[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 235 (Thursday, December 5, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 64538-64539] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-30919] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF LABOR [TA-W-32,252; TA-W-32,252A, and TA-W-32,252B] Penn Virginia Oil and Gas Corporation Located in Tennessee, West Virginia, and Kentucky; Notice of Negative Determination on Reconsideration on Remand The United States Court of International Trade (USCIT) granted the Secretary of Labor's motion for a voluntary remand for further investigation in Former Employees of Penn Virginia Oil & Gas Corp. v. Reich, No. (86-06-01612). The Department's initial denial for the workers of Penn Virginia Oil and Gas Corporation, Kingsport, Tennessee, and the states of West Virginia and Kentucky, issued on May 17, 1996, and published in the Federal Register on June 6, 1996, (61 FR 28,900), was based on the fact that sales and production increased in the relevant period, and on the fact that layoffs at the subject firm are attributable to a corporate decision to consolidate its operation, subcontracting the production of the subject firm to another domestic oil and gas producer. The workers at Penn Virginia Oil and Gas Corporation, Kingsport, Tennessee, and the states of West Virginia and Kentucky, are engaged in employment related to the production of crude oil and natural gas. Former workers of the subject firm contend that the determination was based on what the company said rather than the actual sales and production figures. Also, petitioner submitted reports from the GRI Baseline Projection of U.S. Energy Supply and Demand and from the Department of Energy projecting increased imports of gas. In addition, it was pointed out that a neighboring oil and gas firm, Equitable Resources Exploration Company, was certified at approximately the same time as the subject firm's layoff. Findings on remand with regard to the subject firm's sales and production show that the dollar value of natural gas sales increased in 1995 compared with 1994, and also increased in the first three months of 1996 compared with the same period of 1995. Production of natural gas, measured in quantity (BcF), also increased in both of the above sets of time periods. Crude oil sales accounted for approximately 6.1 percent of the subject firm's combined oil and gas sales revenue in 1995. Sales and production figures for crude oil were deemed to be insufficiently large to be considered in determining import impact. Other findings on remand show that dry natural gas imports into the United [[Page 64539]] States are relatively low, not exceeding 15 percent of total shipments in the last three years. U.S. imports of dry natural gas declined as a percent of total U.S. shipments in January to May, 1996, compared with the same period of 1995. Projections of future aggregate imports, such as those of the GRI Baseline Projection of U.S. Energy Supply and Demand, cannot be used in determining import impact under the Trade Act of 1974. With regard to the certification of workers at Equitable Resources Energy Company (TA-W-32,251), the record shows that that certification was based on Equitable Resources' increasing corporate imports of natural gas in the relevant time period. Penn Virginia Oil and Gas Corporation did not import crude oil or natural gas. Conclusion After reconsideration on remand, I affirm the original notice of negative determination of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance for workers and formers workers of Penn Virginia Oil and Gas Corporation, Kingsport, Tennessee, and the states of West Virginia and Kentucky. Signed in Washington, D.C. this 22nd day of November, 1996. Russell T. Kile, Program Manager, Policy and Reemployment Services, Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance. [FR Doc. 96-30919 Filed 12-4-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-30-M