Federal Register: December 29, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 249)
DOCID: FR Doc 04-28436
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Foreign-Trade Zones Board
NOTICE: NOTICES
ACTION: Applications, hearings, determinations, etc.:
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Review of Oil/Petrochemical Refinery Subzone Activity
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
Background. The ForeignTrade Zones Board (the Board) has
authorized 81 refinery/petrochemical complexes to conduct crude oil/
petrochemical product refining activity under FTZ procedures. In 2000,
active refinery/petrochemical subzones requested and were approved an
indefinite extension of their NPF authority, which initially had been
granted for a fiveyear period (Board Order 1116, 65 FR 52696, 8/30/
2000). NPF authority involves full access to FTZ procedures for export
activity and, with regard to products sold in the U.S., the ability to
choose the Customs duty rates that apply to certain petrochemical
products and refinery byproducts (dutyfree), by admitting incoming
foreign inputs, such as crude oil, in nonprivileged foreign status.
Such petrochemicals and byproducts account for about 20 to 25 percent
of refinery activity, on average. [NPF authority does not apply to the
foreign inputs used to produce other refinery products, such as
gasoline, jet fuel, and heating oil (some 7580% of output); they would
continue to be subject to their normal duty rates.] The extension [[Page 77987]]
case involved a comprehensive assessment of zone use by the refinery
subzones considering their economic and regulatory circumstances. When
the Board extended NPF authority for refinery subzones in September
2000, it noted that the FTZ staff would conduct periodic reviews, as part of its zone monitoring program.
Summary. The industry review will involve an overall industrywide evaluation of the economic effects of the oil refining industry's use of FTZ procedures. It will address the role zone procedures play in helping the refineries and the industry to improve their international competitive situation, and in encouraging investment in the United States that might otherwise be done abroad.
Public comment on the review is invited from interested parties. Submissions (original and 3 copies) shall be addressed to the Board's Executive Secretary at one of the following addresses:
1. Submissions Via Express/Package Delivery Services: Foreign TradeZones Board, U.S. Department of Commerce, Franklin Court BuildingSuite 4100W, 1099 14th St. NW., Washington, DC 20005; or
2. Submissions Via the U.S. Postal Service: ForeignTradeZones Board, U.S. Department of Commerce, FCBSuite 4100W, 1401 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20230.
The closing period for their receipt is March 21, 2005.
Dated: December 21, 2004.
Dennis Puccinelli,
Executive Secretary.
SUMMARY:
Various States; Oil/petrochemical refinery subzone activity; review,
DOCUMENT BODY 2:
Background. The ForeignTrade Zones Board (the Board) has
authorized 81 refinery/petrochemical complexes to conduct crude oil/
petrochemical product refining activity under FTZ procedures. In 2000,
active refinery/petrochemical subzones requested and were approved an
indefinite extension of their NPF authority, which initially had been
granted for a fiveyear period (Board Order 1116, 65 FR 52696, 8/30/
2000). NPF authority involves full access to FTZ procedures for export
activity and, with regard to products sold in the U.S., the ability to
choose the Customs duty rates that apply to certain petrochemical
products and refinery byproducts (dutyfree), by admitting incoming
foreign inputs, such as crude oil, in nonprivileged foreign status.
Such petrochemicals and byproducts account for about 20 to 25 percent
of refinery activity, on average. [NPF authority does not apply to the
foreign inputs used to produce other refinery products, such as
gasoline, jet fuel, and heating oil (some 7580% of output); they would
continue to be subject to their normal duty rates.] The extension [[Page 77987]]
case involved a comprehensive assessment of zone use by the refinery
subzones considering their economic and regulatory circumstances. When
the Board extended NPF authority for refinery subzones in September
2000, it noted that the FTZ staff would conduct periodic reviews, as part of its zone monitoring program.
Summary. The industry review will involve an overall industrywide evaluation of the economic effects of the oil refining industry's use of FTZ procedures. It will address the role zone procedures play in helping the refineries and the industry to improve their international competitive situation, and in encouraging investment in the United States that might otherwise be done abroad.
Public comment on the review is invited from interested parties. Submissions (original and 3 copies) shall be addressed to the Board's Executive Secretary at one of the following addresses:
1. Submissions Via Express/Package Delivery Services: Foreign TradeZones Board, U.S. Department of Commerce, Franklin Court BuildingSuite 4100W, 1099 14th St. NW., Washington, DC 20005; or
2. Submissions Via the U.S. Postal Service: ForeignTradeZones Board, U.S. Department of Commerce, FCBSuite 4100W, 1401 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20230.
The closing period for their receipt is March 21, 2005.
Dated: December 21, 2004.
Dennis Puccinelli,
Executive Secretary.