[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 51 (Friday, March 15, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16443-16445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06019]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 51 / Friday, March 15, 2013 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 16443]]
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Part 430
[Docket No. EERE-2012-BT-STD-0045]
RIN 1904-AC87
Energy Efficiency Program for Consumer Products: Energy
Conservation Standards for Ceiling Fans and Ceiling Fan Light Kits
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting and availability of the Framework
Document.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating the
rulemaking and data collection process to consider amending the energy
conservation standards for ceiling fans and ceiling fan light kits. DOE
also plans to conduct a test procedure rulemaking for these products.
To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has
prepared a Framework Document that details the analytical approach and
scope of coverage for the rulemaking, and identifies several issues on
which DOE is particularly interested in receiving comment. DOE will
hold an informal public meeting to discuss and receive comments on its
analytical approach and issues it will address in this rulemaking
proceeding. DOE welcomes written comments and relevant data from the
public on any subject within the scope of this rulemaking.
DATES: Meeting: DOE will hold a public meeting on Friday, March 22,
2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Washington, DC. Additionally, DOE
plans to conduct the public meeting via webinar. You may attend the
public meeting via webinar, and registration information, participant
instructions, and information about the capabilities available to
webinar participants will be published on DOE's Web site at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/65 and http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/66. Participants are responsible for
ensuring that their systems are compatible with the webinar software.
DOE must receive requests to speak at the public meeting before
4:00 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2013. DOE must receive an electronic copy
of the statement with the name and, if appropriate, the organization of
the presenter to be given at the public meeting before 4:00 p.m.,
Friday, March 15, 2013.
Comments: DOE will accept written comments, data, and information
regarding the Framework Document before and after the public meeting,
but no later than April 29, 2013.
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. See, Public Participation in SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION for meeting details.
Interested parties are encouraged to submit comments
electronically. However, commenters may be submitted by any of the
following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Email: [email protected]. Include
docket number EERE-2011-BT-STD-0045 and/or regulatory identification
number (RIN) 1904-AC87 in the subject line of the message. All comments
should clearly identify the name, address, and, if appropriate,
organization of the commenter. Submit electronic comments in Word
Perfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or ASCII file format, and avoid the use
of special characters or any form of encryption.
Postal Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of
Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, Framework
Document for Ceiling Fans and Ceiling Fan Light Kits, Docket No. EERE-
2010-BT-STD-0045 and/or RIN 1904-AC87, 1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585-0121. 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, Sixth Floor, 950 L'Enfant
Plaza, SW., Washington, DC 20024. If possible, please submit all items
on a CD, in which case it is not necessary to include printed copies.
Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name
and docket number and/or RIN for this rulemaking. No telefacsimilies
(faxes) will be accepted.
Docket: The docket is available for review at www.regulations.gov,
including Federal Register notices, public meeting attendee lists and
transcripts, comments, and other supporting document/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. A
link to the docket Web page can be found at: www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;dct=FR%252BPR%252BN%252BO%252BSR%252BPS;rpp=25;po=25;D=EE
RE-2012-BT-STD-0045. This Web page contains a link to the docket for
this notice on the www.regulations.gov Web site. The
www.regulations.gov Web page contains simple instructions on how to
access all documents, including public comments, in the docket.
For 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:
[email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Lucy deButts, 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) 287-1604. Email: [email protected].
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: [email protected].
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,
[[Page 16444]]
Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone (202) 586-2945. Email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title III, Part B \1\ of the Energy Policy
and Conservation Act of 1975 (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 (collectively referred
to as ``covered products'').\2\
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\1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code,
Part B was redesignated Part A.
\2\ All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute
as amended through the American Manufacturing Technical Corrections
Act (AEMTCA), Public Law 112-210 (Dec. 18, 2012).
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These include the types of ceiling fans and ceiling fan light kits
that are the subject of this rulemaking. (42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)) This
program authorizes DOE to establish technologically feasible,
economically justified energy efficiency regulations for certain
products and equipment that would be likely to result in substantial
national energy savings. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(I)-(VII))
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005), Public Law 109-58,
amended EPCA and established energy conservation standards for ceiling
fans and ceiling fan light kits, as well as requirements for
determining whether these standards should be amended. (42 U.S.C.
6295(ff)) Specifically, EPACT 2005 set design standards for ceiling
fans and provided that DOE may consider and issue energy efficiency or
energy use standards for electricity used by ceiling fans to circulate
air in a room. (42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)(1) and (6)) For ceiling fan light
kits, EPACT 2005 set energy conservation standards for ceiling fan
light kits with medium screw base sockets, as well as pin-based
sockets. (42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)(2)-(3)) The statute also directed DOE to
consider and issue requirements for other types of ceiling fan light
kits (including candelabra screw base sockets) by January 1, 2007, and
if DOE failed to issue such standards by the date specified, the
statute provided for an alternative set of requirements for ceiling fan
light kits manufactured after January 1, 2010. (42 U.S.C. 6295(ff))
After January 1, 2010, DOE may again consider amended energy efficiency
standards for ceiling fan light kits, standards that would apply to
products manufactured not earlier than two years after the date of
publication of the final rule. (42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)(5))
EPCA defines a ``ceiling fan'' as ``a nonportable device that is
suspended from a ceiling for circulating air via the rotation of fan
blades'' (42 U.S.C. 6291(49)), and it defines a ``ceiling fan light
kit'' as ``equipment designed to provide light from a ceiling fan that
can be--(A) integral, such that the equipment is attached to the
ceiling fan prior to the time of retail sale; or (B) attachable, such
that at the time of retail sale the equipment is not physically
attached to the ceiling fan, but may be included inside the ceiling fan
at the time of sale or sold separately for subsequent attachment to the
fan.'' (42 U.S.C. 6291(50))
Under this statutory structure, DOE promulgated design standards
for ceiling fans, performance standards for ceiling fan light kits and
test procedures for both ceiling fans and ceiling fan light kits. In a
final rule technical amendment published in the Federal Register on
October 18, 2005, DOE codified the statutory design standards for
ceiling fans and the performance standards for ceiling fan light kits
in the CFR at 10 CFR 430.32(s). 70 FR 60407, 60413. An additional final
rule technical amendment published in the Federal Register on January
11, 2007, codified standards for light kits with sockets other than
medium-screw base or pin-based fluorescent lamps in the CFR. 72 FR
1270. In a final rule published in the Federal Register on December 8,
2006, DOE adopted test procedures for ceiling fans and ceiling fan
light kits at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix U and appendix V,
respectively. 71 FR 71340, 71366-67.
DOE is initiating this rulemaking pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
6295(ff)(5)-(6), which allows DOE to consider establishing or amending
energy conservation standards for ceiling fans and ceiling fan light
kits, and 42 U.S.C. 6295(r), which requires DOE to prescribe test
procedures for new or amended energy conservation standards. In
addition to considering the energy consumption of these products in
active mode, 42 U.S.C. 6295(gg) requires DOE to consider the standby
mode and off mode energy consumption of ceiling fans and ceiling fan
light kits in amending both its test procedures and energy conservation
standards.
To initiate the ceiling fan and ceiling fan light kit energy
conservation standards rulemaking, DOE has prepared this Framework
Document to explain the relevant issues, analyses, and processes it
anticipates using in considering amended energy conservation standards
for these products.
This Framework Document also includes DOE's preliminary review of
relevant industry test procedures and testing methods used to
characterize the performance of ceiling fans and ceiling fan light kits
in all modes of operation. DOE has also included in this Framework
Document a detailed summary of key issues that DOE is considering in
developing its own test procedures and for use in developing energy
conservation standards for ceiling fans and ceiling fan light kits. In
addition, DOE has identified issues regarding the testing of ceiling
fans and ceiling fan light kits on which it is seeking comment. DOE
will consider the feedback received in response to this Framework
Document in developing proposed test procedures for ceiling fans and
ceiling fan light kits. DOE intends to issue a separate notice of
proposed rulemaking (NOPR) addressing the test procedures for ceiling
fans and ceiling fan light kits. When the test procedure final rule is
published, DOE will have complied with the statutory requirements to
review ceiling fan and ceiling fan light kit test procedures at least
once every 7 years (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A)) and to include where
applicable, test procedures with new or amended energy conservation
standards (42 U.S.C. 6295(r)).
The primary focus of the public meeting noted above will be to
discuss the analyses presented and issues identified in the Framework
Document. At the public meeting, DOE will make presentations and invite
discussion on the rulemaking process as it applies to certain ceiling
fans and ceiling fan light kits. DOE will also solicit comments, data,
and information from participants and other interested parties. In
addition, DOE will invite comment on its preliminary determination of
the scope of coverage for the ceiling fan energy conservation standards
and its preliminary analysis regarding the development of test
procedures for ceiling fans and ceiling fan light kits.
DOE is planning to conduct in-depth technical analyses in the
following areas: (1) Engineering; (2) energy-use characterization; (3)
product price; (4) life-cycle cost and payback period; (5) national
impacts; (6) manufacturer impacts; (7) utility impacts; (8) employment
impacts; (9) emission impacts; and (10) regulatory impacts. DOE will
also conduct several other analyses that support those previously
listed, including the market and technology assessment, the screening
analysis (which contributes to the engineering analysis), and the
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shipments analysis (which contributes to the national impact analysis).
Public Participation: DOE encourages those who wish to participate
in the public meeting to obtain the Framework Document and be prepared
to discuss its contents. A copy of the Framework Document is available
at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/65 and http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/66.
Please note that foreign nationals planning to participate in the
public meeting are subject to advance security screening procedures. 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. Please note that any person wishing to bring a laptop
computer into the Forrestal Building will be required to obtain a
property pass. Visitors should avoid bringing laptops, or allow an
extra 45 minutes.
Public meeting participants need not limit their comments to the
issues identified in the Framework Document. DOE is also interested in
comments on other relevant issues that participants believe would
affect energy conservation standards or energy use standards for these
products, associated test procedures, or the preliminary determination
on the scope of coverage. DOE invites all interested parties, whether
or not they participate in the public meeting, to submit in writing by
April 29, 2013, comments and information on matters addressed in the
Framework Document and on other matters relevant to DOE's consideration
of amended energy conservation standards for ceiling fans and ceiling
fan light kits.
The public meeting will be conducted in an informal, facilitated,
conference style. There shall be no discussion of proprietary
information, costs or prices, market shares, or other commercial
matters regulated by U.S. antitrust laws. A court reporter will record
the proceedings of the public meeting, after which a transcript will be
available for purchase from the court reporter and will be placed on
the DOE Web site at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/65 and http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/66.
After the public meeting and the close of the comment period on the
Framework Document, DOE will begin collecting data, conducting the
analyses described in the Framework Document and at the public meeting,
and reviewing the public comments. Those actions will assist in
developing an energy conservation standards NOPR and separate test
procedure NOPR for ceiling fans and ceiling fan light kits.
DOE considers public participation to be a vital part of the
process for considering amended energy conservation standards. DOE
actively encourages the participation and interaction of the public
during the comment period established for each stage of the rulemaking
process. Beginning with the Framework Document and during each
subsequent public meeting and comment period, interactions with and
among members of the public provide a balanced discussion of the issues
and assist DOE in the standards rulemaking process. Accordingly, anyone
who wishes to participate in the public meeting, receive meeting
materials, or be added to the DOE mailing list to receive future
notices and information about this rulemaking should contact Ms. Brenda
Edwards at (202) 586-2945, or via email at [email protected].
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 8, 2013.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2013-06019 Filed 3-14-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P