Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other Petroleum Resources Research and Development Program 2011 Annual Plan, 56412-56413 [2011-23328]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 177 / Tuesday, September 13, 2011 / Notices
deliveries to it at the Project during on-peak
and off-peak hours, respectively. Deliveries
to preference customers of the Government
shall be divided on the basis (with allowance
for losses) of 77 percent being considered as
on-peak energy and 23 percent being off-peak
energy. Such percentages may by mutual
consent be changed from time to time as
further studies show to be appropriate. In the
event that in classifying energy there is more
than enough on-peak energy available to
supply on-peak requirements of the
Government’s preference customers but less
than enough off-peak energy available to
supply such customers off-peak
requirements, such excess on-peak energy
may be applied to the extent necessary to
meet off-peak requirements of such
customers in lieu of purchasing deficiency
energy to meet such off-peak requirements.
Billing Month:
The billing month under this schedule
shall end at 12:00 midnight on the 20th day
of each calendar month.
Power Factor:
The purchaser and seller under this rate
schedule agree that they will both so operate
their respective systems that neither party
will impose an undue reactive burden on the
other.
[FR Doc. 2011–23356 Filed 9–12–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional
Natural Gas and Other Petroleum
Resources Research and Development
Program 2011 Annual Plan
Office of Fossil Energy,
Department of Energy.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Notice of report availability.
The Office of Fossil Energy
announces the availability of the 2011
Annual Plan for the Ultra-Deepwater
and Unconventional Natural Gas and
Other Petroleum Resources Research
and Development Program on the DOE
Web site at https://
www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/
ultra_and_unconventional/2011–
2012_Committees/
2011_annual_plan.pdf or in print form
(see ‘‘Contact’’ below). The 2011 Annual
Plan is in compliance with the Energy
Policy Act of 2005, Subtitle J, Section
999B(e)(3) which requires the
publication of this plan and all written
comments in the Federal Register.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Elena Melchert, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of Oil and Natural Gas,
Mail Stop FE–30, 1000 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585 or
phone: (202) 586–5600 or e-mail to
UltraDeepwater@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Executive Summary [Excerpted From
the 2011 Annual Plan p. iii]
As the Nation transitions to the clean
energy economy of the future, we must
also ensure that we effectively mitigate
the risks of our current energy portfolio.
This 2011 Annual Plan, the fifth such
plan to be produced since the launch of
the Ultra-Deepwater and
Unconventional Natural Gas and Other
Petroleum Resources Research Program,
reflects an important shift in priorities
towards safety and environmental
sustainability. This shift is based on the
recognition that a critical element in
prudently developing our domestic
resource base is a scientific assessment
of the risks which exploration and
production activities entail, and the
development of appropriate
technologies and processes to mitigate
these risks.
Domestic deepwater and ultradeepwater oil and gas resources, and
domestic unconventional natural gas
resources, are important contributors to
our Nation’s energy supply portfolio.
Recent events, the Macondo well
blowout and the Deepwater Horizon
explosion in the Gulf of Mexico, and
growing public opposition to the rapid
pace of shale gas development onshore
are stark reminders of the
environmental risks of our current
energy portfolio. The 2011 Annual Plan
proposes scientific research that will
quantify and mitigate risks associated
with oil and gas exploration and
production onshore and offshore,
thereby improving safety and
minimizing environmental impacts.
The Department will ensure that the
federal government’s understanding of
the risks associated with these
operations keeps pace. This will be
accomplished through scientific
assessment of the risks, potential
impacts, and adequacy of current
response and mitigation technologies.
The research discussed in this Annual
Report will be administered by the
Research Partnership to Secure Energy
for America (RPSEA), which operates
under the guidance of the Secretary of
Energy. RPSEA is a consortium which
includes representatives from industry,
academia and research institutions.
RPSEA’s expertise in all areas of the
exploration and production value chain
ensure that the Department of Energy’s
research program has access to relevant
emerging technologies and processes,
and that projects are designed in a way
that have a direct impact on practices in
the field.
Background
Offshore and onshore research
activities are administered pursuant to
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
an annual plan in compliance with Title
IX, Subtitle J of EPACT, which directs
that $50 million per year of federal
royalties, rents and bonus payments be
used to fund an oil and natural gas
research and development (R&D) effort,
the Ultra-Deepwater and
Unconventional Natural Gas and Other
Petroleum Resources Research Program
(Program).
The Secretary of Energy approves all
awards to research performers, and the
planned R&D activities support the
goals and objectives of the annual plan.
The research activities are administered
by a Program Consortium that has been
selected by the Secretary, as detailed in
the Program Consortium section below.
The National Energy Technology
Laboratory (NETL) is responsible for
implementation of the Program. Within
NETL, the responsibility for overall
program implementation, including
oversight of the Program Consortium
contract, has been assigned to the
Strategic Center for Natural Gas and Oil.
Complementary research prescribed
under Section 999A(d) is carried out by
NETL’s Office of Research and
Development.
Program Consortium
In 2006, DOE selected the Research
Partnership to Secure Energy for
America (RPSEA) through a competitive
solicitation to serve as the Program
Consortium and administer the research
activities pursuant to Section 999B(c).
RPSEA has a broad membership base
that includes representatives from all
levels and sectors of both the oil and
natural gas exploration and production
(E&P) and oil and natural gas R&D
communities. The breadth of
membership helps to ensure that R&D
funds leverage existing industry efforts
in accomplishing the Program’s
objectives.
Administration funds provided to
RPSEA cannot exceed 10 percent
pursuant to Section 999G(3). The
private companies, universities, and
other organizations that are awarded
contracts through this program provide
cost-share contributions of at least 20
percent.
The Annual Plan Development Process
Pursuant to Section 999B(e)(2)(A), the
Program Consortium prepared its 2011
Draft Annual Plan (DAP) which it
delivered to the Secretary July 2010.
The Department of Energy prepared a
Draft 2011 Annual Plan. Subsequently,
the Draft 2011 Annual Plan and the DAP
were reviewed by the Unconventional
Resources Technology Advisory
Committee (URTAC) which presented
E:\FR\FM\13SEN1.SGM
13SEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 177 / Tuesday, September 13, 2011 / Notices
its final report of findings and
recommendations in October 2010.
On February 2, 2011, the Secretary of
Energy appointed new members to his
Ultra-Deepwater Advisory Committee
(UDAC), and met with the members on
February 23, 2011 to discuss his goals
for offshore research and development.
Before presenting its final report of
findings and recommendations to the
Secretary in April 2011, the UDAC
established a Subcommittee on Risk
Assessment.
The Department of Energy will be
continually informed by the UDAC
based on the work of its Subcommittee
on Risk. In addition, other Federal
advisory bodies will help inform the
Department. These include the
Secretary of Energy Advisory Board
(SEAB) which established a
Subcommittee on Natural Gas, and the
Department of the Interior’s Ocean
Energy Safety Committee (OESC) which
has established four subcommittees
including the Spill Prevention
Subcommittee, and the Containment
Subcommittee. The Department of
Energy is a member of the OESC. The
Department will take new information
into account in the preparation of
solicitations and the selection of
research projects for the 2011 portfolio.
Issued in Washington, DC, on September 7,
2011.
Christopher A. Smith,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Oil and
Natural Gas, Office of Fossil Energy.
[FR Doc. 2011–23328 Filed 9–12–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy
[Docket No. EERE–2011–BT–BC–0046]
Building Energy Codes Cost Analysis
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Request for information.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) is soliciting public input
on how it may improve the
methodology DOE intends to use for
assessing cost effectiveness (which
includes an energy savings assessment)
of changes to residential building energy
codes. DOE supports the development
of the International Code Council’s (ICC)
International Energy Conservation Code
(IECC), the national model code adopted
by or forming the basis of residential
energy codes promulgated by a majority
of U.S. states, as well as other voluntary
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:22 Sep 12, 2011
Jkt 223001
building energy codes. DOE performs a
cost effectiveness analysis of proposed
modifications to the codes as part of that
support. DOE also performs an analysis
of cost effectiveness of new code
versions. DOE is interested in public
input on its methodology, preferred data
sources, and parameter assumptions.
DOE is publishing this request for
information to allow interested parties
to provide suggestions, comments, and
other information. This notice identifies
several areas in which DOE is
particularly interested in receiving
information; however, any input and
suggestions considered relevant to the
topic are welcome.
DATES: Written comments and
information are requested by October
13, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons may
submit comments in writing, identified
by docket number EERE–2011–BT–BC–
0046, by any of the following methods:
E-mail: Res-CEAM-2011-BC0046@ee.doe.gov. Include EERE–2011–
BT–BC–0046 in the subject line of the
message.
Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S.
Department of Energy, Building
Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J,
Building Energy Codes, 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.
Internet: https://www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;dct=FR+PR+N+O+SR
+PS;rpp=250;so=DESC;sb=postedDate;
po=0;D=EERE-2011-BT-BC-0046. Please
use the input form and complete all
required fields.
Instructions: All submissions received
must include the agency name and
docket number.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents, or
comments received, visit the U.S.
Department of Energy, Resource Room
of the Building Technologies Program,
950 L’Enfant Plaza, SW., Suite 600,
Washington, DC 20024, (202) 586–2945,
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.
Robert Dewey, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
56413
Renewable Energy, Building
Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J,
1000 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121,
Telephone: (202) 287–1354, E-mail:
Robert.Dewey@ee.doe.gov.
Ms. Kavita Vaidyanathan, U.S.
Department of Energy, Office of the
General Counsel, Forrestal Building,
Mailstop GC–71, 1000 Independence
Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20585,
Telephone: (202) 586–0669, E-mail:
kavita.vaidyanathan@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority and Background
Section 307(b) of the Energy
Conservation and Production Act
(ECPA, Public Law 102–486), as
amended, directs DOE to support
voluntary building energy codes by
periodically reviewing the technical and
economic basis of the voluntary
building energy codes and ‘‘seek
adoption of all technologically feasible
and economically justified energy
efficiency measures; and * * *
otherwise participate in any industry
process for review and modification of
such codes.’’ 1
This Request for Information (RFI)
seeks public input on DOE’s
methodology for assessing the cost
effectiveness of proposed changes to
residential building energy codes and
new editions of such codes. Historically,
DOE’s analyses have been conducted in
an ad hoc manner, with the
methodology selected based on the type
of code change contemplated and the
nature of ongoing stakeholder debates
on the topic. Because residential energy
codes lagged advances in residential
efficiency measures, DOE relied on
successes in relevant research,
demonstration, and voluntary beyondcode programs (e.g., Building America,
ENERGY STAR) rather than directly
calculating the cost effectiveness of code
changes. However, recent advances in
the IECC and other voluntary building
energy codes have improved the energy
performance of buildings and building
components to levels that in many cases
rival those of the beyond-code
programs. Consequently, for its future
efforts advancing and promoting
voluntary building energy codes, DOE
sees the need for a consistent and
transparent methodology for assessing
the cost effectiveness of code change
proposals and for assessing the cost
effectiveness of new code versions.
DOE intends to use the methodology
described in this document to address
DOE’s legislative direction related to
1 42
E:\FR\FM\13SEN1.SGM
U.S.C. 6836(b)(2) and (3).
13SEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 13, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56412-56413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-23328]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other
Petroleum Resources Research and Development Program 2011 Annual Plan
AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of report availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Office of Fossil Energy announces the availability of the
2011 Annual Plan for the Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas
and Other Petroleum Resources Research and Development Program on the
DOE Web site at https://www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/ultra_and_unconventional/2011-2012_Committees/2011_annual_plan.pdf or in
print form (see ``Contact'' below). The 2011 Annual Plan is in
compliance with the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Subtitle J, Section
999B(e)(3) which requires the publication of this plan and all written
comments in the Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elena Melchert, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of Oil and Natural Gas, Mail Stop FE-30, 1000
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585 or phone: (202) 586-5600
or e-mail to UltraDeepwater@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Executive Summary [Excerpted From the 2011 Annual Plan p. iii]
As the Nation transitions to the clean energy economy of the
future, we must also ensure that we effectively mitigate the risks of
our current energy portfolio.
This 2011 Annual Plan, the fifth such plan to be produced since the
launch of the Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other
Petroleum Resources Research Program, reflects an important shift in
priorities towards safety and environmental sustainability. This shift
is based on the recognition that a critical element in prudently
developing our domestic resource base is a scientific assessment of the
risks which exploration and production activities entail, and the
development of appropriate technologies and processes to mitigate these
risks.
Domestic deepwater and ultra-deepwater oil and gas resources, and
domestic unconventional natural gas resources, are important
contributors to our Nation's energy supply portfolio. Recent events,
the Macondo well blowout and the Deepwater Horizon explosion in the
Gulf of Mexico, and growing public opposition to the rapid pace of
shale gas development onshore are stark reminders of the environmental
risks of our current energy portfolio. The 2011 Annual Plan proposes
scientific research that will quantify and mitigate risks associated
with oil and gas exploration and production onshore and offshore,
thereby improving safety and minimizing environmental impacts.
The Department will ensure that the federal government's
understanding of the risks associated with these operations keeps pace.
This will be accomplished through scientific assessment of the risks,
potential impacts, and adequacy of current response and mitigation
technologies.
The research discussed in this Annual Report will be administered
by the Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America (RPSEA), which
operates under the guidance of the Secretary of Energy. RPSEA is a
consortium which includes representatives from industry, academia and
research institutions. RPSEA's expertise in all areas of the
exploration and production value chain ensure that the Department of
Energy's research program has access to relevant emerging technologies
and processes, and that projects are designed in a way that have a
direct impact on practices in the field.
Background
Offshore and onshore research activities are administered pursuant
to an annual plan in compliance with Title IX, Subtitle J of EPACT,
which directs that $50 million per year of federal royalties, rents and
bonus payments be used to fund an oil and natural gas research and
development (R&D) effort, the Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional
Natural Gas and Other Petroleum Resources Research Program (Program).
The Secretary of Energy approves all awards to research performers,
and the planned R&D activities support the goals and objectives of the
annual plan. The research activities are administered by a Program
Consortium that has been selected by the Secretary, as detailed in the
Program Consortium section below.
The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is responsible for
implementation of the Program. Within NETL, the responsibility for
overall program implementation, including oversight of the Program
Consortium contract, has been assigned to the Strategic Center for
Natural Gas and Oil.
Complementary research prescribed under Section 999A(d) is carried
out by NETL's Office of Research and Development.
Program Consortium
In 2006, DOE selected the Research Partnership to Secure Energy for
America (RPSEA) through a competitive solicitation to serve as the
Program Consortium and administer the research activities pursuant to
Section 999B(c).
RPSEA has a broad membership base that includes representatives
from all levels and sectors of both the oil and natural gas exploration
and production (E&P) and oil and natural gas R&D communities. The
breadth of membership helps to ensure that R&D funds leverage existing
industry efforts in accomplishing the Program's objectives.
Administration funds provided to RPSEA cannot exceed 10 percent
pursuant to Section 999G(3). The private companies, universities, and
other organizations that are awarded contracts through this program
provide cost-share contributions of at least 20 percent.
The Annual Plan Development Process
Pursuant to Section 999B(e)(2)(A), the Program Consortium prepared
its 2011 Draft Annual Plan (DAP) which it delivered to the Secretary
July 2010. The Department of Energy prepared a Draft 2011 Annual Plan.
Subsequently, the Draft 2011 Annual Plan and the DAP were reviewed by
the Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee (URTAC)
which presented
[[Page 56413]]
its final report of findings and recommendations in October 2010.
On February 2, 2011, the Secretary of Energy appointed new members
to his Ultra-Deepwater Advisory Committee (UDAC), and met with the
members on February 23, 2011 to discuss his goals for offshore research
and development. Before presenting its final report of findings and
recommendations to the Secretary in April 2011, the UDAC established a
Subcommittee on Risk Assessment.
The Department of Energy will be continually informed by the UDAC
based on the work of its Subcommittee on Risk. In addition, other
Federal advisory bodies will help inform the Department. These include
the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board (SEAB) which established a
Subcommittee on Natural Gas, and the Department of the Interior's Ocean
Energy Safety Committee (OESC) which has established four subcommittees
including the Spill Prevention Subcommittee, and the Containment
Subcommittee. The Department of Energy is a member of the OESC. The
Department will take new information into account in the preparation of
solicitations and the selection of research projects for the 2011
portfolio.
Issued in Washington, DC, on September 7, 2011.
Christopher A. Smith,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Oil and Natural Gas, Office of
Fossil Energy.
[FR Doc. 2011-23328 Filed 9-12-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
