Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is adopting with changes the interim final rule published on December 4, 2006 (71 FR 70275) that implemented provisions in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that require DOE to establish revised energy efficiency performance standards for the construction of all new Federal buildings. The standards in today's final rule apply to commercial and multi-family high-rise residential buildings and low-rise residential buildings, as designed and constructed.

This notice publishes the Department of Energy's Decision and Order in Case No. CAC-010, which grants a Waiver to Fujitsu General Limited (Fujitsu) from the existing Department of Energy (DOE) residential central air conditioner and heat pump test procedure for specified Airstage Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) multi-split products. As a condition of this waiver, Fujitsu must test and rate its Airstage multi-split products according to the alternate test procedure set forth in this notice.

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA or the Act) authorizes the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish energy conservation standards for various consumer products and commercial and industrial equipmentincluding residential dishwashers, dehumidifiers, and electric and gas kitchen ranges and ovens and microwave ovens (hereafter referred to as ``cooking products''), as well as commercial clothes washersif DOE determines that energy conservation standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result in significant energy savings. DOE is publishing this advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANOPR) to consider establishing energy conservation standards for these products and to announce a public meeting to receive comments on a variety of issues.

The Department of Energy (DOE or Department) is initiating the rulemaking and data collection process that could result in the establishment of amended energy conservation standards for residential clothes dryers and room air conditioners. Accordingly, the Department will hold an informal public meeting to discuss and receive comments on issues it will address in this rulemaking proceeding. The Department also encourages written comments on these subjects. To inform stakeholders and facilitate this process, DOE has prepared a Framework Document, which is available at: https://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ appliancestandards/.

The Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, intends to extend for three years, an information collection request (ICR) with the Office of Management and Budget. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the extended collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

This notice announces receipt of and publishes a Petition for Waiver from LG Electronics USA, Inc. (LG). This Petition for Waiver (hereafter ``LG Petition'') requests a waiver of the Department of Energy (DOE) test procedures applicable to residential central air conditioners and heat pumps. The waiver request is specific to LG's variable refrigerant flow multi-split heat pumps. Through this document, DOE is: (1) Soliciting comments, data, and information with respect to the LG Petition; and (2) granting an Interim Waiver to LG from the DOE test procedure for residential central air conditioners and heat pumps.

Pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct 1992), the Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to determine that a regulatory requirement for the owners and operators of certain private and local government fleets to acquire alternative fueled vehicles (AFVs) is not necessary to achieve the recently modified EPAct 1992 Replacement Fuel Goal. DOE therefore also proposes to determine that it cannot issue a requirement for certain private and local government fleets to acquire alternative fueled vehicles.

This notice announces a teleconference of the State Energy Advisory Board (STEAB). The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92- 463; 86 Stat. 770) requires that public notice of these teleconferences be announced in the Federal Register.

The Department of Energy (DOE or Department) is initiating the rulemaking process to adopt new energy conservation standards for small electric motors. Accordingly, the Department will hold an informal public meeting to discuss and receive comments on issues it will address in this rulemaking proceeding. The Department also encourages written comments on these subjects. To inform stakeholders and facilitate this process, DOE has prepared a Framework Document, which is available at: https://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance standards/.

The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee (HTAC) was established under section 807 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT), Public Law 109-58; 119 Stat. 849. The Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, 86 Stat. 770, requires that public notice of these meetings be announced in the Federal Register. To attend the meeting and/or to make oral statements during the public comment period, please e-mail: HTAC.Committee@ee.doe.gov at least 5 business days before the meeting.

This notice announces a teleconference of the State Energy Advisory Board (STEAB). The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92- 463; 86 Stat. 770) requires that public notice of these teleconferences be announced in the Federal Register.

The Department of Energy today publishes proposed regulations to promote Federal procurement of energy efficient products. Today's proposal would establish a requirement for Federal agencies to report implementation of amendments to the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA) that require Federal agencies to procure ENERGY STAR qualified and Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) designated products in procurements involving energy consuming products and systems. Today's notice of proposed rulemaking also provides draft guidance for Federal agencies on implementing the procurement requirements of NECPA.

This notice announces a teleconference of the State Energy Advisory Board (STEAB). The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L 92- 463; 86 Stat. 770) requires that public notice of these teleconferences be announced in the Federal Register. DATES: June 20, 2007 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EDT

The National Energy Technology Laboratory, on behalf of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Building Technologies Program, intends to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to select and fund Energy-Efficient Building Technology Application Centers. This FOA is expected to be issued on or about May 15, 2007. The goal of this funding opportunity is to establish geographically and climatically diverse Energy-Efficient Building Technology Application Centers. This goal supports the EERE Strategic Plan to increase the energy efficiency of the Nation's buildings and the Building Technology Program's Technology Validation and Market Introduction activity goal of accelerating the widespread market adoption of energy-efficient building technologies and practices. It also encourages demonstration and commercial application of advanced energy methods and technologies through education and outreach to building and industry professionals, and other individuals and organizations with an interest in efficient energy use.

This notice announces an open meeting of the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee under the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000. The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. No. 92-463, 86 Stat. 770) requires that agencies publish these notices in the Federal Register to allow for public participation. This notice announces the meeting of the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee.

Today's notice publishes the Petition for Waiver from Cascade Group, LLC (hereafter ``Cascade''). This Petition for Waiver (hereafter ``Cascade Petition'') requests a waiver from the Department of Energy (hereafter ``DOE'') test procedure for commercial package air conditioners and heat pumps. In addition, today's notice denies Cascade's Application for Interim Waiver from the DOE test procedure applicable to commercial package air conditioners and heat pumps. Today's notice also includes an alternate test procedure DOE is considering. DOE is soliciting comments, data, and information with respect to the Cascade Petition, Cascade's Application for Interim Waiver, and the proposed alternate test procedure.

This notice announces the availability of a Department of Energy (DOE) document that provides guidelines to fleets covered by 10 CFR Part 490 (covered fleets) for submission of an application for a waiver from the alternative fuel vehicle acquisition requirements. In order to obtain a waiver, the requesting covered fleet must show that in lieu of the alternative fuel vehicle acquisitions, it will reduce petroleum consumption in its vehicle fleet by an amount that would equal 100 percent alternative fuel use in all of its existing covered light-duty vehicles. The guidelines provide instructions on making such a showing and illustrate the processing of a waiver request.

Today's notice publishes a Decision and Order (Case No. CAC- 012) granting a Waiver to Mitsubishi Electric and Electronics USA, Inc. (``MEUS'') from the existing Department of Energy (DOE) residential and commercial package air conditioner and heat pump test procedures for specified R410A CITY MULTI products. MEUS shall be required to test and rate the R410A CITY MULTI VRFZ products according to the alternate test procedure set forth in this notice. DOE is also amending the waiver granted to MEUS for its R22 CITY MULTI products in August 2004 to explicitly prohibit MEUS from making energy efficiency representations regarding these products unless such representations are consistent with the alternate test procedure.

In this notice, the Department of Energy (DOE) is forecasting the representative average unit costs of five residential energy sources for the year 2007 pursuant to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The five sources are electricity, natural gas, No. 2 heating oil, propane, and kerosene.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has submitted an information collection revision package to OMB for review under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The package requests revision of the information collection listed at the end of this notice. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the revised information collections are necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the information collections, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collections on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (EPCA), establishes energy conservation standards for various commercial and industrial equipment. EPCA further provides with respect to certain equipment covered by this rule, that if the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) amend ASHRAE/ IESNA Standard 90.1 as in effect on October 24, 1992, then the Department of Energy (DOE) must establish amended national standards at the ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90-1 minimum energy efficiency levels unless DOE determines that evidence supports adoption of higher standard levels or certain other circumstances exist. ASHRAE/IESNA amended ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1 on October 29, 1999 (ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-1999), and DOE initiated this rulemaking to consider amendments to the national standards. DOE has concluded that it lacks authority to pursue higher standards for gas-fired instantaneous water heaters and large commercial packaged boilers. For small commercial packaged boilers with capacities greater than 300,000 Btu/h and less than or equal to 2.5 million British thermal units per hour, DOE is declining to adopt revised efficiency standards contained in the ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-1999 because the revised levels are less stringent than the current national standard. In addition, DOE has decided to conduct a separate rulemaking to consider whether standards at higher levels than those in the ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-1999 are warranted for packaged terminal air conditioners and packaged terminal heat pumps. Finally, DOE has concluded it does not have the authority to adopt, as uniform national standards, efficiency standards contained in Addenda f and b, respectively, to ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004 for three-phase air conditioners and heat pumps with cooling capacities less than 65,000 British thermal units per hour, and single-package vertical air conditioners and single-package vertical heat pumps with cooling capacities less than 65,000 Btu/h.

The Department of Energy (DOE) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) for liquid-immersed and medium-voltage, dry-type distribution transformers under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). In response to this notice, stakeholders commented that DOE's standard may prevent or render impractical the replacement of distribution transformers in certain space-constrained (e.g., vault) installations. Some stakeholders suggested that DOE's analysis of the benefits and burdens of the proposed standard should take into consideration the potential impacts of replacing transformers in space- constrained vaults. In the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR), DOE factored weight-dependent installation costs in the analysis, but did not specifically address potential costs related to transformers installed in vaults. In today's notice, DOE requests comment on inclusion of potential costs related to size constraints of transformers installed in vaults. DOE also is considering an additional option for the final efficiency levels for liquid-immersed distribution transformers and by this notice invites public comment on this additional option.

This notice announces a teleconference of the State Energy Advisory Board (STEAB). The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92- 463; 86 Stat. 770) requires that public notice of these teleconferences be announced in the Federal Register.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has commenced a rulemaking to amend the existing energy conservation standards for residential water heaters, direct heating equipment, and pool heaters. On November 24, 2006, the DOE published in the Federal Register (FR) a notice of public meeting and availability of Framework Document for this rulemaking wherein it indicated that the comment period for this initial phase of the rulemaking closes on January 30, 2007. 71 FR 67825. On January 16, 2007, DOE held an informal public meeting to present its proposed methodologies for conducting the rulemaking, discuss issues relevant to the rulemaking proceeding, and initiate stakeholder interaction and the data collection process. Due to the extensive scope of material and issues raised at the meeting, some stakeholders at the public meeting requested an extension to the comment period. This notice extends the comment period to better provide opportunity for public review and comment on DOE's rulemaking approaches.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is publishing this technical amendment in order to place in the Code of Federal Regulations the energy conservation standards for ceiling fan light kits with sockets other than medium screw base or pin-based for fluorescent lamps that Congress prescribed in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.