Energy Conservation Standards for General Service Fluorescent Lamps, Incandescent Reflector Lamps, and General Service Incandescent Lamps: Public Meeting and Availability of the Framework Document, 30834-30836 [E6-8356]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
30834
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
Vol. 71, No. 104
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains notices to the public of the proposed
issuance of rules and regulations. The
purpose of these notices is to give interested
persons an opportunity to participate in the
rule making prior to the adoption of the final
rules.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
7 CFR Part 330
9 CFR Part 94
[Docket No. 05–002–3]
Interstate Movement of Garbage From
Hawaii; Municipal Solid Waste
Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of
comment period.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We are reopening the
comment period for our proposed rule
that would amend the regulations
pertaining to certain garbage to provide
for the interstate movement of garbage
from Hawaii subject to measures
designed to protect against the
dissemination of plant pests into
noninfested areas of the continental
United States. This action will allow
interested persons additional time to
prepare and submit comments.
DATES: We will consider all comments
that we receive on or before June 5,
2006.
You may submit comments
by either of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and, in the
lower ‘‘Search Regulations and Federal
Actions’’ box, select ‘‘Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service’’ from the
agency drop-down menu, then click on
‘‘Submit.’’ In the Docket ID column,
select APHIS–2005–0047 to submit or
view public comments and to view
supporting and related materials
available electronically. Information on
using Regulations.gov, including
instructions for accessing documents,
submitting comments, and viewing the
docket after the close of the comment
period, is available through the site’s
‘‘User Tips’’ link.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:
Please send four copies of your
mstockstill on PROD1PC61 with PROPOSALS
ADDRESSES:
VerDate Aug<31>2005
14:56 May 30, 2006
Jkt 208001
comment (an original and three copies)
to Docket No. 05–002–2, Regulatory
Analysis and Development, PPD,
APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River
Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–
1238. Please state that your comment
refers to Docket No. 05–002–2.
Reading Room: You may read any
comments that we receive on Docket
No. 05–002–2 in our reading room. The
reading room is located in room 1141 of
the USDA South Building, 14th Street
and Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC. Normal reading room
hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except holidays. To be
sure someone is there to help you,
please call (202) 690–2817 before
coming.
Other Information: Additional
information about APHIS and its
programs is available on the Internet at
https://www.aphis.usda.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Shannon Hamm, Assistant Deputy
Administrator, Policy and Program
Development, APHIS, 4700 River Road
Unit 20, Riverdale, MD 20737–1231;
(301) 734–4957.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April
19, 2006, we published in the Federal
Register (71 FR 20030–20041, Docket
No. 05–002–2) a proposal to amend the
regulations pertaining to certain garbage
to provide for the interstate movement
of garbage from Hawaii subject to
measures designed to protect against the
dissemination of plant pests into
noninfested areas of the continental
United States.
Comments on the proposed rule were
required to be received on or before May
19, 2006. We are reopening the
comment period on Docket No. 05–002–
2 until June 5, 2006. This action will
allow interested persons additional time
to prepare and submit comments. We
will also consider all comments
received between May 19, 2006, and the
date of this notice.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7701–7772, 7781–
7786, and 8301–8317; 21 U.S.C. 136 and
136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 42 U.S.C. 4331 and
4332; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, 371.3, and 371.4.
Done in Washington, DC, this 25th day of
May 2006.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E6–8455 Filed 5–30–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy
10 CFR Part 430
[Docket No. EE–2006–STD–0131]
RIN 1904–AA92
Energy Conservation Standards for
General Service Fluorescent Lamps,
Incandescent Reflector Lamps, and
General Service Incandescent Lamps:
Public Meeting and Availability of the
Framework Document
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting and
availability of the Framework
Document.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Department of Energy
(DOE or Department) will hold an
informal public meeting to discuss and
receive comments on issues it will
address in this rulemaking proceeding.
The Department is initiating the
rulemaking process to amend energy
conservation standards for general
service fluorescent lamps, incandescent
reflector lamps, and general service
incandescent lamps. The Department
also encourages written comments on
these subjects. To inform stakeholders
and facilitate this process, DOE has
prepared a Framework Document, a
draft of which is available at: https://
www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/
appliance_standards/.
DATES: The Department will hold a
public meeting on Thursday, June 15,
2006, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in
Washington, DC. Any person requesting
to speak at the public meeting should
submit a request to speak before 4 p.m.,
Thursday, June 8, 2006. The Department
must receive a signed original and an
electronic copy of statements to be given
at the public meeting before 4 p.m.,
Thursday, June 8, 2006. Written
comments are welcome, especially
following the public meeting, and
should be submitted by Thursday, June
29, 2006.
ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be
held at the U.S. Department of Energy,
Forrestal Building, Room 1E–245, 1000
Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121. (Please
note that foreign nationals participating
E:\FR\FM\31MYP1.SGM
31MYP1
mstockstill on PROD1PC61 with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 104 / Wednesday, May 31, 2006 / Proposed Rules
in the public meeting are subject to
advance security screening procedures.
If a foreign national wishes to
participate in the workshop, please
inform DOE of this fact as soon as
possible by contacting Ms. Brenda
Edwards-Jones at (202) 586–2945 so that
the necessary procedures can be
completed.)
Stakeholders may submit comments,
identified by docket number EE–2006–
STD–0131 and/or RIN number 1904–
AA92, by any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• E-mail: fluorescent_and_
incandescent_lamps.
rulemaking@ee.doe.gov. Include EE–
2006–STD–0131 and/or RIN 1904–AA92
in the subject line of the message.
• Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards-Jones,
U.S. Department of Energy, Building
Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J,
Framework Document for Fluorescent
and Incandescent Lamps, EE–2006–
STD–0131 and/or RIN 1904–AA92, 1000
Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121. Please
submit one signed paper original.
• Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda
Edwards-Jones, U.S. Department of
Energy, Building Technologies Program,
Room 1J–018, 1000 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585–
0121. Telephone: (202) 586–2945.
Please submit one signed paper original.
Instructions: All submissions received
must include the agency name and
docket number or Regulatory
Information Number (RIN) for this
rulemaking.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents, a copy of
the transcript of the public meeting, or
comments received, go to the U.S.
Department of Energy, Forrestal
Building, Room 1J–018 (Resource Room
of the Building Technologies Program),
1000 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121, (202) 586–
9127, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. Please call Ms. Brenda
Edwards-Jones at the above telephone
number for additional information
regarding visiting the Resource Room.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Linda Graves, Esq., U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Building
Technologies, EE–2J, 1000
Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121, (202) 586–
1851. E-mail: linda.graves@ee.doe.gov.
Thomas B. DePriest, Esq., U.S.
Department of Energy, Office of General
Counsel, GC–72, 1000 Independence
VerDate Aug<31>2005
14:56 May 30, 2006
Jkt 208001
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585–
0121, (202) 586–9507. E-mail:
Thomas.DePriest@hq.doe.gov.
The
Energy Policy and Conservation Act
(EPCA or the Act) of 1975 (42 U.S.C.
6291–6309) established an energy
conservation program for major
household appliances. The National
Energy Conservation Policy Act of 1978
(NECPA) amended EPCA to add Part C
of Title III (42 U.S.C. 6311–6317), which
established an energy conservation
program for certain industrial
equipment. Additional amendments to
EPCA have given DOE the authority to
regulate the energy efficiency of several
products, including certain fluorescent
and incandescent lamps, the products
that are the focus of this rulemaking.
Amendments to EPCA in the Energy
Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT 1992),
Public Law 102–486, established energy
conservation standards for residential,
commercial and industrial general
service fluorescent lamps and
incandescent reflector lamps, as well as
requirements to conduct two cycles of
rulemakings for determining whether
these standards should be amended.1
(42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(1), (3)–(4)) In
addition, EPCA provides that within
twenty-four months after the Federal
Trade Commission’s (FTC) labeling
requirements have become effective for
general service fluorescent lamps and
general service incandescent lamps,
DOE must initiate a rulemaking to
determine if the standards in effect for
such lamps should be amended so that
they would be applicable to additional
general service fluorescent and general
service incandescent lamps. (42 U.S.C.
6295(i)(5)) Furthermore, according to
EPCA, DOE must publish a rule within
eighteen months of initiating the
rulemaking. (Id.) The FTC published its
labeling requirements for covered lamps
on May 13, 1994, which had an effective
date of May 15, 1995. 59 FR 25176.
Previously, the Department did not take
action on the requirements of 42 U.S.C.
6295(i) because lamps were assigned
low priority based on public comment
and potential energy savings estimates
in the priority setting process.2
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1 Although EPACT 1992 placed regulatory
authority, standards, and definitions for fluorescent
and incandescent lamps under the energy
conservation program for consumer products (42
U.S.C. 6291–6309), those provisions also apply to
general service fluorescent and incandescent
reflector lamps distributed for commercial use. (42
U.S.C. 6291(1)).
2 See Appendix B to FY 2005 Preliminary
Priority-Setting Summary Report on the DOE Web
page at: https://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/
appliance_standards/priority_setting.html.
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
30835
Section 1.2 of the Framework
Document provides detail on the
distinction between fluorescent lamps
and general service fluorescent lamps,
and the differences among incandescent
lamps, incandescent reflector lamps and
general service incandescent lamps. The
following paragraphs discuss the
statutory requirements and actions that
DOE is taking for each of the lamp types
covered in this rulemaking.3
EPCA’s standards for general service
fluorescent lamps require that they meet
prescribed minimum efficacy levels per
given color rendering index (CRI)
levels.4 In this rulemaking, DOE is
conducting its first review, pursuant to
42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(3), to determine if
these standards should be amended,
while fulfilling the additional
requirement, in 42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(5), to
determine if the standards should be
applicable to additional general service
fluorescent lamps.
As with general service fluorescent
lamps, EPCA establishes energy
conservation standards for incandescent
reflector lamps, requiring that certain
lamps meet prescribed efficacy levels. In
this rulemaking, the Department is
conducting its first review, pursuant to
42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(3), to determine if the
standards should be amended. The
Department is also fulfilling the
additional requirement in 42 U.S.C.
6295(i)(5) to determine whether the
standards should cover additional
general service incandescent lamps,
including additional incandescent
reflector lamps.
To begin the required rulemaking
process, the Department prepared the
Framework Document to present the
issues and explain the analyses and
process it anticipates using to amend
the energy conservation standards for
general service fluorescent lamps,
incandescent reflector lamps, and
general service incandescent lamps. The
focus of the public meeting will be to
3 This rulemaking addresses ‘‘backlog’’
rulemakings for incandescent general service lamps,
fluorescent lamps, and incandescent reflector lamps
that are identified in the report that DOE submitted
to Congress on January 31, 2006, Energy
Conservation Standards Activities, pursuant to
section 141 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Pub.
L. 109–58) and to the Conference Report (109–275)
to the Fiscal Year 2006, Energy and Water
Development Appropriations Act. The report is
available as a PDF file on the DOE Web page at:
https://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/
appliance_standards/2006_schedule_setting.html.
4 The Act defines ‘‘lamp efficacy’’ as ‘‘the lumen
output of a lamp divided by its wattage, expressed
in lumens per watt (LPW).’’ (42 U.S.C. 6291(30)(M))
It defines ‘‘color rendering index’’ (CRI) as ‘‘the
measure of the degree of color shift objects undergo
when illuminated by a light source as compared
with the color of those same objects when
illuminated by a reference source of comparable
color temperature.’’ (42 U.S.C. 6291(30)(J)).
E:\FR\FM\31MYP1.SGM
31MYP1
30836
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 104 / Wednesday, May 31, 2006 / Proposed Rules
mstockstill on PROD1PC61 with PROPOSALS
discuss the analyses and issues
identified in various sections of the
Framework Document. During the
Department’s presentation to
stakeholders, the Department will
discuss each item listed in the
Framework Document as an issue for
comment. The Department will also
make a brief presentation on the
rulemaking process for these products.
The Department encourages those who
wish to participate in the public
meeting to obtain the Framework
Document and be prepared to discuss its
contents. A copy of the draft Framework
Document is available at: https://
www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/
appliance_standards/. However, public
meeting participants need not limit their
discussions to the topics in the
Framework Document. The Department
is also interested in receiving views
concerning other relevant issues that
participants believe would affect energy
conservation standards for these
products. The Department also
welcomes all interested parties, whether
or not they participate in the public
meeting, to submit in writing by
Thursday, June 29, 2006, comments and
information on the matters addressed in
the Framework Document and on other
matters relevant to consideration of
standards for these lamps.
The public meeting will be conducted
in an informal, facilitated, conference
style. A court reporter will be present to
prepare a transcript of the meeting.
There shall be no discussion of
proprietary information, costs or prices,
market shares, or other commercial
matters regulated by the U.S. antitrust
laws.
After the public meeting and the
expiration of the period for submitting
written statements, the Department will
begin collecting data, conducting the
analyses as discussed at the public
meeting, and reviewing the comments
received.
Anyone who would like to participate
in the public meeting, receive meeting
materials, or be added to the DOE
mailing list to receive future notices and
information regarding fluorescent and
incandescent lamps, should contact Ms.
Brenda Edwards-Jones at (202) 586–
2945.
Issued in Washington, DC, on May 24,
2006.
Douglas L. Faulkner,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. E6–8356 Filed 5–30–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
VerDate Aug<31>2005
14:56 May 30, 2006
Jkt 208001
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
15 CFR Part 360
[Docket Number: 060316072–6072–01]
RIN: 0625–AA70
Mexican Cement Import Licensing
System
Import Administration,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule and request for
public comment.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce
(Commerce) requests public comment
on a proposed rule to establish a
Mexican Cement Import Licensing
System in accordance with the
Agreement Between the Office of the
United States Trade Representative and
the Department of Commerce of the
United States of America and the
Ministry of Economy of the United
Mexican States (Secretaria de Economia)
on Trade in Cement (Agreement), dated
March 6, 2006. This cement licensing
system is intended to enable Commerce
to monitor the sub-regional export limits
established by the Agreement for the
three year duration of the Agreement.
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before 5 p.m., Eastern
daylight savings time on June 30, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should
be sent to Jonathan Herzog, Senior
International Trade Policy Analyst,
Import Administration, Room 1870,
Department of Commerce, 14th and
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sally C. Gannon (202) 482–0162; Judith
Wey Rudman (202) 482–0192; or
Jonathan Herzog (202) 482–4271.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March
6, 2006, the Office of the United States
Trade Representative (USTR),
Commerce, and Secretaria de Economia
signed a bilateral agreement concerning
trade in cement between the United
States and Mexico. A copy of the
Agreement is available on the
Commerce Web site: https://
www.ia.ita.doc.gov/download/mexicocement/cement-final-agreement.pdf.
This Agreement settles ongoing
litigation before the North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and
World Trade Organization (WTO)
dispute resolution panels, and provides
for export limits for three years. This
Agreement applies only to cement from
Mexico as defined in Section I.L. of the
Agreement.
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
The Agreement provides that
Commerce shall establish an import
licensing system in order to implement
the terms of this Agreement. Consistent
with Reorganization Plan No. 5 of 1950,
effective May 24 (1950 15 FR 3174, 64
Stat. 1263), the Secretary of Commerce
has delegated the authority for
establishing and operating such a
system, as provided under 13 U.S.C.
301(a) and 302, to the International
Trade Administration (ITA) under
Delegation of Authority 10–3. In order
to implement this authority, ITA is
today publishing this proposed rule and
request for comment to establish an
internet-based cement licensing system
called the Mexican Cement Import
Licensing System. The Mexican Cement
Import Licensing System is designed to
allow Commerce to gain all of the realtime information it needs to meet its
obligations under this important
bilateral trade agreement with Mexico.
The system would be comprised of two
parts:
(1) An online registration system for
cement importers; and
(2) An automatic cement license
issuance system.
All importers of cement products
from Mexico would be required to
obtain an import license and provide
that license number to U.S. Customs
and Border Protection (CBP) on the
entry summary (CBP Form 7501). In
addition to the standard information
required to be reported on CBP Form
7501, the Mexican Cement Import
License application will require the
importer of record to report the Subregion of Final Destination, the Final
Destination, and the Mexican Export
License Number, and to state whether
the shipment is being made for disaster
relief, as defined in the Agreement. The
information gathered by the Mexican
Cement Import Licensing System will
provide Commerce with specific,
reliable, and real-time data which will
be used to monitor imports pursuant to
the Agreement.
The Agreement is complex and
involves sub-regional export limits
which are in effect for a maximum of
three years. Without access to import
data on a real-time basis through the
Mexican Cement Import Licensing
System, Commerce will not be able to
effectively monitor and administer the
Agreement. If an allegation of
circumvention of the Agreement is
raised, Commerce may be required to
conduct an accelerated changed
circumstances review within 90 days.
Currently, it can take up to 60 days to
obtain from CBP and the Bureau of the
Census the information necessary to
determine whether Commerce needs to
E:\FR\FM\31MYP1.SGM
31MYP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 104 (Wednesday, May 31, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30834-30836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8356]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
10 CFR Part 430
[Docket No. EE-2006-STD-0131]
RIN 1904-AA92
Energy Conservation Standards for General Service Fluorescent
Lamps, Incandescent Reflector Lamps, and General Service Incandescent
Lamps: Public Meeting and Availability of the Framework Document
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting and availability of the Framework
Document.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE or Department) will hold an
informal public meeting to discuss and receive comments on issues it
will address in this rulemaking proceeding. The Department is
initiating the rulemaking process to amend energy conservation
standards for general service fluorescent lamps, incandescent reflector
lamps, and general service incandescent lamps. The Department also
encourages written comments on these subjects. To inform stakeholders
and facilitate this process, DOE has prepared a Framework Document, a
draft of which is available at: https://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/
appliance_standards/.
DATES: The Department will hold a public meeting on Thursday, June 15,
2006, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Washington, DC. Any person requesting to
speak at the public meeting should submit a request to speak before 4
p.m., Thursday, June 8, 2006. The Department must receive a signed
original and an electronic copy of statements to be given at the public
meeting before 4 p.m., Thursday, June 8, 2006. Written comments are
welcome, especially following the public meeting, and should be
submitted by Thursday, June 29, 2006.
ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of
Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 1E-245, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585-0121. (Please note that foreign nationals
participating
[[Page 30835]]
in the public meeting are subject to advance security screening
procedures. If a foreign national wishes to participate in the
workshop, please inform DOE of this fact as soon as possible by
contacting Ms. Brenda Edwards-Jones at (202) 586-2945 so that the
necessary procedures can be completed.)
Stakeholders may submit comments, identified by docket number EE-
2006-STD-0131 and/or RIN number 1904-AA92, by any of the following
methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
E-mail: fluorescent--and-- incandescent--lamps.
rulemaking@ee.doe.gov. Include EE-2006-STD-0131 and/or RIN 1904-AA92 in
the subject line of the message.
Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards-Jones, U.S. Department of Energy,
Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, Framework Document for
Fluorescent and Incandescent Lamps, EE-2006-STD-0131 and/or RIN 1904-
AA92, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Please
submit one signed paper original.
Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards-Jones, U.S.
Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Room 1J-018, 1000
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202)
586-2945. Please submit one signed paper original.
Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name
and docket number or Regulatory Information Number (RIN) for this
rulemaking.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents, a
copy of the transcript of the public meeting, or comments received, go
to the U.S. Department of Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 1J-018
(Resource Room of the Building Technologies Program), 1000 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121, (202) 586-9127, between 9 a.m.
and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Please call
Ms. Brenda Edwards-Jones at the above telephone number for additional
information regarding visiting the Resource Room.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Graves, Esq., U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building
Technologies, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20585-0121, (202) 586-1851. E-mail: linda.graves@ee.doe.gov. Thomas B.
DePriest, Esq., U.S. Department of Energy, Office of General Counsel,
GC-72, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121, (202)
586-9507. E-mail: Thomas.DePriest@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA
or the Act) of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309) established an energy
conservation program for major household appliances. The National
Energy Conservation Policy Act of 1978 (NECPA) amended EPCA to add Part
C of Title III (42 U.S.C. 6311-6317), which established an energy
conservation program for certain industrial equipment. Additional
amendments to EPCA have given DOE the authority to regulate the energy
efficiency of several products, including certain fluorescent and
incandescent lamps, the products that are the focus of this rulemaking.
Amendments to EPCA in the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT 1992),
Public Law 102-486, established energy conservation standards for
residential, commercial and industrial general service fluorescent
lamps and incandescent reflector lamps, as well as requirements to
conduct two cycles of rulemakings for determining whether these
standards should be amended.\1\ (42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(1), (3)-(4)) In
addition, EPCA provides that within twenty-four months after the
Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) labeling requirements have become
effective for general service fluorescent lamps and general service
incandescent lamps, DOE must initiate a rulemaking to determine if the
standards in effect for such lamps should be amended so that they would
be applicable to additional general service fluorescent and general
service incandescent lamps. (42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(5)) Furthermore,
according to EPCA, DOE must publish a rule within eighteen months of
initiating the rulemaking. (Id.) The FTC published its labeling
requirements for covered lamps on May 13, 1994, which had an effective
date of May 15, 1995. 59 FR 25176. Previously, the Department did not
take action on the requirements of 42 U.S.C. 6295(i) because lamps were
assigned low priority based on public comment and potential energy
savings estimates in the priority setting process.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Although EPACT 1992 placed regulatory authority, standards,
and definitions for fluorescent and incandescent lamps under the
energy conservation program for consumer products (42 U.S.C. 6291-
6309), those provisions also apply to general service fluorescent
and incandescent reflector lamps distributed for commercial use. (42
U.S.C. 6291(1)).
\2\ See Appendix B to FY 2005 Preliminary Priority-Setting
Summary Report on the DOE Web page at: https://www.eere.energy.gov/
buildings/appliance_standards/priority_setting.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 1.2 of the Framework Document provides detail on the
distinction between fluorescent lamps and general service fluorescent
lamps, and the differences among incandescent lamps, incandescent
reflector lamps and general service incandescent lamps. The following
paragraphs discuss the statutory requirements and actions that DOE is
taking for each of the lamp types covered in this rulemaking.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ This rulemaking addresses ``backlog'' rulemakings for
incandescent general service lamps, fluorescent lamps, and
incandescent reflector lamps that are identified in the report that
DOE submitted to Congress on January 31, 2006, Energy Conservation
Standards Activities, pursuant to section 141 of the Energy Policy
Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-58) and to the Conference Report (109-275)
to the Fiscal Year 2006, Energy and Water Development Appropriations
Act. The report is available as a PDF file on the DOE Web page at:
https://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/2006_
schedule_setting.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
EPCA's standards for general service fluorescent lamps require that
they meet prescribed minimum efficacy levels per given color rendering
index (CRI) levels.\4\ In this rulemaking, DOE is conducting its first
review, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(3), to determine if these
standards should be amended, while fulfilling the additional
requirement, in 42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(5), to determine if the standards
should be applicable to additional general service fluorescent lamps.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ The Act defines ``lamp efficacy'' as ``the lumen output of a
lamp divided by its wattage, expressed in lumens per watt (LPW).''
(42 U.S.C. 6291(30)(M)) It defines ``color rendering index'' (CRI)
as ``the measure of the degree of color shift objects undergo when
illuminated by a light source as compared with the color of those
same objects when illuminated by a reference source of comparable
color temperature.'' (42 U.S.C. 6291(30)(J)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As with general service fluorescent lamps, EPCA establishes energy
conservation standards for incandescent reflector lamps, requiring that
certain lamps meet prescribed efficacy levels. In this rulemaking, the
Department is conducting its first review, pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
6295(i)(3), to determine if the standards should be amended. The
Department is also fulfilling the additional requirement in 42 U.S.C.
6295(i)(5) to determine whether the standards should cover additional
general service incandescent lamps, including additional incandescent
reflector lamps.
To begin the required rulemaking process, the Department prepared
the Framework Document to present the issues and explain the analyses
and process it anticipates using to amend the energy conservation
standards for general service fluorescent lamps, incandescent reflector
lamps, and general service incandescent lamps. The focus of the public
meeting will be to
[[Page 30836]]
discuss the analyses and issues identified in various sections of the
Framework Document. During the Department's presentation to
stakeholders, the Department will discuss each item listed in the
Framework Document as an issue for comment. The Department will also
make a brief presentation on the rulemaking process for these products.
The Department encourages those who wish to participate in the public
meeting to obtain the Framework Document and be prepared to discuss its
contents. A copy of the draft Framework Document is available at:
https://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/. However,
public meeting participants need not limit their discussions to the
topics in the Framework Document. The Department is also interested in
receiving views concerning other relevant issues that participants
believe would affect energy conservation standards for these products.
The Department also welcomes all interested parties, whether or not
they participate in the public meeting, to submit in writing by
Thursday, June 29, 2006, comments and information on the matters
addressed in the Framework Document and on other matters relevant to
consideration of standards for these lamps.
The public meeting will be conducted in an informal, facilitated,
conference style. A court reporter will be present to prepare a
transcript of the meeting. There shall be no discussion of proprietary
information, costs or prices, market shares, or other commercial
matters regulated by the U.S. antitrust laws.
After the public meeting and the expiration of the period for
submitting written statements, the Department will begin collecting
data, conducting the analyses as discussed at the public meeting, and
reviewing the comments received.
Anyone who would like to participate in the public meeting, receive
meeting materials, or be added to the DOE mailing list to receive
future notices and information regarding fluorescent and incandescent
lamps, should contact Ms. Brenda Edwards-Jones at (202) 586-2945.
Issued in Washington, DC, on May 24, 2006.
Douglas L. Faulkner,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy.
[FR Doc. E6-8356 Filed 5-30-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
