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

This notice announces an open meeting of the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee under Section 9008(d) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 2-463, 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.

This notice announces receipt of and publishes the Electrolux Home Products, Inc. (Electrolux) Petition for Waiver (hereafter, ``Petition'') from parts of the Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure for determining the energy consumption of electric refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers. The waiver request pertains to Electrolux's specified French door bottom-mount residential refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers, a product line that utilizes a control logic that changes the wattage of the anti-sweat heaters based upon the ambient relative humidity conditions in order to prevent condensation. The existing test procedure does not take humidity or adaptive control technology into account. Therefore, Electrolux has suggested an alternate test procedure that takes adaptive control technology into account when measuring energy consumption. DOE is soliciting comments, data, and information concerning Electrolux's Petition and the suggested alternate test procedure. DOE is also publishing notice of its March 3, 2009 grant of an interim waiver to Electrolux. Subsequently, DOE received a request from Electrolux to expand the scope of its interim waiver to four additional products. DOE has decided to grant this request.

This notice announces an open meeting of the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee under Section 9008(d) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. 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.

This notice announces receipt of and publishes a Petition for Waiver from LG Electronics, Inc. (LG). The Petition for Waiver (hereafter ``LG Petition'') requests a waiver from the Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure applicable to commercial package air-cooled central air conditioners and heat pumps. The waiver request is specific to the LG variable capacity Multi V (commercial) multi-split central air conditioners. Through this document, DOE is: (1) Soliciting comments, data, and information with respect to the LG Petition; and (2) announcing our determination to grant an Interim Waiver to LG from the applicable DOE test procedure for the subject commercial air- cooled, multi-split air conditioners and heat pumps.

The Department of Energy (DOE) today gives Notice of Opportunity for Technical Assistance (NOTA). The purpose of this NOTA is to support the goal of DOE's Solar America Initiative (SAI) to reduce the cost of solar photovoltaic technologies so that they become cost-competitive with grid electricity by 2015. The SAI represents a significant enhancement of DOE's business strategy of partnering with key stakeholders to accelerate commercialization of photovoltaic (PV) system research and development (R&D) to meet aggressive cost and installed capacity goals. DOE's Solar Energy Technologies Program uses research and development (R&D), testing and evaluation, and market transformation (MT) approaches to meet its SAI goal. MT efforts aim to reduce market barriers and promote market expansion of solar energy technologies through non-R&D activities. There are several aspects to SAI MT that should be kept in mind by Applicants to this NOTA: DOE is looking to identify and remove market barriers. DOE is seeking to identify and minimize or remove barriers to solar technology commercialization as quickly and efficiently as possible. DOE is looking for significant market changing activities. DOE is seeking to make large and significant changes in the marketplace through its market transformation activities. DOE is focused on near- and mid-term results. Accordingly, emphasis will be on projects and activities with the greatest potential to assist the DOE in reaching its SAI goal by 2015 (for more information, see SAI Web site at https://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/ solaramerica/). DOE is looking for performers and partners who are committed to the SAI mission. In order to achieve the SAI mission of 2015, DOE is inclined to partner and work with highly motivated entities. The DOE will provide Technical Assistance to large-scale, high- visibility solar installation projects that have the ability to impact the market for solar technologies through large project size, use of a novel solar technology, and/or use of a novel application for a solar technology. In addition, it is desired that the project be replicable or have replicable components. Large-scale installations may include photovoltaic, concentrating solar power, solar water heating, and solar space heating applications. Technical assistance will not be provided for research, development, or early-stage testing and evaluation of any technology or product. Solar America Showcases focus on providing support to projects in which a commercially-ready technology is to be installed in a large- scale application with full financial project commitment already in place. Support for research, product development or early stage testing and evaluation of solar products or technologies may be available under other Solar America Initiative opportunities. DOE will not purchase hardware or otherwise provide direct funding to organizations selected from this Notice. For further detail, see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document, and the full Notice of Opportunity for Technical Assistance (NOTA) at the DOE Industry Interactive Procurement System (IIPS) Web site: https://e-center.doe.gov/.

The Department of Energy (DOE) will hold an informal public meeting to discuss and receive comments on the product classes that DOE plans to analyze for purposes of amending energy conservation standards for certain residential heating products; the analytical framework, models, and tools that DOE is using to evaluate standards for these products; the results of preliminary analyses performed by DOE for these products; and potential energy conservation standard levels derived from these analyses that DOE could consider for these products. DOE also encourages written comments on these subjects. To inform stakeholders and facilitate this process, DOE has prepared an agenda, a preliminary Technical Support Document (preliminary-TSD), and briefing materials, all of which are available at: https://www.eere.energy.gov/ buildings/appliance_standards/residential/heating products.html.

The Department of Energy (DOE) today gives notice of a Request for Information (RFI) to invite comment on approaches to address the need for consistently-collected reliability data of fielded photovoltaic systems, data analysis to deduce methods for assessing reliability and to improve accelerated aging tests to create predictive models, improvement in existing tests, more information on best practices for reliability and accelerated aging tests, and assessing the nature and frequency of safety-related issues (arcing, building integration aspects, and ground faults) and their relationship with long-term performance. It is clear that the foundation to address these needs is a database consisting of photovoltaic system and component reliability, as well as performance data, which are collected in a consistent manner. In addition to the database, it is necessary for DOE to collaborate with the national laboratories and others to evaluate the data, develop new or modified tests, assess safety, evaluate system and component interactions, and develop predictive models. DOE is issuing this RFI for information and feedback from the PV community stakeholders. These include, but are not limited to, system operators and integrators, utilities, project planners, financial planners, manufacturers, third-party data-aggregation companies, universities, testing facilities, and other interested parties. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document, which provides further detail and comments requested.

The Department of Energy (DOE) invites public comment on a proposed collection of information that DOE is developing for submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 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 publishes the Department of Energy's Decision and Order in Case No. CD-002, which grants to LG Electronics Inc. (LG) a waiver from the existing Department of Energy (DOE) residential clothes dryer test procedure for its product line of DLEC733W ventless clothes dryers, because the existing test procedure only applies to clothes dryers that are vented.

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 Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and commercial and industrial equipment, and requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to administer an energy conservation program for these products. In this notice, DOE is proposing amended energy conservation standards for packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs) and packaged terminal heat pumps (PTHPs) and is announcing a public meeting.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is accepting requests for Technical Assistance for large-scale, high-visibility solar installation projects that have the ability to impact the market for solar technologies through large project size, use of a novel solar technology, and/or use of a novel application for a solar technology. In addition, it is desired that the project be replicable or have replicable components. It is not expected that all projects will meet all of these parameters, but projects would ideally reflect some or most of these qualities. Large-scale installations may include photovoltaic, concentrating solar power, solar water heating, and solar space heating applications. Technical assistance will not be provided for research, product development, or early stage testing and evaluation of any technology or product. Solar America Showcases focus on providing support to projects in which a commercially-ready technology is to be installed in a large-scale application with full financial project commitment already in place. Any legal entity, to include private sector for-profit and non- profit organizations, State and local governments, and trade and other associations may request DOE Technical Assistance under this Notice, so long as the installation proposed by the organization, and for which the Technical Assistance will be provided, is located in the United States. Federal agencies are not permitted to request Technical Assistance under this Notice. Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) Contractors may not submit a request for Technical Assistance, may not participate as a team partner with any entity requesting Technical Assistance, and may not assist any entity with their submission of a request for Technical Assistance under this Notice. Nonprofit organizations described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995 are not permitted to submit a request for Technical Assistance under this Notice. Technical Assistance described under this Notice will be provided via a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DOE, the organization selected to receive the Technical Assistance, and the Technical Assistance Team Leader responsible for providing the Technical Assistance. A MOA is a collaborative agreement between the Federal Government and other parties to work together on a mutually beneficial activity. The MOA will detail the scope of the Technical Assistance activities, the forms of collaboration, the responsibilities of the partners to the Agreement, and the treatment of any potential intellectual property. Federal funding will not be provided to a partner under a MOA.

The Energy Conservation and Production Act (ECPA), 42 U.S.C. 6831, et seq. requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish by rule building energy efficiency standards for all new Federal buildings. (42 U.S.C. 6834(a)(1)) Section 305 of ECPA, as amended by section 109 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. L. No. 109-58), mandates the development of new Federal building energy efficiency standards based on the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/ American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE)/Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004 (ASHRAE 2004) (for commercial and high-rise multi-family residential buildings) and the International Code Council (ICC) International Energy Conservation Code 2004 Supplement (2004 IECC) (for low-rise residential buildings). (42 U.S.C. 6834(a)(2)) Federal buildings are required to reduce energy consumption by at least 30 percent, if life cycle cost-effective, over these baseline standards. (42 U.S.C. 6834(a)(3)(A)(i)) Based on an Environmental Assessment (EA), DOE/EA-1463, DOE has determined that the adoption of the new energy efficiency standards ``Energy Efficiency Standard for New Federal Commercial and High-Rise Multi-Family Residential Buildings'' (10 CFR Part 433) and ``Energy Efficiency Standard for New Federal Low-Rise Residential Buildings'' (10 CFR Part 435) would not be a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. Therefore, an environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required, and the Department is issuing this finding of no significant impact (FONSI).

This notice announces receipt of and publishes a Petition for Waiver from Daikin AC (Americas), Inc. (Daikin). The Petition for Waiver (hereafter ``Daikin Petition'') requests a waiver of the Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure applicable to commercial package water-source air conditioners and heat pumps. The waiver request is specific to the Daikin Variable Speed and Variable Refrigerant Volume VRV-WII (commercial) multi-split water-source heat pumps and heat recovery systems. Through this document, DOE is: (1) Soliciting comments, data, and information with respect to the Daikin Petition; and (2) announcing our determination granting an Interim Waiver to Daikin from the applicable DOE test procedure for commercial water-source air conditioners and heat pumps.

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.