U.S. export controls no barrier to green tech trade

U.S. export controls no barrier to green tech trade    U.S. export controls have minimal impact on trade in so-called 'green' technology, such as wind turbines, solar panels and energy efficiency devices, according to a 37-page report released Wednesday by the Commerce Department's Office of Technology Evaluation.
   The report, Critical Technology Assessment: Impact of U.S. Export Controls on Green Technology Items, found that most of these technologies do not require an export license from the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).
   Licensed green technology-related exports represented 0.05 percent of total U.S. exports and 0.004 percent of all energy sector exports in 2008. Of the $1.3 billion in total U.S. exports in 2008, BIS identified 5.8 percent ($75 billion) as green technology-related exports, and only 0.9 percent ($697.4 million) of these required an export license.
   In the report, the agency specifically reviewed green energy projects receiving grant money from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and loans from the Energy Department's Loan Guarantee Program, established in the 2005 Energy Policy Act. It also surveyed industry members of BIS's Technical Advisory Committees and information from companies that develop green technologies.
   Some of the 'dual-use' components, or items with both commercial and military applications, used in wind turbines, solar panels, alternative fuel vehicles, water purification systems and energy efficiency devices may require export licenses.
   The report found, for example, that makers of carbon fiber and machine tools used to make wind turbine blades complain about the lengthy process to obtain BIS export licenses for shipping their products to customers overseas.
   'Two companies with production facilities in the United States that are industry leaders for tape laying and tow/fiber placement machines used to manufacture windmill turbine blades are considering moving production of these machines overseas, especially because of the increased demand for wind turbines,' the Office of Technology Evaluation report warned.
   Exports of metal-organic chemical vapor deposition equipment require export licenses in most cases and are used to produce solar cells and LED lighting products. A U.S. producer has watched international sales of its technology go to overseas competitors due to the export licensing delays, the report noted.
   In response to the report's findings, BIS said it will issue exporter guidance clarifying which tape laying and tow/fiber placement machines would be controlled for national security purposes, and monitor the volume of export license application received for chemicals, chemical equipment, industrial gas turbines and components, and thermal imaging cameras and adjust its export licensing policy and regulations where possible.
   The agency plans to develop a green technology working group to identify emerging technologies that can support green technology initiatives that may be subject to an export license requirement in the future, and work with the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration on harmonizing export promotion efforts in the energy sector.
   In addition, BIS said it would work with other federal agencies to develop 'a license exception, fast-track license review, and/or a one-time product/end-user review procedure for the export of items for civilian (i.e. non-military) green-related end-uses only.' ' Chris Gillis