Department of Energy August 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces a meeting of the National Coal Council (NCC). The Federal Advisory Committee Act requires that public notice of these meetings be announced in the Federal Register.

This notice announces a meeting of the Advanced Scientific Computing Advisory Committee (ASCAC). The Federal Advisory Committee Act requires that public notice of these meetings be announced in the Federal Register.

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 portable 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 single-duct portable air conditioners does not take into account the benefits of portable air conditioners that use variable-speed compressors (``variable-speed portable air conditioners''), due to their part-load performance characteristics, and misrepresents their actual energy consumption. LG requests use of an alternate test procedure, under which the test unit's final combined energy efficiency ratio (``CEER'') metric would be calculated by multiplying the unit's measured CEER value (as measured according to the existing procedure for a single-duct portable air conditioner) by a ``performance adjustment factor.'' The performance adjustment factor would reflect the performance improvement associated with avoiding cycling losses as a result of implementing a variable-speed compressor, when tested under the two rating conditions currently used for testing dual-duct portable air conditioners. DOE grants LG an interim waiver from DOE's portable air conditioner test procedure for the basic models listed in the interim waiver, 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.

On April 25, 2018, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a notification of petition from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) to withdraw, and immediately stay the effectiveness of, the conventional cooking top test procedure. Based on the review of public comments and data received in response to this petition, DOE proposes to withdraw the test procedure for conventional cooking tops established under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). DOE has tentatively determined that the conventional cooking top test procedure may not accurately represent consumer use for gas cooking tops, may not be repeatable or reproducible for both gas and electric cooking tops, and is overly burdensome to conduct.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and in accordance with Title 41 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and following consultation with the Committee Management Secretariat, General Services Administration, notice is hereby given that the Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee has been renewed for a two-year period. The Committee will provide advice to the Office of Science (DOE), on long-range plans, priorities, and strategies for advancing plasma science, fusion science and fusion technologythe knowledge base needed for an economically and environmentally attractive fusion energy source. The Secretary of Energy has determined that the renewal of the Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee is essential to the conduct of the Department's business and in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed upon the Department of Energy by law. The Committee will continue to operate in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Department of Energy Organization Act (Pub. L. 95-91), the General Services Administration Final Rule on Federal Advisory Committee Management, and other directives and instruction issued in the implementation of those Acts.

The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of a Record of Decision (ROD) published under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and implementing regulations. As discussed, this ROD supports DOE/FE's decision in DOE/ FE Order No. 4410, an opinion and order authorizing Gulf LNG Liquefaction Company, LLC to export domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) to non-free trade agreement countries under section 3(a) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA).

As required by the ``Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act of 2017'' the Department of Energy (DOE) assessed the mission need for a versatile reactor-based fast-neutron source. Having identified the need for such a fast-neutron source, the Act directs DOE to complete construction and approve the start of facility operations, to the maximum extent practicable, by December 31, 2025. To this end, the Department intends to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its implementing regulations. This EIS will evaluate alternatives for a versatile reactor-based fast-neutron source facility and associated facilities for the preparation, irradiation and post-irradiation examination of test/ experimental fuels and materials.

The DOE Contractor Employee Protection Program extends whistleblower protections similar to those in the Whistleblower Protection Act to employees of DOE contractors and subcontractors. The Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) is amending its regulations to modernize the Department of Energy's (DOE or Department) contractor employee whistleblower program, as well as to provide improvements within the existing program.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, App. 2, and the Code of Federal Regulations, and following consultation with the Committee Management Secretariat, General Services Administration, notice is hereby given that the Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee's (BESAC) charter will be renewed for a two-year period. The Committee will provide advice and recommendations to the Office of Science on the Basic Energy Sciences program. Additionally, the renewal of the BESAC has been determined to be essential to conduct business of the Department of Energy 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 continue to operate in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the rules and regulations in implementation of that Act.