81_FR_22588 81 FR 22514 - Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products and Certain Commercial and Industrial Equipment: Determination of Portable Air Conditioners as a Covered Consumer Product

81 FR 22514 - Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products and Certain Commercial and Industrial Equipment: Determination of Portable Air Conditioners as a Covered Consumer Product

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 74 (April 18, 2016)

Page Range22514-22520
FR Document2016-08891

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is classifying portable air conditioners (ACs) as a covered product under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended. This classification is based on DOE's determination that portable ACs are a type of consumer product that meets the requisite criteria specified in EPCA. Specifically, DOE has determined that classifying portable ACs as a covered product is necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of EPCA, and that average U.S. household energy use by portable ACs is likely to exceed 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 74 (Monday, April 18, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 74 (Monday, April 18, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22514-22520]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08891]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 430

[Docket No. EERE-2013-BT-STD-0033]
RIN 1904-AD02


Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products and Certain 
Commercial and Industrial Equipment: Determination of Portable Air 
Conditioners as a Covered Consumer Product

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

ACTION: Final determination.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is classifying portable 
air conditioners (ACs) as a covered product under the Energy Policy and 
Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended. This classification is based on 
DOE's determination that portable ACs are a type of consumer product 
that meets the requisite criteria specified in EPCA. Specifically, DOE 
has determined that classifying portable ACs as a covered product is 
necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of EPCA, and that 
average U.S. household energy use by portable ACs is likely to exceed 
100 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year.

DATES: This rule is effective May 18, 2016.

ADDRESSES: This rulemaking can be identified by docket number EERE-
2013-BT-STD-0033 and/or Regulatory Information Number (RIN) 1904-AD02.
    Docket: The docket, which includes Federal Register notices, public 
meeting attendee lists and transcripts, comments, and other supporting 
documents/materials, is available for review at www.regulations.gov. 
All documents in the docket are listed in the www.regulations.gov 
index. However, some documents listed in the index may not be publicly 
available, such as those containing information that is exempt from 
public disclosure.
    A link to the docket Web page can be found at: https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/76. This Web page will contain a link to the docket for this 
notice on the www.regulations.gov site. The www.regulations.gov Web 
page contains simple instructions on how to access all documents, 
including public comments, in the docket.
    For further information on how to review the docket, contact Ms. 
Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945 or by email: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building 
Technologies Office, EE-5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, 
DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-0371. Email: 
[email protected].
    Ms. Sarah Butler, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General 
Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-
0121. Telephone: (202) 586-1777. Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Statutory Authority
II. Current Rulemaking Process
III. Proposed Definition
IV. Evaluation of Portable ACs as a Covered Product Subject to 
Energy Conservation Standards
    A. Coverage Necessary or Appropriate To Carry Out Purposes of 
EPCA
    B. Average Household Energy Use
V. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
    A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
    B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
    C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
    D. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
    E. Review Under Executive Order 13132
    F. Review Under Executive Order 12988
    G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
    H. Review Under the Treasury and General Government 
Appropriations Act of 1999
    I. Review Under Executive Order 12630
    J. Review Under the Treasury and General Government 
Appropriations Act of 2001
    K. Review Under Executive Order 13211
    L. Review Under the Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review

I. Statutory Authority

    Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 6291 et seq.), sets forth various provisions 
designed to improve energy efficiency. Part A of Title III of EPCA (42 
U.S.C. 6291-6309) established the ``Energy Conservation Program for 
Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles.'' \1\ EPCA authorizes the 
Secretary of Energy to classify additional types of consumer products 
not otherwise specified in Part A as covered products. For a type of 
consumer product to be classified as a covered product, the Secretary 
must determine that:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Part B was re-designated Part A.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) Classifying the product as a covered product is necessary for 
the purposes of EPCA; and
    (2) The average annual per-household energy use by products of such 
type is likely to exceed 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year. (42 U.S.C. 
6292(b)(1))
    For the Secretary to prescribe an energy conservation standard 
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6295(o) and (p) for covered products added 
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6292(b)(1), he must also determine that:
    (1) The average household energy use of the products has exceeded 
150 kWh per household for a 12-month period;
    (2) The aggregate 12-month energy use of the products has exceeded 
4.2 terawatt-hours (TWh);
    (3) Substantial improvement in energy efficiency is technologically 
feasible; and
    (4) Application of a labeling rule under 42 U.S.C. 6294 is unlikely 
to be sufficient to induce manufacturers to produce, and consumers and 
other persons to purchase, covered products of such type (or class) 
that achieve the maximum energy efficiency that is technologically 
feasible and economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(l)(1))
    Portable ACs are movable units typically designed to provide 8,000-
14,000 British thermal units (Btu) per hour (hr) of cooling capacity 
\2\ for a single room. In contrast to room ACs, a covered product that 
provides

[[Page 22515]]

consumers with a similar function, portable ACs are not permanently 
installed on the wall or in a window. DOE has determined that portable 
ACs meet the statutory requirements under 42 U.S.C. 6292(b)(1), and 
therefore classifies portable ACs as a covered product. Separately, DOE 
is conducting rulemakings to consider test procedures and energy 
conservation standards for portable ACs. DOE will determine if portable 
ACs satisfy the provisions of 42 U.S.C. 6295(l)(1) during the course of 
the energy conservation standards rulemaking.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ As rated according to current industry test methods.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Current Rulemaking Process

    DOE has not previously conducted an energy conservation standards 
rulemaking for portable ACs. On July 5, 2013, DOE published in the 
Federal Register a notice of proposed determination of coverage (NOPD) 
in which it tentatively determined that portable ACs satisfy the 
provisions of 42 U.S.C. 6292(b)(1). 78 FR 40403. After considering 
public comments on the NOPD (see sections III and IV of this notice), 
DOE is issuing this final determination of coverage for portable ACs 
and is evaluating in separate rulemakings both test procedures and 
energy conservation standards for portable ACs.
    With respect to the test procedure rulemaking, DOE initially 
published a notice of data availability (NODA) on May 9, 2014, in which 
it discussed various industry test procedures and presented results 
from its investigative testing. 79 FR 26639. In the NODA, DOE evaluated 
existing methodologies and alternate approaches adapted from these 
methodologies that could be incorporated in a future DOE test procedure 
for portable ACs.
    After reviewing comments and information received on the NODA, DOE 
published a test procedure notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) on 
February 25, 2015, in which it proposed to establish test procedures 
for portable ACs that would measure the energy efficiency, energy use, 
and estimated annual operating cost of portable ACs during a 
representative average use period and that would not be unduly 
burdensome to conduct, as required under 42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)). 80 FR 
10211. The proposed test procedures were based upon industry methods to 
determine energy consumption in active modes, standby modes, and off 
mode, with certain modifications to ensure the test procedures would be 
repeatable and representative. Based on comments from interested 
parties on the NOPR, DOE subsequently published a supplemental notice 
of proposed rulemaking (SNOPR) on November 27, 2015, in which it 
proposed revisions to the test procedure proposed in the NOPR to 
improve repeatability, reduce test burden, and ensure that the test 
procedure is representative of typical consumer usage. 80 FR 74020.
    With respect to the energy conservation standards rulemaking, DOE 
published a notice of public meeting and notice of availability of a 
preliminary technical support document (TSD) for portable ACs on 
February 27, 2015. 80 FR 10628. The TSD describes the details of DOE's 
preliminary analysis. DOE held a public meeting to discuss and receive 
comments on the preliminary analysis it conducted. The meeting covered 
the analytical framework, models, and tools that DOE used to evaluate 
potential standards; the results of preliminary analyses performed by 
DOE for this product; the potential energy conservation standard levels 
derived from these analyses that DOE could consider for this product; 
and other issues relevant to the development of energy conservation 
standards for portable ACs.
    After considering comments and information submitted on the 
preliminary analysis, DOE expects to complete a full analysis of both 
the burdens and benefits of potential energy conservation standards in 
a NOPR, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6295(o). Because DOE is classifying 
portable ACs as a covered product under 42 U.S.C. 6292(b)(1), DOE will 
also consider as part of any energy conservation standard NOPR whether 
portable ACs satisfy the requirements of 42 U.S.C. 6295(l)(1). After 
the publication of the standards NOPR, DOE will afford interested 
parties an opportunity during a period of not less than 60 days to 
provide oral and written comment. After receiving and considering the 
comments on the NOPR and not less than 90 days after the publication of 
the NOPR, DOE will issue the final rule prescribing any new energy 
conservation standards for portable ACs.

III. Product Definition

    In the NOPD, DOE proposed the following definition of ``portable 
air conditioner'' to determine the potential scope of which products 
would potentially be regulated as a covered product. The proposed 
definition also provided clarity for interested parties with respect to 
the test procedure and energy conservation standards rulemakings as DOE 
continued its analyses. DOE initially proposed that a portable AC was:

    A consumer product, other than a ``packaged terminal air 
conditioner,'' which is powered by a single phase electric current 
and which is an encased assembly designed as a portable unit that 
may rest on the floor or other elevated surface for the purpose of 
providing delivery of conditioned air to an enclosed space. It 
includes a prime source of refrigeration and may include a means for 
ventilating and heating.

78 FR 40403, 40404 (July 5, 2013).

    DOE noted that this proposed definition would be mutually exclusive 
to the current definition for a room AC, which is ``designed as a unit 
for mounting in a window or through the wall.'' (10 CFR 430.2) Id.
    In response to the NOPD, DOE received several comments from 
interested parties regarding the kinds of products that would be 
included under the proposed definition of a portable AC. DOE addressed 
these comments in the test procedure NOPR and proposed a revised 
definition to further refine the definition and exclude other similar 
products. Specifically, DOE proposed the definition:

    An encased assembly, other than a ``packaged terminal air 
conditioner,'' ``room air conditioner,'' or ``dehumidifier,'' 
designed as a portable unit for delivering cooled, conditioned air 
to an enclosed space, that is powered by single-phase electric 
current, which may rest on the floor or other elevated surface. It 
includes a source of refrigeration and may include additional means 
for air circulation and heating.

80 FR 10212, 10214-15 (Feb. 25, 2015).

    DOE received multiple comments from interested parties in response 
to the proposed definition in the test procedure NOPR, focusing on the 
distinction between portable ACs intended for consumer versus 
commercial applications.
    DENSO Products and Services Americas, Inc. (DENSO) noted that 
portable ACs are used in both residential and commercial settings, and 
that the typical distinction between the two settings is the use of 
single-phase versus three-phase power. However, DENSO expressed concern 
about the proposed definition because some portable ACs with single-
phase power may be used in commercial or industrial applications. 
(DENSO, TP Public Meeting Transcript, No. 13 at pp. 21-22) \3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ A notation in the form ``DENSO, TP Public Meeting 
Transcript, No. 13 at pp. 21-22'' identifies an oral comment that 
DOE received on March 18, 2015 during the Test Procedure NOPR public 
meeting, was recorded in the public meeting transcript in the docket 
for the test procedure rulemaking (Docket No. EERE-2014-BT-TP-0014). 
This particular notation refers to a comment (1) made by DENSO 
Products and Services Americas, Inc. (DENSO) during the public 
meeting; (2) recorded in document number 13, which is the public 
meeting transcript that is filed in the docket of the test procedure 
rulemaking; and (3) which appears on pages 21 through 22.

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

[[Page 22516]]

    Oceanaire and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) 
supported the exclusion of commercial portable ACs from coverage, given 
the limited size of the industry and small number of units produced. 
These commenters stated that requiring additional testing would have a 
significant negative impact on this niche market. According to 
Oceanaire and DENSO, annual shipments of commercial portable ACs are 
only 15,000, as compared to the 973,700 annual shipments of consumer 
portable ACs in the United States that DOE estimated in its preliminary 
analysis for portable AC energy conservation standards. (Oceanaire, No. 
10 at p. 3; NAM, No. 17 at pp. 1, 3; DENSO, TP NOPR No. 14 at p. 4) \4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ A notation in the form ``DENSO, TP NOPR No. 14 at p. 4'' 
identifies a written comment: (1) Made by DENSO Products and 
Services Americas, Inc. (DENSO); (2) recorded in document number 14 
that is filed in the docket of the test procedure notice of proposed 
rulemaking as a covered consumer product (Docket No. EERE-2014- BT-
TP-0014) and available for review at www.regulations.gov; and (3) 
which appears on page 4 of document number 14.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To identify products that are commonly referred to as portable ACs 
but that it contends should be excluded from coverage as consumer 
products, Oceanaire referred to NAM's definition of a commercial 
portable AC and the following characteristics it believes are common to 
commercial portable ACs: (1) A minimum evaporator inlet air flow of 265 
cubic feet per minute (CFM) and minimum condenser air flow of 500 CFM 
at standard temperature, pressure, and rated voltage; (2) a minimum 
refrigerant charge of 14 ounces per unit; (3) an internal condensate 
tank of a minimum 2-gallon capacity or a condensate pump capable of a 
minimum 15-foot head pressure; and (4) a minimum weight of 110 pounds. 
Oceanaire also stated that cooling capacities of commercial portable 
ACs typically range up to 65,000 Btu/hr. (Oceanaire, TP NOPR No. 10 at 
p. 1-2; NAM, TP NOPR No. 17 at p. 3)
    A number of commenters asserted that the installation locations, 
operating conditions, use cases, and necessary product construction for 
commercial portable ACs are substantially different than those for 
consumer portable ACs. Oceanaire, NAM, and DENSO cited examples of 
permanent installations for commercial portable ACs, including steel 
mills, auto repair shops, cosmetics and food product processing 
facilities, and other environments that are subject to extreme 
temperature, humidity, and corrosive conditions. Oceanaire further 
noted that commercial portable ACs are also used to address temporary 
or emergency short-term conditions, and are purchased by rental 
companies that provide temporary service to a variety of businesses. 
Oceanaire described the construction of commercial portable ACs as 
having 18 gauge and thicker steel cabinetry and support structures to 
meet the needs of commercial and industrial customers, and according to 
Oceanaire, such portable ACs have an average lifetime of 10 years. 
(Oceanaire, TP NOPR No. 10 at p. 2; NAM, TP NOPR No. 17 at pp. 2-3; 
DENSO, TP NOPR No. 14 at p. 1)
    For the aforementioned reasons, Oceanaire and NAM stated that they 
believe that commercial portable ACs do not qualify under the 
provisions of EPCA as a covered product. (Oceanaire, TP NOPR No. 10 at 
p. 2; NAM, TP NOPR No. 17 at p. 3)
    In the test procedure NOPR, DOE stated that portable ACs are not 
currently a covered product, and did not propose to classify commercial 
portable ACs as a covered product. Rather, consistent with the 
authority under EPCA to classify additional types of ``consumer 
product'' not otherwise specified in Part A as covered products, DOE 
proposed to classify ``portable ACs'' as a covered product.
    EPCA defines ``consumer product'' as any article of a type that 
consumes, or is designed to consume, energy and which, to any 
significant extent, is distributed in commerce for personal use or 
consumption by individuals. (42 U.S.C. 6291(1)) EPCA further specifies 
that the definition of a consumer product applies ``without regard to 
whether the product is in fact distributed in commerce for personal use 
or consumption by an individual.'' (42 U.S.C. 6291(1)(B)) Under the 
definition of ``portable air conditioner'' proposed by DOE, portable 
ACs clearly meet EPCA's definition of ``consumer product.''
    Although the definition of consumer product does not depend on 
whether the product is, in fact, distributed in commerce for personal 
use or consumption by an individual, DOE has proposed a definition of 
``portable air conditioner'' that excludes units that could normally 
not be used in a residential setting by limiting the definition to 
include only portable ACs powered by single-phase electric current. As 
such, a product that requires three-phase power, a characteristic that 
is not appropriate for consumer products, would not be covered under 
DOE's definition. Conversely, any product with single-phase power that 
otherwise meets the definition of a portable AC would be considered by 
DOE to be a portable AC regardless of the manufacturer-intended 
application or installation location.
    Moreover, air flow rates, refrigerant charge, condensate handling 
system, and product weight are not attributes that inherently determine 
suitability for consumer use. For example, DOE identified multiple 
portable ACs marketed as consumer products with evaporator air flow 
rates greater than 265 CFM, the threshold suggested by Oceanaire and 
NAM, and rugged construction with correspondingly higher weight that 
may be desirable in some residential applications such as garages or 
temporary attic cooling. Further, a portable AC that meets the single-
phase power requirement in the portable AC definition would not meet 
certain minimum thresholds for some of the product attributes in NAM's 
definition of a commercial portable AC, such that the power requirement 
would have the same effect as if the definition were to specifically 
include those thresholds.
    For these reasons, DOE is establishing in 10 CFR 430.2 the 
definition of ``portable air conditioner'' proposed in the test 
procedure NOPR with minor editorial revisions that do not modify the 
intent or scope of the definition:

    A portable encased assembly, other than a ``packaged terminal 
air conditioner,'' ``room air conditioner,'' or ``dehumidifier,'' 
that delivers cooled, conditioned air to an enclosed space, and is 
powered by single-phase electric current. It includes a source of 
refrigeration and may include additional means for air circulation 
and heating.

IV. Evaluation of Portable ACs as a Covered Product Subject to Energy 
Conservation Standards

    The following sections describe DOE's determination that portable 
ACs fulfill the criteria for being added as a covered product pursuant 
to 42 U.S.C. 6292(b)(1). As stated previously, DOE may classify a type 
of consumer product as a covered product if (1) classifying products of 
such type as covered products is necessary and appropriate to carry out 
the purposes of EPCA; and (2) the average annual per-household energy 
use by products of such type is likely to exceed 100 kWh (or its Btu 
equivalent) per year.

A. Coverage Necessary or Appropriate To Carry Out Purposes of EPCA

    DOE tentatively concluded in the NOPD that coverage of portable ACs 
is necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of EPCA, which 
include: (1) To conserve energy supplies through energy conservation 
programs, and,

[[Page 22517]]

where necessary, the regulation of certain energy uses; and (2) to 
provide for improved energy efficiency of motor vehicles, major 
appliances, and certain other consumer products. (42 U.S.C. 6201) In 
the NOPD, DOE presented the results of its initial analysis, which 
suggested that the aggregate energy use of portable ACs has been 
increasing as these units have become popular in recent years. DOE 
estimated, based on market studies, that 973.7 thousand units shipped 
in North America in 2012, with a projected growth to 1743.7 thousand 
units by 2018, representing nearly 80-percent growth over 6 years.\5\ 
DOE notes that the number of entries in the California Energy 
Commission's product database for ``spot air conditioners'' \6\ 
increased from 295 in August 2013 to 442 in October 2015, suggesting 
that DOE's initial estimate of significant growth in this product 
category is reasonable. DOE stated in the NOPD that coverage of 
portable ACs would enable the conservation of energy supplies through 
both labeling programs and the regulation of portable AC efficiency. 
DOE also asserted that there is significant variation in the annual 
energy consumption of different models currently available, such that 
technologies exist to reduce the energy consumption of portable ACs. 78 
FR 40403, 40404 (Jul. 5, 2013).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ Transparency Media Research. Air Conditioning Systems 
Market--Global Scenario, Trends, Industry Analysis, Size, Share and 
Forecast, 2012-2018. January 2013.
    \6\ California regulations define ``spot air conditioner'' as 
``an air conditioner that discharges cool air into a space and 
discharges rejected heat back into that space, where there is no 
physical boundary separating the discharges.'' This definition is 
distinct from the regulations' definition of ``room air 
conditioner'' as ``a factory-encased air conditioner that is 
designed: (1) As a unit for mounting in a window, through a wall, or 
as a console, and (2) for delivery without ducts of conditioned air 
to an enclosed space.'' (California Code of Regulations, Title 20: 
Division 2; Chapter 4, Article 4, Section 1602(c) and (d)) Entries 
in the CEC database listed as spot ACs include varying 
configurations of portable ACs, including those that reject heat 
outside the conditioned space, as well as products that would not 
meet DOE's definition of portable AC because they operate on three-
phase power.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP), Alliance to Save 
Energy (ASE), American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), 
Consumers Union (CU), and Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) 
(hereinafter the ``Joint Commenters'') and AHAM supported DOE's 
proposed determination that classifying portable ACs as a covered 
product is necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of EPCA. 
(AHAM, No. 6 at pp. 1-2; Joint Commenters, No. 4 at p. 2) The Joint 
Commenters further recommended that DOE classify portable ACs as a 
covered product to enable subsequent development of test procedures and 
consideration of energy conservations standards for portable ACs 
because: (1) Shipments are growing; (2) portable ACs have high per-unit 
energy use; and (3) competing products (such as room ACs) are currently 
covered. (Joint Commenters, No. 4 at p. 2)
    DOE, therefore, reaffirms its tentative conclusion in the NOPD and 
determines that classifying portable ACs as a covered product is 
necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes of EPCA. In 
consideration of the potential for improved energy efficiency of 
portable ACs and associated national energy savings, DOE has developed 
a proposed test procedure in a recent rulemaking that would establish 
appendix CC, and is currently addressing potential energy conservation 
standards for portable ACs in a standards rulemaking.

B. Average Household Energy Use

    In the NOPD, DOE estimated the average household portable AC energy 
use of portable ACs. DOE based its calculations on a review of the 
current market and a comparison to room AC energy use, and determined 
that the typical rated energy efficiency ratio (EER) of portable ACs is 
approximately 9.5, with a large available range (approximately 8.2-
14.3), and that typical cooling capacities range from 8,000-14,000 Btu/
hr. DOE further estimated average per-household annual electricity 
consumption of a portable AC, based on a typical unit with EER 9.5, to 
be approximately 650 kWh/yr (750 kWh/yr for EER 8.2, and 400 kWh/yr for 
EER 14.3). DOE also noted that one set of laboratory tests \7\ measured 
the cooling capacity of units to be half of manufacturers' reported 
values, suggesting that in-field energy use is much larger than the 
rated value would imply. Therefore, DOE tentatively determined in the 
NOPD that the average annual per-household energy use for portable ACs 
is very likely to exceed 100 kWh/yr, satisfying the criterion of 42 
U.S.C. 6292(b)(1)(B) required for classification of portable ACs as a 
covered product under Part A of Title III of the EPCA, as amended. 78 
FR 40403, 40404-40405.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ Consumer Reports. Buying Advice: Portable Air Conditioners. 
http://news.consumerreports.org/home/2008/06/air-condition-1.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    AHAM agreed with the result of DOE's estimate of portable AC annual 
energy use, although it did not agree with DOE's methodology. 
Specifically, AHAM suggested that the usage profiles of portable ACs 
differ from those for room ACs, which were the basis for DOE's 
analysis. AHAM stated its belief that portable ACs are used for a 
shorter period of time because some consumers may use them to 
supplement conditioned air in a particular space or area of a room 
instead of as the primary means of cooling. Nevertheless, AHAM stated 
that it does not believe that these differences would change the 
determination that per-household energy use for portable ACs is likely 
to exceed 100 kWh/yr. (AHAM, No. 6 at pp. 2-3) The California IOUs 
stated that DOE's estimate of annual energy use for a typical portable 
AC unit is significant and comparable to the per-unit energy use of 
many major household appliances. (California IOUs, No. 5 at p. 3) DOE 
solicited, but did not receive, portable AC usage data in both the test 
procedure and energy conservation standards rulemakings. DOE agrees, 
however, that the potential differences between portable AC and room AC 
usage would not change DOE's initial determination that portable ACs 
meet the threshold per-household energy use, particularly because DOE's 
estimates were at least a factor of four greater than the 100 kWh/yr 
requirement. Therefore, DOE determines here that average annual per-
household energy use by portable ACs is likely to exceed 100 kWh (or 
its Btu equivalent) per year.
    Accordingly, DOE has determined that portable ACs meet the 
statutory requirements under 42 U.S.C 6292(b)(1), and therefore 
classifies portable ACs as a covered product. DOE amends the definition 
of covered product in 10 CFR 430.2 to reflect this determination.

V. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review

    DOE has reviewed this final determination of coverage for portable 
ACs under the following executive orders and acts.

A. Review Under Executive Order 12866

    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has determined that 
coverage determination rulemakings do not constitute ``significant 
regulatory actions'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, 
Regulatory Planning and Review, 58 FR 51735 (Oct. 4, 1993). 
Accordingly, this final action was not subject to review under the 
Executive Order by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs 
(OIRA) in the OMB.

B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., as amended by 
the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement

[[Page 22518]]

Fairness Act of 1996) requires preparation of a regulatory flexibility 
analysis for any rule that, by law, must be proposed for public 
comment, unless the agency certifies that the rule, if promulgated, 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities. A regulatory flexibility analysis examines the impact 
of the rule on small entities and considers alternative ways of 
reducing negative effects. Also, as required by E.O. 13272, ``Proper 
Consideration of Small Entities in Agency Rulemaking'' 67 FR 53461 
(Aug. 16, 2002), DOE published procedures and policies on February 19, 
2003 to ensure that the potential impact of its rules on small entities 
are properly considered during the DOE rulemaking process. 68 FR 7990 
(Feb. 19, 2003). DOE makes its procedures and policies available on the 
Office of the General Counsel's Web site at http://energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel.
    DOE reviewed this final determination under the provisions of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act and the policies and procedures published on 
February 19, 2003. This final determination sets no standards; it only 
positively determines that future standards may be warranted and should 
be explored in an energy conservation standards and test procedure 
rulemaking. Economic impacts on small entities would be considered in 
the context of such rulemakings. On the basis of the foregoing, DOE 
certifies that the determination has no significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities. Accordingly, DOE has not 
prepared a regulatory flexibility analysis for this final 
determination. DOE will transmit this certification and supporting 
statement of factual basis to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the 
Small Business Administration for review under 5 U.S.C. 605(b).

C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    This final determination, which concludes that portable ACs meet 
the criteria for a covered product for which the Secretary may 
prescribe an energy conservation standard pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6295(o) 
and (p), imposes no new information or record-keeping requirements. 
Accordingly, the OMB clearance is not required under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act. (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.)

D. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

    In this notice, DOE positively determines that portable ACs meet 
the criteria for classification as covered products and that future 
standards may be warranted to regulate their energy use. Should DOE 
pursue that option, the relevant environmental impacts would be 
explored as part of that rulemaking. As a result, DOE has determined 
that this action falls into a class of actions that are categorically 
excluded from review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and DOE's implementing regulations at 10 
CFR part 1021. Specifically, this action establishes a class of 
products (portable ACs) for which energy conservation standards would 
be appropriate. However, this action does not establish energy 
conservation standards, and, therefore, does not result in any 
environmental impacts. Thus, this action is covered by Categorical 
Exclusion A6 ``Procedural rulemakings'' under 10 CFR part 1021, subpart 
D. Accordingly, neither an environmental assessment nor an 
environmental impact statement is required.

E. Review Under Executive Order 13132

    Executive Order (E.O.) 13132, ``Federalism'' 64 FR 43255 (Aug. 10, 
1999), imposes certain requirements on agencies formulating and 
implementing policies or regulations that preempt State law or that 
have Federalism implications. The Executive Order requires agencies to 
examine the constitutional and statutory authority supporting any 
action that would limit the policymaking discretion of the States and 
to assess carefully the necessity for such actions. The Executive Order 
also requires agencies to have an accountable process to ensure 
meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in developing 
regulatory policies that have Federalism implications. On March 14, 
2000, DOE published a statement of policy describing the 
intergovernmental consultation process that it will follow in 
developing such regulations. 65 FR 13735 (Mar. 14, 2000). DOE has 
examined this final determination and concludes that it does not 
preempt State law or have substantial direct effects on the States, on 
the relationship between the Federal government and the States, or on 
the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels 
of government. EPCA governs and prescribes Federal preemption of State 
regulations as to energy conservation for the product that is the 
subject of this final determination. States can petition DOE for 
exemption from such preemption to the extent permitted, and based on 
criteria, set forth in EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6297) No further action is 
required by E.O. 13132.

F. Review Under Executive Order 12988

    With respect to the review of existing regulations and the 
promulgation of new regulations, section 3(a) of E.O. 12988, ``Civil 
Justice Reform'' 61 FR 4729 (Feb. 7, 1996), imposes on Federal agencies 
the duty to: (1) Eliminate drafting errors and ambiguity; (2) write 
regulations to minimize litigation; (3) provide a clear legal standard 
for affected conduct rather than a general standard; and (4) promote 
simplification and burden reduction. Section 3(b) of E.O. 12988 
specifically requires that Executive agencies make every reasonable 
effort to ensure that the regulation specifies the following: (1) The 
preemptive effect, if any; (2) any effect on existing Federal law or 
regulation; (3) a clear legal standard for affected conduct while 
promoting simplification and burden reduction; (4) the retroactive 
effect, if any; (5) definitions of key terms; and (6) other important 
issues affecting clarity and general draftsmanship under any guidelines 
issued by the Attorney General. Section 3(c) of E.O. 12988 requires 
Executive agencies to review regulations in light of applicable 
standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b) to determine whether these 
standards are met, or whether it is unreasonable to meet one or more of 
them. DOE completed the required review and determined that, to the 
extent permitted by law, this final determination meets the relevant 
standards of E.O. 12988.

G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Pub. 
L. 104-4, codified at 2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) requires each Federal 
agency to assess the effects of Federal regulatory actions on State, 
local, and tribal governments and the private sector. For regulatory 
actions likely to result in a rule that may cause expenditures by 
State, local, and Tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the 
private sector of $100 million or more in any 1 year (adjusted annually 
for inflation), section 202 of UMRA requires a Federal agency to 
publish a written statement that estimates the resulting costs, 
benefits, and other effects on the national economy. (2 U.S.C. 1532(a) 
and (b)) UMRA requires a Federal agency to develop an effective process 
to permit timely input by elected officers of State, local, and tribal 
governments on a proposed ``significant intergovernmental mandate.'' 
UMRA also requires an agency plan for giving notice and opportunity for 
timely input

[[Page 22519]]

to small governments that may be potentially affected before 
establishing any requirement that might significantly or uniquely 
affect them. On March 18, 1997, DOE published a statement of policy on 
its process for intergovernmental consultation under UMRA. 62 FR 12820 
(Mar. 18, 1997). (This policy also is available at http://energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel). DOE reviewed this final determination 
pursuant to these existing authorities and its policy statement and 
determined that the rule contains neither an intergovernmental mandate 
nor a mandate that may result in the expenditure of $100 million or 
more in any year, so the UMRA requirements do not apply.

H. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act 
of 1999

    Section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act of 1999 (Pub. L. 105-277) requires Federal agencies to issue a 
Family Policymaking Assessment for any rule that may affect family 
well-being. This final determination does not have any impact on the 
autonomy or integrity of the family as an institution. Accordingly, DOE 
has concluded that it is not necessary to prepare a Family Policymaking 
Assessment.

I. Review Under Executive Order 12630

    Pursuant to E.O. 12630, ``Governmental Actions and Interference 
with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights'' 53 FR 8859 (Mar. 15, 
1988), DOE determined that this final determination does not result in 
any takings that might require compensation under the Fifth Amendment 
to the U.S. Constitution.

J. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act 
of 2001

    The Treasury and General Government Appropriation Act of 2001 (44 
U.S.C. 3516, note) requires agencies to review most disseminations of 
information they make to the public under guidelines established by 
each agency pursuant to general guidelines issued by the OMB. The OMB's 
guidelines were published at 67 FR 8452 (Feb. 22, 2002), and DOE's 
guidelines were published at 67 FR 62446 (Oct. 7, 2002). DOE has 
reviewed this final determination under the OMB and DOE guidelines and 
has concluded that it is consistent with applicable policies in those 
guidelines.

K. Review Under Executive Order 13211

    E.O. 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly 
Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use,'' 66 FR 28355 (May 22, 
2001), requires Federal agencies to prepare and submit to OMB a 
Statement of Energy Effects for any proposed significant energy action. 
A ``significant energy action'' is defined as any action by an agency 
that promulgates a final rule or is expected to lead to promulgation of 
a final rule, and that: (1) Is a significant regulatory action under 
E.O. 12866, or any successor order; and (2) is likely to have a 
significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of 
energy; or (3) is designated by the Administrator of the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) as a significant energy 
action. For any proposed significant energy action, the agency must 
give a detailed statement of any adverse effects on energy supply, 
distribution, or use if the proposal is implemented, and of reasonable 
alternatives to the proposed action and their expected benefits on 
energy supply, distribution, and use.
    DOE has concluded that this regulatory action establishing certain 
definitions and determining that portable ACs meet the criteria for a 
covered product for which the Secretary may prescribe an energy 
conservation standard pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6295(o) and (p) does not 
have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use 
of energy. This action is also not a significant regulatory action for 
purposes of E.O. 12866, and the OIRA Administrator has not designated 
this final determination as a significant energy action under E.O. 
12866 or any successor order. Therefore, this final determination is 
not a significant energy action. Accordingly, DOE has not prepared a 
Statement of Energy Effects.

L. Review Under the Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review

    On December 16, 2004, OMB, in consultation with the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), issued its Final Information 
Quality Bulletin for Peer Review (the Bulletin). 70 FR 2664 (Jan. 14, 
2005). The Bulletin establishes that certain scientific information 
shall be peer reviewed by qualified specialists before it is 
disseminated by the Federal government, including influential 
scientific information related to agency regulatory actions. The 
purpose of the Bulletin is to enhance the quality and credibility of 
the Government's scientific information. DOE has determined that the 
analyses conducted for the regulatory action discussed in this document 
do not constitute ``influential scientific information,'' which the 
Bulletin defines as ``scientific information the agency reasonably can 
determine will have or does have a clear and substantial impact on 
important public policies or private sector decisions.'' 70 FR 2667 
(Jan. 14, 2005). The analyses were subject to pre-dissemination review 
prior to issuance of this rulemaking.
    DOE will determine the appropriate level of review that would apply 
to any future rulemaking to establish energy conservation standards for 
portable ACs.

VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

    The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this final 
determination.

List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 430

    Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business 
information, Energy conservation, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 11, 2016.
David Friedman,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable 
Energy.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, DOE amends part 430 of 
chapter II of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations as set forth below:

PART 430--ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS

0
1. The authority citation for part 430 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291-6309; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.

0
2. Section 430.2 is amended by revising the definition of ``covered 
product'' and adding the definition of ``portable air conditioner'' in 
alphabetical order to read as follows:


Sec.  430.2  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Covered product means a consumer product--
    (1) Of a type specified in section 322 of the Act, or
    (2) That is a ceiling fan, ceiling fan light kit, medium base 
compact fluorescent lamp, dehumidifier, battery charger, external power 
supply, torchiere, or portable air conditioner.
* * * * *
    Portable air conditioner means a portable encased assembly, other 
than a ``packaged terminal air conditioner,'' ``room air conditioner,'' 
or

[[Page 22520]]

``dehumidifier,'' that delivers cooled, conditioned air to an enclosed 
space, and is powered by single-phase electric current. It includes a 
source of refrigeration and may include additional means for air 
circulation and heating.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2016-08891 Filed 4-15-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P



                                                22514               Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 74 / Monday, April 18, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                makes funds available to eligible entities              DATES:    This rule is effective May 18,                 G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates
                                                for projects to solely enhance the                      2016.                                                       Reform Act of 1995
                                                competitiveness of specialty crops. The                                                                          H. Review Under the Treasury and General
                                                                                                        ADDRESSES:    This rulemaking can be                        Government Appropriations Act of 1999
                                                rule established SCBGP eligibility and
                                                                                                        identified by docket number EERE–                        I. Review Under Executive Order 12630
                                                application requirements, review and
                                                                                                        2013–BT–STD–0033 and/or Regulatory                       J. Review Under the Treasury and General
                                                approval processes, and grant                                                                                       Government Appropriations Act of 2001
                                                                                                        Information Number (RIN) 1904–AD02.
                                                administration procedures for SCBGP                                                                              K. Review Under Executive Order 13211
                                                for the fiscal years 2006 to 2008.                         Docket: The docket, which includes
                                                                                                        Federal Register notices, public meeting                 L. Review Under the Information Quality
                                                   The grant agreements that 7 CFR part                                                                             Bulletin for Peer Review
                                                1290 affected have expired and the                      attendee lists and transcripts,
                                                regulations are now obsolete. Therefore,                comments, and other supporting                        I. Statutory Authority
                                                the AMS is rescinding and removing the                  documents/materials, is available for                    Title III of the Energy Policy and
                                                regulation implementing the SCBGP                       review at www.regulations.gov. All                    Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended
                                                from 2006 to 2008 in its entirety.                      documents in the docket are listed in                 (42 U.S.C. 6291 et seq.), sets forth
                                                                                                        the www.regulations.gov index.                        various provisions designed to improve
                                                List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1290                     However, some documents listed in the                 energy efficiency. Part A of Title III of
                                                  Agriculture, Reporting and                            index may not be publicly available,                  EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6291–6309) established
                                                recordkeeping requirements, Specialty                   such as those containing information                  the ‘‘Energy Conservation Program for
                                                crop block grants.                                      that is exempt from public disclosure.                Consumer Products Other Than
                                                                                                           A link to the docket Web page can be               Automobiles.’’ 1 EPCA authorizes the
                                                PART 1290—[REMOVED AND                                  found at: https://www1.eere.energy.gov/               Secretary of Energy to classify
                                                RESERVED]                                               buildings/appliance_standards/                        additional types of consumer products
                                                  For the reasons set forth in the                      rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/76. This Web                   not otherwise specified in Part A as
                                                preamble, under the authority of 7                      page will contain a link to the docket for            covered products. For a type of
                                                U.S.C. 1621 note, 7 CFR part 1290 is                    this notice on the www.regulations.gov                consumer product to be classified as a
                                                removed.                                                site. The www.regulations.gov Web page                covered product, the Secretary must
                                                                                                        contains simple instructions on how to                determine that:
                                                  Dated: April 12, 2016.                                access all documents, including public
                                                Elanor Starmer,
                                                                                                                                                                 (1) Classifying the product as a
                                                                                                        comments, in the docket.                              covered product is necessary for the
                                                Administrator, Agricultural Marketing                      For further information on how to
                                                Service.                                                                                                      purposes of EPCA; and
                                                                                                        review the docket, contact Ms. Brenda                    (2) The average annual per-household
                                                [FR Doc. 2016–08832 Filed 4–15–16; 8:45 am]             Edwards at (202) 586–2945 or by email:                energy use by products of such type is
                                                BILLING CODE 3410–02–P                                  Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.                            likely to exceed 100 kilowatt-hours
                                                                                                        FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.                  (kWh) per year. (42 U.S.C. 6292(b)(1))
                                                                                                        Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department of                      For the Secretary to prescribe an
                                                DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY                                    Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and               energy conservation standard pursuant
                                                                                                        Renewable Energy, Building                            to 42 U.S.C. 6295(o) and (p) for covered
                                                10 CFR Part 430
                                                                                                        Technologies Office, EE–5B, 1000                      products added pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
                                                [Docket No. EERE–2013–BT–STD–0033]                      Independence Avenue SW.,                              6292(b)(1), he must also determine that:
                                                RIN 1904–AD02                                           Washington, DC 20585–0121.                               (1) The average household energy use
                                                                                                        Telephone: (202) 586–0371. Email:                     of the products has exceeded 150 kWh
                                                Energy Conservation Program for                         Bryan.Berringer@ee.doe.gov.                           per household for a 12-month period;
                                                Consumer Products and Certain                              Ms. Sarah Butler, U.S. Department of                  (2) The aggregate 12-month energy use
                                                Commercial and Industrial Equipment:                    Energy, Office of the General Counsel,                of the products has exceeded 4.2
                                                Determination of Portable Air                           GC–33, 1000 Independence Avenue                       terawatt-hours (TWh);
                                                Conditioners as a Covered Consumer                      SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121.                          (3) Substantial improvement in energy
                                                Product                                                 Telephone: (202) 586–1777. Email:                     efficiency is technologically feasible;
                                                                                                        Sarah.Butler@hq.doe.gov.                              and
                                                AGENCY:  Office of Energy Efficiency and                                                                         (4) Application of a labeling rule
                                                Renewable Energy, Department of                         SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                                                                              under 42 U.S.C. 6294 is unlikely to be
                                                Energy.                                                 Table of Contents                                     sufficient to induce manufacturers to
                                                ACTION: Final determination.                                                                                  produce, and consumers and other
                                                                                                        I. Statutory Authority
                                                SUMMARY:   The U.S. Department of                       II. Current Rulemaking Process                        persons to purchase, covered products
                                                Energy (DOE) is classifying portable air                III. Proposed Definition                              of such type (or class) that achieve the
                                                conditioners (ACs) as a covered product
                                                                                                        IV. Evaluation of Portable ACs as a Covered           maximum energy efficiency that is
                                                                                                              Product Subject to Energy Conservation          technologically feasible and
                                                under the Energy Policy and                                   Standards
                                                Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended.                                                                          economically justified. (42 U.S.C.
                                                                                                           A. Coverage Necessary or Appropriate To            6295(l)(1))
                                                This classification is based on DOE’s                         Carry Out Purposes of EPCA
                                                                                                                                                                 Portable ACs are movable units
                                                determination that portable ACs are a                      B. Average Household Energy Use
                                                                                                        V. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review            typically designed to provide 8,000–
                                                type of consumer product that meets the
                                                                                                           A. Review Under Executive Order 12866              14,000 British thermal units (Btu) per
                                                requisite criteria specified in EPCA.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                                                                           B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility         hour (hr) of cooling capacity 2 for a
                                                Specifically, DOE has determined that
                                                classifying portable ACs as a covered                         Act                                             single room. In contrast to room ACs, a
                                                product is necessary or appropriate to
                                                                                                           C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction            covered product that provides
                                                                                                              Act of 1995
                                                carry out the purposes of EPCA, and                        D. Review Under the National                         1 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the
                                                that average U.S. household energy use                        Environmental Policy Act of 1969                U.S. Code, Part B was re-designated Part A.
                                                by portable ACs is likely to exceed 100                    E. Review Under Executive Order 13132                2 As rated according to current industry test

                                                kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year.                             F. Review Under Executive Order 12988              methods.



                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   16:20 Apr 15, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00004   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\18APR1.SGM   18APR1


                                                                    Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 74 / Monday, April 18, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                                  22515

                                                consumers with a similar function,                      on November 27, 2015, in which it                     is powered by a single phase electric current
                                                portable ACs are not permanently                        proposed revisions to the test procedure              and which is an encased assembly designed
                                                installed on the wall or in a window.                   proposed in the NOPR to improve                       as a portable unit that may rest on the floor
                                                DOE has determined that portable ACs                    repeatability, reduce test burden, and                or other elevated surface for the purpose of
                                                                                                                                                              providing delivery of conditioned air to an
                                                meet the statutory requirements under                   ensure that the test procedure is                     enclosed space. It includes a prime source of
                                                42 U.S.C. 6292(b)(1), and therefore                     representative of typical consumer                    refrigeration and may include a means for
                                                classifies portable ACs as a covered                    usage. 80 FR 74020.                                   ventilating and heating.
                                                product. Separately, DOE is conducting                     With respect to the energy                         78 FR 40403, 40404 (July 5, 2013).
                                                rulemakings to consider test procedures                 conservation standards rulemaking,
                                                and energy conservation standards for                   DOE published a notice of public                         DOE noted that this proposed
                                                portable ACs. DOE will determine if                     meeting and notice of availability of a               definition would be mutually exclusive
                                                portable ACs satisfy the provisions of 42               preliminary technical support document                to the current definition for a room AC,
                                                U.S.C. 6295(l)(1) during the course of                  (TSD) for portable ACs on February 27,                which is ‘‘designed as a unit for
                                                the energy conservation standards                       2015. 80 FR 10628. The TSD describes                  mounting in a window or through the
                                                rulemaking.                                             the details of DOE’s preliminary                      wall.’’ (10 CFR 430.2) Id.
                                                                                                        analysis. DOE held a public meeting to                   In response to the NOPD, DOE
                                                II. Current Rulemaking Process                          discuss and receive comments on the                   received several comments from
                                                   DOE has not previously conducted an                  preliminary analysis it conducted. The                interested parties regarding the kinds of
                                                energy conservation standards                           meeting covered the analytical                        products that would be included under
                                                rulemaking for portable ACs. On July 5,                 framework, models, and tools that DOE                 the proposed definition of a portable
                                                2013, DOE published in the Federal                      used to evaluate potential standards; the             AC. DOE addressed these comments in
                                                Register a notice of proposed                           results of preliminary analyses                       the test procedure NOPR and proposed
                                                determination of coverage (NOPD) in                     performed by DOE for this product; the                a revised definition to further refine the
                                                which it tentatively determined that                    potential energy conservation standard                definition and exclude other similar
                                                portable ACs satisfy the provisions of 42               levels derived from these analyses that               products. Specifically, DOE proposed
                                                U.S.C. 6292(b)(1). 78 FR 40403. After                   DOE could consider for this product;                  the definition:
                                                considering public comments on the                      and other issues relevant to the                         An encased assembly, other than a
                                                NOPD (see sections III and IV of this                   development of energy conservation                    ‘‘packaged terminal air conditioner,’’ ‘‘room
                                                notice), DOE is issuing this final                      standards for portable ACs.                           air conditioner,’’ or ‘‘dehumidifier,’’ designed
                                                determination of coverage for portable                     After considering comments and                     as a portable unit for delivering cooled,
                                                ACs and is evaluating in separate                       information submitted on the                          conditioned air to an enclosed space, that is
                                                rulemakings both test procedures and                    preliminary analysis, DOE expects to                  powered by single-phase electric current,
                                                energy conservation standards for                       complete a full analysis of both the                  which may rest on the floor or other elevated
                                                portable ACs.                                           burdens and benefits of potential energy              surface. It includes a source of refrigeration
                                                   With respect to the test procedure                   conservation standards in a NOPR,                     and may include additional means for air
                                                rulemaking, DOE initially published a                                                                         circulation and heating.
                                                                                                        pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6295(o). Because
                                                notice of data availability (NODA) on                   DOE is classifying portable ACs as a                  80 FR 10212, 10214–15 (Feb. 25, 2015).
                                                May 9, 2014, in which it discussed                      covered product under 42 U.S.C.                          DOE received multiple comments
                                                various industry test procedures and                    6292(b)(1), DOE will also consider as                 from interested parties in response to
                                                presented results from its investigative                part of any energy conservation                       the proposed definition in the test
                                                testing. 79 FR 26639. In the NODA, DOE                  standard NOPR whether portable ACs                    procedure NOPR, focusing on the
                                                evaluated existing methodologies and                    satisfy the requirements of 42 U.S.C.                 distinction between portable ACs
                                                alternate approaches adapted from these                 6295(l)(1). After the publication of the              intended for consumer versus
                                                methodologies that could be                             standards NOPR, DOE will afford                       commercial applications.
                                                incorporated in a future DOE test                       interested parties an opportunity during                 DENSO Products and Services
                                                procedure for portable ACs.                             a period of not less than 60 days to                  Americas, Inc. (DENSO) noted that
                                                   After reviewing comments and                         provide oral and written comment. After               portable ACs are used in both
                                                information received on the NODA,                       receiving and considering the comments                residential and commercial settings, and
                                                DOE published a test procedure notice                   on the NOPR and not less than 90 days                 that the typical distinction between the
                                                of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) on                        after the publication of the NOPR, DOE                two settings is the use of single-phase
                                                February 25, 2015, in which it proposed                 will issue the final rule prescribing any             versus three-phase power. However,
                                                to establish test procedures for portable               new energy conservation standards for                 DENSO expressed concern about the
                                                ACs that would measure the energy                       portable ACs.                                         proposed definition because some
                                                efficiency, energy use, and estimated                                                                         portable ACs with single-phase power
                                                annual operating cost of portable ACs                   III. Product Definition
                                                                                                                                                              may be used in commercial or industrial
                                                during a representative average use                        In the NOPD, DOE proposed the                      applications. (DENSO, TP Public
                                                period and that would not be unduly                     following definition of ‘‘portable air                Meeting Transcript, No. 13 at pp. 21–
                                                burdensome to conduct, as required                      conditioner’’ to determine the potential              22) 3
                                                under 42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)). 80 FR                      scope of which products would
                                                10211. The proposed test procedures                     potentially be regulated as a covered                    3 A notation in the form ‘‘DENSO, TP Public

                                                were based upon industry methods to                     product. The proposed definition also                 Meeting Transcript, No. 13 at pp. 21–22’’ identifies
                                                determine energy consumption in active                  provided clarity for interested parties               an oral comment that DOE received on March 18,
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                                                                        with respect to the test procedure and                2015 during the Test Procedure NOPR public
                                                modes, standby modes, and off mode,                                                                           meeting, was recorded in the public meeting
                                                with certain modifications to ensure the                energy conservation standards                         transcript in the docket for the test procedure
                                                test procedures would be repeatable and                 rulemakings as DOE continued its                      rulemaking (Docket No. EERE–2014–BT–TP–0014).
                                                representative. Based on comments from                  analyses. DOE initially proposed that a               This particular notation refers to a comment (1)
                                                                                                        portable AC was:                                      made by DENSO Products and Services Americas,
                                                interested parties on the NOPR, DOE                                                                           Inc. (DENSO) during the public meeting; (2)
                                                subsequently published a supplemental                      A consumer product, other than a                   recorded in document number 13, which is the
                                                notice of proposed rulemaking (SNOPR)                   ‘‘packaged terminal air conditioner,’’ which                                                     Continued




                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   16:20 Apr 15, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00005   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\18APR1.SGM   18APR1


                                                22516               Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 74 / Monday, April 18, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                  Oceanaire and the National                            noted that commercial portable ACs are                portable AC would be considered by
                                                Association of Manufacturers (NAM)                      also used to address temporary or                     DOE to be a portable AC regardless of
                                                supported the exclusion of commercial                   emergency short-term conditions, and                  the manufacturer-intended application
                                                portable ACs from coverage, given the                   are purchased by rental companies that                or installation location.
                                                limited size of the industry and small                  provide temporary service to a variety of                Moreover, air flow rates, refrigerant
                                                number of units produced. These                         businesses. Oceanaire described the                   charge, condensate handling system,
                                                commenters stated that requiring                        construction of commercial portable                   and product weight are not attributes
                                                additional testing would have a                         ACs as having 18 gauge and thicker steel              that inherently determine suitability for
                                                significant negative impact on this niche               cabinetry and support structures to meet              consumer use. For example, DOE
                                                market. According to Oceanaire and                      the needs of commercial and industrial                identified multiple portable ACs
                                                DENSO, annual shipments of                              customers, and according to Oceanaire,                marketed as consumer products with
                                                commercial portable ACs are only                        such portable ACs have an average                     evaporator air flow rates greater than
                                                15,000, as compared to the 973,700                      lifetime of 10 years. (Oceanaire, TP                  265 CFM, the threshold suggested by
                                                annual shipments of consumer portable                   NOPR No. 10 at p. 2; NAM, TP NOPR                     Oceanaire and NAM, and rugged
                                                ACs in the United States that DOE                       No. 17 at pp. 2–3; DENSO, TP NOPR                     construction with correspondingly
                                                estimated in its preliminary analysis for               No. 14 at p. 1)                                       higher weight that may be desirable in
                                                portable AC energy conservation                            For the aforementioned reasons,                    some residential applications such as
                                                standards. (Oceanaire, No. 10 at p. 3;                  Oceanaire and NAM stated that they                    garages or temporary attic cooling.
                                                NAM, No. 17 at pp. 1, 3; DENSO, TP                      believe that commercial portable ACs do               Further, a portable AC that meets the
                                                NOPR No. 14 at p. 4) 4                                  not qualify under the provisions of                   single-phase power requirement in the
                                                   To identify products that are                        EPCA as a covered product. (Oceanaire,                portable AC definition would not meet
                                                commonly referred to as portable ACs                    TP NOPR No. 10 at p. 2; NAM, TP                       certain minimum thresholds for some of
                                                but that it contends should be excluded                 NOPR No. 17 at p. 3)                                  the product attributes in NAM’s
                                                from coverage as consumer products,                        In the test procedure NOPR, DOE                    definition of a commercial portable AC,
                                                Oceanaire referred to NAM’s definition                  stated that portable ACs are not                      such that the power requirement would
                                                of a commercial portable AC and the                     currently a covered product, and did not              have the same effect as if the definition
                                                following characteristics it believes are               propose to classify commercial portable               were to specifically include those
                                                common to commercial portable ACs:                      ACs as a covered product. Rather,                     thresholds.
                                                (1) A minimum evaporator inlet air flow                 consistent with the authority under                      For these reasons, DOE is establishing
                                                of 265 cubic feet per minute (CFM) and                  EPCA to classify additional types of                  in 10 CFR 430.2 the definition of
                                                minimum condenser air flow of 500                       ‘‘consumer product’’ not otherwise                    ‘‘portable air conditioner’’ proposed in
                                                CFM at standard temperature, pressure,                  specified in Part A as covered products,              the test procedure NOPR with minor
                                                and rated voltage; (2) a minimum                        DOE proposed to classify ‘‘portable                   editorial revisions that do not modify
                                                refrigerant charge of 14 ounces per unit;               ACs’’ as a covered product.                           the intent or scope of the definition:
                                                (3) an internal condensate tank of a                       EPCA defines ‘‘consumer product’’ as
                                                minimum 2-gallon capacity or a                          any article of a type that consumes, or                  A portable encased assembly, other than a
                                                                                                        is designed to consume, energy and                    ‘‘packaged terminal air conditioner,’’ ‘‘room
                                                condensate pump capable of a                                                                                  air conditioner,’’ or ‘‘dehumidifier,’’ that
                                                minimum 15-foot head pressure; and (4)                  which, to any significant extent, is
                                                                                                                                                              delivers cooled, conditioned air to an
                                                a minimum weight of 110 pounds.                         distributed in commerce for personal                  enclosed space, and is powered by single-
                                                Oceanaire also stated that cooling                      use or consumption by individuals. (42                phase electric current. It includes a source of
                                                capacities of commercial portable ACs                   U.S.C. 6291(1)) EPCA further specifies                refrigeration and may include additional
                                                typically range up to 65,000 Btu/hr.                    that the definition of a consumer                     means for air circulation and heating.
                                                (Oceanaire, TP NOPR No. 10 at p. 1–2;                   product applies ‘‘without regard to
                                                                                                        whether the product is in fact                        IV. Evaluation of Portable ACs as a
                                                NAM, TP NOPR No. 17 at p. 3)
                                                   A number of commenters asserted                      distributed in commerce for personal                  Covered Product Subject to Energy
                                                that the installation locations, operating              use or consumption by an individual.’’                Conservation Standards
                                                conditions, use cases, and necessary                    (42 U.S.C. 6291(1)(B)) Under the                         The following sections describe DOE’s
                                                product construction for commercial                     definition of ‘‘portable air conditioner’’            determination that portable ACs fulfill
                                                portable ACs are substantially different                proposed by DOE, portable ACs clearly                 the criteria for being added as a covered
                                                than those for consumer portable ACs.                   meet EPCA’s definition of ‘‘consumer                  product pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
                                                Oceanaire, NAM, and DENSO cited                         product.’’                                            6292(b)(1). As stated previously, DOE
                                                examples of permanent installations for                    Although the definition of consumer                may classify a type of consumer product
                                                commercial portable ACs, including                      product does not depend on whether                    as a covered product if (1) classifying
                                                steel mills, auto repair shops, cosmetics               the product is, in fact, distributed in               products of such type as covered
                                                and food product processing facilities,                 commerce for personal use or                          products is necessary and appropriate to
                                                and other environments that are subject                 consumption by an individual, DOE has                 carry out the purposes of EPCA; and (2)
                                                to extreme temperature, humidity, and                   proposed a definition of ‘‘portable air               the average annual per-household
                                                corrosive conditions. Oceanaire further                 conditioner’’ that excludes units that                energy use by products of such type is
                                                                                                        could normally not be used in a                       likely to exceed 100 kWh (or its Btu
                                                public meeting transcript that is filed in the docket   residential setting by limiting the                   equivalent) per year.
                                                of the test procedure rulemaking; and (3) which         definition to include only portable ACs
                                                appears on pages 21 through 22.                         powered by single-phase electric                      A. Coverage Necessary or Appropriate
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                   4 A notation in the form ‘‘DENSO, TP NOPR No.
                                                                                                        current. As such, a product that requires             To Carry Out Purposes of EPCA
                                                14 at p. 4’’ identifies a written comment: (1) Made
                                                by DENSO Products and Services Americas, Inc.           three-phase power, a characteristic that                DOE tentatively concluded in the
                                                (DENSO); (2) recorded in document number 14 that        is not appropriate for consumer                       NOPD that coverage of portable ACs is
                                                is filed in the docket of the test procedure notice     products, would not be covered under                  necessary or appropriate to carry out the
                                                of proposed rulemaking as a covered consumer
                                                product (Docket No. EERE–2014– BT–TP–0014) and
                                                                                                        DOE’s definition. Conversely, any                     purposes of EPCA, which include: (1)
                                                available for review at www.regulations.gov; and (3)    product with single-phase power that                  To conserve energy supplies through
                                                which appears on page 4 of document number 14.          otherwise meets the definition of a                   energy conservation programs, and,


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   16:20 Apr 15, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00006   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\18APR1.SGM   18APR1


                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 74 / Monday, April 18, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                         22517

                                                where necessary, the regulation of                       DOE classify portable ACs as a covered               of portable ACs differ from those for
                                                certain energy uses; and (2) to provide                  product to enable subsequent                         room ACs, which were the basis for
                                                for improved energy efficiency of motor                  development of test procedures and                   DOE’s analysis. AHAM stated its belief
                                                vehicles, major appliances, and certain                  consideration of energy conservations                that portable ACs are used for a shorter
                                                other consumer products. (42 U.S.C.                      standards for portable ACs because: (1)              period of time because some consumers
                                                6201) In the NOPD, DOE presented the                     Shipments are growing; (2) portable ACs              may use them to supplement
                                                results of its initial analysis, which                   have high per-unit energy use; and (3)               conditioned air in a particular space or
                                                suggested that the aggregate energy use                  competing products (such as room ACs)                area of a room instead of as the primary
                                                of portable ACs has been increasing as                   are currently covered. (Joint                        means of cooling. Nevertheless, AHAM
                                                these units have become popular in                       Commenters, No. 4 at p. 2)                           stated that it does not believe that these
                                                recent years. DOE estimated, based on                      DOE, therefore, reaffirms its tentative            differences would change the
                                                market studies, that 973.7 thousand                      conclusion in the NOPD and determines                determination that per-household
                                                units shipped in North America in 2012,                  that classifying portable ACs as a                   energy use for portable ACs is likely to
                                                with a projected growth to 1743.7                        covered product is necessary and                     exceed 100 kWh/yr. (AHAM, No. 6 at
                                                thousand units by 2018, representing                     appropriate to carry out the purposes of             pp. 2–3) The California IOUs stated that
                                                nearly 80-percent growth over 6 years.5                  EPCA. In consideration of the potential              DOE’s estimate of annual energy use for
                                                DOE notes that the number of entries in                  for improved energy efficiency of                    a typical portable AC unit is significant
                                                the California Energy Commission’s                       portable ACs and associated national                 and comparable to the per-unit energy
                                                product database for ‘‘spot air                          energy savings, DOE has developed a                  use of many major household
                                                conditioners’’ 6 increased from 295 in                   proposed test procedure in a recent                  appliances. (California IOUs, No. 5 at p.
                                                August 2013 to 442 in October 2015,                      rulemaking that would establish                      3) DOE solicited, but did not receive,
                                                suggesting that DOE’s initial estimate of                appendix CC, and is currently                        portable AC usage data in both the test
                                                significant growth in this product                       addressing potential energy                          procedure and energy conservation
                                                category is reasonable. DOE stated in the                conservation standards for portable ACs              standards rulemakings. DOE agrees,
                                                NOPD that coverage of portable ACs                       in a standards rulemaking.                           however, that the potential differences
                                                would enable the conservation of energy                                                                       between portable AC and room AC
                                                supplies through both labeling programs                  B. Average Household Energy Use
                                                                                                                                                              usage would not change DOE’s initial
                                                and the regulation of portable AC                          In the NOPD, DOE estimated the                     determination that portable ACs meet
                                                efficiency. DOE also asserted that there                 average household portable AC energy                 the threshold per-household energy use,
                                                is significant variation in the annual                   use of portable ACs. DOE based its                   particularly because DOE’s estimates
                                                energy consumption of different models                   calculations on a review of the current              were at least a factor of four greater than
                                                currently available, such that                           market and a comparison to room AC                   the 100 kWh/yr requirement. Therefore,
                                                technologies exist to reduce the energy                  energy use, and determined that the                  DOE determines here that average
                                                consumption of portable ACs. 78 FR                       typical rated energy efficiency ratio                annual per-household energy use by
                                                40403, 40404 (Jul. 5, 2013).                             (EER) of portable ACs is approximately               portable ACs is likely to exceed 100
                                                   The Appliance Standards Awareness                     9.5, with a large available range                    kWh (or its Btu equivalent) per year.
                                                Project (ASAP), Alliance to Save Energy                  (approximately 8.2–14.3), and that                      Accordingly, DOE has determined
                                                (ASE), American Council for an Energy-                   typical cooling capacities range from                that portable ACs meet the statutory
                                                Efficient Economy (ACEEE), Consumers                     8,000–14,000 Btu/hr. DOE further                     requirements under 42 U.S.C 6292(b)(1),
                                                Union (CU), and Northwest Energy                         estimated average per-household annual               and therefore classifies portable ACs as
                                                Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) (hereinafter                  electricity consumption of a portable                a covered product. DOE amends the
                                                the ‘‘Joint Commenters’’) and AHAM                       AC, based on a typical unit with EER                 definition of covered product in 10 CFR
                                                supported DOE’s proposed                                 9.5, to be approximately 650 kWh/yr                  430.2 to reflect this determination.
                                                determination that classifying portable                  (750 kWh/yr for EER 8.2, and 400 kWh/
                                                ACs as a covered product is necessary                                                                         V. Procedural Issues and Regulatory
                                                                                                         yr for EER 14.3). DOE also noted that
                                                or appropriate to carry out the purposes                                                                      Review
                                                                                                         one set of laboratory tests 7 measured
                                                of EPCA. (AHAM, No. 6 at pp. 1–2; Joint                  the cooling capacity of units to be half               DOE has reviewed this final
                                                Commenters, No. 4 at p. 2) The Joint                     of manufacturers’ reported values,                   determination of coverage for portable
                                                Commenters further recommended that                      suggesting that in-field energy use is               ACs under the following executive
                                                                                                         much larger than the rated value would               orders and acts.
                                                   5 Transparency Media Research. Air Conditioning
                                                                                                         imply. Therefore, DOE tentatively                    A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
                                                Systems Market—Global Scenario, Trends, Industry
                                                Analysis, Size, Share and Forecast, 2012–2018.
                                                                                                         determined in the NOPD that the
                                                                                                         average annual per-household energy                    The Office of Management and Budget
                                                January 2013.
                                                   6 California regulations define ‘‘spot air            use for portable ACs is very likely to               (OMB) has determined that coverage
                                                conditioner’’ as ‘‘an air conditioner that discharges    exceed 100 kWh/yr, satisfying the                    determination rulemakings do not
                                                cool air into a space and discharges rejected heat       criterion of 42 U.S.C. 6292(b)(1)(B)                 constitute ‘‘significant regulatory
                                                back into that space, where there is no physical                                                              actions’’ under section 3(f) of Executive
                                                boundary separating the discharges.’’ This               required for classification of portable
                                                definition is distinct from the regulations’             ACs as a covered product under Part A                Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and
                                                definition of ‘‘room air conditioner’’ as ‘‘a factory-   of Title III of the EPCA, as amended. 78             Review, 58 FR 51735 (Oct. 4, 1993).
                                                encased air conditioner that is designed: (1) As a       FR 40403, 40404–40405.                               Accordingly, this final action was not
                                                unit for mounting in a window, through a wall, or                                                             subject to review under the Executive
                                                as a console, and (2) for delivery without ducts of        AHAM agreed with the result of
                                                                                                         DOE’s estimate of portable AC annual                 Order by the Office of Information and
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                conditioned air to an enclosed space.’’ (California
                                                Code of Regulations, Title 20: Division 2; Chapter       energy use, although it did not agree                Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the OMB.
                                                4, Article 4, Section 1602(c) and (d)) Entries in the    with DOE’s methodology. Specifically,
                                                CEC database listed as spot ACs include varying                                                               B. Review Under the Regulatory
                                                configurations of portable ACs, including those that     AHAM suggested that the usage profiles               Flexibility Act
                                                reject heat outside the conditioned space, as well
                                                as products that would not meet DOE’s definition           7 Consumer Reports. Buying Advice: Portable Air      The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
                                                of portable AC because they operate on three-phase       Conditioners. http://news.consumerreports.org/       U.S.C. 601 et seq., as amended by the
                                                power.                                                   home/2008/06/air-condition-1.html.                   Small Business Regulatory Enforcement


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   16:20 Apr 15, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00007   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\18APR1.SGM   18APR1


                                                22518               Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 74 / Monday, April 18, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                Fairness Act of 1996) requires                          criteria for classification as covered                U.S.C. 6297) No further action is
                                                preparation of a regulatory flexibility                 products and that future standards may                required by E.O. 13132.
                                                analysis for any rule that, by law, must                be warranted to regulate their energy
                                                                                                                                                              F. Review Under Executive Order 12988
                                                be proposed for public comment, unless                  use. Should DOE pursue that option, the
                                                the agency certifies that the rule, if                  relevant environmental impacts would                     With respect to the review of existing
                                                promulgated, will not have a significant                be explored as part of that rulemaking.               regulations and the promulgation of
                                                economic impact on a substantial                        As a result, DOE has determined that                  new regulations, section 3(a) of E.O.
                                                number of small entities. A regulatory                  this action falls into a class of actions             12988, ‘‘Civil Justice Reform’’ 61 FR
                                                flexibility analysis examines the impact                that are categorically excluded from                  4729 (Feb. 7, 1996), imposes on Federal
                                                of the rule on small entities and                       review under the National                             agencies the duty to: (1) Eliminate
                                                considers alternative ways of reducing                  Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42                  drafting errors and ambiguity; (2) write
                                                negative effects. Also, as required by                  U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and DOE’s                        regulations to minimize litigation; (3)
                                                E.O. 13272, ‘‘Proper Consideration of                   implementing regulations at 10 CFR part               provide a clear legal standard for
                                                Small Entities in Agency Rulemaking’’                   1021. Specifically, this action                       affected conduct rather than a general
                                                67 FR 53461 (Aug. 16, 2002), DOE                        establishes a class of products (portable             standard; and (4) promote simplification
                                                published procedures and policies on                    ACs) for which energy conservation                    and burden reduction. Section 3(b) of
                                                February 19, 2003 to ensure that the                    standards would be appropriate.                       E.O. 12988 specifically requires that
                                                potential impact of its rules on small                  However, this action does not establish               Executive agencies make every
                                                entities are properly considered during                 energy conservation standards, and,                   reasonable effort to ensure that the
                                                the DOE rulemaking process. 68 FR                       therefore, does not result in any                     regulation specifies the following: (1)
                                                7990 (Feb. 19, 2003). DOE makes its                     environmental impacts. Thus, this                     The preemptive effect, if any; (2) any
                                                procedures and policies available on the                action is covered by Categorical                      effect on existing Federal law or
                                                Office of the General Counsel’s Web site                Exclusion A6 ‘‘Procedural rulemakings’’               regulation; (3) a clear legal standard for
                                                at http://energy.gov/gc/office-general-                 under 10 CFR part 1021, subpart D.                    affected conduct while promoting
                                                counsel.                                                Accordingly, neither an environmental                 simplification and burden reduction; (4)
                                                   DOE reviewed this final                              assessment nor an environmental                       the retroactive effect, if any; (5)
                                                determination under the provisions of                   impact statement is required.                         definitions of key terms; and (6) other
                                                the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the                                                                        important issues affecting clarity and
                                                policies and procedures published on                    E. Review Under Executive Order 13132                 general draftsmanship under any
                                                February 19, 2003. This final                                                                                 guidelines issued by the Attorney
                                                determination sets no standards; it only                   Executive Order (E.O.) 13132,                      General. Section 3(c) of E.O. 12988
                                                positively determines that future                       ‘‘Federalism’’ 64 FR 43255 (Aug. 10,                  requires Executive agencies to review
                                                standards may be warranted and should                   1999), imposes certain requirements on                regulations in light of applicable
                                                be explored in an energy conservation                   agencies formulating and implementing                 standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b) to
                                                standards and test procedure                            policies or regulations that preempt                  determine whether these standards are
                                                rulemaking. Economic impacts on small                   State law or that have Federalism                     met, or whether it is unreasonable to
                                                entities would be considered in the                     implications. The Executive Order                     meet one or more of them. DOE
                                                context of such rulemakings. On the                     requires agencies to examine the                      completed the required review and
                                                basis of the foregoing, DOE certifies that              constitutional and statutory authority                determined that, to the extent permitted
                                                the determination has no significant                    supporting any action that would limit                by law, this final determination meets
                                                economic impact on a substantial                        the policymaking discretion of the                    the relevant standards of E.O. 12988.
                                                number of small entities. Accordingly,                  States and to assess carefully the
                                                                                                        necessity for such actions. The                       G. Review Under the Unfunded
                                                DOE has not prepared a regulatory                                                                             Mandates Reform Act of 1995
                                                flexibility analysis for this final                     Executive Order also requires agencies
                                                determination. DOE will transmit this                   to have an accountable process to                        Title II of the Unfunded Mandates
                                                certification and supporting statement                  ensure meaningful and timely input by                 Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Pub. L.
                                                of factual basis to the Chief Counsel for               State and local officials in developing               104–4, codified at 2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.)
                                                Advocacy of the Small Business                          regulatory policies that have Federalism              requires each Federal agency to assess
                                                Administration for review under 5                       implications. On March 14, 2000, DOE                  the effects of Federal regulatory actions
                                                U.S.C. 605(b).                                          published a statement of policy                       on State, local, and tribal governments
                                                                                                        describing the intergovernmental                      and the private sector. For regulatory
                                                C. Review Under the Paperwork                           consultation process that it will follow              actions likely to result in a rule that may
                                                Reduction Act of 1995                                   in developing such regulations. 65 FR                 cause expenditures by State, local, and
                                                  This final determination, which                       13735 (Mar. 14, 2000). DOE has                        Tribal governments, in the aggregate, or
                                                concludes that portable ACs meet the                    examined this final determination and                 by the private sector of $100 million or
                                                criteria for a covered product for which                concludes that it does not preempt State              more in any 1 year (adjusted annually
                                                the Secretary may prescribe an energy                   law or have substantial direct effects on             for inflation), section 202 of UMRA
                                                conservation standard pursuant to 42                    the States, on the relationship between               requires a Federal agency to publish a
                                                U.S.C. 6295(o) and (p), imposes no new                  the Federal government and the States,                written statement that estimates the
                                                information or record-keeping                           or on the distribution of power and                   resulting costs, benefits, and other
                                                requirements. Accordingly, the OMB                      responsibilities among the various                    effects on the national economy. (2
                                                clearance is not required under the                     levels of government. EPCA governs and                U.S.C. 1532(a) and (b)) UMRA requires
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                Paperwork Reduction Act. (44 U.S.C.                     prescribes Federal preemption of State                a Federal agency to develop an effective
                                                3501 et seq.)                                           regulations as to energy conservation for             process to permit timely input by
                                                                                                        the product that is the subject of this               elected officers of State, local, and tribal
                                                D. Review Under the National                            final determination. States can petition              governments on a proposed ‘‘significant
                                                Environmental Policy Act of 1969                        DOE for exemption from such                           intergovernmental mandate.’’ UMRA
                                                  In this notice, DOE positively                        preemption to the extent permitted, and               also requires an agency plan for giving
                                                determines that portable ACs meet the                   based on criteria, set forth in EPCA. (42             notice and opportunity for timely input


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   16:20 Apr 15, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00008   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\18APR1.SGM   18APR1


                                                                    Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 74 / Monday, April 18, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                            22519

                                                to small governments that may be                        K. Review Under Executive Order 13211                 for the regulatory action discussed in
                                                potentially affected before establishing                   E.O. 13211, ‘‘Actions Concerning                   this document do not constitute
                                                any requirement that might significantly                Regulations That Significantly Affect                 ‘‘influential scientific information,’’
                                                or uniquely affect them. On March 18,                   Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use,’’ 66             which the Bulletin defines as ‘‘scientific
                                                1997, DOE published a statement of                      FR 28355 (May 22, 2001), requires                     information the agency reasonably can
                                                policy on its process for                               Federal agencies to prepare and submit                determine will have or does have a clear
                                                intergovernmental consultation under                    to OMB a Statement of Energy Effects                  and substantial impact on important
                                                UMRA. 62 FR 12820 (Mar. 18, 1997).                      for any proposed significant energy                   public policies or private sector
                                                (This policy also is available at http://               action. A ‘‘significant energy action’’ is            decisions.’’ 70 FR 2667 (Jan. 14, 2005).
                                                energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel).                  defined as any action by an agency that               The analyses were subject to pre-
                                                DOE reviewed this final determination                   promulgates a final rule or is expected               dissemination review prior to issuance
                                                pursuant to these existing authorities                  to lead to promulgation of a final rule,              of this rulemaking.
                                                and its policy statement and determined                 and that: (1) Is a significant regulatory                DOE will determine the appropriate
                                                                                                        action under E.O. 12866, or any                       level of review that would apply to any
                                                that the rule contains neither an
                                                                                                        successor order; and (2) is likely to have            future rulemaking to establish energy
                                                intergovernmental mandate nor a
                                                                                                        a significant adverse effect on the                   conservation standards for portable ACs.
                                                mandate that may result in the
                                                expenditure of $100 million or more in                  supply, distribution, or use of energy; or            VI. Approval of the Office of the
                                                any year, so the UMRA requirements do                   (3) is designated by the Administrator of             Secretary
                                                not apply.                                              the Office of Information and Regulatory
                                                                                                                                                                The Secretary of Energy has approved
                                                                                                        Affairs (OIRA) as a significant energy
                                                H. Review Under the Treasury and                                                                              publication of this final determination.
                                                                                                        action. For any proposed significant
                                                General Government Appropriations                       energy action, the agency must give a                 List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 430
                                                Act of 1999                                             detailed statement of any adverse effects               Administrative practice and
                                                                                                        on energy supply, distribution, or use if             procedure, Confidential business
                                                   Section 654 of the Treasury and
                                                                                                        the proposal is implemented, and of                   information, Energy conservation,
                                                General Government Appropriations                       reasonable alternatives to the proposed
                                                Act of 1999 (Pub. L. 105–277) requires                                                                        Reporting and recordkeeping
                                                                                                        action and their expected benefits on                 requirements.
                                                Federal agencies to issue a Family                      energy supply, distribution, and use.
                                                Policymaking Assessment for any rule                       DOE has concluded that this                          Issued in Washington, DC, on April 11,
                                                that may affect family well-being. This                                                                       2016.
                                                                                                        regulatory action establishing certain
                                                final determination does not have any                   definitions and determining that                      David Friedman,
                                                impact on the autonomy or integrity of                  portable ACs meet the criteria for a                  Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Energy
                                                the family as an institution.                           covered product for which the Secretary               Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
                                                Accordingly, DOE has concluded that it                  may prescribe an energy conservation                    For the reasons stated in the
                                                is not necessary to prepare a Family                    standard pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)                preamble, DOE amends part 430 of
                                                Policymaking Assessment.                                and (p) does not have a significant                   chapter II of title 10, Code of Federal
                                                I. Review Under Executive Order 12630                   adverse effect on the supply,                         Regulations as set forth below:
                                                                                                        distribution, or use of energy. This
                                                   Pursuant to E.O. 12630,                              action is also not a significant regulatory           PART 430—ENERGY CONSERVATION
                                                ‘‘Governmental Actions and Interference                 action for purposes of E.O. 12866, and                PROGRAM FOR CONSUMER
                                                with Constitutionally Protected Property                the OIRA Administrator has not                        PRODUCTS
                                                Rights’’ 53 FR 8859 (Mar. 15, 1988),                    designated this final determination as a
                                                                                                        significant energy action under E.O.                  ■ 1. The authority citation for part 430
                                                DOE determined that this final
                                                                                                        12866 or any successor order. Therefore,              continues to read as follows:
                                                determination does not result in any
                                                takings that might require compensation                 this final determination is not a                       Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291–6309; 28 U.S.C.
                                                under the Fifth Amendment to the U.S.                   significant energy action. Accordingly,               2461 note.
                                                Constitution.                                           DOE has not prepared a Statement of                   ■  2. Section 430.2 is amended by
                                                                                                        Energy Effects.                                       revising the definition of ‘‘covered
                                                J. Review Under the Treasury and                                                                              product’’ and adding the definition of
                                                General Government Appropriations                       L. Review Under the Information
                                                                                                        Quality Bulletin for Peer Review                      ‘‘portable air conditioner’’ in
                                                Act of 2001                                                                                                   alphabetical order to read as follows:
                                                                                                           On December 16, 2004, OMB, in
                                                   The Treasury and General                             consultation with the Office of Science               § 430.2    Definitions.
                                                Government Appropriation Act of 2001                    and Technology Policy (OSTP), issued                  *      *     *     *     *
                                                (44 U.S.C. 3516, note) requires agencies                its Final Information Quality Bulletin                   Covered product means a consumer
                                                to review most disseminations of                        for Peer Review (the Bulletin). 70 FR                 product—
                                                information they make to the public                     2664 (Jan. 14, 2005). The Bulletin                       (1) Of a type specified in section 322
                                                under guidelines established by each                    establishes that certain scientific                   of the Act, or
                                                agency pursuant to general guidelines                   information shall be peer reviewed by                    (2) That is a ceiling fan, ceiling fan
                                                issued by the OMB. The OMB’s                            qualified specialists before it is                    light kit, medium base compact
                                                guidelines were published at 67 FR                      disseminated by the Federal                           fluorescent lamp, dehumidifier, battery
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                8452 (Feb. 22, 2002), and DOE’s                         government, including influential                     charger, external power supply,
                                                guidelines were published at 67 FR                      scientific information related to agency              torchiere, or portable air conditioner.
                                                62446 (Oct. 7, 2002). DOE has reviewed                  regulatory actions. The purpose of the                *      *     *     *     *
                                                this final determination under the OMB                  Bulletin is to enhance the quality and                   Portable air conditioner means a
                                                and DOE guidelines and has concluded                    credibility of the Government’s                       portable encased assembly, other than a
                                                that it is consistent with applicable                   scientific information. DOE has                       ‘‘packaged terminal air conditioner,’’
                                                policies in those guidelines.                           determined that the analyses conducted                ‘‘room air conditioner,’’ or


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   16:20 Apr 15, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00009   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\18APR1.SGM   18APR1


                                                22520               Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 74 / Monday, April 18, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                ‘‘dehumidifier,’’ that delivers cooled,                 carry out their public policy missions                and supplemented on February 4, 2016;
                                                conditioned air to an enclosed space,                   through authorized activities. See 12                 and
                                                and is powered by single-phase electric                 U.S.C. 4513. These Orders are being                     Whereas, section 1314 of the Safety
                                                current. It includes a source of                        issued under 12 U.S.C. 4516(a), which                 and Soundness Act, 12 U.S.C. 4514(a)
                                                refrigeration and may include additional                authorizes the Director of FHFA to                    authorizes the Director of FHFA to
                                                means for air circulation and heating.                  require by Order that the regulated                   require regulated entities, by general or
                                                *     *      *    *     *                               entities submit regular or special reports            specific order, to submit such reports on
                                                [FR Doc. 2016–08891 Filed 4–15–16; 8:45 am]             to FHFA and establishes remedies and                  their management, activities, and
                                                BILLING CODE 6450–01–P                                  procedures for failing to make reports                operation as the Director considers
                                                                                                        required by Order. The Orders, through                appropriate.
                                                                                                        the accompanying Summary                                Now Therefore, it is hereby Ordered
                                                FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE                                 Instructions and Guidance, prescribe for              as follows:
                                                AGENCY                                                  the regulated entities the scenarios to be              Each regulated entity shall report to
                                                                                                        used for stress testing. The Summary                  FHFA and to the Board of Governors of
                                                12 CFR Part 1238                                        Instructions and Guidance also provides               the Federal Reserve System the results
                                                                                                        to the regulated entities advice                      of the stress testing as required by 12
                                                [No. 2016–N–05]                                                                                               CFR 1238, in the form and with the
                                                                                                        concerning the content and format of
                                                                                                        reports required by the Orders and the                content described therein and in the
                                                Orders: Reporting by Regulated
                                                                                                        rule.                                                 Summary Instructions and Guidance,
                                                Entities of Stress Testing Results as of
                                                                                                                                                              with Appendices 1 through 12 thereto,
                                                December 31, 2015; Summary                              II. Orders, Summary Instructions and                  accompanying this Order and dated
                                                Instructions and Guidance                               Guidance                                              March 2, 2016.
                                                AGENCY: Federal Housing Finance                            For the convenience of the affected                  It Is So Ordered, this the 2nd day of
                                                Agency.                                                 parties and the public, the text of the               March, 2016.
                                                ACTION: Orders.                                         Orders follows below in its entirety.                   This Order is effective immediately.
                                                                                                        You may access these Orders and the                     Signed at Washington, DC, this 2nd
                                                SUMMARY:    In this document, the Federal               Summary Instructions and Guidance                     day of March, 2016.
                                                Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)                           from FHFA’s Web site at http://www.                   Melvin L. Watt,
                                                provides notice that it issued Orders,                  fhfa.gov/SupervisionRegulation/Dodd                   Director, Federal Housing Finance
                                                dated March 2, 2016, with respect to                    FrankActStressTests. The Orders and                   Agency.
                                                stress test reporting as of December 31,                Summary Instructions and Guidance                       Dated: April 12, 2016.
                                                2015, under section 165(i)(2) of the                    also will be available for public                     Melvin L. Watt,
                                                Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and                       inspection and copying at the Federal
                                                Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank                                                                           Director, Federal Housing Finance Agency.
                                                                                                        Housing Finance Agency, Eighth Floor,
                                                Act). Summary Instructions and                                                                                [FR Doc. 2016–08903 Filed 4–15–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                        400 Seventh St. SW., Washington, DC
                                                Guidance accompanied the Orders to                      20219. To make an appointment call                    BILLING CODE 8070–01–P
                                                provide testing scenarios.                              (202) 649–3804.
                                                DATES: Effective April 18, 2016. Each                      The text of the Orders is as follows:
                                                Order is applicable March 2, 2016.                                                                            DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
                                                                                                        Federal Housing Finance Agency                        HUMAN SERVICES
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Naa
                                                Awaa Tagoe, Senior Associate Director,                  Order Nos. 2016–OR–B–1, 2016–OR–
                                                                                                                                                              Food and Drug Administration
                                                Office of Financial Analysis, Modeling                  FNMA–1, and 2016–OR–FHLMC–1
                                                and Simulations, (202) 649–3140,                        REPORTING BY REGULATED                                21 CFR Parts 520, 522, 524, 529, 556,
                                                naaawaa.tagoe@fhfa.gov; Stefan                          ENTITIES OF STRESS TESTING                            and 558
                                                Szilagyi, Examination Manager,                          RESULTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2015
                                                FHLBank Modeling, FHLBank Risk                                                                                [Docket No. FDA–2016–N–0002]
                                                Modeling Branch (202) 649–3515,                            Whereas, section 165(i)(2) of the
                                                stefan.szilagyi@fhfa.gov; Karen Heidel,                 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and                     New Animal Drugs; Approval of New
                                                Senior Counsel, Office of General                       Consumer Protection Act (‘‘Dodd-Frank                 Animal Drug Applications; Changes of
                                                Counsel, (202) 649–3073, karen.heidel@                  Act’’) requires certain financial                     Sponsorship
                                                fhfa.gov; or Mark D. Laponsky, Deputy                   companies with total consolidated                     AGENCY:    Food and Drug Administration,
                                                General Counsel, Office of General                      assets of more than $10 billion, and                  HHS.
                                                Counsel, (202) 649–3054,                                which are regulated by a primary
                                                                                                                                                                    Final rule; technical
                                                                                                                                                              ACTION:
                                                mark.laponsky@fhfa.gov. The telephone                   Federal financial regulatory agency, to
                                                                                                                                                              amendment.
                                                number for the Telecommunications                       conduct annual stress tests to determine
                                                Device for the Hearing Impaired is (800)                whether the companies have the capital                SUMMARY:  The Food and Drug
                                                877–8339.                                               necessary to absorb losses as a result of             Administration (FDA, we) is amending
                                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              adverse economic conditions;                          the animal drug regulations to reflect
                                                                                                           Whereas, FHFA’s rule implementing                  application-related actions for new
                                                I. Background                                           section 165(i)(2) of the Dodd-Frank Act               animal drug applications (NADAs) and
                                                  FHFA is responsible for ensuring that                 is codified as 12 CFR 1238 and requires               abbreviated new animal drug
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                the regulated entities operate in a safe                that ‘‘[e]ach regulated entity must file a            applications (ANADAs) during January
                                                and sound manner, including the                         report in the manner and form                         and February 2016. FDA is also
                                                maintenance of adequate capital and                     established by FHFA.’’ 12 CFR                         informing the public of the availability
                                                internal controls, that their operations                1238.5(b);                                            of summaries of the basis of approval
                                                and activities foster liquid, efficient,                   Whereas, The Board of Governors of                 and of environmental review
                                                competitive, and resilient national                     the Federal Reserve System issued stress              documents, where applicable. The
                                                housing finance markets, and that they                  testing scenarios on January 28, 2016                 animal drug regulations are also being


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   16:20 Apr 15, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00010   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\18APR1.SGM   18APR1



Document Created: 2016-04-16 01:46:01
Document Modified: 2016-04-16 01:46:01
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal determination.
DatesThis rule is effective May 18, 2016.
ContactMr. Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Office, EE-5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-0371. Email: [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 22514 
RIN Number1904-AD02
CFR AssociatedAdministrative Practice and Procedure; Confidential Business Information; Energy Conservation and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR