[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 103 (Friday, May 29, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29357-29358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14258]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
10 CFR Part 430
[Docket No. EE-RM/STD-98-440]
RIN 1904-AA77
Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Notice of
Public Workshop on Central Air Conditioner Energy Efficiency Standards
Rulemaking
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of Public Workshop.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (the Department or DOE) today gives
notice that it will convene a public workshop to discuss the proposed
analytical framework and tools for evaluating possible revisions to the
central air conditioner and heat pump energy efficiency standards.
DATES: The public workshop will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 1998, from
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The workshop will be held at the U.S. Department of Energy,
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, EE-43, Room 1E-245,
1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121.
Written comments are welcome, especially following the workshop.
Please submit 10 copies (no faxes) and a computer diskette (WordPerfect
6.1) to: Ms. Brenda Edwards-Jones, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Energy Conservation Program for
Consumer Products: Notice of Public Workshop on Central Air Conditioner
Energy Efficiency Standards Rulemaking, Docket No. EE-RM/STD-98-440,
EE-43, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121.
Telephone: (202) 586-2945.
[[Page 29358]]
Copies of the transcript of the public workshop, public comments
received, and this notice may be read at the DOE Freedom of Information
Reading Room, U.S. DOE, Forrestal Building, Room 1E-190, 1000
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-3142, between
the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward Pollock , U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Forrestal
Building, Mail Station EE-43, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington,
DC 20585-0121, (202) 586-5778.
Ms. Brenda Edwards-Jones, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, Mail
Station EE-43, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121,
(202) 586-2945.
Eugene Margolis, Esq., U.S. Department of Energy, Office of General
Counsel, Mail Station GC-72, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585-0103, (202) 586-9526.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In continuing the work on possible revisions
to energy efficiency standards on central air conditioners, the
Department is convening a workshop to present and receive public
comments on the proposed analytical approach for evaluating the central
air conditioner standards. At this workshop the following will be
discussed:
Review of the Rulemaking Framework: The Department will seek
comment on the draft analytical framework for the central air
conditioner rulemaking. Copies of the draft framework document will be
available beginning the week of May 25, 1998, on the Office of Codes
and Standards web site. The web site address is as follows: http://
www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/codes__ standards/index.htm.
Identification of Analytical Methods and Tools: The Department
seeks input into the selection of engineering and economic analytical
tools to be used during the rulemaking:
Engineering Analysis/Data Collection: The Department plans to
collect data for the engineering analysis using one or more of the
following methods: the energy efficiency approach to derive a cost
efficiency curve within a range, the design option approach, and the
market price (or reverse engineering) approach. The Department will
review the key issues surrounding: (1) The pros and cons of each
approach, and (2) data collection and the reporting of costs for
incorporation into the engineering analysis.
Price of Air Conditioners: The Department will lead a discussion on
possible approaches to generating retail prices to be used in the
consumer life-cycle-cost analysis.
Life-Cycle-Cost: The Department plans to demonstrate a new life-
cycle-cost spreadsheet model which can account for variability of key
criteria, such as utility rates and climate.
Electricity Price: The Department will lead a discussion on
possible approaches for accounting for variations in electricity price,
and the effects of these variations on different consumers.
Refrigerant: The refrigerant used in air conditioners will be
banned by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2010. The Department
will lead a discussion on the effects of this ban on the timing of the
revision to central air conditioner standards.
Energy Savings Forecasts: The Department will present an example of
energy savings forecasting results using a simple spreadsheet to show
how the growth in efficiency can be accounted for over time.
Background on the approach to be followed in evaluating central air
conditioner standards is found in Section 325 of the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act, as amended, and appendix A of subpart C of 10 CFR
part 430, 61 FR 36974 (July 15, 1996). Appendix A outlines the planning
and prioritization process, data collection and analysis, and decision
making criteria. Previously published information pertaining to this
rulemaking includes the following: An Advance Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking Regarding Energy Conservation Standards for Three Types of
Consumer Products, published on September 8, 1993 (58 FR 47326), and
comments thereon. Copies may be read at the DOE Freedom of Information
Reading Room.
Please notify Brenda Edwards-Jones or Edward Pollock at the above
listed address if you intend to attend the workshop, if you wish to
receive material prepared for the workshop (including the draft
analytical framework), or if you wish to be added to the DOE mailing
list for receipt of future notices and information concerning central
air conditioner matters relating to energy efficiency.
Issued in Washington, DC, on May 22, 1998.
Dan W. Reicher,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 98-14258 Filed 5-28-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
