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

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 air-cooled central air conditioners and heat pumps. The waiver request is specific to the Daikin variable speed and variable refrigerant volume (VRV-III) (commercial) multi-split 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 to grant an Interim Waiver to Daikin from the applicable DOE test procedure for the subject commercial air-cooled, multi-split air conditioners and heat pumps.

This notice announces receipt of and publishes a Petition for Waiver from Sanyo Fisher Company, (Sanyo). The Petition for Waiver (hereafter ``Sanyo Petition'') requests a waiver of the Department of Energy (DOE) test procedures applicable to residential and commercial central air conditioners and heat pumps. The waiver request is specific to the Sanyo Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) ECO-i multi-split heat pumps and heat recovery systems. Through this document, DOE is: (1) Soliciting comments, data, and information with respect to the Sanyo Petition; and (2) granting an Interim Waiver to Sanyo from the DOE test procedures for residential and commercial central air conditioners and heat pumps.

This notice publishes the Department of Energy's Decision and Order in Case No. CAC-009, which grants a waiver to Samsung Air Conditioning (Samsung) from the existing Department of Energy (DOE) residential and commercial package air conditioner and heat pump test procedures for specified Digital Variable Multi (DVM) variable refrigerant flow multi-split products. As a condition of this waiver, Samsung must test and rate its DVM multi-split products according to the alternate test procedure set forth in this notice.

The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee (HTAC) was established under section 807 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT), Pub. L. No. 109-58; 119 Stat. 849. The Federal Advisory Committee Act, Pub. L. No. 92-463, 86 Stat. 770, requires that agencies publish notice of an advisory committee meeting in the Federal Register. To attend the meeting and/or to make oral statements during the public comment period, please e-mail HTAC@nrel.gov at least 5 business days before the meeting. Please indicate if you will be attending the meeting both days or a particular day, if you want to make an oral statement, and what organization you represent (if appropriate).

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. Dates and Times: Tuesday, November 27, 2007, 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 28, 2007, 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

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.

The Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Infrastructure Technologies Program, under the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, is planning to solicit financial assistance applications for cost-shared financial assistance agreements with the DOE for research and development that will advance manufacturing technologies for hydrogen and fuel cell systems. This Pre-Announcement Meeting will allow sources outside of DOE to review and comment on the proposed topics and scope of the planned announcement.

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.