Department of Energy March 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Energy (DOE) today publishes a proposed rule to implement section 142 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which amended the Energy Policy and Conservation Act and directed the Secretary of Energy to issue implementing regulations for a statutorily-required reduction in petroleum consumption and increase in alternative fuel consumption for Federal fleets.

Pursuant to Section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), and in accordance with Title 41, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 102-3.65, and following consultation with the Committee Management Secretariat, General Services Administration, and in accordance with the Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1996 (NRA), and the Administrative Procedure Act, notice is hereby given that the ASRAC will be established for a two-year period. The Committee will provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Energy on matters concerning the DOE's Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards Program's (Program) test procedures and rulemaking process. Formation of this committee allows the Program to further improve the rulemaking process. The Committee provides advice and makes recommendations on the: (1) Development of minimum efficiency standards for residential appliances and commercial equipment, (2) development of product test procedures, (3) certification and enforcement of standards, (4) labeling for various residential products and commercial equipment, and (5) specific issues of concern to DOE, as requested by the Secretary of Energy, the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), and the Buildings Technologies Program Manager. Additionally, the establishment of the Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee has been determined to be essential to the conduct of the Department's mission and to be in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed upon the Department of Energy by law and agreement. The Committee will operate in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and rules and regulations issued in implementation of that Act, the Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1996 (NRA), and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). This notice also requests nominations for members on the Committee, to ensure a wide range of member candidates and a balanced committee.

The Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, intends to reinstate and extend for three years, an information collection request with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The information collection request, Historic Preservation for Energy Efficiency Programs, was initially approved on December 1, 2010 under OMB Control No. 1910-5155 and expired on June 30, 2011. The reinstatement and extension will allow DOE to continue data collection on the status of Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), State Energy Program (SEP) and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program activities to ensure that recipients are compliant with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the extended collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.