Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 169 / Wednesday, September 2, 2009 / Notices 45419 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Water and Energy Conservation: U.S. 

Department of Commerce Services for 

Agribusiness 

AGENCY: International Trade 

Administration, Department of 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice of meeting. 

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of 

Commerce (DOC) will host a one-day 

conference for participants in the 

agribusiness industry during which 

senior U.S. government officials will 

inform private sector stakeholders, 

particularly manufacturers of irrigation 

and agricultural equipment and relevant 

alternative energy technology, food 

processors, and specialized service 

providers, of Commerce Department 

programs, services, and data that may be 

of assistance to them in reducing their 

consumption of water and energy. By 

lowering U.S. companies’ costs 

associated with water and energy 

consumption, Commerce Department 

programs can assist American firms to 

be more competitive in domestic and 

international markets, as well as 

advance U.S. Government objectives 

with respect to sustainability and 

climate change. 

A secondary purpose is to inform 

attendees of preparations for the United 

Nations Framework Convention on 

Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations 

and for them to advise U.S. officials on 

the impact a new UNFCCC agreement 

could have on their respective 

operations and on associated 

commercial opportunities. 

The conference will be held in El 

Centro, California at the Barcelona 

Event Center. 

DATES: September 17, 2009. 

ADDRESSES: To register for the 

conferences, please visit the following 

Web site: http://www.ivedc.com/ 

?pid=1188. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Selection Criteria 

Participation is on a first-come-first 

served basis. A $30 fee will be charged. 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration—The Mission of the 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration (NOAA) is to 

understand and predict changes in 

Earth’s environment and conserve and 

manage coastal and marine resources to 

meet our Nation’s economic, social, and 

environmental needs. 

A number of NOAA organizations 

offer data and services to assist 

agribusiness in responding to drought 

and the need to conserve water. These 

include the National Climatic Data 

Center (NCDC), which provides and 

ensures timely access to global 

environmental data from satellites and 

other sources, provides information 

services, and develops science products; 

the National Integrated Drought 

Information System (NIDIS), which 

provides authoritative, reliable 

information for farmers, forestry 

professionals, urban water managers, 

and other decision makers who need to 

prepare for and mitigate the effects of 

drought.; and the Western Regional 

Climate Center (WRCC), one of six such 

centers that produce and deliver useful 

climate data, information and 

knowledge in a timely manner for 

decision makers and other users at the 

local, state, regional and national levels. 

International Trade Administration— 

The International Trade Administration 

(ITA) is charged with the mission of 

strengthening the competitiveness of 

U.S. industry, of promoting trade and 

investment, and of ensuring fair trade 

and compliance with trade laws and 

agreements. ITA creates opportunities 

for U.S. workers and firms by promoting 

international trade opportunities and by 

fostering a level playing field for 

American business. 

ITA’s Manufacturing and Services 

(MAS) unit is dedicated to 

strengthening the global 

competitiveness of U.S. industry, 

expanding its market access, and 

increasing exports. MAS undertakes 

industry economic and trade policy 

analysis, shapes U.S. trade policy, 

participates in trade negotiations, 

organizes trade capacity building 

programs, and evaluates the impact of 

domestic and international economic 

and regulatory policies on U.S. 

manufacturers and service industries. 

The U.S. Commercial Service is ITA’s 

trade promotion unit. Commercial 

Service trade specialists in 107 U.S. 

cities and more than 80 countries work 

with U.S. companies to help them sell 

American goods and services in global 

markets. 

National Institute of Standards and 

Technology/Manufacturers Extension 

Partnership 

The National Institute of Standards 

and Technology (NIST) is a nonregulatory federal agency within the 

U.S. Department of Commerce. NIST’s 

mission is to promote U.S. innovation 

and industrial competitiveness by 

advancing measurement science, 

standards, and technology in ways that 

enhance economic security and improve 

our quality of life. NIST’s 

Manufacturing Extension Partnership 

(MEP) is a national network of 

specialists who provide American 

companies with services and access to 

public and private resources to enhance 

growth, improve productivity, and 

expand capacity. 

The United Nations Framework 

Convention on Climate Change 

(UNFCC)—The UNFCCC was signed in 

1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and 

entered into force on March 21, 1994. 

Currently, 192 states have ratified the 

Convention, including the United 

States. The treaty requires national 

inventories of greenhouse gas emissions 

from developed countries and 

encourages national action to stem 

greenhouse gas emissions and slow 

climate change. Developed nations also 

pledge to share technology and 

resources with developing nations. 

Negotiations under the UNFCCC are 

underway to formulate a successor 

agreement to the convention’s Kyoto 

Protocol. The discussions have the goal 

of concluding an agreement in 

Copenhagen this December. Potential 

impacts on U.S. industrial 

competitiveness will be discussed 

during the upcoming conferences 

include technology transfer, intellectual 

property, financing, and related 

commercial opportunities. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Padraic Sweeney, in the Office of 

Transportation and Machinery, at 202– 

482–5024, or by e-mail: 

Padraic.Sweeney@mail.doc.gov. 

Dated: August 27, 2009. 

Thomas Sobotta, 

Acting Director, Office of Transportation and 

Machinery, U.S. Department of Commerce. 

[FR Doc. E9–21210 Filed 9–1–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Water and Energy Conservation: U.S. 

Department of Commerce Services for 

Agribusiness 

AGENCY: International Trade 

Administration, Department of 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice of meeting. 

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of 

Commerce (DOC) will host a one-day 

conferences for participants in the 

agribusiness industry during which 

senior U.S. government officials will 

inform private sector stakeholders, 

particularly manufacturers of irrigation 

and agricultural equipment and relevant 

alternative energy technology, food 

processors, and specialized service 

providers, of Commerce Department 

programs, services, and data that may be 

of assistance to them in reducing their 


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