Subsidy Programs Provided by Countries Exporting Softwood Lumber and Softwood Lumber Products to the United States; Request for Comment, 56594-56595 [E9-26323]

Download as PDF 56594 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 210 / Monday, November 2, 2009 / Notices Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.103 (c), the Department will maintain and make available a service list for these proceedings. To facilitate the timely preparation of the service list(s), it is requested that those seeking recognition as interested parties to a proceeding contact the Department in writing within 10 days of the publication of the Notice of Initiation. Because deadlines in Sunset Reviews can be very short, we urge interested parties to apply for access to proprietary information under administrative protective order (‘‘APO’’) immediately following publication in the Federal Register of this notice of initiation by filing a notice of intent to participate. The Department’s regulations on submission of proprietary information and eligibility to receive access to business proprietary information under APO can be found at 19 CFR 351.304– 306. srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Information Required From Interested Parties Domestic interested parties defined in section 771(9)(C), (D), (E), (F), and (G) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the ‘‘Act’’), and 19 CFR 351.102(b)) wishing to participate in a Sunset Review must respond not later than 15 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register of this notice of initiation by filing a notice of intent to participate. The required contents of the notice of intent to participate are set forth at 19 CFR 351.218(d)(1)(ii). In accordance with the Department’s regulations, if we do not receive a notice of intent to participate from at least one domestic interested party by the 15-day deadline, the Department will automatically revoke the order without further review. See 19 CFR 351.218(d)(1)(iii). If we receive an order-specific notice of intent to participate from a domestic interested party, the Department’s regulations provide that all parties wishing to participate in the Sunset Review must file complete substantive responses not later than 30 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register of this notice of initiation. The required contents of a substantive response, on an order-specific basis, are set forth at 19 CFR 351.218(d)(3). Note that certain information requirements differ for respondent and domestic parties. Also, note that the Department’s information requirements are distinct from the Commission’s information requirements. Please consult the Department’s regulations for information regarding the Department’s VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:03 Oct 30, 2009 Jkt 220001 conduct of Sunset Reviews.1 Please consult the Department’s regulations at 19 CFR Part 351 for definitions of terms and for other general information concerning antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings at the Department. This notice of initiation is being published in accordance with section 751(c) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.218 (c). Dated: October 21, 2009. John M. Andersen, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Operations. [FR Doc. E9–26346 Filed 10–30–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Subsidy Programs Provided by Countries Exporting Softwood Lumber and Softwood Lumber Products to the United States; Request for Comment AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (Department) seeks public comment on any subsidies, including stumpage subsidies, provided by certain countries exporting softwood lumber or softwood lumber products to the United States during the period January 1 through June 30, 2009. DATES: Comments must be submitted within thirty days after publication of this notice. ADDRESSES: Written comments (original and six copies) should be sent to the Secretary of Commerce, Attn: James Terpstra, Import Administration, APO/ Dockets Unit, Room 1870, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street & Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20230. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Terpstra, Import Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–3965. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1 In comments made on the interim final sunset regulations, a number of parties stated that the proposed five-day period for rebuttals to substantive responses to a notice of initiation was insufficient. This requirement was retained in the final sunset regulations at 19 CFR 351.218(d)(4). As provided in 19 CFR 351.302(b), however, the Department will consider individual requests to extend that five-day deadline based upon a showing of good cause. PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Background On June 18, 2008, Section 805 of Title VIII of the Tariff Act of 1930 (the Softwood Lumber Act of 2008) was enacted into law. Under this provision, the Secretary of Commerce is mandated to submit to the appropriate Congressional committees a report every 180 days on any subsidies provided by countries exporting softwood lumber or softwood lumber products to the United States, including stumpage subsidies. The Department submitted its first subsidy report to Congress on December 15, 2008, and its second subsidy report on June 15, 2009. As part of its newest report, the Department intends to include a list of subsidy programs identified with sufficient clarity by the public in response to this notice. Request for Comment Given the large number of countries that export softwood lumber and softwood lumber products to the United States, we are soliciting public comment only on subsidies provided by countries whose exports accounted for at least one percent of total U.S. imports of softwood lumber by quantity, as classified under Harmonized Tariff Schedule code 4407.1001 (which accounts for the vast majority of imports), during the period January 1 through June 30, 2009. Official U.S. import data published by the United States International Trade Commission Tariff and Trade DataWeb indicate that exports of softwood lumber from Canada, Chile, Germany, Sweden and Brazil each account for at least one percent of U.S. imports of softwood lumber products during that time period. We intend to rely on similar previous six-month periods to identify the countries subject to future reports on softwood lumber subsidies. For example, we will rely on U.S. imports of softwood lumber and softwood lumber products during the period July 1 through December 31, 2009, to select the countries subject to the next report. Under U.S. trade law, a subsidy exists where a government authority: (i) Provides a financial contribution; (ii) provides any form of income or price support within the meaning of Article XVI of the GATT 1994; or (iii) makes a payment to a funding mechanism to provide a financial contribution to a person, or entrusts or directs a private entity to make a financial contribution, if providing the contribution would normally be vested in the government and the practice does not differ in substance from practices normally followed by governments, and a benefit is thereby conferred. See section E:\FR\FM\02NON1.SGM 02NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 210 / Monday, November 2, 2009 / Notices 771(5)(B) of the of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended. Parties should include in their comments: (1) The country which provided the subsidy; (2) the name of the subsidy program; (3) a brief (3–4 sentence) description of the subsidy program; and (4) the government body or authority that provided the subsidy. Submission of Comment srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Persons wishing to comment should file a signed original and six copies of each set of comments by the date specified above. The Department will not accept comments accompanied by a request that a part or all of the material be treated confidentially due to business proprietary concerns or for any other reason. The Department will return such comments and materials to the persons submitting the comments and will not include them in its report on softwood lumber subsidies. The Department also requests submission of comments in electronic form to accompany the required paper copies. Comments filed in electronic form should be submitted on CD–ROM with the paper copies or by e-mail to the Webmaster below. Comments received in electronic form will be made available to the public in Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Import Administration Web site at the following address: https://ia.ita.doc.gov. Any questions concerning file formatting, document conversion, access on the Internet, or other electronic filing issues should be addressed to Andrew Lee Beller, Import Administration Webmaster, at (202) 482–0866, e-mail address: webmastersupport@ita.doc.gov. All comments and submissions should be mailed to James Terpstra, Import Administration; Subject: Softwood Lumber Subsidies Bi-Annual Report: Request for Comment; Room 1870, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230, by no later than 5 p.m., on the above-referenced deadline date. Dated: October 23, 2009. John M. Andersen, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Operations. [FR Doc. E9–26323 Filed 10–30–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:03 Oct 30, 2009 Jkt 220001 DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD [Recommendation 2009–2] Los Alamos National Laboratory Plutonium Facility Seismic Safety AGENCY: Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. ACTION: Notice, recommendation. SUMMARY: The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board has made a recommendation to the Secretary of Energy pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 2286a(a)(5) which identifies the need to execute both immediate and long-term actions that can reduce the risk posed by a seismic event at the Plutonium Facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory. DATES: Comments, data, views, or arguments concerning the recommendation are due on or before December 2, 2009. ADDRESSES: Send comments, data, views, or arguments concerning this recommendation to: Defense Nuclear Faculties Safety Board, 625 Indiana Avenue, NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20004–2001. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Grosner or Andrew L. Thibadeau at the address above or telephone number (202–694–7000). John E. Mansfield, Vice Chairman. [FR Doc. E9–26304 Filed 10–30–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3670–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Energy Information Administration Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request AGENCY: Energy Information Administration (EIA), Department of Energy (DOE). ACTION: Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request. SUMMARY: The EIA is soliciting comments on the proposed revisions and three year extension to the Petroleum Supply Forms. In particular, changes are proposed for forms EIA– 810, ‘‘Monthly Refinery Report;’’ EIA– 812, ‘‘Monthly Product Pipeline Report;’’ EIA–813, ‘‘Monthly Crude Oil Report;’’ EIA–815, ‘‘Monthly Bulk Terminal and Blender Report;’’ Form EIA–816, ‘‘Monthly Natural Gas Liquids Report;’’ and Form EIA–819, ‘‘Monthly Oxygenate Report.’’ PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 56595 DATES: Comments must be filed by January 4, 2010. If you anticipate difficulty in submitting comments within that period, contact the person listed below as soon as possible. ADDRESSES: Send comments to Sylvia Norris and Jacob Bournazian. To ensure receipt of the comments by the due date, submission by FAX (202–586–1076) or e-mail (sylvia.norris@eia.doe.gov and jacob.bournazian@eia.doe.gov) is recommended. The mailing address is Petroleum Division, EI–42, Forrestal Building, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC 20585. Alternatively, Sylvia Norris may be contacted by telephone at 202–586–6106; Jacob Bournazian may be contacted by telephone at 202–586–5562. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of any forms and instructions should be directed to Sylvia Norris at the address listed above. The proposed forms and changes in definitions and instructions are also available on the Internet at: https://www.eia.doe.gov/ oil_gas/petroleum/survey_forms/ pet_survey_forms.html SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background II. Current Actions III. Request for Comments I. Background The Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974, specifically 15 U.S.C. 790a, and the DOE Organization Act, specifically 42 U.S.C. 7135, require EIA to carry out a centralized, comprehensive, and unified energy information program. This program collects, evaluates, assembles, analyzes, and disseminates information on energy resource reserves, production, demand, technology, and related economic and statistical information. This information is used to assess the adequacy of energy resources to meet near and longer term domestic demands and to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of petroleum supply and delivery systems. EIA, as part of its effort to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), provides the general public and other Federal agencies with opportunities to comment on collections of energy information conducted by or in conjunction with EIA. Any comments received help EIA prepare data requests that maximize the utility of the information collected, and assess the impact of collection requirements on the public. Also, EIA will later seek approval for this collection by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) E:\FR\FM\02NON1.SGM 02NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 210 (Monday, November 2, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56594-56595]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-26323]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Subsidy Programs Provided by Countries Exporting Softwood Lumber 
and Softwood Lumber Products to the United States; Request for Comment

AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (Department) seeks public comment 
on any subsidies, including stumpage subsidies, provided by certain 
countries exporting softwood lumber or softwood lumber products to the 
United States during the period January 1 through June 30, 2009.

DATES: Comments must be submitted within thirty days after publication 
of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Written comments (original and six copies) should be sent to 
the Secretary of Commerce, Attn: James Terpstra, Import Administration, 
APO/Dockets Unit, Room 1870, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street & 
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Terpstra, Import Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-3965.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On June 18, 2008, Section 805 of Title VIII of the Tariff Act of 
1930 (the Softwood Lumber Act of 2008) was enacted into law. Under this 
provision, the Secretary of Commerce is mandated to submit to the 
appropriate Congressional committees a report every 180 days on any 
subsidies provided by countries exporting softwood lumber or softwood 
lumber products to the United States, including stumpage subsidies.
    The Department submitted its first subsidy report to Congress on 
December 15, 2008, and its second subsidy report on June 15, 2009. As 
part of its newest report, the Department intends to include a list of 
subsidy programs identified with sufficient clarity by the public in 
response to this notice.

Request for Comment

    Given the large number of countries that export softwood lumber and 
softwood lumber products to the United States, we are soliciting public 
comment only on subsidies provided by countries whose exports accounted 
for at least one percent of total U.S. imports of softwood lumber by 
quantity, as classified under Harmonized Tariff Schedule code 4407.1001 
(which accounts for the vast majority of imports), during the period 
January 1 through June 30, 2009. Official U.S. import data published by 
the United States International Trade Commission Tariff and Trade 
DataWeb indicate that exports of softwood lumber from Canada, Chile, 
Germany, Sweden and Brazil each account for at least one percent of 
U.S. imports of softwood lumber products during that time period. We 
intend to rely on similar previous six-month periods to identify the 
countries subject to future reports on softwood lumber subsidies. For 
example, we will rely on U.S. imports of softwood lumber and softwood 
lumber products during the period July 1 through December 31, 2009, to 
select the countries subject to the next report.
    Under U.S. trade law, a subsidy exists where a government 
authority: (i) Provides a financial contribution; (ii) provides any 
form of income or price support within the meaning of Article XVI of 
the GATT 1994; or (iii) makes a payment to a funding mechanism to 
provide a financial contribution to a person, or entrusts or directs a 
private entity to make a financial contribution, if providing the 
contribution would normally be vested in the government and the 
practice does not differ in substance from practices normally followed 
by governments, and a benefit is thereby conferred. See section

[[Page 56595]]

771(5)(B) of the of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended.
    Parties should include in their comments: (1) The country which 
provided the subsidy; (2) the name of the subsidy program; (3) a brief 
(3-4 sentence) description of the subsidy program; and (4) the 
government body or authority that provided the subsidy.

Submission of Comment

    Persons wishing to comment should file a signed original and six 
copies of each set of comments by the date specified above. The 
Department will not accept comments accompanied by a request that a 
part or all of the material be treated confidentially due to business 
proprietary concerns or for any other reason. The Department will 
return such comments and materials to the persons submitting the 
comments and will not include them in its report on softwood lumber 
subsidies. The Department also requests submission of comments in 
electronic form to accompany the required paper copies. Comments filed 
in electronic form should be submitted on CD-ROM with the paper copies 
or by e-mail to the Webmaster below.
    Comments received in electronic form will be made available to the 
public in Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Import Administration 
Web site at the following address: https://ia.ita.doc.gov. Any questions 
concerning file formatting, document conversion, access on the 
Internet, or other electronic filing issues should be addressed to 
Andrew Lee Beller, Import Administration Webmaster, at (202) 482-0866, 
e-mail address: webmaster-support@ita.doc.gov.
    All comments and submissions should be mailed to James Terpstra, 
Import Administration; Subject: Softwood Lumber Subsidies Bi-Annual 
Report: Request for Comment; Room 1870, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230, by no 
later than 5 p.m., on the above-referenced deadline date.

    Dated: October 23, 2009.
John M. Andersen,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing 
Duty Operations.
[FR Doc. E9-26323 Filed 10-30-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P

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