Samples for Regulatory Agency Releases - by Targeted News Service

NEW VEHICLES TESTED FOR EMISSIONS DURABILITY

Copyright © HT Media Ltd. 2005

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following press release:

EPA is issuing two actions related to vehicle emissions durability testing procedures. First, EPA is issuing a final rule that establishes vehicle aging procedures that automotive manufacturers must use to demonstrate that its vehicles will continue to meet the emission standards throughout the required useful life period (120,000 miles for most cars and trucks). EPA is completing this action to fulfill a court mandate issued on Oct. 22, 2002, by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to vacate the existing aging procedures and issue new regulations. This decision arose from a petition from the Afton Corporation (formerly known as Ethyl Corporation) to reconsider EPA's existing durability regulations.

In addition, EPA is proposing options for testing the durability of vehicle emissions-related components, such as oxygen sensors and catalytic converters. This supplemental proposal, will include options for addressing the durability of emissions-related components from three testing procedures. The first option would retain the current EPA process of allowing manufacturers to use good engineering judgment, such as computer modeling, test data, or other established methods to demonstrate component durability. The second option would allow manufacturers to continue using the current EPA process, but would require the manufacturers to submit whole vehicle testing data for a worst-case vehicle configuration. The third option would allow manufacturers to continue using the current EPA process, but would also require that manufacturers submit data when a new type of component or a new technology is being introduced.

For additional information, visit EPA's Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/ld-hwy.htm#cap2k

CHAIRMAN MARTIN ISSUES STATEMENT ON ANNOUNCEMENT THAT CABLE COMPANIES MAY VOLUNTARILY OFFER FAMILY TIERS

Copyright © HT Media Ltd. 2005

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following statement:

I am pleased that some cable companies may respond to consumer demand and begin to voluntarily offer family tiers. For several years, I have been urging the cable and satellite industry to give parents additional tools to help them address the increasing amount of coarse programming on television. Offering a family-friendly package has always been one of the options I supported.

I look forward to hearing more about the details of their plans and hope that it will provide parents with real options to address parents' legitimate concerns with having to purchase programming that they believe is unsuitable for their children.

ITC VOTES TO END CASES ON CARBON, CERTAIN ALLOY STEEL WIRE ROD FROM CHINA, GERMANY, AND TURKEY

Copyright © HT Media Ltd. 2005

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 -- The U.S. International Trade Commission issued the following press release:

The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that there is not a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod from China, Germany, and Turkey that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

All six Commissioners voted in the negative.

As a result of the Commission's negative determinations, the investigations will end.

The Commission's public report Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from China, Germany, and Turkey (Investigation Nos. 731-TA-1099-1101 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3832, January 2006) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after January 25, 2006, by calling 202-205-1809 or from the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod From China, Germany, and Turkey
Investigation Nos. 731-TA-1099-1101 (Preliminary)
Product Description: The imported products subject to these investigations are certain hot-rolled products of carbon steel and alloy steel, in coils, of approximately circular cross section, 4.75 mm or more, but less than 19.00 mm, in solid cross-sectional diameter. Specifically excluded are steel products possessing the above-noted physical characteristics and meeting the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States ("HTSUS") definitions for (a) stainless steel; (b) tool steel; (c) high nickel steel; (d) ball bearing steel; and (e) concrete reinforcing bars. Also excluded are free machining steel products (i.e., products that contain by weight one or more of the following elements: 0.03 percent or more of lead, 0.05 percent or more of bismuth, 0.08 percent or more of sulfur, more than 0.04 percent of phosphorus, more than 0.05 percent of selenium, or more than 0.01 percent of tellurium).

Status of Proceedings:

1. Type of investigations: Preliminary antidumping.

2. Petitioners: Connecticut Steel Corp., Wallingford, CT; Gerdau AmeriSteel U.S.
Inc., Tampa, FL; Keystone Steel & Wire Company, Peoria, IL; Mittal Steel USA
Georgetown, Georgetown, SC; and Rocky Mountain Steel Mills, Pueblo, CO.

3. Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC: November 10, 2005.

4. Commission's conference: December 1, 2005.

5. USITC vote: December 23, 2005.

6. USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce: December 27, 2005.

U.S. Industry:

1. Number of producers in 2004: Ten.

2. Location of producers' plants: Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, North
Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2004: 2558.

4. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2004: $4.0 billion.

5. Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption
in 2004: 48.3 %.

U.S. Imports:

1. From the subject countries during 2004: $801 million.

2. From other countries during 2004: $1.1 billion.

3. Leading sources during 2004: Canada and China (in terms of total value).