[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 154 (Wednesday, August 11, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48884-48885]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-18315]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-461]


Air and Noise Pollution Abatement Services: An Examination of 
U.S. and Foreign Markets

AGENCY: International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

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DATES: Effective August 4, 2004.

SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on July 12, 2004 from the 
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-461, Air and Noise Pollution Abatement Services: 
An Examination of U.S. and Foreign Markets, under section 332(g) of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information specific to this 
investigation may be obtained from Jennifer Baumert, Project Leader 
(202-204-3450; [email protected]), Eric Forden, Deputy Project 
Leader, (202-205-3235; [email protected]), or Richard Brown, Chief, 
Services and Investment Division (202-205-3438; 
[email protected]), Office of Industries, U.S. International 
Trade Commission, Washington, DC, 20436. For information on the legal 
aspects of this investigation, contact William Gearhart of the Office 
of the General Counsel (202-205-3091; [email protected]). 
Hearing impaired individuals are advised that information on this 
matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD terminal on (202)-205-
1810.
    Background: As requested by the USTR, the Commission's report will, 
to the extent possible, (1) provide an overview of foreign and domestic 
markets for air and noise pollution abatement services; (2) examine 
trade and investment in air and noise pollution abatement services 
markets, including barriers affecting such trade and investment, if 
any; and (3) if possible, discuss existing regulatory practices that 
generate demand for the subject services. USTR has requested that the 
Commission's study include examples from both developed- and 
developing-country markets. In addition, the USTR has asked the 
Commission to include examples--as appropriate--from those economies 
with which the United States has established, or is in the process of 
negotiating, a free trade arrangement. To the extent possible, the 
Commission is also requested to present information on

[[Page 48885]]

trade and market conditions for those goods related to the subject 
environmental services. For the purpose of this study, air and noise 
pollution abatement services are defined to include control services of 
indoor or outdoor air pollution originating from stationary or mobile 
sources; services related to the trade of air pollution emission 
rights; services related to the monitoring, assessment, or control of 
acid rain; services related to the study of the relationship between 
air pollution and climate; noise pollution abatement and control 
services; testing and monitoring of air or noise pollution; and other 
services incidental to air and noise pollution abatement.
    The USTR asked that the Commission furnish its report by April 1, 
2005, and that the Commission make the report available to the public 
in its entirety.
    The USTR letter also requests an investigation on renewable energy 
services. In response, the Commission has instituted Investigation No. 
332-462, Renewable Energy Services: An Examination of U.S. and Foreign 
Markets, which is due to the USTR on October 1, 2005.
    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 
October 20, 2004. 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., October 5, 2004. Any 
prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) should be filed not later 
than 5:15 p.m., October 7, 2004; the deadline for filing post-hearing 
briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., November 4, 2004. In the event that, 
as of the close of business on October 5, 2004, no witnesses are 
scheduled to appear at the hearing, the hearing will be canceled. Any 
persons interested in attending the hearing as an observer or non-
participant may call the Secretary of the Commission (202-205-1806) 
after October 5, 2004, for information concerning 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 (original and 14 copies) 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 to the Commission for 
inspection by interested parties. The Commission will not include any 
confidential business information in the report it sends to the USTR. 
To be assured of consideration by the Commission, written statements 
relating to the Commission's report should be submitted to the 
Commission at the earliest practical date and should be received no 
later than the close of business on November 4, 2004. 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, except to the extent permitted by 
section 201.8 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 
CFR 201.8) (see Handbook for Electronic Filing Procedures, ftp://ftp.usitc.gov/pub/reports/electronic_filing_handbook.pdf). Persons 
with questions regarding electronic filing should contact the Secretary 
(202-205-2000 [email protected]).
    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

    WTO, GATS, air and noise pollution abatement services.

    Issued: August 5, 2004.

    By order of the Commission.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 04-18315 Filed 8-10-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P