[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 24, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14131-14132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-6532]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


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

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

[[Page 14132]]

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 April 21, 
2010.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
    E-mail: [email protected]v. Include the phrase ``Propane Price 
Impacts on Consumers'' in the subject line;
    Fax: (202) 482-5665 (Attn: David Kincaid);
    Mail or Hand Delivery/Courier: David Kincaid, 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 David 
Kincaid by telephone at 202-482-1706, or e-mail at 
[email protected]v.

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 report demonstrates 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 April 21, 2010. 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.

Henry P. Misisco,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing, Acting.
[FR Doc. 2010-6532 Filed 3-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P