2020-12935. Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Room Air Conditioners  

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    AGENCY:

    Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy.

    ACTION:

    Notice of webinar and availability of preliminary technical support document.

    SUMMARY:

    The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will hold a webinar to discuss and receive comments on the preliminary analysis it has conducted for purposes of evaluating energy conservation standards for room air conditioners (ACs). The webinar will cover the analytical framework, models, and tools that DOE is using to evaluate potential standards for this product; the results of preliminary analyses performed by DOE for this product; the potential energy conservation standard levels derived from these analyses that DOE could consider for this product should it determine that proposed amendments are necessary; and any other issues relevant to the evaluation of energy conservation standards for room ACs. In addition, DOE encourages written comments on these subjects. To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has prepared an agenda, a preliminary technical support document (TSD), and briefing materials, which are available on the DOE website at: https://www.regulations.gov/​docket?​D=​EERE-2014-BT-STD-0059.

    DATES:

    Meeting: DOE will hold a webinar on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. See section IV, “Public Participation,” for webinar registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants. If no participants register for the webinar, then it will be cancelled.

    Comments: Written comments and information will be accepted on or before, August 17, 2020.

    ADDRESSES:

    Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Alternatively, interested persons may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE-2014-BT-STD-0059, by any of the following methods:

    1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

    2. Email: RoomAC2014STD0059@ee.doe.gov. Include the docket number EERE-2014-BT-STD-0059 in the subject line of the message.

    3. Postal Mail: Appliance and Equipment Standards Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 287-1445. If possible, please submit all items on a compact disc (CD), in which case it is not necessary to include printed copies.

    4. Hand Delivery/Courier: Appliance and Equipment Standards Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, 950 L'Enfant Plaza SW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 287-1445. If possible, please submit all items on a CD, in which case it is not necessary to include printed copies.

    No telefacsimilies (faxes) will be accepted. For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional information on this process, see section IV of this document.

    Docket: The docket for this activity, which includes Federal Register notices, comments, and other supporting documents/materials, is available for review at http://www.regulations.gov. All documents in the docket are listed in the http://www.regulations.gov index. However, some documents listed in the index, such as those containing information that is exempt from public disclosure, may not be publicly available.

    The docket web page can be found at https://www.regulations.gov/​docket?​D=​EERE-2014-BT-STD-0059. The docket web page contains instructions on how to access all documents, including public comments in the docket. See section IV for information on how to submit comments through http://www.regulations.gov.

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    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Mr. Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies, EE-5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-0371. Email: ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov.

    Ms. Sarah Butler, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-1777. Email: Sarah.Butler@hq.doe.gov.

    For further information on how to submit a comment, review other public comments and the docket, or participate in the webinar, contact the Appliance and Equipment Standards Program staff at (202) 287-1445 or by email: ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov.

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    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Table of Contents

    I. Authority

    II. History of Energy Conservation Standards Rulemaking for Room Air Conditioners

    A. Background

    B. Current Process

    III. Summary of the Analyses Performed by DOE

    A. Engineering Analysis

    B. Markups To Determine Prices

    C. Energy Use Analysis

    D. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analyses

    E. National Impact Analysis

    F. Other Energy Conservation Standard Topics

    1. Market Failures

    2. Emerging Smart Technology Market

    3. Other Issues

    IV. Public Participation

    A. Participation in the Webinar

    B. Submission of Comments

    V. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

    I. Authority

    The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as amended (EPCA),[1] among other things, authorizes DOE to regulate the energy efficiency of a Start Printed Page 36513number of consumer products and certain industrial equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6291-6317) Title III, Part B [2] of EPCA established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles. These products include room ACs, the subject of this document. (42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(2)) EPCA prescribed energy conservation standards for these products, and directed DOE to conduct two cycles of rulemakings to determine whether to amend these standards. (42 U.S.C. 6295(c)(1)-(2)) EPCA further provides that, not later than 6 years after the issuance of any final rule establishing or amending a standard, DOE must publish either a notice of determination that standards for the product do not need to be amended, or a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) including new proposed energy conservation standards (proceeding to a final rule, as appropriate). (42 U.S.C. 6295(m)(1))

    The energy conservation program under EPCA consists essentially of four parts: (1) Testing, (2) labeling, (3) Federal energy conservation standards, and (4) certification and enforcement procedures. Relevant provisions of EPCA specifically include definitions (42 U.S.C. 6291), test procedures (42 U.S.C. 6293), labeling provisions (42 U.S.C. 6294), energy conservation standards (42 U.S.C. 6295), and the authority to require information and reports from manufacturers (42 U.S.C. 6296).

    Federal energy efficiency requirements for covered products established under EPCA generally supersede State laws and regulations concerning energy conservation testing, labeling, and standards. (42 U.S.C. 6297(a)-(c)) DOE may, however, grant waivers of Federal preemption in limited instances for particular State laws or regulations, in accordance with the procedures and other provisions set forth under 42 U.S.C. 6297(d).

    Subject to certain criteria and conditions, DOE is required to develop test procedures to measure the energy efficiency, energy use, or estimated annual operating cost of each covered product. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)(A) and (r)) Manufacturers of covered products must use the prescribed DOE test procedure as the basis for certifying to DOE that their products comply with the applicable energy conservation standards adopted under EPCA and when making representations to the public regarding the energy use or efficiency of those products. (42 U.S.C. 6293(c) and 42 U.S.C. 6295(s)) Similarly, DOE must use these test procedures to determine whether the products comply with standards adopted pursuant to EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6295(s)) The DOE test procedures for room ACs appear at Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 430, subpart B, appendix F.

    DOE must follow specific statutory criteria for prescribing new or amended standards for covered products, including room ACs. EPCA requires that any new or amended energy conservation standard be designed to achieve the maximum improvement in energy or water efficiency that is technologically feasible and economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(A)) Furthermore, DOE may not adopt any standard that would not result in the significant conservation of energy. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)) Moreover, DOE may not prescribe a standard: (1) For certain products, including room ACs, if no test procedure has been established for the product, or (2) if DOE determines by rule that the standard is not technologically feasible or economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)(A)-(B)) In deciding whether a proposed standard is economically justified, DOE must determine whether the benefits of the standard exceed its burdens. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)) DOE must make this determination after receiving comments on the proposed standard, and by considering, to the greatest extent practicable, the following seven statutory factors:

    (1) The economic impact of the standard on the manufacturers and consumers of the products subject to the standard;

    (2) The savings in operating costs throughout the estimated average life of the covered products in the type (or class) compared to any increase in the price, initial charges, or maintenance expenses for the covered products that are likely to result from the standard;

    (3) The total projected amount of energy (or as applicable, water) savings likely to result directly from the standard;

    (4) Any lessening of the utility or the performance of the products likely to result from the standard;

    (5) The impact of any lessening of competition, as determined in writing by the Attorney General, that is likely to result from the standard;

    (6) The need for national energy and water conservation; and

    (7) Other factors the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) considers relevant. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(I)-(VII))

    DOE fulfills these and other applicable requirements by conducting a series of analyses throughout the rulemaking process. Table I.1 shows the individual analyses that are performed to satisfy each of the requirements within EPCA.

    Table I.1—EPCA Requirements and Corresponding DOE Analysis

    EPCA requirementCorresponding DOE analysis
    Significant Energy Savings• Shipments Analysis. • National Impact Analysis. • Energy Use Determination.
    Technological Feasibility• Market and Technology Assessment. • Screening Analysis. • Engineering Analysis.
    Economic Justification:
    1. Economic impact on manufacturers and consumers• Manufacturer Impact Analysis. • Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analysis. • Life-Cycle Cost Subgroup Analysis. • Shipments Analysis.
    2. Lifetime operating cost savings compared to increased cost for the product• Markups for Product Price Determination. • Energy Use Determination. • Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analysis.
    3. Total projected energy savings• Shipments Analysis. • National Impact Analysis.
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    4. Impact on utility or performance• Screening Analysis. • Engineering Analysis.
    5. Impact of any lessening of competition• Manufacturer Impact Analysis.
    6. Need for national energy and water conservation• Shipments Analysis. • National Impact Analysis.
    7. Other factors the Secretary considers relevant• Employment Impact Analysis. • Utility Impact Analysis. • Emissions Analysis. • Monetization of Emission Reductions Benefits. • Regulatory Impact Analysis.

    Further, EPCA establishes a rebuttable presumption that a standard is economically justified if the Secretary finds that the additional cost to the consumer of purchasing a product complying with an energy conservation standard level will be less than three times the value of the energy savings during the first year that the consumer will receive as a result of the standard, as calculated under the applicable test procedure. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(iii))

    EPCA also contains what is known as an “anti-backsliding” provision, which prevents the Secretary from prescribing any amended standard that either increases the maximum allowable energy use or decreases the minimum required energy efficiency of a covered product. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(1)) Also, the Secretary may not prescribe an amended or new standard if interested persons have established by a preponderance of the evidence that the standard is likely to result in the unavailability in the United States in any covered product type (or class) of performance characteristics (including reliability), features, sizes, capacities, and volumes that are substantially the same as those generally available in the United States. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(4))

    Additionally, EPCA specifies requirements when promulgating an energy conservation standard for a covered product that has two or more subcategories. DOE must specify a different standard level for a type or class of product that has the same function or intended use, if DOE determines that products within such group: (A) Consume a different kind of energy from that consumed by other covered products within such type (or class); or (B) have a capacity or other performance-related feature which other products within such type (or class) do not have and such feature justifies a higher or lower standard. (42 U.S.C. 6295(q)(1)) In determining whether a performance-related feature justifies a different standard for a group of products, DOE must consider such factors as the utility to the consumer of the feature and other factors DOE deems appropriate. Id. Any rule prescribing such a standard must include an explanation of the basis on which such higher or lower level was established. (42 U.S.C. 6295(q)(2))

    Finally, pursuant to the amendments contained in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007), Public Law 110-140, any final rule for new or amended energy conservation standards promulgated after July 1, 2010, is required to address standby mode and off mode energy use. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(3)) Specifically, when DOE adopts a standard for a covered product after that date, it must, if justified by the criteria for adoption of standards under EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)), incorporate standby mode and off mode energy use into a single standard, or, if that is not feasible, adopt a separate standard for such energy use for that product. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(3)(A)-(B)) DOE's current test procedures for room ACs address standby mode and off mode energy use. In this rulemaking, DOE intends to incorporate such energy use into any amended energy conservation standards it adopts in the final rule.

    Before proposing a standard, DOE typically seeks public input on the analytical framework, models, and tools that DOE intends to use to evaluate standards for the product at issue and the results of preliminary analyses DOE performed for the product.

    DOE is examining whether to amend the current standards pursuant to its obligations under EPCA. This notice announces the availability of the preliminary TSD, which details the preliminary analyses and summarizes the preliminary results of DOE's analyses. In addition, DOE is announcing a webinar to solicit feedback from interested parties on its analytical framework, models, and preliminary results.

    II. History of Energy Conservation Standards Rulemaking for Room Air Conditioners

    A. Background

    As described in section I of this notice, EPCA prescribed energy conservation standards for room air conditioners. (42 U.S.C. 6295(c)(1)-(2)) Further, EPCA directed DOE to conduct two cycles of rulemakings to determine whether to amend these standards. (42 U.S.C. 6295(c)(1)-(2)) DOE completed the first of these rulemaking cycles in September 24, 1997 (hereinafter the “September 1997 Final Rule”) by adopting amended performance standards for room ACs manufactured on or after October 1, 2000. 62 FR 50122. Additionally, DOE completed a second rulemaking cycle to amend the standards for room ACs by issuing a direct final rule published on April 21, 2011 (hereinafter the “April 2011 Direct Final Rule”), in which DOE prescribed the current energy conservation standards for room ACs manufactured on or after April 21, 2014. 76 FR 22454. DOE subsequently published a final rule amending the compliance date for current room AC standards to June 1, 2014. 76 FR 52852 (Aug. 24, 2011). In a separate notice, also published on August 24, 2011, DOE confirmed the adoption of these energy conservation standards in a notice of effective date and compliance dates for the April 2011 Direct Final Rule. 76 FR 52854. These standards, based on the combined energy efficiency ratio (CEER), expressed in British thermal units per watt-hour (Btu/Wh), are set forth in DOE's regulations at 10 CFR 430.32(b) and are repeated in Table II.1.Start Printed Page 36515

    Table II.1—Current Room Air Conditioner Energy Conservation Standards

    Room AC product classMinimum CEER (Btu/Wh)
    1. Without reverse cycle, with louvered sides, and less than 6,000 Btu/h11.0
    2. Without reverse cycle, with louvered sides and 6,000 to 7,999 Btu/h11.0
    3. Without reverse cycle, with louvered sides and 8,000 to 13,999 Btu/h10.9
    4. Without reverse cycle, with louvered sides and 14,000 to 19,999 Btu/h10.7
    5a. Without reverse cycle, with louvered sides and 20,000 Btu/h to 28,000 Btu/h9.4
    5b. Without reverse cycle, with louvered sides and 28,000 Btu/h or more9.0
    6. Without reverse cycle, without louvered sides, and less than 6,000 Btu/h10.0
    7. Without reverse cycle, without louvered sides and 6,000 to 7,999 Btu/h10.0
    8a. Without reverse cycle, without louvered sides and 8,000 to 10,999 Btu/h9.6
    8b. Without reverse cycle, without louvered sides and 11,000 to 13,999 Btu/h9.5
    9. Without reverse cycle, without louvered sides and 14,000 to 19,999 Btu/h9.3
    10. Without reverse cycle, without louvered sides and 20,000 Btu/h or more9.4
    11. With reverse cycle, with louvered sides, and less than 20,000 Btu/h9.8
    12. With reverse cycle, with louvered sides, and 20,000 Btu/h or more9.3
    13. With reverse cycle, without louvered sides, and less than 14,000 Btu/h9.3
    14. With reverse cycle, without louvered sides, and 14,000 Btu/h or more8.7
    15. Casement-Only9.5
    16. Casement-Slider10.4

    B. Current Process

    As part of the current analysis, on June 18, 2015, DOE prepared a Request for Information (hereinafter the “June 2015 RFI”), which solicited information from the public to help DOE determine whether amended standards for room ACs would result in a significant amount of additional energy savings and whether those standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified. DOE also identified a variety of questions to aid in the development of the technical and economic analyses regarding whether new standards for room ACs may be warranted. In addition, DOE welcomed comments on other issues relevant to the conduct of the rulemaking that may not have been specifically identified in the June 2015 RFI. 80 FR 34843. The June 2015 RFI is available at: https://www.regulations.gov/​docket?​D=​EERE-2014-BT-STD-0059.

    This preliminary analysis is part of the mandatory review process imposed by EPCA and further seeks input from the public to assist DOE with its determination on whether amended standards pertaining to room ACs are warranted.

    Comments received to date as part of the current process have helped DOE identify and resolve issues related to the preliminary analyses. Chapter 2 of the preliminary TSD summarizes and addresses the comments received.

    III. Summary of the Analyses Performed by DOE

    For the products covered in this preliminary analysis, DOE conducted in-depth technical analyses in the following areas: (1) Engineering; (2) markups to determine product price; (3) energy use; (4) life-cycle cost (LCC) and payback period (PBP); and (5) national impacts. The preliminary TSD that presents the methodology and results of each of these analyses is available at https://www.regulations.gov/​docket?​D=​EERE-2014-BT-STD-0059.

    DOE also conducted, and has included in the preliminary TSD, several other analyses that support the major analyses or are preliminary analyses that will be expanded if DOE determines that a NOPR is warranted to propose amended energy conservation standards. These analyses include: (1) The market and technology assessment; (2) the screening analysis, which contributes to the engineering analysis; and (3) the shipments analysis, which contributes to the LCC and PBP analysis and National Impact Analysis (NIA). In addition to these analyses, DOE has begun preliminary work on the manufacturer impact analysis (MIA) and has identified the methods to be used for the consumer subgroup analysis, the emissions analysis, the employment impact analysis, the regulatory impact analysis, and the utility impact analysis. DOE will expand on these analyses in the NOPR should one be issued.

    A. Engineering Analysis

    The engineering analysis establishes the relationship between the cost and efficiency levels of the product that DOE is evaluating as potential energy conservation standards. This relationship serves as the basis for cost-benefit calculations for individual consumers, manufacturers, and the Nation. The engineering analysis identifies representative baseline products for each product class, which is the starting point for analyzing technologies that provide energy efficiency improvements. “Baseline products” refers to a model or models having features and technologies typically found in minimally-efficient products currently available on the market and, for products already subject to energy conservation standards, a model that just meets the current standard. The engineering analysis also identifies higher efficiency levels above the baseline level, based on the range of products currently available on the market. After identifying the baseline and higher-efficiency levels, DOE estimates manufacturer selling prices by using a consistent methodology and pricing scheme that includes material costs and manufacturer markups. Chapter 5 of the preliminary TSD discusses the engineering analysis.

    B. Markups To Determine Prices

    DOE derives customer prices based on manufacturer markups, retailer markups, distributor markups, contractor markups (where appropriate), and sales taxes. In deriving these markups, DOE determines the major distribution channels for product sales, the markup associated with each party in each distribution channel, and the existence and magnitude of differences between markups for baseline products (baseline markups) and higher-efficiency products (incremental markups). DOE calculates both overall baseline and overall incremental markups based on the markups at each step in each distribution channel. Chapter 6 of the preliminary TSD addresses the markups analysis.Start Printed Page 36516

    C. Energy Use Analysis

    The energy use analysis provides estimates of the annual energy consumption of room ACs. The energy use analysis seeks to estimate the range of energy consumption of the products that meet each of the efficiency levels evaluated as they are used in the field. DOE uses these values in the LCC and PBP analyses and in the NIA. Chapter 7 of the preliminary TSD addresses the energy use analysis.

    D. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analyses

    The LCC and PBP analyses determine the economic impact of potential standards on individual consumers. The LCC is the total cost of purchasing, installing and operating a considered product over the course of its lifetime. The LCC analysis compares the LCCs of products designed to meet possible energy conservation standards with the LCC of the product likely to be installed in the absence of standards. DOE determines LCCs by considering: (1) Total installed cost to the purchaser (which consists of manufacturer selling price, distribution chain markups, sales taxes, and installation cost); (2) the operating cost of the product (energy cost, water and wastewater cost in some cases, and maintenance and repair cost); (3) product lifetime; and (4) a discount rate that reflects the real consumer cost of capital and puts the LCC in present-value terms. The PBP represents the number of years needed to recover the increase in purchase price (including installation cost) of higher-efficiency products through savings in the operating cost of the product. PBP is calculated by dividing the incremental increase in installed cost of the higher efficiency product, compared to the baseline product, by the annual savings in operating costs. Chapter 8 of the preliminary TSD addresses the LCC and PBP analyses.

    E. National Impact Analysis

    The NIA estimates the national energy savings (NES) and the net present value (NPV) of total consumer costs and savings expected to result from amended standards at specific efficiency levels (referred to as candidate standard levels). DOE calculated NES and NPV for each candidate standard level for room ACs as the difference between a base-case forecast (without amended standards) and the standards-case forecast (with standards). Cumulative energy savings are the sum of the annual NES determined for the lifetime of the products shipped from 2026 to 2055. The NPV is the sum over time of the discounted net savings each year, which consists of the difference between total operating cost savings and increases in total installed costs. Critical inputs to this analysis include shipments projections, estimated product lifetimes, product installed costs and operating costs, product annual energy consumption, the base case efficiency projection, and discount rates. Chapter 9 of the preliminary TSD addresses the Shipments Analysis and Chapter 10 of the preliminary TSD addresses the NIA.

    F. Other Energy Conservation Standard Topics

    1. Market Failures

    In the field of economics, a market failure is a situation in which the market outcome does not maximize societal welfare. Such an outcome would result in unrealized potential welfare. DOE welcomes comment on any aspect of market failures, especially those in the context of amended energy conservation standards for room ACs.

    2. Emerging Smart Technology Market

    DOE published an RFI on the emerging smart technology appliance and equipment market. 83 FR 46886 (Sept. 17, 2018). In that RFI, DOE sought information to better understand market trends and issues in the emerging market for appliances and commercial equipment that incorporate smart technology. DOE's intent in issuing the RFI was to ensure that DOE did not inadvertently impede such innovation in fulfilling its statutory obligations in setting efficiency standards for covered products and equipment. DOE seeks comments, data and information on the issues presented in the RFI as they may be applicable to room ACs.

    3. Other Issues

    In addition to the issues identified earlier in this document, DOE welcomes comment on any other aspect of energy conservation standards for room ACs not already addressed by the specific areas identified in this document. In particular, DOE notes that under Executive Order 13771, “Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs,” Executive Branch agencies such as DOE are directed to manage the costs associated with the imposition of expenditures required to comply with Federal regulations. See 82 FR 9339 (Feb. 3, 2017). Consistent with that Executive Order, DOE encourages the public to provide input on measures DOE could take to lower the cost of its energy conservation standards rulemakings, recordkeeping and reporting requirements, and compliance and certification requirements applicable to room ACs while remaining consistent with the requirements of EPCA.

    IV. Public Participation

    DOE invites public participation in this process through participation in the webinar and submission of written comments and information. After the webinar and the closing of the comment period, DOE will consider all timely-submitted comments and additional information obtained from interested parties, as well as information obtained through further analyses. Following such consideration, the Department will publish either a determination that the standards for room ACs need not be amended or a NOPR proposing to amend those standards. The NOPR, should one be issued, would include proposed energy conservation standards for the products covered by that rulemaking, and members of the public would be given an opportunity to submit written and oral comments on the proposed standards.

    A. Participation in the Webinar

    The time and date of the webinar are listed in the DATES section at the beginning of this document. If no participants register for the webinar, then it will be cancelled.

    Webinar registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants will be published on DOE's website: https://cms.doe.gov/​eere/​buildings/​public-meetings-and-comment-deadlines. Participants are responsible for ensuring their systems are compatible with the webinar software.

    DOE encourages those who wish to participate in the webinar to obtain the preliminary TSD from DOE's website and to be prepared to discuss its contents. Once again, a copy of the preliminary TSD is available at: https://www.regulations.gov/​docket?​D=​EERE-2014-BT-STD-0059. However, webinar participants need not limit their comments to the topics identified in the preliminary TSD; DOE is also interested in receiving views concerning other relevant issues that participants believe would affect energy conservation standards for this product or that DOE should address in a NOPR should one be issued.

    B. Submission of Comments

    DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this notice before or after the webinar, but no later than the date provided in the DATES section at the beginning of this notice. Start Printed Page 36517Interested parties may submit comments using any of the methods described in the ADDRESSES section at the beginning of this notice.

    Submitting comments via http://www.regulations.gov. The http://www.regulations.gov web page will require you to provide your name and contact information. Your contact information will be viewable to DOE Building Technologies staff only. Your contact information will not be publicly viewable except for your first and last names, organization name (if any), and submitter representative name (if any). If your comment is not processed properly because of technical difficulties, DOE will use this information to contact you. If DOE cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, DOE may not be able to consider your comment.

    However, your contact information will be publicly viewable if you include it in the comment itself or in any documents attached to your comment. Any information that you do not want to be publicly viewable should not be included in your comment, nor in any document attached to your comment. Otherwise, persons viewing comments will see only first and last names, organization names, correspondence containing comments, and any documents submitted with the comments.

    Do not submit to http://www.regulations.gov information for which disclosure is restricted by statute, such as trade secrets and commercial or financial information (hereinafter referred to as Confidential Business Information (CBI)). Comments submitted through http://www.regulations.gov cannot be claimed as CBI. Comments received through the website will waive any CBI claims for the information submitted. For information on submitting CBI, see the Confidential Business Information section.

    DOE processes submissions made through http://www.regulations.gov before posting. Normally, comments will be posted within a few days of being submitted. However, if large volumes of comments are being processed simultaneously, your comment may not be viewable for up to several weeks. Please keep the comment tracking number that http://www.regulations.gov provides after you have successfully uploaded your comment.

    Submitting comments via email, hand delivery/courier, or postal mail. Comments and documents submitted via email, hand delivery/courier, or postal mail also will be posted to http://www.regulations.gov. If you do not want your personal contact information to be publicly viewable, do not include it in your comment or any accompanying documents. Instead, provide your contact information in a cover letter. Include your first and last names, email address, telephone number, and optional mailing address. The cover letter will not be publicly viewable as long as it does not include any comments.

    Include contact information each time you submit comments, data, documents, and other information to DOE. If you submit via postal mail or hand delivery/courier, please provide all items on a CD, if feasible, in which case it is not necessary to submit printed copies. No telefacsimiles (faxes) will be accepted.

    Comments, data, and other information submitted to DOE electronically should be provided in PDF (preferred), Microsoft Word or Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file format. Provide documents that are not secured, that are written in English, and that are free of any defects or viruses. Documents should not contain special characters or any form of encryption and, if possible, they should carry the electronic signature of the author.

    Campaign form letters. Please submit campaign form letters by the originating organization in batches of between 50 to 500 form letters per PDF or as one form letter with a list of supporters' names compiled into one or more PDFs. This reduces comment processing and posting time.

    Confidential Business Information. Pursuant to 10 CFR 1004.11, any person submitting information that he or she believes to be confidential and exempt by law from public disclosure should submit via email, postal mail, or hand delivery/courier two well-marked copies: One copy of the document marked “confidential” including all the information believed to be confidential, and one copy of the document marked “non-confidential” with the information believed to be confidential deleted. Submit these documents via email to RoomAC2014STD0059@ee.doe.gov or on a CD, if feasible. DOE will make its own determination about the confidential status of the information and treat it according to its determination.

    It is DOE's policy that all comments may be included in the public docket, without change and as received, including any personal information provided in the comments (except information deemed to be exempt from public disclosure).

    V. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

    The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this notice of availability.

    Signing Authority

    This document of the Department of Energy was signed on June 5, 2020, by Alexander N. Fitzsimmons, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document with the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the document in electronic format for publication, as an official document of the Department of Energy.

    This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the Federal Register.

    Start Signature

    Signed in Washington, DC, on June 11, 2020.

    Treena V. Garrett,

    Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.

    End Signature End Supplemental Information

    Footnotes

    1.  All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute as amended through America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, Public Law 115-270 (October 23, 2018).

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    2.  For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, Part B was redesignated Part A.

    Back to Citation

    [FR Doc. 2020-12935 Filed 6-16-20; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

Document Information

Published:
06/17/2020
Department:
Energy Department
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of webinar and availability of preliminary technical support document.
Document Number:
2020-12935
Dates:
Meeting: DOE will hold a webinar on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. See section IV, ``Public Participation,'' for webinar registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants. If no participants register for the webinar, then it will be cancelled.
Pages:
36512-36517 (6 pages)
Docket Numbers:
EERE-2014-BT-STD-0059
RINs:
1904-AD97: Energy Conservation Standards for Room Air Conditioners
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1904-AD97/energy-conservation-standards-for-room-air-conditioners
PDF File:
2020-12935.Pdf
Supporting Documents:
» 2022-07-27 Memorandum of Ex Parte Communication during meeting on July 20, 2022, between representatives of Friedrich Air Conditioning Co. and DOE
» 2022-05-03 Transcript Of Proceedings In The Matter Of: Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking For Room Air Conditioners
» Meeting Attendee List (registration-20220504142709)
» 2022-05-03 Meeting Presentation: Energy Conservation Standards: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Room Air Conditioners, Public Meeting May 3, 2022
» 2022-04-07 Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Room Air Conditioners; Notice of proposed rulemaking and announcement of a webinar
» 2022-03 Technical Support Document: Energy Efficiency Program For Consumer Products And Commercial And Industrial Equipment: Room Air Conditioners, March 2022
» 2022 Government Regulatory Impact Model (GRIM) Spreadsheet - Room Air Conditioner Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR)
» Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) Analysis Spreadsheet - Room Air Conditioner Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR)
» National Impact Analysis (NIA) Spreadsheet - Room Air Conditioner Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR)
» 2020-08-05 Transcript: Room Air Conditioners Online Webinar
CFR: (1)
10 CFR 430