Department of Energy July 22, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In compliance with the requirements of section 3506(c)(2)(a) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information collection described below.

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 direct heating equipment. In this notice, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to amend its definitions pertaining to direct heating equipment. Specifically, DOE is proposing to change to the definition of ``vented hearth heater,'' a type of direct heating equipment, to clarify the scope of the current exclusion for those vented hearth heaters that are decorative hearth products. The proposed modification to the existing exclusion would shift the focus from the current maximum input capacity limitation (i.e., 9,000 Btu/h) to a number of other factors, including the absence of a standing pilot light or other continuously burning ignition source. DOE has tentatively concluded that these amendments would result in increased energy savings overall, as well as for the types of units under the exclusion. The notice also announces a public meeting to receive comment on these proposed amendments to the definition for ``vented hearth heater'' and associated analyses and results.