All of the crude oil, constituting some 90 percent of inputs, and some blendstocks, such as MTBE, are sourced abroad. Zone procedures would exempt the refinery from Customs duty payments on the foreign products used in its exports. On domestic sales, the company is seeking to avoid duties on fuel used in the refinery and to choose the finished product duty rate in certain circumstances. For example, the company proposes to choose the zero duty rate that applies to certain refinery gases, such as methane, ethane, butane, propane, and certain refinery by-products, such as sulfur and petroleum coke. The application indicates that the savings from zone procedures would help improve the refinery's international competitiveness.
Public comment is invited from interested parties.
The closing period for their receipt is July 27, 1993. Rebuttal comments in response to material submitted during the foregoing period may be submitted during the subsequent 15-day period to August 11, 1993. May 21, 1993. John J. Da Ponte, Jr., Executive Secretary.