Department of Energy January 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This document stays DOE regulations for the assessment of civil penalties against certain contractors and subcontractors for violations of the prohibition against an employee who reports violations of law, mismanagement, waste, abuse or dangerous/unsafe workplace conditions, among other protected activities, concerning nuclear safety.

This document delays the effective date of a recently published final rule amending the test procedure for certain walk-in cooler and freezer components.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) invites public comment on this Request for Information (RFI) regarding regional innovation ecosystems and regional cooperation. The purpose of this RFI is to support a public discussion about how to create and foster regional and local ``innovation ecosystems,'' specifically for energy technologies and energy use. DOE is establishing through this RFI a temporary public ``ideation'' tool to serve as a resource of ideas for individuals and organizations interested in promoting regional innovation ecosystems.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is issuing a final rule to amend its regulations governing the maximum civil monetary penalties assessable for violations of statutes, rules, and orders within the Commission's jurisdiction. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended most recently by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, requires the Commission to issue this final rule.

All programs within the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy are required to undertake rigorous, objective peer review of their funded projects on a regular basis in order to ensure and enhance the management, relevance, effectiveness, and productivity of those projects. The Water Power Technologies Office intends to hold an External Peer Review in Arlington, VA, on February 14-16, 2017. An External Peer Review Panel will review current and recently completed projects and provide feedback on technical, scientific, and business merit; the actual or anticipated results; and the productivity and management effectiveness of projects. The review panel will also assess the potential impact of projects on the water power industry and identify additional research initiatives and resources that may prove to be advantageous in the future. Principal Investigators, expert reviewers, Water Power Technologies Office staff, and contract support staff will be in attendance during the review meeting. The event is open to the public based upon space availability.

This notice announces a meeting of the Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee. The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 86 Stat.770) requires that notice of these meetings be announced in the Federal Register.

On November 9, 2016, the Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) within the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a request for information (RFI) in the Federal Register to invite input from the public regarding challenges and opportunities associated with hydropower development in undeveloped stream-reaches. The WPTO is reopening the comment period until February 10, 2017, to provide interested parties with additional time to submit comments.

BP Energy Company (BP Energy or Applicant) has applied to renew its authority to transmit electric energy from the United States to Mexico pursuant to section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act.