Department of Energy November 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is soliciting public comment on the currently approved information collections: FERC-549B (Gas Pipeline Rates: Annual Capacity Reports and Index of Customers); FERC-549D (Quarterly Transportation and Storage Report For Intrastate Natural Gas and Hinshaw Pipelines); FERC-556 (Certification of Qualifying Facility (QF) Status for a Small Power Production or Cogeneration Facility); FERC-561 (Annual Report of Interlocking Directorates). The above four collections are a part of this combined notice only and are not being combined into one OMB Control Number.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is inviting comments on reactive power capability compensation and market design.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary for Science and Energy and Office of Policy (OP) request information on energy sector supply chains. This request for information (RFI) seeks input from all stakeholders involved directly and indirectly in the supply chains of energy, energy systems and technologies, and energy efficiency technologies from raw materials, processed materials, subcomponents, final products, to end-of-life material recovery and recyclingincluding but not limited to U.S. industry, researchers, academia, local governments, and civil society. This stakeholder input will inform the Department's efforts in building an energy sector industrial base that is diverse, resilient, and competitive while meeting economic, national security, and climate objectives.

In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is soliciting public comment on the currently approved information collections, FERC Form Nos. 1 and 1T (Annual Report of Major Electric Utilities, Licensees, and Others), 1-F and 1-FT (Annual Report for Nonmajor Public Utilities and Licensees), and 3-Q and 3-QT (Quarterly Financial Report of Electric Utilities, Licensees, and Natural Gas Companies).

In July 2021, the Department of Energy (DOE) released Version 2.0 of the Cybersecurity Capability Maturity Model (C2M2), a tool that helps organizations evaluate and improve their cybersecurity capabilities, considering their specific risk environment. The update was guided by input from the Energy Sector C2M2 Working Group, which comprises 145 energy sector cybersecurity practitioners representing 77 energy sector and cybersecurity organizations. Version 2.0 updates the model from Version 1.1, released in 2014, and includes a variety of updates to the model domains and practices to better address emerging technologies and the evolving cyber threat landscape. Since the release in July, DOE has piloted the updated model with energy companies and utilities. To obtain the broadest possible input, DOE seeks public comment on the C2M2 to inform the C2M2 Working Group as it develops future model updates.

The U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') is undertaking an early assessment review for amended energy conservation standards for consumer furnace fans to determine whether to amend applicable energy conservation standards for this product. Specifically, through this request for information (``RFI''), DOE seeks data and information to evaluate whether amended energy conservation standards would result in significant savings of energy; be technologically feasible; and be economically justified. 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 U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') proposes to amend the test procedures for battery chargers to improve test procedure representativeness. The proposal would: Establish a new appendix Y1 that would expand coverage of inductive wireless battery chargers and establish associated definitions and test provisions; establish a new test procedure approach that relies on separate metrics for active mode, stand-by, and off-mode (consequently removing the battery charger usage profiles and unit energy consumption calculation); and update the wall adapter selection criteria. DOE also proposes changes to appendix Y to reorganize two subsections, to clarify symbology and references, to correct an incorrect cross reference and section title, to update the list of battery chemistries, and to terminate an existing test procedure waiver because the covered subject models have been discontinued. DOE further proposes to mirror these changes in the newly proposed appendix Y1. DOE is seeking comment from interested parties on the proposals.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, intends to reinstate a previously approved collection, with change, for three years with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The information collection request, Weatherization Assistance Program Sub-Programs, was previously approved on May 31, 2014, under OMB Control No. 1910-5157 and expired on May 31, 2017.