2010-26266. Small Diameter Graphite Electrodes From the People's Republic of China: Extension of Time Limit for the Preliminary Results of the First Administrative Review of the Antidumping Duty Order

AGENCY:

Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

DATES:

Effective Date: October 19, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Frances Veith or Lindsey Novom, AD/CVD Operations, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230, telephone: [phone] or [phone], respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On March 30, 2010, the Department of Commerce (“the Department”) initiated the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on small diameter graphite electrodes from the People's Republic of China (“PRC”) for the period August 21, 2008, through January 31, 2010. See Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews and Requests for Revocation in Part, 75 FR 15679 (March 30, 2010). The preliminary results of this review are currently due no later than October 31, 2010.

Statutory Time Limits

Section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (“the Act”), requires the Department to make a preliminary determination in an administrative review within 245 days after the last day of the anniversary month of an order for which a review is requested and a final determination within 120 days after the date on which the preliminary results are published. However, if it is not practicable to complete the review within these time periods, section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act allows the Department to extend the time limit for the preliminary determination to a maximum of 365 days after the last day of the anniversary month.

Extension of Time Limit of Preliminary Results

We determine that it is not practicable to complete the preliminary results of this review within the original time limit because the Department requires additional time to analyze the supplemental questionnaire responses, issue additional supplemental questionnaires if necessary, and evaluate the most appropriate surrogate values on the administrative record to use in this segment of the proceeding. Therefore, the Department is extending the time limit for completion of the preliminary results by 120 days. An extension of 120 days from the current deadline of October 31, 2010, would result in a new deadline of February 28, 2011. The final results continue to be due 120 days after the publication of the preliminary results.

We are issuing and publishing this notice in accordance with sections 751(a)(3)(A) and 777(i)(1) of the Act.

Dated: October 13, 2010.

Susan H. Kuhbach,

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Operations.