Department of Energy August 23, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In compliance with the requirements of section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3507, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) has submitted the information collection described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review of the information collection requirements. Any interested person may file comments directly with OMB and should address a copy of those comments to the Commission as explained below. The Commission issued a notice in the Federal Register (76 FR 34689, 06/14/2011) requesting public comments. FERC received no comments on the FERC-583 and is making this notation in its submission to OMB.

On December 15, 2010, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) published a final rule waiving Federal preemption for energy conservation standards under 42 U.S.C. 6297(c) with respect to any State regulation concerning the water use or water efficiency of faucets, showerheads, water closets and urinals that is: (1) More stringent than Federal regulation concerning the water use or water efficiency for that same type or class of product; and (2) applicable to any sale or installation of all products in that particular type or class. In today's notice, DOE requests information from interested parties regarding: State activity with respect to efficiency standards for these products undertaken as a result of the December 15, 2010 final rule; market data; and any new or emerging water-efficient product designs or technologies for faucets, showerheads, water closets and urinals. DOE also requests information regarding any recent actions taken by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)/American National Standards Institute (ANSI) toward amending its water efficiency standards for these products. Additional input and suggestions relevant to these products are also welcome.