The Commerce Department said it is reestablishing the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee, which will advise the Secretary on the development and administration of programs and policies to expand the competitiveness of U.S. exports of renewable energy and energy efficiency goods and services. The committee's work on energy efficiency will focus on technologies, services, and platforms that provide system-level energy efficiency to electricity generation, transmission, and distribution, Commerce said, but covered goods and services will not include vehicles, feedstock for biofuels, or energy efficiency as it relates to consumer goods. Non-fossil fuels that are considered renewable (e.g., liquid biofuels and pellets) are included, Commerce said. Nominations for members of the committee are due by July 16.
John Bryson resigned as the Commerce Secretary, said the Commerce Department. Acting Secretary Rebecca Blank will continue in that capacity.
The International Trade Administration is seeking comments by about July 15 on an application for an Export Trade Certificate of Review from Columbia Rice Export Quota, Inc. (COLUM--RICE), which plans to export rice to Colombia. An Export Trade Certificate of Review protects the holder and the members identified in the Certificate from state and federal government antitrust actions and from private, treble damage antitrust actions for the export conduct specified in the Certificate and carried out in compliance with its terms and conditions.
The International Trade Administration is seeking comments by about July 11 on an application for an Export Trade Certificate of Review from Columbia Poultry Export Quota, Inc. (COLUM--PEQ), which plans to export chicken leg quarters to Colombia. An Export Trade Certificate of Review protects the holder and the members identified in the Certificate from state and federal government antitrust actions and from private, treble damage antitrust actions for the export conduct specified in the Certificate and carried out in compliance with its terms and conditions.
The Foreign Trade Zones Board issued the following notices for June 20:
The Department of Commerce is seeking comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections related to Form BE-29, Foreign Ocean Carriers' Expenses, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. Comments are due by Aug. 20 to Christopher Emond, Chief, Special Surveys Branch, Balance of Payments Division, (BE-50), Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230; 202-606-9826 or christopher.emond@bea.gov.
The amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry rose 0.2 percent in April from March, according to the latest Bureau of Transportation Statistics Freight Transportation Services Index, rising after a one-month decline. The April 2012 level was 16.2 percent above the April 2009 low during the recession, it said. But it declined from December 2011, which was the all-time high since 1990 when BTS' TSI records began. BTS said the Freight Index has shown little change since dropping in January from its December peak. Freight shipments are up 0.4 percent in the five years from the pre-recession level of April 2007 and up 10 percent in the 10 years from April 2002, despite declines in recent years, it said.
The Environmental Technologies Trade Advisory Committee will meet July 20 in Washington, DC, said the International Trade Administration. The ITA said the meeting will include discussion of various issues and policies that affect environmental trade, including the harmonization of environmental regulations, standards, and certification programs; analysis of existing environmental goods and services data sources; development of trade promotion programs; and issues related to innovation in the environmental technology sector.
The International Trade Administration is asking for comments on a proposed information collection for determinations of commercial availability of fabrics, yarns, and fibers for the purposes of rules of origin determinations under the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. Comments are due by Aug.14.
The International Trade Administration announced a biotech life sciences trade mission to Australia Oct. 29--Nov. 2 to (i) increase U.S. exports to Australia, (ii) introduce U.S. participants to potential strategic partners, (iii) introduce U.S. participants to industry and government officials in Australia to learn about various opportunities, and (iv) to educate the participants about trade policy and regulatory matters involved in doing business in Australia. The mission will include site visit(s) to prominent biotech organizations, government meetings, and briefings and receptions during the AusBiotech National Conference in Melbourne, Australia. Recruitment for the mission will begin immediately and selection decisions will be made on a rolling basis until 10-12 participants are selected. Applications will be accepted through July 15.