Energy Conservation Program for Certain Commercial and Industrial Equipment: Test Procedure for Commercial Packaged Boilers, 9643-9645 [2014-03299]

Download as PDF 9643 Proposed Rules Federal Register Vol. 79, No. 34 Thursday, February 20, 2014 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 Part 431 [Docket No. EERE–2014–BT–TP–0006] RIN 1904–AD16 Energy Conservation Program for Certain Commercial and Industrial Equipment: Test Procedure for Commercial Packaged Boilers Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy. ACTION: Request for information (RFI). AGENCY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating a rulemaking and data collection process to consider amendments to DOE’s test procedure for commercial packaged boilers. This rulemaking is intended to fulfill DOE’s statutory obligation to review its test procedures for covered products at least once every seven years. As part of this process, DOE is considering the potential for adoption of part-load efficiency measurement as part of this test procedure rulemaking for commercial packaged boilers. To help inform the test procedure rulemaking, DOE has identified a variety of issues on which it is seeking comment, as outlined in this document; these issues mainly concern part-load operation and efficiency, appropriate operating conditions for both part-load and fullload operation, and the integration of part-load measurements into the applicable energy efficiency metric. Although DOE welcomes comment on all aspects of its test procedure, DOE is particularly interested in receiving comments and data from stakeholders and the public on these topics. DATES: DOE will accept written comments, data, and information on this document, on or before March 24, 2014. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments electronically. However, interested persons may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE– 2014–BT–TP–0006 or Regulation tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:08 Feb 19, 2014 Jkt 232001 Identifier Number (RIN) 1904–AD16, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Email: CommPackagedBoilers2014TP0006@ ee.doe.gov Include docket number EERE–2014–BT–TP–0006 and/or RIN 1904–AD16 in the subject line of the message. All comments should clearly identify the name, address, and if appropriate, organization of the commenter. Submit electronic comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, portable document format (PDF), or American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) file format, and avoid the use of special characters or any form of encryption. • Postal Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE–5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. If possible, please submit all items on a compact disc (CD), in which case it is not necessary to include printed copies. • Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, 6th Floor, 950 L’Enfant Plaza SW., Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 586–2945. If possible, please submit all items on a CD, in which case it is not necessary to include printed copies. Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number or RIN for this rulemaking. No telefacsimilies (faxes) will be accepted. For further information on the rulemaking process, see section III of this document (Public Participation). Docket: The docket is available for review at www.regulations.gov, including Federal Register notices, comments, and other supporting documents/materials (search EERE– 2014–BT–TP–0006). All documents in the docket are listed in the www.regulations.gov index. However, not all documents listed in the index may be publicly available, such as information that is exempt from public disclosure. A link to the docket Web page can be found at: https://www1.eere.energy.gov/ buildings/appliance_standards/ product.aspx/productid/74. This Web page contains a link to the docket for this document on the PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 www.regulations.gov site. The www.regulations.gov Web page contains instructions on how to access all documents, including public comments, in the docket. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James Raba, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies, EE–5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202) 586–8654. Email: commercial_packaged_boilers@ ee.doe.gov. Mr. Eric Stas, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, GC–71, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202) 586–9507. Email: Eric.Stas@hq.doe.gov. For information on how to submit or review comments, contact Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies, EE–5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202) 586–2945. Email: Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents I. Authority and Background II. Discussion III. Public Participation I. Authority and Background Title III, Part C 1 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), Public Law 94–163 (42 U.S.C. 6311– 6317, as codified), Public Law 95–619, Title IV § 441(a), sets forth various provisions designed to improve energy efficiency for consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment and established the ‘‘Energy Conservation Program for Certain Industrial Equipment’’ (hereafter referred to as ‘‘covered equipment’’).2 The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT 1992), Public Law 102–486, amended EPCA to add commercial packaged boilers as a type of covered equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)) The Energy 1 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, Part C was redesignated Part A–1. 2 All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute as amended through the American Energy Manufacturing Technical Corrections Act (AEMTCA), Public Law 112–210 (Dec. 18, 2012). E:\FR\FM\20FEP1.SGM 20FEP1 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS 9644 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 34 / Thursday, February 20, 2014 / Proposed Rules Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007), Public Law 110–140, further revised EPCA to require that not later than six years after issuance of any final rule establishing or amending a standard,3 the Secretary of Energy must publish either a notice of determination that the standards for a given type of equipment do not need to be amended, or a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) including new proposed standards. (42 U.S.C. 6313(a)(6)(C)(i)) Additionally, EPCA (as amended) requires DOE to update its test method each time the relevant industry test procedure is modified (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(B)) and to evaluate its test procedure for each covered class once every seven years (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(1)(A)). To fulfill these requirements set forth in EPCA, DOE has initiated a rulemaking to consider amended energy conservation standards for commercial packaged boilers, and, in parallel, DOE will evaluate the commercial packaged boilers test procedure found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 10 CFR 431.86, Uniform test method for the measurement of energy efficiency of commercial packaged boilers. DOE issued a notice of public meeting and availability of the Framework Document on August 28, 2013, which was published in the Federal Register on September 3, 2013. 78 FR 54197. The Framework Document explains the issues, analyses, and process that DOE is considering for the development of energy conservation standards. Both in the Framework Document and in a public meeting held on October 1, 2013, DOE solicited public comment regarding its approach to the rulemaking process and identified particular issues for which DOE sought comment. The comments received included suggestions for the revision of the DOE test procedure. In support of its test procedure rulemaking, DOE conducts in-depth technical analyses of publicly-available test standards and other relevant information. DOE continually seeks data and public input to improve its testing methodologies to more accurately reflect consumer use and to produce repeatable results. In general, DOE requests information, comment, and supporting data about representative and repeatable methods for measuring the energy use of commercial packaged boilers. In particular, DOE seeks comment and information about the topics below. II. Discussion The DOE test procedure for commercial packaged boilers, set forth at 10 CFR 431.86, incorporates Hydronics Institute/Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute Standard BTS–2000 (Rev 06.07), Method to Determine Efficiency of Commercial Space Heating Boilers. This test procedure determines the steady-state efficiency of steam or hot water boilers operating at full load.4 However, through a review of equipment available in the market, DOE understands that the commercial packaged boiler industry is increasingly utilizing modulating burners. Modulating burners are capable of reducing the fuel input rate to more closely match the space heating demand. Because the current test procedure at 10 CFR 431.86 only measures steady-state efficiency at maximum firing rate, it does not account for differences in efficiency when the boiler is operated at lower firing rates. Therefore, DOE is considering test procedure amendments that would adopt part-load test conditions and measurements to more accurately reflect the efficiency of commercial packaged boilers that use modulating burner technology. In general, DOE requests comment, information, and data about adopting methodologies and measurements to determine part-load efficiency of commercial packaged boilers. Further, DOE particularly requests comment, information, and data about the following: (1) Should DOE only consider adding a measurement of commercial packaged boiler efficiency at the minimum fuel input ratio in addition to the maximum fuel input? If not, then at what fuel input ratio(s)—fraction of maximum rated capacity—should the efficiency of a commercial packaged boiler be measured? (2) What are the appropriate inlet and outlet water temperatures (or the appropriate mean temperature and temperature difference between the inlet and outlet water temperatures (DT)) for part-load testing conditions of hot water boilers. Should this temperature difference (DT) be the same as when testing at full capacity? (3) How many hours can modulating burners be expected or designed to operate under part-load and full-load conditions, respectively, over the course of a year in a typical or average installation? 3 The AEMTCA amendments to EPCA later revised the timeframe for this review requirement for energy conservation standards to ‘‘[e]very 6 years.’’ (42 U.S.C. 6313(a)(6)(C)(i)) 4 Thermal efficiency is measured for all types of boilers except for oil-fired and gas-fired hot water boilers greater than 2,500,000 Btu/h in rated capacity, for which combustion efficiency is used. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:59 Feb 19, 2014 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 (4) What benefits and burdens are associated with a part-load efficiency rating and combining the different operating points into a single weighted metric? What are potential ways to combine them? (5) When considering part-load operation, how would the measurement and inclusion of jacket, sensible, and infiltration losses be addressed in an annual weighted efficiency metric? (6) What, if any, would be the added test burden of accounting for part-load operation and associated measurement of jacket, sensible, and infiltration losses? DOE understands that current test conditions (i.e., temperatures and pressures) required under 10 CFR 431.86 and BTS–2000 may differ from typical operating conditions in the field and/or the conditions for which a boiler was designed. While laboratory testing conditions cannot necessarily duplicate field performance, they are intended to provide a reasonable basis for comparison of boiler efficiency and to generate repeatable results, while approximating actual operating conditions to the extent possible. DOE understands that testing conditions prescribed by BTS–2000 may warrant revision. Accordingly, DOE seeks input and comment about: (1) What are appropriate supply and return water temperatures for hot water boilers operating at full-load and the effect on steady-state efficiency (thermal or combustion) of this potential revision? (2) What is appropriate steam pressure for steam boilers operating at full-load and the effect on steady-state efficiency (thermal or combustion) of this potential revision? What are concerns, if any, about the impacts on the amount of water carry over and the system operation? (3) What design characteristics of boilers currently on the market would potentially prohibit testing (short-term operation) at the operating conditions currently prescribed by 10 CFR 431.86 and BTS–2000? III. Public Participation DOE invites all interested parties to submit in writing by the date specified previously in the DATES section of this RFI, comments and information on matters addressed in this document and on other matters relevant to DOE’s consideration of amended test procedures for commercial packaged boilers. DOE considers public participation to be a very important part of the process E:\FR\FM\20FEP1.SGM 20FEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 34 / Thursday, February 20, 2014 / Proposed Rules for developing test procedures. DOE actively encourages the participation and interaction of the public during the comment period at 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 February 7, 2014. Kathleen B. Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. [FR Doc. 2014–03299 Filed 2–19–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM 12 CFR Part 222 [Docket No. R–1484] RIN 7100 AE14 Identity Theft Red Flags (Regulation V) Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; request for public comment. AGENCY: The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) is proposing to amend its Identity Theft Red Flags rule, which implements section 615(e) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The Red Flag Program Clarification Act of 2010 (Clarification Act) added a definition of ‘‘creditor’’ in FCRA section 615(e) that is specific to section 615(e). Accordingly, the proposed rule would amend the definition of ‘‘creditor’’ in the Identity Theft Red Flags rule to reflect the definition of that term as added by the statute. The proposed rule would also update a cross-reference in the Identity Theft Red Flags rule to reflect a statutory change in rulemaking authority. DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 21, 2014. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. R–1484, by any of the following methods: • Agency Web site: https:// www.federalreserve.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments at https://www.federalreserve.gov/ generalinfo/foia/ProposedRegs.cfm. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:08 Feb 19, 2014 Jkt 232001 • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Email: regs.comments@ federalreserve.gov. Include the docket number in the subject line of the message. • FAX: (202) 452–3819 or (202) 452– 3102. • Mail: Robert deV. Frierson, Secretary, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 20th Street and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20551. All public comments are available from the Board’s Web site at https:// www.federalreserve.gov/generalinfo/ foia/ProposedRegs.cfm as submitted, unless modified for technical reasons. Accordingly, your comments will not be edited to remove any identifying or contact information. Public comments may also be viewed electronically or in paper form in Room MP–500 of the Board’s Martin Building (20th and C Streets NW.) between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kara L. Handzlik, Counsel, Legal Division, at (202) 452–3852, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 20th and C Streets NW., Washington, DC 20551. For users of Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) only, contact (202) 263– 4869. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background On November 9, 2007, the Board, along with the other banking agencies 1 and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (collectively, the ‘‘Agencies’’), published final rules and guidelines on identity theft ‘‘red flags’’ (‘‘Red Flags rule’’) to implement section 615(e) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) (15 U.S.C. 1681m(e)).2 The final rules require each financial institution and creditor that holds any consumer account, or other account for which there is a reasonably foreseeable risk of identity theft, to develop and implement an identity theft prevention program in connection with new and existing accounts. The program must include reasonable policies and procedures for 1 The other banking agencies included the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS); and National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) added the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to the list of agencies with rulemaking and enforcement authority under the Fair Credit Reporting Act with respect to the Red Flags rule. Public Law 111–203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010). 2 72 FR 63718 (Nov. 9, 2007). PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 9645 detecting, preventing, and mitigating identity theft. The Agencies also issued guidelines to assist financial institutions and creditors in developing and implementing a program, including a supplement that provides examples of red flags. The Red Flags rule, implemented in the Board’s Regulation V Subpart J, defines the terms ‘‘credit’’ and ‘‘creditor’’ by cross-reference to FCRA section 603(r)(5). 15 U.S.C. 1681a(r)(5). Section 603(r)(5) defines the terms ‘‘credit’’ and ‘‘creditor’’ by crossreference to section 702 of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). ECOA section 702 defines ‘‘creditor’’ as ‘‘any person who regularly extends, renews, or continues credit; any person who regularly arranges for the extension, renewal, or continuation of credit; or any assignee of an original creditor who participates in the decision to extend, renew, or continue credit.’’ 15 U.S.C. 1691a(e). The ECOA defines ‘‘credit’’ as ‘‘the right granted by a creditor to a debtor to defer payment of debt or to incur debts and defer its payment or to purchase property or services and defer payment therefor.’’ 15 U.S.C. 1691a(d). Thus, the FCRA’s red flags provisions have been broadly applied to banks, finance companies, automobile dealers, mortgage brokers, utility companies, and telecommunications companies. 12 CFR 222.90(b)(5). The scope of the Board’s Red Flags rule is set forth in § 222.90(a), which states that the Board’s rule applies to financial institutions and creditors that are state member banks (other than national banks) and their respective operating subsidiaries, branches and agencies of foreign banks (other than federal branches, federal agencies, and insured state branches of foreign banks), commercial lending companies owned or controlled by foreign banks, and organizations operating under section 25 or 25A of the Federal Reserve Act. Financial institutions and creditors that are not covered by the Board’s rule are covered by substantially identical rules issued by other federal agencies. II. The Red Flag Program Clarification Act of 2010 On December 18, 2010, Congress enacted the Red Flag Program Clarification Act of 2010 (the Clarification Act).3 The Clarification Act amended section 615(e) of the FCRA (15 U.S.C. 1681m(e)) by adding a definition of the term ‘‘creditor’’ specific to section 615(e). The Clarification Act continues to define creditor by cross-reference to 3 Public Law 111–319, 124 Stat. 3457 (Dec. 18, 2010). E:\FR\FM\20FEP1.SGM 20FEP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 34 (Thursday, February 20, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9643-9645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-03299]


========================================================================
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. 79, No. 34 / Thursday, February 20, 2014 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 9643]]



DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 431

[Docket No. EERE-2014-BT-TP-0006]
RIN 1904-AD16


Energy Conservation Program for Certain Commercial and Industrial 
Equipment: Test Procedure for Commercial Packaged Boilers

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
Energy.

ACTION: Request for information (RFI).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating a rulemaking 
and data collection process to consider amendments to DOE's test 
procedure for commercial packaged boilers. This rulemaking is intended 
to fulfill DOE's statutory obligation to review its test procedures for 
covered products at least once every seven years. As part of this 
process, DOE is considering the potential for adoption of part-load 
efficiency measurement as part of this test procedure rulemaking for 
commercial packaged boilers. To help inform the test procedure 
rulemaking, DOE has identified a variety of issues on which it is 
seeking comment, as outlined in this document; these issues mainly 
concern part-load operation and efficiency, appropriate operating 
conditions for both part-load and full-load operation, and the 
integration of part-load measurements into the applicable energy 
efficiency metric. Although DOE welcomes comment on all aspects of its 
test procedure, DOE is particularly interested in receiving comments 
and data from stakeholders and the public on these topics.

DATES: DOE will accept written comments, data, and information on this 
document, on or before March 24, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments 
electronically. However, interested persons may submit comments, 
identified by docket number EERE-2014-BT-TP-0006 or Regulation 
Identifier Number (RIN) 1904-AD16, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
     Email: CommPackagedBoilers2014TP0006@ee.doe.gov Include 
docket number EERE-2014-BT-TP-0006 and/or RIN 1904-AD16 in the subject 
line of the message. All comments should clearly identify the name, 
address, and if appropriate, organization of the commenter. Submit 
electronic comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, portable document 
format (PDF), or American Standard Code for Information Interchange 
(ASCII) file format, and avoid the use of special characters or any 
form of encryption.
     Postal Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-5B, 1000 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. If possible, please submit all 
items on a compact disc (CD), in which case it is not necessary to 
include printed copies.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Building Technologies Office, 6th Floor, 950 L'Enfant Plaza 
SW., Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 586-2945. If possible, 
please submit all items on a CD, in which case it is not necessary to 
include printed copies.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and docket number or RIN for this rulemaking. No telefacsimilies 
(faxes) will be accepted. For further information on the rulemaking 
process, see section III of this document (Public Participation).
    Docket: The docket is available for review at www.regulations.gov, 
including Federal Register notices, comments, and other supporting 
documents/materials (search EERE-2014-BT-TP-0006). All documents in the 
docket are listed in the www.regulations.gov index. However, not all 
documents listed in the index may be publicly available, such as 
information that is exempt from public disclosure.
    A link to the docket Web page can be found at: https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/product.aspx/productid/74. This Web page contains a link to the docket for this 
document on the www.regulations.gov site. The www.regulations.gov Web 
page contains instructions on how to access all documents, including 
public comments, in the docket.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James Raba, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building 
Technologies, EE-5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 
20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-8654. Email: commercial_packaged_boilers@ee.doe.gov.
    Mr. Eric Stas, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General 
Counsel, GC-71, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-
0121. Telephone: (202) 586-9507. Email: Eric.Stas@hq.doe.gov.
    For information on how to submit or review comments, contact Ms. 
Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency 
and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies, EE-5B, 1000 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-2945. 
Email: Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Authority and Background
II. Discussion
III. Public Participation

I. Authority and Background

    Title III, Part C \1\ of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 
1975 (EPCA), Public Law 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6311-6317, as codified), 
Public Law 95-619, Title IV Sec.  441(a), sets forth various provisions 
designed to improve energy efficiency for consumer products and certain 
commercial and industrial equipment and established the ``Energy 
Conservation Program for Certain Industrial Equipment'' (hereafter 
referred to as ``covered equipment'').\2\ The Energy Policy Act of 1992 
(EPACT 1992), Public Law 102-486, amended EPCA to add commercial 
packaged boilers as a type of covered equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)) 
The Energy

[[Page 9644]]

Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007), Public Law 110-140, 
further revised EPCA to require that not later than six years after 
issuance of any final rule establishing or amending a standard,\3\ the 
Secretary of Energy must publish either a notice of determination that 
the standards for a given type of equipment do not need to be amended, 
or a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) including new proposed 
standards. (42 U.S.C. 6313(a)(6)(C)(i)) Additionally, EPCA (as amended) 
requires DOE to update its test method each time the relevant industry 
test procedure is modified (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(B)) and to evaluate 
its test procedure for each covered class once every seven years (42 
U.S.C. 6314(a)(1)(A)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Part C was redesignated Part A-1.
    \2\ All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute 
as amended through the American Energy Manufacturing Technical 
Corrections Act (AEMTCA), Public Law 112-210 (Dec. 18, 2012).
    \3\ The AEMTCA amendments to EPCA later revised the timeframe 
for this review requirement for energy conservation standards to 
``[e]very 6 years.'' (42 U.S.C. 6313(a)(6)(C)(i))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To fulfill these requirements set forth in EPCA, DOE has initiated 
a rulemaking to consider amended energy conservation standards for 
commercial packaged boilers, and, in parallel, DOE will evaluate the 
commercial packaged boilers test procedure found in the Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR) at 10 CFR 431.86, Uniform test method for the 
measurement of energy efficiency of commercial packaged boilers. DOE 
issued a notice of public meeting and availability of the Framework 
Document on August 28, 2013, which was published in the Federal 
Register on September 3, 2013. 78 FR 54197. The Framework Document 
explains the issues, analyses, and process that DOE is considering for 
the development of energy conservation standards. Both in the Framework 
Document and in a public meeting held on October 1, 2013, DOE solicited 
public comment regarding its approach to the rulemaking process and 
identified particular issues for which DOE sought comment. The comments 
received included suggestions for the revision of the DOE test 
procedure.
    In support of its test procedure rulemaking, DOE conducts in-depth 
technical analyses of publicly-available test standards and other 
relevant information. DOE continually seeks data and public input to 
improve its testing methodologies to more accurately reflect consumer 
use and to produce repeatable results. In general, DOE requests 
information, comment, and supporting data about representative and 
repeatable methods for measuring the energy use of commercial packaged 
boilers. In particular, DOE seeks comment and information about the 
topics below.

II. Discussion

    The DOE test procedure for commercial packaged boilers, set forth 
at 10 CFR 431.86, incorporates Hydronics Institute/Air-Conditioning, 
Heating, and Refrigeration Institute Standard BTS-2000 (Rev 06.07), 
Method to Determine Efficiency of Commercial Space Heating Boilers. 
This test procedure determines the steady-state efficiency of steam or 
hot water boilers operating at full load.\4\ However, through a review 
of equipment available in the market, DOE understands that the 
commercial packaged boiler industry is increasingly utilizing 
modulating burners. Modulating burners are capable of reducing the fuel 
input rate to more closely match the space heating demand. Because the 
current test procedure at 10 CFR 431.86 only measures steady-state 
efficiency at maximum firing rate, it does not account for differences 
in efficiency when the boiler is operated at lower firing rates. 
Therefore, DOE is considering test procedure amendments that would 
adopt part-load test conditions and measurements to more accurately 
reflect the efficiency of commercial packaged boilers that use 
modulating burner technology.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Thermal efficiency is measured for all types of boilers 
except for oil-fired and gas-fired hot water boilers greater than 
2,500,000 Btu/h in rated capacity, for which combustion efficiency 
is used.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In general, DOE requests comment, information, and data about 
adopting methodologies and measurements to determine part-load 
efficiency of commercial packaged boilers. Further, DOE particularly 
requests comment, information, and data about the following:
    (1) Should DOE only consider adding a measurement of commercial 
packaged boiler efficiency at the minimum fuel input ratio in addition 
to the maximum fuel input? If not, then at what fuel input ratio(s)--
fraction of maximum rated capacity--should the efficiency of a 
commercial packaged boiler be measured?
    (2) What are the appropriate inlet and outlet water temperatures 
(or the appropriate mean temperature and temperature difference between 
the inlet and outlet water temperatures ([Delta]T)) for part-load 
testing conditions of hot water boilers. Should this temperature 
difference ([Delta]T) be the same as when testing at full capacity?
    (3) How many hours can modulating burners be expected or designed 
to operate under part-load and full-load conditions, respectively, over 
the course of a year in a typical or average installation?
    (4) What benefits and burdens are associated with a part-load 
efficiency rating and combining the different operating points into a 
single weighted metric? What are potential ways to combine them?
    (5) When considering part-load operation, how would the measurement 
and inclusion of jacket, sensible, and infiltration losses be addressed 
in an annual weighted efficiency metric?
    (6) What, if any, would be the added test burden of accounting for 
part-load operation and associated measurement of jacket, sensible, and 
infiltration losses?
    DOE understands that current test conditions (i.e., temperatures 
and pressures) required under 10 CFR 431.86 and BTS-2000 may differ 
from typical operating conditions in the field and/or the conditions 
for which a boiler was designed. While laboratory testing conditions 
cannot necessarily duplicate field performance, they are intended to 
provide a reasonable basis for comparison of boiler efficiency and to 
generate repeatable results, while approximating actual operating 
conditions to the extent possible. DOE understands that testing 
conditions prescribed by BTS-2000 may warrant revision. Accordingly, 
DOE seeks input and comment about:
    (1) What are appropriate supply and return water temperatures for 
hot water boilers operating at full-load and the effect on steady-state 
efficiency (thermal or combustion) of this potential revision?
    (2) What is appropriate steam pressure for steam boilers operating 
at full-load and the effect on steady-state efficiency (thermal or 
combustion) of this potential revision? What are concerns, if any, 
about the impacts on the amount of water carry over and the system 
operation?
    (3) What design characteristics of boilers currently on the market 
would potentially prohibit testing (short-term operation) at the 
operating conditions currently prescribed by 10 CFR 431.86 and BTS-
2000?

III. Public Participation

    DOE invites all interested parties to submit in writing by the date 
specified previously in the DATES section of this RFI, comments and 
information on matters addressed in this document and on other matters 
relevant to DOE's consideration of amended test procedures for 
commercial packaged boilers.
    DOE considers public participation to be a very important part of 
the process

[[Page 9645]]

for developing test procedures. DOE actively encourages the 
participation and interaction of the public during the comment period 
at 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 February 7, 2014.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2014-03299 Filed 2-19-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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