[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 187 (Thursday, September 27, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54924-54925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-19067]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-481]


Industrial Biotechnology: Development and Adoption by the U.S. 
Chemical and Biofuel Industries

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Deadline for filing written submissions.

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SUMMARY: The Commission has set February 1, 2008, as the deadline for 
filing written submissions in

[[Page 54925]]

investigation No. 332-481, Industrial Biotechnology: Development and 
Adoption by the U.S. Chemical and Biofuel Industries.

DATES: February 1, 2008: Deadline for filing written submissions.
    July 2, 2008: Transmittal of Commission report to the Senate 
Committee on Finance.

ADDRESSES: All Commission offices, including the Commission's hearing 
rooms, are located in the United States International Trade Commission 
Building, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC. All written submissions 
should be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436. The public record 
for this investigation may be viewed on the Commission's electronic 
docket (EDIS) at http://edis.usit.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Project Leader, David Lundy (202-205-
3439 or [email protected]); Deputy Project Leader, Elizabeth 
Nesbitt (202-205-3355 or [email protected]); or Deputy 
Project Leader, Laura Polly (202-205-3408 or [email protected]). 
For information on legal aspects of the investigation, contact William 
Gearhart of the Commission's Office of the General Counsel at 202-205-
3091 or [email protected]. The media should contact Margaret 
O'Laughlin, Office of External Relations at 202-205-1819 or 
[email protected]. Hearing impaired individuals are advised 
that information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD 
terminal on 202-205-1810. General information concerning the Commission 
may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server (http://www.usitc.gov). Persons with mobility impairments who will need special 
assistance in gaining access to the Commission should contact the 
Secretary at 202-205-2000.
    Background: The Commission's notice instituting the investigation, 
issued on November 28, 2006, asked that parties with an interest in 
this matter file post-hearing briefs and statements by May 2, 2007. In 
view of the relatively lengthy duration of this investigation, the 
Commission did not at that time set a final deadline for filing written 
submissions, beyond that for post-hearing briefs and statements. The 
Commission is now setting such a deadline. The Commission will consider 
submissions from parties who have not filed submissions, as well as 
new, amended, or supplemental submissions from parties who have already 
filed submissions, provided they are received by the Secretary on or 
before the close of business February 1, 2008. Submissions must be made 
in accordance with the procedures set out in the Commission's notice of 
November 28, 2006, including with respect to the number of copies 
filed, method of filing, and marking of any confidential business 
information. A copy of the November 28 notice can be accessed at http://www.usitc.gov/secretary/fed_reg_notices/332/332-481..1164741875.pdf.
    The Commission is particularly interested in receiving written 
submissions from the public that provide information relating to the 
report that the Senate Committee on Finance has requested the 
Commission to prepare in this investigation. As stated in the 
Commission's notice published on November 28, 2006, the Committee 
requested that the Commission prepare a report that focuses on firms in 
the U.S. chemical industry that are developing bio-based products 
(e.g., fibers and plastics) and renewable chemical platforms, as well 
as U.S. producers of liquid biofuels, and specifically that the 
report--
    1. Describe and compare government policies in the United States 
and key competitor countries throughout the world relating to the 
development of products by these industries;
    2. Analyze the extent of business activity in these industries, 
including, but not limited to, trends in production, financial 
performance, investment, research and development, and impediments to 
development and trade;
    3. Examine factors affecting the development of bio-based products, 
including liquid biofuels, and renewable chemical platforms being 
developed by the U.S. chemical industry, including, but not limited to, 
globalization of supply chains, capital investment sources, strategic 
alliances, intellectual property rights, and technology transfer 
mechanisms;
    4. Determine, to the extent feasible, how the adoption of 
industrial biotechnology processing and products impacts the 
productivity and competitiveness of firms in these industries; and
    5. Assess how existing U.S. government programs may affect the 
production and utilization of agricultural feedstocks for liquid 
biofuels as well as bio-based products and renewable chemical platforms 
being developed by the U.S. chemical industry.

    Issued: September 21, 2007.

    By order of the Commission.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
 [FR Doc. E7-19067 Filed 9-26-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P