Department of Energy December 8, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') is undertaking an early assessment review for amended energy conservation standards for miscellaneous refrigeration products to determine whether to amend the applicable energy conservation standards for this product. Specifically, through this request for information (``RFI''), DOE seeks data and information that could enable the agency to determine whether DOE should propose a ``no-new-standard'' determination because a more- stringent standard: Would not result in a significant savings of energy; is not technologically feasible; is not economically justified; or any combination of the foregoing. DOE welcomes written comments from the public on any subject within the scope of this document (including those topics not specifically raised in this RFI), as well as the submission of data and other relevant information concerning this early assessment review.

The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice (Notice) of receipt of an application (Application), filed on November 18, 2020, by Vista Pacifico LNG, S.A.P.I de C.V. (Vista Pacifico), and supplemented on November 23, 2020. The Application requests long-term, multi-contract authorization to export domestically produced natural gas by pipeline to Mexico in a volume up to 240 billion cubic feet (Bcf) per year (Bcf/yr), and to re-export 200 Bcf/yr of this natural gas as liquefied natural gas (LNG). Vista Pacifico seeks to re-export this LNG by vessel from one of two sets of proposed Topolobampo liquefaction and export terminal facilities, referred to as the VPLNG Mid-Scale Project, to be located in Topolobampo in the state of Sinaloa, Mexico. Vista Pacifico filed the Application under the Natural Gas Act (NGA). Protests, motions to intervene, notices of intervention, and written comments are invited.

The U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') is undertaking an early assessment review to determine whether to proceed with a rulemaking to amend DOE's test procedures for packaged terminal air conditioners (``PTACs'') and packaged terminal heat pumps (``PTHPs'') to adopt the most recent procedures referenced in the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (``ASHRAE'') Standard 90.1, ``Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings,'' which are consistent with DOE's current test procedures, unless there exists clear and convincing evidence supporting the adoption of alternate procedures. DOE welcomes written comments from the public on any subject within the scope of this document (including topics not raised in this RFI), as well as the submission of data and other relevant information concerning this early assessment review.