[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 204 (Monday, October 22, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64487-64488]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25940]



[[Page 64487]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Renewable Energy Policy Business Roundtable in Japan

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Revised Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade 
Administration (ITA) is coordinating a Renewable Energy Policy Business 
Roundtable, which will be held on December 3, 2012 in Tokyo in 
conjunction with the U.S.-Japan Energy Policy Dialogue. The U.S. 
Department of Energy--the lead U.S. agency for the bilateral dialogue 
taking place in Fukushima--will co-chair the Roundtable. ITA is seeking 
the participation of approximately 20 U.S. companies (up to two 
representatives per company) in the Roundtable and related events in 
the Touhoku region. The dialogue will provide an opportunity for 
Japanese policy-makers to benefit from the viewpoints of U.S. clean 
energy companies and those companies to be able to learn more about the 
policy and regulatory landscape for renewable energy developing in 
Japan at this time.
    Following the Roundtable, the delegation will travel to Fukushima 
Prefecture and Sendai for site visits. Participants will learn 
firsthand the current condition of reconstruction following the March 
2011 earthquake and tsunami, and the role of renewable energy in those 
efforts, including local government incentives. The U.S. Department of 
Commerce's Commercial Service will also be available in Tokyo to 
provide its counseling services to participating companies whose 
products or services include at least 51 percent U.S. content.
    The Roundtable and Tour support ITA's commitments contained in the 
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Export Initiative, which aims to 
significantly increase U.S. RE&EE exports during the National Export 
Initiative, which sets the ambitious goal of doubling U.S. exports by 
the end of 2014.

DATES: The roundtable and other related events will be held in Japan 
the week of December 3-7, 2012. Participants must apply online no later 
than November 9, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
Cora Dickson, Manufacturing and Services, Office of Energy and 
Environmental Industries, Phone: 202-482-6083, Email: 
[email protected].
Gregory Briscoe,
    U.S. Commercial Service Tokyo,
    Phone: +81-3-3224-5088,
    Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice updates and replaces 77 FR 60380 
Document Number 2012-24297, published October 3, 2012.
    Background:
    A Japanese Cabinet advisory panel recently recommended that Japan 
phase out nuclear power by the 2030s, increase its reliance on 
renewable energy, and take steps to improve energy efficiency. In 2011, 
approximately 10 percent of Japan's electricity was derived from 
renewable energy. This percentage is expected to increase as various 
incentives, including a new feed-in tariff system (for solar, wind, 
geothermal, micro/small/medium hydro, and biomass/biogas), are 
introduced to promote investor confidence in renewable energy projects. 
A long-term reform process in the electricity sector is also taking 
shape that may allow for more diversity in energy sources as well as 
hasten the deployment of smart grid technology.
    All of these factors point toward potential opportunities for 
American companies to work together with the Japanese government and 
industry to deploy renewable energy technologies. U.S. clean energy 
companies can contribute to the changing Japanese policy and regulatory 
landscape by exchanging views with Japan's policymakers and 
representatives from the private sector, who will also join the 
Roundtable. A frank and open discussion between policy makers and 
industry about renewable energy will enhance the bilateral Energy 
Policy Dialogue by identifying key policy issues and sharing best 
practices.
    Goals:
     Gain a deeper understanding of the changing Japanese 
policy and regulatory landscape;
     Interact with policymakers and representatives from the 
private sector in Japan;
     Enhance the bilateral Energy Policy Dialogue by 
identifying key policy issues and sharing best practices; and
     Travel to the northeast region to see firsthand how 
communities are incorporating renewable energy in their reconstruction 
efforts.
    Roundtable/Tour Activities:
    During the Roundtable and Tour, participants will:
     Receive market briefings on the status of the renewable 
energy market in Japan, including an assessment of upcoming 
opportunities;
     Receive a Market Assessment Report on opportunities in 
Japan's renewable energy market;
     Be introduced to key Japanese government officials and 
decision-makers during the Roundtable;
     Exchange views with counterparts from the Japanese private 
sector;
     Attend a networking reception at the Ambassador's 
Residence as well as a reception organized by the Japanese government 
in Fukushima;
     Make courtesy calls with the Fukushima and Sendai 
prefectural governments to learn about local policy issues for 
renewable energy and smart communities;
     Make visits to renewable energy and smart grid deployments 
in Fukushima and Sendai; and
     Take advantage of the Commercial Service in Tokyo's 
services, if appropriate.
     A more detailed tentative schedule and links for online 
application are posted at http://export.gov/reee/eg_main_054052.asp.
    Participation Requirements:
    All parties interested in participating in the Roundtable/Tour or 
Roundtable Only must complete and submit an application package for 
consideration by the Department of Commerce. All applicants will be 
evaluated based on their ability to meet certain conditions and best 
satisfy the selection criteria as outlined below. A minimum of 20 and 
maximum of 25 companies will be selected to participate in the 
Roundtable and Tour from the applicant pool. U.S. companies already 
doing business in Japan as well as U.S. companies seeking to enter to 
the Japanese market for the first time may apply.
    Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis in the order that 
they are received. In the event that applicants for the Roundtable and 
Touhoku Tour do not fill the spaces available, applicants for only the 
Roundtable on December 3 will be considered. Pre-registrations for 
Roundtable Only applications will be taken concurrently with 
applications for the Roundtable and Touhoku Tour.
    Fees:
    After a company has been selected to participate in the Roundtable, 
a participation fee is required. The participation fee for the 
Roundtable and Tour will be $2,100.00 ($2,000 for SME) for the first 
representative and $1,500.00 ($1,400 for SME) for a second 
representative (who will act as an observer at the Roundtable). If the 
second representative for a company attends solely the Roundtable (also 
as an observer) the fee is $750.00 ($650 for SME). If space is 
available for the Roundtable and applicants are selected

[[Page 64488]]

to participate solely in the roundtable, the fee will be $750.00 
($650.00 for SME) for either a primary or secondary representative.
    An SME is defined as a firm with 500 or fewer employees or that 
otherwise qualifies as a small business under SBA regulations (see 
http://www.sba.gov/size). Parent companies, affiliates, and 
subsidiaries will be considered when determining business size. The 
dual pricing reflects the Commercial Service's user fee schedule that 
became effective May 1, 2008. For additional information, see http://www.export.gov/newsletter/march2008/initiatives.html
    Exclusions & Expenses:
    The conference fee does not include any personal travel expenses 
such as lodging, most meals, incidentals, local ground transportation, 
except as stated in the proposed timetable, and air transportation from 
the U.S. to the event location and return to the United States. 
Delegation members will be able to take advantage of U.S. Embassy rates 
for hotel rooms and group rates for train tickets. Business visas may 
be required. Government fees and processing expenses to obtain such 
visas are also not included in the Roundtable/Tour costs. However, the 
U.S. Department of Commerce will provide instructions to each 
participant on the procedures required to obtain necessary business 
visas.
    Conditions for Participation:
    An applicant must register online at http://export.gov/reee/eg_main_054052.asp. In addition, the applicant must send an email to the 
U.S. Department of Commerce staff (see Contacts) addressing how he/she 
satisfies the four selection criteria listed below.
     Whether the applicant represents a U.S. company that fits 
one of the following profiles:
    (1) Companies that manufacture technology or provide services in 
the renewable energy sector (particularly solar, wind, biomass, 
geothermal, and small/medium hydro);
    (2) Developers of renewable energy projects with global experience; 
and
    (3) Companies active in the smart grid industry.
     The applicant's potential for or interest in doing 
business in Japan;
     The applicant's ability to identify and discuss policy 
issues relevant to U.S. competitiveness in the renewable energy or 
smart grid sectors;
     Consistency of the applicant's goals and objectives with 
the stated scope of the event.
    Diversity of company size and location may also be considered 
during the selection process. Referrals from political organizations 
and any documents containing references to partisan political 
activities (including political contributions) will be removed from an 
applicant's submission and not considered during the selection process.
    Selected applicants will be asked to sign a Participation Agreement 
with the Department of Commerce in addition to the following mandatory 
certifications (applicants that cannot attest to these certifications 
cannot participate):
     The export of the products and services that it wishes to 
promote would be in compliance with U.S. export controls and 
regulations;
     Company/Organization has identified to the Department of 
Commerce for its evaluation any business pending before the Department 
of Commerce that may present the appearance of a conflict of interest;
     Company/Organization has identified any pending litigation 
(including any administrative proceedings) to which it is a party that 
involves the Department of Commerce;
     Company/Participant agrees that it and its affiliates (1) 
have not and will not engage in the bribery of foreign officials in 
connection with the Company's/Participant's involvement in this 
mission, and (2) maintain and enforce a policy that prohibits the 
bribery of foreign officials.

Timeline for Recruitment and Applications

    Recruitment for the Roundtable/Tour will begin immediately and 
conclude no later than November 9, 2012. The U.S. Department of 
Commerce will review applications and make selection decisions on a 
rolling basis beginning on or about October 25, 2012. Applications 
received after November 9, 2012 will be considered only if space and 
scheduling constraints permit.

    Dated: October 16, 2012.
Edward A. O'Malley,
Director, Office of Energy and Environmental Industries.
[FR Doc. 2012-25940 Filed 10-19-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P