Fall 2017 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions, 1854-1857 [2017-28209]

Download as PDF 1854 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 9 / Friday, January 12, 2018 / Unified Agenda DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 10 CFR Chs. II, III, and X 48 CFR Ch. 9 Fall 2017 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions Department of Energy. Semiannual regulatory agenda. AGENCY: ACTION: The Department of Energy (DOE) has prepared and is making available its portion of the semiannual Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (Agenda), including its Regulatory Plan (Plan), pursuant to Executive Order 12866, ‘‘Regulatory Planning and Review,’’ and the Regulatory Flexibility Act. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Agenda is a government-wide SUMMARY: compilation of upcoming and ongoing regulatory activity, including a brief description of each rulemaking and a timetable for action. The Agenda also includes a list of regulatory actions completed since publication of the last Agenda. The Department of Energy’s portion of the Agenda includes regulatory actions called for by statute, including amendments contained in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and the American Energy Manufacturing Technical Corrections Act, and programmatic needs of DOE offices. The internet is the basic means for disseminating the Agenda and providing users the ability to obtain information from the Agenda database. DOE’s entire Fall 2017 Agenda can be accessed online by going to www.reginfo.gov. Publication in the Federal Register is mandated by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 602) only for Agenda entries that require either a regulatory flexibility analysis or periodic review under section 610 of that Act. DOE’s regulatory flexibility agenda is made up of two rulemakings that will set energy conservation standards for the following products: • General Service Fluorescent Lamps (1904–AD09). • Residential Conventional Cooking Products (1904–AD15). The Plan appears in both the online Agenda and the Federal Register and includes the most important of DOE’s significant regulatory actions and a Statement of Regulatory and Deregulatory Priorities. John T. Lucas, Acting, General Counsel. ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY—PRERULE STAGE Regulation Identifier No. Sequence No. Title 217 .................... Modifying the Energy Conservation Program to Implement a Market-Based Approach ................................ 1904–AE11 ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY—PROPOSED RULE STAGE Regulation Identifier No. Sequence No. Title 218 .................... 219 .................... Energy Conservation Standards and Definition for General Service Lamps (Reg Plan Seq No. 23) ........... Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Conventional Cooking Products (Reg Plan Seq No. 24) .. 1904–AD09 1904–AD15 References in boldface appear in The Regulatory Plan in part II of this issue of the FEDERAL REGISTER. ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY—LONG-TERM ACTIONS Regulation Identifier No. Sequence No. Title 220 .................... 221 .................... Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Packaged Boilers ............................................................... Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Non-Weatherized Gas Furnaces and Mobile Home Gas Furnaces. Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Water Heating Equipment ................................................. 222 .................... 1904–AD01 1904–AD20 1904–AD34 ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY—COMPLETED ACTIONS Regulation Identifier No. Sequence No. Title 223 .................... 224 .................... 225 .................... Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers .................................................. Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps .................. Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Walk-In Cooler and Freezer Refrigeration Systems .... 1904–AD59 1904–AD71 1904–AD72 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS6 DEPARTMENTAL AND OTHERS—FINAL RULE STAGE Regulation Identifier No. Sequence No. Title 226 .................... Small-Scale Natural Gas Exports (Section 610 Review) ................................................................................ VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:43 Jan 11, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\12JAP6.SGM 12JAP6 1901–AB43 1855 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 9 / Friday, January 12, 2018 / Unified Agenda DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE) Prerule Stage 217. Modifying the Energy Conservation Program to Implement a Market–Based Approach E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory. Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291 Abstract: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is evaluating the potential use of some form of a market-based approach such as an averaging, trading, fee-base or other type of market-based policy mechanism for the U.S. Appliance and Equipment Energy Conservation Standards (ECS) program. Timetable: Action Date Request for Information. FR Cite 12/00/17 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes. Agency Contact: John Cymbalsky, Building Technologies Office, EE–5B, Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585, Phone: 202 287–1692, Email: john.cymbalsky@ee.doe.gov. RIN: 1904–AE11 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE) Proposed Rule Stage 218. Energy Conservation Standards and Definition For General Service Lamps Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 23 in part II of this issue of the Federal Register. RIN: 1904–AD09 219. Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Conventional Cooking Products sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS6 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE) Long-Term Actions 220. Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Packaged Boilers E.O. 13771 Designation: Other. 18:43 Jan 11, 2018 Jkt 244001 Action Date Notice of Proposed Determination (NOPD). NOPD Comment Period End. Notice of Public Meeting and Framework Document Availability. Framework Document Comment Period End. Notice of Public Meeting and Preliminary Analysis. Preliminary Analysis Comment Period End. Withdrawal of NOPD. NPRM .................. NPRM Comment Period End. NPRM Comment Period Extended. NPRM Comment Period Extended End. 08/13/13 FR Cite 78 FR 49202 09/03/13 Action 78 FR 54197 10/18/13 11/20/14 79 FR 69066 01/20/15 08/25/15 80 FR 51487 03/24/16 05/23/16 81 FR 15836 05/04/16 81 FR 26747 06/22/16 To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes. Agency Contact: James Raba, Phone: 202 586–8654, Email: jim.raba@ ee.doe.gov. RIN: 1904–AD01 221. Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Non-Weatherized Gas Furnaces and Mobile Home Gas Furnaces E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory. PO 00000 Frm 00003 Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6295(f)(4)(C); 42 U.S.C. 6295(m)(1); 42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(3) Abstract: The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including residential furnaces. EPCA also requires the DOE to periodically determine every six years whether more-stringent amended standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified and would save a significant amount of energy. DOE is considering amendments to its energy conservation standards for residential non-weatherized gas furnaces and mobile home gas furnaces in partial fulfillment of a court-ordered remand of DOE’s 2011 rulemaking for these products. DOE published a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking on September 23, 2016. Timetable: 09/12/13 Next Action Undetermined. Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 24 in part II of this issue of the Federal Register. RIN: 1904–AD15 VerDate Sep<11>2014 Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6313(a)(6)(C); 42 U.S.C. 6311(11)(B) Abstract: EPCA, as amended by AEMTCA, requires the Secretary to determine whether updating the statutory energy conservation standards for commercial packaged boilers is technically feasible and economically justified and would save a significant amount of energy. If justified, the Secretary will issue amended energy conservation standards for such equipment. DOE last updated the standards for commercial packaged boilers on July 22, 2009. DOE issued a NOPR pursuant to the 6-year-look-back requirement on March 24, 2016. Under EPCA, DOE has two years to issue a final rule after publication of the NOPR. Timetable: Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 Notice of Public Meeting. NPRM and Notice of Public Meeting. NPRM Comment Period Extended. NPRM Comment Period Extended End. Notice of Data Availability (NODA). NODA Comment Period End. NODA Comment Period Reopened. NODA Comment Period Reopened End. Supplemental NPRM and Notice of Public Meeting. Supplemental NPRM Comment Period End. SNPRM Comment Period Reopened. SNPRM Comment Period End. Next Action Undetermined. Date FR Cite 10/30/14 79 FR 64517 03/12/15 80 FR 13120 05/20/15 80 FR 28851 07/10/15 09/14/15 80 FR 55038 10/14/15 10/23/15 80 FR 64370 11/06/15 09/23/16 81 FR 65720 11/22/16 12/05/16 81 FR 87493 01/06/17 To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes. Agency Contact: John Cymbalsky, Phone: 202 287–1692, Email: john.cymbalsky@ee.doe.gov. E:\FR\FM\12JAP6.SGM 12JAP6 1856 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 9 / Friday, January 12, 2018 / Unified Agenda RIN: 1904–AD20 222. Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Water Heating Equipment E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory. Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6313(a)(6)(C)(i) and (vi) Abstract: Once completed, this rulemaking will fulfill DOE’s statutory obligation under EPCA to either propose amended energy conservation standards for commercial water heaters and hot water supply boilers, or determine that the existing standards do not need to be amended. (Unfired hot water storage tanks and commercial heat pump water heaters are being considered in a separate rulemaking.) DOE must determine whether national standards more stringent than those that are currently in place would result in a significant additional amount of energy savings and whether such amended national standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified. Timetable: Action Date Request for Information (RFI). RFI Comment Period End. NPRM .................. NPRM Comment Period End. NPRM Comment Period Reopened. NPRM Comment Period Reopened End. Notice of Data Availability (NODA). NODA Comment Period End. Next Action Undetermined. 10/21/14 FR Cite 79 FR 62899 11/20/14 05/31/16 08/01/16 81 FR 34440 08/05/16 81 FR 51812 08/30/16 12/23/16 81 FR 94234 01/09/17 To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes. Agency Contact: Catherine Rivest, Phone: 202 586–7335, Email: catherine.rivest@ee.doe.gov. RIN: 1904–AD34 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS6 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE) Completed Actions 223. Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-In Coolers And Walk-In Freezers E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory. Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6311; 42 U.S.C. 6313(f) VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:43 Jan 11, 2018 Jkt 244001 Abstract: In 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a rule setting performance-based energy conservation standards for a variety of walk-in cooler and freezer (walk-in) components. See 79 FR 32050 (June 3, 2014). That rule was challenged by a group of walk-in refrigeration system manufacturers and walk-in installers, which led to a settlement agreement regarding certain refrigeration equipment classes addressed in that 2014 rule and certain aspects related to that rule’s analysis. See Lennox Int’l v. DOE, Case No. 14– 60535 (5th Cir. 2014). Consistent with the settlement agreement, and in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, a working group was established under the Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ASRAC) to engage in a negotiated rulemaking to develop energy conservation standards to replace those that had been vacated by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. As a result of those negotiations, a Term Sheet was produced containing a series of recommendations to ASRAC for its approval and submission to DOE for the agency’s further consideration. Using the Term Sheet’s recommendations, DOE is establishing energy conservation standards for the six equipment classes of walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers that were vacated by the Fifth Circuit and remanded to DOE for further action. Those standards at issue involve: (1) The two standards applicable to multiplex condensing refrigeration systems operating at medium and low temperatures; and (2) the four standards applicable to dedicated condensing refrigeration systems operating at low temperatures. Also consistent with the settlement agreement, DOE explicitly considered the potential impacts of these six standards on installers. DOE also considered and addressed the potential impacts of these six standards on installers in its Manufacturer Impact Analysis, consistent with its regulatory definition of ‘‘manufacturer,’’ and, as appropriate, in its analysis of impacts on small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. As part of this rulemaking (and consistent with its obligations under the settlement agreement), DOE provided an opportunity for all interested parties to submit comments concerning any proposed standards. Completed: Reason Date Final Action ......... PO 00000 Frm 00004 07/10/17 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 FR Cite 82 FR 31808 Reason Final Action Effective. Date FR Cite 09/08/17 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes. Agency Contact: John Cymbalsky, Phone: 202 287–1692, Email: john.cymbalsky@ee.doe.gov. RIN: 1904–AD59 224. Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps E.O. 13771 Designation: Other. Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291 et seq. Abstract: This rulemaking pertaining to test procedures for Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps includes revisions to the test methods to improve test repeatability and reduce the test burden of the test procedure. These revisions will be required for demonstration of compliance with the current energy conservation standards starting 180 days after publication of the final rule. These amendments include: (1) Establishing a delay time prior to off mode power measurements for some systems and limiting the internal volume of refrigerant pressure measurement lines; (2) requiring bin-bybin EER and COP interpolations for all variable speed units; (3) requiring that the official test for a unit using the outdoor enthalpy method as a secondary check of capacity be the test without the outdoor enthalpy apparatus connected. DOE is also amending the test procedure to improve field representativeness. These amendments will take effect coincident with updated energy conservation standards and would be part of a new Appendix M1. The new Appendix M1 includes: (1) New higher external static pressure requirements for all units, including unique minimum external static pressure requirements for certain kinds of products; (2) new default fan power values for rating coil-only units; revisions to the heating load line in the calculation of HSPF; and (3) amendments to the test procedures for variable speed heat pumps to allow better representation of their lowambient-temperature performance, including an optional 5 °F heating mode test. Completed: Reason Final Rule Effective. Final Rule; Delay of Effective Date. E:\FR\FM\12JAP6.SGM 12JAP6 Date FR Cite 07/08/17 02/02/17 82 FR 8985 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 9 / Friday, January 12, 2018 / Unified Agenda Reason Date Final Rule; Delay of Effective Date Effective. Final Rule; Further Delay of Effective Date. Final Rule; Correction to Delayed Effective Date. Final Rule; Further Delay of Effective Date Effective. FR Cite 03/21/17 03/21/17 82 FR 14425 03/29/17 82 FR 15457 07/03/17 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes. Agency Contact: Ashley Armstrong, Phone: 202 586–6590, Email: ashley.armstrong@ee.doe.gov. RIN: 1904–AD71 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS6 225. Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Walk-In Cooler and Freezer Refrigeration Systems E.O. 13771 Designation: Other. Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6311 et seq. Abstract: DOE established a Working Group to negotiate amended energy conservation standards for six classes of walk-in cooler and freezer (walk-in) refrigeration systems. After holding a series of meetings as part of a negotiated rulemaking, the Working Group developed a Term Sheet containing a series of recommendations regarding potential energy conservation standards for these refrigeration systems and the current test procedure for evaluating the energy efficiency of a walk-in refrigeration system. This rulemaking proposed several test procedure amendments to implement these recommendations. These amendments include certain changes to improve test procedure clarity, updating related certification and enforcement provisions to address the performance-based energy conservation standards for walk- VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:43 Jan 11, 2018 Jkt 244001 in cooler and freezer equipment, and establishing labeling requirements that will aid manufacturers in determining which components would be considered for compliance purposes as intended for walk-in cooler and freezer applications. The rule also adds certain equipmentspecific definitions, removes the test method for refrigeration systems with hot gas defrost, and includes a method to accommodate refrigeration equipment that use adaptive defrost and on-cycle variable-speed evaporator fan control. Completed: Reason Date Final Rule ............ Final Rule Effective. Final Rule; Delay of Effective Date. Final Rule; Delay of Effective Date Effective. Final Rule; Further Delay of Effective Date. Final Rule; Further Delay of Effective Date Effective. FR Cite 12/28/16 01/27/17 81 FR 95758 03/21/17 82 FR 8805 03/21/17 03/21/17 82 FR 14426 Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. 717b(a); 42 U.S.C. 7151(b), 7172(f), and 7254 Abstract: This rule would revise DOE regulations implementing section 3(a) of the Natural Gas Act, 15 U.S.C. 717b(a), for ‘‘qualifying small-scale’’ exports of natural gas, including liquefied natural gas. Under this rule, DOE would issue an order upon receipt of any application that seeks to export natural gas to nonFTA countries, provided the application meets the criteria for small-scale exports. In promulgating this rule, DOE would clarify its interpretation of ‘‘public interest’’ under NGA section 3(a). The intent of the rule is to improve DOE’s application procedures related to natural gas exports, reduce the administrative burdens associated with the small-scale natural gas export market, and result in more efficient processing of applications for smallscale natural gas exports. Timetable: Action NPRM .................. NPRM Comment Period End. Final Action ......... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) Departmental and Others (ENDEP) FR Cite 226. Smal-Scale Natural Gas Exports (Section 610 Review) 82 FR 41570 02/00/18 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No. Agency Contact: Betsy Kohl, Attorney Advisor, Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Room 6A– 179, Washington, DC 20585, Phone: 202 586–7796, Email: elizabeth.kohl@ hq.doe.gov. RIN: 1901–AB43 BILLING CODE 6450–01–P E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory. Fmt 4701 09/01/17 10/16/17 [FR Doc. 2017–28209 Filed 1–11–18; 8:45 am] Final Rule Stage Frm 00005 Date 06/26/17 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes. Agency Contact: Ashley Armstrong, Phone: 202 586–6590, Email: ashley.armstrong@ee.doe.gov. RIN: 1904–AD72 PO 00000 1857 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\12JAP6.SGM 12JAP6

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 9 (Friday, January 12, 2018)]
[Unknown Section]
[Pages 1854-1857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-28209]



[[Page 1853]]

Vol. 83

Friday,

No. 9

January 12, 2018

Part VI





Department of Energy





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Fall 2017 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions

Federal Register / Vol. 83 , No. 9 / Friday, January 12, 2018 / 
Unified Agenda

[[Page 1854]]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Chs. II, III, and X

48 CFR Ch. 9


Fall 2017 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) has prepared and is making 
available its portion of the semiannual Unified Agenda of Federal 
Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (Agenda), including its Regulatory 
Plan (Plan), pursuant to Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning 
and Review,'' and the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Agenda is a government-wide compilation 
of upcoming and ongoing regulatory activity, including a brief 
description of each rulemaking and a timetable for action. The Agenda 
also includes a list of regulatory actions completed since publication 
of the last Agenda. The Department of Energy's portion of the Agenda 
includes regulatory actions called for by statute, including amendments 
contained in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and the 
American Energy Manufacturing Technical Corrections Act, and 
programmatic needs of DOE offices.
    The internet is the basic means for disseminating the Agenda and 
providing users the ability to obtain information from the Agenda 
database. DOE's entire Fall 2017 Agenda can be accessed online by going 
to www.reginfo.gov.
    Publication in the Federal Register is mandated by the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 602) only for Agenda entries that require 
either a regulatory flexibility analysis or periodic review under 
section 610 of that Act. DOE's regulatory flexibility agenda is made up 
of two rulemakings that will set energy conservation standards for the 
following products:
     General Service Fluorescent Lamps (1904-AD09).
     Residential Conventional Cooking Products (1904-AD15).
    The Plan appears in both the online Agenda and the Federal Register 
and includes the most important of DOE's significant regulatory actions 
and a Statement of Regulatory and Deregulatory Priorities.

 John T. Lucas,
Acting, General Counsel.

          Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy--Prerule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
217.......................  Modifying the Energy               1904-AE11
                             Conservation Program to
                             Implement a Market-Based
                             Approach.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


       Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
218.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AD09
                             Standards and Definition
                             for General Service Lamps
                             (Reg Plan Seq No. 23).
219.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AD15
                             Standards for Residential
                             Conventional Cooking
                             Products (Reg Plan Seq
                             No. 24).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in The Regulatory Plan in part II of this
  issue of the Federal Register.


        Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
220.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AD01
                             Standards for Commercial
                             Packaged Boilers.
221.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AD20
                             Standards for Residential
                             Non-Weatherized Gas
                             Furnaces and Mobile Home
                             Gas Furnaces.
222.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AD34
                             Standards for Commercial
                             Water Heating Equipment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


        Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
223.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AD59
                             Standards for Walk-In
                             Coolers and Walk-In
                             Freezers.
224.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AD71
                             Program: Test Procedures
                             for Central Air
                             Conditioners and Heat
                             Pumps.
225.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AD72
                             Program: Test Procedures
                             for Walk-In Cooler and
                             Freezer Refrigeration
                             Systems.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                Departmental and Others--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
226.......................  Small-Scale Natural Gas            1901-AB43
                             Exports (Section 610
                             Review).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 1855]]

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE)

Prerule Stage

217. Modifying the Energy Conservation Program to Implement a Market-
Based Approach

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291
    Abstract: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is evaluating the 
potential use of some form of a market-based approach such as an 
averaging, trading, fee-base or other type of market-based policy 
mechanism for the U.S. Appliance and Equipment Energy Conservation 
Standards (ECS) program.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information.............   12/00/17
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John Cymbalsky, Building Technologies Office, EE-
5B, Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585, Phone: 202 287-1692, 
Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AE11

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE)

Proposed Rule Stage

218. Energy Conservation Standards and Definition For General Service 
Lamps

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 23 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 1904-AD09

219. Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Conventional Cooking 
Products

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 24 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 1904-AD15

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE)

Long-Term Actions

220. Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Packaged Boilers

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6313(a)(6)(C); 42 U.S.C. 6311(11)(B)
    Abstract: EPCA, as amended by AEMTCA, requires the Secretary to 
determine whether updating the statutory energy conservation standards 
for commercial packaged boilers is technically feasible and 
economically justified and would save a significant amount of energy. 
If justified, the Secretary will issue amended energy conservation 
standards for such equipment. DOE last updated the standards for 
commercial packaged boilers on July 22, 2009. DOE issued a NOPR 
pursuant to the 6-year-look-back requirement on March 24, 2016. Under 
EPCA, DOE has two years to issue a final rule after publication of the 
NOPR.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Proposed Determination       08/13/13  78 FR 49202
 (NOPD).
NOPD Comment Period End.............   09/12/13  .......................
Notice of Public Meeting and           09/03/13  78 FR 54197
 Framework Document Availability.
Framework Document Comment Period      10/18/13  .......................
 End.
Notice of Public Meeting and           11/20/14  79 FR 69066
 Preliminary Analysis.
Preliminary Analysis Comment Period    01/20/15  .......................
 End.
Withdrawal of NOPD..................   08/25/15  80 FR 51487
NPRM................................   03/24/16  81 FR 15836
NPRM Comment Period End.............   05/23/16  .......................
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   05/04/16  81 FR 26747
NPRM Comment Period Extended End....   06/22/16  .......................
                                     -----------------------------------
Next Action Undetermined............           To Be Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: James Raba, Phone: 202 586-8654, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AD01

221. Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Non-Weatherized Gas 
Furnaces and Mobile Home Gas Furnaces

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6295(f)(4)(C); 42 U.S.C. 6295(m)(1); 42 
U.S.C. 6295(gg)(3)
    Abstract: The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as 
amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer 
products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including 
residential furnaces. EPCA also requires the DOE to periodically 
determine every six years whether more-stringent amended standards 
would be technologically feasible and economically justified and would 
save a significant amount of energy. DOE is considering amendments to 
its energy conservation standards for residential non-weatherized gas 
furnaces and mobile home gas furnaces in partial fulfillment of a 
court-ordered remand of DOE's 2011 rulemaking for these products. DOE 
published a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking on September 23, 
2016.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Public Meeting............   10/30/14  79 FR 64517
NPRM and Notice of Public Meeting...   03/12/15  80 FR 13120
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   05/20/15  80 FR 28851
NPRM Comment Period Extended End....   07/10/15  .......................
Notice of Data Availability (NODA)..   09/14/15  80 FR 55038
NODA Comment Period End.............   10/14/15  .......................
NODA Comment Period Reopened........   10/23/15  80 FR 64370
NODA Comment Period Reopened End....   11/06/15  .......................
Supplemental NPRM and Notice of        09/23/16  81 FR 65720
 Public Meeting.
Supplemental NPRM Comment Period End   11/22/16  .......................
SNPRM Comment Period Reopened.......   12/05/16  81 FR 87493
SNPRM Comment Period End............   01/06/17  .......................
                                     -----------------------------------
Next Action Undetermined............           To Be Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John Cymbalsky, Phone: 202 287-1692, Email: 
[email protected].

[[Page 1856]]

    RIN: 1904-AD20

222. Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Water Heating 
Equipment

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6313(a)(6)(C)(i) and (vi)
    Abstract: Once completed, this rulemaking will fulfill DOE's 
statutory obligation under EPCA to either propose amended energy 
conservation standards for commercial water heaters and hot water 
supply boilers, or determine that the existing standards do not need to 
be amended. (Unfired hot water storage tanks and commercial heat pump 
water heaters are being considered in a separate rulemaking.) DOE must 
determine whether national standards more stringent than those that are 
currently in place would result in a significant additional amount of 
energy savings and whether such amended national standards would be 
technologically feasible and economically justified.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information (RFI).......   10/21/14  79 FR 62899
RFI Comment Period End..............   11/20/14  .......................
NPRM................................   05/31/16  81 FR 34440
NPRM Comment Period End.............   08/01/16  .......................
NPRM Comment Period Reopened........   08/05/16  81 FR 51812
NPRM Comment Period Reopened End....   08/30/16  .......................
Notice of Data Availability (NODA)..   12/23/16  81 FR 94234
NODA Comment Period End.............   01/09/17  .......................
                                     -----------------------------------
Next Action Undetermined............           To Be Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Catherine Rivest, Phone: 202 586-7335, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AD34

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE)

Completed Actions

223. Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-In Coolers And Walk-In 
Freezers

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Regulatory.
    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6311; 42 U.S.C. 6313(f)
    Abstract: In 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a rule 
setting performance-based energy conservation standards for a variety 
of walk-in cooler and freezer (walk-in) components. See 79 FR 32050 
(June 3, 2014). That rule was challenged by a group of walk-in 
refrigeration system manufacturers and walk-in installers, which led to 
a settlement agreement regarding certain refrigeration equipment 
classes addressed in that 2014 rule and certain aspects related to that 
rule's analysis. See Lennox Int'l v. DOE, Case No. 14-60535 (5th Cir. 
2014). Consistent with the settlement agreement, and in accordance with 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act, a working group was established 
under the Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ASRAC) 
to engage in a negotiated rulemaking to develop energy conservation 
standards to replace those that had been vacated by the U.S. Court of 
Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. As a result of those negotiations, a 
Term Sheet was produced containing a series of recommendations to ASRAC 
for its approval and submission to DOE for the agency's further 
consideration. Using the Term Sheet's recommendations, DOE is 
establishing energy conservation standards for the six equipment 
classes of walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers that were vacated by 
the Fifth Circuit and remanded to DOE for further action. Those 
standards at issue involve: (1) The two standards applicable to 
multiplex condensing refrigeration systems operating at medium and low 
temperatures; and (2) the four standards applicable to dedicated 
condensing refrigeration systems operating at low temperatures. Also 
consistent with the settlement agreement, DOE explicitly considered the 
potential impacts of these six standards on installers. DOE also 
considered and addressed the potential impacts of these six standards 
on installers in its Manufacturer Impact Analysis, consistent with its 
regulatory definition of ``manufacturer,'' and, as appropriate, in its 
analysis of impacts on small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act. As part of this rulemaking (and consistent with its obligations 
under the settlement agreement), DOE provided an opportunity for all 
interested parties to submit comments concerning any proposed 
standards.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Action........................   07/10/17  82 FR 31808
Final Action Effective..............   09/08/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John Cymbalsky, Phone: 202 287-1692, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AD59

224. Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Central Air 
Conditioners and Heat Pumps

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291 et seq.
    Abstract: This rulemaking pertaining to test procedures for Central 
Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps includes revisions to the test methods 
to improve test repeatability and reduce the test burden of the test 
procedure. These revisions will be required for demonstration of 
compliance with the current energy conservation standards starting 180 
days after publication of the final rule. These amendments include: (1) 
Establishing a delay time prior to off mode power measurements for some 
systems and limiting the internal volume of refrigerant pressure 
measurement lines; (2) requiring bin-by-bin EER and COP interpolations 
for all variable speed units; (3) requiring that the official test for 
a unit using the outdoor enthalpy method as a secondary check of 
capacity be the test without the outdoor enthalpy apparatus connected.
    DOE is also amending the test procedure to improve field 
representativeness. These amendments will take effect coincident with 
updated energy conservation standards and would be part of a new 
Appendix M1. The new Appendix M1 includes: (1) New higher external 
static pressure requirements for all units, including unique minimum 
external static pressure requirements for certain kinds of products; 
(2) new default fan power values for rating coil-only units; revisions 
to the heating load line in the calculation of HSPF; and (3) amendments 
to the test procedures for variable speed heat pumps to allow better 
representation of their low-ambient-temperature performance, including 
an optional 5[emsp14][deg]F heating mode test.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Rule Effective................   07/08/17  .......................
Final Rule; Delay of Effective Date.   02/02/17  82 FR 8985

[[Page 1857]]

 
Final Rule; Delay of Effective Date    03/21/17  .......................
 Effective.
Final Rule; Further Delay of           03/21/17  82 FR 14425
 Effective Date.
Final Rule; Correction to Delayed      03/29/17  82 FR 15457
 Effective Date.
Final Rule; Further Delay of           07/03/17  .......................
 Effective Date Effective.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Ashley Armstrong, Phone: 202 586-6590, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AD71

225. Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Walk-In Cooler 
and Freezer Refrigeration Systems

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Other.
    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.
    Abstract: DOE established a Working Group to negotiate amended 
energy conservation standards for six classes of walk-in cooler and 
freezer (walk-in) refrigeration systems. After holding a series of 
meetings as part of a negotiated rulemaking, the Working Group 
developed a Term Sheet containing a series of recommendations regarding 
potential energy conservation standards for these refrigeration systems 
and the current test procedure for evaluating the energy efficiency of 
a walk-in refrigeration system. This rulemaking proposed several test 
procedure amendments to implement these recommendations. These 
amendments include certain changes to improve test procedure clarity, 
updating related certification and enforcement provisions to address 
the performance-based energy conservation standards for walk-in cooler 
and freezer equipment, and establishing labeling requirements that will 
aid manufacturers in determining which components would be considered 
for compliance purposes as intended for walk-in cooler and freezer 
applications. The rule also adds certain equipment-specific 
definitions, removes the test method for refrigeration systems with hot 
gas defrost, and includes a method to accommodate refrigeration 
equipment that use adaptive defrost and on-cycle variable-speed 
evaporator fan control.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Rule..........................   12/28/16  81 FR 95758
Final Rule Effective................   01/27/17  .......................
Final Rule; Delay of Effective Date.   03/21/17  82 FR 8805
Final Rule; Delay of Effective Date    03/21/17  .......................
 Effective.
Final Rule; Further Delay of           03/21/17  82 FR 14426
 Effective Date.
Final Rule; Further Delay of           06/26/17  .......................
 Effective Date Effective.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Ashley Armstrong, Phone: 202 586-6590, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AD72

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)

Departmental and Others (ENDEP)

Final Rule Stage

226. Smal-Scale Natural Gas Exports (Section 610 Review)

    E.O. 13771 Designation: Deregulatory.
    Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. 717b(a); 42 U.S.C. 7151(b), 7172(f), and 
7254
    Abstract: This rule would revise DOE regulations implementing 
section 3(a) of the Natural Gas Act, 15 U.S.C. 717b(a), for 
``qualifying small-scale'' exports of natural gas, including liquefied 
natural gas. Under this rule, DOE would issue an order upon receipt of 
any application that seeks to export natural gas to non-FTA countries, 
provided the application meets the criteria for small-scale exports. In 
promulgating this rule, DOE would clarify its interpretation of 
``public interest'' under NGA section 3(a). The intent of the rule is 
to improve DOE's application procedures related to natural gas exports, 
reduce the administrative burdens associated with the small-scale 
natural gas export market, and result in more efficient processing of 
applications for small-scale natural gas exports.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/01/17  82 FR 41570
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/16/17  .......................
Final Action........................   02/00/18  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Betsy Kohl, Attorney Advisor, Department of Energy, 
1000 Independence Avenue SW, Room 6A-179, Washington, DC 20585, Phone: 
202 586-7796, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1901-AB43

[FR Doc. 2017-28209 Filed 1-11-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P


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