Department of Energy September 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is hereby granting a nationwide limited waiver of the Buy American requirements of section 1605 of the Recovery Act under the authority of Section 1605(b)(2), (iron, steel, and the relevant manufactured goods are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory quality), with respect to Recovery Act projects funded by EERE for: (1) Class 125 Iron (6'', 8'' and 12'') Ball Valves (Standard: Mss SP-72, CWP Rating: 200 psig, Ends: flanged, Seats: PTFE or TFE; ASTM A126); (2) Low Temperature Thermostat (range of 15-55 Fahrenheit, automatic reset); (3) Two-stage, steam heated absorption chillers rated at 450 tons; and (4) 4 Watt 325 lumen dock lamp LED replacement bulbs.

The Department of Energy received a petition from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association requesting the initiation of a rulemaking to exclude from coverage under Energy Policy and Conservation Act standards 120 volt, 100 watt, R20 short (having a maximum overall length of 3\5/8\ or 3.625 inches) incandescent reflector lamps marketed for use in hot tub spas. DOE published this petition and a request for comments in the Federal Register on December 23, 2010. Based upon its evaluation of the petition and careful consideration of the public comments, DOE has decided to grant this petition for rulemaking. DOE seeks comments that will inform its rulemaking to determine whether 120 volt, 100 watt, R20 short incandescent reflector lamps should be excluded from energy conservation standards.

This notice announces a meeting of the Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board (EM SSAB), Savannah River Site. The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 86 Stat. 770) requires that public notice of this meeting be announced in the Federal Register.

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) has submitted the information collection described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review of this information collection requirement. 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 received no comments in response to an earlier Federal Register notice of June 23, 2011 (76 FR 36909) and has made this notation in its submission to OMB.

DOE proposes to amend its regulation concerning unclassified assistance to foreign atomic energy activities. This regulation provides that persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States who engage directly or indirectly in the production of special nuclear material outside the United States must be authorized to do so by the Secretary of Energy (Secretary). The proposed revisions update and clarify several provisions in the current regulation, and identify information applicants are required to submit in support of applications for an authorization under this part. The revisions are intended to reduce uncertainties for industry users concerning which foreign nuclear-related activities by U.S. persons are ``generally authorized'' under the regulation and which activities require a ``specific authorization'' from the Secretary. In this regard, one proposed organizational change is the listing of countries and territories for which a general authorization for foreign atomic energy activities is available. This proposed change contrasts with the current regulation, which lists those countries for which a specific authorization to conduct such activities is required. Unclassified nuclear activities are generally authorized with respect to these listed countries if they do not involve ``sensitive nuclear technology'' as defined in the regulation. Conversely, the proposed revised regulation specifically identifies those assistance activities and technologies under DOE's jurisdiction, the export of which requires a specific authorization from the Secretary. Additionally, DOE is proposing to add regulations to address ``deemed exports.'' Companies seeking to employ foreign nationals in positions involving a proposed transfer of technology are provided information on the documentation required to be submitted to request specific authorization for those transfers. Finally, DOE proposes to update its regulations in this area to reflect terminological and other changes in nuclear technology since the last major update in 1986. Finally, points of contact references have been updated to reflect the current DOE organizational structure.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance, a proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed collection will gather information on solar energy market indicators. The Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP) seeks to reduce non-hardware costs of solar systems associated with processes such as project siting, permitting and interconnection, system installation, and project financing. In order to direct strategic investments toward reducing those costs, the Agency requires information on the current status of non-hardware costs and the underlying cost drivers. Questions for this collection are focused on permitting processes, interconnection processes, available financing options, and planning and zoning issues as they relate to rooftop solar PV installations.

This notice announces a teleconference call of the State Energy Advisory Board (STEAB). The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463; 86 Stat. 770) requires that public notice of these meetings be announced in the Federal Register.

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 35871, 6/ 20/2001) requesting public comments. FERC received no comments on the FERC-519 and has made this notation in its submission to OMB.