2017-10444. Notice on Procedures for Attending or Viewing Remotely the Public Hearing on Section 232 National Security Investigation of Imports of Steel

AGENCY:

Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Technology Evaluation, U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice on procedures for attending or viewing remotely the public hearing.

SUMMARY:

On April 26, 2017, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), published the Notice Request for Public Comments and Public Hearing on Section 232 National Security Investigation of Imports of Steel. The April 26 notice specified that the Secretary of Commerce initiated an investigation to determine the effects on the national security of imports of steel. This investigation has been initiated under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended. (See the April 26 notice for additional details on the investigation and the request for public comments.)

The April 26 notice also announced that the Department of Commerce will hold a public hearing on the investigation on May 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Today's notice provides additional details on the procedures for attending the hearing and for viewing the hearing, via webcast.

DATES:

The hearing will be held on May 24, 2017 at the U.S. Department of Commerce auditorium, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230. The hearing will begin at 10:00 a.m. local time and conclude at 1:00 p.m. local time.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Brad Botwin, Director, Industrial Studies, Office of Technology Evaluation, Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce [phone], [e-mail]. For more information about the section 232 program, including the regulations and the text of previous investigations, see www.bis.doc.gov/​232.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On April 26, 2017 (82 FR 19205), the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published the Notice Request for Public Comments and Public Hearing on Section 232 National Security Investigation of Imports of Steel. The April 26 notice specified that on April 19, 2017, the Secretary of Commerce (“Secretary”) initiated an investigation under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862), to determine the effects on the national security of imports of steel. (See the April 26 notice for additional details on the investigation and the request for public comments.)

The April 26 notice also announced that the Department of Commerce will hold a public hearing on the investigation. The hearing will be held on May 24, 2017 at the U.S. Department of Commerce auditorium, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230. The hearing will begin at 10:00 a.m. local time and conclude at 1:00 p.m. local time. The hearing will assist the Department in determining whether imports of steel threaten to impair the national security and in recommending remedies, if such a threat is found to exist.

The April 26 notice included the following information: (a) Procedures for requesting participation in the hearing, including procedures for submitting comments; (b) conduct of the hearing; and (c) special accommodations for the hearing. (See the April 26 notice for additional details on these aspects of the public hearing.)

Today's notice provides additional details on the procedures for attending the hearing and for viewing the hearing, via webcast.

Procedure for Attending the Hearing, or Viewing the Hearing Via Webcast

Registration: Individuals and entities who wish to attend the public hearing are required to pre-register for the meeting on-line at www.bis.doc.gov/​232SteelHearing (preferred) or by emailing [e-mail]. Anyone wishing to attend this public hearing must register by 5:00 p.m. (EST), Tuesday, May 23, 2017.

Webcast: The public hearing will be available live via webcast. Please visit: www.bis.doc.gov/​232SteelHearing.

Visitor Access Requirement: For participants attending in person, please note that federal agencies can only accept a state-issued driver's license or identification card for access to federal facilities if such license or identification card is issued by a state that is compliant with the REAL ID Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-13), or by a state that has an extension for REAL ID compliance. The main entrance of the Department of Commerce is on 14th Street NW. between Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue, across from the Ronald Reagan Building. Upon entering the building, please go through security and check in at the guard's desk. BIS staff will meet and escort visitors to the auditorium.

Non U.S. Citizens Please Note: All foreign national visitors who do not have permanent resident status and who wish to register for the above meeting must fax a copy of their passport to [phone]. Please also bring a copy of your passport on the day of the hearing to serve as identification. Failure to provide this information prior to arrival will result, at a minimum, in significant delays in entering the facility. Authority to gather this information is derived from United States Department of Commerce Department Administrative Order (DAO) number 207-12. Please visit www.bis.doc.gov/​232SteelHearing to register and for more details regarding this requirement.

Dated: May 17, 2017.

Matthew S. Borman,

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Export Administration.