Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Clothes Washers: Public Meeting and Availability of the Framework Document, 44306-44308 [E9-20803]

Download as PDF jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with PROPOSALS 44306 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 166 / Friday, August 28, 2009 / Proposed Rules for the 2009–10 crop year is estimated at 23,000,000 pounds. Thus, the $0.75 rate should provide $172,500 in assessment income and, with reserve funds of $65,566 and the $1,500 contribution from the surplus program, will be adequate to meet the 2009–10 crop year expenses. The major expenditures recommended by the Committee for the 2009–10 crop year include $60,000 for general and administrative programs, $97,000 for promotional programs, and $28,000 for marketing and media consulting. The Committee also budgeted $15,000 as a contingency reserve for other marketing and promotion projects that it may wish to support later in the year. The Committee reviewed and unanimously recommended 2009–10 crop year expenditures of $200,000. Prior to arriving at this budget, the Committee considered information from various sources, such as the Committee’s Marketing Subcommittee. Alternative expenditure levels were an option available to the Committee, but the Committee ultimately decided that the recommended levels were reasonable to properly administer the order. The assessment rate of $0.75 per hundredweight of dates was then derived, based upon the Committee’s estimates of the incoming reserve, income, and anticipated expenses. As previously noted, according to the NASS data, the season average grower price for 2008 crop dates is projected at $1,470 per ton, or $73.50 per hundredweight. No official NASS estimate is available yet for 2009. The average grower price for the period of 2005–08 is $1,833.00 per ton, or $91.65 per hundredweight. To calculate the percentage of grower revenue represented by the assessment rate for 2009, the assessment rate of $0.75 (per hundredweight) divided by the estimated average grower price. This results in estimated assessment revenue for 2008 crop dates as a percentage of grower revenue of 1.02 percent ($0.75 divided by $73.50 per hundredweight). As previously mentioned, NASS data for 2009 is not yet available. However, applying the same calculations above using the average grower price for the period of 2005–08 would result in estimated assessment revenue as percentage total grower revenue of 0.82 percent for the 2008–09 crop year ($0.75 divided by $91.65 per hundredweight). Thus, the assessment revenue should be less than 1 percent of estimated grower revenue in 2009. This action would increase the assessment obligation imposed on handlers. While assessments impose VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:19 Aug 27, 2009 Jkt 217001 some additional costs on handlers, the costs are minimal and uniform on all handlers. Some of the additional costs may be passed on to producers. However, these costs would be offset by the benefits derived by the operation of the marketing order. In addition, the Committee’s meeting was widely publicized throughout the California date industry and all interested persons were invited to attend the meeting and participate in Committee deliberations on all issues. Like all Committee meetings, the June 9, 2009, meeting was a public meeting and all entities, both large and small, were able to express views on this issue. Finally, interested persons are invited to submit comments on this rule, including the regulatory and informational impacts of this action on small businesses. This proposed rule would impose no additional reporting or recordkeeping requirements on either small or large California date handlers. As with all Federal marketing order programs, reports and forms are periodically reviewed to reduce information requirements and duplication by industry and public sector agencies. AMS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act, to promote the use of the Internet and other information technologies to provide increased opportunities for citizen access to Government information and services, and for other purposes. USDA has not identified any relevant Federal rules that duplicate, overlap, or conflict with this rule. A small business guide on complying with fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop marketing agreements and orders may be viewed at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/ AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do ?template=TemplateN&page=Marketing OrdersSmallBusinessGuide. Any questions about the compliance guide should be sent to Jay Guerber at the previously mentioned address in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. A 30-day comment period is provided to allow interested persons to respond to this proposed rule. Thirty days is deemed appropriate because: (1) The 2009–10 crop year begins on October 1, 2009, and the marketing order requires that the rate of assessment for each crop year apply to all assessable dates handled during such crop year; (2) the Committee needs to have sufficient funds to pay its expenses which are incurred on a continuous basis; and (3) handlers are aware of this action which was unanimously recommended by the Committee at a public meeting and is similar to other assessment rate actions issued in past years. PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 987 Dates, Marketing agreements, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR part 987 is amended as follows: PART 997—DATES PRODUCED OR PACKED IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA 1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 987 continues to read as follows: Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601–674. 2. Section 987.339 is revised to read as follows: § 987.339 Assessment rate. On and after October 1, 2009, an assessment rate of $0.75 per hundredweight is established for California dates. Dated: August 24, 2009. Rayne Pegg, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. E9–20769 Filed 8–27–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 10 CFR Part 430 [Docket No. EERE–2008–BT–STD–0019] RIN 1904–AB90 Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Clothes Washers: 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 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will hold an informal public meeting to discuss and receive comments on issues that it will address in this rulemaking proceeding. The Department is requesting information from interested parties to assist in establishing energy conservation standards for residential clothes washers. The Department also encourages written comments on any subject within the scope of this proceeding. To inform interested parties and facilitate this process, DOE has prepared a draft framework document, available at https:// www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ appliance_standards/residential/ clothes_washers.html. E:\FR\FM\28AUP1.SGM 28AUP1 jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 166 / Friday, August 28, 2009 / Proposed Rules DATES: The Department will hold a public meeting on September 21, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Washington, DC. Any person requesting to speak at the public meeting should submit such request along with a signed original and an electronic copy of the statements to be given at the public meeting before 4 p.m., Monday, September 14, 2009. Written comments are welcome, especially following the public meeting, and should be submitted by September 28, 2009. 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 in the public meeting are subject to advance security screening procedures. If a foreign national wishes to participate in the public meeting, please inform DOE of this fact as soon a possible by contacting Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586–2945 so that the necessary procedures can be completed. Interested parties may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE–2008–BT–STD–0019 and/or Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 1904–AB90, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: RCW-2008-STD0019@ee.doe.gov. Include docket number EERE–2008–BT–STD–0019 and/or RIN 1904–AB90 in the subject line of the message. • Postal Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J, Framework Document for Residential Clothes Washers, Docket No. EERE– 2008–BT–STD–0019 and/or RIN 1904– AB90, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Phone: (202) 586–2945. Please submit one signed paper original. • Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 6th Floor, 950 L’Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington, DC 20024. Phone: (202) 586–2945. Please submit one signed paper original. Instructions: All submissions received must include the DOE docket number EERE–2008–BT–STD–0019 or RIN 1904–AB90. 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, 6th Floor, 950 L’Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington, DC VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:19 Aug 27, 2009 Jkt 217001 20024, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Please call Ms. Brenda Edwards at the above telephone number for additional information regarding visiting the Resource Room. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stephen Witkowski, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies, EE–2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Phone: (202) 586–7463. E-mail: stephen.witkowski@ee.doe.gov. Mr. Michael Kido, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of General Counsel, GC– 72, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Phone: (202) 586–9507. E-mail: michael.kido@hq.doe.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Part A of Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), 42 U.S.C. 6291 et seq., established an energy conservation program for major household appliances, which includes residential clothes washers. This program authorizes the Department to establish technologically feasible, economically justified energy efficiency regulations for certain consumer products. The amendments to EPCA in the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987 (NAECA), Public Law 100–12, established prescriptive energy conservation standards for residential clothes washers, as well as requirements for determining whether these standards should be amended. (42 U.S.C. 6295(g)) EPCA, as amended by NAECA, required that all rinse cycles of clothes washers manufactured after January 1, 1988, shall include an unheated water option, but may have a heated water rinse option, and further required that DOE conduct two cycles of rulemakings to determine if more stringent standards are justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(g)(2) and (4)) In addition to these design standards, DOE published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) seeking comments on establishing performance standards for these products. 54 FR 32744 (Aug. 9, 1989). Shortly thereafter, DOE published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANOPR) for the second standards rulemaking required by Congress. 55 FR 39624 (Sept. 28, 1990). After the closing of the first standards rulemaking’s NOPR comment period, however, DOE became aware of a design option (horizontal-axis wash tub in a top-loading washer) available in Europe. This option was not considered during PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 44307 the course of this first standards rulemaking. As a result, when the final rule was published on May 14, 1991, DOE announced its intention to accelerate the second energy conservation standards rulemaking for clothes washers to take this design option into account. 56 FR 22250 (May 1991 Final Rule). The standards established by the first rulemaking became effective on May 14, 1994. 56 FR 22279. Responding to this ANOPR for the second standards rulemaking, a number of interested parties requested that DOE delay the completion of this second rulemaking until a 1995–1996 time frame. These parties requested additional time in order to allow manufacturers time to meet the standards in the May 1991 Final Rule, and to fully evaluate new, more energy efficient technologies such as toploading horizontal-axis clothes washers. On February 26, 1992, DOE published a letter to interested parties granting this request. On November 14, 1994, DOE published another ANOPR to restart the second energy conservation standards rulemaking for clothes washers, dishwashers, and clothes dryers. 59 FR 56423. However, Congress imposed a moratorium on proposed or final rules for appliance energy conservation standards for Fiscal Year 1996. Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996, Public Law 104–134, Section 320 (April 26, 1996). During this time, DOE revised the standards-setting process and on July 15, 1996, published a final rule that elaborated on the procedures, interpretations, and policies that would guide DOE as it established new or revised energy conservation standards for consumer products. (See 61 FR 36974 (Procedures for Consideration of New or Revised Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Products); 10 CFR part 430, subpart C, appendix A). DOE determined to use its revised standards-setting process in the development of the revised clothes washer standards, and reopened the second energy conservation standards rulemaking for these products on November 19, 1998, by publishing a supplemental ANOPR. On January 12, 2001, DOE published a final rule revising the energy conservation standards, which became effective in two phases—January 1, 2004 and January 1, 2007. 66 FR 3314. By completing this second standards rulemaking, DOE fulfilled its legislative requirement to conduct two cycles of standards rulemakings. E:\FR\FM\28AUP1.SGM 28AUP1 jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with PROPOSALS 44308 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 166 / Friday, August 28, 2009 / Proposed Rules As part of its priority-setting activities for fiscal year 2006, DOE conducted analyses for residential clothes washers to estimate the energy savings potential of amended standards. DOE determined that amended standards could result in energy savings for residential clothes washers of 5.5 quads cumulative over the period of 2004–2030. A summary of these analyses is available on DOE’s Web site at https:// www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ appliance_standards/pdfs/ 2006_activities_data_sheets.pdf. Subsequently, Congress enacted the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007), Public Law 110– 140, which revised the energy conservation standards for residential clothes washers. The revised standards established a maximum water factor of 9.5 and become effective on January 1, 2011. See EISA 2007, Section 311(a)(2), codified at 42 U.S.C. 6295(g)(9). EISA 2007 further required that DOE publish a final rule no later than December 31, 2011, to determine whether to amend the standards in effect for clothes washers manufactured on or after January 1, 2015. (42 U.S.C. 6295(g)(9)(B)(i)) DOE is embarking on a standards rulemaking for these products to comply with these EISA 2007 requirements. To begin the required rulemaking process, the Department has prepared a framework document to explain the issues, analyses, and process that it is considering for the development of amended energy conservation standards for residential clothes washers. This document will be publicly available for review. Additionally, DOE will hold a public meeting to focus on the analyses and issues contained in various sections of the framework document. For each item listed, the Department will make a presentation with discussion to follow. The Department will also make a brief presentation on the rulemaking process for these products. The Department encourages anyone who wishes to participate in the public meeting to obtain the framework document and to be prepared to discuss its contents. A copy of the draft framework document is available at https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ appliance_standards/residential/ clothes_washers.html. However, public meeting participants need not limit their comments to the topics identified in the framework document. The Department is also interested in receiving views on other relevant issues that participants believe would affect energy conservation standards for these products. The Department welcomes all interested parties, whether or not they VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:19 Aug 27, 2009 Jkt 217001 participate in the public meeting, to submit in writing by September 28, 2009, comments and information on matters addressed in the framework document and on other matters relevant to consideration of standards for residential clothes washers. DOE will conduct the public meeting in an informal, conference style. A court reporter will record the minutes of the meeting. The discussion will not include proprietary information, costs or prices, market shares, or other commercial matters regulated by 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 public comments. Anyone who wishes to participate in the public meeting, receive meeting materials, or be added to the DOE mailing list to receive future notices and information about residential clothes washers should contact Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586–2945. Issued in Washington, DC, on August 21, 2009. Cathy Zoi, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. [FR Doc. E9–20803 Filed 8–27–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2009–0778; Directorate Identifier 2009–CE–040–AD] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation Models 690, 690A, and 690B Airplanes AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation Models 690, 690A, and 690B airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to inspect between the surface of the lefthand (LH) and right-hand (RH) upper wing skins and the engine mount beam support straps for any signs of corrosion, replace the upper steel straps with parts of improved design, and PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 modify both wings. This proposed AD results from reports that corrosion was found between the mating surfaces of the wing upper skin surface and the engine mount beam support straps. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct corrosion on the engine mount beam support straps and the upper wing skins, which could result in failure of the engine mount beam support straps. This failure could lead to loss of the engine and possible loss of control of the airplane. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 13, 2009. ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this proposed AD: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Fax: (202) 493–2251. • Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Twin Commander Aircraft, LLC, 19010 59th Drive, NE., Arlington, WA 98223, telephone: (360) 435–9797; fax: (360) 435–1112; Internet: www.twincommander.com. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vince Massey, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057–3356; telephone: (425) 917–6475; fax: (425) 917–6590; e-mail: vince.massey@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, ‘‘FAA–2009–0778; Directorate Identifier 2009–CE–040–AD’’ at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments. We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https:// E:\FR\FM\28AUP1.SGM 28AUP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 166 (Friday, August 28, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44306-44308]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-20803]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 430

[Docket No. EERE-2008-BT-STD-0019]
RIN 1904-AB90


Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Clothes Washers: 
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 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will hold an informal 
public meeting to discuss and receive comments on issues that it will 
address in this rulemaking proceeding. The Department is requesting 
information from interested parties to assist in establishing energy 
conservation standards for residential clothes washers. The Department 
also encourages written comments on any subject within the scope of 
this proceeding. To inform interested parties and facilitate this 
process, DOE has prepared a draft framework document, available at 
https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/clothes_washers.html.

[[Page 44307]]


DATES: The Department will hold a public meeting on September 21, 2009, 
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Washington, DC. Any person requesting to speak 
at the public meeting should submit such request along with a signed 
original and an electronic copy of the statements to be given at the 
public meeting before 4 p.m., Monday, September 14, 2009. Written 
comments are welcome, especially following the public meeting, and 
should be submitted by September 28, 2009.

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 in the public meeting are subject to advance 
security screening procedures. If a foreign national wishes to 
participate in the public meeting, please inform DOE of this fact as 
soon a possible by contacting Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945 so 
that the necessary procedures can be completed.
    Interested parties may submit comments, identified by docket number 
EERE-2008-BT-STD-0019 and/or Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 1904-
AB90, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: RCW-2008-STD-0019@ee.doe.gov. Include docket 
number EERE-2008-BT-STD-0019 and/or RIN 1904-AB90 in the subject line 
of the message.
     Postal Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, Framework 
Document for Residential Clothes Washers, Docket No. EERE-2008-BT-STD-
0019 and/or RIN 1904-AB90, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC 20585-0121. Phone: (202) 586-2945. Please submit one signed paper 
original.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 6th Floor, 950 L'Enfant 
Plaza, SW., Washington, DC 20024. Phone: (202) 586-2945. Please submit 
one signed paper original.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the DOE docket 
number EERE-2008-BT-STD-0019 or RIN 1904-AB90.
    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, 6th Floor, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., 
Washington, DC 20024, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. Please call Ms. Brenda Edwards at the above 
telephone number for additional information regarding visiting the 
Resource Room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stephen Witkowski, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building 
Technologies, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20585-0121. Phone: (202) 586-7463. E-mail: 
stephen.witkowski@ee.doe.gov.
    Mr. Michael Kido, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of General 
Counsel, GC-72, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-
0121. Phone: (202) 586-9507. E-mail: michael.kido@hq.doe.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Part A of Title III of the Energy Policy and 
Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), 42 U.S.C. 6291 et seq., established an 
energy conservation program for major household appliances, which 
includes residential clothes washers. This program authorizes the 
Department to establish technologically feasible, economically 
justified energy efficiency regulations for certain consumer products.
    The amendments to EPCA in the National Appliance Energy 
Conservation Act of 1987 (NAECA), Public Law 100-12, established 
prescriptive energy conservation standards for residential clothes 
washers, as well as requirements for determining whether these 
standards should be amended. (42 U.S.C. 6295(g))
    EPCA, as amended by NAECA, required that all rinse cycles of 
clothes washers manufactured after January 1, 1988, shall include an 
unheated water option, but may have a heated water rinse option, and 
further required that DOE conduct two cycles of rulemakings to 
determine if more stringent standards are justified. (42 U.S.C. 
6295(g)(2) and (4)) In addition to these design standards, DOE 
published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) seeking comments on 
establishing performance standards for these products. 54 FR 32744 
(Aug. 9, 1989). Shortly thereafter, DOE published an advance notice of 
proposed rulemaking (ANOPR) for the second standards rulemaking 
required by Congress. 55 FR 39624 (Sept. 28, 1990).
    After the closing of the first standards rulemaking's NOPR comment 
period, however, DOE became aware of a design option (horizontal-axis 
wash tub in a top-loading washer) available in Europe. This option was 
not considered during the course of this first standards rulemaking. As 
a result, when the final rule was published on May 14, 1991, DOE 
announced its intention to accelerate the second energy conservation 
standards rulemaking for clothes washers to take this design option 
into account. 56 FR 22250 (May 1991 Final Rule). The standards 
established by the first rulemaking became effective on May 14, 1994. 
56 FR 22279.
    Responding to this ANOPR for the second standards rulemaking, a 
number of interested parties requested that DOE delay the completion of 
this second rulemaking until a 1995-1996 time frame. These parties 
requested additional time in order to allow manufacturers time to meet 
the standards in the May 1991 Final Rule, and to fully evaluate new, 
more energy efficient technologies such as top-loading horizontal-axis 
clothes washers. On February 26, 1992, DOE published a letter to 
interested parties granting this request.
    On November 14, 1994, DOE published another ANOPR to restart the 
second energy conservation standards rulemaking for clothes washers, 
dishwashers, and clothes dryers. 59 FR 56423. However, Congress imposed 
a moratorium on proposed or final rules for appliance energy 
conservation standards for Fiscal Year 1996. Omnibus Consolidated 
Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996, Public Law 104-134, Section 
320 (April 26, 1996). During this time, DOE revised the standards-
setting process and on July 15, 1996, published a final rule that 
elaborated on the procedures, interpretations, and policies that would 
guide DOE as it established new or revised energy conservation 
standards for consumer products. (See 61 FR 36974 (Procedures for 
Consideration of New or Revised Energy Conservation Standards for 
Consumer Products); 10 CFR part 430, subpart C, appendix A). DOE 
determined to use its revised standards-setting process in the 
development of the revised clothes washer standards, and reopened the 
second energy conservation standards rulemaking for these products on 
November 19, 1998, by publishing a supplemental ANOPR. On January 12, 
2001, DOE published a final rule revising the energy conservation 
standards, which became effective in two phases--January 1, 2004 and 
January 1, 2007. 66 FR 3314. By completing this second standards 
rulemaking, DOE fulfilled its legislative requirement to conduct two 
cycles of standards rulemakings.

[[Page 44308]]

    As part of its priority-setting activities for fiscal year 2006, 
DOE conducted analyses for residential clothes washers to estimate the 
energy savings potential of amended standards. DOE determined that 
amended standards could result in energy savings for residential 
clothes washers of 5.5 quads cumulative over the period of 2004-2030. A 
summary of these analyses is available on DOE's Web site at https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/pdfs/2006_activities_data_sheets.pdf.
    Subsequently, Congress enacted the Energy Independence and Security 
Act of 2007 (EISA 2007), Public Law 110-140, which revised the energy 
conservation standards for residential clothes washers. The revised 
standards established a maximum water factor of 9.5 and become 
effective on January 1, 2011. See EISA 2007, Section 311(a)(2), 
codified at 42 U.S.C. 6295(g)(9). EISA 2007 further required that DOE 
publish a final rule no later than December 31, 2011, to determine 
whether to amend the standards in effect for clothes washers 
manufactured on or after January 1, 2015. (42 U.S.C. 6295(g)(9)(B)(i)) 
DOE is embarking on a standards rulemaking for these products to comply 
with these EISA 2007 requirements.
    To begin the required rulemaking process, the Department has 
prepared a framework document to explain the issues, analyses, and 
process that it is considering for the development of amended energy 
conservation standards for residential clothes washers. This document 
will be publicly available for review. Additionally, DOE will hold a 
public meeting to focus on the analyses and issues contained in various 
sections of the framework document. For each item listed, the 
Department will make a presentation with discussion to follow. The 
Department will also make a brief presentation on the rulemaking 
process for these products.
    The Department encourages anyone who wishes to participate in the 
public meeting to obtain the framework document and to be prepared to 
discuss its contents. A copy of the draft framework document is 
available at https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/clothes_washers.html. However, public meeting 
participants need not limit their comments to the topics identified in 
the framework document. The Department is also interested in receiving 
views on other relevant issues that participants believe would affect 
energy conservation standards for these products. The Department 
welcomes all interested parties, whether or not they participate in the 
public meeting, to submit in writing by September 28, 2009, comments 
and information on matters addressed in the framework document and on 
other matters relevant to consideration of standards for residential 
clothes washers.
    DOE will conduct the public meeting in an informal, conference 
style. A court reporter will record the minutes of the meeting. The 
discussion will not include proprietary information, costs or prices, 
market shares, or other commercial matters regulated by 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 public comments.
    Anyone who wishes to participate in the public meeting, receive 
meeting materials, or be added to the DOE mailing list to receive 
future notices and information about residential clothes washers should 
contact Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 21, 2009.
Cathy Zoi,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. E9-20803 Filed 8-27-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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