The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of low enriched uranium from France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman Stephen Koplan and Commissioners Lynn M. Bragg, Marcia E. Miller, and Jennifer A. Hillman voted in the affirmative. Vice Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun and Commissioner Dennis M. Devaney did not participate in these investigations.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its countervailing duty and antidumping duty investigations of imports of low enriched uranium from France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, with its preliminary countervailing duty determinations due on or about March 2, 2001, and its preliminary antidumping determinations due on or about May 16, 2001.

The Commission's public report Low Enriched Uranium from France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom (Investigations Nos. 701- TA-409-412 and 731-TA-909- 912 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3388, January 2001) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after February 19, 2001, 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.

Product Description: For purposes of these investigations, LEU is enriched uranium hexafluoride (UF6) with a U235 assay of less than 20 percent that has not been converted into another chemical form, such as UO2, or fabricated into nuclear fuel assemblies, regardless of the means by which the LEU is produced (including LEU produced through the down-blending of highly enriched uranium). LEU is an intermediate product used in the production of nuclear fuel for use in nuclear power plants for the generation of electricity. The merchandise subject to these investigations is provided for in subheading 2844.20.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.

Status of Proceedings:
1.  Type of investigations:  Preliminary phase countervailing duty and antidumping duty.
2.  Petitioner:  USEC Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary United States Enrichment Corp.,
        Bethesda, MD.
3.  Investigations instituted by USITC:  December 14, 2000.
4.  Conference:  December 28, 2000.
5.  USITC vote:  January 22, 2001.
6.  Transmittal of USITC determinations to Department of Commerce:  January 22, 2001.

U.S. Industry:
1.  U.S. producers in 1999:  One.
2.  Location of producer's plants:  Piketon, OH (Portsmouth) and Paducah, KY.
3.  Production during 1999 (separative work units (SWUs)): (1)
4.  Average number of production and related workers during 1999: (1)
5.  U.S. consumption during 1999 (1,000 SWUs): 10,279.    
6.  U.S. consumption during 1999 (1,000 dollars): 1,096,008. 

U.S. Imports:
1.  Quantity of subject imports during 1999: (1) 

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