Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), as Amended: Request for Public Comments Regarding Beneficiary Countries, 24555-24556 [2012-9838]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 79 / Tuesday, April 24, 2012 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 7853] Determination on Foreign Military Financing Assistance for Egypt Pursuant to section 7041(a)(1)(C) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2012 (Div. I, Pub. L. 112–74) (‘‘the Act’’), I hereby determine that it is in the national security interest of the United States to waive the requirements of section 7041(a)(1)(B) of the Act with respect to the provision of Foreign Military Financing for Egypt, and I hereby waive this restriction. This determination shall be published in the Federal Register and, along with the accompanying Memorandum of Justification, shall be reported to Congress. Dated: March 23, 2012. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State. [FR Doc. 2012–9870 Filed 4–23–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–31–P TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY Sunshine Act Meeting Notice Meeting No. 12–02 April 26, 2012 The TVA Board of Directors will hold a public meeting on April 26, 2012, in the Grand Ballroom at the General Morgan Inn, 111 North Main Street, Greeneville, Tennessee. The public may comment on any agenda item or subject at a public listening session which begins at 8:30 a.m. (ET). Following the end of the public listening session, the meeting will be called to order to consider the agenda items listed below. On-site registration will be available until 15 minutes before the public listening session begins at 8:30 a.m. (ET). Pre-registered speakers will address the Board first. TVA management will answer questions from the news media following the Board meeting. Status: Open. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Agenda Chairman’s Welcome. Old Business Approval of minutes of February 16, 2012, Board Meeting New Business 1. Report from President and CEO 2. Financial Update 3. Report of the Finance, Rates, and Portfolio Committee VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:40 Apr 23, 2012 Jkt 226001 A. Proposed contract with Holtec, Inc., for Dry Cask Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel B. Proposed Optional Wholesale Rates C. Contract amendments with two directly served industrial customers D. Proposed contract with Energy Northwest for uranium and uranium enrichment services 4. Joint Report of the Finance, Rates, and Portfolio Committee and the Nuclear Oversight Committee A. Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Unit 2 Cost and Schedule Estimate 5. Report of the Nuclear Oversight Committee A. Nuclear Safety Policy 6. Report of the People and Performance Committee 7. Report of the Audit, Risk, and Regulation Committee 8. Report of the External Relations Committee A. Renewal of the Regional Resource Stewardship Council Charter For more information: Please call TVA Media Relations at (865) 632–6000, Knoxville, Tennessee. People who plan to attend the meeting and have special needs should call (865) 632–6000. Anyone who wishes to comment on any of the agenda in writing may send their comments to: TVA Board of Directors, Board Agenda Comments, 400 West Summit Hill Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902. Dated: April 19, 2012. Ralph E. Rodgers, General Counsel and Secretary. [FR Doc. 2012–9918 Filed 4–20–12; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 8120–08–P OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), as Amended: Request for Public Comments Regarding Beneficiary Countries Office of the United States Trade Representative. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. AGENCY: In compliance with section 203(f) of the ATPA, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 3202(f)(2), the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is requesting the views of interested parties on whether the remaining designated beneficiary country (as of May 15, 2012), Ecuador, is meeting the eligibility criteria under the ATPA. (See 19 U.S.C. 3203(b)(6)(B)). This information will be used in the preparation of a report to the Congress on the operation of the program. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00101 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 24555 Public comments are due at USTR by noon, May 22, 2012. ADDRESSES: Public comments should be submitted electronically to www.regulations.gov, docket number USTR–2012–0006. If you are unable to provide submissions through www.regulations.gov, please contact Bennett Harman, at (202) 395–9446 to arrange for an alternative method of transmission. DATES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bennett Harman, Deputy Assistant USTR for Latin America, at (202) 395– 9446. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ATPA, as amended by the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act of 2002 (ATPDEA) in the Trade Act of 2002, 19 U.S.C. 3201 et seq., provides trade benefits for eligible Andean countries. The original Act allowed only Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru to be considered as beneficiary countries if they met eligibility requirements laid out in 19 U.S.C. 3203(b)(6)(B). In Proclamation 8323 of November 25, 2008, the President determined that Bolivia no longer satisfies the eligibility criteria related to counternarcotics and suspended Bolivia’s status as a beneficiary country for purposes of the ATPA and ATPDEA. In a June 30, 2009 report to Congress, the President did not determine that Bolivia satisfies the requirements set forth in section 203(c) of the ATPA (19 U.S.C. 3202(c)) for being designated as a beneficiary country. Therefore, as provided for in section 208(a)(3) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 3206(a)(3)), no duty free treatment or other preferential treatment extended under the ATPA remained in effect with respect to Bolivia after June 30, 2009. Further, Section 201 of the Omnibus Trade Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111–344), which re-authorized the ATPDEA, terminated any duty free treatment or other preferential treatment available under ATPDEA to Peru, effective December 31, 2010. On February 12, 2011, the trade benefits conferred under the ATPDEA lapsed but were re-instated retroactively on October 21, 2011 for eligible countries via section 501 of the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 3805 Note). Since January 1, 2011, only Ecuador and Colombia have been eligible beneficiary countries, pursuant to statute. Colombia will no longer be an eligible beneficial country under the ATPDEA as of May 15, 2012, when the U.S.–Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement enters into force (19 U.S.C. 3805 Note). E:\FR\FM\24APN1.SGM 24APN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 24556 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 79 / Tuesday, April 24, 2012 / Notices Section 203(f) of the ATPA (19 U.S.C. 3202(f)) requires the USTR, not later than June 30, 2012, to submit to Congress a report on the operation of the ATPA. Before submitting such report, USTR is required to request comments on whether beneficiary countries are meeting the criteria set forth in 19 U.S.C. 3203(b)(6)(B) (which incorporates by reference the criteria set forth in sections 3202(c) and (d)). USTR refers interested parties to the Federal Register notice published on August 15, 2002 (67 FR 53379), for a full list of the eligibility criteria. Public Comment Requirements for Submissions: Persons submitting written comments must do so in English and must identify (on the first page of the submission) ‘‘USTR Report on Operation of the Andean Trade Preference Act.’’ Persons may submit public comments electronically to www.regulations.gov docket number USTR–2012–0006. In order to be assured of consideration, comments should be submitted by noon, May 22, 2012. To submit comments via www.regulations.gov, enter docket number USTR–2012–0006 on the home page and click ‘‘search.’’ The site will provide a search-results page listing all documents associated with this docket. Find a reference to this notice by selecting ‘‘Notice’’ under ‘‘Document Type’’ on the left side of the searchresults page, and click on the link entitled ‘‘Submit a Comment.’’ (For further information on using the www.regulations.gov Web site, please consult the resources provided on the Web site by clicking on ‘‘How to Use This Site’’ on the left side of the home page.) The www.regulations.gov site provides the option of providing comments by filling in a ‘‘Type Comments’’ field, or by attaching a document using an ‘‘Upload File’’ field. It is expected that most comments will be provided in an attached document. If a document is attached, it is sufficient to type ‘‘see attached’’ in the ‘‘Type Comments’’ field. A person requesting that information contained in a comment submitted by that person be treated as confidential business information must certify that such information is business confidential and would not customarily be released to the public by the submitter. Confidential business information must be clearly designated as such and the submission must be marked ‘‘BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL’’ at the top and bottom of the cover page and each succeeding page. Any comment containing business VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:40 Apr 23, 2012 Jkt 226001 confidential information must be submitted by fax to Bennett Harman at (202) 395–9675. A non-confidential summary of the confidential information must be submitted to www.regulations.gov. The nonconfidential summary will be placed in the docket and open to public inspection. Information or advice contained in a comment submitted, other than business confidential information, may be determined by USTR to be confidential in accordance with section 135(g)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2155(g)(2). If the submitter believes that information or advice may qualify as such, the submitter— (1) Must clearly so designate the information or advice; (2) Must clearly mark the material as ‘‘SUBMITTED IN CONFIDENCE’’ at the top and bottom of the cover page and each succeeding page; and (3) Must provide a non-confidential summary of the information or advice. Any comment containing confidential information must be submitted by fax. A non-confidential summary of the confidential information must be submitted to www.regulations.gov. The non-confidential summary will be placed in the docket and open to public inspection. Please do not attach separate cover letters to electronic submissions; rather, include any information that might appear in a cover letter in the comments themselves. Similarly, to the extent possible, please include any exhibits, annexes, or other attachments in the same file as the submission itself, not as separate files. USTR strongly urges submitters to file comments through www.regulations.gov, if at all possible. Any alternative arrangements must be made with Bennett Harman in advance of transmitting a comment. Mr. Harman should be contacted at (202) 395–9446. General information concerning USTR is available at https://www.ustr.gov. Inspection of Submissions: Submissions in response to this notice, except for information granted ‘‘business confidential’’ status, will be available for public viewing at https:// www.regulations.gov. Such submissions may be viewed by entering the docket number USTR–2012–0006 in the search field at: https://www.regulations.gov. Douglas Bell, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Trade Policy & Economics. [FR Doc. 2012–9838 Filed 4–23–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Waiver of Acceptable Risk Restriction for Launch and Reentry Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of waiver. AGENCY: This notice concerns two petitions for waiver submitted to the FAA by Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX): a petition to waive the restriction that the risk to the public from the launch of an expendable launch vehicle not exceed an expected average number of 0.00003 casualties (Ec ≤30 × 10¥6) from debris; and a petition to waive the restriction that the combined risk to the public from the launch and reentry of a reentry vehicle not exceed an expected average number of 0.00003 casualties (Ec ≤30 × 10¥6). The FAA grants both petitions. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical questions concerning this waiver, contact Charles P. Brinkman, Licensing Program Lead, Commercial Space Transportation—Licensing and Evaluation Division, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267–7715; email: Phil.Brinkman@faa.gov. For legal questions concerning this waiver, contact Laura Montgomery, Senior Attorney for Commercial Space Transportation, AGC–200, Office of the Chief Counsel, Regulations Division, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267–3150; email: Laura.Montgomery@faa.gov. SUMMARY: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On August 12, 2011, SpaceX submitted a petition, which it updated on February 9, 2012, to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) requesting two waivers with respect to launch and reentry licenses for flight 003 of a Falcon 9 launch vehicle (Falcon 9 003) carrying a Dragon reentry vehicle. First, SpaceX requested a waiver of 14 CFR 417.107(b)(1), which prohibits the launch of an expendable launch vehicle if the total expected average number of casualties (Ec) for the launch exceeds 0.00003 for risk from debris. Second, SpaceX requested a waiver of 14 CFR 431.35(b)(1)(i),1 which prohibits a 1 Even though Dragon is a reentry vehicle and not a reusable launch vehicle, 14 CFR 435.35 E:\FR\FM\24APN1.SGM 24APN1

Agencies

Office of the United States Trade Representative

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 24, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24555-24556]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9838]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), as Amended: Request for 
Public Comments Regarding Beneficiary Countries

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: In compliance with section 203(f) of the ATPA, as amended, 19 
U.S.C. 3202(f)(2), the Office of the United States Trade Representative 
(USTR) is requesting the views of interested parties on whether the 
remaining designated beneficiary country (as of May 15, 2012), Ecuador, 
is meeting the eligibility criteria under the ATPA. (See 19 U.S.C. 
3203(b)(6)(B)). This information will be used in the preparation of a 
report to the Congress on the operation of the program.

DATES: Public comments are due at USTR by noon, May 22, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Public comments should be submitted electronically to 
www.regulations.gov, docket number USTR-2012-0006. If you are unable to 
provide submissions through www.regulations.gov, please contact Bennett 
Harman, at (202) 395-9446 to arrange for an alternative method of 
transmission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bennett Harman, Deputy Assistant USTR 
for Latin America, at (202) 395-9446.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ATPA, as amended by the Andean Trade 
Promotion and Drug Eradication Act of 2002 (ATPDEA) in the Trade Act of 
2002, 19 U.S.C. 3201 et seq., provides trade benefits for eligible 
Andean countries. The original Act allowed only Bolivia, Ecuador, 
Colombia, and Peru to be considered as beneficiary countries if they 
met eligibility requirements laid out in 19 U.S.C. 3203(b)(6)(B).
    In Proclamation 8323 of November 25, 2008, the President determined 
that Bolivia no longer satisfies the eligibility criteria related to 
counternarcotics and suspended Bolivia's status as a beneficiary 
country for purposes of the ATPA and ATPDEA. In a June 30, 2009 report 
to Congress, the President did not determine that Bolivia satisfies the 
requirements set forth in section 203(c) of the ATPA (19 U.S.C. 
3202(c)) for being designated as a beneficiary country. Therefore, as 
provided for in section 208(a)(3) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 3206(a)(3)), no 
duty free treatment or other preferential treatment extended under the 
ATPA remained in effect with respect to Bolivia after June 30, 2009.
    Further, Section 201 of the Omnibus Trade Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-
344), which re-authorized the ATPDEA, terminated any duty free 
treatment or other preferential treatment available under ATPDEA to 
Peru, effective December 31, 2010.
    On February 12, 2011, the trade benefits conferred under the ATPDEA 
lapsed but were re-instated retroactively on October 21, 2011 for 
eligible countries via section 501 of the United States-Colombia Trade 
Promotion Agreement Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 3805 Note). Since 
January 1, 2011, only Ecuador and Colombia have been eligible 
beneficiary countries, pursuant to statute. Colombia will no longer be 
an eligible beneficial country under the ATPDEA as of May 15, 2012, 
when the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement enters into force (19 
U.S.C. 3805 Note).

[[Page 24556]]

    Section 203(f) of the ATPA (19 U.S.C. 3202(f)) requires the USTR, 
not later than June 30, 2012, to submit to Congress a report on the 
operation of the ATPA. Before submitting such report, USTR is required 
to request comments on whether beneficiary countries are meeting the 
criteria set forth in 19 U.S.C. 3203(b)(6)(B) (which incorporates by 
reference the criteria set forth in sections 3202(c) and (d)). USTR 
refers interested parties to the Federal Register notice published on 
August 15, 2002 (67 FR 53379), for a full list of the eligibility 
criteria.
    Public Comment Requirements for Submissions: Persons submitting 
written comments must do so in English and must identify (on the first 
page of the submission) ``USTR Report on Operation of the Andean Trade 
Preference Act.'' Persons may submit public comments electronically to 
www.regulations.gov docket number USTR-2012-0006. In order to be 
assured of consideration, comments should be submitted by noon, May 22, 
2012.
    To submit comments via www.regulations.gov, enter docket number 
USTR-2012-0006 on the home page and click ``search.'' The site will 
provide a search-results page listing all documents associated with 
this docket. Find a reference to this notice by selecting ``Notice'' 
under ``Document Type'' on the left side of the search-results page, 
and click on the link entitled ``Submit a Comment.'' (For further 
information on using the www.regulations.gov Web site, please consult 
the resources provided on the Web site by clicking on ``How to Use This 
Site'' on the left side of the home page.)
    The www.regulations.gov site provides the option of providing 
comments by filling in a ``Type Comments'' field, or by attaching a 
document using an ``Upload File'' field. It is expected that most 
comments will be provided in an attached document. If a document is 
attached, it is sufficient to type ``see attached'' in the ``Type 
Comments'' field.
    A person requesting that information contained in a comment 
submitted by that person be treated as confidential business 
information must certify that such information is business confidential 
and would not customarily be released to the public by the submitter. 
Confidential business information must be clearly designated as such 
and the submission must be marked ``BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL'' at the top 
and bottom of the cover page and each succeeding page. Any comment 
containing business confidential information must be submitted by fax 
to Bennett Harman at (202) 395-9675. A non-confidential summary of the 
confidential information must be submitted to www.regulations.gov. The 
non-confidential summary will be placed in the docket and open to 
public inspection.
    Information or advice contained in a comment submitted, other than 
business confidential information, may be determined by USTR to be 
confidential in accordance with section 135(g)(2) of the Trade Act of 
1974 (19 U.S.C. 2155(g)(2). If the submitter believes that information 
or advice may qualify as such, the submitter--
    (1) Must clearly so designate the information or advice;
    (2) Must clearly mark the material as ``SUBMITTED IN CONFIDENCE'' 
at the top and bottom of the cover page and each succeeding page; and
    (3) Must provide a non-confidential summary of the information or 
advice.
    Any comment containing confidential information must be submitted 
by fax. A non-confidential summary of the confidential information must 
be submitted to www.regulations.gov. The non-confidential summary will 
be placed in the docket and open to public inspection.
    Please do not attach separate cover letters to electronic 
submissions; rather, include any information that might appear in a 
cover letter in the comments themselves. Similarly, to the extent 
possible, please include any exhibits, annexes, or other attachments in 
the same file as the submission itself, not as separate files.
    USTR strongly urges submitters to file comments through 
www.regulations.gov, if at all possible. Any alternative arrangements 
must be made with Bennett Harman in advance of transmitting a comment. 
Mr. Harman should be contacted at (202) 395-9446. General information 
concerning USTR is available at https://www.ustr.gov.
    Inspection of Submissions: Submissions in response to this notice, 
except for information granted ``business confidential'' status, will 
be available for public viewing at https://www.regulations.gov. Such 
submissions may be viewed by entering the docket number USTR-2012-0006 
in the search field at: https://www.regulations.gov.

Douglas Bell,
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Trade Policy & Economics.
[FR Doc. 2012-9838 Filed 4-23-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P

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