Notice2023-14500
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensities of the U.S. Steel and Aluminum Industries at the Product Level
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Published
July 10, 2023
Issuing agencies
International Trade Commission
Abstract
Following receipt on June 5, 2023, of a request from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930, the U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission) instituted Investigation No. 332-598, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensities of the U.S. Steel and Aluminum Industries at the Product Level. The USTR requested that the Commission conduct an investigation and prepare a report that assesses the greenhouse gas emissions intensity of steel and aluminum products produced in the United States.
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 130 (Monday, July 10, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 130 (Monday, July 10, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43633-43635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14500]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 332-598]
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensities of the U.S. Steel and
Aluminum Industries at the Product Level
AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Notice of investigation and scheduling of a public hearing.
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SUMMARY: Following receipt on June 5, 2023, of a request from the U.S.
Trade Representative (USTR), under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of
1930, the U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission) instituted
Investigation No. 332-598, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensities of the
U.S. Steel and Aluminum Industries at the Product Level. The USTR
requested that the Commission conduct an investigation and prepare a
report that assesses the greenhouse gas emissions intensity of steel
and aluminum products produced in the United States.
DATES:
November 17, 2023: Deadline for filing requests to appear at the
public hearing.
November 21, 2023: Deadline for filing prehearing briefs and
statements.
November 29, 2023: Deadline for filing electronic copies of oral
hearing statements.
December 7, 2023: Public hearing.
[[Page 43634]]
December 21, 2023: Deadline for filing posthearing briefs and
statements.
June 28, 2024: Deadline for filing all other written submissions.
January 28, 2025: Transmittal of Commission report to the USTR.
ADDRESSES: All Commission offices, including the Commission's hearing
rooms, are located in the U.S. International Trade Commission Building,
500 E Street SW, Washington, DC. All written submissions should be
addressed to the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E
Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. The public record for this
investigation may be viewed on the Commission's electronic docket
(EDIS) at <a href="https://edis.usitc.gov">https://edis.usitc.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Project Leader Caroline Peters (202-
708-1443 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6c0f0d1e0300050209421c0918091e1f2c191f05180f420b031a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="16757764797a7f7873386673627364655663657f627538717960">[email protected]</span></a>), Deputy Project Leader Shova KC
(202-205-2234 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2e5d4641584f00454d6e5b5d475a4d00494158"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cab9a2a5bcabe4a1a98abfb9a3bea9e4ada5bc">[email protected]</span></a>) or Deputy Project Leader Alexander
Melton (202-708-1665 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0d6c6168756c6369687f236068617962634d787e64796e236a627b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="741518110c151a1011065a191118001b1a3401071d00175a131b02">[email protected]</span></a>) for information
specific to this investigation. For information on the legal aspects of
this investigation, contact Brian Allen (202-205-3034 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c4a6b6ada5aaeaa5a8a8a1aa84b1b7adb0a7eaa3abb2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="caa8b8a3aba4e4aba6a6afa48abfb9a3bea9e4ada5bc">[email protected]</span></a>) or William Gearhart (202-205-3091 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ee99878282878f83c0898b8f9c868f9c9aae9b9d879a8dc0898198"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8dfae4e1e1e4ece0a3eae8ecffe5ecfff9cdf8fee4f9eea3eae2fb">[email protected]</span></a>) of the Commission's Office of the General
Counsel. The media should contact Jennifer Andberg, Office of External
Relations (202-205-3404 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d4beb1bababdb2b1a6fab5bab0b6b1a6b394a1a7bda0b7fab3bba2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d8b2bdb6b6b1bebdaaf6b9b6bcbabdaabf98adabb1acbbf6bfb7ae">[email protected]</span></a>).
Hearing-impaired individuals are advised that information on this
matter can be obtained by contacting the Commission's TDD terminal on
202-205-1810. General information concerning the Commission may be
obtained by accessing its internet address (<a href="https://www.usitc.gov">https://www.usitc.gov</a>).
Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance in
gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the
Secretary at 202-205-2000.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: As requested in the letter received from the USTR on
June 5, 2023, the Commission has instituted an investigation under
section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)) to prepare
a report that assesses the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity of
steel and aluminum produced in the United States, which the USTR states
will help to inform discussions regarding the Global Arrangement on
Sustainable Steel and Aluminum. To this end, the Commission intends to
conduct a survey by issuing questionnaires to firms with facilities
producing steel and aluminum in the United States, whether the firms
are U.S.- or foreign-owned, to collect data on their production of
these goods and associated GHG emissions. The Commission will post the
draft questionnaire on its website for public comment and will post the
final questionnaire on its website once the questionnaire is ready to
be issued.
The GHG emissions intensity estimates presented in the report will
include the following types of GHG emissions:
1. Scope 1--GHG emissions related to the production of steel and
aluminum. Scope 1 GHG emissions are the direct emissions from the
facility's owned or controlled sources. These include the facility's
fuel combustion emissions, process emissions (emissions from industrial
processes involving chemical or physical transformations other than
fuel combustion), and emissions from the facility's own electricity
generation.
2. Scope 2--GHG emissions related to the production of steel and
aluminum. Scope 2 GHG emissions are the indirect emissions from the
generation of the facility's purchased energy, including electricity,
steam, heat, or cooling.
3. Certain scope 3--GHG emissions associated with material and
resource inputs for the production of steel and aluminum. Scope 3 GHG
emissions are indirect emissions not included in scope 2 that occur in
the value chain of the reporting company. For purposes of this
investigation, the Commission will analyze only a specific subset of
upstream scope 3 GHG emissions associated with U.S. facilities'
intermediate steel and aluminum inputs purchased from other sources and
used in production. These intermediate inputs could include iron ore,
coke, ore-based metallics, semi-finished steel and other steel
substrate suitable for further processing, carbon anodes, unwrought
aluminum, and wrought aluminum suitable for further processing.
In presenting the GHG emissions intensity estimates, the report
will describe the methodologies used to collect relevant information
and to analyze product-specific GHG emissions intensity for the range
of steel and aluminum products made in the United States, and provide
estimates for the highest and average GHG emissions intensities for the
products analyzed. The report will also identify the stages within the
steel and aluminum production processes at which associated GHG
emissions occur and identify the locations (i.e., originating
countries) of scope 3 emissions associated with U.S. steel and aluminum
products. Scope 3 emissions intensity estimates may be derived from the
volume and origin of intermediate inputs from foreign and domestic
sources as well as information regarding the emissions intensity of
such inputs.
As requested by the USTR, the Commission will deliver the report no
later than January 28, 2025. Since USTR has indicated that it intends
to make this report available to the public in its entirety, the
Commission will not include confidential business or national security
classified information in its report. However, as detailed below,
participants may submit confidential information to the Commission to
inform its understanding of these issues, and such information will be
protected in accordance with the Commission's Rules of Practice and
Procedure. Participants are strongly encouraged to provide any
supporting data and information along with their views.
Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with this
investigation will be held in person beginning at 9:30 a.m. on December
7, 2023, in the Main Hearing Room of the U.S. International Trade
Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. The hearing can also
be accessed remotely using the WebEx videoconference platform. A link
to the hearing will be posted on the Commission's website at <a href="https://www.usitc.gov/calendarpad/calendar.html">https://www.usitc.gov/calendarpad/calendar.html</a>.
Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed with the
Secretary to the Commission no later than 5:15 p.m., November 17, 2023,
in accordance with the requirements in the ``Written Submissions''
section below. Any requests to appear as a witness via videoconference
must be included with your request to appear. Requests to appear as a
witness via videoconference must include a statement explaining why the
witness cannot appear in person; the Chairman, or other person
designated to conduct the investigation, may at their discretion for
good cause shown, grant such requests. Requests to appear as a witness
via videoconference due to illness or a positive COVID-19 test result
may be submitted by 3 p.m. the business day prior to the hearing.
All prehearing briefs and statements should be filed no later than
5:15 p.m., November 21, 2023. To facilitate the hearing, including the
preparation of an accurate written public transcript of the hearing,
oral testimony to be presented at the hearing must be submitted to the
Commission electronically no later than 5:15 p.m., November 29, 2023.
All posthearing briefs and statements should be filed no later than
5:15 p.m., December 21, 2023. Posthearing briefs and statements should
address matters
[[Page 43635]]
raised at the hearing. For a description of the different types of
written briefs and statements, see the ``Definitions'' section below.
In the event that, as of the close of business on November 17,
2023, no witnesses are scheduled to appear at the hearing, the hearing
will be canceled. Any person interested in attending the hearing as an
observer or nonparticipant should check the Commission website as
indicated above for information concerning whether the hearing will be
held.
Written submissions: In lieu of or in addition to participating in
the hearing, interested persons are invited to file written submissions
concerning this investigation. All written submissions should be
addressed to the Secretary, and should be received no later than 5:15
p.m., June 28, 2024. All written submissions must conform to the
provisions of section 201.8 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and
Procedure (19 CFR 201.8), as temporarily amended by 85 FR 15798 (March
19, 2020). Under that rule waiver, the Office of the Secretary will
accept only electronic filings at this time. Filings must be made
through the Commission's Electronic Document Information System (EDIS,
<a href="https://edis.usitc.gov">https://edis.usitc.gov</a>). No in-person, paper-based filings or paper
copies of any electronic filings will be accepted until further notice.
Persons with questions regarding electronic filing should contact the
Office of the Secretary, Docket Services Division (202-205-1802), or
consult the Commission's Handbook on Filing Procedures.
Definitions of types of documents that may be filed; Requirements:
In addition to requests to appear at the hearing, this notice provides
for the possible filing of four types of documents: prehearing briefs,
oral hearing statements, posthearing briefs, and other written
submissions.
(1) Prehearing briefs refers to written materials relevant to the
investigation and submitted in advance of the hearing, and includes
written views on matters that are the subject of the investigation,
supporting materials, and any other written materials that you consider
will help the Commission in understanding your views. You should file a
prehearing brief particularly if you plan to testify at the hearing on
behalf of an industry group, company, or other organization, and wish
to provide detailed views or information that will support or
supplement your testimony.
(2) Oral hearing statements (testimony) refers to the actual oral
statement that you intend to present at the hearing. Do not include any
confidential business information (CBI) in that statement. If you plan
to testify, you must file a copy of your oral statement by the date
specified in this notice. This statement will allow Commissioners to
understand your position in advance of the hearing and will also assist
the court reporter in preparing an accurate transcript of the hearing
(e.g., names spelled correctly).
(3) Posthearing briefs refers to submissions filed after the
hearing by persons who appeared at the hearing. Such briefs: (a) should
be limited to matters that arose during the hearing; (b) should respond
to any Commissioner and staff questions addressed to you at the
hearing; (c) should clarify, amplify, or correct any statements you
made at the hearing; and (d) may, at your option, address or rebut
statements made by other participants in the hearing.
(4) Other written submissions refers to any other written
submissions that interested persons wish to make, regardless of whether
they appeared at the hearing, and may include new information or
updates of information previously provided.
In accordance with the provisions of section 201.8 of the
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.8), the
document must identify on its cover (1) the investigation number and
title and the type of document filed (i.e., prehearing brief, oral
statement of (name), posthearing brief, or written submission), (2) the
name and signature of the person filing it, (3) the name of the
organization that the submission is filed on behalf of, and (4) whether
it contains CBI. If it contains CBI, it must comply with the marking
and other requirements set out below in this notice relating to CBI.
Submitters of written documents (other than oral hearing statements)
are encouraged to include a short summary of their position or interest
at the beginning of the document, and a table of contents when the
document addresses multiple issues.
Confidential business information: Any submissions that contain CBI
must also conform to the requirements of section 201.6 of the
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). Section
201.6 of the rules requires that the cover of the document and the
individual pages be clearly marked as to whether they are the
``confidential'' or ``nonconfidential'' version, and that the CBI is
clearly identified by means of brackets. All written submissions,
except for CBI, will be made available for inspection by interested
persons.
As requested by the USTR, the Commission will not include any CBI
in its report. However, all information, including CBI, submitted in
this investigation may be disclosed to and used: (i) by the Commission,
its employees and Offices, and contract personnel (a) for developing or
maintaining the records of this or a related proceeding, or (b) in
internal investigations, audits, reviews, and evaluations relating to
the programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission, including
under 5 U.S.C. appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S. Government employees and
contract personnel for cybersecurity purposes. The Commission will not
otherwise disclose any CBI in a way that would reveal the operations of
the firm supplying the information.
Summaries of written submissions: Persons wishing to have a summary
of their position included in the report should include a summary with
their written submission no later than June 28, 2024, and should mark
the summary as having been provided for that purpose. The summary
should be clearly marked as ``summary for inclusion in the report'' at
the top of the page. The summary may not exceed 500 words and should
not include any CBI. The summary will be published as provided if it
meets these requirements and is germane to the subject matter of the
investigation. The Commission will list the name of the organization
furnishing the summary and will include a link where the written
submission can be found.
By order of the Commission.
Issued: July 5, 2023.
Lisa Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2023-14500 Filed 7-7-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P
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