[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 132 (Tuesday, July 10, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40530-40534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-16816]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Part 430
[Docket No. EERE-2010-BT-STD-0011]
RIN 1904-AC22
Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Furnace Fans:
Public Meeting and Availability of the Preliminary Technical Support
Document
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting and availability of preliminary
technical support document.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will hold a public meeting
to discuss and receive comments on the product classes that DOE plans
to analyze for purposes of establishing energy conservation standards
for residential furnace fans; the analytical framework, models, and
tools that DOE is using to evaluate potential standards for these
products; the results of preliminary analyses performed by DOE for
these products; the potential energy conservation standard levels
derived from these analyses that DOE could consider for these products;
and any other issues relevant to the development of energy conservation
standards for residential furnace fans. 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
[[Page 40531]]
(preliminary TSD), and briefing materials, which are available on the
DOE Web site.
DATES: DOE will hold a public meeting on July 27, 2012, from 9 a.m. to
4 p.m. in Washington, DC. Additionally, DOE plans to allow for
participation in the public meeting via webinar. DOE will accept
comments, data, and other information regarding this rulemaking before
or after the public meeting, but no later than September 10, 2012. See
section IV, ``Public Participation,'' of this notice of public meeting
(NOPM) for details.
ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of
Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 8E-089, 1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585-0121. Please note that foreign nationals
participating in the public meeting are subject to advance security
screening procedures which require advance notice prior to attendance
at the public meeting. If a foreign national wishes to participate in
the public meeting, please inform DOE of this fact as soon as possible
by contacting Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945 so that the
necessary procedures can be completed. DOE requires visitors to have
laptops and other devices, such as tablets, checked upon entry into the
building. Please report to the visitor's desk to have devices checked
before proceeding through security.
As noted above, DOE has prepared an agenda, a preliminary TSD, and
briefing materials, which are available at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/furnace_fans.html.
Interested persons may submit comments, identified by docket number
EERE-2010-BT-STD-0011 and/or Regulation Identification Number (RIN)
1904-AC22, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
Email: FurnFans-2010-STD-0011@ee.doe.gov. Include the
docket number EERE-2010-BT-STD-0011 and/or RIN 1904-AC22 in the subject
line of the message.
Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy,
Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, Public Meeting for
Residential Furnace Fans, EERE-2010-BT-STD-0011, 1000 Independence
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone (202) 586-2945. If
possible, please submit all items on a compact disc (CD), in which case
it is not necessary to include printed copies.
Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 950 L'Enfant Plaza SW., 6th
Floor, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone (202) 586-2945. If possible,
please submit all items on CD, in which case it is not necessary to
include printed copies.
Docket: The docket is available for review at www.regulations.gov,
including Federal Register notices, Framework Documents, public meeting
attendee lists and transcripts, comments, and other supporting
documents/materials. All documents in the docket are listed in the
www.regulations.gov index. However, not all documents listed in the
index may be publicly available, such as information that is exempt
from public disclosure. The www.regulations.gov Web page contains
instructions on how to access all documents in the docket, including
public comments.
The rulemaking Web page can be found at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/furnace_fans.html. This Web page contains a link to the docket for
this notice at www.regulations.gov.
For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional
information on the rulemaking process, see section IV, ``Public
Participation,'' of this document. For further information on how to
submit a comment, review other public comments and the docket, or
participate in the public meeting, contact Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202)
586-2945 or by email: Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Mohammed Khan, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies, EE-2J, 1000
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202)
586-2192. Email: Mohammed.Khan@ee.doe.gov.
Mr. Eric Stas, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General
Counsel, GC-71, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-
0121. Telephone: (202) 586-9507. Email: Eric.Stas@hq.doe.gov.
For information on how to submit or review public comments and on
how to participate in the public meeting, contact Ms. Brenda Edwards,
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy, Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-2945. Email:
Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Authority
II. History of Energy Conservation Standards Rulemaking for
Residential Furnace Fans
A. Background
B. Current Rulemaking Process
III. Summary of the Analyses Performed by DOE
A. Engineering Analysis
B. Markups To Determine Installed Price
C. Energy Use Analysis
D. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analyses
E. National Impact Analysis
IV. Public Participation
A. Attendance at Public Meeting
B. Procedure for Submitting Requests to Speak
C. Conduct of Public Meeting
D. Submission of Comments
V. Approval of the Office of the Secretary
I. Authority
Title III, Part B \1\ of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of
1975, as amended, (EPCA or the Act), Public Law 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6291-
6309, as codified) sets forth a variety of provisions designed to
improve energy efficiency and established the Energy Conservation
Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles, a program
covering most major household appliances.\2\ These include products
that use electricity for the purposes of circulating air through duct
work, hereinafter referred to as ``residential furnace fans'' or simply
``furnace fans,'' the subject of today's notice. (42 U.S.C.
6295(f)(4)(D))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code,
Part B was redesignated Part A.
\2\ All references to EPCA in this rulemaking refer to the
statute as amended through the Energy Independence and Security Act
of 2007, Public Law 110-140.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pursuant to EPCA, DOE's energy conservation program for covered
products consists essentially of four parts: (1) Testing; (2) labeling;
(3) establishment of Federal energy conservation standards; and (4)
certification and enforcement procedures. Subject to certain criteria
and conditions, DOE has authority to establish mandatory energy
conservation standards for residential furnace fans. EPCA requires DOE
to consider and establish energy conservation standards for residential
furnace fans by December 31, 2013. (42 U.S.C. 6295(f)(4)(D))
EPCA provides criteria for prescribing new energy conservation
standards for residential furnace fans. More specifically, DOE is
required to consider standards for these products that: (1) Achieve the
maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is technologically
feasible and economically justified; and
[[Page 40532]]
(2) result in significant conservation of energy. (42 U.S.C.
6295(o)(2)(A) and (o)(3)(B)) To determine whether a candidate standard
is economically justified, DOE will, after receiving comments on the
candidate standard, determine whether the benefits of the standard
exceed its burdens to the greatest extent practicable, using the
following seven factors:
1. The economic impact of the standard on manufacturers and
consumers of 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 which are likely to result from
the standard;
3. The total projected amount of energy savings likely to result
directly from the standard;
4. Any lessening of the utility or the performance of the
covered 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 conservation; and
7. Other factors the Secretary of Energy considers relevant.
(42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i))
EPCA also directs that DOE may not prescribe an amended or new
standard if 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 at the time that the standard is
prescribed. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(4))
Before proposing a standard, DOE typically seeks public input on
the analytical framework, models, and tools that DOE will use to
evaluate standards for the product at issue and the results of
preliminary analyses DOE performed for the product. DOE is publishing
this document to announce the availability of the preliminary TSD,
which details the preliminary analyses, discusses the comments DOE
received from interested parties on the Framework Document, and
summarizes the preliminary results of DOE's analyses. In addition, DOE
is announcing a public meeting to solicit feedback from interested
parties on its analytical framework, models, and preliminary results.
II. History of Energy Conservation Standards Rulemaking for Residential
Furnace Fans
A. Background
There are no current energy conservation standards for residential
furnace fans. EPCA, as amended by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT
2005), provided DOE authority to consider and prescribe new energy
conservation standards for electricity used for purposes of circulating
air through duct work by December 31, 2013. (42 U.S.C. 6295(f)(4)(D))
DOE interprets this statutory language as allowing DOE to cover the
electricity used by any electrically-powered device used in residential
central heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems for
the purpose of circulating air through duct work.
B. Current Rulemaking Process
In initiating this rulemaking, DOE prepared a Framework Document,
``Rulemaking Framework for Furnace Fans,'' which describes the
procedural and analytical approaches DOE anticipates using to evaluate
energy conservation standards for residential furnace fans. DOE
published a notice that announced both the availability of the
Framework Document and a public meeting to discuss the proposed
analytical framework for the rulemaking. That notice also invited
written comments from the public. 75 FR 31323 (June 3, 2010). The
Framework Document is available at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/pdfs/furnace_fan_framework_only_06-4-10v3.pdf.
DOE held a public meeting on June 18, 2010, at which it presented
the various analyses DOE would conduct as part of the rulemaking, such
as the engineering analysis, the life-cycle cost (LCC) and payback
period (PBP) analyses, and the national impact analysis (NIA).
Manufacturers, trade associations, environmental and energy efficiency
advocates, and other interested parties attended the meeting. The
participants discussed the following major topics: (1) Issues
pertaining to the scope of coverage of the current rulemaking; (2)
product classes; (3) analytical approaches and methods used in the
rulemaking; (4) impacts of standards and burden on manufacturers; (5)
technology options; (6) distribution channels, shipments, and end
users; (7) impacts of outside regulations; and (8) environmental
issues.
Comments received since publication of the Framework Document have
helped DOE identify and resolve issues related to the preliminary
analyses. Chapter 2 of the preliminary TSD, available at the web
address given in section III below and in the ADDRESSES section of this
notice, summarizes and addresses the comments received in response to
the Framework Document.
III. Summary of the Analyses Performed by DOE
For the residential furnace fans covered in this rulemaking, DOE
conducted in-depth technical analyses in the following areas: (1)
Engineering; (2) markups to determine product price; (3) life-cycle
cost and payback period; and (4) national impacts. The preliminary TSD
that presents the methodology and results of each of these analyses is
available at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/furnace_fans.html.
DOE also conducted, and has included in the preliminary TSD,
several other analyses that support the major analyses. 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
NIA. In addition to these analyses, DOE has begun preliminary work on
the manufacturer impact analysis and has identified the methods to be
used for the LCC 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
notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR).
A. Engineering Analysis
The engineering analysis establishes the relationship between the
manufacturer selling price and product efficiency levels 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, which is the
starting point for analyzing technologies that provide energy
efficiency improvements. ``Baseline product'' refers to a model or
models having features and technologies typically found in minimally-
efficient products currently available on the market. After identifying
the baseline models, DOE estimated manufacturer selling prices by using
a consistent methodology and pricing scheme that includes material
costs and manufacturer markups. DOE
[[Page 40533]]
used these inputs to develop manufacturer selling prices for the
baseline and more-efficient designs. Later, in the markups analysis to
determine the installed price, DOE converts these manufacturer selling
prices into installed prices. In the preliminary TSD, section 2.5 of
chapter 2 and chapter 5 each provide details on the engineering
analysis and the derivation of the manufacturer selling prices.
B. Markups To Determine Installed Price
DOE derives the installed prices for products based on manufacturer
markups, distributor markups, contractor markups, and sales taxes. In
deriving these markups, DOE determined 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 product markups
at each step in each distribution channel. In the preliminary TSD,
section 2.6 of chapter 2 and chapter 6 provide detail on the estimation
of markups.
C. Energy Use Analysis
DOE carries out the energy use analysis to estimate the energy
consumption of the residential furnace fans installed in the field.
Details of the energy use analysis are provided in section 2.7 of
chapter 2 and chapter 7 of the TSD.
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 the
furnace fan to the customer over the life of the product. The LCC
analysis compares the LCCs of products designed to meet possible energy
conservation standards with the LCCs 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, sales taxes, distribution chain markups,
and installation cost); (2) the operating cost of the product (energy
cost, water and wastewater cost, 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 baseline product, by the
annual savings in operating costs. Section 2.8 of chapter 2 and chapter
8 of the preliminary TSD provide details on 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 new standards at specific efficiency levels (referred to as
candidate standard levels). DOE calculated NES and NPV for each
candidate standard level for residential furnace fans as the difference
between a base-case forecast (without new standards) and the standards-
case forecast (with standards). DOE determined national annual energy
consumption by multiplying the number of units in use (by vintage) by
the average unit energy consumption (also by vintage). Cumulative
energy savings are the sum of the annual NES determined from 2018-2047.
The analysis period is 30 years long, which is consistent with other
rulemakings and sufficiently long to cover the expected life of the
product. The analysis period begins in 2018, the expected year of
compliance with the new standard. The national 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, product retirement rates (based on estimated product
lifetimes), product installed costs and operating costs, product annual
energy consumption, and discount rates. Section 2.10 of chapter 2 and
chapter 10 of the preliminary TSD provide details on the NIA.
IV. Public Participation
DOE invites input from the public on all the topics described
above. The preliminary analytical results are subject to revision
following further review and input from the public. A complete and
revised TSD will be made available upon issuance of a NOPR. The final
rule establishing any new energy conservation standards will contain
the final analytical results and be accompanied by a final rule TSD.
DOE encourages those who wish to participate in the public meeting
to obtain the preliminary TSD from DOE's Web site and to be prepared to
discuss its contents. Once again, a copy of the preliminary TSD is
available at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/furnace_fans.html. However, public meeting
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 these products or that DOE should
address in the NOPR.
Furthermore, DOE welcomes all interested parties, regardless of
whether they participate in the public meeting, to submit in writing by
September 10, 2012 comments and information on matters addressed in the
preliminary TSD and on other matters relevant to consideration of
energy conservation standards for residential furnace fans.
The public meeting will be conducted in an informal, conference
style. A court reporter will be present to record the minutes of the
meeting. There shall be no discussion of proprietary information, costs
or prices, market shares, or other commercial matters regulated by
United States antitrust laws.
After the public meeting 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, and prepare a NOPR. The NOPR will include
proposed energy conservation standards for the products covered by the
rulemaking, and members of the public will be given an opportunity to
submit written and oral comments on the proposed standards.
A. Attendance at Public Meeting
The time and date of the public meeting are listed in the DATES and
ADDRESSES sections at the beginning of this NOPM. The public meeting
will be held at the U.S. Department of Energy, Forrestal Building, Room
8E-089, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. To
attend the public meeting, please notify Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202)
586-2945. Any foreign national wishing to participate in the meeting
should advise DOE of this fact as soon as possible by contacting Ms.
Brenda Edwards to initiate the necessary procedures.
You can attend the public meeting via webinar, and registration
information, participant instructions, and information about the
capabilities available to webinar participants will be published on the
following Web site: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/
[[Page 40534]]
914344761. Participants are responsible for ensuring their computer
systems are compatible with the webinar software.
The purpose of the meeting is to receive comments and to help DOE
understand potential issues associated with this rulemaking. DOE must
receive requests to speak at the meeting before 4 p.m., July 23, 2012.
DOE must receive a signed original and an electronic copy of statements
to be given at the public meeting before 4 p.m., July 23, 2012.
B. Procedure for Submitting Requests to Speak
Any person who has an interest in today's notice or who is a
representative of a group or class of persons that has an interest in
these issues may request an opportunity to make an oral presentation.
Such persons may hand-deliver requests to speak, along with a computer
diskette or CD in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or text (ASCII)
file format to Ms. Brenda Edwards at the address shown in the ADDRESSES
section at the beginning of this NOPM between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. Requests may also be sent by
mail to the address shown in the ADDRESSES section or email to
Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.
Persons requesting to speak should briefly describe the nature of
their interest in this rulemaking and provide a telephone number for
contact. DOE requests persons selected to be heard to submit an advance
copy of their statements at least two weeks before the public meeting.
At its discretion, DOE may permit any person who cannot supply an
advance copy of their statement to participate, if that person has made
advance alternative arrangements with the Building Technologies
Program. The request to give an oral presentation should ask for such
alternative arrangements.
C. Conduct of Public Meeting
DOE will designate a DOE official to preside at the public meeting
and may also employ a professional facilitator to aid discussion. The
meeting will not be a judicial or evidentiary-type public hearing, but
DOE will conduct it in accordance with section 336 of EPCA. (42 U.S.C.
6306) A court reporter will record the proceedings and prepare a
transcript. DOE reserves the right to schedule the order of
presentations and to establish the procedures governing the conduct of
the public meeting. After the public meeting, interested parties may
submit further comments on the proceedings as well as on any aspect of
the rulemaking until the end of the comment period.
The public meeting will be conducted in an informal conference
style. DOE will present summaries of comments received before the
public meeting, allow time for presentations by participants, and
encourage all interested parties to share their views on issues
affecting this rulemaking. Each participant will be allowed to make a
prepared general statement (within DOE-determined time limits) prior to
the discussion of specific topics. DOE will permit other participants
to comment briefly on any general statements.
At the end of all prepared statements on a topic, DOE will permit
participants to clarify their statements briefly and comment on
statements made by others. Participants should be prepared to answer
questions from DOE and other participants concerning these issues. DOE
representatives may also ask questions of participants concerning other
matters relevant to this rulemaking. The official conducting the public
meeting will accept additional comments or questions from those
attending, as time permits. The presiding official will announce any
further procedural rules or modification of the above procedures that
may be needed for the proper conduct of the public meeting.
A transcript of the public meeting will be posted on the DOE Web
site and will also be included in the docket, which can be viewed as
described in the Docket section at the beginning of this notice. In
addition, any person may buy a copy of the transcript from the
transcribing reporter.
D. Submission of Comments
DOE will accept comments, data, and other information regarding
this rulemaking before or after the public meeting, but no later than
the date provided at the beginning of this NOPM. Please submit
comments, data, and other information as provided in the ADDRESSES
section. Submit electronic comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word,
PDF, or text (ASCII) file format and avoid the use of special
characters or any form of encryption. Comments in electronic format
should be identified by the Docket Number EERE-2010-BT-STD-0011 and/or
RIN 1904-AC22 and, wherever possible, carry the electronic signature of
the author. No telefacsimiles (faxes) will be accepted.
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 two copies: One copy of the document including
all the information believed to be confidential and one copy of the
document with the information believed to be confidential deleted. DOE
will make its own determination as to the confidential status of the
information and treat it according to its determination.
Factors of interest to DOE when evaluating requests to treat
submitted information as confidential include: (1) A description of the
items; (2) whether and why such items are customarily treated as
confidential within the industry; (3) whether the information is
generally known by or available from other sources; (4) whether the
information has previously been made available to others without
obligation concerning its confidentiality; (5) an explanation of the
competitive injury to the submitting person which would result from
public disclosure; (6) a date upon which such information might lose
its confidential nature due to the passage of time; and (7) why
disclosure of the information would be contrary to the public interest.
V. Approval of the Office of the Secretary
The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this NOPM.
Issued in Washington, DC, on June 28, 2012.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2012-16816 Filed 7-9-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P