80_FR_77829 80 FR 77589 - Energy Conservation Standards and Test Procedure for Miscellaneous Refrigeration Products: Notice of Data Availability; Request for Information

80 FR 77589 - Energy Conservation Standards and Test Procedure for Miscellaneous Refrigeration Products: Notice of Data Availability; Request for Information

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 240 (December 15, 2015)

Page Range77589-77591
FR Document2015-31566

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is currently weighing whether and how to regulate the energy efficiency of certain refrigeration products such as wine chillers and beverage centers (collectively, ``coolers''). These ``miscellaneous refrigeration products'' (``MREFs'') include coolers that do not operate using a conventional compressor/condenser-based system, particularly those products that use a thermoelectric-based refrigeration system. In support of this effort, DOE has collected and analyzed a variety of data to better understand the composition of the MREF industry and its products. To ensure its understanding of this market and its products, DOE is requesting additional information from the public related to the manufacturers of thermoelectric-based MREFs.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 240 (Tuesday, December 15, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 240 (Tuesday, December 15, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 77589-77591]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31566]


========================================================================
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. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 77589]]



DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 430

[Docket Number EERE-2011-BT-STD-0043]
RIN 1904-AC51


Energy Conservation Standards and Test Procedure for 
Miscellaneous Refrigeration Products: Notice of Data Availability; 
Request for Information

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

ACTION: Notice of data availability (NODA); request for information 
(RFI).

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is currently weighing 
whether and how to regulate the energy efficiency of certain 
refrigeration products such as wine chillers and beverage centers 
(collectively, ``coolers''). These ``miscellaneous refrigeration 
products'' (``MREFs'') include coolers that do not operate using a 
conventional compressor/condenser-based system, particularly those 
products that use a thermoelectric-based refrigeration system. In 
support of this effort, DOE has collected and analyzed a variety of 
data to better understand the composition of the MREF industry and its 
products. To ensure its understanding of this market and its products, 
DOE is requesting additional information from the public related to the 
manufacturers of thermoelectric-based MREFs.

DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding the 
NODA no later than January 14, 2016. Details regarding the data 
referenced in this document are provided in docket EERE-2011-BT-STD-
0043, available at www.regulations.gov.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted to the addresses provided in 
section IV. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
    The docket, EERE-2011-BT-STD-0043, is available for review at 
www.regulations.gov, including Federal Register notices, comments, and 
other supporting documents or materials. All documents in the docket 
are listed in the www.regulations.gov index. However, not all documents 
listed in the index may be publicly available, such as information that 
is exempt from public disclosure.
    A link to the docket Web page can be found at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2011-BT-STD-0043. The 
regulations.gov Web page contains instructions on how to access all 
documents in the docket, including public comments. For further 
information on how to review the docket, contact Ms. Brenda Edwards at 
(202) 586-2945 or by email: Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional 
information may be sent to Mr. Joseph Hagerman, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building 
Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, 
DC 20585-0121. Telephone: 202-586-4549. Email: 
Joseph.Hagerman@ee.doe.gov.
    In the office of the General Counsel, contact Mr. Michael Kido, 
Esq., U.S. Department of Energy, Office of General Counsel, GC-33, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121, (202) 586-8145, 
Michael.Kido@hq.doe.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Miscellaneous Refrigeration Products--Background
II. Results and Analyses Summary
III. Request for Information and Specific Issues for Which DOE Is 
Seeking Comment
IV. Public Participation

I. Miscellaneous Refrigeration Products--Background

    In November 2011, the Department of Energy (``DOE'') began a 
process to consider whether to include as covered products and 
establish energy conservation standards for certain types of 
refrigeration products that largely fall outside of DOE's regulations 
pertaining to refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers.\1\ 
See 76 FR 69147 (November 8, 2011) (Notice of Proposed Determination) 
and 10 CFR 430.32(a) (setting out energy conservation standards for 
each class of refrigerator, refrigerator-freezer, and freezer currently 
regulated by DOE). Chief among the products garnering DOE's attention 
were products such as wine chillers (``coolers'')--which typically 
provide storage temperatures exceeding those used in those products 
already addressed by DOE's regulations. Cooling the storage areas of 
these products can be accomplished using different methods. One method 
is to use a conventional compressor/condenser-based system that feeds 
cold air into the internal storage compartment of the product. Another 
method--thermoelectric-based cooling--relies on the use of a solid-
state heat pump that creates a cooling effect when electric current 
passes through two conductors. Under this approach, a temperature 
difference is created between the junction of two different types of 
materials as voltage is applied to the free ends of each material. Both 
of these technologies were considered in DOE's approach to regulating 
miscellaneous refrigeration equipment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ For a narrow sliver of products that combined a wine storage 
compartment with a fresh food or freezer compartment (``combination 
coolers''), DOE had previously issued guidance indicating that these 
products may fall within the electric refrigerator and electric 
refrigerator-freezer definitions. See Refrigerators and Freezers 
Guidance (February 10, 2011) (discussing the treatment of ``hybrid'' 
refrigeration products--i.e., cominbation coolers).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pursuant to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as 
amended (``EPCA''), DOE may add a new product to its scope of 
regulatory coverage when certain criteria are met. See 42 U.S.C. 
6292(b) (laying out specific criteria to satisfy when classifying a 
consumer product not already statutorily-covered as a covered product). 
Similarly, DOE may set energy conservation standards for those newly 
covered products if additional criteria are met. See 42 U.S.C. 6295(l) 
(detailing additional requirements to meet prior to prescribing 
standards for newly covered products). As part of its continuing 
efforts to improve consumer product and industrial equipment energy 
efficiency, DOE is considering including miscellaneous refrigeration 
products (``MREFs''), such as coolers that do not use a compressor/
condenser-based system, to its list of products for

[[Page 77590]]

regulatory coverage authority and to set energy conservation standards 
for them.
    To help better inform its potential regulation of these items, DOE 
announced its intention to establish a negotiated rulemaking working 
group that would operate under the Appliance Standards and Rulemaking 
Federal Advisory Committee (``ASRAC'') with the purpose of exploring 
possible energy efficiency requirements for MREFs. See 80 FR 17355 
(April 1, 2015). DOE solicited the public for participants to help 
serve on the MREF Working Group and identified various groups who would 
be significantly affected by a rulemaking that would address MREF 
energy efficiency. See id. at 17357. The Working Group ultimately 
reached consensus among its members on a variety of issues, including 
the potential scope of coverage, applicable definitions, test procedure 
details, and energy conservation standards that would apply to these 
products. This effort, which was conducted in accordance with the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2) and the Negotiated 
Rulemaking Act (5 U.S.C. 561-570), produced a consensus agreement 
addressing the above issues.

II. Results and Analyses Summary

    The consensus agreement reached by the various participating 
parties was based on research and testing data related to MREF 
products. The data from this effort were used to create a comprehensive 
technical analysis that the Working Group used to develop the 
recommendations in its consensus agreement. The agreement was prepared 
for submission to ASRAC, which would then weigh its merits for approval 
for further consideration by DOE.
    Among the issues considered by the Working Group were the potential 
impacts related to manufacturers of thermoelectric-based MREF products. 
While DOE believes that the MREF Working Group, which included one 
manufacturer who currently sells thermoelectric-based products and 
other manufacturers who have sold thermoelectric coolers in the past, 
comprised a group of persons that are fairly representative of relevant 
points of view, including manufacturers of thermoelectric-based MREF 
products, DOE is seeking comment and any additional information 
regarding the nature of these manufacturers, and the marketing nuances 
and other issues specifically facing the manufacturers of 
thermoelectric-based MREF products.

III. Request for Information and Specific Issues for Which DOE Is 
Seeking Comment

    DOE welcomes comments on all aspects of this notice of data 
availability and request for information. DOE is particularly 
interested in receiving comments from interested parties on the 
following data and questions related to the manufacturers of 
thermoelectric-based MREF products:
    (1) The number, location, size, product offering, and business 
structure of the original equipment manufacturers (``OEMs'') producing 
thermoelectric coolers for sale in the U.S. market.
    (2) The sales channels of the thermoelectric cooler OEMs serving 
the U.S. market. Which of these OEMs sell products directly to the U.S. 
market and which serve the U.S. market indirectly through private 
labelers?
    (3) The U.S. market shares (in terms of total shipments) of both 
the thermoelectric cooler private labelers and OEMs.
    (4) Using a database of models generated from publicly available 
information (including existing product databases and manufacturer and 
vendor Web sites), DOE identified over 30 brands of cooler models 
offered for sale in the U.S. that utilize thermoelectric refrigeration 
systems--all of which appear to be manufactured overseas. In DOE's 
view, the current market is competitive with no one dominant player and 
includes such private labelers as Vinotemp, Wine Enthusiast, Koolatron, 
and Haier. DOE seeks comment on whether this description of the 
thermoelectric cooler market is accruate and whether using the number 
of cooler models available on the U.S. market can be used as a proxy 
for market share for the cooler industry.DOE considered thermoelectric 
coolers when generating engineering analysis information included in 
the preliminary analysis (79 FR 71705 (Dec. 3, 2014)) and updated its 
analysis documents based on the Working Group discussions. (DOE's 
engineering analysis documents developed in support of the Working 
Group meetings are available at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket ID 
EERE-2011-BT-STD-0043.) These analyses indicated that thermoelectric 
cooler energy efficiency performance could be improved to a level that 
would be on-par (or exceed) the efficiency levels recommended by the 
Working Group by using a variety of options including, but not limited 
to, adding cabinet insulation, incorporating heat pipes, using solid 
rather than glass doors, or using glass or other translucent door 
material with higher insulating values. DOE requests comment on these 
engineering results and related estimates.
    (5) DOE seeks comment as to whether there are any substantive 
issues with relying on information furnished by private labelers who 
purchase thermoelectric-based MREFs for purposes of DOE's manufacturer 
impacts analysis. If there are no issues with relying on this 
information (or its source), please so state.
    (6) DOE also seeks any additional feedback relating to its analyses 
that it is making available as part of this NODA as it relates to 
thermoelectric manufacturers.

IV. Public Participation

Submission of Comments

    DOE welcomes comments on all aspects of this NODA and on other 
relevant issues that participants believe would affect the eventual 
test procedures and energy conservation standards applicable to MREF 
products. Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments. Alternatively, interested 
persons may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE-2011-BT-
STD-0043, by any of the following methods:
     Email: To WineChillers-2011-STD-0043@ee.doe.gov. Include 
EERE-2011-BT-STD-0043 in the subject line of the message.
     Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, 
Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-5B, 1000 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Phone: (202) 586-2945. Please submit 
one signed paper original.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 6th Floor, 950 L'Enfant Plaza 
SW., Washington, DC 20024. Phone: (202) 586-2945. Please submit one 
signed paper original.
    All submissions received must include the agency name and docket 
number or RIN for this rulemaking.
    After the close of the comment period, DOE will begin reviewing the 
public comments and making any necessary adjustments to its standards 
analysis supporting its rulemaking proceeding concerning potential 
energy conservation standards for MREF products.
    DOE considers public participation to be a very important part of 
the process for developing test procedures and

[[Page 77591]]

energy conservation standards. DOE actively encourages the 
participation and interaction of the public during the comment period 
in each stage of the rulemaking process. Interactions with and between 
members of the public provide a balanced discussion of the issues and 
assist DOE in the rulemaking process. Anyone who wishes to be added to 
the DOE mailing list to receive future notices and information about 
this rulemaking should contact Mr. Joseph Hagerman at (202) 586-4549, 
or via e-mail at joseph.hagerman@ee.doe.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 4, 2015.
 Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2015-31566 Filed 12-14-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P



                                                                                                                                                                                                               77589

                                                      Proposed Rules                                                                                                Federal Register
                                                                                                                                                                    Vol. 80, No. 240

                                                                                                                                                                    Tuesday, December 15, 2015



                                                      This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER                    www.regulations.gov, including Federal                2011) (Notice of Proposed
                                                      contains notices to the public of the proposed          Register notices, comments, and other                 Determination) and 10 CFR 430.32(a)
                                                      issuance of rules and regulations. The                  supporting documents or materials. All                (setting out energy conservation
                                                      purpose of these notices is to give interested          documents in the docket are listed in                 standards for each class of refrigerator,
                                                      persons an opportunity to participate in the            the www.regulations.gov index.                        refrigerator-freezer, and freezer
                                                      rule making prior to the adoption of the final
                                                      rules.
                                                                                                              However, not all documents listed in                  currently regulated by DOE). Chief
                                                                                                              the index may be publicly available,                  among the products garnering DOE’s
                                                                                                              such as information that is exempt from               attention were products such as wine
                                                      DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY                                    public disclosure.                                    chillers (‘‘coolers’’)—which typically
                                                                                                                 A link to the docket Web page can be               provide storage temperatures exceeding
                                                      10 CFR Part 430                                         found at: http://www.regulations.gov/                 those used in those products already
                                                                                                              #!docketDetail;D=EERE-2011-BT-STD-                    addressed by DOE’s regulations. Cooling
                                                      [Docket Number EERE–2011–BT–STD–
                                                      0043]                                                   0043. The regulations.gov Web page                    the storage areas of these products can
                                                                                                              contains instructions on how to access                be accomplished using different
                                                      RIN 1904–AC51                                           all documents in the docket, including                methods. One method is to use a
                                                                                                              public comments. For further                          conventional compressor/condenser-
                                                      Energy Conservation Standards and                       information on how to review the                      based system that feeds cold air into the
                                                      Test Procedure for Miscellaneous                        docket, contact Ms. Brenda Edwards at                 internal storage compartment of the
                                                      Refrigeration Products: Notice of Data                  (202) 586–2945 or by email:                           product. Another method—
                                                      Availability; Request for Information                   Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.                            thermoelectric-based cooling—relies on
                                                      AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      the use of a solid-state heat pump that
                                                      Renewable Energy, Department of                         Direct requests for additional                        creates a cooling effect when electric
                                                      Energy.                                                 information may be sent to Mr. Joseph                 current passes through two conductors.
                                                      ACTION: Notice of data availability                     Hagerman, U.S. Department of Energy,                  Under this approach, a temperature
                                                      (NODA); request for information (RFI).                  Office of Energy Efficiency and                       difference is created between the
                                                                                                              Renewable Energy, Building                            junction of two different types of
                                                      SUMMARY:    The U.S. Department of                      Technologies Program, EE–2J, 1000                     materials as voltage is applied to the
                                                      Energy (DOE) is currently weighing                      Independence Avenue SW.,                              free ends of each material. Both of these
                                                      whether and how to regulate the energy                  Washington, DC 20585–0121.                            technologies were considered in DOE’s
                                                      efficiency of certain refrigeration                     Telephone: 202–586–4549. Email:                       approach to regulating miscellaneous
                                                      products such as wine chillers and                      Joseph.Hagerman@ee.doe.gov.                           refrigeration equipment.
                                                      beverage centers (collectively,                           In the office of the General Counsel,
                                                      ‘‘coolers’’). These ‘‘miscellaneous                                                                              Pursuant to the Energy Policy and
                                                                                                              contact Mr. Michael Kido, Esq., U.S.                  Conservation Act of 1975, as amended
                                                      refrigeration products’’ (‘‘MREFs’’)                    Department of Energy, Office of General
                                                      include coolers that do not operate                                                                           (‘‘EPCA’’), DOE may add a new product
                                                                                                              Counsel, GC–33, 1000 Independence                     to its scope of regulatory coverage when
                                                      using a conventional compressor/                        Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–
                                                      condenser-based system, particularly                                                                          certain criteria are met. See 42 U.S.C.
                                                                                                              0121, (202) 586–8145, Michael.Kido@                   6292(b) (laying out specific criteria to
                                                      those products that use a                               hq.doe.gov.
                                                      thermoelectric-based refrigeration                                                                            satisfy when classifying a consumer
                                                      system. In support of this effort, DOE                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            product not already statutorily-covered
                                                      has collected and analyzed a variety of                                                                       as a covered product). Similarly, DOE
                                                                                                              Table of Contents
                                                      data to better understand the                                                                                 may set energy conservation standards
                                                                                                              I. Miscellaneous Refrigeration Products—              for those newly covered products if
                                                      composition of the MREF industry and                          Background
                                                      its products. To ensure its                                                                                   additional criteria are met. See 42 U.S.C.
                                                                                                              II. Results and Analyses Summary                      6295(l) (detailing additional
                                                      understanding of this market and its                    III. Request for Information and Specific
                                                      products, DOE is requesting additional                        Issues for Which DOE Is Seeking
                                                                                                                                                                    requirements to meet prior to
                                                      information from the public related to                        Comment                                         prescribing standards for newly covered
                                                      the manufacturers of thermoelectric-                    IV. Public Participation                              products). As part of its continuing
                                                      based MREFs.                                                                                                  efforts to improve consumer product
                                                                                                              I. Miscellaneous Refrigeration                        and industrial equipment energy
                                                      DATES: DOE will accept comments, data,                  Products—Background                                   efficiency, DOE is considering including
                                                      and information regarding the NODA no
                                                                                                                 In November 2011, the Department of                miscellaneous refrigeration products
                                                      later than January 14, 2016. Details
                                                                                                              Energy (‘‘DOE’’) began a process to                   (‘‘MREFs’’), such as coolers that do not
                                                      regarding the data referenced in this
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                              consider whether to include as covered                use a compressor/condenser-based
                                                      document are provided in docket EERE–
                                                                                                              products and establish energy                         system, to its list of products for
                                                      2011–BT–STD–0043, available at
                                                                                                              conservation standards for certain types
                                                      www.regulations.gov.
                                                                                                              of refrigeration products that largely fall           freezer compartment (‘‘combination coolers’’), DOE
                                                      ADDRESSES: Comments may be                              outside of DOE’s regulations pertaining               had previously issued guidance indicating that
                                                      submitted to the addresses provided in                  to refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and          these products may fall within the electric
                                                      section IV. of the SUPPLEMENTARY                                                                              refrigerator and electric refrigerator-freezer
                                                                                                              freezers.1 See 76 FR 69147 (November 8,               definitions. See Refrigerators and Freezers
                                                      INFORMATION.                                                                                                  Guidance (February 10, 2011) (discussing the
                                                         The docket, EERE–2011–BT–STD–                          1 For a narrow sliver of products that combined     treatment of ‘‘hybrid’’ refrigeration products—i.e.,
                                                      0043, is available for review at                        a wine storage compartment with a fresh food or       cominbation coolers).



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                                                      77590                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                      regulatory coverage authority and to set                III. Request for Information and                      door material with higher insulating
                                                      energy conservation standards for them.                 Specific Issues for Which DOE Is                      values. DOE requests comment on these
                                                         To help better inform its potential                  Seeking Comment                                       engineering results and related
                                                      regulation of these items, DOE                             DOE welcomes comments on all                       estimates.
                                                                                                              aspects of this notice of data availability              (5) DOE seeks comment as to whether
                                                      announced its intention to establish a
                                                                                                              and request for information. DOE is                   there are any substantive issues with
                                                      negotiated rulemaking working group
                                                                                                              particularly interested in receiving                  relying on information furnished by
                                                      that would operate under the Appliance                                                                        private labelers who purchase
                                                      Standards and Rulemaking Federal                        comments from interested parties on the
                                                                                                              following data and questions related to               thermoelectric-based MREFs for
                                                      Advisory Committee (‘‘ASRAC’’) with                                                                           purposes of DOE’s manufacturer
                                                      the purpose of exploring possible energy                the manufacturers of thermoelectric-
                                                                                                              based MREF products:                                  impacts analysis. If there are no issues
                                                      efficiency requirements for MREFs. See                                                                        with relying on this information (or its
                                                      80 FR 17355 (April 1, 2015). DOE                           (1) The number, location, size,
                                                                                                              product offering, and business structure              source), please so state.
                                                      solicited the public for participants to                                                                         (6) DOE also seeks any additional
                                                                                                              of the original equipment manufacturers
                                                      help serve on the MREF Working Group                                                                          feedback relating to its analyses that it
                                                                                                              (‘‘OEMs’’) producing thermoelectric
                                                      and identified various groups who                                                                             is making available as part of this NODA
                                                                                                              coolers for sale in the U.S. market.
                                                      would be significantly affected by a                       (2) The sales channels of the                      as it relates to thermoelectric
                                                      rulemaking that would address MREF                      thermoelectric cooler OEMs serving the                manufacturers.
                                                      energy efficiency. See id. at 17357. The                U.S. market. Which of these OEMs sell                 IV. Public Participation
                                                      Working Group ultimately reached                        products directly to the U.S. market and
                                                      consensus among its members on a                        which serve the U.S. market indirectly                Submission of Comments
                                                      variety of issues, including the potential              through private labelers?                               DOE welcomes comments on all
                                                      scope of coverage, applicable                              (3) The U.S. market shares (in terms               aspects of this NODA and on other
                                                      definitions, test procedure details, and                of total shipments) of both the                       relevant issues that participants believe
                                                      energy conservation standards that                      thermoelectric cooler private labelers                would affect the eventual test
                                                      would apply to these products. This                     and OEMs.                                             procedures and energy conservation
                                                      effort, which was conducted in                             (4) Using a database of models                     standards applicable to MREF products.
                                                      accordance with the Federal Advisory                    generated from publicly available                     Interested persons are encouraged to
                                                      Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2) and the                 information (including existing product               submit comments using the Federal
                                                      Negotiated Rulemaking Act (5 U.S.C.                     databases and manufacturer and vendor                 eRulemaking Portal at http://
                                                      561–570), produced a consensus                          Web sites), DOE identified over 30                    www.regulations.gov. Follow the
                                                      agreement addressing the above issues.                  brands of cooler models offered for sale              instructions for submitting comments.
                                                                                                              in the U.S. that utilize thermoelectric               Alternatively, interested persons may
                                                      II. Results and Analyses Summary                        refrigeration systems—all of which                    submit comments, identified by docket
                                                                                                              appear to be manufactured overseas. In                number EERE–2011–BT–STD–0043, by
                                                         The consensus agreement reached by                   DOE’s view, the current market is                     any of the following methods:
                                                      the various participating parties was                   competitive with no one dominant                        • Email: To WineChillers-2011-STD-
                                                      based on research and testing data                      player and includes such private                      0043@ee.doe.gov. Include EERE–2011–
                                                      related to MREF products. The data                      labelers as Vinotemp, Wine Enthusiast,                BT–STD–0043 in the subject line of the
                                                      from this effort were used to create a                  Koolatron, and Haier. DOE seeks                       message.
                                                      comprehensive technical analysis that                   comment on whether this description of                  • Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S.
                                                      the Working Group used to develop the                   the thermoelectric cooler market is                   Department of Energy, Building
                                                      recommendations in its consensus                        accruate and whether using the number                 Technologies Office, Mailstop EE–5B,
                                                      agreement. The agreement was prepared                   of cooler models available on the U.S.                1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
                                                      for submission to ASRAC, which would                    market can be used as a proxy for                     Washington, DC 20585–0121. Phone:
                                                      then weigh its merits for approval for                  market share for the cooler                           (202) 586–2945. Please submit one
                                                      further consideration by DOE.                           industry.DOE considered thermoelectric                signed paper original.
                                                         Among the issues considered by the                   coolers when generating engineering                     • Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda
                                                      Working Group were the potential                        analysis information included in the                  Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy,
                                                      impacts related to manufacturers of                     preliminary analysis (79 FR 71705 (Dec.               Building Technologies Program, 6th
                                                                                                              3, 2014)) and updated its analysis                    Floor, 950 L’Enfant Plaza SW.,
                                                      thermoelectric-based MREF products.
                                                                                                              documents based on the Working Group                  Washington, DC 20024. Phone: (202)
                                                      While DOE believes that the MREF
                                                                                                              discussions. (DOE’s engineering                       586–2945. Please submit one signed
                                                      Working Group, which included one
                                                                                                              analysis documents developed in                       paper original.
                                                      manufacturer who currently sells                        support of the Working Group meetings                   All submissions received must
                                                      thermoelectric-based products and other                 are available at http://                              include the agency name and docket
                                                      manufacturers who have sold                             www.regulations.gov in Docket ID                      number or RIN for this rulemaking.
                                                      thermoelectric coolers in the past,                     EERE–2011–BT–STD–0043.) These                           After the close of the comment period,
                                                      comprised a group of persons that are                   analyses indicated that thermoelectric                DOE will begin reviewing the public
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      fairly representative of relevant points                cooler energy efficiency performance                  comments and making any necessary
                                                      of view, including manufacturers of                     could be improved to a level that would               adjustments to its standards analysis
                                                      thermoelectric-based MREF products,                     be on-par (or exceed) the efficiency                  supporting its rulemaking proceeding
                                                      DOE is seeking comment and any                          levels recommended by the Working                     concerning potential energy
                                                      additional information regarding the                    Group by using a variety of options                   conservation standards for MREF
                                                      nature of these manufacturers, and the                  including, but not limited to, adding                 products.
                                                      marketing nuances and other issues                      cabinet insulation, incorporating heat                  DOE considers public participation to
                                                      specifically facing the manufacturers of                pipes, using solid rather than glass                  be a very important part of the process
                                                      thermoelectric-based MREF products.                     doors, or using glass or other translucent            for developing test procedures and


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                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                                   77591

                                                      energy conservation standards. DOE                            Notice of data availability
                                                                                                              ACTION:                                               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                      actively encourages the participation                   (NODA).                                               Questions concerning this action should
                                                      and interaction of the public during the                                                                      be addressed to Robert Miller at (202)
                                                      comment period in each stage of the                     SUMMARY:    The Environmental Protection              343–9077 or miller.robertl@epa.gov or
                                                      rulemaking process. Interactions with                   Agency (EPA) is providing notice of the               Kenon Smith at (202) 343–9164 or
                                                      and between members of the public                       availability of preliminary lists of units            smith.kenon@epa.gov.
                                                      provide a balanced discussion of the                    eligible for allocations of emission                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:       Under the
                                                      issues and assist DOE in the rulemaking                 allowances under the Cross-State Air                  CSAPR FIPs, the mechanisms by which
                                                      process. Anyone who wishes to be                        Pollution Rule (CSAPR). Under the                     initial allocations of emission
                                                      added to the DOE mailing list to receive                CSAPR federal implementation plans                    allowances are determined differ for
                                                      future notices and information about                    (FIPs), portions of each covered state’s              ‘‘existing’’ and ‘‘new’’ units. For
                                                      this rulemaking should contact Mr.                      annual emissions budgets for each of the              ‘‘existing’’ units—that is, units
                                                      Joseph Hagerman at (202) 586–4549, or                   four CSAPR emissions trading programs                 commencing commercial operation
                                                      via e-mail at joseph.hagerman@                          are reserved for allocation to electricity            before January 1, 2010—the specific
                                                      ee.doe.gov.                                             generating units that commenced                       amounts of CSAPR FIP allowance
                                                        Issued in Washington, DC, on December 4,              commercial operation on or after                      allocations for all control periods have
                                                      2015.                                                   January 1, 2010 (new units) and certain               been established through rulemaking.
                                                      Kathleen B. Hogan,                                      other units not otherwise obtaining                   EPA has announced the availability of
                                                      Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy                   allowance allocations under the FIPs.                 spreadsheets showing the CSAPR FIP
                                                      Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable             The quantities of allowances allocated                allowance allocations to existing units
                                                      Energy.                                                 to eligible units from each new unit set-             in previous notices.1
                                                      [FR Doc. 2015–31566 Filed 12–14–15; 8:45 am]            aside (NUSA) under the FIPs are
                                                                                                              calculated in an annual one- or two-                     ‘‘New’’ units—that is, units
                                                      BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
                                                                                                              round allocation process. EPA                         commencing commercial operation on
                                                                                                              previously completed the first round of               or after January 1, 2010—as well as
                                                                                                              NUSA allowance allocations for the                    certain older units that would not
                                                      CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY                                 2015 control periods for all four CSAPR               otherwise obtain FIP allowance
                                                      COMMISSION                                              trading programs, as well as the second               allocations do not have pre-established
                                                                                                              round of allocations for the CSAPR NOX                allowance allocations. Instead, the
                                                      16 CFR Ch. II                                                                                                 CSAPR FIPs reserve a portion of each
                                                                                                              Ozone Season Trading Program, and is
                                                                                                              now making available preliminary lists                state’s total annual emissions budget for
                                                      [Docket No. CPSC–2015–0022]                                                                                   each CSAPR emissions trading program
                                                                                                              of units eligible for allocations in the
                                                                                                              second round of the NUSA allocation                   as a new unit set-aside (NUSA) 2 and
                                                      Petition Requesting Rulemaking on                                                                             establish an annual process for
                                                      Products Containing Organohalogen                       process for the CSAPR NOX Annual,
                                                                                                              SO2 Group 1, and SO2 Group 2 Trading                  allocating NUSA allowances to eligible
                                                      Flame Retardants; Notice of                                                                                   units. States with Indian country within
                                                      Opportunity for Oral Presentation of                    Programs. EPA has posted spreadsheets
                                                                                                              containing the preliminary lists on                   their borders have separate Indian
                                                      Comments                                                                                                      country NUSAs. The annual process for
                                                                                                              EPA’s Web site. EPA will consider
                                                      Correction                                              timely objections to the lists of eligible            allocating allowances from the NUSAs
                                                                                                              units contained in the spreadsheets and               and Indian country NUSAs to eligible
                                                         In proposed rule document 2015–                                                                            units is set forth in the CSAPR
                                                      30694 beginning on page 75955 in the                    will promulgate a notice responding to
                                                                                                              any such objections no later than                     regulations at 40 CFR 97.411(b) and
                                                      issue of Monday, December 7, 2015,                                                                            97.412 (NOX Annual Trading Program),
                                                      make the following correction:                          February 15, 2016, the deadline for
                                                                                                              recording the second-round allocations                97.511(b) and 97.512 (NOX Ozone
                                                         On page 75956, in the first column, in
                                                                                                              of CSAPR NOX Annual, SO2 Group 1,                     Season Trading Program), 97.611(b) and
                                                      the second paragraph, in the fifth and
                                                                                                              and SO2 Group 2 allowances in sources’                97.612 (SO2 Group 1 Trading Program),
                                                      sixth lines ‘‘is 866–623–8636 and
                                                                                                              compliance accounts. This notice of                   and 97.711(b) and 97.712 (SO2 Group 2
                                                      participant code is 4816474’’ should
                                                                                                              availability may concern CSAPR-                       Trading Program). Each NUSA
                                                      read ‘‘will be provided to remote
                                                                                                              affected units in the following states:               allowance allocation process involves
                                                      participants prior to the December 9,
                                                                                                              Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana,                  up to two rounds of allocations to new
                                                      2015 hearing.’’.
                                                                                                              Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland,                     units followed by the allocation to
                                                      [FR Doc. C1–2015–30694 Filed 12–14–15; 8:45 am]                                                               existing units of any allowances not
                                                                                                              Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,
                                                      BILLING CODE 1505–01–D
                                                                                                              Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North                 allocated to new units. EPA provides
                                                                                                              Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South                   public notice at certain points in the
                                                                                                              Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia,                 process.
                                                      ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
                                                                                                                                                                       1 The latest spreadsheet of CSAPR FIP allowance
                                                      AGENCY
                                                                                                              DATES: Objections to the information                  allocations to existing units, updated in 2014 to
                                                                                                              referenced in this notice of availability             reflect changes to CSAPR’s implementation
                                                      40 CFR Part 97
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                                                                                    schedule but with allocation amounts unchanged
                                                                                                              must be received on or before January                 since June 2012, is available at http://www.epa.gov/
                                                      [FRL–9940–10–OAR]                                       14, 2016.                                             crossstaterule/actions.html. See Availability of Data
                                                                                                                                                                    on Allocations of Cross-State Air Pollution Rule
                                                      Allocations of Cross-State Air                          ADDRESSES:   Submit your objections via               Allowances to Existing Electricity Generating Units,
                                                      Pollution Rule Allowances From New                      email to CSAPR_NUSA@epa.gov.                          79 FR 71674 (December 3, 2014).
                                                      Unit Set-Asides for 2015 Control                        Include ‘‘2015 NUSA allocations’’ in the                 2 The NUSA amounts range from two percent to

                                                                                                              email subject line and include your                   eight percent of the respective state budgets. The
                                                      Periods                                                                                                       variation in percentages reflects differences among
                                                                                                              name, title, affiliation, address, phone              states in the quantities of emission allowances
                                                      AGENCY: Environmental Protection                        number, and email address in the body                 projected to be required by known new units at the
                                                      Agency (EPA).                                           of the email.                                         time the budgets were set or amended.



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Document Created: 2018-03-02 09:15:51
Document Modified: 2018-03-02 09:15:51
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 data availability (NODA); request for information (RFI).
DatesDOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding the NODA no later than January 14, 2016. Details regarding the data referenced in this document are provided in docket EERE-2011-BT-STD- 0043, available at www.regulations.gov.
ContactDirect requests for additional information may be sent to Mr. Joseph Hagerman, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: 202-586-4549. Email: J[email protected]
FR Citation80 FR 77589 
RIN Number1904-AC51

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