[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 12, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42874-42875]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19296]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Notice of Continuation and Request for Nominations for the Trade 
and Environment Policy Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice and request for applications.

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SUMMARY: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is 
establishing a new two-year charter term and accepting applications 
from qualified individuals interested in serving as a member of the 
Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (TEPAC). The TEPAC is a 
trade advisory committee that provides general policy advice to the 
United States Trade Representative on trade policy matters that have a 
significant impact on the environment.

DATES: USTR will accept nominations on a rolling basis for membership 
on the TEPAC for the two-year charter term beginning on September 30, 
2017, and expiring on September 29, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stewart Young, Deputy Assistant Trade 
Representative for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, 
[email protected] or 202-395-2864, or Sarah Stewart, Deputy 
Assistant Trade Representative for Environment and Natural Resources, 
[email protected] or 202-395-3858.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

1. Background

    Section 135(c)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 
2155(c)(1)), authorizes the President to establish individual general 
trade policy advisory committees for industry, labor, agriculture, 
services, investment, defense, small business, and other interests, as 
appropriate, to provide general policy advice. The President delegated 
that authority to the United States Trade Representative in Executive 
Order 11846, section 4(d), issued on March 27, 1975. In addition, we 
anticipate that the President will issue an Executive Order 
specifically concerning the TEPAC, which will continue its charter for 
two years. Advisory committees established by the Trade Representative 
are subject to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. 
See 19 U.S.C. 2155(f); 5 U.S.C. App. II.
    Pursuant to these authorities, the United States Trade 
Representative intends to establish a new two-year charter term for the 
TEPAC, which will begin on September 30, 2017 and end on September 29, 
2019. The TEPAC is a trade advisory committee established to provide 
general policy advice to the United States Trade Representative on 
trade policy matters that have a significant impact on the environment. 
More specifically, the TEPAC provides general policy advice on issues 
including: (1) Negotiating objectives and bargaining positions before 
entering into trade agreements; (2) the environmental impact of the 
implementation of trade agreements; (3) matters concerning the 
operation of any trade agreement once entered into; and (4) other 
matters arising in connection with the development, implementation, and 
administration of the trade policy of the United States.
    The TEPAC meets as needed, at the call of the United States Trade 
Representative or his/her designee, or two-thirds of the TEPAC members, 
depending on various factors such as the level of activity of trade 
negotiations

[[Page 42875]]

and the needs of the United States Trade Representative.

II. Membership

    The TEPAC is composed of not more than 35 members, including, but 
not limited to, representatives from environmental interest groups, 
industry (including the environmental technology and environmental 
services industries), agriculture, academia, consumer groups, services, 
non-governmental organizations, and others with expertise in trade and 
environment matters. The United States Trade Representative appoints 
all TEPAC members for a term of four-years or until the TEPAC charter 
expires, and they serve at his/her discretion. Individuals can be 
reappointed for any number of terms. The United States Trade 
Representative makes appointments without regard to political 
affiliation and with an interest in ensuring balance in terms of 
sectors, demographics, and other factors relevant to the USTR's needs. 
USTR intends for the TEPAC to be broadly representative of key sectors 
and groups of the economy with an interest in trade and environmental 
policy issues.
    TEPAC members serve without either compensation or reimbursement of 
expenses. Members are responsible for all expenses they incur to attend 
meetings or otherwise participate in TEPAC activities.
    The United States Trade Representative appoints TEPAC members to 
represent their sponsoring U.S. entity's interests on trade and the 
environment, and thus USTR's foremost consideration for applicants is 
their ability to carry out the goals of section 135(c) of the Trade Act 
of 1974, as amended. Other criteria include the applicant's knowledge 
of and expertise in international trade issues as relevant to the work 
of the TEPAC and USTR. USTR anticipates that almost all TEPAC members 
will serve in a representative capacity with a limited number serving 
in an individual capacity as subject matter experts. These members, 
known as special government employees, are subject to conflict of 
interest rules and will have to complete a financial disclosure report.

III. Request for Nominations

    USTR is soliciting nominations for membership on the TEPAC. To 
apply for membership, an applicant must meet the following eligibility 
criteria:
    1. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
    2. The applicant cannot be a full-time employee of a U.S. 
governmental entity.
    3. If serving in an individual capacity, the applicant cannot be a 
federally registered lobbyist.
    4. The applicant cannot be registered with the U.S. Department of 
Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
    5. The applicant must be able to obtain and maintain a security 
clearance.
    6. For representative members, who will comprise the overwhelming 
majority of the TEPAC, the applicant must represent a U.S. organization 
whose members (or funders) have a demonstrated interest in issues 
relevant to trade and the environment or have personal experience or 
expertise in trade and the environment. For eligibility purposes, a 
``U.S. organization'' is an organization established under the laws of 
the United States, that is controlled by U.S. citizens, by another U.S. 
organization (or organizations), or by a U.S. entity (or entities), 
determined based on its board of directors (or comparable governing 
body), membership, and funding sources, as applicable. To qualify as a 
U.S. organization, more than 50 percent of the board of directors (or 
comparable governing body) and more than 50 percent of the membership 
of the organization to be represented must be U.S. citizens, U.S. 
organizations, or U.S. entities. Additionally, at least 50 percent of 
the organization's annual revenue must be attributable to 
nongovernmental U.S. sources.
    7. For members who will serve in an individual capacity, the 
applicant must possess subject matter expertise regarding international 
trade and environmental issues.
    In order to be considered for TEPAC membership, interested persons 
should submit the following to Stewart Young at 
[email protected]:
     Name, title, affiliation, and contact information of the 
individual requesting consideration.
     If applicable, a sponsor letter on the organization's 
letterhead containing a brief description of the manner in which 
international trade affects the organization and why USTR should 
consider the applicant for membership.
     The applicant's personal resume or comprehensive 
biography.
     An affirmative statement that the applicant and the 
organization he or she represents meet all eligibility requirements.
    USTR will consider applicants who meet the eligibility criteria 
based on the following factors: Ability to represent the sponsoring 
U.S. entity's or U.S. organization's and its subsector's interests on 
trade and environmental matters; knowledge of and experience in trade 
and environmental matters relevant to the work of the TEPAC and USTR; 
and ensuring that the TEPAC is balanced in terms of points of view, 
demographics, geography, and entity or organization size.

Stewart Young,
Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Intergovernmental 
Affairs and Public Engagement, Office of the United States Trade 
Representative.
[FR Doc. 2017-19296 Filed 9-11-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3290-F7-P