[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 64 (Monday, April 4, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7870]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: April 4, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Appliance and Equipment Energy Efficiency Standards: Public
Meetings To Discuss Evaluation Criteria for the Voluntary Programs to
Provide Energy Efficiency Information for Luminaires and Commercial
Office Equipment
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of public meetings.
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SUMMARY: The Energy Policy Act of 1992 requires the Department of
Energy (DOE or Department) to support voluntary national testing and
information programs for those types of luminaires and commercial
office equipment that are widely used, and show potential for
significant energy savings. Not later than October 24, 1995, DOE must
determine whether the voluntary programs thus created by members of
those industries are consistent with the objectives set forth in the
legislation.
In order to determine what specific criteria will be used to
evaluate the effectiveness of the voluntary programs, the Department
will hold two public meetings and invite interested parties for each
program to offer suggestions concerning methods of evaluation. All
persons are hereby given notice of the opportunity to submit written
comments and to attend the public meetings.
DATES: Written comments in quadruplicate must be received by May 12,
1994. Requests to speak should also be submitted in advance before May
12, 1994, or if time permits, upon registration the day of the meeting.
The public meeting for the luminaire program will be held on Tuesday,
May 24, 1994. The public meeting for commercial office equipment will
be held on Thursday, May 26, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and requests to speak should be labeled
``Voluntary Program to Promote Energy Efficiency in Luminaires'' or
``Voluntary Program to Promote Energy Efficiency in Commercial Office
Equipment,'' and submitted to Ms. Barbara Twigg, Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Mail Station EE-431, U.S. Department
of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585.
Telephone: (202) 586-9127; FAX: (202) 586-4617.
The meetings will begin at 9:30 a.m., and will be held at the U.S.
Department of Energy, Forrestal Building, room 1E-245, 1000
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC.
Copies of the transcripts of the public meetings and public
comments received may be read at the DOE Freedom of Information Reading
Room, U.S. Department of Energy, Forrestal Building, room 1E-190, 1000
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, (202) 586-6020 between the
hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Barbara Twigg, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy, Forrestal Building, Mail Station EE-431, 1000
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-9127.
Eugene Margolis, Esq., U.S. Department of Energy, Office of General
Counsel, Forrestal Building, Mail Station GC-72, 1000 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-9507.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Authority
The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT; Pub. L. 102-486) identified
several new categories of products and equipment for inclusion in a
range of required and voluntary testing and information programs to
promote energy efficiency. Under sections 125 and 126 of EPACT, the
Secretary of Energy, after consulting with industry associations and
other interested organizations, is to provide technical and financial
assistance to support voluntary national testing and information
programs for those types of commercial office equipment and luminaires
that are widely used, and for which there is a potential for
significant energy savings as a result of such programs. These test
procedures will provide information that when conveyed to consumers,
will enable purchasers of such equipment to assess the energy
consumption and potential cost savings of alternative products.
2. Background
The voluntary programs for commercial office equipment and
luminaires will be developed by separate organizations composed of
interested parties associated with each industry, and the efforts to
develop these programs will be monitored and evaluated by the Secretary
of Energy. Not later than three years after the date of enactment of
EPACT (October 24, 1995), the Secretary shall make a determination as
to whether the voluntary programs are positioned to achieve the
objectives established for the sale and purchase of commercial office
equipment and luminaires. If the Secretary determines that either of
the voluntary programs is not consistent with the objectives of the
legislation, the Secretary shall, after consultation with the National
Institute of Standards and Technology, develop test procedures for that
set of products. One year later, the Federal Trade Commission will
prescribe labeling rules.
The Department recognizes that the clarification of evaluation
criteria is an important guiding element as the testing and information
programs take shape. As part of the monitoring and evaluation process,
DOE would like to solicit comments on how the evaluation criteria
should be determined within the context of the emerging programs. After
oral and written comments have been submitted, DOE will analyze the
suggestions, determine the specific evaluation criteria, and publish
its findings in the Federal Register.
3. Discussion
The purpose of the public meeting is twofold: (1) To provide an
opportunity to inform DOE on the progress of the voluntary programs;
and (2) to request suggestions from all interested parties on the best
means of evaluating the potential effectiveness of the programs.
Some specific areas for comment are identified below; however,
these areas are not intended to limit the content of submissions.
The type, use, and standardization of test procedures.
The extent of market penetration represented by the
products selected as ``widely used'' and the extent of participation
across the respective industries.
The dissemination of information to potential consumers.
The amount of energy saved.
Provisions to update the program in future years and
incorporate new products.
Provisions for DOE to monitor the progress of the program.
4. Public Meeting Procedure
DOE will make a presentation at the outset of each meeting to
provide background and explain the goals for the meeting. DOE will then
accept oral comments limited to a time which will be set in light of
the number of persons who request to speak. The official conducting the
meeting will accept comments and questions from those attending to
afford the DOE staff and interested parties an opportunity to discuss
and explore issues surrounding the proposed evaluation criteria.
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 25, 1994.
Frank M. Stewart, Jr.,
Acting Chief of Staff, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 94-7870 Filed 4-1-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P