[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 159 (Thursday, August 18, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 48541]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-4514]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[Docket No.: 050808218-5218-01]


Effect of the Propane Education and Research Council's Operation, 
Market Changes and Federal Programs on Propane Consumers

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of inquiry.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (the Department) is seeking public 
comment on whether the operation of the Propane Education and Research 
Council (PERC), in conjunction with the cumulative effects of market 
changes and Federal programs, has had an effect on residential, 
agricultural, process and nonfuel users of propane. This notice of 
inquiry is part of an effort to collect information to fulfill 
requirements under the Propane Education and Research Act of 1996 that 
established PERC and requires the Secretary of Commerce to assess the 
impact of PERC's activities on propane consumers.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be submitted on or before September 
19, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
    E-mail: [email protected]. Include the phrase ``Propane 
Price Impacts on Consumers'' in the subject line;
    Fax: (202) 482-0170 (Attn: Shannon Fraser);
    Mail or Hand Delivery/Courier: Shannon Fraser, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 14th Street & Constitution Ave., NW., Suite 4053, Washington, 
DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions on the submission of 
comments or to request copies of submitted comments, contact Shannon 
Fraser by telephone at (202) 482-3609, or e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Propane Education and Research Act of 
1996 (Pub. L. 104-284) established the Propane Education and Research 
Council to enhance consumer and employee safety and training, to 
provide for research and development of clean and efficient propane 
utilization equipment, and to inform and educate the public about 
safety and other issues associated with the use of propane.
    Section 12 of the Act requires the Secretary of Commerce to prepare 
and submit to Congress and the Secretary of Energy a report examining 
whether operation of the Council, in conjunction with the cumulative 
effects of market changes and Federal programs, has had an effect on 
propane consumers, including residential, agriculture, process, and 
nonfuel users of propane. The Secretary of Commerce shall consider and, 
to the extent practicable, shall include in the report submissions by 
propane consumers, and shall consider whether: (1) There have been 
long-term and short-term effects on propane prices as a result of the 
Council's activities and Federal programs; and (2) whether there have 
been changes in the proportion of propane demand attributable to 
various market segments. If the Secretary of Commerce concludes that 
there has been an adverse effect related to the Council's activities, 
the Secretary of Commerce shall make recommendations for correcting the 
situation.
    In order to assist in the preparation of this study, the Department 
is seeking public comment on the effect of PERC's operation, market 
changes and Federal programs on propane consumers. For information on 
the operation and programs of PERC, you may visit PERC's Web site at 
http://www.propanecouncil.org or call PERC at (202) 452-8975.
    The Department encourages interested persons who wish to comment to 
do so at the earliest possible time. The period for submission of 
comments will close on September 19, 2005. The Department will consider 
all comments received before the close of the comment period. Comments 
received after the end of the comment period will be considered if 
possible, but their consideration cannot be assured. The Department 
will not accept comments accompanied by a request that a part or all of 
the material be treated confidentially because of its business 
proprietary nature or for any other reason. The Department will return 
such comments and materials to the persons submitting the comments and 
will not consider them. All comments submitted in response to this 
notice will be a matter of public record and will be available for 
public inspection and copying. All comments must be submitted to the 
Department through one of the methods listed under ADDRESSES.
    The office does not maintain a separate public inspection facility. 
If you would like to view any comments received in response to this 
solicitation, please contact the individual listed in FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

Joseph Bogosian,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing.
[FR Doc. E5-4514 Filed 8-17-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P