80_FR_59948 80 FR 59757 - Updating and Improving the DOE Methodology for Assessing the Cost-Effectiveness of Building Energy Codes

80 FR 59757 - Updating and Improving the DOE Methodology for Assessing the Cost-Effectiveness of Building Energy Codes

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 191 (October 2, 2015)

Page Range59757-59758
FR Document2015-25031

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or Department) has updated its methodology for assessing the cost-effectiveness of building energy codes. The Department relies upon this methodology in evaluating both potential code changes and entire new editions of model codes, such as the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 90.1. DOE developed its methodology through a public process, and reviews its methods regularly to ensure its underlying analysis and assumptions remain valid.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 191 (Friday, October 2, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 191 (Friday, October 2, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59757-59758]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25031]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

[EERE-2015-BT-BC-0001]


Updating and Improving the DOE Methodology for Assessing the 
Cost-Effectiveness of Building Energy Codes

AGENCY: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or Department) has updated 
its methodology for assessing the cost-effectiveness of building energy 
codes. The Department relies upon this methodology in evaluating both 
potential code changes and entire new editions of model codes, such as 
the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the American 
Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers 
(ASHRAE) Standard 90.1. DOE developed its methodology through a public 
process, and reviews its methods regularly to ensure its underlying 
analysis and assumptions remain valid.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeremiah Williams; U.S. Department of 
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW. EE-5B, Washington, DC 20585; (202) 287-1941; 
[email protected].
    For legal issues, please contact Kavita Vaidyanathan; U.S. 
Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, 1000 Independence 
Avenue SW. GC-33, Washington, DC 20585; (202) 586-0669; 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE issued a recent request for information 
(RFI) to seek public input on proposed updates to its methodology, and 
as part of a regular effort to ensure its analysis and underlying 
assumptions remain valid (80 FR 19974).\1\ The Department reviewed and 
considered each comment received, and has revised its methodology based 
on feedback resulting from the RFI. Updated methodology reports for 
residential and commercial buildings, respectively, are available on 
the DOE Building Energy Codes Program Web site:
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    \1\ Recent request for information published in the Federal 
Register on April 14, 2015 (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-BC-0001).
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     Residential: https://www.energycodes.gov/development/residential/methodology.

[[Page 59758]]

     Commercial: https://www.energycodes.gov/development/commercial/methodology.
    A summary of the changes to the DOE methodology is available in the 
associated public docket (EERE-2015-BT-BC-0001).\2\ This summary 
provides a discussion of relevant issues considered in updating the 
methodology, including:
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    \2\ See DOE Cost Summary of changes responding to RFI comments 
(09022015) found at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EERE-2015-BT-BC-0001-0021.
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    1. Comments which prompted revisions to the DOE methodology; and
    2. Comments not resulting in a revision to the methodology, but 
which raised legitimate issues for which DOE wishes to provide its 
rationale for leaving the methodology unchanged.
    In addition, a `redline' document is provided in the public 
docket.\3\ This document illustrates specific changes to the DOE 
methodology reports in underline and strikethrough formatting. The 
combination of documents is intended to ensure transparency and make 
the update more easily understood.
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    \3\ See Methodology for Evaluating Cost-Effectiveness of 
Residential Energy Code Changes (REDLINE Version) August, 2015 
(PNNL-21294 Rev 1) found at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EERE-2015-BT-BC-0001-0022.
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    More information on the methodology, including the resulting energy 
and cost analysis, is available on the DOE Building Energy Codes 
Program Web site: www.energycodes.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 14, 2015.
David Cohan,
Manager, Building Energy Codes Program, Building Technologies Office, 
Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2015-25031 Filed 10-1-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 191 / Friday, October 2, 2015 / Notices 59757 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: PCAST’s work, not for business DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Information regarding the meeting marketing purposes. agenda, time, location, and how to Office of Energy Efficiency and Oral Comments: To be considered for register for the meeting is available on Renewable Energy the public speaker list at the meeting, the PCAST Web site at: http:// interested parties should register to whitehouse.gov/ostp/pcast. Questions [EERE–2015–BT–BC–0001] speak at http://whitehouse.gov/ostp/ about the meeting should be directed to pcast, no later than 12:00 p.m. (Eastern Updating and Improving the DOE Ms. Jennifer Michael at: Jennifer_L_ Michael@ostp.eop.gov, (202) 456–4444. Time) on October 14, 2015. Telephone Methodology for Assessing the Cost- or email reservations will not be Effectiveness of Building Energy SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Codes accepted. To accommodate as many President’s Council of Advisors on speakers as possible, the time for public Science and Technology (PCAST) is an AGENCY: Energy Efficiency and comments will be limited to two (2) advisory group of the nation’s leading Renewable Energy, Department of scientists and engineers, appointed by minutes per person, with a total public Energy. the President to augment the science comment period of up to 10 minutes. If ACTION: Notice of availability. and technology advice available to him more speakers register than there is from inside the White House, cabinet space available on the agenda, PCAST SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of departments, and other Federal will randomly select speakers from Energy (DOE or Department) has agencies. See the Executive Order at among those who applied. Those not updated its methodology for assessing http://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/pcast. selected to present oral comments may the cost-effectiveness of building energy PCAST is consulted about and provides always file written comments with the codes. The Department relies upon this analyses and recommendations committee. methodology in evaluating both concerning a wide range of issues where Written Comments: Although written potential code changes and entire new understandings from the domains of comments are accepted continuously, editions of model codes, such as the science, technology, and innovation written comments should be submitted International Energy Conservation Code may bear on the policy choices before to PCAST no later than 12:00 p.m. (IECC) and the American Society of the President. PCAST is co-chaired by (Eastern Time) on October 14, 2015, so Heating, Refrigerating and Air- Dr. John P. Holdren, Assistant to the Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) the comments may be made available to President for Science and Technology, Standard 90.1. DOE developed its the PCAST members, for their and Director, Office of Science and methodology through a public process, consideration, prior to the meeting. and reviews its methods regularly to Technology Policy, Executive Office of Information regarding how to submit ensure its underlying analysis and the President, The White House; and Dr. Eric S. Lander, President, Broad comments and documents to PCAST is assumptions remain valid. Institute of the Massachusetts Institute available at: http://whitehouse.gov/ostp/ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: of Technology and Harvard. pcast, in the section entitled: ‘‘Connect Jeremiah Williams; U.S. Department of Type of Meeting: Open. with PCAST.’’ Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Proposed Schedule and Agenda: The Please note that because PCAST Renewable Energy, 1000 Independence President’s Council of Advisors on operates under the provisions of FACA, Avenue SW. EE–5B, Washington, DC Science and Technology (PCAST) is all public comments and/or 20585; (202) 287–1941; scheduled to hold a public conference presentations will be treated as public Jeremiah.Williams@ee.doe.gov. call on October 23, 2015, from 3:00 p.m. documents and will be made available For legal issues, please contact Kavita to 3:30 p.m. for public inspection, including being Vaidyanathan; U.S. Department of Open Portion of Meeting: During this posted on the PCAST Web site. Energy, Office of the General Counsel, open meeting, PCAST is scheduled to 1000 Independence Avenue SW. GC–33, discuss its study of hearing technologies Meeting Accommodations: Washington, DC 20585; (202) 586–0669; as part of a larger project about Individuals requiring special Kavita.Vaidyanathan@hq.doe.gov. technologies to help older Americans accommodation to access this public SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE live independently as they age. meeting should contact Ms. Jennifer Michael at least ten business days prior issued a recent request for information Additional information and the agenda, (RFI) to seek public input on proposed including any changes that arise, will be to the meeting so that appropriate updates to its methodology, and as part posted at the PCAST’s Web site at: arrangements can be made. of a regular effort to ensure its analysis http://whitehouse.gov/ostp/pcast. Issued in Washington, DC, on September and underlying assumptions remain Public Comments: It is the policy of 28, 2015. valid (80 FR 19974).1 The Department the PCAST to accept written public LaTanya R. Butler, reviewed and considered each comment comments of any length, and to received, and has revised its Deputy Committee Management Officer. accommodate oral public comments methodology based on feedback [FR Doc. 2015–25107 Filed 10–1–15; 8:45 am] whenever possible. The PCAST expects resulting from the RFI. Updated that public statements presented at its BILLING CODE 6450–01–P methodology reports for residential and meetings will not be repetitive of commercial buildings, respectively, are previously submitted oral or written available on the DOE Building Energy mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES statements. Codes Program Web site: The public comment period for this • Residential: https:// meeting will take place on October 23, www.energycodes.gov/development/ 2015, at a time specified in the meeting residential/methodology. agenda posted on the PCAST Web site at: http://whitehouse.gov/ostp/pcast. 1 Recent request for information published in the This public comment period is designed Federal Register on April 14, 2015 (Docket No. only for substantive commentary on EERE–2015–BT–BC–0001). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:43 Oct 01, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\02OCN1.SGM 02OCN1

59758 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 191 / Friday, October 2, 2015 / Notices • Commercial: https:// (OMB) pursuant to the Paperwork challenge. Additionally, other pre- www.energycodes.gov/development/ Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed existing collection forms are being commercial/methodology. collection of information relates to three amended for clarity and to reduce A summary of the changes to the DOE of DOE’s Better Buildings Programs. burden on respondents. Also, the total methodology is available in the Comments are invited on: (a) whether number of respondents for individual associated public docket (EERE–2015– the proposed collection of information program areas is being adjusted to align BT–BC–0001).2 This summary provides is necessary for the proper performance with practical experience and to a discussion of relevant issues of the functions of the agency, including account for the fact that certain one-time considered in updating the whether the information shall have reporting requirements have already methodology, including: practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the been satisfied by a majority of the 1. Comments which prompted agency’s estimate of the burden of the participants. revisions to the DOE methodology; and proposed collection of information, The leadership initiatives under the 2. Comments not resulting in a including the validity of the Better Buildings Initiative covered revision to the methodology, but which methodology and assumptions used; (c) under this Information Collection raised legitimate issues for which DOE ways to enhance the quality, utility, and Request are intended to drive greater wishes to provide its rationale for clarity of the information to be energy and water efficiency in the leaving the methodology unchanged. collected; and (d) ways to minimize the commercial, public, residential, data In addition, a ‘redline’ document is burden of the collection of information center, and industrial marketplace to provided in the public docket.3 This on respondents, including through the reduce pollution, cut costs, and create document illustrates specific changes to use of automated collection techniques jobs. This will be accomplished by the DOE methodology reports in or other forms of information highlighting the ways participants underline and strikethrough formatting. technology. overcome market barriers to greater The combination of documents is DATES: Comments regarding this efficiency with replicable solutions. The intended to ensure transparency and proposed information collection must program will showcase real solutions make the update more easily be received on or before December 1, and partner with industry leaders to understood. More information on the 2015. If you anticipate difficulty in better understand policy and technical methodology, including the resulting submitting comments within that opportunities. There are three types of energy and cost analysis, is available on period, contact the person listed in information to be collected from ADDRESSES as soon as possible. primary participants, also referred to as the DOE Building Energy Codes Program Web site: ADDRESSES: Written comments may be ‘‘Partners’’: (1) Background data, www.energycodes.gov. sent Andre de Fontaine, EE–5A/ including contact information, a Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence partnership agreement form, logo(s), Issued in Washington, DC, on September Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, by information needed to support public 14, 2015. announcements, updates on fax at 202–586–5234, or by email at David Cohan, andre.defontaine@ee.doe.gov. participants’ showcase projects, and an Manager, Building Energy Codes Program, energy savings goal; (2) Portfolio-wide FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Building Technologies Office, Energy energy performance information; and (3) Efficiency & Renewable Energy. Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection Information on market innovations [FR Doc. 2015–25031 Filed 10–1–15; 8:45 am] participants are including in their instrument and instructions should be BILLING CODE 6450–01–P directed to Andre de Fontaine, EE–5F/ energy efficiency processes. Background Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence data will primarily be used to develop Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, by Web site content that will be publically DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY available. Portfolio-wide facility-level fax at 202–586–5234, or by email at Office of Energy Efficiency and andre.defontaine@ee.doe.gov. energy performance information will be Renewable Energy SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This used by DOE to measure the information collection request contains: participants’ progress in meeting the Amendment to an Approved Agency (1) OMB No.1910–5141; goals of the program, as well as to Information Collection (2) Information Collection Request aggregate the change in energy Title: Department of Energy Better performance and related metrics for the AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Buildings Challenge, Better Buildings entire program. Information on market Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Alliance, and the Better Buildings, innovation will be used to highlight Energy. Better Plants Voluntary Pledge Program; successful strategies participants use to ACTION: Notice and request for (3) Type of Request: Amendment; overcome challenges, and will be comments. (4) Purpose: This Information publicly available. Additional Collection Request applies to three background information is being SUMMARY: The Department of Energy Department of Energy (DOE) voluntary collected from ‘‘Allies’’, financial and (DOE) invites public comment on a leadership initiatives that fall under the utility organizations that make a public proposed collection of information that President’s Better Buildings Initiative: commitment to support the energy DOE is developing for submission to the (1) The Better Buildings Challenge; (2) efficiency marketplace. Background Office of Management and Budget the Better Buildings, Better Plants information including name, mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 2 See DOE Cost Summary of changes responding Program; and (3) the Better Buildings commitment in terms of dollars to RFI comments (09022015) found at http:// Alliance. The information being committed by financial allies, or percent www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EERE- collected is needed so as to include of commercial customer class 2015-BT-BC-0001-0021. participants in new sub-programs under committed by utility allies, and a 3 See Methodology for Evaluating Cost- the Better Buildings Challenge company logo will be used to develop Effectiveness of Residential Energy Code Changes (REDLINE Version) August, 2015 (PNNL–21294 Rev concerning energy efficiency in the publically available Web site content. 1) found at http://www.regulations.gov/ multifamily residential and data center Responses to the DOE’s Information #!documentDetail;D=EERE-2015-BT-BC-0001-0022. sectors, as well as a new water savings Collection Request will be voluntary. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:43 Oct 01, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\02OCN1.SGM 02OCN1


Document Created: 2015-12-15 08:44:33
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 08:44:33
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of availability.
ContactJeremiah Williams; U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW. EE-5B, Washington, DC 20585; (202) 287-1941; [email protected]
FR Citation80 FR 59757 
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