Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Dehumidifiers: Public Meeting and Availability of the Framework Document, 49739-49740 [2012-20231]
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49739
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
Vol. 77, No. 160
Friday, August 17, 2012
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 ENERGY
10 CFR Parts 429 and 430
[Docket No. EERE–2012– BT–STD–0027]
RIN 1904–AC81
Energy Conservation Standards for
Residential Dehumidifiers: 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:
The Department of Energy
(DOE) issues a framework document to
consider whether to amend the energy
conservation standards for residential
dehumidifiers. DOE also announces a
public meeting to discuss and receive
comments on issues that it will address
in this rulemaking proceeding. DOE is
initiating data collection for considering
amended energy conservation standards
for residential dehumidifiers. DOE also
encourages written comments on
potential amended standards, including
comments on the issues identified in the
framework document. The framework
document, which is intended to inform
stakeholders and facilitate the
rulemaking process, is available at
https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/
appliance_standards/residential/
dehumidifiers.html.
SUMMARY:
DOE will hold a public meeting
on September 24, 2012, from 1 p.m. to
4 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., September 10, 2012. Written
comments are welcome, especially
following the public meeting, and
should be submitted by September 17,
2012.
ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be
held at the U.S. Department of Energy,
erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1
DATES:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:40 Aug 16, 2012
Jkt 226001
Forrestal Building, 8E–089, 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 as
possible by contacting Ms. Brenda
Edwards at (202) 586–2945 so that the
necessary procedures can be completed.
Stakeholders may submit comments,
identified by docket number EERE–
2012– BT–STD–0027 and/or Regulation
Identifier Number (RIN) 1904–AC81, by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Email: ResDehumidifier
2012STD0027@ee.doe.gov. Include
docket number EERE–2012– BT–STD–
0027 and/or RIN 1904–AC81 in the
subject line of the message.
• Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S.
Department of Energy, Building
Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121. If
possible, please submit all items on a
CD. It is not necessary to include
printed copies.
• Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda
Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy,
Building Technologies Program, 950
L’Enfant Plaza SW., Suite 600,
Washington, DC 20024. Phone: (202)
586–2945. Please submit one signed
paper original. If possible, please submit
all items on a CD. It is not necessary to
include printed copies.
• Docket: The docket is available for
review at https://www.regulations.gov,
and will include Federal Register
notices, framework document, notice of
proposed rulemaking, public meeting
attendee lists and transcripts,
comments, and other supporting
documents/materials throughout the
rulemaking process. The docket can be
accessed by searching for Docket No.
EERE–2012– BT–STD–0027 at the
regulations.gov Web site.
For further information on how to
submit or review public comments or
view hard copies of the docket in the
Resource Room, contact Ms. Brenda
Edwards at (202) 586–2945 or email:
Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Stephen Witkowski, U.S. Department of
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Building
Technologies, EE–2J, 1000
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121. Phone:
(202) 586–7463. Email:
stephen.witkowski1@ee.doe.gov.
Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department
of Energy, Office of General Counsel,
GC–71, 1000 Independence Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Phone: (202) 586–7796, email:
elizabeth.kohl@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction and Legal Authority
II. Test Procedures
III. Energy Conservation Standards
I. Introduction and Legal Authority
Title III, Part B of the Energy Policy
and Conservation Act (EPCA) of 1975,
Public Law 94–163, (42 U.S.C. 6291–
6309), as amended, established an
energy conservation program for
consumer products other than
automobiles.1
The Energy Policy Act of 2005
(EPACT 2005), Public Law 109–58,
amended EPCA to establish energy
conservation standards for
dehumidifiers 2 manufactured as of
October 1, 2007. (Section 135(c)(4))
EPACT 2005 also required that DOE
issue a final rule by October 1, 2009, to
determine whether these standards
should be amended. (Id.) Compliance
with any amended standards would be
required for dehumidifiers
manufactured as of October 1, 2012.
(Id.) In the event that DOE did not
publish a final rule, EPACT 2005
specified a new set of amended
standards with a compliance date of
October 1, 2012. (Id.)
DOE issued an Advance Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (ANOPR) to
consider energy conservation standards
for dehumidifiers and other products.
72 FR 64432 (Nov. 15, 2007). The
Energy Independence and Security Act
of 2007 (EISA 2007), Public Law 110–
140 subsequently amended EPCA to
prescribe new energy conservation
1 Upon codification in the U.S. Code, Part B was
re-designated Part A for editorial reasons.
2 Dehumidifiers are defined as self-contained,
electrically operated, and mechanically encased
assemblies consisting of: (1) A refrigerated surface
(evaporator) that condenses moisture from the
atmosphere; (2) a refrigerating system, including an
electric motor; (3) an air-circulating fan; and (4) a
means for collecting or disposing of the condensate.
(42 U.S.C. 6291(34))
E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM
17AUP1
49740
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 160 / Friday, August 17, 2012 / Proposed Rules
erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1
standards for dehumidifiers
manufactured on or after October 1,
2012. DOE codified the EISA 2007
standards at 10 CFR 430.32(v)(2). 74 FR
12058 (Mar. 23, 2009).
EPCA also requires that, not later than
6 years after the issuance of a final rule
establishing or amending a standard,
DOE publish a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NOPR) proposing new
standards or a notice of determination
that the existing standards do not need
to be amended. (42 U.S.C. 6295(m)(1))
II. Test Procedures
EPCA specifies that the test procedure
for dehumidifiers must be based on the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA)’s test criteria used under the
ENERGY STAR Program in effect on
August 8, 2005, unless DOE revises the
test procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(13))
Those ENERGY STAR test criteria
require that American National
Standards Institute (ANSI)/Association
of Home Appliance Manufacturers
(AHAM) Standard DH–1 be used to
measure capacity in pints of moisture
removed per day, while Canada’s CAN/
Canadian Standards Association (CSA)–
C749–94 is used to calculate the energy
factor (EF) in terms of liters of moisture
removed per kilowatt-hour (kWh). DOE
codified the test procedure requirements
from EPCA for dehumidifiers at 10 CFR
part 430 subpart B, appendix X. 71 FR
71340 (Dec. 8, 2006).
EPCA requires that DOE amend the
test procedures for certain residential
products, including dehumidifiers, to
incorporate measures of standby mode
and off mode energy use, if technically
feasible. DOE published a NOPR in
which it proposed to incorporate by
reference in the test procedures for
dehumidifiers and other products an
international test method for measuring
standby mode and off mode power
consumption, International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
Standard 62301. 75 FR 75290 (Dec. 2,
2010). DOE subsequently published a
Supplemental Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking (SNOPR) to propose
referencing the updated version of IEC
Standard 62301. 76 FR 58346 (Sept. 20,
2011). In a second SNOPR, DOE
proposed in relevant part to measure
both capacity and EF for dehumidifiers
according to the current version of
AHAM Standard DH–1. 77 FR 31444
(May 25, 2012).
III. Energy Conservation Standards
During this rulemaking, DOE will
determine whether to further amend the
energy conservation standards for
residential dehumidifiers. (42 U.S.C.
6295(cc)). EPCA requires that any new
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:40 Aug 16, 2012
Jkt 226001
or amended energy conservation
standard be designed to achieve the
maximum improvement in energy or
water efficiency that is technologically
feasible and economically justified. To
determine whether a standard is
economically justified, EPCA requires
that DOE determine whether the
benefits of the standard exceed its
burdens by considering, to the greatest
extent practicable, the following:
(1) The economic impact of the standard
on the manufacturers and consumers of the
affected products;
(2) The savings in operating costs
throughout the estimated average life of the
product compared to any increases in the
initial cost, or maintenance expense;
(3) The total projected amount of energy
and water (if applicable) savings likely to
result directly from the imposition of the
standard;
(4) Any lessening of the utility or the
performance of the products likely to result
from the imposition of the standard;
(5) The impact of any lessening of
competition, as determined in writing by the
Attorney General, that is likely to result from
the imposition of the standard;
(6) The need for national energy and water
conservation; and
(7) Other factors the Secretary considers
relevant.
(42 U.S.C. 6295 (o)(2)(B)(i))
To begin the required rulemaking
process, DOE has prepared a framework
document to explain the issues,
analyses, and processes that it is
considering for the development of
amended energy conservation standards
for residential dehumidifiers. The
framework document is available at
https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/
appliance_standards/residential/
dehumidifiers.html.
Additionally, DOE will hold a public
meeting to focus on the analyses and
issues described in the framework
document. DOE encourages anyone who
wishes to participate in the public
meeting to view the framework
document and to be prepared to discuss
its contents. Public meeting participants
need not limit their comments to the
topics identified in the framework
document; DOE is also interested in
receiving views on other relevant issues
that participants believe would affect
energy conservation standards for these
products. DOE welcomes all interested
parties, regardless of whether they
participate in the public meeting, to
submit in writing comments and
information on matters addressed in the
framework document and on other
matters relevant to consideration of
standards for residential dehumidifiers.
DOE will conduct the public meeting
in an informal conference style. A court
reporter will record the minutes of the
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
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, DOE 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 the rulemaking
process for residential dehumidifiers
should contact Ms. Brenda Edwards at
(202) 586–2945
Issued in Washington, DC, on July 31,
2012.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy, Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2012–20231 Filed 8–16–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Parts 43, 91, and 145
[Docket No. FAA–2006–26408; Notice No.
12–03]
RIN 2120–AJ61
Repair Stations; Extension of
Comment Period
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM); Extension of comment period.
AGENCY:
This action extends the
comment period for an NPRM that was
published on May 21, 2012. In that
document, the FAA proposed to update
and revise the regulations for repair
stations. This extension is a result of
formal requests from repair stations and
industry associations to extend the
comment period to the proposal. This
extension is necessary to afford all
interested parties an opportunity to
present their views on the proposed
rulemaking.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before November 19, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments
identified by Docket No. FAA–2006–
26408 using any of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and follow
the online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\17AUP1.SGM
17AUP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 160 (Friday, August 17, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49739-49740]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20231]
========================================================================
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
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.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 160 / Friday, August 17, 2012 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 49739]]
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Parts 429 and 430
[Docket No. EERE-2012- BT-STD-0027]
RIN 1904-AC81
Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Dehumidifiers:
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) issues a framework document to
consider whether to amend the energy conservation standards for
residential dehumidifiers. DOE also announces a public meeting to
discuss and receive comments on issues that it will address in this
rulemaking proceeding. DOE is initiating data collection for
considering amended energy conservation standards for residential
dehumidifiers. DOE also encourages written comments on potential
amended standards, including comments on the issues identified in the
framework document. The framework document, which is intended to inform
stakeholders and facilitate the rulemaking process, is available at
https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/dehumidifiers.html.
DATES: DOE will hold a public meeting on September 24, 2012, from 1
p.m. to 4 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., September 10, 2012. Written comments are
welcome, especially following the public meeting, and should be
submitted by September 17, 2012.
ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of
Energy, Forrestal Building, 8E-089, 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 as possible
by contacting Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945 so that the
necessary procedures can be completed.
Stakeholders may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE-
2012- BT-STD-0027 and/or Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 1904-AC81,
by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Email: ResDehumidifier2012STD0027@ee.doe.gov. Include
docket number EERE-2012- BT-STD-0027 and/or RIN 1904-AC81 in the
subject line of the message.
Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy,
Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. If possible, please submit all items on
a CD. It is not necessary to include printed copies.
Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 950 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Suite
600, Washington, DC 20024. Phone: (202) 586-2945. Please submit one
signed paper original. If possible, please submit all items on a CD. It
is not necessary to include printed copies.
Docket: The docket is available for review at https://www.regulations.gov, and will include Federal Register notices,
framework document, notice of proposed rulemaking, public meeting
attendee lists and transcripts, comments, and other supporting
documents/materials throughout the rulemaking process. The docket can
be accessed by searching for Docket No. EERE-2012- BT-STD-0027 at the
regulations.gov Web site.
For further information on how to submit or review public comments
or view hard copies of the docket in the Resource Room, contact Ms.
Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945 or email: Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.
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. Email:
stephen.witkowski1@ee.doe.gov.
Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of General
Counsel, GC-71, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-
0121. Phone: (202) 586-7796, email: elizabeth.kohl@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction and Legal Authority
II. Test Procedures
III. Energy Conservation Standards
I. Introduction and Legal Authority
Title III, Part B of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA)
of 1975, Public Law 94-163, (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309), as amended,
established an energy conservation program for consumer products other
than automobiles.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Upon codification in the U.S. Code, Part B was re-designated
Part A for editorial reasons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005), Public Law 109-58,
amended EPCA to establish energy conservation standards for
dehumidifiers \2\ manufactured as of October 1, 2007. (Section
135(c)(4)) EPACT 2005 also required that DOE issue a final rule by
October 1, 2009, to determine whether these standards should be
amended. (Id.) Compliance with any amended standards would be required
for dehumidifiers manufactured as of October 1, 2012. (Id.) In the
event that DOE did not publish a final rule, EPACT 2005 specified a new
set of amended standards with a compliance date of October 1, 2012.
(Id.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Dehumidifiers are defined as self-contained, electrically
operated, and mechanically encased assemblies consisting of: (1) A
refrigerated surface (evaporator) that condenses moisture from the
atmosphere; (2) a refrigerating system, including an electric motor;
(3) an air-circulating fan; and (4) a means for collecting or
disposing of the condensate. (42 U.S.C. 6291(34))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANOPR) to
consider energy conservation standards for dehumidifiers and other
products. 72 FR 64432 (Nov. 15, 2007). The Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007), Public Law 110-140 subsequently
amended EPCA to prescribe new energy conservation
[[Page 49740]]
standards for dehumidifiers manufactured on or after October 1, 2012.
DOE codified the EISA 2007 standards at 10 CFR 430.32(v)(2). 74 FR
12058 (Mar. 23, 2009).
EPCA also requires that, not later than 6 years after the issuance
of a final rule establishing or amending a standard, DOE publish a
notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) proposing new standards or a
notice of determination that the existing standards do not need to be
amended. (42 U.S.C. 6295(m)(1))
II. Test Procedures
EPCA specifies that the test procedure for dehumidifiers must be
based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s test criteria
used under the ENERGY STAR Program in effect on August 8, 2005, unless
DOE revises the test procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(13)) Those ENERGY
STAR test criteria require that American National Standards Institute
(ANSI)/Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) Standard DH-1
be used to measure capacity in pints of moisture removed per day, while
Canada's CAN/Canadian Standards Association (CSA)-C749-94 is used to
calculate the energy factor (EF) in terms of liters of moisture removed
per kilowatt-hour (kWh). DOE codified the test procedure requirements
from EPCA for dehumidifiers at 10 CFR part 430 subpart B, appendix X.
71 FR 71340 (Dec. 8, 2006).
EPCA requires that DOE amend the test procedures for certain
residential products, including dehumidifiers, to incorporate measures
of standby mode and off mode energy use, if technically feasible. DOE
published a NOPR in which it proposed to incorporate by reference in
the test procedures for dehumidifiers and other products an
international test method for measuring standby mode and off mode power
consumption, International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard
62301. 75 FR 75290 (Dec. 2, 2010). DOE subsequently published a
Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNOPR) to propose
referencing the updated version of IEC Standard 62301. 76 FR 58346
(Sept. 20, 2011). In a second SNOPR, DOE proposed in relevant part to
measure both capacity and EF for dehumidifiers according to the current
version of AHAM Standard DH-1. 77 FR 31444 (May 25, 2012).
III. Energy Conservation Standards
During this rulemaking, DOE will determine whether to further amend
the energy conservation standards for residential dehumidifiers. (42
U.S.C. 6295(cc)). EPCA requires that any new or amended energy
conservation standard be designed to achieve the maximum improvement in
energy or water efficiency that is technologically feasible and
economically justified. To determine whether a standard is economically
justified, EPCA requires that DOE determine whether the benefits of the
standard exceed its burdens by considering, to the greatest extent
practicable, the following:
(1) The economic impact of the standard on the manufacturers and
consumers of the affected products;
(2) The savings in operating costs throughout the estimated
average life of the product compared to any increases in the initial
cost, or maintenance expense;
(3) The total projected amount of energy and water (if
applicable) savings likely to result directly from the imposition of
the standard;
(4) Any lessening of the utility or the performance of the
products likely to result from the imposition of the standard;
(5) The impact of any lessening of competition, as determined in
writing by the Attorney General, that is likely to result from the
imposition of the standard;
(6) The need for national energy and water conservation; and
(7) Other factors the Secretary considers relevant.
(42 U.S.C. 6295 (o)(2)(B)(i))
To begin the required rulemaking process, DOE has prepared a
framework document to explain the issues, analyses, and processes that
it is considering for the development of amended energy conservation
standards for residential dehumidifiers. The framework document is
available at https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/dehumidifiers.html.
Additionally, DOE will hold a public meeting to focus on the
analyses and issues described in the framework document. DOE encourages
anyone who wishes to participate in the public meeting to view the
framework document and to be prepared to discuss its contents. Public
meeting participants need not limit their comments to the topics
identified in the framework document; DOE is also interested in
receiving views on other relevant issues that participants believe
would affect energy conservation standards for these products. DOE
welcomes all interested parties, regardless of whether they participate
in the public meeting, to submit in writing comments and information on
matters addressed in the framework document and on other matters
relevant to consideration of standards for residential dehumidifiers.
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, DOE 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 the rulemaking process for
residential dehumidifiers should contact Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202)
586-2945
Issued in Washington, DC, on July 31, 2012.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy.
[FR Doc. 2012-20231 Filed 8-16-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P