Department of Energy June 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This document announces receipt of and publishes a petition for waiver from LG Electronics USA, Inc. (``LG''), which seeks an exemption from the U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') test procedure used for determining the efficiency of specified room air conditioner basic models. LG seeks to use an alternate test procedure to address issues involved in testing the basic models identified in its petition. According to LG, the current DOE test procedure for room air conditioners, which provides for testing at full-load performance only, does not take into account the benefits of room air conditioners that use variable-speed compressors (``variable speed air conditioners''), with their part-load performance characteristics, and misrepresents their actual energy consumption. LG requests that it be permitted to test the specified basic models at four rating conditions instead of a single rating condition and to calculate the test unit's weighted- average combined energy efficiency ratio (CEER), which can then be compared to the expected performance of a comparable single-speed room air conditioner across the same four rating conditions. The performance improvement would be applied to the measured performance of the variable-speed room air conditioner when tested under the high- temperature rating condition of the DOE test procedure for room air conditioners to determine the test unit's final rated CEER value. DOE grants LG an interim waiver from the DOE's room air conditioner test procedure for the specified basic models, subject to use of the alternate test procedure as set forth in the Interim Waiver Order. DOE solicits comments, data, and information concerning LG's petition and its suggested alternate test procedure to inform its final decision on LG's waiver request.

This notice announces a meeting of the Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (BESAC). The Federal Advisory Committee Act requires that public notice of these meetings be announced in the Federal Register.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has submitted an information collection request to the OMB for extension under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information collection package requests a three-year extension of ``Industrial Relations,'' OMB Control Number 1910-0600. This proposed collection covers major Departmental Contractor Human Resource Information necessary for contract management, administration, and cost control.

The U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') is initiating a data collection process through this RFI to consider whether to amend DOE's test procedure for commercial water-source heat pumps (``WSHPs''). To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has gathered data, identifying several issues associated with the currently applicable test procedure on which DOE is interested in receiving comment. The issues outlined in this document mainly concern: Methods that are incorporated by reference by the applicable industry standard; efficiency metrics and calculations; additional specifications for the test methods; and any additional topics that may inform DOE's decisions in a future test procedure rulemaking, including methods to reduce regulatory burden while ensuring the test procedure's accuracy. DOE welcomes written comments from the public on any subject within the scope of this document (including topics not raised in this RFI).

The Department of Energy (DOE) stands behind the long-term authorizations it has issued under the Natural Gas Act, approving the export of natural gas (including liquefied natural gas) to non-free trade agreement countries. DOE is firmly committed to the durability and stability of the non-FTA export authorizations it has granted to date, and to any export authorizations issued by DOE in the future.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of updated guidance for the Energy Policy Act of 2005 program. The guidance describes the hydroelectric incentive payment requirements and explains the type of information that owners or authorized operators of qualified hydroelectric facilities must provide DOE when applying for hydroelectric incentive payments. This incentive is available for electric energy generated and sold for a specified 10-year period as authorized under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. In Congressional appropriations for Federal fiscal year 2018, DOE received funds to support this hydroelectric incentive program. At this time, DOE is only accepting applications from owners and authorized operators of qualified hydroelectric facilities for hydroelectricity generated and sold in calendar year 2017.

Emera Energy Services Subsidiary No. 3 LLC (Applicant or EESS- 3) has applied to renew its authority to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada pursuant to the Federal Power Act.

Emera Energy Services Subsidiary No. 2 LLC (Applicant or EESS- 2) has applied to renew its authority to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada pursuant to the Federal Power Act.