Request for Comments on Iceland's Participation in the Environmental Goods Agreement Negotiations, 4332-4333 [2015-01373]

Download as PDF 4332 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 17 / Tuesday, January 27, 2015 / Notices Any act, executive order, regulation, or procedure subject to, or affected by, this delegation shall be deemed to be such act, executive order, regulation, or procedure as amended from time to time. Notwithstanding this delegation of authority, the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary, and the Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources may at any time exercise any authority or function delegated by this delegation of authority. This delegation of authority shall be published in the Federal Register. Dated: January 7, 2015. John F. Kerry, Secretary of State. [FR Doc. 2015–01450 Filed 1–26–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–10–P OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE Request for Comments on Iceland’s Participation in the Environmental Goods Agreement Negotiations Office of the United States Trade Representative. ACTION: Request for comments. AGENCY: On March 21, 2014, the United States Trade Representative notified Congress of the Administration’s intention to enter into negotiations for a World Trade Organization (WTO) Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA) with an initial group of 13 trading partners. The United States Trade Representative has since notified Congress of the Administration’s intent to join a consensus among EGA participants to invite the Government of Iceland to join the EGA negotiations. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, on behalf of the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC), is seeking public comment regarding U.S. interests and priorities with respect to this initiative to invite Iceland to join the EGA negotiations. DATES: Written comments are due by midnight, March 6, 2015. ADDRESSES: Comments from the public should be submitted electronically at www.regulations.gov. If you are unable to provide submissions at www.regulations.gov, please contact Yvonne Jamison, Trade Policy Coordination Assistant, at (202) 395– 3475, to arrange for an alternative method of transmission. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For procedural questions concerning written comments, please contact Yvonne Jamison, Trade Policy Coordination asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:01 Jan 26, 2015 Jkt 235001 Assistant, at the above number. All other questions regarding this notice should be directed to Bill McElnea, Director for Environment and Natural Resources, at (202) 395–7320. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On March 21, 2014, the United States Trade Representative notified Congress of the Administration’s intention to enter into the EGA negotiations. This notification states that the EGA negotiations ‘‘are open to all WTO Members that are prepared to eliminate tariffs on a set of environmental goods, building on the list of 54 goods endorsed by APEC Leaders as the starting point.’’ A copy of the notification is available at www.ustr.gov/sites/default/files/ 03212014-Letter-to-Congress.pdf. USTR solicited public comments on this initiative through a notification published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2014 (Document number: 2014–06831). Comments received through that process may be reviewed at https://www.regulations.gov under docket number USTR–2014–0004. On July 8, 2014, the United States and 13 other WTO members, accounting for 86 percent of global trade in environmental goods, launched the EGA negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland. In addition to the United States, Australia, Canada, China, Costa Rica, the European Union, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland and Chinese Taipei are participating in the negotiations. The EGA aims to eliminate tariffs on a set of environmental technologies such as wind turbines, water treatment filters, and solar water heaters. WTO members apply tariffs as high as 35 percent on environmental goods. The Government of Iceland notified EGA participants of their interest in joining these negotiations on November 12, 2014. Following this notification of interest, EGA participants agreed to begin any relevant domestic procedures so as to allow Iceland to join the EGA negotiations. On December 12, 2014, the United States Trade Representative notified Congress of the Administration’s intent to join a consensus among EGA participants to invite the Government of Iceland to join the EGA negotiations. The Chair of the TPSC invites interested persons to provide written comments that will assist USTR in assessing Iceland’s potential participation in the EGA negotiations. The TPSC Chair invites comments on all relevant matters, and, in particular, with regard to those environmental goods of PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 which Iceland is a significant producer and consumer, as well as current market conditions for environmental technologies in Iceland. USTR is observing the relevant procedures of the Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2002 (19 U.S.C. 3804) with respect to notifying and consulting with Congress on the invitation of new members to these negotiations. Requirements for Submissions Persons submitting comments must do so in English and must identify (on the first page of the submission) ‘‘Environmental Goods Agreement— New Participant: Iceland’’. In order to be assured of consideration, comments should be submitted by 11:59 p.m., March 6, 2015. In order to ensure the timely receipt and consideration of comments, USTR strongly encourages commenters to make on-line submissions using the www.regulations.gov Web site. To submit comments via www.regulations.gov, enter docket number USTR–2015–0002 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 and click on the link entitled ‘‘Comment Now!’’ (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 Web site allows users to provide comments by filling in a ‘‘Type Comment’’ field, or by attaching a document using an ‘‘Upload File’’ field. USTR prefers that comments be provided in an attached document. If a document is attached, it is sufficient to type ‘‘See attached’’ in the ‘‘Type Comment’’ field. USTR prefers submissions in Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). If the submission is in an application other than those two, please indicate the name of the application in the ‘‘Type Comment’’ field. For any comments submitted electronically containing business confidential information, the file name of the business confidential version should begin with the characters ‘‘BC’’. Any page containing business confidential information must be clearly marked ‘‘BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL’’ on the top of that page. Filers of submissions containing business confidential information must also submit a public version of their comments. The file name of the public version should begin with the character ‘‘P’’. The ‘‘BC’’ and ‘‘P’’ should be E:\FR\FM\27JAN1.SGM 27JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 17 / Tuesday, January 27, 2015 / Notices followed by the name of the person or entity submitting the comments or reply comments. Filers submitting comments containing no business confidential information should name their file using the name of the person or entity submitting the comments. 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. As noted, USTR strongly urges submitters to file comments through www.regulations.gov, if at all possible. Any alternative arrangements must be made with Ms. Jamison in advance of transmitting a comment. Ms. Jamison should be contacted at (202) 395–3475. General information concerning USTR is available at www.ustr.gov. Comments will be placed in the docket and open to public inspection, except business confidential information. Comments may be viewed on the www.regulations.gov Web site by entering the relevant docket number in the search field on the home page. Douglas Bell, Chair, Trade Policy Staff Committee. [FR Doc. 2015–01373 Filed 1–26–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3290–F5–P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES January 22, 2015. The Department of the Treasury will submit the following information collection requests to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13, on or after the date of publication of this notice. DATES: Comments should be received on or before February 26, 2015 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the burden estimate, or any other aspect of the information collection, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to (1) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for Treasury, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, or email at OIRA_Submission@ OMB.EOP.gov and (2) Treasury PRA Clearance Officer, 1750 Pennsylvania VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:01 Jan 26, 2015 Jkt 235001 Ave. NW., Suite 8140, Washington, DC 20220, or email at PRA@treasury.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 927–5331, email at PRA@treasury.gov, or the entire information collection request may be found at www.reginfo.gov. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) OMB Number: 1545–0216. Type of Review: Reinstatement without change of a previously approved collection. Title: International Boycott Report. Form: 5713. Abstract: Form 5713 and related Schedules A, B, and C are used by any entity that has operations in a ‘‘boycotting’’ country. If that entity cooperates with or participates in an international boycott it loses a portion of the foreign tax credit, or deferral of FSC and IC–DISC benefits. The IRS uses Form 5713 to determine if any of the above benefits should be lost. The information is also used as the basis for a report to Congress. Affected Public: Private Sector: Businesses or other for-profits. Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 69,495. OMB Number: 1545–1421. Type of Review: Reinstatement without change of a previously approved collection. Title: Certain Elections Under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (TD 8688-final). Abstract: These regulations establish various elections enacted by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (Act). The regulations provide guidance that enable taxpayers to take advantage of various benefits provided by the Act and the Internal Revenue Code. Affected Public: Private Sector: Businesses or other for-profits. Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 202,500. OMB Number: 1545–1590. Type of Review: Reinstatement without change of a previously approved collection. Title: REG–251698–96 (TD 8869— Final) Subchapter S Subsidiaries. Abstract: The IRS will use the information provided by taxpayers to determine whether a corporation should be treated as an S corporation, a C Corporation, or an entity that is disregarded for federal tax purposes. The collection of information covered in the regulation is necessary for a taxpayer to obtain, retain, or terminate S corporation treatment. Affected Public: Private Sector: Businesses or other for-profits. PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 4333 Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 10,110. OMB Number: 1545–1647. Type of Review: Reinstatement without change of a previously approved collection. Title: Revenue Procedure 2001–21, Debt Roll-Ups. Abstract: This revenue procedure provides for an election that will facilitate the consolidation of two or more outstanding debt instruments into a single debt instrument. Under the election, taxpayers can treat certain exchanges of debt instruments as realization events for federal income tax purposes even though the exchanges do not result in significant modifications under section 1.1001–33 of the Income Tax Regulations. Affected Public: Private Sector: Businesses and other for-profits. Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 75. Dawn D. Wolfgang, Treasury PRA Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2015–01389 Filed 1–26–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4830–01–P UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE Board of Directors Meeting United States Institute of Peace. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: Board of Directors meeting. Friday, January 23, 2015 (10 a.m.–4 p.m.). ADDRESSES: 2301 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20037. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Denson Staples, Assistant to the Board Liaison, Email: dstaples@usip.org. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Status: Open Session—Portions may be closed pursuant to Subsection (c) of Section 552(b) of Title 5, United States Code, as provided in subsection 1706(h)(3) of the United States Institute of Peace Act, Public Law 98–525. Agenda: January 23, 2015 Board Meeting; Approval of Minutes of the One Hundred Fifty-Third Meeting (October 20, 2014) of the Board of Directors; Welcome New President Nancy Lindborg; Chairman’s Report; Acting President’s Report; Strategic Plan Evaluation Update; Impact Initiative; Project Updates; Other General Issues. SUMMARY: DATES: Dated: January 20, 2015. Michael Graham, Senior Vice President for Management and Chief Financial Officer, United States Institute of Peace. [FR Doc. 2015–01244 Filed 1–26–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820–AR–P E:\FR\FM\27JAN1.SGM 27JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 17 (Tuesday, January 27, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4332-4333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01373]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Request for Comments on Iceland's Participation in the 
Environmental Goods Agreement Negotiations

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: On March 21, 2014, the United States Trade Representative 
notified Congress of the Administration's intention to enter into 
negotiations for a World Trade Organization (WTO) Environmental Goods 
Agreement (EGA) with an initial group of 13 trading partners. The 
United States Trade Representative has since notified Congress of the 
Administration's intent to join a consensus among EGA participants to 
invite the Government of Iceland to join the EGA negotiations. The 
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, on behalf of the Trade Policy 
Staff Committee (TPSC), is seeking public comment regarding U.S. 
interests and priorities with respect to this initiative to invite 
Iceland to join the EGA negotiations.

DATES: Written comments are due by midnight, March 6, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Comments from the public should be submitted electronically 
at www.regulations.gov. If you are unable to provide submissions at 
www.regulations.gov, please contact Yvonne Jamison, Trade Policy 
Coordination Assistant, at (202) 395-3475, to arrange for an 
alternative method of transmission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For procedural questions concerning 
written comments, please contact Yvonne Jamison, Trade Policy 
Coordination Assistant, at the above number. All other questions 
regarding this notice should be directed to Bill McElnea, Director for 
Environment and Natural Resources, at (202) 395-7320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 21, 2014, the United States Trade Representative notified 
Congress of the Administration's intention to enter into the EGA 
negotiations. This notification states that the EGA negotiations ``are 
open to all WTO Members that are prepared to eliminate tariffs on a set 
of environmental goods, building on the list of 54 goods endorsed by 
APEC Leaders as the starting point.'' A copy of the notification is 
available at www.ustr.gov/sites/default/files/03212014-Letter-to-Congress.pdf. USTR solicited public comments on this initiative through 
a notification published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2014 
(Document number: 2014-06831). Comments received through that process 
may be reviewed at https://www.regulations.gov under docket number USTR-
2014-0004.
    On July 8, 2014, the United States and 13 other WTO members, 
accounting for 86 percent of global trade in environmental goods, 
launched the EGA negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland. In addition to 
the United States, Australia, Canada, China, Costa Rica, the European 
Union, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, 
Switzerland and Chinese Taipei are participating in the negotiations. 
The EGA aims to eliminate tariffs on a set of environmental 
technologies such as wind turbines, water treatment filters, and solar 
water heaters. WTO members apply tariffs as high as 35 percent on 
environmental goods.
    The Government of Iceland notified EGA participants of their 
interest in joining these negotiations on November 12, 2014. Following 
this notification of interest, EGA participants agreed to begin any 
relevant domestic procedures so as to allow Iceland to join the EGA 
negotiations. On December 12, 2014, the United States Trade 
Representative notified Congress of the Administration's intent to join 
a consensus among EGA participants to invite the Government of Iceland 
to join the EGA negotiations.
    The Chair of the TPSC invites interested persons to provide written 
comments that will assist USTR in assessing Iceland's potential 
participation in the EGA negotiations. The TPSC Chair invites comments 
on all relevant matters, and, in particular, with regard to those 
environmental goods of which Iceland is a significant producer and 
consumer, as well as current market conditions for environmental 
technologies in Iceland.
    USTR is observing the relevant procedures of the Bipartisan Trade 
Promotion Authority Act of 2002 (19 U.S.C. 3804) with respect to 
notifying and consulting with Congress on the invitation of new members 
to these negotiations.

Requirements for Submissions

    Persons submitting comments must do so in English and must identify 
(on the first page of the submission) ``Environmental Goods Agreement--
New Participant: Iceland''. In order to be assured of consideration, 
comments should be submitted by 11:59 p.m., March 6, 2015. In order to 
ensure the timely receipt and consideration of comments, USTR strongly 
encourages commenters to make on-line submissions using the 
www.regulations.gov Web site. To submit comments via 
www.regulations.gov, enter docket number USTR-2015-0002 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 and click on the link entitled ``Comment Now!'' (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 Web site allows users to provide comments 
by filling in a ``Type Comment'' field, or by attaching a document 
using an ``Upload File'' field. USTR prefers that comments be provided 
in an attached document. If a document is attached, it is sufficient to 
type ``See attached'' in the ``Type Comment'' field. USTR prefers 
submissions in Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). If the 
submission is in an application other than those two, please indicate 
the name of the application in the ``Type Comment'' field. For any 
comments submitted electronically containing business confidential 
information, the file name of the business confidential version should 
begin with the characters ``BC''. Any page containing business 
confidential information must be clearly marked ``BUSINESS 
CONFIDENTIAL'' on the top of that page. Filers of submissions 
containing business confidential information must also submit a public 
version of their comments. The file name of the public version should 
begin with the character ``P''. The ``BC'' and ``P'' should be

[[Page 4333]]

followed by the name of the person or entity submitting the comments or 
reply comments. Filers submitting comments containing no business 
confidential information should name their file using the name of the 
person or entity submitting the comments. 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.
    As noted, USTR strongly urges submitters to file comments through 
www.regulations.gov, if at all possible. Any alternative arrangements 
must be made with Ms. Jamison in advance of transmitting a comment. Ms. 
Jamison should be contacted at (202) 395-3475. General information 
concerning USTR is available at www.ustr.gov. Comments will be placed 
in the docket and open to public inspection, except business 
confidential information. Comments may be viewed on the 
www.regulations.gov Web site by entering the relevant docket number in 
the search field on the home page.

Douglas Bell,
Chair, Trade Policy Staff Committee.
[FR Doc. 2015-01373 Filed 1-26-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3290-F5-P
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