80 FR 19972 - DOE Participation in Development of the International Energy Conservation Code
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 71 (April 14, 2015)
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 71 (April 14, 2015)
| Page Range | 19972-19974 | |
| FR Document | 2015-08599 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 14, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 19972-19974] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-08599] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy [Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-BC-0002] DOE Participation in Development of the International Energy Conservation Code AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) participates in the public process administered by the International Code Council (ICC), which produces the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). DOE develops and publishes code change proposals for the IECC, prior to submitting them to the ICC, to allow interested parties an opportunity to suggest revisions, enhancements and comments. This notice outlines the process by which DOE produces its code change proposals for the IECC, and otherwise participates in the ICC code development process. This process will be used when DOE participates in the development of the 2018 IECC and other codes developed by the ICC. DATES: DOE is requesting written comments on the proposed process by which DOE will develop code change proposals for submission to the ICC by May 14, 2015. ADDRESSES: Any comments submitted must identify the Notice for DOE Participation in Development of the International Energy Conservation Code, and provide docket number EERE-2015-BT-BC-0002. Comments may be submitted by using either of the following methods: 1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2015-BT-BC-0002. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. [[Page 19973]] 2. Email: [email protected]. Include EERE-2015-BT-BC-0002 in the subject line of the message. Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name (U.S. DOE) and docket number. Additional information is included in the following sections. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeremiah Williams; U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Office, EE-5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585; Telephone: (202) 287-1941; Email: [email protected]. For legal issues: Kavita Vaidyanathan; U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, Forrestal Building, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585; Telephone: (202) 586-0669; Email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents I. Introduction A. Statutory Authority B. Background II. DOE Participation in the ICC Development Process A. Technical Analysis B. Proposal Development C. ICC Public Hearings III. Public Participation in the Development of DOE Proposals A. Stakeholder Input B. Ex-Parte Guidance I. Introduction The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) supports the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) by participating in the code development processes administered by the International Code Council (ICC). As a participant in this process, DOE considers and evaluates concepts to be submitted as proposed changes to the IECC (``code''). This Notice outlines the process by which DOE produces code change proposals and participates in the ICC code development process, including the 2018 IECC, as well as other codes published by the ICC. A. Statutory Authority Title III of the Energy Conservation and Production Act, as amended (ECPA), establishes requirements related to energy conservation standards for new buildings. (42 U.S.C. 6831-6837) Section 307 (b) of ECPA directs DOE to support voluntary building energy codes by periodically reviewing the technical and economic basis of the voluntary building codes, recommending amendments to such codes, seeking adoption of all technologically feasible and economically justified energy efficiency measures, and otherwise participate in any industry process for review and modification of such codes. (42 U.S.C. 6836(b)) B. Background The DOE Building Energy Codes Program mission supports the development and implementation of model building energy codes and standards to achieve the maximum practicable and cost-effective improvements in energy efficiency, while providing safe, healthy buildings for occupants.\1\ Part of this mission is directed at the IECC, which serves as a model energy code, and is adopted by many U.S. states, territories, the District of Columbia, and localities across the nation. The ICC administers development of the IECC through a public process, with revisions taking place every three years under the ICC governmental consensus process. As part of this process, any interested party can propose changes to the IECC, with proposed code changes subject to the bylaws, policies and procedures defined by the ICC.\2\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ See http://www.energycodes.gov/about. \2\ See http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/codes/pages/default.aspx. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- II. DOE Participation in the ICC Development Process The Department seeks to advance energy efficiency by cost- effectively strengthening the code and clarifying provisions to be more easily understood, implemented and enforced. DOE is directed to participate in the development of model building energy codes, such as the IECC, for residential and commercial buildings. DOE participates in the ICC development process by:Conducting technical analyses to identify concepts for consideration; Developing and submitting proposals based on concepts deemed credible and cost-effective; and Supporting proposals through the ICC public hearing process. A. Technical Analyses In preparation for the development of code change proposals, DOE conducts analyses to ensure that its proposals are technologically feasible and economically justified. DOE analyses will identify anticipated energy and economic savings impact associated with its energy savings concepts. This ensures that DOE proposals are cost- effective as defined by established, publicly reviewed DOE methodologies.\3\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ See http://www.energycodes.gov/development. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Analyses performed by DOE or its contractors for the purposes of developing code change proposals are technical in nature. DOE is not obligated to conduct analyses for outside parties, but reserves the right to do so where it believes they will support DOE statutory obligations. In conducting such analyses, DOE does not represent or endorse particular individuals or organizations. DOE also cannot enter into joint code change proposals with the exception of proposals submitted jointly with another federal agency. B. Proposal Development and Submission Satisfactory concepts will be turned into draft code change proposals. To allow interested parties to comment, DOE will post these, along with supporting data and analyses, prior to submitting them to the ICC. DOE will modify its proposals as comments and new information become available; modified versions, with preceding versions of each proposal archived, and changes annotated between each version will also be posted. Final proposals will be clearly identified, and will be posted prior to submission to the ICC. All posted information will be available at http://www.energycodes.gov/development. C. ICC Public Hearings DOE maintains organizational membership with the ICC. As a Governmental Member, DOE intends to participate as defined by the guiding ICC rules and procedures, including participation in the ICC public hearings and exercising assigned voting privileges. At ICC hearings, DOE: Will present and defend its own proposals; and May present the results of technical analyses it has conducted, including analyses of other parties' proposals when it believes the development process will be improved by providing such information. The presentation of a DOE proposal or technical analysis does not constitute an endorsement of any particular proposal or product. DOE may alter its proposals based on the procedural events of the official ICC hearing process without seeking further public comment. DOE may also seek additional public comment, such as in cases when a particular proposal is significantly modified for resubmission, following the ICC Committee Action Hearings. [[Page 19974]] III. Public Participation in the Development of DOE Proposals A. Stakeholder Input The public will have the following opportunities to provide DOE with input: 1. Comments on posted proposals and 2. Participation in public meetings. Public Comment on DOE Proposals: DOE intends to make information available to the general public as it comes available. As information will be updated continually throughout the process, interested parties are urged to closely monitor the DOE Building Energy Codes Program Web page and stakeholder mailing lists to remain current with DOE activities. As materials will be posted over an extended period of time, the Web site will provide additional instructions on submitting comments on DOE proposals, including associated comment deadlines. DOE will publish a notice in the Federal Register when its draft proposals and supporting materials begin to become available for public review. Note that DOE will not provide responses to individual public comments, but will consider all information received, and will incorporate all appropriate information into updated versions of its proposals. All DOE proposals and supporting documentation will be made available for review at http://www.energycodes.gov/development. Participation in Public Meetings. DOE intends to convene one or more public meetings during each code cycle to present its proposals and supporting information, and to receive questions and feedback from interested and affected stakeholders. Such meetings will also be used to encourage and facilitate the free exchange of ideas, with the intent of improving proposals from all parties. DOE will both moderate and participate in these meetings. Note that DOE will not attempt to bring stakeholders to a consensus; rather DOE's role will be to increase understanding of the concepts discussed. These meetings will also be announced in the Federal Register. B. Ex-Parte Guidance DOE anticipates that it or its contractors may be contacted regarding code concepts, ideas or change proposals prior to and during the code hearings. While DOE code change proposals submitted to the ICC are not regulations, DOE will follow its ex parte communication policy for such communications prior to the code hearings. DOE guidance on ex parte communications was published on January 21, 2009 (74 FR 4685).\4\ As described in the guidance, individuals or entities that communicate with DOE or its contractors prior to the code hearing must provide a memorandum summarizing the communication, which will be included in the public docket consistent with the ex parte guidance. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ See http://energy.gov/gc/downloads/guidance-ex-parte-communications. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- During each ICC hearing process, DOE will maintain a published Web site containing submitted DOE proposals, which will also contain a link directed to the Web site and materials maintained by the ICC. DOE recognizes that the code development and public hearing process is based on processes established by the ICC, which do not constitute ex parte communications, and therefore, any discussions of the process at code hearings do not need to follow the guidance. Issued in Washington, DC, on April 7, 2015. David Cohan, Manager, Building Energy Codes Program, Building Technologies Office, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. [FR Doc. 2015-08599 Filed 4-13-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
![19972 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 71 / Tuesday, April 14, 2015 / Notices
231(a)(1) of HAVA (42 U.S.C. 15371) ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION 20910; or via fax to 202–566–1392. An
specifically requires the EAC to ‘‘. . . electronic copy of the proposed manual
provide for the testing, certification, Procedural Manual for the Election may be found on the EAC’s Web site
decertification and recertification of Assistance Commission’s Voting http://www.eac.gov/open/
voting system hardware and software by System Testing and Certification comment.aspx.
accredited laboratories.’’ To meet this Program, Version 2.0 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
obligation, the EAC has created a AGENCY: United States Election Brian Hancock, Director, Voting System
voluntary program to test voting systems Assistance Commission (EAC). Certification, Washington, DC, (202)
to Federal voting system standards. The ACTION: Notice; publication of Voting 566–3100, Fax: (202) 566–1392.
Voting System Test Laboratory Program System Testing and Certification Bryan Whitener,
Manual, published below, will set the Manual, Version 2.0, for 30 day public Director of Communications and
procedures for laboratories in this comment period on EAC Web site. Clearinghouse, U.S. Election Assistance
program. Commission.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Election Assistance
EAC is required to submit the Testing [FR Doc. 2015–08534 Filed 4–13–15; 8:45 am]
Commission (EAC) is publishing a
and Certification Manual for approval in procedural manual for its Voting System BILLING CODE 6820–KF–P
accordance with Paperwork Reduction Testing and Certification Program. This
Act of 1995 requirements. The Testing manual sets the administrative
and Certification Division has updated procedures for obtaining an EAC DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
sections of the manual to reflect Certification for voting systems.
Office of Energy Efficiency and
proposed changes in certification Participation in the program is strictly
Renewable Energy
procedures. voluntary. The program is mandated by
the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) at [Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–BC–0002]
Comments 42 U.S.C. 15371.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DOE Participation in Development of
This notice is published in the International Energy Conservation
accordance with the Paperwork Background. HAVA requires that the
EAC certify and decertify voting Code
Reduction Act of 1995, to request
comments regarding the burden of systems. Section 231(a)(1) of HAVA (42 AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and
responding to the information collection U.S.C. 15371) specifically requires the Renewable Energy, Department of
EAC to ‘‘. . . provide for the testing, Energy.
activities of the proposed manual;
certification, decertification and ACTION: Notice.
please refer to the EAC’s Web site,
recertification of voting system
www.eac.gov, for further information hardware and software by accredited SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of
about the submission of comments laboratories.’’ To meet this obligation, Energy (DOE) participates in the public
regarding burden. the EAC has created a voluntary process administered by the
DATES:Submit written or electronic program to test voting systems to International Code Council (ICC), which
comments on this draft procedural Federal voting system standards. The produces the International Energy
manual on or before 5:00 p.m. EDT on Voting System Testing and Certification Conservation Code (IECC). DOE
May 14, 2015. Manual, published below, will set the develops and publishes code change
procedures for this program. proposals for the IECC, prior to
ADDRESSES: Submit comments via email EAC is required to submit the Testing submitting them to the ICC, to allow
to VotingSystemGuidelines@eac.gov; via and Certification Manual for approval in interested parties an opportunity to
mail to Jessica Myers, Certification accordance with Paperwork Reduction suggest revisions, enhancements and
Program Specialist, U.S. Election Act of 1995 requirements. The Testing comments. This notice outlines the
Assistance Commission, 1335 East West and Certification Division has updated process by which DOE produces its
Highway, Suite 4300, Silver Spring, MD sections of the manual to reflect code change proposals for the IECC, and
20910; or via fax to 202–566–1392. An proposed changes in certification otherwise participates in the ICC code
electronic copy of the proposed manual procedures. development process. This process will
may be found on the EAC’s Web site Comments. This notice is published be used when DOE participates in the
http://www.eac.gov/open/ in accordance with the Paperwork development of the 2018 IECC and other
comment.aspx. Reduction Act of 1995, to request codes developed by the ICC.
comments regarding the burden of DATES: DOE is requesting written
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: responding to the information collection comments on the proposed process by
Brian Hancock, Director, Voting System activities of the proposed manual; which DOE will develop code change
Certification, Washington, DC, (202) please refer to the EAC’s Web site, proposals for submission to the ICC by
566–3100, Fax: (202) 566–1392. www.eac.gov, for further information May 14, 2015.
about the submission of comments ADDRESSES: Any comments submitted
Bryan Whitener,
regarding burden. must identify the Notice for DOE
Director of Communications and DATES: Submit written or electronic
Clearinghouse, U.S. Election Assistance Participation in Development of the
comments on this draft procedural International Energy Conservation Code,
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Commission.
manual on or before 5:00 p.m. EDT on and provide docket number EERE–
[FR Doc. 2015–08567 Filed 4–13–15; 8:45 am]
May 14, 2015. 2015–BT–BC–0002. Comments may be
BILLING CODE 6820–KF–P
ADDRESSES: Submit comments via email submitted by using either of the
to VotingSystemGuidelines@eac.gov; via following methods:
mail to Jessica Myers, Certification 1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
Program Specialist, U.S. Election www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;
Assistance Commission, 1335 East West D=EERE-2015-BT-BC-0002. Follow the
Highway, Suite 4300, Silver Spring, MD, instructions for submitting comments.
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![19974 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 71 / Tuesday, April 14, 2015 / Notices
III. Public Participation in the communications was published on effectiveness assessment. In addition,
Development of DOE Proposals January 21, 2009 (74 FR 4685).4 As DOE is seeking information on the
described in the guidance, individuals general costs, benefits, and economic
A. Stakeholder Input
or entities that communicate with DOE impacts associated with building energy
The public will have the following or its contractors prior to the code codes. This notice identifies several
opportunities to provide DOE with hearing must provide a memorandum areas where interested parties may
input: summarizing the communication, which provide suggestions, comments, and
1. Comments on posted proposals and will be included in the public docket other information.
2. Participation in public meetings. consistent with the ex parte guidance. DATES: Written comments and
Public Comment on DOE Proposals: During each ICC hearing process, DOE
DOE intends to make information information are requested by May 14,
will maintain a published Web site 2015.
available to the general public as it containing submitted DOE proposals,
comes available. As information will be ADDRESSES: Comments must identify the
which will also contain a link directed
updated continually throughout the docket number EERE–2015–BT–BC–
to the Web site and materials
process, interested parties are urged to 0001 and may be submitted using any
maintained by the ICC. DOE recognizes
closely monitor the DOE Building of the following methods:
that the code development and public 1. Regulations.gov: http://www.
Energy Codes Program Web page and hearing process is based on processes
stakeholder mailing lists to remain regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EERE-
established by the ICC, which do not 2015-BT-BC-0001. Follow the
current with DOE activities. As constitute ex parte communications,
materials will be posted over an instructions for submitting comments.
and therefore, any discussions of the 2. Email: BCMethodology2015
extended period of time, the Web site process at code hearings do not need to
will provide additional instructions on BC0001@ee.doe.gov. Include EERE–
follow the guidance. 2015–BT–BC–0001 in the subject line of
submitting comments on DOE
proposals, including associated Issued in Washington, DC, on April 7, the message.
2015. 3. Postal Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards;
comment deadlines.
DOE will publish a notice in the David Cohan, U.S. Department of Energy, Building
Federal Register when its draft Manager, Building Energy Codes Program, Technologies Office EE–5B, 1000
proposals and supporting materials Building Technologies Office, Energy Independence Avenue SW.,
begin to become available for public Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Washington, DC 20585; Phone: (202)
review. Note that DOE will not provide [FR Doc. 2015–08599 Filed 4–13–15; 8:45 am] 586–2945. Please submit one signed
responses to individual public BILLING CODE 6450–01–P paper original.
comments, but will consider all Further instructions, including the
information received, and will use of topic identifiers, are provided in
incorporate all appropriate information DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY the Public Participation section of this
into updated versions of its proposals. notice. Comments submitted in
Office of Energy Efficiency and response to this notice will become a
All DOE proposals and supporting Renewable Energy
documentation will be made available matter of public records and will be
for review at http:// [Docket Number EERE–2015–BT–BC–0001] made publicly available.
www.energycodes.gov/development. Public Docket: The docket, which
Participation in Public Meetings. DOE Request for Information: Updating and includes notices published in the
intends to convene one or more public Improving the DOE Methodology for Federal Register and public comments
meetings during each code cycle to Assessing the Cost-Effectiveness of received, is available for review at
present its proposals and supporting Building Energy Codes Regulations.gov. All documents in the
information, and to receive questions docket are listed in the Regulations.gov
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and index. However, some documents listed
and feedback from interested and Renewable Energy, Department of
affected stakeholders. Such meetings in the index, such as those containing
Energy. information exempt from public
will also be used to encourage and ACTION: Request for information.
facilitate the free exchange of ideas, disclosure, may not be publicly
with the intent of improving proposals SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of available.
from all parties. DOE will both moderate Energy (DOE) is seeking input on how A link to the docket Web page can be
and participate in these meetings. Note it may update and improve its found under Public Participation at:
that DOE will not attempt to bring methodology for assessing the cost- http://www.energycodes.gov/events.
stakeholders to a consensus; rather effectiveness (which includes an energy This Web page will also contain a link
DOE’s role will be to increase savings assessment) of residential and to the docket for this notice on
understanding of the concepts commercial building energy codes. DOE Regulations.gov. The Regulations.gov
discussed. These meetings will also be is directed by statute to provide site will contain instructions on how to
announced in the Federal Register. technical assistance to states to support access all documents, including public
the implementation of model building comments, in the docket.
B. Ex-Parte Guidance For further information on how to
energy codes. As part of this role, DOE
DOE anticipates that it or its submit a comment, review comments
conducts national and state-level
contractors may be contacted regarding received, or otherwise participate in the
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
analysis to assess the cost-effectiveness
code concepts, ideas or change public comment process, contact Ms.
of building energy codes and proposed
proposals prior to and during the code Brenda Edwards by phone at (202) 586–
changes. DOE is interested in feedback
hearings. While DOE code change 2945 or email: Brenda.Edwards@
on its analysis methodology, preferred
proposals submitted to the ICC are not ee.doe.gov.
sources of cost data, and parameter
regulations, DOE will follow its ex parte assumptions surrounding its cost- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
communication policy for such Jeremiah Williams; U.S. Department
communications prior to the code 4 See http://energy.gov/gc/downloads/guidance- of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency
hearings. DOE guidance on ex parte ex-parte-communications. and Renewable Energy, Building
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Document Created: 2015-12-18 11:10:21
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 11:10:21
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | DOE is requesting written comments on the proposed process by which DOE will develop code change proposals for submission to the ICC by May 14, 2015. | |
| Contact | Jeremiah Williams; U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Office, EE-5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585; Telephone: (202) 287-1941; Email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 19972 |
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