2012-5785. Utility Scale Wind Towers From the People's Republic of China: Notice of Postponement of Preliminary Determination in the Countervailing Duty Investigation

AGENCY:

Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

DATES:

Effective Date: March 9, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kristen Johnson or Patricia Tran, AD/CVD Operations, Office 3, Import Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 4014, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: [phone] and 202-482-1503, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On January 18, 2012, the Department of Commerce (the Department) initiated the countervailing duty investigation of utility scale wind towers from the People's Republic of China. See Utility Scale Wind Towers From the People's Republic of China: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigation, 77 FR 3447 (January 24, 2012). Currently, the preliminary determination is due no later than March 23, 2012.

Postponement of Due Date for Preliminary Determination

Section 703(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), requires the Department to issue the preliminary determination in a countervailing duty investigation within 65 days after the date on which the Department initiated the investigation. However, if the Department concludes that the parties concerned in the investigation are cooperating and determines that the investigation is extraordinarily complicated, section 703(c)(1)(B) of the Act allows the Department to postpone making the preliminary determination until no later than 130 days after the date on which the administering authority initiated the investigation.

The Department has determined that the parties involved in the proceeding are cooperating and that the investigation is extraordinarily complicated. See section 703(c)(1)(B) of the Act. Specifically, the Department is currently investigating alleged subsidy programs involving loans, grants, income tax incentives, and the provision of goods or services for less than adequate remuneration. Due to the number and complexity of the alleged countervailable subsidy practices being investigated, it is not practicable to complete the preliminary determination of this investigation within the original time limit (i.e., by March 23, 2012). Therefore, in accordance with section 703(c)(1)(B) of the Act, we are fully extending the due date for the preliminary determination to no later than 130 days after the day on which the investigation was initiated. However, as that date falls on a Sunday (i.e., May 27, 2012) and is followed by a federal holiday on Monday, May 28, 2012, the deadline for completion of the preliminary determination is now Tuesday, May 29, 2012, the next business day.

This notice is issued and published pursuant to section 703(c)(2) of the Act.

Dated: March 2, 2012.

Ronald K. Lorentzen,

Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.