Department of Energy June 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') is establishing definitions, a test procedure, and representation provisions for portable electric spas. Currently, portable electric spas are not subject to DOE test procedures or energy conservation standards. DOE is adopting a test procedure for measuring the standby loss for portable electric spas. The test method references the relevant industry test standard with certain additions and modifications.

The Industry Advisory Board (IAB) to the International Energy Agency (IEA) will meet on June 14, 15, 2023, as a hybrid meeting via webinar and in person, in connection with a joint meeting of the IEA's Standing Group on Emergency Questions (SEQ) and the IEA's Standing Group on the Oil Market (SOM) which is scheduled at the same time via webinar.

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 collection, FERC-725B(5), (Mandatory Reliability Standards, Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP-003-9)- Temporary Placeholder for FERC-725B that is pending approval at OMB. No Comments were received on the 60-day notice published on March 30, 2023.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) is issuing this Notice to document emergency actions that it has taken pursuant to the Federal Power Act. California experienced several periods of extreme heat, drought conditions, and threat of wildfires. California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency regarding increased electrical demand and generation. Because the additional generation may result in a conflict with environmental standards and requirements, the DOE authorized only the necessary additional generation, allowing CAISO to sufficiently supply the necessary amount of energy needed to prevent electrical disruption.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on May 3, 2023. The final rule revised the Commission's regulations to provide incentive-based rate treatment for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce and the sale of electric energy at wholesale in interstate commerce by utilities for the purpose of benefitting consumers by encouraging investments by utilities in Advanced Cybersecurity Technology and participation by utilities in cybersecurity threat information sharing programs, as directed by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.