Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) seeks comments and information related to a commercial buildings technology evaluation process. DOE is seeking to create a process for evaluating emerging and underutilized energy efficient technologies for commercial buildings based on the voluntary submittal of product test data. The program would be centered on a publicly accessible listing of products that meet minimum energy efficiency criteria specified for the applicable technology type. Evaluation under the criteria would be based on product test data submitted by manufacturers, then analyzed by DOE to generate information related to the energy savings of the products. For those products that met the specified minimum energy efficiency criteria, the results of such analyses would be made publicly available. The program would provide centralized information on the analysis factors in a manner that would make results directly comparable between products within the same technology type or area.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is hereby granting a nationwide limited waiver of the Buy American requirements of section 1605 of the Recovery Act under the authority of Section 1605(b)(2), (iron, steel, and the relevant manufactured goods are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory quality), with respect to: (1) 400 to 750 watt micro hydro-turbines meeting the specifications detailed below; (2) Oil fired direct vent space heaters for use in buildings that do not have ducts or piping for boiler heating systems; (3) ENERGY STAR rated electric heat pump water heaters and ENERGY STAR rated through-the-wall air conditioners; (4) Grid tied solar inverters of 800W or less, for applications where the panels generate 139VDC or less (not including micro-inverters); (5) 50 hp TEFC inverter duty motors for use in an existing Marley cooling tower; (6) Geothermal heat pumps for demonstration scale waste heat geothermal systems that allow the direct use of untreated wastewater to heat and cool commercial buildings; (7) Point to point/point to multi-point electronic broadband microwave radio systems with alignment tone and IE browser interface; (8) LED luminaires for roadway illumination with customized filter application to meet specific lighting requirements of Mauna Kea observatory; (9) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) compressors, able to provide 3600 psi (248 bar) temperature compensated CNG supply to fast fill storage and fueling dispensers, efficient and adaptable to a small fleet (approximately 5 vehicles), as well as the wireless remote shut down controls (transmitters and receivers) for those CNG systems; (10) 8000W solar inverters for use with U.S. manufactured 315W panels; (11) Electronically commutated motor (ECM) type inline pumps; and (12) Inverters that permit optimal output of four (4) or more types of modules per array connected to inverter that will be used on eligible EERE-Recovery Act funded projects.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is hereby granting a nationwide limited waiver of the Buy American requirements of section 1605 of the Recovery Act under the authority of Section 1605(b)(2), (iron, steel, or the relevant manufactured goods are not produced in the United States at a reasonable cost), with respect to 300 Spanish Red Clay Tiles to be used on the Eagle Pass Library roof, a sub-grantee of the Texas State Energy Office, recipient of EECBG grant EE0000893.

This notice announces receipt of and publishes a petition for waiver from LG Electronics, Inc. (LG). The petition for waiver (hereafter ``petition'') requests a waiver from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure applicable to commercial package air-source and water-source central air conditioners and heat pumps. The petition is specific to the variable capacity Multi V SYNC II and Multi V Water II (commercial) multi-split heat pump models specified in LG's petition. Through this document, DOE: (1) Solicits comments, data, and information with respect to the LG petition; and (2) announces the grant of an interim waiver to LG from the existing DOE test procedure for the subject commercial multi-split air conditioners and heat pumps.

The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) will hold public meetings of the Interagency Energy Management Task Force (Task Force) in 2011. FEMP intends to hold recurring public meetings of the Task Force. Interested parties can check https://www.femp.energy.gov/news/ events.html for the time, location, agenda, and related materials of the meetings. The purpose of the town hall meetings is to provide information on current Federal energy management activities.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of the decision and order (Case No. CW-018) that grants to LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc. (LG) a waiver from the DOE clothes washer test procedure for determining the energy consumption of clothes washers for the basic models set forth in its petition for waiver. Under today's decision and order, LG shall be required to test and rate these clothes washers with larger clothes containers using an alternate test procedure that takes the larger capacities into account when measuring energy consumption.

This notice announces receipt of and publishes a petition for waiver from DaikinAC (Americas) Inc. (Daikin). The petition for waiver (hereafter ``petition'') requests a waiver from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure applicable to commercial package air-source central air conditioners and heat pumps. The petition is specific to the Daikin variable capacity VRV III-PB variable refrigerant flow (VRF) commercial multi-split heat pumps (``VRV III-PB multi-split heat pumps''). Through this document, DOE: solicits comments, data, and information with respect to the Daikin petition; and announces the grant of an interim waiver to Daikin from the existing DOE test procedure for the subject commercial multi-split heat pumps.

This notice announces receipt of and publishes the BSH Home Appliances Corporation (BSH) petition for waiver (hereafter, ``petition'') from specified portions of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure for determining the energy consumption of residential clothes dryers. The waiver request pertains to BSH's specified models of condensing residential clothes dryers. The existing test procedure does not apply to condensing clothes dryers. In addition, today's notice grants BSH an interim waiver from the DOE test procedure applicable to residential clothes dryers. DOE solicits comments, data, and information concerning BSH's petition.

This Notice establishes the procedure for program offices operating under the authority of the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in conducting the objective merit review of discretionary financial assistance and Other Transaction Authority funding applications. The effective date for the Objective Merit Review Procedure contained in this notice is March 18, 2011.

This notice announces receipt of and publishes the BSH Corporation (BSH) petition for waiver (hereafter, ``petition'') from specified portions of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure for determining the energy consumption of dishwashers. Today's notice also grants an interim waiver of the dishwasher test procedure. Through this notice, DOE also solicits comments with respect to the BSHpetition.

The Department of Energy (DOE) invites public comment on a proposed collection of information to support the Weatherization Assistance Program ARRA-Period Evaluation that DOE is developing for submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. Information about the operation of the program, energy used before and after weatherization, energy used by control group low-income homes, the effectiveness of specific energy efficiency measures, customer satisfaction with the program, and non-energy benefits is needed for a comprehensive and rigorous evaluation of the program operated during the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which includes Program Years 2009, 2010, and 2011.

In this notice, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is forecasting the representative average unit costs of five residential energy sources for the year 2011 pursuant to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The five sources are electricity, natural gas, No. 2 heating oil, propane, and kerosene.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of the decision and order (Case No. CW-017) that grants to Electrolux Home Products (Electrolux) a waiver from the DOE clothes washer test procedure for determining the energy consumption of clothes washers. Under today's decision and order, Electrolux shall be required to test and rate its clothes washers with larger clothes containers using an alternate test procedure that takes the larger capacities into account when measuring energy consumption.

This notice announces receipt of and publishes the LG Electronics USA, Inc. (LG) petition for waiver and application for interim waiver (hereafter, ``petition'') from specified portions of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure for determining the energy consumption of clothes washers. Today's notice also grants an interim waiver of the clothes washer test procedure. Through this notice, DOE also solicits comments with respect to the LG petition.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is hereby granting a six- month extension of the amended nationwide limited waiver of the Buy American requirements of section 1605 of the Recovery Act under the authority of section 1605(b)(1) (amended public interest waiver), with respect to the following solar photo-voltaic (PV) equipment: (1) Domestically-manufactured modules containing foreign-manufactured cells, (2) Foreign-manufactured modules, when completely comprised of domestically-manufactured cells, and (3) Any ancillary items and equipment (including, but not limited to, charge controllers, combiners and disconnect boxes, breakers and fuses, racks, trackers, lugs, wires, cables and all otherwise incidental equipment with the exception of inverters and batteries) when utilized in a solar installation involving a U.S. manufactured PV module, or a module manufactured abroad but comprised exclusively of domestically-manufactured cells until August 6, 2011. This waiver expires August 6, 2011 (six months from the date of expiration of the original waiver). Recipients of EERE Recovery Act funds who have taken substantial steps to commit funds for the purchase of the items covered in this waiver by August 6, 2011 will not be impacted by the expiration of this waiver.

The purpose of the ERAC is to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Energy on the research, development, demonstration, and deployment priorities within the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy. The Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, 86 Stat. 770, requires that agencies publish notice of an advisory committee meeting in the Federal Register.

This notice of availability announces that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) is soliciting public comments on a draft guidance document regarding Federal agency implementation of energy and water efficiency requirements. The draft Guidance for the Implementation and Follow-up of Identified Energy and Water Efficiency Measures in Covered Facilities (per 42 U.S.C. 8253 Subsection (f), Use of Energy and Water Efficiency Measures in Federal Buildings) is available at: https://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/ draftEISAprojectguidance.pdf

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of the decision and order (Case No. CW-013) that grants to the General Electric Company (GE) a waiver from the DOE clothes washer test procedure for determining the energy consumption of clothes washers. Under today's decision and order, GE shall be required to test and rate its clothes washers with larger clothes containers using an alternate test procedure that takes the larger capacities into account when measuring energy consumption.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is hereby issuing an Amended Determination of Inapplicability (waiver) of section 1605 of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (Recovery Act Buy American provisions) to EERE-funded projects for LED traffic lights, arrows and crosswalk signals, as well as the adjacent wires and electronic parts necessary for the functionality of the lights themselves. This amendment withdraws the waiver issued on February 11, 2010 for LED traffic lights, arrows and crosswalk signals, as well as the adjacent wires and electronic parts necessary for the functionality of the lights themselves.

This notice announces receipt of and publishes the LG Electronics USA, Inc. (LG) petition for waiver (hereafter, ``petition'') from specified portions of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure for determining the energy consumption of clothes washers. Today's notice also grants an interim waiver of the clothes washer test procedure. Through this notice, DOE also solicits comments with respect to the LG petition.

This notice announces the first meeting of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee (ERAC). The Federal Advisory Committee Act, Pub. L. 92-463, 86 Stat. 770, requires that public notice of this meeting be announced in the Federal Register. To attend the meeting and/or to make oral statements during the public comment period, please e-mail erac@ee.doe.gov at least five business days before the meeting, no later than Tuesday, November 23, 2010. In the e-mail, please indicate your name, organization (if appropriate), citizenship, and contact information. Please be aware, entry to the DOE Forrestal building will be restricted to those who have confirmed their attendance in advance. Anyone attending the meeting will be required to present a government photo identification, such as a passport, driver's license, or government identification. Due to the required security screening upon entry, individuals attending should arrive early to allow for the extra time needed.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is hereby granting an Amended nationwide limited waiver of the Buy American requirements of section 1605 of the Recovery Act under the authority of Section 1605(b)(1) (amended public interest waiver), with respect to the following solar photo- voltaic (PV) equipment: (1) Domestically-manufactured modules containing foreign-manufactured cells, (2) foreign-manufactured modules, when completely comprised of domestically-manufactured cells, and (3) any ancillary items and equipment (including, but not limited to, charge controllers, combiners and disconnect boxes, breakers and fuses, racks, trackers, lugs, wires, cables and all otherwise incidental equipment with the exception of inverters and batteries) when utilized in a solar installation involving a U.S. manufactured PV module, or a module manufactured abroad but comprised exclusively of domestically-manufactured cells. This waiver expires February 6, 2011 (six months from the date of the original waiver issuance). Recipients of EERE Recovery Act funds who have taken substantial steps to commit funds for the purchase of the items covered in this waiver by February 6, 2011 will not be impacted by the expiration of this waiver. This amended determination clarifies and supersedes the solar public interest waiver issued on August 6, 2010. Specifically, this amended public interest determination clarifies that thin-film and flexible PV installations are also subject to the terms of this waiver.

The Department of Energy (DOE) invites public comment on a proposed collection of information that DOE is developing for submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of the decision and order (Case No. DW-004) that grants to Whirlpool Corporation (Whirlpool) a waiver from the DOE dishwasher test procedure for certain basic models containing integrated or built-in water softeners. Under today's decision and order, Whirlpool shall be required to test and rate its dishwashers with integrated water softeners using an alternate test procedure that takes this technology into account when measuring energy and water consumption.

This notice announces receipt of and publishes the Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (Samsung) petition for waiver (hereafter, ``petition'') from specified portions of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure for determining the energy consumption of clothes washers. Today's notice also grants an interim waiver of the clothes washer test procedure. Through this notice, DOE also solicits comments with respect to the Samsung petition.