81 FR 87493 - Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Furnaces

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 233 (December 5, 2016)

Page Range		87493-87494
FR Document		2016-29080

On September 23, 2016, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNOPR) and announcement of public meeting pertaining to proposed energy conservation standards for residential furnaces in the Federal Register. The notice provided an opportunity for submitting written comments, data, and information by November 22, 2016. This document announces a reopening of the public comment period for submitting comments and data on the SNOPR or any other aspect of the rulemaking for residential furnaces. The comment period is reopened until January 6, 2017.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 233 (Monday, December 5, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 233 (Monday, December 5, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 87493-87494]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29080]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 430

[Docket No. EERE-2014-BT-STD-0031]
RIN 1904-AD20


Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for 
Residential Furnaces

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

ACTION: Reopening of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: On September 23, 2016, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 
published a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNOPR) and 
announcement of public meeting pertaining to proposed energy 
conservation standards for residential furnaces in the Federal 
Register. The notice provided an opportunity for submitting written 
comments, data, and information by November 22, 2016. This document 
announces a reopening of the public comment period for submitting 
comments and data on the SNOPR or any other aspect of the rulemaking 
for residential furnaces. The comment period is reopened until January 
6, 2017.

DATES: The comment period for the supplemental notice of proposed 
rulemaking published on September 23, 2016 (81 FR 65719) is reopened. 
DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this 
rulemaking received no later than January 6, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Instructions: Any comments submitted must identify the SNOPR 
on Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Furnaces, and provide 
docket number EERE-2014-BT-STD-0031 and/or regulatory information 
number (RIN) 1904-AD20. Comments may be submitted using any of the 
following methods:
    (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
    (2) Email: [email protected]. Include the docket 
number and/or RIN in the subject line of the message. Submit electronic 
comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or ASCII file format, and 
avoid the use of special characters or any form of encryption.
    (3) Postal Mail: Appliance and Equipment Standards Program, U.S. 
Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-5B, 
1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. If possible, 
please submit all items on a compact disc (CD), in which case it is not 
necessary to include printed copies.
    (4) Hand Delivery/Courier: Appliance and Equipment Standards 
Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, 950 
L'Enfant Plaza SW., 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 
586-6636. If possible, please submit all items on a CD, in which case 
it is not necessary to include printed copies.
    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.
    The docket Web page can be found at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2014-BT-STD-0031. The docket Web page contains 
simple instructions on how to access all documents, including public 
comments, in the docket.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    Mr. John Cymbalsky, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 
1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: 
(202) 287-1692. Email: [email protected].
    Ms. Johanna Jochum, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the 
General Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 
20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 287-6307. Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 2, 2016, DOE issued a pre-
publication supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (September 2016 
SNOPR) pertaining to proposed energy conservation standards for 
residential furnaces on the Appliance and Equipment Standards Web page 
http://energy.gov/eere/buildings/downloads/issuance-2016-09-02-energy-conservation-program-energy-conservation. DOE also posted on the same 
Web page its analytical tools and supplementary documentation for 
residential furnaces. In that pre-publication notice, DOE provided for 
a 30-day comment period. Following the issuance of the pre-publication 
notice, Spire Inc., the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration 
Institute (AHRI), and the American Gas Association and American Public 
Gas Association (AGA/APGA, jointly) submitted requests that DOE extend 
the 30-day comment period by 60 additional days. (Spire, No. 219 at p. 
1; AGA/APGA, No. 220 at pp. 1-3; AHRI, No. 221 at p. 1) These 
commenters requested additional time to review DOE's analytical tools 
and supplementary materials supporting the September 2016 SNOPR. To 
accommodate those requests, DOE extended the comment period by 30 days 
when it published in the Federal Register the September 23, 2016 SNOPR, 
providing for a comment period of 60 days ending November 22, 2016. 81 
FR 65719. During the SNOPR public meeting on October 17, 2016, DOE 
noted that between the date of issuance of the pre-publication notice 
(along with analytical tools and documentation) and the end of the 
comment period on November 22, 2016, interested parties would have had 
81 days to review the notice, analytical tools and supplementary 
documentation. (DOE, No. 243 at p. 213)
    Following publication in the Federal Register of the September 2016 
SNOPR on September 23, 2016, commenters again requested that DOE extend 
the

[[Page 87494]]

comment period to provide for a 90 day total comment period. (AGA/APGA, 
No. 232 at p. 1; Spire, No. 234 at p. 14; APGA, No. 235 at p. 2; 
Lennox, No. 245 at pp. 1-2; Heating, Air-conditioning, and 
Refrigeration Distributors International and Air-Conditioning 
Contractors of America, No. 251 at p. 1; APGA, SNOPR Public Meeting 
Transcript, No. 243 at p. 31) Some commenters subsequently submitted 
requests for an even longer extension, equivalent to a total 120 day 
comment period. (Spire, No. 241 at pp. 1-2; AGA/APGA, No. 242 at pp. 1-
2; AHRI, No. 244 at p. 1; Carrier, No. 250 at p. 1) Spire submitted an 
additional comment that a 90-day comment period would be acceptable, 
and AGA requested that DOE issue a written response to the comment 
period extension requests. (Spire, No. 247 at p.1; AGA, No. 249 at p.1) 
In general, commenters suggested that the quantity of supplemental 
information supporting the rulemaking analysis warranted additional 
time for review. The National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) suggested 
that DOE's extension from the 30-day comment period in the pre-
publication notice to the 60-day period at publication represented a 
delay, and recommended that DOE not extend the comment period any 
further. (NRDC, SNOPR Public Meeting Transcript, No. 243 at p. 50)
    In view of the requests for an additional comment period extension 
for the September 2016 SNOPR, DOE has determined that a reopening of 
the public comment period and a 45-day extension to January 6, 2017 for 
the September 2016 SNOPR is appropriate. The comment period is reopened 
until January 6, 2017. DOE further notes that any submissions of 
comments or other information submitted between the original comment 
end date and January 6, 2017 will be deemed timely filed.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 21, 2016.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2016-29080 Filed 12-2-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 233 / Monday, December 5, 2016 / Proposed Rules 87493

Division, 1400 Independence Avenue period is reopened until January 6, Mr. John Cymbalsky, U.S. Department
SW., Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250– 2017. of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency
0237; telephone (202) 720–4607; fax DATES: The comment period for the and Renewable Energy, Building
(202) 720–5698; or email supplemental notice of proposed Technologies Program, EE–2J, 1000
AMSCompliance@ams.usda.gov. rulemaking published on September 23, Independence Avenue SW.,
(d) Export Form Certificate number. 2016 (81 FR 65719) is reopened. DOE Washington, DC 20585–0121.
The shipper (or shipper’s authorized will accept comments, data, and Telephone: (202) 287–1692. Email:
agent) shall enter the Export Form information regarding this rulemaking residential_furnaces_and_boilers@
Certificate number in the U.S. Census received no later than January 6, 2017. ee.doe.gov.
Bureau’s Automated Export System Ms. Johanna Jochum, U.S. Department
ADDRESSES: Instructions: Any comments
(AES), pursuant to the Electronic Export of Energy, Office of the General Counsel,
submitted must identify the SNOPR on
Information (EEI) filing requirements GC–33, 1000 Independence Avenue
Energy Conservation Standards for
under the Foreign Trade Regulations (15 SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Residential Furnaces, and provide
CFR part 30) and Export Clearance Telephone: (202) 287–6307. Email:
docket number EERE–2014–BT–STD–
Requirements (15 CFR part 758). Johanna.Jochum@hq.doe.gov.
0031 and/or regulatory information
(e) Spray residue tolerance. If the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
number (RIN) 1904–AD20. Comments
inspector has reason to believe that September 2, 2016, DOE issued a pre-
may be submitted using any of the
samples of a lot of any variety of publication supplemental notice of
following methods:
vinifera species table grapes have been (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: proposed rulemaking (September 2016
obtained for a determination as to www.regulations.gov. Follow the SNOPR) pertaining to proposed energy
compliance with tolerance for spray instructions for submitting comments. conservation standards for residential
residue, established under the Federal (2) Email: furnaces on the Appliance and
Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as ResFurnaces2014STD0031@ee.doe.gov. Equipment Standards Web page http://
amended (52 Stat. 1040; 21 U.S.C. 301 Include the docket number and/or RIN energy.gov/eere/buildings/downloads/
et seq.), he or she shall not issue a in the subject line of the message. issuance-2016-09-02-energy-
certificate on the lot unless it complies Submit electronic comments in conservation-program-energy-
with such tolerances. WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or conservation. DOE also posted on the
Dated: November 29, 2016. ASCII file format, and avoid the use of same Web page its analytical tools and
Elanor Starmer, special characters or any form of supplementary documentation for
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing encryption. residential furnaces. In that pre-
Service. (3) Postal Mail: Appliance and publication notice, DOE provided for a
[FR Doc. 2016–29017 Filed 12–2–16; 8:45 am] Equipment Standards Program, U.S. 30-day comment period. Following the
BILLING CODE P
Department of Energy, Building issuance of the pre-publication notice,
Technologies Office, Mailstop EE–5B, Spire Inc., the Air-Conditioning,
1000 Independence Avenue SW., Heating, and Refrigeration Institute
Washington, DC 20585–0121. If (AHRI), and the American Gas
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY possible, please submit all items on a Association and American Public Gas
compact disc (CD), in which case it is Association (AGA/APGA, jointly)
10 CFR Part 430
not necessary to include printed copies. submitted requests that DOE extend the
[Docket No. EERE–2014–BT–STD–0031] (4) Hand Delivery/Courier: Appliance 30-day comment period by 60
and Equipment Standards Program, U.S. additional days. (Spire, No. 219 at p. 1;
RIN 1904–AD20 Department of Energy, Building AGA/APGA, No. 220 at pp. 1–3; AHRI,
Technologies Office, 950 L’Enfant Plaza No. 221 at p. 1) These commenters
Energy Conservation Program: Energy
SW., 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20024. requested additional time to review
Conservation Standards for
Telephone: (202) 586–6636. If possible, DOE’s analytical tools and
Residential Furnaces
please submit all items on a CD, in supplementary materials supporting the
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and which case it is not necessary to include September 2016 SNOPR. To
Renewable Energy, Department of printed copies. accommodate those requests, DOE
Energy. Docket: The docket, which includes extended the comment period by 30
ACTION: Reopening of public comment Federal Register notices, public meeting days when it published in the Federal
period. attendee lists and transcripts, Register the September 23, 2016
comments, and other supporting SNOPR, providing for a comment period
SUMMARY: On September 23, 2016, the documents/materials, is available for of 60 days ending November 22, 2016.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) review at www.regulations.gov. All 81 FR 65719. During the SNOPR public
published a supplemental notice of documents in the docket are listed in meeting on October 17, 2016, DOE
proposed rulemaking (SNOPR) and the www.regulations.gov index. noted that between the date of issuance
announcement of public meeting However, some documents listed in the of the pre-publication notice (along with
pertaining to proposed energy index may not be publicly available, analytical tools and documentation) and
conservation standards for residential such as those containing information the end of the comment period on
furnaces in the Federal Register. The that is exempt from public disclosure. November 22, 2016, interested parties
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS

notice provided an opportunity for The docket Web page can be found at: would have had 81 days to review the
submitting written comments, data, and http://www.regulations.gov/ notice, analytical tools and
information by November 22, 2016. This #!docketDetail;D=EERE-2014-BT-STD- supplementary documentation. (DOE,
document announces a reopening of the 0031. The docket Web page contains No. 243 at p. 213)
public comment period for submitting simple instructions on how to access all Following publication in the Federal
comments and data on the SNOPR or documents, including public comments, Register of the September 2016 SNOPR
any other aspect of the rulemaking for in the docket. on September 23, 2016, commenters
residential furnaces. The comment FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: again requested that DOE extend the

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87494 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 233 / Monday, December 5, 2016 / Proposed Rules

comment period to provide for a 90 day DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Examining the AD Docket
total comment period. (AGA/APGA, No. You may examine the AD docket on
232 at p. 1; Spire, No. 234 at p. 14; Federal Aviation Administration the Internet at http://
APGA, No. 235 at p. 2; Lennox, No. 245 www.regulations.gov by searching for
at pp. 1–2; Heating, Air-conditioning, 14 CFR Part 39 and locating Docket No. FAA–2016–
and Refrigeration Distributors [Docket No. FAA–2016–9432; Directorate 9432; or in person at the Docket
International and Air-Conditioning Identifier 2016–NM–116–AD] Management Facility between 9 a.m.
Contractors of America, No. 251 at p. 1; RIN 2120–AA64 and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
APGA, SNOPR Public Meeting except Federal holidays. The AD docket
Transcript, No. 243 at p. 31) Some Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing contains this proposed AD, the
commenters subsequently submitted Company Airplanes regulatory evaluation, any comments
requests for an even longer extension, received, and other information. The
equivalent to a total 120 day comment AGENCY: Federal Aviation street address for the Docket Office
Administration (FAA), DOT. (phone: 800–647–5527) is in the
period. (Spire, No. 241 at pp. 1–2; AGA/
APGA, No. 242 at pp. 1–2; AHRI, No. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
244 at p. 1; Carrier, No. 250 at p. 1) (NPRM). available in the AD docket shortly after
Spire submitted an additional comment receipt.
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new
that a 90-day comment period would be FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
acceptable, and AGA requested that Stanley Chen, Aerospace Engineer,
The Boeing Company Model 737–800,
DOE issue a written response to the Cabin Safety and Environmental
–900, and –900ER series airplanes. This
comment period extension requests. Systems Branch, ANM–150S, FAA,
proposed AD was prompted by reports
(Spire, No. 247 at p.1; AGA, No. 249 at Seattle Aircraft Certification Office
indicating in-flight valve failure of the
p.1) In general, commenters suggested (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
left temperature control valve and
WA 98057–3356; phone: 425–917–6585;
that the quantity of supplemental control cabin trim air modulating valve.
fax: 425–917–6590; email:
information supporting the rulemaking This proposed AD would require
stanley.chen@faa.gov.
analysis warranted additional time for replacing the left temperature control
valve and control cabin trim air SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
review. The National Resource Defense
Council (NRDC) suggested that DOE’s modulating valve. We are proposing this Comments Invited
extension from the 30-day comment AD to address the unsafe condition on
We invite you to send any written
period in the pre-publication notice to these products.
relevant data, views, or arguments about
the 60-day period at publication DATES: We must receive comments on this proposal. Send your comments to
represented a delay, and recommended this proposed AD by January 19, 2017. an address listed under the ADDRESSES
that DOE not extend the comment ADDRESSES: You may send comments, section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–
period any further. (NRDC, SNOPR using the procedures found in 14 CFR 2016–9432; Directorate Identifier 2016–
Public Meeting Transcript, No. 243 at p. 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following NM–116–AD’’ at the beginning of your
50) methods: comments. We specifically invite
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to comments on the overall regulatory,
In view of the requests for an
http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the economic, environmental, and energy
additional comment period extension
instructions for submitting comments. aspects of this proposed AD. We will
for the September 2016 SNOPR, DOE • Fax: 202–493–2251.
has determined that a reopening of the consider all comments received by the
• Mail: U.S. Department of closing date and may amend this
public comment period and a 45-day Transportation, Docket Operations, proposed AD because of those
extension to January 6, 2017 for the M–30, West Building Ground Floor, comments.
September 2016 SNOPR is appropriate. Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey We will post all comments we
The comment period is reopened until Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. receive, without change, to http://
January 6, 2017. DOE further notes that • Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail www.regulations.gov, including any
any submissions of comments or other address above between 9 a.m. and 5 personal information you provide. We
information submitted between the p.m., Monday through Friday, except will also post a report summarizing each
original comment end date and January Federal holidays. substantive verbal contact we receive
6, 2017 will be deemed timely filed. For service information identified in about this proposed AD.
Issued in Washington, DC, on November this NPRM, contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Discussion
21, 2016.
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster We have received reports indicating
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Blvd., MC 110–SK57, Seal Beach, CA in-flight valve failure of the left
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy 90740–5600; telephone 562–797–1717; temperature control valve and control
Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Internet https:// cabin trim air modulating valve. These
Energy. www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view valves can fail in their open positions
[FR Doc. 2016–29080 Filed 12–2–16; 8:45 am] this referenced service information at causing elevated temperatures in the
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P the FAA, Transport Airplane flight deck or the passenger cabin
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., during cruise. Operators have reported
Renton, WA. For information on the events where they were unable to
availability of this material at the FAA, control the flight deck and passenger
call 425–227–1221. It is also available cabin temperatures during cruise. This
on the internet at http:// condition, if not corrected, could result
www.regulations.gov by searching for in temperatures in excess of 100 degrees
and locating Docket No. FAA–2016– Fahrenheit in the flight deck or the
9432. passenger cabin during cruise, which

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Document Created: 2016-12-03 00:25:54
Document Modified: 2016-12-03 00:25:54

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Proposed Rules
Action		Reopening of public comment period.
Dates		The comment period for the supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking published on September 23, 2016 (81 FR 65719) is reopened. DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this rulemaking received no later than January 6, 2017.
Contact		Mr. John Cymbalsky, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 287-1692. Email: [email protected]
FR Citation		81 FR 87493
RIN Number		1904-AD20