Request for Information on Evaluating New Products for the Battery Chargers and External Power Supply Rulemaking, 18253-18255 [2013-06745]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 58 / Tuesday, March 26, 2013 / Proposed Rules
Government employees, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Wages.
John Berry,
Director, U.S. Office of Personnel
Management.
Accordingly, the U.S. Office of
Personnel Management is proposing to
amend 5 CFR part 532 as follows:
PART 532—PREVAILING RATE
SYSTEMS
1. The authority citation for part 532
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5343, 5346; § 532.707
also issued under 5 U.S.C. 552.
§ 532.213
[Amended]
2. In § 532.213, amend the table
headings in both columns by removing
‘‘2007’’ and adding ‘‘2012.’’
■
§ 532.221
[Amended]
3. In § 532.221, amend the table as
follows:
■ a. Revise the year ‘‘2007’’ to ‘‘2012’’ in
the table headings in both columns;
■ b. Remove NAICS codes ‘‘44311,’’
‘‘7221,’’ and ‘‘7222’’ in the first column
and ‘‘Appliance, television, and other
electronic stores,’’ ‘‘Full-service
restaurants,’’ and ‘‘Limited-service
eating places’’ in the second column;
and
■ c. Add NAICS codes ‘‘443’’ and
‘‘7225’’ in the first column in numerical
order and ‘‘Electronics and appliance
stores’’ and ‘‘Restaurants and other
eating places’’ in the second column.
■
§ 532.267
[Amended]
4. In § 532.267(c)(1), amend the table
as follows:
■ a. Revise the year ‘‘2007’’ to ‘‘2012’’ in
the table headings in both columns;
■ b. Add NAICS code ‘‘333316’’ in the
first column in numerical order and
‘‘Photographic and photocopying
equipment manufacturing’’ in the
second column;
■ c. Revise the title of NAICS code
334613 from ‘‘Magnetic and optical
recording media manufacturing’’ to
‘‘Blank magnetic and optical recording
media manufacturing’’ in the second
column; and
■ d. Revise the title of NAICS code 4921
from ‘‘Couriers’’ to ‘‘Couriers and
express delivery services’’ in the second
column.
■
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
§ 532.285
[Amended]
5. In § 532.285(c)(1), amend the table
headings in both columns by replacing
the year ‘‘2007’’ with ‘‘2012.’’
■
§ 532.313
[Amended]
6. In § 532.313(a), amend the table as
follows:
■ a. Revise the year ‘‘2007’’ to ‘‘2012’’ in
the table headings in both columns;
■
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:52 Mar 25, 2013
Jkt 229001
b. Add NAICS code ‘‘333316’’ in the
first column in numerical order and
‘‘Photographic and photocopying
equipment manufacturing’’ in the
second column to the list of required
NAICS codes for the Electronics
Specialized Industry, Guided Missiles
Specialized Industry, and Sighting and
Fire Control Equipment Specialized
Industry; and
■ c. Remove NAICS codes ‘‘332212,’’
‘‘332995,’’ ‘‘336312,’’ ‘‘336322,’’ and
‘‘336399’’ in the first column and ‘‘Hand
and edge tool manufacturing,’’ ‘‘Other
ordnance and accessories
manufacturing,’’ ‘‘Gasoline engine and
engine parts manufacturing,’’ ‘‘Other
motor vehicle electrical and electronic
equipment manufacturing,’’ and ‘‘All
other motor vehicle parts
manufacturing’’ in the second column
from the list of required NAICS codes
for the Artillery and Combat Vehicle
Specialized Industry.
■ d. Add NAICS codes ‘‘332216,’’
‘‘332994,’’ ‘‘33631,’’ ‘‘33632,’’ and
‘‘33639’’ in the first column in
numerical order and ‘‘Saw blade and
hand tool manufacturing,’’ ‘‘Small arms,
ordnance, and ordnance accessories
manufacturing,’’ ‘‘Motor vehicle
gasoline engine and engine parts
manufacturing,’’ ‘‘Motor vehicle
electrical and electronic equipment
manufacturing,’’ and ‘‘Other motor
vehicle parts manufacturing’’ in the
second column to the list of required
NAICS codes for the for the Artillery
and Combat Vehicle Specialized
Industry;
■
[FR Doc. 2013–06783 Filed 3–25–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325–39–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Part 430
[Docket No. EERE–2008–BT–STD–0005]
RIN 1904–AB57
Request for Information on Evaluating
New Products for the Battery Chargers
and External Power Supply
Rulemaking
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Request for information (RFI) for
proposed rulemaking.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) requests information to
help inform its current rulemaking in
which it has proposed to set energy
conservation standards for classes of
battery chargers and external power
supplies. Specifically, DOE seeks
information on battery chargers that
manufacturers have certified as
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
18253
compliant with the California Energy
Commission (CEC) standards that
became effective on February 1, 2013.
DOE is actively reviewing battery
chargers that have been certified as
compliant with the CEC standards to
determine if the analysis DOE prepared
in support of the notice of proposed
rulemaking for Battery Chargers and
External Power Supplies published on
March 27, 2012, needs revision in light
of the availability of these products.
Based on testing data and information
received from stakeholders, DOE may
propose alternative energy conservation
standard levels for battery chargers if it
is determined that new energy
conservation standards for battery
chargers are technologically feasible and
economically justified. If DOE
determined that different standards
could satisfy these criteria, DOE would
issue a supplemental notice of proposed
rulemaking in order to discuss any new
findings, propose alternative energy
conservation standard levels, and
request stakeholder feedback. At this
time, DOE welcomes written comments
from the public on the issues brought up
in this Request for Information or on
any other topic within the scope of this
rulemaking.
Written comments and
information are requested on or before
May 28, 2013.
DATES:
Interested persons are
encouraged to submit comments using
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
Alternatively, interested persons may
submit comments, identified by docket
number EERE–2011–BT–STD–0005, by
any of the following methods:
• Email: to BC&EPS_ECS@ee.doe.gov.
Include EERE–2011–BT–STD–0005 in
the subject line of the message.
• Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S.
Department of Energy, Building
Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J,
Revisions to Energy Efficiency
Enforcement Regulations, EERE–2011–
BT–STD–0005, 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 agency name and
ADDRESSES:
E:\FR\FM\26MRP1.SGM
26MRP1
18254
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 58 / Tuesday, March 26, 2013 / Proposed Rules
docket number or RIN for this
rulemaking.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents, or
comments received, go to the Federal
eRulemaking Portal at https://
www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Direct requests for additional
information may be sent to Mr. Jeremy
Dommu, U.S. Department of Energy,
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Building
Technologies Program, EE–2J, 1000
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: 202–586–9870. Email:
battery_chargers_and_external_power_
supplies@ee.doe.gov or Mr. Michael
Kido, Esq., U.S. Department of Energy,
Office of General Counsel, GC–71, 1000
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121, (202) 586–
8145, Michael.Kido@hq.doe.gov
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Discussion
III. Public Participation
I. Introduction
On March 27, 2012, the U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE) published
a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR)
proposing Federal energy conservation
standards for battery chargers and
external power supplies (BCEPS). 77 FR
18478. This proposal, however, came
after the California Energy Commission
(CEC) had issued its own standards for
battery charger systems on January 12,
2012, which took effect on February 1,
2013.1 There is some overlap between
the classes of battery chargers affected
by the CEC rule and those classes of
battery chargers that DOE is proposing
to regulate. Additionally, the standards
proposed by DOE differ from the ones
issued by the CEC, with some being
more stringent and others being less
stringent than the CEC standards.
Pursuant to the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act of 1975, as amended
(EPCA), DOE performs a robust analysis
to determine whether potential new or
amended energy conservation standards
that DOE prescribes for certain
products, such as battery chargers, are
designed to achieve the maximum
improvement in energy efficiency that is
technologically feasible and
economically justified. (42 U.S.C.
6295(o)(2)(A)). While the analysis
performed in support of the NOPR
determined that the proposed standards
would achieve the maximum
improvement in energy efficiency that is
technologically feasible and
economically justified, DOE is
interested in determining if revisions to
its analysis are necessary now that
manufacturers have begun complying
with CEC standards that are more
stringent than DOE’s proposed energy
conservation standards for some
product classes of battery chargers.
II. Discussion
DOE is particularly interested in the
effect the CEC standards have on the
market for battery chargers within
DOE’s product classes 2 through 6, as
DOE’s proposed standards are lower
than the equivalent CEC standards for
these product classes. Under EPCA, any
standards that DOE sets will preempt
CEC’s standards once those Federal
standards become effective. See 42
U.S.C. 6295(ii) (prescribing specific
application for the preemption of State
and local standards for, among other
products, battery chargers and external
power supplies). Table 1 compares the
Candidate Standard Levels (CSLs)
proposed in the NOPR to the CSLs
closest to the CEC standards for each
product class. Further details on each
product class can be found in the NOPR
for battery chargers and external power
supplies. 77 FR 18478 (March 27, 2012).
TABLE 1—CSLS EQUIVALENT TO CALIFORNIA PROPOSED STANDARDS
DOE proposed
level
Product class
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
1 (Low-Energy, Inductive) .....................................................................................................................................
2 (Low-Energy, Low-Voltage) ................................................................................................................................
3 (Low-Energy, Medium-Voltage) .........................................................................................................................
4 (Low-Energy, High-Voltage) ...............................................................................................................................
5 (Medium-Energy, Low-Voltage) .........................................................................................................................
6 (Medium-Energy, High-Voltage) .........................................................................................................................
7 (High-Energy) .....................................................................................................................................................
8 (DC Input < 9 V) .................................................................................................................................................
10 (AC Output) ......................................................................................................................................................
DOE is interested in learning
information about how manufacturers
are complying with the CEC standards,
particularly with respect to the
technologies that are being used. DOE is
particularly interested in products
contained within CEC’s public
database2 which contains a listing of
products that meet the CEC standards.
DOE has already identified several
battery chargers in that list for further
analysis. Thus far these products have
included chargers in end use products
such as wireless mouse devices,
cordless phones, power tools, and
1 https://www.energy.ca.gov/appliances/battery_
chargers/.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:00 Mar 25, 2013
Jkt 229001
cordless vacuums. Using the
information sought in this notice, DOE
plans to assess whether its current
analyses need revision.
If any new information is presented
that was not previously considered by
DOE in the NOPR, DOE may revise its
analysis. If a revised analysis supports
an alternative proposed energy
conservation standards for certain
product classes, DOE would issue a
supplemental notice of proposed
rulemaking (SNOPR). Following a
SNOPR publication, stakeholders would
2 Available
PO 00000
CSL closest
equivalent to
CEC standard
CSL
CSL
CSL
CSL
CSL
CSL
CSL
CSL
CSL
CSL
CSL
CSL
CSL
CSL
CSL
CSL
CSL
CSL
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
..............
.............
.............
.............
.............
..............
.............
.............
..............
0.
2.
2.
2.
3.
3.
1.
0.
3.
have additional opportunity to provide
comments to DOE.
III. Public Participation
A. Submission of Information
DOE will accept comments in
response to this RFI under the timeline
provided in the DATES section.
Comments submitted to the Department
through the eRulemaking Portal or by
email should be provided in
WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, portable
document format (PDF), or text file
format. Those responding should avoid
the use of special characters or any form
here: www.appliances.energy.ca.gov/.
Frm 00003
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
3
E:\FR\FM\26MRP1.SGM
26MRP1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 58 / Tuesday, March 26, 2013 / Proposed Rules
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
of encryption. No facsimiles will be
accepted. Comments submitted in
response to this notice will become a
matter of public record and will be
made publicly available.
B. Issues on Which DOE Seeks
Information
For this RFI, DOE requests comments,
information, and recommendations on
the following topics for the purpose of
determining if DOE should revise its
NOPR analysis:
1. DOE seeks comment on the product
designs and technologies used by
manufacturers to meet the CEC
standards, as well as other changes
made to the products since DOE’s initial
NOPR analysis.
2. DOE seeks comment on the product
costs incurred by manufactures to meet
the CEC standards, including those
related to engineering, design,
manufacturing and product labeling.
3. DOE seeks information on the
impact of the CEC standards on
manufacturer’s supply chain.
Specifically, DOE seeks information on
whether manufacturers will continue to
manufacture products that do not meet
the CEC standards for sale outside
California, while selling a separate
product of similar utility and function
compliant with CEC standards for sale
in California
4. DOE requests information on
whether there are any types of products
that have been discontinued from sale
in California due to the CEC standards.
DOE is specifically interested in
whether these discontinued products
offer consumer utility not offered by
products compliant with the CEC
standards.
5. Finally, DOE seeks information
from manufacturers on the potential
costs and burdens of complying with a
battery charger labeling requirement.
DOE is also interested in comments
on other relevant issues that
participants believe would affect the
proposed standards for battery chargers.
DOE invites all interested parties to
submit in writing by May 28, 2013,
comments and information on matters
addressed in this notice and on other
matters relevant to DOE’s consideration
of the battery charger and external
power supply rulemaking.
After the close of the comment period,
DOE will review the public comments
and determine if any changes to the
proposed standards for the battery
charger and external power supply
rulemaking are necessary and
warranted.
DOE considers public participation to
be a very important part of the process
for developing rulemakings. DOE
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:52 Mar 25, 2013
Jkt 229001
actively encourages the participation
and interaction of the public during the
comment period in each stage of the
rulemaking process. Interactions with
and between members of the public
provide a balanced discussion of the
issues and assist DOE in the rulemaking
process. Anyone who wishes to be
added to the DOE mailing list to receive
future notices and information about
this rulemaking should contact Ms.
Brenda Edwards at (202) 586–2945, or
via email at
Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 19,
2013.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy.
[FR Doc. 2013–06745 Filed 3–25–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2013–0130; Directorate
Identifier 2013–NE–07–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Hartzell
Propeller, Inc. Propellers
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for Hartzell
Propeller, Inc. propeller models HC-(1,
D)2(X, V, MV)20–7, HC-(1, D)2(X, V,
MV)20–8 and HC-(1, D)3(X, V, MV)20–
8. This proposed AD was prompted by
failures of the propeller hydraulic
bladder diaphragm and resulting engine
oil leak. This proposed AD would
require replacement of the propeller
hydraulic bladder diaphragm. We are
proposing this AD to prevent propeller
hydraulic bladder diaphragm rupture,
loss of engine oil, damage to the engine,
and loss of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by May 28, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments,
using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
methods:
• 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–
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
18255
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail
address above between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
For service information identified in
this proposed AD, contact Hartzell
Propeller, Inc., 1 Propeller Place, Piqua,
OH 45356; phone: 937–778–4200; email:
techsupport@hartzellprop.com. You
may view this service information at the
FAA, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA,
call 781–238–7125.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov; or in person at the
Docket Management Facility between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this proposed AD, the
regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The
street address for the Docket Office
(phone: 800–647–5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mark Grace, Aerospace Engineer,
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office,
FAA, Propulsion Branch, 2300 E. Devon
Avenue, Des Planes, IL 60018; phone:
847–294–7377; fax: 847–294–7834;
email: mark.grace@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written
relevant data, views, or arguments about
this proposal. Send your comments to
an address listed under the ADDRESSES
section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–
2013–0130; Directorate Identifier 2013–
NE–07–AD’’ at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite
comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy
aspects of this proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the
closing date and may amend this
proposed AD because of those
comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact we receive
about this proposed AD.
Discussion
We received a report of Hartzell
propeller failures of the variable pitch
E:\FR\FM\26MRP1.SGM
26MRP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 58 (Tuesday, March 26, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18253-18255]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06745]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Part 430
[Docket No. EERE-2008-BT-STD-0005]
RIN 1904-AB57
Request for Information on Evaluating New Products for the
Battery Chargers and External Power Supply Rulemaking
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Request for information (RFI) for proposed rulemaking.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) requests information to
help inform its current rulemaking in which it has proposed to set
energy conservation standards for classes of battery chargers and
external power supplies. Specifically, DOE seeks information on battery
chargers that manufacturers have certified as compliant with the
California Energy Commission (CEC) standards that became effective on
February 1, 2013. DOE is actively reviewing battery chargers that have
been certified as compliant with the CEC standards to determine if the
analysis DOE prepared in support of the notice of proposed rulemaking
for Battery Chargers and External Power Supplies published on March 27,
2012, needs revision in light of the availability of these products.
Based on testing data and information received from stakeholders, DOE
may propose alternative energy conservation standard levels for battery
chargers if it is determined that new energy conservation standards for
battery chargers are technologically feasible and economically
justified. If DOE determined that different standards could satisfy
these criteria, DOE would issue a supplemental notice of proposed
rulemaking in order to discuss any new findings, propose alternative
energy conservation standard levels, and request stakeholder feedback.
At this time, DOE welcomes written comments from the public on the
issues brought up in this Request for Information or on any other topic
within the scope of this rulemaking.
DATES: Written comments and information are requested on or before May
28, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments. Alternatively, interested
persons may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE-2011-BT-
STD-0005, by any of the following methods:
Email: to BC&EPS_ECS@ee.doe.gov. Include EERE-2011-BT-
STD-0005 in the subject line of the message.
Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy,
Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, Revisions to Energy
Efficiency Enforcement Regulations, EERE-2011-BT-STD-0005, 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 agency name
and
[[Page 18254]]
docket number or RIN for this rulemaking.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents, or
comments received, go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional
information may be sent to Mr. Jeremy Dommu, U.S. Department of Energy,
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies
Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-
0121. Telephone: 202-586-9870. Email: battery_chargers_and_external_power_supplies@ee.doe.gov or Mr. Michael Kido, Esq., U.S.
Department of Energy, Office of General Counsel, GC-71, 1000
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121, (202) 586-8145,
Michael.Kido@hq.doe.gov
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Discussion
III. Public Participation
I. Introduction
On March 27, 2012, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a
notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) proposing Federal energy
conservation standards for battery chargers and external power supplies
(BCEPS). 77 FR 18478. This proposal, however, came after the California
Energy Commission (CEC) had issued its own standards for battery
charger systems on January 12, 2012, which took effect on February 1,
2013.\1\ There is some overlap between the classes of battery chargers
affected by the CEC rule and those classes of battery chargers that DOE
is proposing to regulate. Additionally, the standards proposed by DOE
differ from the ones issued by the CEC, with some being more stringent
and others being less stringent than the CEC standards. Pursuant to the
Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as amended (EPCA), DOE
performs a robust analysis to determine whether potential new or
amended energy conservation standards that DOE prescribes for certain
products, such as battery chargers, are designed to achieve the maximum
improvement in energy efficiency that is technologically feasible and
economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(A)). While the analysis
performed in support of the NOPR determined that the proposed standards
would achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is
technologically feasible and economically justified, DOE is interested
in determining if revisions to its analysis are necessary now that
manufacturers have begun complying with CEC standards that are more
stringent than DOE's proposed energy conservation standards for some
product classes of battery chargers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ https://www.energy.ca.gov/appliances/battery_chargers/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. Discussion
DOE is particularly interested in the effect the CEC standards have
on the market for battery chargers within DOE's product classes 2
through 6, as DOE's proposed standards are lower than the equivalent
CEC standards for these product classes. Under EPCA, any standards that
DOE sets will preempt CEC's standards once those Federal standards
become effective. See 42 U.S.C. 6295(ii) (prescribing specific
application for the preemption of State and local standards for, among
other products, battery chargers and external power supplies). Table 1
compares the Candidate Standard Levels (CSLs) proposed in the NOPR to
the CSLs closest to the CEC standards for each product class. Further
details on each product class can be found in the NOPR for battery
chargers and external power supplies. 77 FR 18478 (March 27, 2012).
Table 1--CSLs Equivalent to California Proposed Standards
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CSL closest
Product class DOE proposed level equivalent to CEC
standard
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 (Low-Energy, Inductive)..... CSL 2.............. CSL 0.
2 (Low-Energy, Low-Voltage)... CSL 1.............. CSL 2.
3 (Low-Energy, Medium-Voltage) CSL 1.............. CSL 2.
4 (Low-Energy, High-Voltage).. CSL 1.............. CSL 2.
5 (Medium-Energy, Low-Voltage) CSL 2.............. CSL 3.
6 (Medium-Energy, High- CSL 2.............. CSL 3.
Voltage).
7 (High-Energy)............... CSL 1.............. CSL 1.
8 (DC Input < 9 V)............ CSL 1.............. CSL 0.
10 (AC Output)................ CSL 3.............. CSL 3.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE is interested in learning information about how manufacturers
are complying with the CEC standards, particularly with respect to the
technologies that are being used. DOE is particularly interested in
products contained within CEC's public database\2\ which contains a
listing of products that meet the CEC standards. DOE has already
identified several battery chargers in that list for further analysis.
Thus far these products have included chargers in end use products such
as wireless mouse devices, cordless phones, power tools, and cordless
vacuums. Using the information sought in this notice, DOE plans to
assess whether its current analyses need revision.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Available here: www.appliances.energy.ca.gov/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
If any new information is presented that was not previously
considered by DOE in the NOPR, DOE may revise its analysis. If a
revised analysis supports an alternative proposed energy conservation
standards for certain product classes, DOE would issue a supplemental
notice of proposed rulemaking (SNOPR). Following a SNOPR publication,
stakeholders would have additional opportunity to provide comments to
DOE.
III. Public Participation
A. Submission of Information
DOE will accept comments in response to this RFI under the timeline
provided in the DATES section. Comments submitted to the Department
through the eRulemaking Portal or by email should be provided in
WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, portable document format (PDF), or text
file format. Those responding should avoid the use of special
characters or any form
[[Page 18255]]
of encryption. No facsimiles will be accepted. Comments submitted in
response to this notice will become a matter of public record and will
be made publicly available.
B. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Information
For this RFI, DOE requests comments, information, and
recommendations on the following topics for the purpose of determining
if DOE should revise its NOPR analysis:
1. DOE seeks comment on the product designs and technologies used
by manufacturers to meet the CEC standards, as well as other changes
made to the products since DOE's initial NOPR analysis.
2. DOE seeks comment on the product costs incurred by manufactures
to meet the CEC standards, including those related to engineering,
design, manufacturing and product labeling.
3. DOE seeks information on the impact of the CEC standards on
manufacturer's supply chain. Specifically, DOE seeks information on
whether manufacturers will continue to manufacture products that do not
meet the CEC standards for sale outside California, while selling a
separate product of similar utility and function compliant with CEC
standards for sale in California
4. DOE requests information on whether there are any types of
products that have been discontinued from sale in California due to the
CEC standards. DOE is specifically interested in whether these
discontinued products offer consumer utility not offered by products
compliant with the CEC standards.
5. Finally, DOE seeks information from manufacturers on the
potential costs and burdens of complying with a battery charger
labeling requirement.
DOE is also interested in comments on other relevant issues that
participants believe would affect the proposed standards for battery
chargers. DOE invites all interested parties to submit in writing by
May 28, 2013, comments and information on matters addressed in this
notice and on other matters relevant to DOE's consideration of the
battery charger and external power supply rulemaking.
After the close of the comment period, DOE will review the public
comments and determine if any changes to the proposed standards for the
battery charger and external power supply rulemaking are necessary and
warranted.
DOE considers public participation to be a very important part of
the process for developing rulemakings. DOE actively encourages the
participation and interaction of the public during the comment period
in each stage of the rulemaking process. Interactions with and between
members of the public provide a balanced discussion of the issues and
assist DOE in the rulemaking process. Anyone who wishes to be added to
the DOE mailing list to receive future notices and information about
this rulemaking should contact Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945, or
via email at Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 19, 2013.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2013-06745 Filed 3-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
