Department of Energy August 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) invites public comment in Docket No. RD14-11-000 on a proposed change to a collection of information that the Commission is developing for submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 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.

The Western Area Power Administration (Western), a power marketing administration within the Department of Energy (DOE), is proposing to extend the existing transmission and ancillary services rates for the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin ProgramEastern Division (P- SMBED) through December 31, 2016. The existing Rate Schedules UGP- NT1, UGP-FPT1, UGP-NFPT1, UGP-AS1, UGP-AS2, UGP-AS3, UGP-AS4, UGP-AS5, UGP-AS6, UGP-AS7, and UGP-TSP1 expire on December 31, 2014. Publication of this Federal Register notice begins the formal process for the proposed extension of the formulary rates.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will hold a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on the preliminary analysis it has conducted for purposes of considering amended energy conservation standards for refrigerated beverage vending machines. The meeting will cover the analytical framework, models, and tools that DOE is using to evaluate potential amended and new standards for this equipment; the results of preliminary analyses performed by DOE for this equipment; the potential energy conservation standard levels derived from these analyses that DOE could consider for this equipment; and any other issues relevant to the development of amended energy conservation standards for refrigerated beverage vending machines. In addition, DOE encourages written comments on these subjects. To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has prepared an agenda, a preliminary technical support document (TSD), and briefing materials, which are available on the DOE Web site at: https:// www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliancestandards/rulemaking. aspx/ ruleid/73.

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin ProgramEastern Division (P-SMBPED) Rate Schedules P- SED-F11 and P-SED-FP11 for firm power and firm peaking power service expire December 31, 2014. Western is proposing modifications to the charge components in Rate Schedules P-SED-F11 and P-SED-FP11 in order to true up the base and drought adder charges, which require a minor rate adjustment process. The revenue requirement and the total rate charges in the firm power and firm peaking power service rate schedules are not changing from Rate Schedules P-SED-F11 and P-SED-FP11 and will continue to provide sufficient revenue to pay all annual costs, including interest expense, and repay investments within the allowable periods. If approved, the proposed Rate Schedules P-SED-F12 and P-SED- FP12 will become effective on January 1, 2015, and will remain in effect through December 31, 2019. Publication of this Federal Register notice begins the formal process for the proposed rate schedules.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) invites public comment on its Request for Information (RFI) number DE-FOA-0001165 regarding Advanced Manufacturing Office Software Tools. The RFI document is posted at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/. EERE's Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) seeks information from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders on issues related to market opportunities to enhance and expand upon certain AMO system software tools and related assets. At the present time these software tool resources/assets are primarily maintained and managed by the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Manufacturing Office. This RFI seeks information to assist with the transition of these resources to be primarily or solely managed by a third party (or parties). AMO is particularly interested in business strategies to ensure: The resource content is maintained, improved and enhanced. The resources remain available to the industrial sector. The current and future market needs for these system assets are addressed. Adaptation to rapidly changing and progressing electronic and IT infrastructure is embraced and addressed. This is solely a request for information and not a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). EERE is not accepting applications.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is considering establishing energy conservation standards for commercial and industrial compressors. To date, DOE has proposed to consider energy conservation standards only for compressors intended to compress air, rather than gas. As a result, DOE's current efforts have focused solely on air compressors. However, DOE is also aware that compressors used to compress natural gas may also use a substantial amount of energy. To improve its understanding of natural gas compressors and their related markets, DOE requests information, comment, and supporting data about the characteristics and energy use of this equipment.