[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 17, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9519-S9520]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself, Mr. Hollings and Mr. Thurmond):
  S. 1187. A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on ferroboron; to the 
Committee on Finance.


                      DUTY SUSPENSION LEGISLATION

  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation 
with Senators Hollings and Thurmond to temporarily suspend the rate of 
duty imposed on imported ferroboron. Ferroboron is the key raw material 
in amorphous metal electrical power distribution transformer cores. 
Transformers using these cores reduce energy losses and greenhouse gas 
emissions associated with these losses by 60 to 80 percent when 
compared to other transformer core technologies. This provides both 
increased energy conservation and decreases environmental

[[Page S9520]]

degradation in those developing nations where the most promising market 
opportunities exist.
  While these benefits are tangible and significant, they, and the 
extensive research and development that yielded them, are costly. An 
amorphous metal transformer has an initial cost 20 to 30 percent higher 
than the less energy efficient and environmentally friendly 
transformers it seeks to replace. Fortunately, because of its many 
benefits, the total owning cost of an amorphous metal transformer over 
its 20- to 30-year life is far lower than the initially cheaper 
competition. Reducing the cost of an important and costly raw material, 
by suspending the duty paid on it, helps to ensure the cost-
competitiveness of the end product in the export markets. This is good 
for manufacturers, for American workers, and for our economy.
  Mr. President, I have received assurances from my constituent, 
AlliedSignal, Inc., that there is no U.S. manufacturer of ferroboron, 
thus, this legislation does not adversely affect any American business.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1187

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF DUTY.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 99 of the 
     Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by 
     inserting in numerical sequence the following new heading:

``9902.72.0  Ferroboron           Free    No        No        On or     
 2.           (provided for in             change    change    before 12/
              subheading                                       31/      
              7202.99.50.                                      2000''.  
                                                                        

       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to goods entered, or withdrawn from 
     warehouse for consumption, on or after the date that is 15 
     days after the date of enactment of this Act.
                                 ______