[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 3, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5312-5313]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-2548]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation 332-404]


Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE): Conditions Affecting the 
Domestic Industry

Effective Date: January 27, 1999.
AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

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SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on December 23, 1998, from the 
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-404, Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE): 
Conditions Affecting the Domestic Industry, under section 332(g) of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Industry-specific information may be 
obtained from Ms. Elizabeth R. Nesbitt, the Project Leader (202-205-
3355) or Mr. Christopher Robinson, the Deputy Project Leader (202-205-
2334), Office of Industries, U.S. International Trade Commission, 
Washington, DC, 20436. For information on the legal aspects of this 
investigation contact Mr. William Gearhart of the Office of the General 
Counsel (202-205-3091). Hearing impaired individuals are advised that 
information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD 
terminal on (202) 205-1810.

Background

    The USTR requested that the Commission conduct an investigation and 
provide a report concerning conditions affecting the U.S. methyl 
tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) industry. The Commission is requested to 
provide the study within 9 months of receipt of the letter, or by 
September 23, 1999.
    As requested by the USTR, the Commission will provide the following 
information in its report, to the extent that such information is 
available:

    (1) an overview of the global market for MTBE, including 
consumption, production, capacity, and trade trends during 1994-98, 
emphasizing the United States and Saudi Arabia;
    (2) a description of the domestic MTBE market, and the major 
factors affecting it, including imports of MTBE, especially from 
Saudi Arabia;
    (3) an overview of the current MTBE production processes, with 
information on costs of production, including those of its major raw 
material components, and the principal sources of these feedstocks 
in the United States, as well as in Saudi Arabia; and
    (4) profiles of the U.S. and Saudi Arabian MTBE industries and 
importers, including information on their patterns of ownership and 
investment, as well as government policies affecting production, 
investment, and trade of MTBE. Examples of such policies identified 
by the USTR include industrial policies, trade policies, and other 
governmental measures that may affect the cost of raw materials, 
transportation, and other relevant competitive factors.

    In the request letter, the USTR notes that the United States is a 
significant producer and consumer of MTBE, a chemical used primarily as 
an oxygenate for gasoline. The USTR stated that U.S. producers of MTBE 
have expressed concerns about competitive conditions affecting their 
industry, including increased MTBE imports from Saudi Arabia, and that 
the producers believe that these increased imports are the indirect 
result of the Saudi Arabian government's provision of butane feedstock 
to domestic MTBE producers at a substantial discount to world market 
prices.

Public Hearing

    A public hearing in connection with the investigation will be held 
at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW, 
Washington, DC, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on April 1, 1999. All persons 
shall have the right to appear, by counsel or in person, to present 
information and to be heard. Requests to appear at the public hearing 
should be filed with the Secretary, United States International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, no later than 5:15 
p.m., March 17, 1999. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) 
should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., March 19, 1999; the deadline 
for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., April 14, 
1999. In the event that, as of the close of business on March 17, 1999, 
no witnesses are scheduled to appear at the hearing, the hearing will 
be canceled. Any person interested in attending the hearing as an 
observer or non-participant may call the Secretary of the Commission 
(202-205-1806) after March 17, 1999, to determine whether the hearing 
will be held.

Written Submissions

    In lieu of or in addition to participating in the hearing, 
interested parties are invited to submit written statements concerning 
the matters to be addressed by the Commission in its report on this 
investigation. Commercial or financial information that a submitter 
desires the Commission to treat as confidential must be submitted on 
separate sheets of paper, each clearly marked ``Confidential Business 
Information'' at the top. All submissions requesting confidential 
treatment must conform with the requirements of section Sec. 201.6 of 
the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). All 
written submissions, except for confidential business information, will 
be made available in the Office of the Secretary of the Commission for 
inspection by interested parties. To be assured of consideration by the 
Commission, written statements relating to the Commission's report 
should be submitted to the Commission at the

[[Page 5313]]

earliest practical date and should be received no later than the close 
of business on April 14, 1999. All submissions should be addressed to 
the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E 
Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. The Commission's rules do not 
authorize filing submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or 
electronic means.
    Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance 
in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the 
Secretary at 202-205-2000. General information concerning the 
Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server 
(http://www.usitc.gov).

List of Subjects

    Methyl tertiary butyl ether, MTBE, oxygenates, ethanol, 
reformulated gasoline, butane, and Saudi Arabia.

    Issued: January 27, 1999.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-2548 Filed 2-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P