun 30, 2005
Jkt 205001
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Following publication of the Final
Results, Alloy Piping Products, Inc.,
Flowline Division, Markovitz
Enterprises, Inc., Gerlin Inc., and Taylor
Forge Stainless Inc., (the ‘‘Petitioners’’)
and Ta Chen, filed a lawsuit with the
CIT challenging the Department’s
findings in Certain Stainless Steel Butt–
Weld Pipe Fittings From Taiwan and
Accompanying Issues and Decisions
Memorandum; Final Results of 1999–
2000 Administrative Review, 66 FR
65899, 65900 (December 21, 2001)
(‘‘Final Results’’). In Alloy Piping v.
United States, Slip Op. 04–134, (CIT
2004) (‘‘Alloy Piping I’’), the CIT
instructed the Department to (1) reopen
the record, seek additional relevant
information regarding employee
bonuses, and recalculate the general and
administrative (‘‘G&A’’) expenses of Ta
Chen; and (2) reconsider Ta Chen’s U.S.
indirect selling expenses and to account
for all of Ta Chen’s U.S. selling
expenses incurred during fiscal year
1999. Specifically, regarding employee
bonuses, the CIT instructed the
Department to consider employee
bonuses distributed directly from
shareholders’ equity, and paid by the
company to its employees and
management in its recalculation of the
G&A expenses;
The Draft Final Results Pursuant to
Remand (‘‘Draft Results’’) were released
to parties on January 27, 2005. The
Department received comments from
interested parties on the Draft Results
on February 1, 2005. There were no
substantive changes made to the
Remand Results as a result of comments
received on the Draft Results. On
February 14, 2005, the Department
responded to the CIT’s Order of Remand
by filing the Remand Results. In its
Remand Results, the Department
reopened the record, sought additional
relevant information regarding
employee bonuses and recalculated the
G&A expenses of Ta Chen to include
bonuses to both employees and
directors/supervisors. The Department
also reconsidered Ta Chen’s U.S.
indirect selling expenses and
determined that there was no need to
add financial interest expenses to Ta
Chen’s U.S. indirect selling expenses.
Thus, the Department did not change Ta
Chen’s U.S. indirect selling expenses.
As a result of the remand
determination, the antidumping duty
rate for Ta Chen was decreased from
6.11 to 6.10 percent. The CIT did not
receive comments from either the
Petitioners or Ta Chen.
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
38103
On June 14, 2005, the CIT affirmed
the Department’s findings in the
Remand Results. Specifically, the CIT
upheld the Department reopening the
record, seeking additional relevant
information regarding employee
bonuses, and recalculating the G&A
expenses of Ta Chen and reconsidering
Ta Chen’s U.S. indirect selling
expenses. See Alloy Piping II.
The only revisions made to the Final
Results were revisions to the calculation
of Ta Chen’s G&A expenses, as noted
above. This revision resulted in a
change in Ta Chen’s margin.
Suspension of Liquidation
The CAFC, in Timken, held that the
Department must publish notice of a
decision of the CIT or the CAFC which
is not ‘‘in harmony’’ with the
Department’s final determination or
results. Publication of this notice fulfills
that obligation. The CAFC also held that
the Department must suspend
liquidation of the subject merchandise
until there is a ‘‘conclusive’’ decision in
the case. Therefore, pursuant to Timken,
the Department must continue to
suspend liquidation pending the
expiration of the period to appeal the
CIT’s June 14, 2005, decision, or, if that
decision is appealed, pending a final
decision by the CAFC. The Department
will instruct Customs to revise cash
deposit rates, as appropriate, and to
liquidate relevant entries covering the
subject merchandise effective (insert
date of FR publication), in the event that
the CIT’s ruling is not appealed, or if
appealed and upheld by the CAFC.
Dated: June 24, 2005.
Joseph A. Spetrini,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Import
Administration.
[FR Doc. E5–3473 Filed 6–30–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Renewable Energy Trade Mission
International Trade
Administration, Department of
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice to Renewable Energy
Trade Mission to Brazil, October 17–19,
2005.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The United States Department
of Commerce, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Commercial
Service is organizing a Renewable
Energy Trade Mission to Brazil, October
17–19, 2005, to help U.S. firms find
business partners and sell renewable
E:\FR\FM\01JYN1.SGM
01JYN1
38104
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 126 / Friday, July 1, 2005 / Notices
energy equipment and services in Rio de
˜
Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Salvador da
Bahia. Targeted sectors include hydro,
wind, solar, bio-diesel and biomass.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Office of Global Trade Programs; Room
2012; Department of Commerce;
Washington, DC 20230; Tel: (202) 482–
4457; Fax: (202) 482–0178.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Renewable Energy Trade Mission,
Brazil, October 17–19, 2005.
Mission Statement
I. Description of the Mission
The United States Department of
Commerce, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Commercial
Service is organizing a Renewable
Energy Trade Mission to Brazil, October
17–19, 2005, to help U.S. firms find
business partners and sell renewable
energy equipment and services in Rio de
˜
Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Salvador da
Bahia. Targeted sectors include hydro,
wind, solar, bio-diesel and biomass. The
mission, to be led by a U.S. Department
of Commerce official, will include
business-to-business matchmaking with
local companies and meetings with key
government officials. Representatives of
the Overseas Private Investment
Corporation (OPIC) and the U.S. Agency
for International Development (USAID)
will be on hand to provide information
and counseling on their programs.
II. Commercial Setting for the Mission
The renewable energy sector in Brazil
holds enormous potential for
development over the next four years,
given the country’s wealth of natural
resources for wind, biomass, solar and
hydro projects, and the Brazilian
government’s Incentive Program for
Alternative Electric Energy Sources
(PROINFA), which aims to install by
2008 small hydro, wind, and biomass
facilities capable of generating 3,300
MW. (PROINFA defines small
hydropower projects as having a
maximum installed capacity of 30 MW.)
This program is expected to attract more
than US$2 billion in investments from
2005 to 2008.
Small hydropower plants have
commanded critical attention since the
2001 energy crisis and the
implementation of PROINFA. Brazil has
a long tradition of hydropower
generation, from both small and large
plants. The generation of 1,100 MW in
new PROINFA projects is already
approved, and many Brazilian
companies are investing in small hydro
projects that are not part of PROINFA.
While most demand is currently
supplied by subsidiaries of such
VerDate jul<14>2003
18:11 Jun 30, 2005
Jkt 205001
companies as GE, Siemens, ABB and
Alstom, there are opportunities for sales
of selected components.
Wind energy is also a priority growth
sector. Even the most conservative
estimates put the potential for wind
power production at more than 70,000
MW—nearly equal to Brazil’s entire
generating capacity (90,000 MW). There
are many small wind power plants
operating in Brazil, especially in the
´
states of Ceara and Rio Grande do Sul.
The 1,100 MW approved under
PROINFA will be installed between
2005 and 2008. There is currently only
one manufacturer of large-scale wind
power plants operating in Brazil, a
subsidiary of the German firm Enercon.
Solar power offers enormous
development opportunities in Brazil,
which has one of the world’s most
abundant solar energy resources and has
only just begun to explore its potential.
The use of solar water heaters in Brazil
has increased rapidly in the last few
years, with nearly 140 Brazilian
manufacturers producing these products
for residences, hotels, hospitals, and
swimming pools. Most are very small
companies.
Photovoltaic technology (PV) is a
competitive alternative to grid extension
in remote areas of the country and in
applications of social interest. The
power needs of rural off-grid
communities are relatively modest and
therefore compatible with stand-alone
PV systems. Estimates indicate that 5%
to 10% of the non-electrified domiciles
(about 250,000) could be supplied with
PV systems. The main PV applications
in Brazil have been off-grid residences,
public services, water pumping, and
telecommunications. There are many
initiatives underway utilizing standalone PV systems, more than 30,000 of
them purchased for rural electrification.
Biomass is a growth sector supported
by Brazil’s ambitious program for
manufacturing bio-diesel from vegetable
oils. The country plans to replace 2% of
its diesel consumption through biodiesel starting in June 2005 and increase
this rate to 5% in 2009, primarily
through use of castor oil and palm oil.
Total consumption of fossil diesel is
currently 38 billion liters/year.
Brazil is the world’s largest producer
of sugarcane and ethanol. It has one of
the most technologically advanced
programs of bio-fuels of the world, in
development since the 1970s. More than
3 million cars are powered exclusively
by hydrated ethanol, consuming more
than 5 billion liters/year. In addition,
most gas sold contains 20%–25%
anhydrous ethanol (production of 6
billion liters/year), the highest
percentage mix in the world. It is
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
expected that domestic and export
demand for ethanol will continue to
rise. The installed power of
cogeneration in the sugar cane industry
is approximately 1800 MW. Note that
the bio-diesel and ethanol programs do
not fall under the PROINFA project,
which is only for grid-connected
electricity.
Brazil also has very large planted
forests, mainly of eucalyptus and pine,
especially for the cellulose and charcoal
industries. As these sectors are growing
at very high rates, a shortage of
eucalyptus is expected over the next few
years. The total capacity for pulp is
about 10 million tons/year, and for
paper 9 million. Production from
cellulose plants meets about 85% of
electricity needs, and paper operations
meet about 10%, whereas cogeneration
from integrated paper and pulp plants
meets about 60%. Under PROINFA,
most approved biomass projects are for
sugarcane bagasse, but there has also
been interest in rice hulls, orange
bagasse, wood chips, wood residues and
fiber of palm oil kernels.
PROINFA: Under PROINFA, the
Brazilian Government, through its
holding company Eletrobras, has
already selected projects eligible to sell
energy to the national grid in 20-year
contracts with independent producers.
Projects may have up to 80% of equity
financed through subsidized loans from
the Federal Economic and Social
Development Bank (BNDES). A special
US$280 million fund called ‘‘Brasil
Energia,’’ set up by private pension
funds and BNDES, offers financing to
project sponsors selected under
PROINFA. To qualify for PROINFA
financing, a minimum of 60% of the
project procurement must be of
Brazilian-made equipment.
After this goal of 3,300 MW is
installed, a second phase of PROINFA
will immediately follow to ensure that
in 20 years wind, biomass and small
hydropower systems supply 10% of
Brazil’s annual electric power
consumption. For this second phase,
only projects with a minimum of 90%
Brazilian-made components will be
eligible for BNDES financing.
‘‘Light For All’’ (Luz Para Todos),
another of the Brazilian Federal
government’s important projects, has set
a goal to achieve universal access to safe
and affordable energy as a key element
in its fight against rural poverty. There
are currently nearly 18 million
Brazilians living in remote communities
without reliable access to electricity. In
the Amazon region, there are more than
1,000 mini power plants, most of which
use diesel oil to supply electricity to
isolated villages. Many of them are old
E:\FR\FM\01JYN1.SGM
01JYN1
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
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 126 (Friday, July 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38103-38105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-3469]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Renewable Energy Trade Mission
AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice to Renewable Energy Trade Mission to Brazil, October 17-
19, 2005.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Commercial Service is organizing a Renewable
Energy Trade Mission to Brazil, October 17-19, 2005, to help U.S. firms
find business partners and sell renewable
[[Page 38104]]
energy equipment and services in Rio de Janeiro, S[atilde]o Paulo, and
Salvador da Bahia. Targeted sectors include hydro, wind, solar, bio-
diesel and biomass.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of Global Trade Programs; Room
2012; Department of Commerce; Washington, DC 20230; Tel: (202) 482-
4457; Fax: (202) 482-0178.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Renewable Energy Trade Mission, Brazil,
October 17-19, 2005.
Mission Statement
I. Description of the Mission
The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Commercial Service is organizing a Renewable
Energy Trade Mission to Brazil, October 17-19, 2005, to help U.S. firms
find business partners and sell renewable energy equipment and services
in Rio de Janeiro, S[atilde]o Paulo, and Salvador da Bahia. Targeted
sectors include hydro, wind, solar, bio-diesel and biomass. The
mission, to be led by a U.S. Department of Commerce official, will
include business-to-business matchmaking with local companies and
meetings with key government officials. Representatives of the Overseas
Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and the U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID) will be on hand to provide
information and counseling on their programs.
II. Commercial Setting for the Mission
The renewable energy sector in Brazil holds enormous potential for
development over the next four years, given the country's wealth of
natural resources for wind, biomass, solar and hydro projects, and the
Brazilian government's Incentive Program for Alternative Electric
Energy Sources (PROINFA), which aims to install by 2008 small hydro,
wind, and biomass facilities capable of generating 3,300 MW. (PROINFA
defines small hydropower projects as having a maximum installed
capacity of 30 MW.) This program is expected to attract more than US$2
billion in investments from 2005 to 2008.
Small hydropower plants have commanded critical attention since the
2001 energy crisis and the implementation of PROINFA. Brazil has a long
tradition of hydropower generation, from both small and large plants.
The generation of 1,100 MW in new PROINFA projects is already approved,
and many Brazilian companies are investing in small hydro projects that
are not part of PROINFA. While most demand is currently supplied by
subsidiaries of such companies as GE, Siemens, ABB and Alstom, there
are opportunities for sales of selected components.
Wind energy is also a priority growth sector. Even the most
conservative estimates put the potential for wind power production at
more than 70,000 MW--nearly equal to Brazil's entire generating
capacity (90,000 MW). There are many small wind power plants operating
in Brazil, especially in the states of Cear[aacute] and Rio Grande do
Sul. The 1,100 MW approved under PROINFA will be installed between 2005
and 2008. There is currently only one manufacturer of large-scale wind
power plants operating in Brazil, a subsidiary of the German firm
Enercon.
Solar power offers enormous development opportunities in Brazil,
which has one of the world's most abundant solar energy resources and
has only just begun to explore its potential. The use of solar water
heaters in Brazil has increased rapidly in the last few years, with
nearly 140 Brazilian manufacturers producing these products for
residences, hotels, hospitals, and swimming pools. Most are very small
companies.
Photovoltaic technology (PV) is a competitive alternative to grid
extension in remote areas of the country and in applications of social
interest. The power needs of rural off-grid communities are relatively
modest and therefore compatible with stand-alone PV systems. Estimates
indicate that 5% to 10% of the non-electrified domiciles (about
250,000) could be supplied with PV systems. The main PV applications in
Brazil have been off-grid residences, public services, water pumping,
and telecommunications. There are many initiatives underway utilizing
stand-alone PV systems, more than 30,000 of them purchased for rural
electrification.
Biomass is a growth sector supported by Brazil's ambitious program
for manufacturing bio-diesel from vegetable oils. The country plans to
replace 2% of its diesel consumption through bio-diesel starting in
June 2005 and increase this rate to 5% in 2009, primarily through use
of castor oil and palm oil. Total consumption of fossil diesel is
currently 38 billion liters/year.
Brazil is the world's largest producer of sugarcane and ethanol. It
has one of the most technologically advanced programs of bio-fuels of
the world, in development since the 1970s. More than 3 million cars are
powered exclusively by hydrated ethanol, consuming more than 5 billion
liters/year. In addition, most gas sold contains 20%-25% anhydrous
ethanol (production of 6 billion liters/year), the highest percentage
mix in the world. It is expected that domestic and export demand for
ethanol will continue to rise. The installed power of cogeneration in
the sugar cane industry is approximately 1800 MW. Note that the bio-
diesel and ethanol programs do not fall under the PROINFA project,
which is only for grid-connected electricity.
Brazil also has very large planted forests, mainly of eucalyptus
and pine, especially for the cellulose and charcoal industries. As
these sectors are growing at very high rates, a shortage of eucalyptus
is expected over the next few years. The total capacity for pulp is
about 10 million tons/year, and for paper 9 million. Production from
cellulose plants meets about 85% of electricity needs, and paper
operations meet about 10%, whereas cogeneration from integrated paper
and pulp plants meets about 60%. Under PROINFA, most approved biomass
projects are for sugarcane bagasse, but there has also been interest in
rice hulls, orange bagasse, wood chips, wood residues and fiber of palm
oil kernels.
PROINFA: Under PROINFA, the Brazilian Government, through its
holding company Eletrobras, has already selected projects eligible to
sell energy to the national grid in 20-year contracts with independent
producers. Projects may have up to 80% of equity financed through
subsidized loans from the Federal Economic and Social Development Bank
(BNDES). A special US$280 million fund called ``Brasil Energia,'' set
up by private pension funds and BNDES, offers financing to project
sponsors selected under PROINFA. To qualify for PROINFA financing, a
minimum of 60% of the project procurement must be of Brazilian-made
equipment.
After this goal of 3,300 MW is installed, a second phase of PROINFA
will immediately follow to ensure that in 20 years wind, biomass and
small hydropower systems supply 10% of Brazil's annual electric power
consumption. For this second phase, only projects with a minimum of 90%
Brazilian-made components will be eligible for BNDES financing.
``Light For All'' (Luz Para Todos), another of the Brazilian
Federal government's important projects, has set a goal to achieve
universal access to safe and affordable energy as a key element in its
fight against rural poverty. There are currently nearly 18 million
Brazilians living in remote communities without reliable access to
electricity. In the Amazon region, there are more than 1,000 mini power
plants, most of which use diesel oil to supply electricity to isolated
villages. Many of them are old
[[Page 38105]]
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, S[atilde]o 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, S[atilde]o Paulo, and
Salvador da Bahia. Members of the delegation who opt to visit
additional cities, return to Rio, or remain in S[atilde]o 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 S[atilde]o Paulo
S[atilde]o 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).
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, 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
