[Federal Register: April 11, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 68)]
[Notices]
[Page 18359]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11ap05-52]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration
[Docket No. 050331090-5090-01]
Impact of Increased Natural Gas Prices on U.S. Industries
AGENCY: Office of Policy Development, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of inquiry.
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SUMMARY: The Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA) is seeking
public comment on the impact that recent (2000 through present)
increases in natural gas prices had and will have on U.S. manufacturing
industries. This notice of inquiry is part of an effort to collect
information to assist in the preparation of a study and a report that
the Congress has charged the Secretary of Commerce, in cooperation with
the Secretaries of Energy and Labor, to prepare on the economic impact
of rising natural gas prices.
DATES: Written comments on this notice must be submitted on or before
May 16, 2005.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
E-mail: david.henry@esa.doc.gov. Include the phrase ``Natural Gas
Price Impacts on Industry'' in the subject line;
Fax: (202) 482-0325 (Attn: David Henry);
Mail or Hand Delivery/Courier: David Henry, U.S. Department of
Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration, Office of Policy
Development,14th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 4875,
Washington, DC 20230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions on the submission of
comments, contact David Henry, Office of Policy Development, Economics
and Statistics Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, on (202)
482-2566 or by e-mail at david.henry@esa.doc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Conference Report accompanying Pub. L.
108-447 (Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2005) directs the Secretary
of Commerce, in cooperation with the Secretaries of Energy and Labor,
to examine and prepare a study on the economic impact of natural gas
prices on energy-intensive industries in the U.S. and potential market
adjustments thereto, including shifting energy-intensive industries
overseas. Remarks by Congressman Michael Castle on the floor of the
House on July 7, 2004 explain the study request further. 150 Cong. Rec.
H5259-01. The Secretary of Commerce is directed to report his findings
to the Committees on Appropriations for the U.S. House of
Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The Secretary of Commerce
appointed the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs to lead this
interagency study.
In order to assist in the interagency study underway, ESA is
seeking public comment on what the impacts have been and will be on
U.S. manufacturing industries resulting from rising natural gas prices,
particularly those manufacturing industries that are energy-intensive,
e.g. chemicals, nitrogenous fertilizer manufacturing, paper, glass and
plastics. Information on industry impacts of rising natural gas prices
that are being sought include, but are not limited to, their impact on
(1) employment, production and prices; (2) investment decisions and
capital expenditures; (3) export markets and competition from imports;
and (4) the possibility of use of alternative fuel and/or feedstock
choices.
All comments must be submitted to the address indicated in this
notice. The Department requires that all comments be submitted in
written form.
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 May 16, 2005. 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.
The Office of Policy Development of the Economics and Statistics
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce will display public
comments on the response to this request on the ESA Web site at http://www.esa.doc.gov/ng.
The office does not maintain a separate public
inspection facility. If you have technical difficulties accessing this
Web site, please call David Henry at (202) 482-2566, for assistance.
Dated: April 5, 2005.
Kathleen B. Cooper,
Under Secretary for Economic Affairs.
[FR Doc. 05-7259 Filed 4-8-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-06-P