80_FR_41072 80 FR 40938 - Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee: Notice of Intent To Establish the Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps Working Group To Negotiate a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) for Energy Conservation Standards

80 FR 40938 - Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee: Notice of Intent To Establish the Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps Working Group To Negotiate a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) for Energy Conservation Standards

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 134 (July 14, 2015)

Page Range40938-40942
FR Document2015-17252

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) is giving notice of a public meeting and that DOE intends to establish a negotiated rulemaking working group under the Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (ASRAC) in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and the Negotiated Rulemaking Act (NRA) to negotiate proposed amended energy conservation standards for central air conditioners and heat pumps standards and to discuss certain aspects of the proposed Federal test procedure. The purpose of the working group will be to discuss and, if possible, reach consensus on a proposed rule for amended energy conservation standards for central air conditioners and heat pumps and provide recommendations to DOE regarding certain aspects of the proposed test procedure, as authorized by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) of 1975, as amended. The working group will consist of representatives of parties having a defined stake in the outcome of the proposed standards and amended test procedure, and will consult as appropriate with a range of experts on technical issues. The working group is expected to make a concerted effort to negotiate a final term sheet by December 31, 2015 and no extensions will be considered.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 134 (Tuesday, July 14, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 134 (Tuesday, July 14, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40938-40942]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17252]


========================================================================
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.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 134 / Tuesday, July 14, 2015 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 40938]]



DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 430

[Docket Number EERE-2014-BT-STD-0048]
RIN 1904-AD37


Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee: 
Notice of Intent To Establish the Central Air Conditioners and Heat 
Pumps Working Group To Negotiate a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) 
for Energy Conservation Standards

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. 
Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of intent and announcement of public meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) is 
giving notice of a public meeting and that DOE intends to establish a 
negotiated rulemaking working group under the Appliance Standards and 
Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (ASRAC) in accordance with the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and the Negotiated Rulemaking Act 
(NRA) to negotiate proposed amended energy conservation standards for 
central air conditioners and heat pumps standards and to discuss 
certain aspects of the proposed Federal test procedure. The purpose of 
the working group will be to discuss and, if possible, reach consensus 
on a proposed rule for amended energy conservation standards for 
central air conditioners and heat pumps and provide recommendations to 
DOE regarding certain aspects of the proposed test procedure, as 
authorized by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) of 1975, as 
amended. The working group will consist of representatives of parties 
having a defined stake in the outcome of the proposed standards and 
amended test procedure, and will consult as appropriate with a range of 
experts on technical issues. The working group is expected to make a 
concerted effort to negotiate a final term sheet by December 31, 2015 
and no extensions will be considered.

DATES: DOE will host a public meeting and webinar on Wednesday, August 
26, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Washington, DC.
    Written comments and applications (i.e., cover letter and resume) 
to be appointed as members of the working group are welcome and should 
be submitted by July 28, 2015.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Department of Energy, Forrestal Building, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, Room 8E-089. Individuals 
will also have the opportunity to participate by webinar. To register 
for the webinar and receive call-in information, please register at 
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7200494210145268481.
    Interested person may submit comments and an application for 
membership (including a cover letter and resume), identified by docket 
number EERE-2014-BT-STD-0048 any of the following methods:
    1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
    2. Email: ASRAC@ee.doe.gov. Include docket number EERE-2014-BT-STD-
0048 in the subject line of the message.
    3. Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building 
Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-5B, 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.
    4. Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Building Technologies Program, 950 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Suite 
600, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 586-2945. 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.
    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 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Cymbalsky, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Office of Building Technologies (EE-2J), 950 L'Enfant Plaza 
SW., Washington, DC 20024. Phone: 202-287-1692. Email: 
asrac@ee.doe.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Authority
II. Background
III. Proposed Negotiating Procedures
IV. Comments Requested
V. Public Participation
VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

I. Authority

    DOE is announcing its intent to negotiate proposed energy 
conservation standards and certain aspects of the test procedure for 
central air conditioners and heat pumps, under the authority of 
sections 563 and 564 of the NRA (5 U.S.C. 561-570, Pub. L. 104-320). 
The regulation of central air conditioners and heat pumps standards and 
test procedure amendments that DOE is proposing to develop under a 
negotiated rulemaking will be developed under the authority of EPCA, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 6311(1) and 42 U.S.C. 6291 et seq.

II. Background

    As required by the NRA, DOE is giving notice that it is 
establishing a working group under ASRAC to discuss certain test 
procedure amendments and potentially develop proposed energy 
conservation standards for central air conditioners and heat pumps.

A. Negotiated Rulemaking

    DOE has decided to use the negotiated rulemaking process to discuss 
certain test procedure amendments and develop proposed energy 
conservation standards for central air conditioners and heat pumps. The 
primary reason for using the negotiated rulemaking process for this 
product is that stakeholders strongly support a consensual rulemaking 
effort. DOE believes such a regulatory negotiation process will be less 
adversarial and better suited to resolving complex technical issues. An 
important virtue of negotiated rulemaking is that it allows expert 
dialog that is much better than traditional techniques at getting the 
facts and issues right and will result in

[[Page 40939]]

a proposed rule that will effectively reflect Congressional intent.
    A regulatory negotiation will enable DOE to engage in direct and 
sustained dialog with informed, interested, and affected parties when 
drafting the regulation, rather than obtaining input during a public 
comment period after developing and publishing a proposed rule. Gaining 
this early understanding of all parties' perspectives allows DOE to 
address key issues at an earlier stage of the process, thereby allowing 
more time for an iterative process to resolve issues. A rule drafted by 
negotiation with informed and affected parties is expected to be 
potentially more pragmatic and more easily implemented than a rule 
arising from the traditional process. Such rulemaking improvement is 
likely to provide the public with the full benefits of the rule while 
minimizing the potential negative impact of a proposed regulation 
conceived or drafted without the full prior input of outside 
knowledgeable parties. Because a negotiating working group includes 
representatives from the major stakeholder groups affected by or 
interested in the rule, the number of public comments on the proposed 
rule may be decreased. DOE anticipates that there will be a need for 
fewer substantive changes to a proposed rule developed under a 
regulatory negotiation process prior to the publication of a final 
rule.

B. The Concept of Negotiated Rulemaking

    Usually, DOE develops a proposed rulemaking using Department staff 
and consultant resources. Congress noted in the NRA, however, that 
regulatory development may ``discourage the affected parties from 
meeting and communicating with each other, and may cause parties with 
different interests to assume conflicting and antagonistic positions * 
* *.'' 5 U.S.C. 561(2)(2). Congress also stated that ``adversarial 
rulemaking deprives the affected parties and the public of the benefits 
of face-to-face negotiations and cooperation in developing and reaching 
agreement on a rule. It also deprives them of the benefits of shared 
information, knowledge, expertise, and technical abilities possessed by 
the affected parties.'' 5 U.S.C. 561(2)(3).
    Using negotiated rulemaking to develop a proposed rule differs 
fundamentally from the Department centered process. In negotiated 
rulemaking, a proposed rule is developed by an advisory committee or 
working group, chartered under FACA, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, composed of 
members chosen to represent the various interests that will be 
significantly affected by the rule. The goal of the advisory committee 
or working group is to reach consensus on the treatment of the major 
issues involved with the rule. The process starts with the Department's 
careful identification of all interests potentially affected by the 
rulemaking under consideration. To help with this identification, the 
Department publishes a notice of intent such as this one in the Federal 
Register, identifying a preliminary list of interested parties and 
requesting public comment on that list. Following receipt of comments, 
the Department establishes an advisory committee or working group 
representing the full range of stakeholders to negotiate a consensus on 
the terms of a proposed rule. Representation on the advisory committee 
or working group may be direct; that is, each member may represent a 
specific interest, or may be indirect, such as through trade 
associations and/or similarly-situated parties with common interests. 
The Department is a member of the advisory committee or working group 
and represents the Federal government's interests. The advisory 
committee or working group chair is assisted by a neutral mediator who 
facilitates the negotiation process. The role of the mediator, also 
called a facilitator, is to apply proven consensus-building techniques 
to the advisory committee or working group process.
    After an advisory committee or working group reaches consensus on 
the provisions of a proposed rule, the Department, consistent with its 
legal obligations, uses such consensus as the basis of its proposed 
rule, which then is published in the Federal Register. This publication 
provides the required public notice and provides for a public comment 
period. Other participants and other interested parties retain their 
rights to comment, participate in an informal hearing (if requested), 
and request judicial review. DOE anticipates, however, that the pre-
proposal consensus agreed upon by the advisory committee or working 
group will narrow any issues in the subsequent rulemaking.

C. Proposed Rulemaking for Energy Conservation Standards Regarding 
Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps

    The NRA enables DOE to establish an advisory committee or working 
group if it is determined that the use of the negotiated rulemaking 
process is in the public interest. DOE intends to develop Federal 
regulations that build on the depth of experience accrued in both the 
public and private sectors in implementing standards and programs.
    DOE has determined that the regulatory negotiation process will 
provide for obtaining a diverse array of in-depth input, as well as an 
opportunity for increased collaborative discussion from both private-
sector stakeholders and government officials who are familiar with the 
test procedures and energy efficiency of central air conditioners and 
heat pumps.

D. Department Commitment

    In initiating this regulatory negotiation process to develop 
amendments to the test procedure and energy conservation standards for 
central air conditioners and heat pumps, DOE is making a commitment to 
provide adequate resources to facilitate timely and successful 
completion of the process. This commitment includes making the process 
a priority activity for all representatives, components, officials, and 
personnel of the Department who need to be involved in the rulemaking, 
from the time of initiation until such time as a final rule is issued 
or the process is expressly terminated. DOE will provide administrative 
support for the process and will take steps to ensure that the advisory 
committee or working group has the dedicated resources it requires to 
complete its work in a timely fashion. Specifically, DOE will make 
available the following support services: Properly equipped space 
adequate for public meetings and caucuses; logistical support; word 
processing and distribution of background information; the service of a 
facilitator; and such additional research and other technical 
assistance as may be necessary.
    To the maximum extent possible consistent with the legal 
obligations of the Department, DOE will use the consensus of the 
advisory committee or working group as the basis for the rule the 
Department proposes for public notice and comment.

E. Negotiating Consensus

    As discussed above, the negotiated rulemaking process differs 
fundamentally from the usual process for developing a proposed rule. 
Negotiation enables interested and affected parties to discuss various 
approaches to issues rather than asking them only to respond to a 
proposal developed by the Department. The negotiation process involves 
a mutual education of the various parties on the practical concerns 
about the impact of standards. Each advisory committee or working group 
member participates in resolving the interests and concerns of

[[Page 40940]]

other members, rather than leaving it up to DOE to evaluate and 
incorporate different points of view.
    A key principle of negotiated rulemaking is that agreement is by 
consensus of all the interests. Thus, no one interest or group of 
interests is able to control the process. The NRA defines consensus as 
the unanimous concurrence among interests represented on a negotiated 
rulemaking committee or working group, unless the committee or working 
group itself unanimously agrees to use a different definition. 5 U.S.C. 
562. In addition, experience has demonstrated that using a trained 
mediator to facilitate this process will assist all parties, including 
DOE, in identifying their real interests in the rule, and thus will 
enable parties to focus on and resolve the important issues.

III. Proposed Negotiating Procedures

A. Key Issues for Negotiation

    The following issues and concerns will underlie the work of the 
Negotiated Rulemaking Committee for Central Air Conditioners and Heat 
Pumps:
     Certain aspects of the proposed test procedure, including 
key test procedure conditions, as applicable; and
     Proposed energy conservation standards for central air 
conditioners and heat pumps, which may be nationally or regionally 
based.
    To examine the underlying issues outlined above, and others not yet 
articulated, all parties in the negotiation will need DOE to provide 
data and an analytic framework complete and accurate enough to support 
their deliberations. DOE's analyses must be adequate to inform a 
prospective negotiation--for example, a notice of data availability 
containing a preliminary Technical Support Document or equivalent must 
be available and timely.

B. Formation of Working Group

    A working group will be formed and operated in full compliance with 
the requirements of FACA and in a manner consistent with the 
requirements of the NRA. DOE has determined that the working group not 
exceeds 25 members. The Department believes that more than 25 members 
would make it difficult to conduct effective negotiations. DOE is aware 
that there are many more potential participants than there are 
membership slots on the working group. The Department does not believe, 
nor does the NRA contemplate, that each potentially affected group must 
participate directly in the negotiations; nevertheless, each affected 
interest can be adequately represented. To have a successful 
negotiation, it is important for interested parties to identify and 
form coalitions that adequately represent significantly affected 
interests. To provide adequate representation, those coalitions must 
agree to support, both financially and technically, a member of the 
working group whom they choose to represent their interests.
    DOE recognizes that when it considers adding covered products and 
establishing energy efficiency standards for residential products and 
commercial equipment, various segments of society may be affected in 
different ways, in some cases producing unique ``interests'' in a 
proposed rule based on income, gender, or other factors. The Department 
will pay attention to providing that any unique interests that have 
been identified, and that may be significantly affected by the proposed 
rule, are represented.
    FACA also requires that members of the public have the opportunity 
to attend meetings of the full committee and speak or otherwise address 
the committee during the public comment period. In addition, any member 
of the public is permitted to file a written statement with the 
advisory committee. DOE plans to follow these same procedures in 
conducting meetings of the working group.

C. Interests Involved/Working Group Membership

    DOE anticipates that the working group will comprise no more than 
25 members who represent affected and interested stakeholder groups, at 
least one of whom must be a member of the ASRAC. As required by FACA, 
the Department will conduct the negotiated rulemaking with particular 
attention to ensuring full and balanced representation of those 
interests that may be significantly affected by the proposed rule 
governing rules of residential central air conditioners energy 
conservation standards. Section 562 of the NRA defines the term 
interest as ``with respect to an issue or matter, multiple parties 
which have a similar point of view or which are likely to be affected 
in a similar manner.'' Listed below are parties the Department to date 
has identified as being ``significantly affected'' by a proposed rule 
regarding the energy efficiency of residential central air 
conditioners.

 The Department of Energy
 Trade Associations representing manufacturers of central air 
conditioners and heat pumps
 Manufacturers of central air conditioners and heat pumps and 
component manufacturers and related suppliers
 Distributors or contractors selling or installing central air 
conditioners and heat pumps
 Utilities
 Energy efficiency/environmental advocacy groups
 Consumers

    One purpose of this notice of intent is to determine whether 
Federal regulations regarding central air conditioners and heat pumps 
will significantly affect interests that are not listed above. DOE 
invites comment and suggestions on its initial list of significantly 
affected interests.
    Members may be individuals or organizations. If the effort is to be 
fruitful, participants on the working group should be able to fully and 
adequately represent the viewpoints of their respective interests. This 
document gives notice of DOE's process to other potential participants 
and affords them the opportunity to request representation in the 
negotiations. Those who wish to be appointed as members of the working 
group, should submit a request to DOE, in accordance with the public 
participation procedures outlined in the DATES and ADDRESSES sections 
of this notice of intent. Membership of the working group is likely to 
involve:
     Attendance at approximately eight (8), one (1) to two (2) 
day meetings (with the potential for two (2) additional one (1) or two 
(2) day meetings);
     Travel costs to those meetings; and
     Preparation time for those meetings.
    Members serving on the working group will not receive compensation 
for their services. Interested parties who are not selected for 
membership on the working group may make valuable contributions to this 
negotiated rulemaking effort in any of the following ways:
     The person may request to be placed on the working group 
mailing list and submit written comments as appropriate.
     The person may attend working group meetings, which are 
open to the public; caucus with his or her interest's member on the 
working group; or even address the working group during the public 
comment portion of the working group meeting.
     The person could assist the efforts of a workgroup that 
the working group might establish.
    A working group may establish informal workgroups, which usually 
are asked to facilitate committee deliberations by assisting with 
various technical matters (e.g., researching or

[[Page 40941]]

preparing summaries of the technical literature or comments on specific 
matters such as economic issues). Workgroups also might assist in 
estimating costs or drafting regulatory text on issues associated with 
the analysis of the costs and benefits addressed, or formulating drafts 
of the various provisions and their justifications as previously 
developed by the working group. Given their support function, 
workgroups usually consist of participants who have expertise or 
particular interest in the technical matter(s) being studied. Because 
it recognizes the importance of this support work for the working 
group, DOE will provide appropriate technical expertise for such 
workgroups.

D. Good Faith Negotiation

    Every working group member must be willing to negotiate in good 
faith and have the authority, granted by his or her constituency, to do 
so. The first step is to ensure that each member has good 
communications with his or her constituencies. An intra-interest 
network of communication should be established to bring information 
from the support organization to the member at the table, and to take 
information from the table back to the support organization. Second, 
each organization or coalition therefore should designate as its 
representative a person having the credibility and authority to ensure 
that needed information is provided and decisions are made in a timely 
fashion. Negotiated rulemaking can require the appointed members to 
give a significant sustained for as long as the duration of the 
negotiated rulemaking. Other qualities of members that can be helpful 
are negotiating experience and skills, and sufficient technical 
knowledge to participate in substantive negotiations.
    Certain concepts are central to negotiating in good faith. One is 
the willingness to bring all issues to the bargaining table in an 
attempt to reach a consensus, as opposed to keeping key issues in 
reserve. The second is a willingness to keep the issues at the table 
and not take them to other forums. Finally, good faith includes a 
willingness to move away from some of the positions often taken in a 
more traditional rulemaking process, and instead explore openly with 
other parties all ideas that may emerge from the working group's 
discussions.

E. Facilitator

    The facilitator will act as a neutral in the substantive 
development of the proposed standard. Rather, the facilitator's role 
generally includes:
     Impartially assisting the members of the working group in 
conducting discussions and negotiations; and
     Impartially assisting in performing the duties of the 
Designated Federal Official under FACA.

F. Department Representative

    The DOE representative will be a full and active participant in the 
consensus building negotiations. The Department's representative will 
meet regularly with senior Department officials, briefing them on the 
negotiations and receiving their suggestions and advice so that he or 
she can effectively represent the Department's views regarding the 
issues before the working group. DOE's representative also will ensure 
that the entire spectrum of governmental interests affected by the 
standards rulemaking, including the Office of Management and Budget, 
the Attorney General, and other Departmental offices, are kept informed 
of the negotiations and encouraged to make their concerns known in a 
timely fashion.

G. Working Group and Schedule

    After evaluating the comments submitted in response to this notice 
of intent and the requests for nominations, DOE will either inform the 
members of the working group that they have been selected or determine 
that conducting a negotiated rulemaking is inappropriate.
    The working group is expected to make a concerted effort to 
negotiate a final term sheet by December 31, 2015 without further 
option for extensions.
    DOE will advise working group members of administrative matters 
related to the functions of the working group before beginning. DOE 
will establish a meeting schedule based on the settlement agreement and 
produce the necessary documents so as to adhere to that schedule. While 
the negotiated rulemaking process is underway, DOE is committed to 
performing much of the same analysis as it would during a normal 
standards rulemaking process and to providing information and technical 
support to the working group.

IV. Comments Requested

    DOE requests comments on which parties should be included in a 
negotiated rulemaking to develop draft language pertaining to the 
energy efficiency of residential central air conditioners and 
suggestions of additional interests and/or stakeholders that should be 
represented on the working group. All who wish to participate as 
members of the working group should submit a request for nomination to 
DOE.

V. Public Participation

    Members of the public are welcome to observe the business of the 
meeting and, if time allows, may make oral statements during the 
specified period for public comment. To attend the meeting and/or to 
make oral statements regarding any of the items on the agenda, email 
asrac@ee.doe.gov. In the email, please indicate your name, organization 
(if appropriate), citizenship, and contact information. 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 as soon as 
possible by contacting Ms. Regina Washington at (202) 586-1214 or by 
email: Regina.Washington@ee.doe.gov so that the necessary procedures 
can be completed. Anyone attending the meeting will be required to 
present a government photo identification, such as a passport, driver's 
license, or government identification. Due to the required security 
screening upon entry, individuals attending should arrive early to 
allow for the extra time needed.
    Due to the REAL ID Act implemented by the Department of Homeland 
Security (DHS) recent changes regarding ID requirements for individuals 
wishing to enter Federal buildings from specific states and U.S. 
territories. Driver's licenses from the following states or territory 
will not be accepted for building entry and one of the alternate forms 
of ID listed below will be required.
    DHS has determined that regular driver's licenses (and ID cards) 
from the following jurisdictions are not acceptable for entry into DOE 
facilities: Alaska, Louisiana, New York, American Samoa, Maine, 
Oklahoma, Arizona, Massachusetts, Washington, and Minnesota.
    Acceptable alternate forms of Photo-ID include: U.S. Passport or 
Passport Card; An Enhanced Driver's License or Enhanced ID-Card issued 
by the states of Minnesota, New York or Washington (Enhanced licenses 
issued by these states are clearly marked Enhanced or Enhanced Driver's 
License); A military ID or other Federal government issued Photo-ID 
card.

VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

    The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of today's notice 
of intent.


[[Page 40942]]


    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 30, 2015.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2015-17252 Filed 7-13-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P



                                                      40938

                                                      Proposed Rules                                                                                                 Federal Register
                                                                                                                                                                     Vol. 80, No. 134

                                                                                                                                                                     Tuesday, July 14, 2015



                                                      This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER                     negotiate a final term sheet by December              the index may be publicly available,
                                                      contains notices to the public of the proposed           31, 2015 and no extensions will be                    such as information that is exempt from
                                                      issuance of rules and regulations. The                   considered.                                           public disclosure.
                                                      purpose of these notices is to give interested
                                                      persons an opportunity to participate in the             DATES: DOE will host a public meeting                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
                                                      rule making prior to the adoption of the final           and webinar on Wednesday, August 26,                  Cymbalsky, U.S. Department of Energy,
                                                      rules.                                                   2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in                   Office of Building Technologies (EE–2J),
                                                                                                               Washington, DC.                                       950 L’Enfant Plaza SW., Washington,
                                                                                                                  Written comments and applications                  DC 20024. Phone: 202–287–1692. Email:
                                                      DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY                                     (i.e., cover letter and resume) to be                 asrac@ee.doe.gov.
                                                                                                               appointed as members of the working                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                      10 CFR Part 430                                          group are welcome and should be                       I. Authority
                                                      [Docket Number EERE–2014–BT–STD–                         submitted by July 28, 2015.                           II. Background
                                                      0048]                                                    ADDRESSES: U.S. Department of Energy,                 III. Proposed Negotiating Procedures
                                                                                                               Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence                 IV. Comments Requested
                                                      RIN 1904–AD37                                                                                                  V. Public Participation
                                                                                                               Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585,
                                                                                                               Room 8E–089. Individuals will also                    VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary
                                                      Appliance Standards and Rulemaking
                                                      Federal Advisory Committee: Notice of                    have the opportunity to participate by                I. Authority
                                                      Intent To Establish the Central Air                      webinar. To register for the webinar and
                                                                                                               receive call-in information, please                     DOE is announcing its intent to
                                                      Conditioners and Heat Pumps Working                                                                            negotiate proposed energy conservation
                                                      Group To Negotiate a Notice of                           register at https://
                                                                                                               attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/                    standards and certain aspects of the test
                                                      Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) for                                                                                 procedure for central air conditioners
                                                      Energy Conservation Standards                            7200494210145268481.
                                                                                                                  Interested person may submit                       and heat pumps, under the authority of
                                                      AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and                  comments and an application for                       sections 563 and 564 of the NRA (5
                                                      Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of                     membership (including a cover letter                  U.S.C. 561–570, Pub. L. 104–320). The
                                                      Energy.                                                  and resume), identified by docket                     regulation of central air conditioners
                                                      ACTION: Notice of intent and                             number EERE–2014–BT–STD–0048 any                      and heat pumps standards and test
                                                      announcement of public meeting.                          of the following methods:                             procedure amendments that DOE is
                                                                                                                  1. Federal eRulemaking Portal:                     proposing to develop under a negotiated
                                                      SUMMARY:   The U.S. Department of                        www.regulations.gov. Follow the                       rulemaking will be developed under the
                                                      Energy (DOE or the Department) is                        instructions for submitting comments.                 authority of EPCA, as amended, 42
                                                      giving notice of a public meeting and                       2. Email: ASRAC@ee.doe.gov. Include                U.S.C. 6311(1) and 42 U.S.C. 6291 et
                                                      that DOE intends to establish a                          docket number EERE–2014–BT–STD–                       seq.
                                                      negotiated rulemaking working group                      0048 in the subject line of the message.              II. Background
                                                      under the Appliance Standards and                           3. Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S.
                                                      Rulemaking Federal Advisory                              Department of Energy, Building                          As required by the NRA, DOE is
                                                      Committee (ASRAC) in accordance with                     Technologies Office, Mailstop EE–5B,                  giving notice that it is establishing a
                                                      the Federal Advisory Committee Act                       1000 Independence Avenue SW.,                         working group under ASRAC to discuss
                                                      (FACA) and the Negotiated Rulemaking                     Washington, DC 20585–0121. If                         certain test procedure amendments and
                                                      Act (NRA) to negotiate proposed                          possible, please submit all items on a                potentially develop proposed energy
                                                      amended energy conservation standards                    compact disc (CD), in which case it is                conservation standards for central air
                                                      for central air conditioners and heat                    not necessary to include printed copies.              conditioners and heat pumps.
                                                      pumps standards and to discuss certain                      4. Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda
                                                                                                                                                                     A. Negotiated Rulemaking
                                                      aspects of the proposed Federal test                     Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy,
                                                      procedure. The purpose of the working                    Building Technologies Program, 950                       DOE has decided to use the negotiated
                                                      group will be to discuss and, if possible,               L’Enfant Plaza SW., Suite 600,                        rulemaking process to discuss certain
                                                      reach consensus on a proposed rule for                   Washington, DC 20024. Telephone:                      test procedure amendments and develop
                                                      amended energy conservation standards                    (202) 586–2945. If possible, please                   proposed energy conservation standards
                                                      for central air conditioners and heat                    submit all items on a CD, in which case               for central air conditioners and heat
                                                      pumps and provide recommendations to                     it is not necessary to include printed                pumps. The primary reason for using
                                                      DOE regarding certain aspects of the                     copies.                                               the negotiated rulemaking process for
                                                      proposed test procedure, as authorized                   No telefacsimilies (faxes) will be                    this product is that stakeholders
                                                      by the Energy Policy and Conservation                    accepted.                                             strongly support a consensual
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                                                      Act (EPCA) of 1975, as amended. The                         Docket: The docket is available for                rulemaking effort. DOE believes such a
                                                      working group will consist of                            review at www.regulations.gov,                        regulatory negotiation process will be
                                                      representatives of parties having a                      including Federal Register notices,                   less adversarial and better suited to
                                                      defined stake in the outcome of the                      public meeting attendee lists and                     resolving complex technical issues. An
                                                      proposed standards and amended test                      transcripts, comments, and other                      important virtue of negotiated
                                                      procedure, and will consult as                           supporting documents/materials. All                   rulemaking is that it allows expert
                                                      appropriate with a range of experts on                   documents in the docket are listed in                 dialog that is much better than
                                                      technical issues. The working group is                   the www.regulations.gov index.                        traditional techniques at getting the
                                                      expected to make a concerted effort to                   However, not all documents listed in                  facts and issues right and will result in


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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 134 / Tuesday, July 14, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                           40939

                                                      a proposed rule that will effectively                    that will be significantly affected by the            public and private sectors in
                                                      reflect Congressional intent.                            rule. The goal of the advisory committee              implementing standards and programs.
                                                         A regulatory negotiation will enable                  or working group is to reach consensus                  DOE has determined that the
                                                      DOE to engage in direct and sustained                    on the treatment of the major issues                  regulatory negotiation process will
                                                      dialog with informed, interested, and                    involved with the rule. The process                   provide for obtaining a diverse array of
                                                      affected parties when drafting the                       starts with the Department’s careful                  in-depth input, as well as an
                                                      regulation, rather than obtaining input                  identification of all interests potentially           opportunity for increased collaborative
                                                      during a public comment period after                     affected by the rulemaking under                      discussion from both private-sector
                                                      developing and publishing a proposed                     consideration. To help with this                      stakeholders and government officials
                                                      rule. Gaining this early understanding of                identification, the Department publishes              who are familiar with the test
                                                      all parties’ perspectives allows DOE to                  a notice of intent such as this one in the            procedures and energy efficiency of
                                                      address key issues at an earlier stage of                Federal Register, identifying a                       central air conditioners and heat pumps.
                                                      the process, thereby allowing more time                  preliminary list of interested parties and            D. Department Commitment
                                                      for an iterative process to resolve issues.              requesting public comment on that list.
                                                      A rule drafted by negotiation with                       Following receipt of comments, the                       In initiating this regulatory
                                                      informed and affected parties is                         Department establishes an advisory                    negotiation process to develop
                                                      expected to be potentially more                          committee or working group                            amendments to the test procedure and
                                                      pragmatic and more easily implemented                    representing the full range of                        energy conservation standards for
                                                      than a rule arising from the traditional                 stakeholders to negotiate a consensus on              central air conditioners and heat pumps,
                                                      process. Such rulemaking improvement                     the terms of a proposed rule.                         DOE is making a commitment to
                                                      is likely to provide the public with the                 Representation on the advisory                        provide adequate resources to facilitate
                                                      full benefits of the rule while                          committee or working group may be                     timely and successful completion of the
                                                      minimizing the potential negative                        direct; that is, each member may                      process. This commitment includes
                                                      impact of a proposed regulation                          represent a specific interest, or may be              making the process a priority activity for
                                                      conceived or drafted without the full                    indirect, such as through trade                       all representatives, components,
                                                      prior input of outside knowledgeable                     associations and/or similarly-situated                officials, and personnel of the
                                                      parties. Because a negotiating working                   parties with common interests. The                    Department who need to be involved in
                                                      group includes representatives from the                  Department is a member of the advisory                the rulemaking, from the time of
                                                      major stakeholder groups affected by or                  committee or working group and                        initiation until such time as a final rule
                                                      interested in the rule, the number of                    represents the Federal government’s                   is issued or the process is expressly
                                                      public comments on the proposed rule                     interests. The advisory committee or                  terminated. DOE will provide
                                                      may be decreased. DOE anticipates that                   working group chair is assisted by a                  administrative support for the process
                                                      there will be a need for fewer                           neutral mediator who facilitates the                  and will take steps to ensure that the
                                                      substantive changes to a proposed rule                   negotiation process. The role of the                  advisory committee or working group
                                                      developed under a regulatory                             mediator, also called a facilitator, is to            has the dedicated resources it requires
                                                      negotiation process prior to the                         apply proven consensus-building                       to complete its work in a timely fashion.
                                                      publication of a final rule.                             techniques to the advisory committee or               Specifically, DOE will make available
                                                                                                               working group process.                                the following support services: Properly
                                                      B. The Concept of Negotiated                                                                                   equipped space adequate for public
                                                                                                                  After an advisory committee or
                                                      Rulemaking                                                                                                     meetings and caucuses; logistical
                                                                                                               working group reaches consensus on the
                                                         Usually, DOE develops a proposed                      provisions of a proposed rule, the                    support; word processing and
                                                      rulemaking using Department staff and                    Department, consistent with its legal                 distribution of background information;
                                                      consultant resources. Congress noted in                  obligations, uses such consensus as the               the service of a facilitator; and such
                                                      the NRA, however, that regulatory                        basis of its proposed rule, which then is             additional research and other technical
                                                      development may ‘‘discourage the                         published in the Federal Register. This               assistance as may be necessary.
                                                      affected parties from meeting and                        publication provides the required public                 To the maximum extent possible
                                                      communicating with each other, and                       notice and provides for a public                      consistent with the legal obligations of
                                                      may cause parties with different                         comment period. Other participants and                the Department, DOE will use the
                                                      interests to assume conflicting and                      other interested parties retain their                 consensus of the advisory committee or
                                                      antagonistic positions * * *.’’ 5 U.S.C.                 rights to comment, participate in an                  working group as the basis for the rule
                                                      561(2)(2). Congress also stated that                     informal hearing (if requested), and                  the Department proposes for public
                                                      ‘‘adversarial rulemaking deprives the                    request judicial review. DOE                          notice and comment.
                                                      affected parties and the public of the                   anticipates, however, that the pre-
                                                      benefits of face-to-face negotiations and                                                                      E. Negotiating Consensus
                                                                                                               proposal consensus agreed upon by the
                                                      cooperation in developing and reaching                   advisory committee or working group                      As discussed above, the negotiated
                                                      agreement on a rule. It also deprives                    will narrow any issues in the                         rulemaking process differs
                                                      them of the benefits of shared                           subsequent rulemaking.                                fundamentally from the usual process
                                                      information, knowledge, expertise, and                                                                         for developing a proposed rule.
                                                      technical abilities possessed by the                     C. Proposed Rulemaking for Energy                     Negotiation enables interested and
                                                      affected parties.’’ 5 U.S.C. 561(2)(3).                  Conservation Standards Regarding                      affected parties to discuss various
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                                                         Using negotiated rulemaking to                        Central Air Conditioners and Heat                     approaches to issues rather than asking
                                                      develop a proposed rule differs                          Pumps                                                 them only to respond to a proposal
                                                      fundamentally from the Department                           The NRA enables DOE to establish an                developed by the Department. The
                                                      centered process. In negotiated                          advisory committee or working group if                negotiation process involves a mutual
                                                      rulemaking, a proposed rule is                           it is determined that the use of the                  education of the various parties on the
                                                      developed by an advisory committee or                    negotiated rulemaking process is in the               practical concerns about the impact of
                                                      working group, chartered under FACA,                     public interest. DOE intends to develop               standards. Each advisory committee or
                                                      5 U.S.C. App. 2, composed of members                     Federal regulations that build on the                 working group member participates in
                                                      chosen to represent the various interests                depth of experience accrued in both the               resolving the interests and concerns of


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                                                      40940                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 134 / Tuesday, July 14, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                      other members, rather than leaving it up                 be adequately represented. To have a                     component manufacturers and related
                                                      to DOE to evaluate and incorporate                       successful negotiation, it is important                  suppliers
                                                      different points of view.                                for interested parties to identify and                • Distributors or contractors selling or
                                                         A key principle of negotiated                         form coalitions that adequately                          installing central air conditioners and
                                                      rulemaking is that agreement is by                       represent significantly affected interests.              heat pumps
                                                      consensus of all the interests. Thus, no                 To provide adequate representation,                   • Utilities
                                                      one interest or group of interests is able               those coalitions must agree to support,               • Energy efficiency/environmental
                                                      to control the process. The NRA defines                  both financially and technically, a                      advocacy groups
                                                      consensus as the unanimous                               member of the working group whom                      • Consumers
                                                      concurrence among interests                              they choose to represent their interests.                One purpose of this notice of intent is
                                                      represented on a negotiated rulemaking                      DOE recognizes that when it                        to determine whether Federal
                                                      committee or working group, unless the                   considers adding covered products and                 regulations regarding central air
                                                      committee or working group itself                        establishing energy efficiency standards              conditioners and heat pumps will
                                                      unanimously agrees to use a different                    for residential products and commercial               significantly affect interests that are not
                                                      definition. 5 U.S.C. 562. In addition,                   equipment, various segments of society                listed above. DOE invites comment and
                                                      experience has demonstrated that using                   may be affected in different ways, in                 suggestions on its initial list of
                                                      a trained mediator to facilitate this                    some cases producing unique                           significantly affected interests.
                                                      process will assist all parties, including               ‘‘interests’’ in a proposed rule based on                Members may be individuals or
                                                      DOE, in identifying their real interests                 income, gender, or other factors. The                 organizations. If the effort is to be
                                                      in the rule, and thus will enable parties                Department will pay attention to                      fruitful, participants on the working
                                                      to focus on and resolve the important                    providing that any unique interests that              group should be able to fully and
                                                      issues.                                                  have been identified, and that may be                 adequately represent the viewpoints of
                                                                                                               significantly affected by the proposed                their respective interests. This
                                                      III. Proposed Negotiating Procedures
                                                                                                               rule, are represented.                                document gives notice of DOE’s process
                                                      A. Key Issues for Negotiation                               FACA also requires that members of                 to other potential participants and
                                                        The following issues and concerns                      the public have the opportunity to                    affords them the opportunity to request
                                                      will underlie the work of the Negotiated                 attend meetings of the full committee                 representation in the negotiations.
                                                      Rulemaking Committee for Central Air                     and speak or otherwise address the                    Those who wish to be appointed as
                                                      Conditioners and Heat Pumps:                             committee during the public comment                   members of the working group, should
                                                        • Certain aspects of the proposed test                 period. In addition, any member of the                submit a request to DOE, in accordance
                                                      procedure, including key test procedure                  public is permitted to file a written                 with the public participation procedures
                                                      conditions, as applicable; and                           statement with the advisory committee.                outlined in the DATES and ADDRESSES
                                                        • Proposed energy conservation                         DOE plans to follow these same                        sections of this notice of intent.
                                                      standards for central air conditioners                   procedures in conducting meetings of                  Membership of the working group is
                                                      and heat pumps, which may be                             the working group.                                    likely to involve:
                                                      nationally or regionally based.                          C. Interests Involved/Working Group                      • Attendance at approximately eight
                                                        To examine the underlying issues                       Membership                                            (8), one (1) to two (2) day meetings (with
                                                      outlined above, and others not yet                                                                             the potential for two (2) additional one
                                                      articulated, all parties in the negotiation                 DOE anticipates that the working                   (1) or two (2) day meetings);
                                                      will need DOE to provide data and an                     group will comprise no more than 25                      • Travel costs to those meetings; and
                                                      analytic framework complete and                          members who represent affected and                       • Preparation time for those meetings.
                                                      accurate enough to support their                         interested stakeholder groups, at least                  Members serving on the working
                                                      deliberations. DOE’s analyses must be                    one of whom must be a member of the                   group will not receive compensation for
                                                      adequate to inform a prospective                         ASRAC. As required by FACA, the                       their services. Interested parties who are
                                                      negotiation—for example, a notice of                     Department will conduct the negotiated                not selected for membership on the
                                                      data availability containing a                           rulemaking with particular attention to               working group may make valuable
                                                      preliminary Technical Support                            ensuring full and balanced                            contributions to this negotiated
                                                      Document or equivalent must be                           representation of those interests that                rulemaking effort in any of the following
                                                      available and timely.                                    may be significantly affected by the                  ways:
                                                                                                               proposed rule governing rules of                         • The person may request to be
                                                      B. Formation of Working Group                            residential central air conditioners                  placed on the working group mailing
                                                        A working group will be formed and                     energy conservation standards. Section                list and submit written comments as
                                                      operated in full compliance with the                     562 of the NRA defines the term interest              appropriate.
                                                      requirements of FACA and in a manner                     as ‘‘with respect to an issue or matter,                 • The person may attend working
                                                      consistent with the requirements of the                  multiple parties which have a similar                 group meetings, which are open to the
                                                      NRA. DOE has determined that the                         point of view or which are likely to be               public; caucus with his or her interest’s
                                                      working group not exceeds 25 members.                    affected in a similar manner.’’ Listed                member on the working group; or even
                                                      The Department believes that more than                   below are parties the Department to date              address the working group during the
                                                      25 members would make it difficult to                    has identified as being ‘‘significantly               public comment portion of the working
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                                                      conduct effective negotiations. DOE is                   affected’’ by a proposed rule regarding               group meeting.
                                                      aware that there are many more                           the energy efficiency of residential                     • The person could assist the efforts
                                                      potential participants than there are                    central air conditioners.                             of a workgroup that the working group
                                                      membership slots on the working group.                   • The Department of Energy                            might establish.
                                                      The Department does not believe, nor                     • Trade Associations representing                        A working group may establish
                                                      does the NRA contemplate, that each                         manufacturers of central air                       informal workgroups, which usually are
                                                      potentially affected group must                             conditioners and heat pumps                        asked to facilitate committee
                                                      participate directly in the negotiations;                • Manufacturers of central air                        deliberations by assisting with various
                                                      nevertheless, each affected interest can                    conditioners and heat pumps and                    technical matters (e.g., researching or


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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 134 / Tuesday, July 14, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                             40941

                                                      preparing summaries of the technical                       • Impartially assisting the members of              V. Public Participation
                                                      literature or comments on specific                       the working group in conducting
                                                      matters such as economic issues).                        discussions and negotiations; and                        Members of the public are welcome to
                                                      Workgroups also might assist in                            • Impartially assisting in performing               observe the business of the meeting and,
                                                      estimating costs or drafting regulatory                  the duties of the Designated Federal                  if time allows, may make oral
                                                      text on issues associated with the                       Official under FACA.                                  statements during the specified period
                                                      analysis of the costs and benefits                                                                             for public comment. To attend the
                                                      addressed, or formulating drafts of the                  F. Department Representative                          meeting and/or to make oral statements
                                                      various provisions and their                               The DOE representative will be a full               regarding any of the items on the
                                                      justifications as previously developed                   and active participant in the consensus               agenda, email asrac@ee.doe.gov. In the
                                                      by the working group. Given their                        building negotiations. The Department’s               email, please indicate your name,
                                                      support function, workgroups usually                     representative will meet regularly with               organization (if appropriate),
                                                      consist of participants who have                         senior Department officials, briefing                 citizenship, and contact information.
                                                      expertise or particular interest in the                  them on the negotiations and receiving                Please note that foreign nationals
                                                      technical matter(s) being studied.                       their suggestions and advice so that he               participating in the public meeting are
                                                      Because it recognizes the importance of                  or she can effectively represent the                  subject to advance security screening
                                                      this support work for the working                        Department’s views regarding the issues               procedures which require advance
                                                      group, DOE will provide appropriate                      before the working group. DOE’s                       notice prior to attendance at the public
                                                      technical expertise for such workgroups.                 representative also will ensure that the              meeting. If a foreign national wishes to
                                                                                                               entire spectrum of governmental                       participate in the public meeting, please
                                                      D. Good Faith Negotiation                                                                                      inform DOE as soon as possible by
                                                                                                               interests affected by the standards
                                                         Every working group member must be                    rulemaking, including the Office of                   contacting Ms. Regina Washington at
                                                      willing to negotiate in good faith and                   Management and Budget, the Attorney                   (202) 586–1214 or by email:
                                                      have the authority, granted by his or her                General, and other Departmental offices,              Regina.Washington@ee.doe.gov so that
                                                      constituency, to do so. The first step is                are kept informed of the negotiations                 the necessary procedures can be
                                                      to ensure that each member has good                      and encouraged to make their concerns                 completed. Anyone attending the
                                                      communications with his or her                           known in a timely fashion.                            meeting will be required to present a
                                                      constituencies. An intra-interest                                                                              government photo identification, such
                                                                                                               G. Working Group and Schedule                         as a passport, driver’s license, or
                                                      network of communication should be
                                                      established to bring information from                       After evaluating the comments                      government identification. Due to the
                                                      the support organization to the member                   submitted in response to this notice of               required security screening upon entry,
                                                      at the table, and to take information                    intent and the requests for nominations,              individuals attending should arrive
                                                      from the table back to the support                       DOE will either inform the members of                 early to allow for the extra time needed.
                                                      organization. Second, each organization                  the working group that they have been                    Due to the REAL ID Act implemented
                                                      or coalition therefore should designate                  selected or determine that conducting a               by the Department of Homeland
                                                      as its representative a person having the                negotiated rulemaking is inappropriate.               Security (DHS) recent changes regarding
                                                      credibility and authority to ensure that                    The working group is expected to                   ID requirements for individuals wishing
                                                      needed information is provided and                       make a concerted effort to negotiate a                to enter Federal buildings from specific
                                                      decisions are made in a timely fashion.                  final term sheet by December 31, 2015                 states and U.S. territories. Driver’s
                                                      Negotiated rulemaking can require the                    without further option for extensions.                licenses from the following states or
                                                      appointed members to give a significant                     DOE will advise working group                      territory will not be accepted for
                                                      sustained for as long as the duration of                 members of administrative matters                     building entry and one of the alternate
                                                      the negotiated rulemaking. Other                         related to the functions of the working               forms of ID listed below will be
                                                      qualities of members that can be helpful                 group before beginning. DOE will                      required.
                                                      are negotiating experience and skills,                   establish a meeting schedule based on                    DHS has determined that regular
                                                      and sufficient technical knowledge to                    the settlement agreement and produce                  driver’s licenses (and ID cards) from the
                                                      participate in substantive negotiations.                 the necessary documents so as to adhere               following jurisdictions are not
                                                         Certain concepts are central to                       to that schedule. While the negotiated                acceptable for entry into DOE facilities:
                                                      negotiating in good faith. One is the                    rulemaking process is underway, DOE is                Alaska, Louisiana, New York, American
                                                      willingness to bring all issues to the                   committed to performing much of the                   Samoa, Maine, Oklahoma, Arizona,
                                                      bargaining table in an attempt to reach                  same analysis as it would during a                    Massachusetts, Washington, and
                                                      a consensus, as opposed to keeping key                   normal standards rulemaking process                   Minnesota.
                                                      issues in reserve. The second is a                       and to providing information and
                                                      willingness to keep the issues at the                    technical support to the working group.                  Acceptable alternate forms of Photo-
                                                      table and not take them to other forums.                                                                       ID include: U.S. Passport or Passport
                                                                                                               IV. Comments Requested                                Card; An Enhanced Driver’s License or
                                                      Finally, good faith includes a
                                                      willingness to move away from some of                       DOE requests comments on which                     Enhanced ID-Card issued by the states
                                                      the positions often taken in a more                      parties should be included in a                       of Minnesota, New York or Washington
                                                      traditional rulemaking process, and                      negotiated rulemaking to develop draft                (Enhanced licenses issued by these
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                                                      instead explore openly with other                        language pertaining to the energy                     states are clearly marked Enhanced or
                                                      parties all ideas that may emerge from                   efficiency of residential central air                 Enhanced Driver’s License); A military
                                                      the working group’s discussions.                         conditioners and suggestions of                       ID or other Federal government issued
                                                                                                               additional interests and/or stakeholders              Photo-ID card.
                                                      E. Facilitator
                                                                                                               that should be represented on the                     VI. Approval of the Office of the
                                                        The facilitator will act as a neutral in               working group. All who wish to                        Secretary
                                                      the substantive development of the                       participate as members of the working
                                                      proposed standard. Rather, the                           group should submit a request for                       The Secretary of Energy has approved
                                                      facilitator’s role generally includes:                   nomination to DOE.                                    publication of today’s notice of intent.


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                                                      40942                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 134 / Tuesday, July 14, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                        Issued in Washington, DC, on June 30,                    • Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of                 substantive verbal contact we receive
                                                      2015.                                                    Transportation, Docket Operations,                    about this proposed AD.
                                                      Kathleen B. Hogan,                                       M–30, West Building Ground Floor,
                                                                                                                                                                     Discussion
                                                      Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy                    Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
                                                      Efficiency and Renewable Energy.                         Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9                   On August 24, 2009, we issued AD
                                                      [FR Doc. 2015–17252 Filed 7–13–15; 8:45 am]              a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through                       2009–18–15, Amendment 39–16011 (74
                                                      BILLING CODE 6450–01–P                                   Friday, except Federal holidays.                      FR 48143, September 22, 2009). AD
                                                                                                                 For service information identified in               2009–18–15 requires actions intended to
                                                                                                               this proposed AD, contact Airbus SAS,                 address an unsafe condition for all
                                                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                             Airworthiness Office—EAW, 1 Rond                      Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300
                                                                                                               Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac                 B4–600, B4–600R, and F4–600R series
                                                      Federal Aviation Administration                          Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36               airplanes, and Model A300 C4–605R
                                                                                                               96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email                      Variant F airplanes (collectively called
                                                      14 CFR Part 39                                           account.airworth-eas@airbus.com;                      Model A300–600 series airplanes).
                                                      [Docket No. FAA–2015–2461; Directorate
                                                                                                               Internet http://www.airbus.com.                         Since we issued AD 2009–18–15,
                                                      Identifier 2013–NM–202–AD]                                 You may view this referenced service                Amendment 39–16011 (74 FR 48143,
                                                                                                               information at the FAA, Transport                     September 22, 2009), we have
                                                      RIN 2120–AA64                                            Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue                determined that more restrictive
                                                                                                               SW., Renton, WA. For information on                   maintenance requirements and
                                                      Airworthiness Directives; Airbus                         the availability of this material at the
                                                      Airplanes                                                                                                      airworthiness limitations are necessary.
                                                                                                               FAA, call 425–227–1221.
                                                                                                                                                                       The European Aviation Safety Agency
                                                      AGENCY: Federal Aviation                                 Examining the AD Docket                               (EASA), which is the Technical Agent
                                                      Administration (FAA), DOT.                                                                                     for the Member States of the European
                                                      ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
                                                                                                                  You may examine the AD docket on
                                                                                                               the Internet at http://                               Union, has issued EASA Airworthiness
                                                      (NPRM).                                                                                                        Directive 2013–0248, dated October 14,
                                                                                                               www.regulations.gov by searching for
                                                      SUMMARY:   We propose to supersede                       and locating Docket No. FAA–2015–                     2013 (referred to after this as the
                                                      Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009–18–                    2461; or in person at the Docket                      Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness
                                                      15 for all Airbus Model A300, A310,                      Management Facility between 9 a.m.                    Information, or ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct
                                                      and A300 B4–600, B4–600R, and F4–                        and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,                    an unsafe condition for all Model A300,
                                                      600R series airplanes, and Model A300                    except Federal holidays. The AD docket                A310, and A300–600 series airplanes.
                                                      C4–605R Variant F airplanes                              contains this proposed AD, the                        The MCAI states:
                                                      (collectively called Model A300–600                      regulatory evaluation, any comments                      The airworthiness limitations for Airbus
                                                      series airplanes). AD 2009–18–15                         received, and other information. The                  aeroplanes are currently published in
                                                      currently requires revising the                          street address for the Docket Operations              Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS)
                                                      Airworthiness Limitations section (ALS)                  office (telephone (800) 647–5527) is in               documents.
                                                                                                                                                                        The mandatory instructions and
                                                      of the Instructions for Continued                        the ADDRESSES section. Comments will
                                                                                                                                                                     airworthiness limitations applicable to the
                                                      Airworthiness (ICA) to require                           be available in the AD docket shortly                 Aging Systems Maintenance (ASM) are
                                                      additional life limits and/or                            after receipt.                                        specified in Airbus A310 or A300–600 ALS
                                                      replacements for certain main landing                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan                  Part 4 documents, which are approved by the
                                                      gear and nose landing gear components.                   Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,                           European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
                                                      Since we issued AD 2009–18–15, we                        International Branch, ANM–116,                        EASA AD 2007–0092 [http://
                                                      have determined that existing                            Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,                  ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/easa_ad_2007_
                                                      maintenance requirements and                                                                                   0092.pdf/AD_2007-0092] [which corresponds
                                                                                                               1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA
                                                      airworthiness limitations are inadequate                                                                       to FAA AD 2009–06–06, Amendment 39–
                                                                                                               98057–3356; telephone 425–227–2125;                   15842 (74 FR 12228, March 24, 2009)] was
                                                      to ensure the structural integrity of the                fax 425–227–1149.                                     issued to require compliance to the
                                                      airplane. This proposed AD would                         SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            requirements as specified in these
                                                      require revising the maintenance or                                                                            documents.
                                                      inspection program to incorporate new                    Comments Invited                                         The revision 02 of Airbus A310 and Airbus
                                                      maintenance requirements and                               We invite you to send any written                   A300–600 ALS Part 4 documents introduces
                                                      airworthiness limitations. We are                        relevant data, views, or arguments about              more restrictive maintenance requirements
                                                      proposing this AD to prevent failure of                                                                        and/or airworthiness limitations. Failure to
                                                                                                               this proposed AD. Send your comments
                                                      certain system components, which                                                                               comply with the instructions of ALS Part 4
                                                                                                               to an address listed under the                        could result in an unsafe condition [reduced
                                                      could result in reduced structural                       ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No.               structural integrity of the airplane.]
                                                      integrity of the airplane.                               FAA–2015–2461; Directorate Identifier                    For the reasons described above, this new
                                                      DATES: We must receive comments on                       2013–NM–202–AD’’ at the beginning of                  [EASA] AD retains the requirements of EASA
                                                      this proposed AD by August 28, 2015.                     your comments. We specifically invite                 AD 2007–0092, which is superseded, and
                                                      ADDRESSES: You may send comments by                      comments on the overall regulatory,                   requires the implementation of the new or
                                                      any of the following methods:                            economic, environmental, and energy                   more restrictive maintenance requirements
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                        • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to                    aspects of this proposed AD. We will                  and/or airworthiness limitations as specified
                                                                                                                                                                     in Airbus A310 ALS Part 4, Revision 02, or
                                                      http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the                   consider all comments received by the
                                                                                                                                                                     Airbus A300–600 ALS Part 4, Revision 02, as
                                                      instructions for submitting comments.                    closing date and may amend this                       applicable to aeroplane type/model.
                                                        • Fax: (202) 493–2251.                                 proposed AD based on those comments.
                                                        • Mail: U.S. Department of                               We will post all comments we                        You may examine the MCAI in the AD
                                                      Transportation, Docket Operations,                       receive, without change, to http://                   docket on the Internet at http://
                                                      M–30, West Building Ground Floor,                        www.regulations.gov, including any                    www.regulations.gov by searching for
                                                      Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey                            personal information you provide. We                  and locating Docket No. FAA–2015–
                                                      Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.                        will also post a report summarizing each              2461.


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Document Created: 2018-02-23 09:19:21
Document Modified: 2018-02-23 09:19:21
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of intent and announcement of public meeting.
DatesDOE will host a public meeting and webinar on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Washington, DC.
ContactJohn Cymbalsky, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Building Technologies (EE-2J), 950 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Washington, DC 20024. Phone: 202-287-1692. Email: [email protected]
FR Citation80 FR 40938 
RIN Number1904-AD37

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