Department of Energy 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

EIA invites public comment on the proposed three-year extension of the following Oil and Gas Reserves System Survey Forms, as required under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; extension without changes of Form EIA-64A, Annual Report of the Origin of Natural Gas Liquids Production; extension without changes of Form EIA-23L, Annual Report of Domestic Oil and Gas Reserves, County Level Report; and continued suspension of Form EIA-23S, Annual Survey of Domestic Oil and Gas Reserves, Summary Level Report.

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.

This notification announces receipt of and publishes a petition for waiver and interim waiver from Nortek Global HVAC, LLC (``Nortek''), which seeks a waiver for specified central air conditioner and heat pump basic models from the U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') test procedure used for determining the energy efficiency of these products. This notification also announces that DOE is declining to grant the request for an interim waiver from the test procedure for the reasons described in this notification. DOE solicits comments, data, and information concerning the petition and its suggested alternate test procedure so as to inform DOE's final decision on the waiver request.