82_FR_2863 82 FR 2857 - Energy Efficiency Standards for the Design and Construction of New Federal Low-Rise Residential Buildings' Baseline Standards Update

82 FR 2857 - Energy Efficiency Standards for the Design and Construction of New Federal Low-Rise Residential Buildings' Baseline Standards Update

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 6 (January 10, 2017)

Page Range2857-2868
FR Document2017-00025

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is publishing this final rule to implement provisions in the Energy Conservation and Production Act (ECPA) that require DOE to update the baseline Federal energy efficiency performance standards for the construction of new Federal low-rise residential buildings. This rule updates the baseline Federal residential standard to the International Code Council (ICC) 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 6 (Tuesday, January 10, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 10, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2857-2868]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-00025]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 435

[Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-STD-0003]
RIN 1904-AD56


Energy Efficiency Standards for the Design and Construction of 
New Federal Low-Rise Residential Buildings' Baseline Standards Update

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is publishing this final 
rule to implement provisions in the Energy Conservation and Production 
Act (ECPA) that require DOE to update the baseline Federal energy 
efficiency performance standards for the construction of new Federal 
low-rise residential buildings. This rule updates the baseline Federal 
residential standard to the International Code Council (ICC) 2015 
International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

DATES: This rule is effective March 13, 2017.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
this rule was approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
March 13, 2017.
    All Federal agencies shall design new Federal buildings that are 
low-rise residential buildings, for which design for construction began 
on or after January 10, 2018, using the 2015 IECC as the baseline 
standard for 10 CFR part 435.

ADDRESSES: The docket, which includes Federal Register notices, public 
meeting attendee lists and transcripts, comments, and other supporting 
documents/materials, is available for review at https://www.regulations.gov/docketBrowser?rpp=25&po=0&D=EERE-2016-BT-STD-0003]. 
All documents in the docket are listed in the regulations.gov index. 
However, some documents listed in the index, such as those containing 
information that is exempt from public disclosure, may not be publicly 
available. The regulations.gov site contains simple instructions on how 
to access all documents, including public comments, in the docket.

[[Page 2858]]

    A link to the docket Web page can be found at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2016-BT-STD-0003. This Web 
page will contain a link to the docket for this rule on the 
www.regulations.gov site. The www.regulations.gov Web page will contain 
simple instructions on how to access all documents, including public 
comments, in the docket.
    For further information on how to review the docket, contact Mr. 
Nicolas Baker at (202) 586-8215 or by email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nicolas Baker, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency 
and Renewable Energy, Federal Energy Management Program, Mailstop EE-
5F, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-8215, 
email: [email protected].
Kavita Vaidyanathan, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General 
Counsel, Forrestal Building, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-0669, email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This final rule incorporates by reference 
the following standard into 10 CFR part 435: ICC International Energy 
Conservation Code (IECC), 2015 Edition (``IECC 2015''), May 30, 2014.
    Copies of this standard are available from the International Code 
Council, 4051 West Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, IL 60478, 1-800-
422-7233, http://www.iccsafe.org/.
    Also, a copy of this standard is available for inspection at U.S. 
Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable 
Energy, Federal Energy Management Program, 8th Floor, 956 L'Enfant 
Plaza SW., Suite 8000, Washington, DC 20024. For information on the 
availability of this standard at DOE, contact Mr. Cyrus Nasseri at 
(202) 586-9138, or email [email protected].
    This standard is discussed in greater detail in section VI.N of 
this document.

Table of Contents

I. Executive Summary of the Final Rule
II. Introduction
III. Synopsis of the Final Rule
    A. Updated Definition of New Federal Building
    B. Adding Explicit Mention of Mechanical Ventilation 
Requirements in the 2015 IECC
    C. Expanding the List of Energy End-Uses that must be included 
in the 30 Percent Savings Calculation
    D. Other Energy Efficiency Requirements
    E. Synopsis of Changes to the IECC Between the 2009 and 2015 
Versions
IV. Compliance Date
V. Reference Resources
    A. Resources for Low-Rise Residential Buildings.
VI. Regulatory Analysis
    A. Review Under Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and 
Review''
    B. Administrative Procedure Act
    C. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
    D. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
    E. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
    F. Review Under Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism''
    G. Review Under Executive Order 12988, ``Civil Justice Reform''
    H. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
    I. Review Under the Treasury and General Government 
Appropriations Act of 1999
    J. Review Under Executive Order 12630, ``Governmental Actions 
and Interference With Constitutionally Protected Property Rights''
    K. Review Under the Treasury and General Government 
Appropriations Act, 2001
    L. Review Under Executive Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning 
Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, 
or Use''
    M. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration 
Act of 1974
    N. Description of Materials Incorporated by Reference
VII. Congressional Notification
VIII. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

I. Executive Summary of the Final Rule

    Section 305 of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (ECPA), 
as amended, requires DOE to determine whether the energy efficiency 
standards for new Federal buildings should be updated to reflect 
revisions to the IECC based on the cost-effectiveness of the revisions. 
(42 U.S.C. 6834(a)(3)(B)) Accordingly, DOE conducted a cost-
effectiveness analysis that found the 2015 IECC to be cost-effective. 
DOE's assumptions and methodology for the cost-effectiveness of this 
rule are based on DOE's cost-effectiveness analysis of 2015 IECC, as 
well as DOE's Environmental Assessment (EA) for this rulemaking.\1\ 
Therefore, in this final rule, DOE updates the energy efficiency 
standards for new Federal buildings to the 2015 IECC for buildings for 
which design for construction began on or after one year after the rule 
is published in the Federal Register. (42 U.S.C. 6834(a)(3)(A)). 
Federal buildings are defined as follows: ``any building to be 
constructed by, or for the use of, any Federal agency. Such term shall 
include buildings built for the purpose of being leased by a Federal 
agency, and privatized military housing.'' (42 U.S.C. 6832(6)). This 
term does not include renovations or modifications to existing 
buildings.
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    \1\ The Environmental Assessment (EA) (DOE/EA-2020) is entitled, 
``Environmental Assessment for Final Rule, 10 CFR part 435, `Energy 
Efficiency Standards for New Federal Low-Rise Residential 
Buildings,' Baseline Standards Update''. The EA may be found in the 
docket for this rulemaking and at https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/12/f34/EA-2020-FEA-2016.pdf.
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II. Introduction

    ECPA, as amended, requires DOE to establish building energy 
efficiency standards for all new Federal buildings. (42 U.S.C. 
6834(a)(1)) The standards established under section 305(a)(1) of ECPA 
must contain energy efficiency measures that are technologically 
feasible, economically justified, and meet the energy efficiency levels 
in the applicable voluntary consensus energy codes specified in section 
305. (42 U.S.C. 6834(a)(1)-(3))
    Under section 305 of ECPA, the referenced voluntary consensus code 
for low-rise residential buildings is the International Code Council 
(ICC) International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). (42 U.S.C. 
6834(a)(2)(A)). DOE codified this referenced code as the baseline 
Federal building standard in its existing energy efficiency standards 
found in 10 CFR part 435. Also pursuant to section 305 of ECPA, DOE 
must establish, by rule, revised Federal building energy efficiency 
performance standards for new Federal buildings that require such 
buildings to be designed to achieve energy consumption levels that are 
at least 30 percent below the levels established in the referenced code 
(baseline Federal building standard), if life-cycle cost-effective. (42 
U.S.C. 6834(a)(3)(A)(i)(I))
    Under section 305 of ECPA, not later than one year after the date 
of approval of each subsequent revision of the ASHRAE Standard or the 
IECC, DOE must determine whether to amend the baseline Federal building 
standards with the revised voluntary standard based on the cost-
effectiveness of the revised voluntary standard. (42 U.S.C. 
6834(a)(3)(B)) It is this requirement that this rulemaking addresses. 
ICC has updated the IECC from the version currently referenced in DOE's 
regulations at 10 CFR part 435. In this rule, DOE revises the latest 
baseline Federal building standard for 10 CFR part 435 from the 2009 
IECC to the 2015 IECC. DOE notes that although ICC published an update 
to the IECC in 2012, this rule updates 10 CFR part 435 to the 2015 IECC 
directly, without requiring agencies to comply with the 2012 IECC. DOE 
notes however that because development of the IECC is incremental from 
version to version, the 2015 IECC does include all content in

[[Page 2859]]

the 2012 IECC that was not specifically removed or modified during the 
development of the 2015 IECC. DOE evaluated the 2012 IECC as well and 
found it to be technologically feasible and economically justified.\2\
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    \2\ See DOE's determination for the 2012 IECC at http://www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-05-17/pdf/2012-12000.pdf. See DOE's 
analysis of the cost-effectiveness of the 2012 IECC at https://www.energycodes.gov/sites/default/files/documents/NationalResidentialCostEffectiveness.pdf. See DOE's analysis of the 
cost savings of the 2009 IECC and 2012 IECC at https://www.energycodes.gov/sites/default/files/documents/NationalResidentialEnergyAnalysis.pdf.
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    Section 306(a) of ECPA provides that each Federal agency and the 
Architect of the Capitol must adopt procedures to ensure that new 
Federal buildings will meet or exceed the Federal building energy 
efficiency standards established under section 305. (42 U.S.C. 6835(a)) 
ECPA Section 306(b) bars the head of a Federal agency from expending 
Federal funds for the construction of a new Federal building unless the 
building meets or exceeds the applicable baseline Federal building 
energy standards established under section 305. (42 U.S.C. 6835(b)) 
Specifically, all new Federal buildings \3\ must be designed to achieve 
the baseline standards in the International Energy Conservation Code 
for low-rise residential buildings (and ASHRAE Standard 90.1 for 
commercial and multi-family high-rise residential buildings) and 
achieve energy consumption levels at least 30 percent below these 
minimum baseline standards, where life-cycle cost-effective. (42 U.S.C. 
6834(a)(3)(A)). This requirement does not extend to renovations or 
modifications to existing buildings.
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    \3\ 42 U.S.C. 6832 defines ``Federal buildings'' as any building 
to be constructed by, or for the use of, any Federal agency. Such 
term shall include buildings built for the purpose of being leased 
by a Federal agency, and privatized military housing. DOE's 
codifications of this definition in 10 CFR 435 and 10 CFR 433 
include a second sentence defining ``new buildings'', resulting in 
the definition of ``new Federal buildings'' as ``New Federal 
building means any building to be constructed by, or for the use of, 
any Federal agency which is not legally subject to State or local 
building codes or similar requirements. A new building is a building 
constructed on a site that previously did not have a building or a 
complete replacement of an existing building from the foundation 
up.''
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III. Synopsis of the Final Rule

    DOE is issuing this action as a final rule. As indicated in this 
preamble, DOE must determine whether the energy efficiency standards 
for new Federal buildings should be updated to reflect revisions to the 
2015 IECC based on the cost-effectiveness of the revisions. (42 U.S.C. 
6834(a)(3)(B)) In this final rule, DOE determines that the energy 
efficiency standards for new Federal buildings should be updated to 
reflect the 2015 revisions to the IECC based on the cost-effectiveness 
of the revisions.
    DOE reviewed the IECC for DOE's state building codes program and 
determined that the 2015 version of the IECC would achieve greater 
energy efficiency than the prior version (the 2012 version). (See 80 FR 
33250 (June 11, 2015)) DOE also reviewed the 2012 version of the IECC 
and determined that the 2012 version would achieve greater energy 
efficiency than the prior version (the 2009 version currently 
referenced in 10 CFR part 435). (See 77 FR 29322 (May 17, 2012)) Both 
these determinations were subject to notice and comment. See 79 FR 
57915 (September 26, 2014) and 76 FR 42688 (July 19, 2011) respectively 
for the 2015 IECC and 2012 preliminary determinations. DOE found that 
the 2015 version of the IECC would save 0.87% more source energy than 
the 2012 version of the IECC \4\ and that the 2012 version of the IECC 
would save 24% more source energy than the 2009 version of the IECC.\5\
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    \4\ Determination Regarding Energy Efficiency Improvements in 
the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC); Notice of 
determination, 80 FR 33250 (June 11, 2015)
    \5\ Energy savings of the 2012 IECC over the 2009 IECC are shown 
in Table 1 of Energy Use Savings for a Typical New Residential 
Dwelling Unit Based on the 2009 and 2012 IECC as Compared to the 
2006 IECC--Letter Report (PNNL-88603) (available at https://www.energycodes.gov/sites/default/files/documents/NationalResidentialEnergyAnalysis.pdf, rather than the actual 
published determination.
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    In DOE's determination for the state building codes program, and 
again in this rule, DOE states that the cost-effectiveness of revisions 
to the voluntary codes is considered through DOE's statutorily directed 
involvement in the codes process. See 80 FR 33250. Section 307 of ECPA 
requires DOE to participate in the ICC code development process and to 
assist in determining the cost-effectiveness of the voluntary 
standards. (42 U.S.C. 6836) DOE is required to periodically review the 
economic basis of the voluntary building energy codes and participate 
in the industry process for review and modification, including seeking 
adoption of all technologically feasible and economically justified 
energy efficiency measures. (42 U.S.C. 6836(b))
    In addition to DOE's consideration of the cost-effectiveness of the 
2015 IECC through its participation in the codes development process, 
DOE conducted an independent analysis of the cost-effectiveness of the 
2015 IECC compared to the 2012 IECC and 2009 IECC. The results of the 
analysis are discussed in section A. Review Under Executive Order 
12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review''.\6\ DOE's assumptions and 
methodology for the cost-effectiveness of this rule are based on DOE's 
cost-effectiveness analysis of the 2015 IECC, as well as DOE's 
Environmental Assessment (EA) for this rulemaking.\7\
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    \6\ National Cost-Effectiveness of the Residential Provisions of 
the 2015 IECC, Mendon, V.V. et al. PNNL-24240, Pacific Northwest 
National Laboratory, June 2015. https://www.energycodes.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2015IECC_CE_Residential.pdf.
    \7\ The Environmental Assessment (EA) (DOE/EA-2020) is entitled, 
``Environmental Assessment for Final Rule, 10 CFR part 435, `Energy 
Efficiency Standards for New Federal Low-Rise Residential 
Buildings,' Baseline Standards Update''. The EA may be found in the 
docket for this rulemaking and at https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/12/f34/EA-2020-FEA-2016.pdf.
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    In this rule, DOE updates the energy efficiency standards 
applicable to new Federal buildings based on the determinations made by 
DOE as to the energy efficiency improvements of the 2015 IECC \8\ and 
2012 IECC,\9\ as compared to the predecessor version (the 2009 IECC), 
and based on the considerations of cost-effectiveness incorporated into 
the codes processes, DOE's involvement in those processes, and DOE's 
own cost-effectiveness analysis. This final rule amends 10 CFR part 435 
to update the referenced baseline Federal energy efficiency performance 
standards. This final rule does not make any changes to the overall 
requirement that agencies must design buildings to meet the baseline 
standard and, if life-cycle cost-effective, achieve savings of at least 
30% below the baseline standard. The statutory requirement to achieve 
savings of at least 30% below the levels established for the 2012 and 
2015 IECC updates, applies to Federal agencies in the determinations 
they make for individual buildings, but not to DOE's overall 
determination for the purpose of this rule.
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    \8\ Determination Regarding Energy Efficiency Improvements in 
the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC); Notice of 
determination. 80 FR 33250 (June 11, 2015).
    \9\ Updating State Residential Building Energy Efficiency Codes, 
77 FR 29322 (May 17, 2012).
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    Three changes made to 10 CFR part 435 in this rule warrant further 
discussion. These changes are: (1) Updated the definition of ``Federal 
buildings'' to meet the requirements of 42 U.S.C. 6832(6); (2) explicit 
reference to the new mechanical ventilation requirements found in the 
2015 IECC to Sec.  435.4; and (3) expanded list of energy end-uses that 
must be considered in the 30 percent savings calculation. Each of these 
changes is discussed in this preamble. DOE is also providing a synopsis 
of the major changes made to

[[Page 2860]]

the IECC between the 2009 IECC and the 2015 IECC to provide more detail 
regarding what the change in baseline standard means.

A. Updated Definition of New Federal Building

    The definition of ``New Federal building'' in 10 CFR part 435 has 
not previously been updated to match what is found in 42 U.S.C. 
6832(6). The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007) 
updated the definition of ``Federal building'' to include privatized 
military family housing and leased buildings. This rule makes that 
update by revising the definition of ``New Federal building'' to mean 
``any new building (including a complete replacement of an existing 
building from the foundation up) to be constructed by, or for the use 
of, any federal agency.\10\ Such term shall include buildings built for 
the purpose of being leased by a federal agency, and privatized 
military housing.'' DOE believes that the main impact of this 
definition change for this rule will be that privatized military 
housing will now be required to follow the requirements of 10 CFR part 
435 for energy efficiency instead of using prevailing energy efficiency 
standards. For example, privatized military family housing constructed 
in the state of Georgia must meet the requirements of 10 CFR part 435, 
which may or may not be the same as the Georgia energy code. This 
change is made solely to bring 10 CFR part 435 into agreement with 42 
U.S.C. 6832(6).
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    \10\ 42 U.S.C. 6832 defines ``Federal agency'' as ``any 
department, agency, corporation, or other entity or instrumentality 
of the executive branch of the Federal Government, including the 
United States Postal Service, the Federal National Mortgage 
Association, and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.''
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B. Adding Explicit Mention of Mechanical Ventilation Requirements in 
the 2015 IECC

    The 2015 IECC includes explicit mechanical ventilation requirements 
for new homes. Previous editions of the IECC (prior to the 2012 IECC, 
but including the 2009 IECC) referred to in 10 CFR part 435 did not 
explicitly require mechanical ventilation. DOE believes that ensuring 
adequate ventilation is critical to ensuring good indoor air quality 
and has therefore explicitly added a mention of this requirement in 10 
CFR part 435. DOE believes the main impact of this change will be to 
require agencies to use the newest residential ventilation standards. 
The 2015 IECC explicitly mentions the 2015 International Mechanical 
Code (IMC) \11\ and the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) \12\ 
as optional sources of ventilation requirements. The 2015 IECC also 
allows ``other approved means'' of mechanical ventilation.
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    \11\ The 2015 IMC is available for read-only viewing at http://codes.iccsafe.org/app/book/toc/2015/I-Codes/2015%20IMC%20HTML/index.html.
    \12\ The 2015 IRC is available for read-only viewing at http://codes.iccsafe.org/app/book/toc/2015/I-Codes/2015%20IRC%20HTML/index.html.
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    Specifically, Section R403.5 of the 2015 IECC requires that ``the 
building shall be provided with ventilation that meets the requirements 
of the International Residential Code or International Mechanical Code, 
as applicable, or with other approved means of ventilation. Outdoor air 
intakes and exhausts shall have automatic or gravity dampers that close 
when the ventilation system is not operating''. Section R403.5.1 of the 
2015 IECC also requires that ``Mechanical ventilation system fans shall 
meet the requirements of Table R403.5.1.'' Table R403.5.1 sets minimum 
efficacy for range hoods, in-line fans, and bathroom and utility room 
fans. DOE's 2012 IECC determination (previously footnoted) states that 
the 2009 IECC does not require any mechanical ventilation. Section 
R403.5 of the 2012 IECC refers to the 2012 International Residential 
Code and International Mechanical Code which, in tandem with the 2012 
IECC, require that a mechanical ventilation system meet these 
requirements or other approved means of ventilation in new homes.
    DOE believes that the primary technical authority on residential 
ventilation is the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-
Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 62.2 committee. Their latest 
standard--ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2013,\13\ is the source of many of the 
requirements in the 2015 IMC and 2015 IRC and could therefore be used 
as an ``other approved means'' by agencies. If agencies wish to develop 
their own mechanical ventilation standards, they may choose to request 
an interpretation from the ASHRAE Standard 62.2 committee as to whether 
or not the agency's own standard is an acceptable substitute. Agencies 
may submit a request for interpretation to the committee using the 
procedures outlined at https://www.ashrae.org/standards-research--technology/standards-forms--procedures/how-to-request-an-interpretation. Neither the 2015 IMC, nor 2015 IRC, nor ASHRAE Standard 
62.2-2013 are incorporated by reference in this rule as they are 
options that an agency may choose to use.
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    \13\ Standard 62.2-2013 is available for read-only viewing at 
https://www.ashrae.org/standards-research--technology/standards--guidelines/other-ashrae-standards-referenced-in-code.
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C. Expanding the List of Energy End-Uses That Must Be Included in the 
30 Percent Savings Calculation

    Under the current 10 CFR 435.4, Federal agencies that are designing 
new Federal buildings that are low-rise residential buildings must only 
consider space heating, space cooling and domestic water heating when 
making the 30% savings calculation required in 10 CFR part 435 because 
the 2004 IECC and 2009 IECC only included those requirements. In 
addition to those three elements, the 2015 IECC includes explicit 
mechanical ventilation requirements that, the energy used for 
mechanical ventilation should be included in the 30 percent savings 
calculation required in 10 CFR part 435 as well. Also, both the 2015 
IECC and the 2009 IECC (the current baseline standard for 10 CFR part 
435) contain requirements for high-efficacy lighting and, therefore, 
lighting should be included in the 30 percent savings calculation as 
well. DOE believes that the impact of this change on agencies should be 
minimal as ventilation and lighting end-uses should be part of the 
output of any residential whole building simulation tool that an agency 
might be using for its calculations.
    This rule also updates the methodology used in the 30 Percent 
Savings Calculation by directing agencies to use the Simulated 
Performance Alternative in the 2015 IECC as opposed to the Simulated 
Performance Alternative in the 2009 IECC. Updates to the Simulation 
Performance Alternative in the 2015 IECC from the Simulated Performance 
Alternative in the 2009 IECC include three clarifications to the 
documentation, calculation procedure, and calculation software tools 
sections that point out that all subsections in these sections must be 
addressed, as well as a number of editorial changes to call out 
specific sections in the 2015 IECC. There were also a few more 
technical changes to the Simulated Performance Alternative, including a 
change to the calculation method for the internal shade fraction, a 
change to the treatment of air exchange rates, a change to the default 
heating system assumption in cases where electric heating without a 
heat pump is used, and a change in how thermal distribution system 
efficiency is treated. There are also new requirements for compliance 
documentation associated with the Simulated Performance Alternative in 
the 2015 IECC. These

[[Page 2861]]

requirements, while part of the 2015 IECC, do not apply to Federal 
buildings as they are associated with applications for building permits 
and certificates of occupancy required from local code officials.

D. Other Energy Efficiency Requirements

    DOE also notes that there are a number of statutory provisions, 
regulations, Executive Orders, and memoranda of understanding that 
govern energy consumption in new Federal buildings. These include, but 
are not limited to, the Executive Order 13693 (80 FR 15871 (March 25, 
2015)); sections 323, 431, 433, 434, and 523 of the Energy Independence 
and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007); section 109 of the Energy Policy 
Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-58); and 10 CFR parts 433 and 435. This rule 
supports and does not supplant these other applicable requirements and 
goals for new Federal buildings. For example, by designing buildings to 
meet the 2015 IECC baseline, Federal agencies also help achieve the 
energy intensity reductions mandated under section 431 of EISA 2007.
    Of particular significance is the Administration's Climate Action 
Plan, (CAP), issued June 2013, in which the President affirmed that the 
Federal government must position itself as a leader in clean energy and 
energy efficiency, and pledged that Federal agencies must surpass 
previous greenhouse gas reduction achievements, through a combination 
of consuming 20 percent of Federal electricity from renewable sources 
by 2020, and by pursuing greater energy efficiency in Federal 
buildings.\14\ Additionally, the President directed that efficiency 
standards for appliances and Federal buildings set in the first and 
second terms combined would reduce carbon pollution by at least 3 
billion metric tons cumulatively by 2030--equivalent to nearly one-half 
of the carbon pollution from the entire U.S. energy sector for one 
year. This rule, which DOE estimates will avoid cumulative emissions of 
690,200 metric tons of carbon dioxide through 2030, directly supports 
the Administration's undertaking to make energy efficiency in Federal 
buildings an essential stratagem in the government's enduring 
achievement of the greenhouse gas reduction goals set out in the CAP.
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    \14\ The President's Climate Action Plan, Office of the 
Executive Office of the President, https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/image/president27sclimateactionplan.pdf, June 2013.
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E. Synopsis of Changes to the IECC Between the 2009 and 2015 IECC

    The IECC is updated every three years by the International Code 
Council (ICC). Between the 2009 IECC and the 2015 IECC, the ICC also 
issued the 2012 IECC. DOE, as part of its determination process, 
evaluates each new version of the IECC for low-rise residential 
buildings. The following summaries are taken directly from DOE's 
determinations and supporting analyses for the 2012 IECC \15\ and 2015 
IECC.\16\
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    \15\ See determination at http://www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-05-17/pdf/2012-12000.pdf. See analysis of energy savings at https://www.energycodes.gov/sites/default/files/documents/NationalResidentialEnergyAnalysis.pdf.
    \16\ See determination at https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EERE-2014-BT-DET-0030-0007.
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2012 IECC Changes
    In creating the 2012 IECC, ICC processed 27 sets of approved code 
change proposals. Overall, DOE found that the majority of changes in 
the 2012 IECC appear to be positive (i.e., have a positive impact on 
energy savings) within the context of the determination analysis. Of 
the 27 sets of changes:

 14 were considered beneficial;
 9 were considered neutral;
 2 were considered detrimental; and
 2 were considered to have an unquantifiable impact.

    In the 2012 IECC, DOE noted the following 14 sets of improvements:
    1. Increases in prescriptive insulation levels of walls, roofs and 
floors,
    2. Decrease (improvement) in U-factor allowances for fenestration,
    3. Decrease (improvement) in allowable Solar Heat Gain Coefficient 
(SHGC) for fenestration in warm climates,
    4. Infiltration control: Mandated whole house pressure test with 
strict allowances for air leakage rates,
    5. Wall insulation when structural sheathing is used,
    6. Ventilation fan efficiency,
    7. Lighting--Increased fraction of lamps required to be high-
efficacy,
    8. Air distribution systems--leakage control requirements,
    9. Hot water pipe insulation and length requirements,
    10. Skylight definition change,
    11. Penalizing electric resistance heating in the performance 
compliance path,
    12. Fireplace air leakage control,
    13. Insulating covers for in-ground spas, and
    14. Baffles for attic insulation.
    DOE also noted the following two changes that decrease the 
efficiency of the 2012 IECC:
    1. Steel-framed wall insulation, and
    2. Air barrier location.
    DOE also noted another two changes the effect of which was unclear:
    1. Fenestration SHGC requirement in climate zone 4, and
    2. Interior shading assumptions in the performance compliance path.
    DOE also noted nine additional changes that had no apparent impact 
on the energy performance of the 2012 IECC:
    1. Clarification of the scope of the residential building section 
of the IECC,
    2. Definition of a whole house ventilation system,
    3. A requirement for the results of the air leakage test to be put 
on the certificate,
    4. Inclusion of Visual Transmittance (VT) in the code,
    5. Clarification of recessed lighting leakage rates,
    6. Introduction of ASHRAE Test Procedure 193 for HVAC equipment 
leakage test rates,
    7. Introduction of a new test standard for home ventilation 
systems,
    8. Clarification for the requirement for thermal distribution 
system design in the Simulated Performance Alternative, and
    9. Moving of a requirement for sizing of equipment from an IRC 
reference into the IECC.
    All of these changes are discussed in more detail in DOE's 2012 
Determination.
2015 IECC Changes
    In creating the 2015 IECC, ICC processed 76 approved code change 
proposals. Overall, DOE found that the vast majority of changes in the 
2015 IECC appear to be neutral (i.e., have no direct impact on energy 
savings) within the context of the determination analysis. DOE also 
found that beneficial changes (i.e., increased energy savings) outweigh 
any changes with a detrimental effect on energy efficiency in 
residential buildings. Of the 76 total changes:

 6 were considered beneficial;
 62 were considered neutral;
 5 were considered negligible;
 2 were considered detrimental; and
 1 was considered to have an unquantifiable impact.

    The 6 changes considered beneficial are:

[[Page 2862]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Nature of change                   Reason for evaluation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increases insulation requirements   Modestly reduces conduction losses
 for return ducts in attics from R-  from return ducts in attics.
 6 to R-8.
Adds requirements for demand-       Demand activated control reduces the
 activated control on hot water      runtime of circulation pumps.
 circulation systems and heat
 trace systems. Makes IECC, IRC,
 and IPC consistent and clarifies
 requirements for these systems.
Deletes requirement for domestic    Energy lost due to the elimination
 hot water (DHW) pipe insulation     of hot water pipe insulation on the
 to kitchen and the generic          kitchen pipe is typically more than
 requirement on long/large-          made up by added insulation
 diameter pipes. However, adds DHW   requirements for pipes \3/4\ inches
 pipe insulation for \3/4\-inch      in diameter, the most common size
 pipes.                              for trunk lines.
Adds demand control requirements    Demand activated control reduces the
 for recirculating systems that      runtime of circulation pumps.
 use a cold water supply pipe to
 return water to the tank.
Revises language requiring the      Additional buildings must meet the
 code to apply to historic           code requirements.
 buildings if no ``compromise to
 the historic nature and function
 of the building'' occurs.
Adds requirement for outdoor        Lowering boiler water temperature
 setback control for hot water       during periods of moderate outdoor
 boilers that controls the boiler    temperature reduces energy
 water temperature based on the      consumption of the boiler.
 outdoor temperature.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The two changes were considered detrimental were:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Nature of change                   Reason for evaluation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Slightly increases sunroom U-       Applies to only climate zones 2 and
 factor.                             3; impacts only thermally isolated
                                     sunrooms.
Defines a new ``Tropical'' climate  Exception to code requirements
 zone and adds an optional           applicable to a small number of
 compliance path for semi-           homes in tropical areas.
 conditioned residential buildings
 with a list of pre-defined
 criteria to be deemed as code
 compliant in this climate zone.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

The remaining 68 changes were primarily editorial in nature. These 
changes are discussed in more detail in Table III.1 in DOE's 2015 IECC 
Determination.

IV. Compliance Date

    This final rule applies to new Federal low-rise residential 
buildings for which design for construction begins on or after one year 
from the publication date of this rulemaking in the Federal Register. 
(42 U.S.C. 6834(a)(1)) Such buildings must be designed to exceed the 
energy efficiency level of the appropriate updated voluntary standard 
by 30 percent if life-cycle cost-effective. However, at a minimum, such 
buildings must achieve the energy efficiency equal to that of the 
appropriate updated voluntary standard. One year lead time before the 
design for construction begins is consistent with DOE's previous 
updates to the energy efficiency baselines and the original statutory 
mandate for Federal building standards. One year lead time before 
design for construction begins helps minimize compliance costs to 
agencies, which may have planned buildings in various stages of design, 
and allows for design changes to more fully consider life-cycle cost-
effective measures (as opposed to having to revise designs in 
development, which may make incorporation of energy efficiency measure 
more difficult or expensive).

V. Reference Resources

    The Department originally prepared this list of resources to help 
Federal agencies achieve building energy efficiency levels of at least 
30 percent below the 2009 IECC. The Department has reviewed these 
resources and believes that they continue to be useful for helping 
agencies maximize their energy efficiency levels. The Department has 
updated this resource list as appropriate. These resources come in many 
forms and in a variety of media. Resources are provided for all 
buildings, and also specifically for low-rise residential buildings.

A. Resources for Low-Rise Residential Buildings

1. Energy Efficient Products--U.S. DOE Federal Energy Management 
Program and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR 
Program
http://energy.gov/eere/femp/energy-and-water-efficient-products

    Federal agencies are required to specify Federal Energy Management 
Program (FEMP) designated or ENERGY STAR equipment, including building 
mechanical and lighting equipment and builder-supplied appliances, for 
purchase and installation in all new construction. 42 U.S.C. 8259b(b) 
Although this rule does not specifically address the use of this 
equipment, ENERGY STAR and FEMP-Designated products are generally more 
energy efficient than the corresponding requirements of the 2015 IECC, 
and may be used to achieve part of the savings required of Federal 
building designs. Therefore, DOE lists this Web site as a potential 
resource.
2. Life-Cycle Cost Analysis--U.S. DOE Federal Energy Management Program
http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2015/06/f23/ashb15.pdf

    The life-cycle cost analysis rules promulgated in 10 CFR part 436 
Subpart A Life-Cycle Cost Methodology and Procedures conform to 
requirements in the Federal Energy Management Improvement Act of 1988 
(Pub. L. 100-615) and subsequent energy conservation legislation, as 
well as Executive Order 13693, Planning for Federal Sustainability in 
the Next Decade. The life-cycle cost guidance and required discount 
rates and energy price projections are determined annually by FEMP and 
the Energy Information Administration, and are published in the Annual 
Supplement to The National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Handbook 135: ``Energy

[[Page 2863]]

Price Indices and Discount Factors for Life-Cycle Cost Analysis''.
3. ENERGY STAR Buildings--U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. 
Department of Energy
(http://www.energystar.gov/homes)

    ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping businesses and 
individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. 
The EPA program requirements for ENERGY STAR-labeled homes, effective 
as of the date of this rule, provide a useful guide for meeting the 
Federal energy efficiency standard for low-rise residential buildings.
4. Passive House Institute US
http://www.phius.org/home-page

    This Web site provides information on designing and building very 
low energy homes.
5. Energy Efficient Home Design--U.S. DOE Building Technologies Program
http://energy.gov/energysaver/energy-efficient-home-design

    This Web site provides information on energy efficient home design 
strategies, and technologies to support energy efficiency in 
residences.
6. 2012 National Green Building Standard--ICC and NAHB
http://shop.iccsafe.org/2012-national-green-building-standard-icc-700-2012.html

    This standard provides requirements for building high-efficiency 
and green homes and multi-family buildings.
7. LEED for Homes--US Green Building Council
http://www.usgbc.org/articles/getting-know-leed-homes-design-and-construction

    This certification system provides requirements for building high-
efficiency and green homes and multi-family buildings.
8. Green Globes--The Green Building Initiative
http://www.thegbi.org/

    This certification provides requirements for building high-
efficiency and green multi-family buildings.
9. 2015 IECC--ICC
http://shop.iccsafe.org/codes/2015-international-codes-and-references/2015-international-energy-conservation-coder-1.html

    The baseline energy efficiency standard for low-rise residential 
buildings is the 2015 IECC.
10. Whole Building Design Guide--National Institute of Building 
Sciences
http://www.wbdg.org/

    A portal providing one-stop access to up-to-date information on a 
wide range of building-related guidance, criteria and technology from a 
``whole buildings'' perspective.

VI. Regulatory Analysis

A. Review Under Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and 
Review''

    This final rule is a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review.'' 58 FR 51735 
(October 4, 1993). Accordingly, this action was subject to review by 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB). OMB has completed its review. As discussed 
previously in this rule, DOE is required to determine, based on the 
cost-effectiveness, whether the standards for Federal buildings should 
be updated to reflect an amendment to the IECC standard. As stated in 
this preamble, DOE complied with the statutory language by analyzing 
the cost-effectiveness of the 2015 IECC, and through DOE's involvement 
in the ICC code development process, including consideration of the 
cost-effectiveness of the 2015 IECC.
    DOE has also reviewed this regulation pursuant to Executive Order 
13563, issued on January 18, 2011. 76 FR 3281 (January 21, 2011). E.O. 
13563 is supplemental to and explicitly reaffirms the principles, 
structures, and definitions governing regulatory review established in 
Executive Order 12866.
    Review under Executive Order 12866 requires an analysis of the 
economic effect of the rule. For this purpose, DOE estimated 
incremental first cost (in this case, the difference between the cost 
of a building designed to meet the 2015 IECC and a building designed to 
meet the 2009 IECC) for the Federal low-rise residential buildings 
sector, as well as life-cycle cost net savings. DOE determined that the 
total incremental first cost estimate is an increase of $4.1 million 
per year, with an average first cost increase of $2,051 per household. 
DOE estimated $14.8 million in annual life-cycle cost (LCC) net savings 
for the entire Federal low-rise residential buildings sector with an 
average life-cycle cost net savings of $7,421 per household.
    DOE's assumptions and methodology for the cost-effectiveness of 
this rule are based on DOE's cost-effectiveness analysis of the 2015 
IECC,\17\ as well as DOE's Environmental Assessment (EA) for this 
rulemaking.\18\ The EA identified a rate of new Federal residential 
construction of 4,936 homes per year. As described in the EA, this 
estimate is derived from consideration of data from a number of 
sources. DOE's cost-effectiveness analysis of the 2015 IECC provides 
tables for the first cost increase, the energy savings, and the life 
cycle costs associated with the 2015 IECC versus the 2012 IECC and 2009 
IECC by climate zone. DOE's cost-effectiveness report does not provide 
national average values, but does provide sufficient weighting data so 
that these national averages can be calculated. The weighting data 
provided in the cost-effectiveness report is used to generate the rows 
labeled ``National Average'' in Tables 1, 2, and 3 in this preamble.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ DOE's Cost Effectiveness report on the 2015 IECC is 
``National Cost-Effectiveness of the Residential Provisions of the 
2015 IECC'', PNNL-24240, Mendon et al, June 2015. Available at 
https://www.energycodes.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2015IECC_CE_Residential.pdf.
    \18\ The Environmental Assessment (EA) (DOE/EA-2020) is 
entitled, ``Environmental Assessment for Final Rule, 10 CFR part 
435, `Energy Efficiency Standards for New Federal Low-Rise 
Residential Buildings,' Baseline Standards Update''. The EA may be 
found in the docket for this rulemaking and at https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/12/f34/EA-2020-FEA-2016.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Table 1 lists the increased first costs associated with the 2015 
IECC for a standard 2,400 ft\2\ prototypical home and a standard 1,200 
ft\2\ prototypical apartment/condo building. DOE believes that the 
majority of Federal low-rise residential construction will be single 
family homes built by the Department of Defense (or their

[[Page 2864]]

privatization contractors), but there is a possibility that some 
Federal low-rise multi-family buildings could be built,\19\ so the 
results of DOE's first cost analysis are shown in full. The 2015 IECC 
does increase the first cost of construction of new homes and 
apartments/condos compared to the 2009 IECC in all climate zones in the 
United States.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ DOE's main source of Federal construction information, the 
Federal Real Property Profile, does list Family Housing and 
Barracks/Apartments as separate categories but does not 
differentiate Barracks/Apartments on the basis of number of stories. 
DOE assumes the all Family Housing would fall under this rule, while 
Barracks/Apartments are regulated under the Federal building energy 
efficiency standards for commercial and high-rise multi-family 
buildings. While Barracks may be envisioned long low buildings 
containing rows of cots, this vision is driven primarily by old-
style barracks from the past. DOD's new training barracks tend to 
combine sleeping accommodations, class rooms, and physical training 
facilities and are therefore designed by DOD using the Federal 
commercial and high-rise multi-family requirements.

                                      Table 1--Total Incremental First Cost for 2015 IECC Compared to the 2009 IECC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 2,400 ft \2\ house                        1,200 ft \2\ apartment/condo
                                                           --------------------------------------------------------------               \a\
                                                                                                                         -------------------------------
                       Climate zone                                                          Unheated         Heated      Slab, unheated
                                                                    Slab-on-grade          basement, or      basement      basement, or       Heated
                                                                                            crawlspace                      crawlspace       basement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.........................................................                        $1,585          $1,553          $1,553            $848            $848
1-tropical \b\............................................                         1,152           1,152           1,152             848             848
2.........................................................                         1,920           1,888           1,888             968             968
3.........................................................                         2,495           2,463           2,463           1,175           1,175
4.........................................................                         2,005           1,973           1,973           1,012           1,012
5.........................................................                         1,493           1,461           1,715             827             865
6.........................................................                         2,718           2,686           2,686           1,266           1,266
7.........................................................                         2,718           2,686           2,686           1,266           1,266
8.........................................................                         2,718           2,686           2,686           1,266           1,266
National Average..........................................                         2,060           2,028           2,081           1,026           1,034
Foundation Weight \c\.....................................                         0.479           0.379           0.142           0.858           0.142
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ For multifamily homes with an oil-fired boiler, an additional incremental cost of $30.55 for the outdoor air temperature reset applies to all
  climate zones.
\b\ This cost applies to 35% of all new single-family homes in the tropical climate zone. The tropical climate zone accounts for around 50% of all new
  single-family construction starts in climate zone 1.
\c\ Foundation weights from Table 1.3 of the 2015 IECC Cost-Effectiveness Report.

    The first cost data shown in Table 1 can be further aggregated by 
foundation type using the foundation type weightings found in the 2015 
IECC Cost-Effectiveness report (and also shown in Table 1 in the row 
labeled ``Foundation Weights''). The results of that weighting indicate 
that the typical first cost of a home would be $2,051 and that of an 
apartment/condo would be $1,027. These first cost increases should be 
compared to the estimated first cost of new Federal low-rise 
residential construction, but that information is not typically 
publicly available. Instead, DOE has chosen to compare these costs to 
typical costs in the private sector.
    The National Association of Realtors (NAR) in a press release dated 
September 21, 2015 states that the median U.S. single family home price 
was $230,200 in August 2015.\20\ The $2,051 cost increase represents 
approximately 0.9% of the average cost of a new home. As previously 
stated, DOE does not believe that a large fraction of Federal low-rise 
construction falls under this rule, but for comparison, the same NAR 
press release lists the price for condominiums at $217,400. The $1,027 
cost increase for condominiums represents a 0.5% increase. Any increase 
in first cost would be accompanied by a reduction in energy costs and 
an increase in life cycle cost savings.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ See http://www.realtor.org/news-releases/2015/09/existing-home-sales-stall-in-august-prices-moderate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The estimated energy cost savings associated with the 2015 IECC is 
shown in Table 2. This table is based on a combination of single-family 
homes and apartments/condos as described in DOE's cost-effectiveness 
report. While the weighting of homes and apartments/condos may not be 
identical in the private and Federal sectors, the trends are similar 
for both single-family homes and apartments/condos. The 2015 IECC saves 
a considerable amount of energy costs over the 2009 IECC in all climate 
zones in the United States.

 Table 2--Average Annual Energy Cost Savings for the 2015 IECC Compared
                            to the 2009 IECC
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Average annual
                                                          energy cost
                     Climate zone                         savings ($/
                                                         residence-yr)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................................               $179
2....................................................                220
3....................................................                256
4....................................................                353
5....................................................                353
6....................................................                497
7....................................................                841
8....................................................              1,199
National Average.....................................                315
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The life-cycle cost impact of the 2015 IECC is shown in Table 3. 
Again, these values represent the combination of single-family homes 
and apartments/condos, but the trends are clear. The 2015 IECC has 
large life cycle cost-savings in all climate zones in the U.S.

Table 3--Total Life Cycle Cost Savings for the 2015 IECC Compared to the
                                2009 IECC
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Total life cycle
                     Climate zone                       cost savings ($/
                                                         residence-yr)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................................            +$4,418
2....................................................             +5,725
3....................................................             +6,569
4....................................................             +8,088
5....................................................             +7,697
6....................................................            +11,231
7....................................................            +17,525

[[Page 2865]]

 
8....................................................            +24,003
National Average.....................................             +7,421
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Multiplying the estimated 4936 new Federal homes per year by the 
national average values in Tables 1, 2, and 3 provides a summary of 
annual cost increases, energy savings, and first cost-increases for the 
entire Federal low-rise sector shown in Table 4.

  Table 4--Annual National Average First Cost Increase, Energy Savings,
 and Life Cycle Cost Savings for Federal Low Rise Residential Sector for
                   the 2015 IECC Compared to 2009 IECC
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Annual national
                                                       average fist cost
                        Metric                              increase
                                                           (million)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incremental First Cost Increase......................              $9.24
Energy Savings.......................................               1.55
Life Cycle Cost Savings..............................               36.6
------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Administrative Procedure Act

    DOE notes that the determination regarding the 2015 IECC in the 
context of State building codes was subject to notice and comment in 
evaluating the voluntary consensus codes. See 79 FR 57915 (September 
26, 2014) for the preliminary determination and 80 FR 33250 (June 11, 
2015) for the final determination. DOE also notes that the 
determination regarding the 2012 IECC in the context of State building 
codes was subject to notice and comment in evaluating the voluntary 
consensus codes. See 76 FR 42688 (July 19, 2011) for the preliminary 
determination and 77 FR 29322 (May 17, 2012) for the final 
determination. The determinations made in the context of the State 
codes are equally applicable in the context of Federal buildings. DOE 
finds that providing notice and comment on the determinations again in 
the context of Federal buildings would be unnecessary. The fact that 
the voluntary consensus codes apply to Federal buildings as opposed to 
the general building stock does not require a different evaluation of 
energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, DOE notes that 
this rule, which updates energy efficiency performance standards for 
the design and construction of new Federal buildings, is a rule 
relating to public property, and therefore is not subject to the 
rulemaking requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, including 
the requirement to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking. (See 5 
U.S.C. 553(a)(2))

C. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires the 
preparation of an initial 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. As required 
by Executive Order 13272, Proper Consideration of Small Entities in 
Agency Rulemaking, 67 FR 53461 (August 16, 2002), DOE published 
procedures and policies on February 19, 2003, to ensure that the 
potential impacts of its rules on small entities are properly 
considered during the rulemaking process, 68 FR 7990. The Department 
has made its procedures and policies available on the Office of General 
Counsel's Web site: http://energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel.
    DOE has determined that a notice of proposed rulemaking is not 
required by 5 U.S.C. 553 or any other law for issuance of this rule. As 
such, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act do 
not apply.

D. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    This rulemaking will impose no new information or record keeping 
requirements. Accordingly, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
clearance is not required under the Paperwork Reduction Act. (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq).

E. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

    The Department prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) (DOE/EA-
2020) entitled, ``Environmental Assessment for Final Rule, 10 CFR part 
435, `Energy Efficiency Standards for New Federal Low-Rise Residential 
Buildings,' Baseline Standards Update,'' \21\ pursuant to the Council 
on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) Regulations for Implementing the 
Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 
parts 1500-1508), the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 
as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and DOE's NEPA Implementing 
Procedures (10 CFR part 1021).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ The EA may be found in the docket for this rulemaking and 
at https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/12/f34/EA-2020-FEA-2016.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The EA addresses the possible incremental environmental effects 
attributable to the application of the final rule. The only anticipated 
impact would be a decrease in outdoor air pollutants resulting from 
decreased fossil fuel burning for energy use in Federal buildings. 
Therefore, DOE has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), 
pursuant to NEPA, the regulations of the Council on Environmental 
Quality (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and DOE's regulations for compliance 
with NEPA (10 CFR part 1021).
    To identify the potential environmental impacts that may result 
from implementing the final rule on new Federal low-rise residential 
buildings, DOE compared the requirements of the final rule updating 
energy efficiency performance standard for Federal new low-rise 
residential buildings to 2015 IECC with the ``no-action alternative'' 
of using the current Federal standards (the 2009 IECC). This comparison 
is identical to that undertaken by DOE in its determinations of energy 
savings of those standards and codes.
    Accordingly, DOE concludes in the EA that new Federal buildings 
designed and constructed to the 2015 IECC will use less energy than new 
Federal buildings designed and constructed to the 2009 IECC because the 
2015 IECC is more efficient than 2009 IECC. This decrease in energy 
usage translates to reduced emissions of carbon dioxide 
(CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and mercury (Hg) 
over the thirty-year period examined in the EA. Cumulative emission 
reductions for 30 years of construction (2018 through 2047) and 30 
years of energy reduction for each building built during that period 
can be estimated at up to 4,114,800 metric tons of CO2, up 
to 3,147 metric tons of NOX, and up to 0.0338 metric tons of 
Hg. DOE conducted a separate calculation to determine emissions 
reductions relative to the targets identified in the CAP. This 
calculation showed that the cumulative reduction in CO2 
emissions through 2030 amounts to 690,220 metric tons of 
CO2.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ See discussion of CAP calculations in footnote 12 on page 
23 of the EA for this rule. The EA may be found in the docket for 
this rulemaking and at https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/12/f34/EA-2020-FEA-2016.pdf.

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

[[Page 2866]]

F. Review Under Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism''

    Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism,'' 64 FR 43255 (August 4, 
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 carefully assess 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 the 
development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications. 
On March 14, 2000, DOE published a statement of policy describing the 
intergovernmental consultation process it will follow in the 
development of such regulations, 65 FR 13735. DOE examined this rule 
and determined that it does not preempt State law and does not have a 
substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between 
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of Government. No further 
action is required by Executive Order 13132.

G. Review Under Executive Order 12988, ``Civil Justice Reform''

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

H. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Pub. 
L. 104-4) requires each Federal agency to assess the effects of Federal 
regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal governments and the 
private sector. For a proposed regulatory action likely to result in a 
rule that may cause the expenditure by State, local, and tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100 million 
or more in any one 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)) The UMRA also 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'' and requires an 
agency plan for giving notice and opportunity for timely input to 
potentially affected small governments before establishing any 
requirements that might significantly or uniquely affect small 
governments. On March 18, 1997, DOE published a statement of policy on 
its process for intergovernmental consultation under UMRA (62 FR 12820) 
(also available at http://energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel). This 
final rule contains neither an intergovernmental mandate nor a mandate 
that may result in the expenditure of $100 million or more in any year 
by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the 
private sector, so these requirements under the Unfunded Mandates 
Reform Act do not apply.

I. 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 rule would 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.

J. Review Under Executive Order 12630, ``Governmental Actions and 
Interference With Constitutionally Protected Property Rights''

    The Department has determined, under Executive Order 12630, 
``Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected 
Property Rights'' 53 FR 8859 (March 18, 1988) that this rule would not 
result in any takings which might require compensation under the Fifth 
Amendment to the United States Constitution.

K. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 
2001

    Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act, 2001 (44 U.S.C. 3516, note) provides for agencies to review most 
disseminations of information to the public under guidelines 
established by each agency pursuant to general guidelines issued by 
OMB. OMB's guidelines were published at 67 FR 8452 (February 22, 2002), 
and DOE's guidelines were published at 67 FR 62446 (October 7, 2002). 
DOE has reviewed this final rule under the OMB and DOE guidelines and 
has concluded that it is consistent with applicable policies in those 
guidelines.

L. Review Under Executive Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations 
That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use''

    Executive Order 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 the 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of 
Management and Budget, a Statement of Energy Effects for any proposed 
significant energy action. A ``significant energy action'' is defined 
as any action by an agency that promulgated or is expected to lead to 
promulgation of a final rule, and that: (1) Is a significant regulatory 
action under Executive Order 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 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 should the 
proposal be implemented, and of reasonable alternatives to the

[[Page 2867]]

action and their expected benefits on energy supply, distribution, and 
use. DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that new 
construction in the residential sector will range from average about 81 
million households in the US in 2016, with a growth rate of roughly 
0.8% per year which is equivalent to about 648,000 new households per 
year.\23\ This rule is expected to incrementally reduce the energy 
usage of approximately 4936 \24\ units of Federal low-rise residential 
construction annually. Thus, the rule represents approximately 0.76% of 
the expected annual U.S. construction in 2017, and less in every 
succeeding year. This final rule would not have a significant adverse 
effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy and, therefore, is 
not a significant energy action. Accordingly, DOE has not prepared a 
Statement of Energy Effects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ See Table A4 of the 2016 Annual Energy Outlook at http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/.
    \24\ See Environmental Assessment for this rule for origin of 
the 4936 homes estimate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

M. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 
1974

    Under section 301 of the Department of Energy Organization Act 
(Pub. L. 95-91), DOE must comply with section 32 of the Federal Energy 
Administration Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-275), as amended by the Federal 
Energy Administration Authorization Act of 1977 (Pub. L. 95-70). (15 
U.S.C. 788) Section 32 provides that where a proposed rule authorizes 
or requires use of commercial standards, the NOPR must inform the 
public of the use and background of such standards. In addition, 
section 32(c) requires DOE to consult with the Department of Justice 
(DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) concerning the impact of 
the commercial or industry standards on competition.
    Although section 32 specifically refers to the proposed rule stage, 
DOE is meeting these requirements at the final rule stage because there 
was no proposed rule for this action. This final rule incorporates 
testing methods contained in the following commercial standard: ICC 
2015 IECC, International Energy Conservation Code, 2014, International 
Code Council, ISBN 978-1-60983-486-9.
    DOE has evaluated these standards and notes that the IECC Standard 
is developed under ICC's governmental consensus standard procedures, 
and is under a three-year maintenance cycle. ICC has established a 
program for regular publication of errata and revisions, including 
procedures for timely, documented, consensus action on requested 
changes to the IECC. The 2015 IECC was published in 2014. However, DOE 
is unable to conclude whether the IECC fully complies with the 
requirements of section 32(b) of the FEAA (i.e., whether they were 
developed in a manner that fully provides for public participation, 
comment, and review). DOE has consulted with both the Attorney General 
and the Chairman of the FTC about the impact on competition of using 
the methods contained in these standards and has received no comments 
objecting to their use.

N. Description of Materials Incorporated by Reference

    In this rule, DOE incorporates by reference the ICC 2015 IECC, 
International Energy Conservation Code, Copyright 2014. This U.S. 
standard provides minimum requirements for energy efficient designs for 
low-rise residential buildings. Copies of this standard are available 
from the International Code Council, 4051 West Flossmoor Road, Country 
Club Hills, IL 60478, 1-888-422-7233, http://www.iccsafe.org.

VII. Congressional Notification

    As required by 5 U.S.C. 801, DOE will report to Congress on the 
promulgation of this rule prior to its effective date. The report will 
state that it has been determined that the rule is not a ``major rule'' 
as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

VIII. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

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

List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 435

    Buildings and facilities, Energy conservation, Federal buildings 
and facilities, Housing, Incorporation by reference.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 28, 2016.
David J. Friedman,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Department of Energy 
amends part 435 of chapter II of title 10 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations as set forth below:

PART 435--ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS FOR THE DESIGN AND 
CONSTRUCTION OF NEW FEDERAL LOW-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

0
1. The authority citation for part 435 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6831-6832; 6834-6836; 42 U.S.C. 8253-54, 42 
U.S.C. 7101 et seq.

0
2. Section 435.2 is amended by:
0
a. Adding in alphabetical order the definition of ``IECC Baseline 
Building 2015''; and
0
b. Revising the definition of ``New Federal building''.
    The revision and addition read as follows:


Sec.  435.2  Definitions.

* * * * *
    IECC Baseline Building 2015 means a building that is otherwise 
identical to the proposed building but is designed to meet, but not 
exceed, the energy efficiency specifications in the ICC IECC 2015 
(incorporated by reference, see Sec.  435.3).
* * * * *
    New Federal building means any new building (including a complete 
replacement of an existing building from the foundation up) to be 
constructed by, or for the use of, any federal agency. Such term shall 
include buildings built for the purpose of being leased by a federal 
agency, and privatized military housing.
* * * * *

0
3. Revise Sec.  435.3(b) to read as follows:


Sec.  435.3  Materials incorporated by reference.

* * * * *
    (b) ICC. International Code Council, 4051 West Flossmoor Road, 
Country Club Hills, IL 60478, 1-888-422-7233, or go to http://www.iccsafe.org/.
    (1) ICC International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), 2004 
Supplement Edition (``IECC 2004''), January 2005, IBR approved for 
Sec. Sec.  435.2, 435.4, 435.5;
    (2) ICC International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), 2009 Edition 
(``IECC 2009''), January 2009, IBR approved for Sec. Sec.  435.2, 
435.4, 435.5.
    (3) ICC International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), 2015 Edition 
(``IECC 2015''), published May 30, 2014, IBR approved for Sec. Sec.  
435.2, 435.4, 435.5.

0
4. Section 435.4 is amended by:
0
a. Revising the introductory text of paragraph (a)(2);
0
b. Adding paragraph (a)(3); and
0
c. Revising paragraph (b).
    The revisions and addition reads as follows:


Sec.  435.4   Energy efficiency performance standard.

    (a) * * *
    (2) All Federal agencies shall design new Federal buildings that 
are low-rise residential buildings, for which design for construction 
began on or after

[[Page 2868]]

August 10, 2012, but before January 10, 2018 to:
* * * * *
    (3) All Federal agencies shall design new Federal buildings that 
are low-rise residential buildings, for which design for construction 
began on or after January 10, 2018 to:
    (i) Meet the IECC 2015, (incorporated by reference, see Sec.  
435.3), including the mandatory mechanical ventilation requirements in 
Section R403.6 of the 2015 IECC; and
    (ii) If life-cycle cost-effective, achieve energy consumption 
levels, calculated consistent with paragraph (b) of this section, that 
are at least 30 percent below the levels of the IECC Baseline Building 
2015.
    (b)(1) For new Federal low-rise residential buildings whose design 
for construction began before January 10, 2018, energy consumption for 
the purposes of calculating the 30 percent savings shall include space 
heating, space cooling, and domestic water heating.
    (2) For new Federal low-rise residential buildings whose design for 
construction began on or after before January 10, 2018, energy 
consumption for the purposes of calculating the 30 percent savings 
shall include space heating, space cooling, lighting, mechanical 
ventilation, and domestic water heating.
* * * * *

0
5. Revise Sec.  435.5 to read as follows:


Sec.  435.5   Performance level determination.

    (a) For new Federal buildings for which design for construction 
began on or after January 3, 2007, but before August 10, 2012, each 
Federal agency shall determine energy consumption levels for both the 
IECC Baseline Building 2004 and proposed building by using the 
Simulated Performance Alternative found in section 404 of the IECC 2004 
(incorporated by reference, see Sec.  435.3).
    (b) For new Federal buildings for which design for construction 
began on or after August 10, 2012, but before January 10, 2018, each 
Federal agency shall determine energy consumption levels for both the 
IECC Baseline Building 2009 and proposed building by using the 
Simulated Performance Alternative found in section 405 of the IECC 2009 
(incorporated by reference, see Sec.  435.3).
    (c) For new Federal buildings for which design for construction 
began on or after January 10, 2018 each Federal agency shall determine 
energy consumption levels for both the IECC Baseline Building 2015 and 
proposed building by using the Simulated Performance Alternative found 
in section R405 of the IECC 2015 (incorporated by reference, see Sec.  
435.3).

[FR Doc. 2017-00025 Filed 1-9-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P



                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                                2857

                                             day following the billing date. Receipt                 Panel, or the IG, as appropriate, will                   Dated: December 20, 2016.
                                             of a fee by the Authority, the General                  handle the request under this part.                    Carol Waller Pope,
                                             Counsel, the Panel, or the IG, whether                  *     *     *     *     *                              Chairman.
                                             processed or not, will stay the accrual                   (j) The fee schedule of this section                 [FR Doc. 2016–31121 Filed 1–9–17; 8:45 am]
                                             of interest.                                            does not apply to fees charged under                   BILLING CODE P
                                                (g) Advance payments. The Authority,                 any statute that specifically requires the
                                             the General Counsel, the Panel, or the IG               Authority, the General Counsel, the
                                             will not require a requester to make an                 Panel, or the IG to set and collect fees
                                             advance payment, i.e., payment before                                                                          DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
                                                                                                     for particular types of records. In
                                             work is commenced or continued on a                     instances in which records responsive                  10 CFR Part 435
                                             request, unless:                                        to a request are subject to a statutorily
                                                (1) The Authority, the General                                                                              [Docket No. EERE–2016–BT–STD–0003]
                                                                                                     based fee-schedule program, the
                                             Counsel, the Panel, or the IG estimates
                                                                                                     Authority, the General Counsel, the                    RIN 1904–AD56
                                             or determines that allowable charges
                                                                                                     Panel, or the IG will inform the
                                             that a requester may be required to pay
                                                                                                     requester of the contact information for               Energy Efficiency Standards for the
                                             are likely to exceed $250. In those
                                                                                                     that program.                                          Design and Construction of New
                                             circumstances, the Authority, the
                                             General Counsel, the Panel, or the IG                   ■ 15. Revise § 2411.14 to read as                      Federal Low-Rise Residential
                                             will notify the requester of the likely                 follows.                                               Buildings’ Baseline Standards Update
                                             cost and obtain satisfactory assurance of               § 2411.14 Record retention and                         AGENCY:  Office of Energy Efficiency and
                                             full payment, where the requester has a                 preservation.                                          Renewable Energy, Department of
                                             history of prompt payment of FOIA fees,                                                                        Energy.
                                                                                                       The Authority, the General Counsel,
                                             or require an advance payment of an                                                                            ACTION: Final rule.
                                                                                                     the Panel, and the IG shall preserve all
                                             amount up to the full estimated charges
                                                                                                     correspondence pertaining to the
                                             in the case of requesters with no history                                                                      SUMMARY:   The U.S. Department of
                                                                                                     requests that it receives under this
                                             of payment; or                                                                                                 Energy (DOE) is publishing this final
                                                (2) A requester has previously failed                subpart, as well as copies of all
                                                                                                     requested records, until such time as                  rule to implement provisions in the
                                             to pay a fee charged in a timely fashion                                                                       Energy Conservation and Production
                                             (i.e., within 30 days of the date of the                disposition or destruction is authorized
                                                                                                     by title 44 of the United States Code or               Act (ECPA) that require DOE to update
                                             billing), in which case the Authority,                                                                         the baseline Federal energy efficiency
                                             the General Counsel, the Panel, or the IG               the National Archives and Records
                                                                                                     Administration’s General Records                       performance standards for the
                                             requires the requester to pay the full                                                                         construction of new Federal low-rise
                                             amount owed plus any applicable                         Schedule 14. Records will not be
                                                                                                     disposed of while they are the subject of              residential buildings. This rule updates
                                             interest, as provided in this section, or                                                                      the baseline Federal residential standard
                                             demonstrate that the requester has, in                  a pending request, appeal, or lawsuit
                                                                                                     under the FOIA.                                        to the International Code Council (ICC)
                                             fact, paid the fee, and to make an                                                                             2015 International Energy Conservation
                                             advance payment of the full amount of                   ■ 16. Revise § 2411.15 to read as
                                                                                                                                                            Code (IECC).
                                             the estimated fee before the agency                     follows:
                                                                                                                                                            DATES: This rule is effective March 13,
                                             begins to process a new request or a
                                             pending request from that requester.                    § 2411.15    Annual report.                            2017.
                                             When the Authority, the General                           Each year, on or around February 1,                     The incorporation by reference of a
                                             Counsel, the Panel, or the IG has a                     as requested by the Department of                      certain publication listed in this rule
                                             reasonable basis to believe that a                      Justice’s Office of Information Policy,                was approved by the Director of the
                                             requester has misrepresented his or her                 the Chief FOIA Officer of the FLRA                     Federal Register as of March 13, 2017.
                                             identity in order to avoid paying                       shall submit a report of the activities of                All Federal agencies shall design new
                                             outstanding fees, it may require that the               the Authority, the General Counsel, the                Federal buildings that are low-rise
                                             requester provide proof of identity.                    Panel, and the IG with regard to public                residential buildings, for which design
                                             When the Authority, the General                         information requests during the                        for construction began on or after
                                             Counsel, the Panel, or the IG acts under                preceding fiscal year to the Attorney                  January 10, 2018, using the 2015 IECC
                                             paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of this section,                General of the United States and the                   as the baseline standard for 10 CFR part
                                             the administrative time limits                          Director of the OGIS. The report shall                 435.
                                             prescribed in subsection (a)(6) of the                  include those matters required by 5                    ADDRESSES: The docket, which includes
                                             FOIA (i.e., 20 working days from receipt                U.S.C. 552(e), and it shall be made                    Federal Register notices, public meeting
                                             of initial requests and 20 working days                 available electronically. The Chief FOIA               attendee lists and transcripts,
                                             from receipt of appeals from initial                    Officer of the FLRA shall make each                    comments, and other supporting
                                             denial, plus permissible extension of                   such report available for public                       documents/materials, is available for
                                             these time limits) will begin only after                inspection in an electronic format. In                 review at https://www.regulations.gov/
                                             the Authority, the General Counsel, the                 addition, the Chief FOIA Officer of the                docketBrowser?rpp=25&po=0&D=EERE-
                                             Panel, or the IG has received fee                       FLRA shall make the raw statistical data               2016-BT-STD-0003]. All documents in
                                             payments described in this section. If                  used in each report available in a timely              the docket are listed in the
                                             the requester does not pay the advance                  manner for public inspection in an                     regulations.gov index. However, some
                                             payment within 30 calendar days after                   electronic format, which shall be                      documents listed in the index, such as
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                                             the date of the fee determination, the                  available—                                             those containing information that is
                                             request will be closed.                                   (a) Without charge, license, or                      exempt from public disclosure, may not
                                                (h) When a person other than a party                 registration requirement;                              be publicly available. The
                                             to a proceeding before the FLRA makes                     (b) In an aggregated, searchable                     regulations.gov site contains simple
                                             a request for a copy of a transcript or                 format; and                                            instructions on how to access all
                                             recording of the proceeding, the                          (c) In a format that may be                          documents, including public comments,
                                             Authority, the General Counsel, the                     downloaded in bulk.                                    in the docket.


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                                             2858               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                A link to the docket Web page can be                 IV. Compliance Date                                    ‘‘any building to be constructed by, or
                                             found at http://www.regulations.gov/                    V. Reference Resources                                 for the use of, any Federal agency. Such
                                             #!docketDetail;D=EERE-2016-BT-STD-                        A. Resources for Low-Rise Residential                term shall include buildings built for
                                                                                                          Buildings.
                                             0003. This Web page will contain a link                                                                        the purpose of being leased by a Federal
                                                                                                     VI. Regulatory Analysis
                                             to the docket for this rule on the                        A. Review Under Executive Order 12866,               agency, and privatized military
                                             www.regulations.gov site. The                                ‘‘Regulatory Planning and Review’’                housing.’’ (42 U.S.C. 6832(6)). This term
                                             www.regulations.gov Web page will                         B. Administrative Procedure Act                      does not include renovations or
                                             contain simple instructions on how to                     C. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility           modifications to existing buildings.
                                             access all documents, including public                       Act
                                                                                                       D. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction              II. Introduction
                                             comments, in the docket.
                                                For further information on how to                         Act of 1995                                          ECPA, as amended, requires DOE to
                                             review the docket, contact Mr. Nicolas                    E. Review Under the National                         establish building energy efficiency
                                             Baker at (202) 586–8215 or by email:                         Environmental Policy Act of 1969                  standards for all new Federal buildings.
                                                                                                       F. Review Under Executive Order 13132,               (42 U.S.C. 6834(a)(1)) The standards
                                             nicolas.baker@ee.doe.gov.                                    ‘‘Federalism’’
                                             FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                          G. Review Under Executive Order 12988,
                                                                                                                                                            established under section 305(a)(1) of
                                             Nicolas Baker, U.S. Department of                            ‘‘Civil Justice Reform’’                          ECPA must contain energy efficiency
                                                Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency                    H. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates                measures that are technologically
                                                and Renewable Energy, Federal                             Reform Act of 1995                                feasible, economically justified, and
                                                Energy Management Program,                             I. Review Under the Treasury and General             meet the energy efficiency levels in the
                                                Mailstop EE–5F, 1000 Independence                         Government Appropriations Act of 1999             applicable voluntary consensus energy
                                                                                                       J. Review Under Executive Order 12630,               codes specified in section 305. (42
                                                Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585,                         ‘‘Governmental Actions and Interference
                                                (202) 586–8215, email: nicolas.baker@                                                                       U.S.C. 6834(a)(1)–(3))
                                                                                                          With Constitutionally Protected Property             Under section 305 of ECPA, the
                                                ee.doe.gov.                                               Rights’’
                                             Kavita Vaidyanathan, U.S. Department                                                                           referenced voluntary consensus code for
                                                                                                       K. Review Under the Treasury and General
                                                of Energy, Office of the General                          Government Appropriations Act, 2001
                                                                                                                                                            low-rise residential buildings is the
                                                Counsel, Forrestal Building, GC–33,                    L. Review Under Executive Order 13211,               International Code Council (ICC)
                                                1000 Independence Avenue SW.,                             ‘‘Actions Concerning Regulations That             International Energy Conservation Code
                                                Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586–                          Significantly Affect Energy Supply,               (IECC). (42 U.S.C. 6834(a)(2)(A)). DOE
                                                0669, email: kavita.vaidyanathan@                         Distribution, or Use’’                            codified this referenced code as the
                                                                                                       M. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal            baseline Federal building standard in its
                                                hq.doe.gov.                                               Energy Administration Act of 1974                 existing energy efficiency standards
                                             SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This final                     N. Description of Materials Incorporated by          found in 10 CFR part 435. Also pursuant
                                             rule incorporates by reference the                           Reference
                                                                                                                                                            to section 305 of ECPA, DOE must
                                             following standard into 10 CFR part                     VII. Congressional Notification
                                                                                                     VIII. Approval of the Office of the Secretary          establish, by rule, revised Federal
                                             435: ICC International Energy                                                                                  building energy efficiency performance
                                             Conservation Code (IECC), 2015 Edition                  I. Executive Summary of the Final Rule                 standards for new Federal buildings that
                                             (‘‘IECC 2015’’), May 30, 2014.                                                                                 require such buildings to be designed to
                                                Copies of this standard are available                   Section 305 of the Energy
                                                                                                     Conservation and Production Act                        achieve energy consumption levels that
                                             from the International Code Council,                                                                           are at least 30 percent below the levels
                                             4051 West Flossmoor Road, Country                       (ECPA), as amended, requires DOE to
                                                                                                     determine whether the energy efficiency                established in the referenced code
                                             Club Hills, IL 60478, 1–800–422–7233,                                                                          (baseline Federal building standard), if
                                             http://www.iccsafe.org/.                                standards for new Federal buildings
                                                                                                     should be updated to reflect revisions to              life-cycle cost-effective. (42 U.S.C.
                                                Also, a copy of this standard is                                                                            6834(a)(3)(A)(i)(I))
                                             available for inspection at U.S.                        the IECC based on the cost-effectiveness
                                                                                                     of the revisions. (42 U.S.C.                              Under section 305 of ECPA, not later
                                             Department of Energy (DOE), Office of                                                                          than one year after the date of approval
                                             Energy Efficiency and Renewable                         6834(a)(3)(B)) Accordingly, DOE
                                                                                                     conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis                of each subsequent revision of the
                                             Energy, Federal Energy Management                                                                              ASHRAE Standard or the IECC, DOE
                                             Program, 8th Floor, 956 L’Enfant Plaza                  that found the 2015 IECC to be cost-
                                                                                                     effective. DOE’s assumptions and                       must determine whether to amend the
                                             SW., Suite 8000, Washington, DC 20024.                                                                         baseline Federal building standards
                                             For information on the availability of                  methodology for the cost-effectiveness
                                                                                                                                                            with the revised voluntary standard
                                             this standard at DOE, contact Mr. Cyrus                 of this rule are based on DOE’s cost-
                                                                                                                                                            based on the cost-effectiveness of the
                                             Nasseri at (202) 586–9138, or email                     effectiveness analysis of 2015 IECC, as
                                                                                                                                                            revised voluntary standard. (42 U.S.C.
                                             Cyrus.nasseri@ee.doe.gov.                               well as DOE’s Environmental
                                                                                                                                                            6834(a)(3)(B)) It is this requirement that
                                                This standard is discussed in greater                Assessment (EA) for this rulemaking.1
                                                                                                                                                            this rulemaking addresses. ICC has
                                             detail in section VI.N of this document.                Therefore, in this final rule, DOE
                                                                                                                                                            updated the IECC from the version
                                                                                                     updates the energy efficiency standards
                                             Table of Contents                                                                                              currently referenced in DOE’s
                                                                                                     for new Federal buildings to the 2015
                                                                                                                                                            regulations at 10 CFR part 435. In this
                                             I. Executive Summary of the Final Rule                  IECC for buildings for which design for
                                                                                                                                                            rule, DOE revises the latest baseline
                                             II. Introduction                                        construction began on or after one year
                                             III. Synopsis of the Final Rule                                                                                Federal building standard for 10 CFR
                                                                                                     after the rule is published in the Federal
                                                A. Updated Definition of New Federal                                                                        part 435 from the 2009 IECC to the 2015
                                                                                                     Register. (42 U.S.C. 6834(a)(3)(A)).
                                                   Building                                                                                                 IECC. DOE notes that although ICC
                                                                                                     Federal buildings are defined as follows:
                                                B. Adding Explicit Mention of Mechanical                                                                    published an update to the IECC in
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                                                   Ventilation Requirements in the 2015                 1 The Environmental Assessment (EA) (DOE/EA–        2012, this rule updates 10 CFR part 435
                                                   IECC                                                                                                     to the 2015 IECC directly, without
                                                                                                     2020) is entitled, ‘‘Environmental Assessment for
                                                C. Expanding the List of Energy End-Uses             Final Rule, 10 CFR part 435, ‘Energy Efficiency        requiring agencies to comply with the
                                                   that must be included in the 30 Percent           Standards for New Federal Low-Rise Residential
                                                   Savings Calculation                                                                                      2012 IECC. DOE notes however that
                                                                                                     Buildings,’ Baseline Standards Update’’. The EA
                                                D. Other Energy Efficiency Requirements              may be found in the docket for this rulemaking and
                                                                                                                                                            because development of the IECC is
                                                E. Synopsis of Changes to the IECC                   at https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/12/f34/    incremental from version to version, the
                                                   Between the 2009 and 2015 Versions                EA-2020-FEA-2016.pdf.                                  2015 IECC does include all content in


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                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                                   2859

                                             the 2012 IECC that was not specifically                   efficiency standards for new Federal                  Order 12866, ‘‘Regulatory Planning and
                                             removed or modified during the                            buildings should be updated to reflect                Review’’.6 DOE’s assumptions and
                                             development of the 2015 IECC. DOE                         the 2015 revisions to the IECC based on               methodology for the cost-effectiveness
                                             evaluated the 2012 IECC as well and                       the cost-effectiveness of the revisions.              of this rule are based on DOE’s cost-
                                             found it to be technologically feasible                      DOE reviewed the IECC for DOE’s                    effectiveness analysis of the 2015 IECC,
                                             and economically justified.2                              state building codes program and                      as well as DOE’s Environmental
                                                Section 306(a) of ECPA provides that                   determined that the 2015 version of the               Assessment (EA) for this rulemaking.7
                                             each Federal agency and the Architect                     IECC would achieve greater energy                        In this rule, DOE updates the energy
                                             of the Capitol must adopt procedures to                   efficiency than the prior version (the                efficiency standards applicable to new
                                             ensure that new Federal buildings will                    2012 version). (See 80 FR 33250 (June                 Federal buildings based on the
                                             meet or exceed the Federal building                       11, 2015)) DOE also reviewed the 2012                 determinations made by DOE as to the
                                             energy efficiency standards established                   version of the IECC and determined that               energy efficiency improvements of the
                                             under section 305. (42 U.S.C. 6835(a))                    the 2012 version would achieve greater                2015 IECC 8 and 2012 IECC,9 as
                                             ECPA Section 306(b) bars the head of a                    energy efficiency than the prior version              compared to the predecessor version
                                             Federal agency from expending Federal                     (the 2009 version currently referenced                (the 2009 IECC), and based on the
                                             funds for the construction of a new                       in 10 CFR part 435). (See 77 FR 29322                 considerations of cost-effectiveness
                                             Federal building unless the building                      (May 17, 2012)) Both these                            incorporated into the codes processes,
                                             meets or exceeds the applicable baseline                  determinations were subject to notice                 DOE’s involvement in those processes,
                                             Federal building energy standards                         and comment. See 79 FR 57915                          and DOE’s own cost-effectiveness
                                             established under section 305. (42                        (September 26, 2014) and 76 FR 42688                  analysis. This final rule amends 10 CFR
                                             U.S.C. 6835(b)) Specifically, all new                     (July 19, 2011) respectively for the 2015             part 435 to update the referenced
                                             Federal buildings 3 must be designed to                   IECC and 2012 preliminary                             baseline Federal energy efficiency
                                             achieve the baseline standards in the                     determinations. DOE found that the                    performance standards. This final rule
                                             International Energy Conservation Code                    2015 version of the IECC would save                   does not make any changes to the
                                             for low-rise residential buildings (and                   0.87% more source energy than the                     overall requirement that agencies must
                                             ASHRAE Standard 90.1 for commercial                       2012 version of the IECC 4 and that the               design buildings to meet the baseline
                                             and multi-family high-rise residential                    2012 version of the IECC would save                   standard and, if life-cycle cost-effective,
                                             buildings) and achieve energy                             24% more source energy than the 2009                  achieve savings of at least 30% below
                                             consumption levels at least 30 percent                    version of the IECC.5                                 the baseline standard. The statutory
                                             below these minimum baseline                                 In DOE’s determination for the state               requirement to achieve savings of at
                                             standards, where life-cycle cost-                         building codes program, and again in                  least 30% below the levels established
                                             effective. (42 U.S.C. 6834(a)(3)(A)). This                this rule, DOE states that the cost-                  for the 2012 and 2015 IECC updates,
                                             requirement does not extend to                            effectiveness of revisions to the                     applies to Federal agencies in the
                                             renovations or modifications to existing                  voluntary codes is considered through                 determinations they make for individual
                                             buildings.                                                DOE’s statutorily directed involvement                buildings, but not to DOE’s overall
                                                                                                       in the codes process. See 80 FR 33250.                determination for the purpose of this
                                             III. Synopsis of the Final Rule                           Section 307 of ECPA requires DOE to                   rule.
                                                DOE is issuing this action as a final                  participate in the ICC code development                  Three changes made to 10 CFR part
                                             rule. As indicated in this preamble, DOE                  process and to assist in determining the              435 in this rule warrant further
                                             must determine whether the energy                         cost-effectiveness of the voluntary                   discussion. These changes are: (1)
                                             efficiency standards for new Federal                      standards. (42 U.S.C. 6836) DOE is                    Updated the definition of ‘‘Federal
                                             buildings should be updated to reflect                    required to periodically review the                   buildings’’ to meet the requirements of
                                             revisions to the 2015 IECC based on the                   economic basis of the voluntary                       42 U.S.C. 6832(6); (2) explicit reference
                                             cost-effectiveness of the revisions. (42                  building energy codes and participate in              to the new mechanical ventilation
                                             U.S.C. 6834(a)(3)(B)) In this final rule,                 the industry process for review and                   requirements found in the 2015 IECC to
                                             DOE determines that the energy                            modification, including seeking                       § 435.4; and (3) expanded list of energy
                                                                                                       adoption of all technologically feasible              end-uses that must be considered in the
                                                2 See DOE’s determination for the 2012 IECC at
                                                                                                       and economically justified energy                     30 percent savings calculation. Each of
                                             http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-05-17/pdf/           efficiency measures. (42 U.S.C. 6836(b))
                                             2012-12000.pdf. See DOE’s analysis of the cost-                                                                 these changes is discussed in this
                                             effectiveness of the 2012 IECC at https://                   In addition to DOE’s consideration of              preamble. DOE is also providing a
                                             www.energycodes.gov/sites/default/files/                  the cost-effectiveness of the 2015 IECC               synopsis of the major changes made to
                                             documents/                                                through its participation in the codes
                                             NationalResidentialCostEffectiveness.pdf. See             development process, DOE conducted                       6 National Cost-Effectiveness of the Residential
                                             DOE’s analysis of the cost savings of the 2009 IECC
                                             and 2012 IECC at https://www.energycodes.gov/             an independent analysis of the cost-                  Provisions of the 2015 IECC, Mendon, V.V. et al.
                                             sites/default/files/documents/                            effectiveness of the 2015 IECC compared               PNNL–24240, Pacific Northwest National
                                             NationalResidentialEnergyAnalysis.pdf.                    to the 2012 IECC and 2009 IECC. The                   Laboratory, June 2015. https://
                                                3 42 U.S.C. 6832 defines ‘‘Federal buildings’’ as                                                            www.energycodes.gov/sites/default/files/
                                                                                                       results of the analysis are discussed in              documents/2015IECC_CE_Residential.pdf.
                                             any building to be constructed by, or for the use of,
                                             any Federal agency. Such term shall include
                                                                                                       section A. Review Under Executive                        7 The Environmental Assessment (EA) (DOE/EA–

                                             buildings built for the purpose of being leased by                                                              2020) is entitled, ‘‘Environmental Assessment for
                                             a Federal agency, and privatized military housing.           4 Determination Regarding Energy Efficiency        Final Rule, 10 CFR part 435, ‘Energy Efficiency
                                             DOE’s codifications of this definition in 10 CFR 435      Improvements in the 2015 International Energy         Standards for New Federal Low-Rise Residential
                                             and 10 CFR 433 include a second sentence defining         Conservation Code (IECC); Notice of determination,    Buildings,’ Baseline Standards Update’’. The EA
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                                             ‘‘new buildings’’, resulting in the definition of ‘‘new   80 FR 33250 (June 11, 2015)                           may be found in the docket for this rulemaking and
                                             Federal buildings’’ as ‘‘New Federal building means          5 Energy savings of the 2012 IECC over the 2009    at https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/12/f34/
                                             any building to be constructed by, or for the use of,     IECC are shown in Table 1 of Energy Use Savings       EA-2020-FEA-2016.pdf.
                                                                                                                                                                8 Determination Regarding Energy Efficiency
                                             any Federal agency which is not legally subject to        for a Typical New Residential Dwelling Unit Based
                                             State or local building codes or similar                  on the 2009 and 2012 IECC as Compared to the          Improvements in the 2015 International Energy
                                             requirements. A new building is a building                2006 IECC—Letter Report (PNNL–88603) (available       Conservation Code (IECC); Notice of determination.
                                             constructed on a site that previously did not have        at https://www.energycodes.gov/sites/default/files/   80 FR 33250 (June 11, 2015).
                                             a building or a complete replacement of an existing       documents/NationalResidentialEnergyAnalysis.pdf,         9 Updating State Residential Building Energy

                                             building from the foundation up.’’                        rather than the actual published determination.       Efficiency Codes, 77 FR 29322 (May 17, 2012).



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                                             2860               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                             the IECC between the 2009 IECC and the                  (IMC) 11 and the 2015 International                     Standard 62.2–2013 are incorporated by
                                             2015 IECC to provide more detail                        Residential Code (IRC) 12 as optional                   reference in this rule as they are options
                                             regarding what the change in baseline                   sources of ventilation requirements. The                that an agency may choose to use.
                                             standard means.                                         2015 IECC also allows ‘‘other approved
                                                                                                                                                             C. Expanding the List of Energy End-
                                                                                                     means’’ of mechanical ventilation.                      Uses That Must Be Included in the 30
                                             A. Updated Definition of New Federal
                                                                                                        Specifically, Section R403.5 of the
                                             Building                                                                                                        Percent Savings Calculation
                                                                                                     2015 IECC requires that ‘‘the building
                                                The definition of ‘‘New Federal                      shall be provided with ventilation that                    Under the current 10 CFR 435.4,
                                             building’’ in 10 CFR part 435 has not                   meets the requirements of the                           Federal agencies that are designing new
                                             previously been updated to match what                   International Residential Code or                       Federal buildings that are low-rise
                                             is found in 42 U.S.C. 6832(6). The                      International Mechanical Code, as                       residential buildings must only consider
                                             Energy Independence and Security Act                    applicable, or with other approved                      space heating, space cooling and
                                             of 2007 (EISA 2007) updated the                         means of ventilation. Outdoor air                       domestic water heating when making
                                             definition of ‘‘Federal building’’ to                   intakes and exhausts shall have                         the 30% savings calculation required in
                                             include privatized military family                      automatic or gravity dampers that close                 10 CFR part 435 because the 2004 IECC
                                             housing and leased buildings. This rule                 when the ventilation system is not                      and 2009 IECC only included those
                                             makes that update by revising the                       operating’’. Section R403.5.1 of the 2015               requirements. In addition to those three
                                             definition of ‘‘New Federal building’’ to               IECC also requires that ‘‘Mechanical                    elements, the 2015 IECC includes
                                             mean ‘‘any new building (including a                    ventilation system fans shall meet the                  explicit mechanical ventilation
                                             complete replacement of an existing                     requirements of Table R403.5.1.’’ Table                 requirements that, the energy used for
                                             building from the foundation up) to be                  R403.5.1 sets minimum efficacy for                      mechanical ventilation should be
                                             constructed by, or for the use of, any                  range hoods, in-line fans, and bathroom                 included in the 30 percent savings
                                             federal agency.10 Such term shall                       and utility room fans. DOE’s 2012 IECC                  calculation required in 10 CFR part 435
                                             include buildings built for the purpose                 determination (previously footnoted)                    as well. Also, both the 2015 IECC and
                                             of being leased by a federal agency, and                states that the 2009 IECC does not                      the 2009 IECC (the current baseline
                                             privatized military housing.’’ DOE                      require any mechanical ventilation.                     standard for 10 CFR part 435) contain
                                             believes that the main impact of this                   Section R403.5 of the 2012 IECC refers                  requirements for high-efficacy lighting
                                             definition change for this rule will be                 to the 2012 International Residential                   and, therefore, lighting should be
                                             that privatized military housing will                   Code and International Mechanical                       included in the 30 percent savings
                                             now be required to follow the                           Code which, in tandem with the 2012                     calculation as well. DOE believes that
                                             requirements of 10 CFR part 435 for                     IECC, require that a mechanical                         the impact of this change on agencies
                                             energy efficiency instead of using                      ventilation system meet these                           should be minimal as ventilation and
                                             prevailing energy efficiency standards.                 requirements or other approved means                    lighting end-uses should be part of the
                                             For example, privatized military family                 of ventilation in new homes.                            output of any residential whole building
                                             housing constructed in the state of                        DOE believes that the primary                        simulation tool that an agency might be
                                             Georgia must meet the requirements of                   technical authority on residential                      using for its calculations.
                                             10 CFR part 435, which may or may not                   ventilation is the American Society of                     This rule also updates the
                                             be the same as the Georgia energy code.                                                                         methodology used in the 30 Percent
                                                                                                     Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-
                                             This change is made solely to bring 10                                                                          Savings Calculation by directing
                                                                                                     Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
                                             CFR part 435 into agreement with 42                                                                             agencies to use the Simulated
                                                                                                     Standard 62.2 committee. Their latest
                                             U.S.C. 6832(6).                                                                                                 Performance Alternative in the 2015
                                                                                                     standard—ASHRAE Standard 62.2–
                                                                                                                                                             IECC as opposed to the Simulated
                                             B. Adding Explicit Mention of                           2013,13 is the source of many of the
                                                                                                                                                             Performance Alternative in the 2009
                                             Mechanical Ventilation Requirements in                  requirements in the 2015 IMC and 2015
                                                                                                                                                             IECC. Updates to the Simulation
                                             the 2015 IECC                                           IRC and could therefore be used as an
                                                                                                                                                             Performance Alternative in the 2015
                                                                                                     ‘‘other approved means’’ by agencies. If
                                               The 2015 IECC includes explicit                                                                               IECC from the Simulated Performance
                                                                                                     agencies wish to develop their own                      Alternative in the 2009 IECC include
                                             mechanical ventilation requirements for                 mechanical ventilation standards, they
                                             new homes. Previous editions of the                                                                             three clarifications to the
                                                                                                     may choose to request an interpretation                 documentation, calculation procedure,
                                             IECC (prior to the 2012 IECC, but                       from the ASHRAE Standard 62.2
                                             including the 2009 IECC) referred to in                                                                         and calculation software tools sections
                                                                                                     committee as to whether or not the                      that point out that all subsections in
                                             10 CFR part 435 did not explicitly                      agency’s own standard is an acceptable
                                             require mechanical ventilation. DOE                                                                             these sections must be addressed, as
                                                                                                     substitute. Agencies may submit a                       well as a number of editorial changes to
                                             believes that ensuring adequate                         request for interpretation to the
                                             ventilation is critical to ensuring good                                                                        call out specific sections in the 2015
                                                                                                     committee using the procedures                          IECC. There were also a few more
                                             indoor air quality and has therefore                    outlined at https://www.ashrae.org/
                                             explicitly added a mention of this                                                                              technical changes to the Simulated
                                                                                                     standards-research--technology/                         Performance Alternative, including a
                                             requirement in 10 CFR part 435. DOE                     standards-forms--procedures/how-to-
                                             believes the main impact of this change                                                                         change to the calculation method for the
                                                                                                     request-an-interpretation. Neither the                  internal shade fraction, a change to the
                                             will be to require agencies to use the                  2015 IMC, nor 2015 IRC, nor ASHRAE
                                             newest residential ventilation standards.                                                                       treatment of air exchange rates, a change
                                             The 2015 IECC explicitly mentions the                      11 The 2015 IMC is available for read-only
                                                                                                                                                             to the default heating system
                                             2015 International Mechanical Code                                                                              assumption in cases where electric
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                                                                                                     viewing at http://codes.iccsafe.org/app/book/toc/
                                                                                                     2015/I-Codes/2015%20IMC%20HTML/index.html.              heating without a heat pump is used,
                                                10 42 U.S.C. 6832 defines ‘‘Federal agency’’ as         12 The 2015 IRC is available for read-only viewing   and a change in how thermal
                                             ‘‘any department, agency, corporation, or other         at http://codes.iccsafe.org/app/book/toc/2015/I-        distribution system efficiency is treated.
                                             entity or instrumentality of the executive branch of    Codes/2015%20IRC%20HTML/index.html.                     There are also new requirements for
                                             the Federal Government, including the United               13 Standard 62.2–2013 is available for read-only

                                             States Postal Service, the Federal National Mortgage    viewing at https://www.ashrae.org/standards-
                                                                                                                                                             compliance documentation associated
                                             Association, and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage         research--technology/standards--guidelines/other-       with the Simulated Performance
                                             Corporation.’’                                          ashrae-standards-referenced-in-code.                    Alternative in the 2015 IECC. These


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                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                             2861

                                             requirements, while part of the 2015                    achievement of the greenhouse gas                         1. Steel-framed wall insulation, and
                                             IECC, do not apply to Federal buildings                 reduction goals set out in the CAP.                       2. Air barrier location.
                                             as they are associated with applications                E. Synopsis of Changes to the IECC                        DOE also noted another two changes
                                             for building permits and certificates of                Between the 2009 and 2015 IECC                         the effect of which was unclear:
                                             occupancy required from local code                                                                                1. Fenestration SHGC requirement in
                                             officials.                                                The IECC is updated every three years                climate zone 4, and
                                                                                                     by the International Code Council (ICC).                  2. Interior shading assumptions in the
                                             D. Other Energy Efficiency                              Between the 2009 IECC and the 2015                     performance compliance path.
                                             Requirements                                            IECC, the ICC also issued the 2012 IECC.                  DOE also noted nine additional
                                                                                                     DOE, as part of its determination
                                                DOE also notes that there are a                                                                             changes that had no apparent impact on
                                                                                                     process, evaluates each new version of
                                             number of statutory provisions,                                                                                the energy performance of the 2012
                                                                                                     the IECC for low-rise residential
                                             regulations, Executive Orders, and                                                                             IECC:
                                                                                                     buildings. The following summaries are
                                             memoranda of understanding that                                                                                   1. Clarification of the scope of the
                                                                                                     taken directly from DOE’s
                                             govern energy consumption in new                                                                               residential building section of the IECC,
                                                                                                     determinations and supporting analyses
                                             Federal buildings. These include, but                   for the 2012 IECC 15 and 2015 IECC.16                     2. Definition of a whole house
                                             are not limited to, the Executive Order                                                                        ventilation system,
                                             13693 (80 FR 15871 (March 25, 2015));                   2012 IECC Changes                                         3. A requirement for the results of the
                                             sections 323, 431, 433, 434, and 523 of                    In creating the 2012 IECC, ICC                      air leakage test to be put on the
                                             the Energy Independence and Security                    processed 27 sets of approved code                     certificate,
                                             Act of 2007 (EISA 2007); section 109 of                 change proposals. Overall, DOE found                      4. Inclusion of Visual Transmittance
                                             the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. L.                  that the majority of changes in the 2012               (VT) in the code,
                                             109–58); and 10 CFR parts 433 and 435.                  IECC appear to be positive (i.e., have a                  5. Clarification of recessed lighting
                                             This rule supports and does not                         positive impact on energy savings)                     leakage rates,
                                             supplant these other applicable                         within the context of the determination                   6. Introduction of ASHRAE Test
                                             requirements and goals for new Federal                  analysis. Of the 27 sets of changes:                   Procedure 193 for HVAC equipment
                                             buildings. For example, by designing                    • 14 were considered beneficial;                       leakage test rates,
                                             buildings to meet the 2015 IECC                         • 9 were considered neutral;                              7. Introduction of a new test standard
                                             baseline, Federal agencies also help                    • 2 were considered detrimental; and                   for home ventilation systems,
                                             achieve the energy intensity reductions                 • 2 were considered to have an                            8. Clarification for the requirement for
                                             mandated under section 431 of EISA                         unquantifiable impact.                              thermal distribution system design in
                                             2007.                                                      In the 2012 IECC, DOE noted the                     the Simulated Performance Alternative,
                                                                                                     following 14 sets of improvements:                     and
                                                Of particular significance is the                       1. Increases in prescriptive insulation
                                             Administration’s Climate Action Plan,                                                                             9. Moving of a requirement for sizing
                                                                                                     levels of walls, roofs and floors,                     of equipment from an IRC reference into
                                             (CAP), issued June 2013, in which the                      2. Decrease (improvement) in U-factor
                                             President affirmed that the Federal                                                                            the IECC.
                                                                                                     allowances for fenestration,                              All of these changes are discussed in
                                             government must position itself as a                       3. Decrease (improvement) in
                                             leader in clean energy and energy                                                                              more detail in DOE’s 2012
                                                                                                     allowable Solar Heat Gain Coefficient                  Determination.
                                             efficiency, and pledged that Federal                    (SHGC) for fenestration in warm
                                             agencies must surpass previous                          climates,                                              2015 IECC Changes
                                             greenhouse gas reduction achievements,                     4. Infiltration control: Mandated
                                                                                                                                                              In creating the 2015 IECC, ICC
                                             through a combination of consuming 20                   whole house pressure test with strict
                                                                                                                                                            processed 76 approved code change
                                             percent of Federal electricity from                     allowances for air leakage rates,
                                                                                                        5. Wall insulation when structural                  proposals. Overall, DOE found that the
                                             renewable sources by 2020, and by
                                                                                                     sheathing is used,                                     vast majority of changes in the 2015
                                             pursuing greater energy efficiency in
                                                                                                        6. Ventilation fan efficiency,                      IECC appear to be neutral (i.e., have no
                                             Federal buildings.14 Additionally, the
                                                                                                        7. Lighting—Increased fraction of                   direct impact on energy savings) within
                                             President directed that efficiency                                                                             the context of the determination
                                             standards for appliances and Federal                    lamps required to be high-efficacy,
                                                                                                        8. Air distribution systems—leakage                 analysis. DOE also found that beneficial
                                             buildings set in the first and second                                                                          changes (i.e., increased energy savings)
                                             terms combined would reduce carbon                      control requirements,
                                                                                                        9. Hot water pipe insulation and                    outweigh any changes with a
                                             pollution by at least 3 billion metric                                                                         detrimental effect on energy efficiency
                                                                                                     length requirements,
                                             tons cumulatively by 2030—equivalent                       10. Skylight definition change,                     in residential buildings. Of the 76 total
                                             to nearly one-half of the carbon                           11. Penalizing electric resistance                  changes:
                                             pollution from the entire U.S. energy                   heating in the performance compliance
                                             sector for one year. This rule, which                                                                          • 6 were considered beneficial;
                                                                                                     path,                                                  • 62 were considered neutral;
                                             DOE estimates will avoid cumulative                        12. Fireplace air leakage control,
                                             emissions of 690,200 metric tons of                                                                            • 5 were considered negligible;
                                                                                                        13. Insulating covers for in-ground
                                             carbon dioxide through 2030, directly                   spas, and                                              • 2 were considered detrimental; and
                                             supports the Administration’s                              14. Baffles for attic insulation.                   • 1 was considered to have an
                                             undertaking to make energy efficiency                      DOE also noted the following two                      unquantifiable impact.
                                             in Federal buildings an essential                       changes that decrease the efficiency of                  The 6 changes considered beneficial
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                                             stratagem in the government’s enduring                  the 2012 IECC:                                         are:


                                               14 The President’s Climate Action Plan, Office of       15 See determination at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/     16 See determination at https://

                                             the Executive Office of the President, https://         pkg/FR-2012-05-17/pdf/2012-12000.pdf. See              www.regulations.gov/document?D=EERE-2014-BT-
                                             www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/image/           analysis of energy savings at https://                 DET-0030-0007.
                                             president27sclimateactionplan.pdf, June 2013.           www.energycodes.gov/sites/default/files/
                                                                                                     documents/NationalResidentialEnergyAnalysis.pdf.



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                                             2862                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                                     Nature of change                                                                   Reason for evaluation

                                             Increases insulation requirements for return ducts in at-                Modestly reduces conduction losses from return ducts in attics.
                                               tics from R–6 to R–8.
                                             Adds requirements for demand-activated control on hot                    Demand activated control reduces the runtime of circulation pumps.
                                               water circulation systems and heat trace systems.
                                               Makes IECC, IRC, and IPC consistent and clarifies re-
                                               quirements for these systems.
                                             Deletes requirement for domestic hot water (DHW) pipe                    Energy lost due to the elimination of hot water pipe insulation on the kitchen pipe is
                                               insulation to kitchen and the generic requirement on                     typically more than made up by added insulation requirements for pipes 3⁄4 inches
                                               long/large-diameter pipes. However, adds DHW pipe                        in diameter, the most common size for trunk lines.
                                               insulation for 3⁄4-inch pipes.
                                             Adds demand control requirements for recirculating sys-                  Demand activated control reduces the runtime of circulation pumps.
                                               tems that use a cold water supply pipe to return water
                                               to the tank.
                                             Revises language requiring the code to apply to historic                 Additional buildings must meet the code requirements.
                                               buildings if no ‘‘compromise to the historic nature and
                                               function of the building’’ occurs.
                                             Adds requirement for outdoor setback control for hot                     Lowering boiler water temperature during periods of moderate outdoor temperature
                                               water boilers that controls the boiler water temperature                 reduces energy consumption of the boiler.
                                               based on the outdoor temperature.



                                               The two changes were considered
                                             detrimental were:

                                                                     Nature of change                                                                   Reason for evaluation

                                             Slightly increases sunroom U-factor ..................................   Applies to only climate zones 2 and 3; impacts only thermally isolated sunrooms.
                                             Defines a new ‘‘Tropical’’ climate zone and adds an op-                  Exception to code requirements applicable to a small number of homes in tropical
                                                tional compliance path for semi-conditioned residential                 areas.
                                                buildings with a list of pre-defined criteria to be
                                                deemed as code compliant in this climate zone.



                                             The remaining 68 changes were                              incorporation of energy efficiency                     construction. 42 U.S.C. 8259b(b)
                                             primarily editorial in nature. These                       measure more difficult or expensive).                  Although this rule does not specifically
                                             changes are discussed in more detail in                                                                           address the use of this equipment,
                                                                                                        V. Reference Resources
                                             Table III.1 in DOE’s 2015 IECC                                                                                    ENERGY STAR and FEMP-Designated
                                             Determination.                                                The Department originally prepared                  products are generally more energy
                                                                                                        this list of resources to help Federal                 efficient than the corresponding
                                             IV. Compliance Date                                        agencies achieve building energy                       requirements of the 2015 IECC, and may
                                                This final rule applies to new Federal                  efficiency levels of at least 30 percent               be used to achieve part of the savings
                                             low-rise residential buildings for which                   below the 2009 IECC. The Department                    required of Federal building designs.
                                             design for construction begins on or                       has reviewed these resources and                       Therefore, DOE lists this Web site as a
                                             after one year from the publication date                   believes that they continue to be useful               potential resource.
                                             of this rulemaking in the Federal                          for helping agencies maximize their
                                                                                                        energy efficiency levels. The                          2. Life-Cycle Cost Analysis—U.S. DOE
                                             Register. (42 U.S.C. 6834(a)(1)) Such
                                                                                                        Department has updated this resource                   Federal Energy Management Program
                                             buildings must be designed to exceed
                                             the energy efficiency level of the                         list as appropriate. These resources
                                                                                                        come in many forms and in a variety of                 http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2015/
                                             appropriate updated voluntary standard                                                                              06/f23/ashb15.pdf
                                             by 30 percent if life-cycle cost-effective.                media. Resources are provided for all
                                             However, at a minimum, such buildings                      buildings, and also specifically for low- The life-cycle cost analysis rules
                                             must achieve the energy efficiency equal                   rise residential buildings.             promulgated in 10 CFR part 436 Subpart
                                             to that of the appropriate updated                         A. Resources for Low-Rise Residential   A Life-Cycle Cost Methodology and
                                             voluntary standard. One year lead time                     Buildings                               Procedures conform to requirements in
                                             before the design for construction begins                                                          the Federal Energy Management
                                             is consistent with DOE’s previous                          1. Energy Efficient Products—U.S. DOE   Improvement Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100–
                                             updates to the energy efficiency                           Federal Energy Management Program       615) and subsequent energy
                                             baselines and the original statutory                       and U.S. Environmental Protection       conservation legislation, as well as
                                             mandate for Federal building standards.                    Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR Program        Executive Order 13693, Planning for
                                             One year lead time before design for                       http://energy.gov/eere/femp/energy-and- Federal Sustainability in the Next
                                             construction begins helps minimize                            water-efficient-products             Decade. The life-cycle cost guidance
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                                             compliance costs to agencies, which                           Federal agencies are required to     and required discount rates and energy
                                             may have planned buildings in various                      specify Federal Energy Management       price projections are determined
                                             stages of design, and allows for design                    Program (FEMP) designated or ENERGY annually by FEMP and the Energy
                                             changes to more fully consider life-cycle                  STAR equipment, including building      Information Administration, and are
                                             cost-effective measures (as opposed to                     mechanical and lighting equipment and published in the Annual Supplement to
                                             having to revise designs in                                builder-supplied appliances, for        The National Institute of Standards and
                                             development, which may make                                purchase and installation in all new    Technology Handbook 135: ‘‘Energy


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                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                                  2863

                                             Price Indices and Discount Factors for                  9. 2015 IECC—ICC                                       residential buildings sector, as well as
                                             Life-Cycle Cost Analysis’’.                             http://shop.iccsafe.org/codes/2015-                    life-cycle cost net savings. DOE
                                                                                                       international-codes-and-references/                  determined that the total incremental
                                             3. ENERGY STAR Buildings—U.S.
                                                                                                       2015-international-energy-                           first cost estimate is an increase of $4.1
                                             Environmental Protection Agency and
                                                                                                       conservation-coder-1.html                            million per year, with an average first
                                             U.S. Department of Energy
                                                                                                                                                            cost increase of $2,051 per household.
                                                                                                       The baseline energy efficiency
                                             (http://www.energystar.gov/homes)                                                                              DOE estimated $14.8 million in annual
                                                                                                     standard for low-rise residential
                                                ENERGY STAR is a government-                                                                                life-cycle cost (LCC) net savings for the
                                                                                                     buildings is the 2015 IECC.
                                             backed program helping businesses and                                                                          entire Federal low-rise residential
                                             individuals protect the environment                     10. Whole Building Design Guide—                       buildings sector with an average life-
                                             through superior energy efficiency. The                 National Institute of Building Sciences                cycle cost net savings of $7,421 per
                                             EPA program requirements for ENERGY                     http://www.wbdg.org/                                   household.
                                             STAR-labeled homes, effective as of the                   A portal providing one-stop access to                   DOE’s assumptions and methodology
                                             date of this rule, provide a useful guide               up-to-date information on a wide range                 for the cost-effectiveness of this rule are
                                             for meeting the Federal energy                          of building-related guidance, criteria                 based on DOE’s cost-effectiveness
                                             efficiency standard for low-rise                        and technology from a ‘‘whole                          analysis of the 2015 IECC,17 as well as
                                             residential buildings.                                  buildings’’ perspective.                               DOE’s Environmental Assessment (EA)
                                             4. Passive House Institute US                                                                                  for this rulemaking.18 The EA identified
                                                                                                     VI. Regulatory Analysis
                                                                                                                                                            a rate of new Federal residential
                                             http://www.phius.org/home-page                          A. Review Under Executive Order                        construction of 4,936 homes per year.
                                               This Web site provides information                    12866, ‘‘Regulatory Planning and                       As described in the EA, this estimate is
                                             on designing and building very low                      Review’’                                               derived from consideration of data from
                                             energy homes.                                              This final rule is a ‘‘significant                  a number of sources. DOE’s cost-
                                                                                                     regulatory action’’ under Executive                    effectiveness analysis of the 2015 IECC
                                             5. Energy Efficient Home Design—U.S.
                                                                                                     Order 12866, ‘‘Regulatory Planning and                 provides tables for the first cost
                                             DOE Building Technologies Program
                                                                                                     Review.’’ 58 FR 51735 (October 4, 1993).               increase, the energy savings, and the life
                                             http://energy.gov/energysaver/energy-                   Accordingly, this action was subject to                cycle costs associated with the 2015
                                                efficient-home-design                                review by the Office of Information and                IECC versus the 2012 IECC and 2009
                                                This Web site provides information                   Regulatory Affairs in the Office of                    IECC by climate zone. DOE’s cost-
                                             on energy efficient home design                         Management and Budget (OMB). OMB                       effectiveness report does not provide
                                             strategies, and technologies to support                 has completed its review. As discussed                 national average values, but does
                                             energy efficiency in residences.                        previously in this rule, DOE is required               provide sufficient weighting data so that
                                                                                                     to determine, based on the cost-                       these national averages can be
                                             6. 2012 National Green Building                                                                                calculated. The weighting data provided
                                             Standard—ICC and NAHB                                   effectiveness, whether the standards for
                                                                                                     Federal buildings should be updated to                 in the cost-effectiveness report is used
                                             http://shop.iccsafe.org/2012-national-                  reflect an amendment to the IECC                       to generate the rows labeled ‘‘National
                                               green-building-standard-icc-700-                      standard. As stated in this preamble,                  Average’’ in Tables 1, 2, and 3 in this
                                               2012.html                                             DOE complied with the statutory                        preamble.
                                               This standard provides requirements                   language by analyzing the cost-                          Table 1 lists the increased first costs
                                             for building high-efficiency and green                  effectiveness of the 2015 IECC, and                    associated with the 2015 IECC for a
                                             homes and multi-family buildings.                       through DOE’s involvement in the ICC                   standard 2,400 ft2 prototypical home
                                                                                                     code development process, including                    and a standard 1,200 ft2 prototypical
                                             7. LEED for Homes—US Green Building                     consideration of the cost-effectiveness of             apartment/condo building. DOE
                                             Council                                                 the 2015 IECC.                                         believes that the majority of Federal
                                             http://www.usgbc.org/articles/getting-                     DOE has also reviewed this regulation               low-rise residential construction will be
                                               know-leed-homes-design-and-                           pursuant to Executive Order 13563,                     single family homes built by the
                                               construction                                          issued on January 18, 2011. 76 FR 3281                 Department of Defense (or their
                                                                                                     (January 21, 2011). E.O. 13563 is
                                                This certification system provides                   supplemental to and explicitly reaffirms                  17 DOE’s Cost Effectiveness report on the 2015
                                             requirements for building high-                         the principles, structures, and                        IECC is ‘‘National Cost-Effectiveness of the
                                             efficiency and green homes and multi-                   definitions governing regulatory review                Residential Provisions of the 2015 IECC’’, PNNL–
                                             family buildings.                                       established in Executive Order 12866.                  24240, Mendon et al, June 2015. Available at
                                                                                                                                                            https://www.energycodes.gov/sites/default/files/
                                             8. Green Globes—The Green Building                         Review under Executive Order 12866                  documents/2015IECC_CE_Residential.pdf.
                                             Initiative                                              requires an analysis of the economic                      18 The Environmental Assessment (EA) (DOE/EA–

                                                                                                     effect of the rule. For this purpose, DOE              2020) is entitled, ‘‘Environmental Assessment for
                                             http://www.thegbi.org/                                  estimated incremental first cost (in this              Final Rule, 10 CFR part 435, ‘Energy Efficiency
                                                This certification provides                          case, the difference between the cost of               Standards for New Federal Low-Rise Residential
                                                                                                                                                            Buildings,’ Baseline Standards Update’’. The EA
                                             requirements for building high-                         a building designed to meet the 2015                   may be found in the docket for this rulemaking and
                                             efficiency and green multi-family                       IECC and a building designed to meet                   at https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/12/f34/
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                                             buildings.                                              the 2009 IECC) for the Federal low-rise                EA-2020-FEA-2016.pdf.




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                                             2864                       Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                             privatization contractors), but there is a                                 so the results of DOE’s first cost analysis                       new homes and apartments/condos
                                             possibility that some Federal low-rise                                     are shown in full. The 2015 IECC does                             compared to the 2009 IECC in all
                                             multi-family buildings could be built,19                                   increase the first cost of construction of                        climate zones in the United States.

                                                                       TABLE 1—TOTAL INCREMENTAL FIRST COST FOR 2015 IECC COMPARED TO THE 2009 IECC
                                                                                                                                                         2,400 ft 2 house                                           1,200 ft 2 apartment/condo a

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Slab,
                                                                    Climate zone                                                                                       Unheated            Heated                    unheated                  Heated
                                                                                                                               Slab-on-grade                         basement, or         basement                 basement, or               basement
                                                                                                                                                                      crawlspace                                    crawlspace

                                             1 .................................................................                                        $1,585                $1,553               $1,553                         $848               $848
                                             1-tropical b ..................................................                                             1,152                 1,152                1,152                          848                 848
                                             2 .................................................................                                         1,920                 1,888                1,888                          968                 968
                                             3 .................................................................                                         2,495                 2,463                2,463                        1,175               1,175
                                             4 .................................................................                                         2,005                 1,973                1,973                        1,012               1,012
                                             5 .................................................................                                         1,493                 1,461                1,715                          827                 865
                                             6 .................................................................                                         2,718                 2,686                2,686                        1,266               1,266
                                             7 .................................................................                                         2,718                 2,686                2,686                        1,266               1,266
                                             8 .................................................................                                         2,718                 2,686                2,686                        1,266               1,266
                                             National Average .......................................                                                    2,060                 2,028                2,081                        1,026               1,034
                                             Foundation Weight c ...................................                                                     0.479                 0.379                0.142                        0.858               0.142
                                               a For multifamily homes with an oil-fired boiler, an additional incremental cost of $30.55 for the outdoor air temperature reset applies to all cli-
                                             mate zones.
                                               b This cost applies to 35% of all new single-family homes in the tropical climate zone. The tropical climate zone accounts for around 50% of all
                                             new single-family construction starts in climate zone 1.
                                               c Foundation weights from Table 1.3 of the 2015 IECC Cost-Effectiveness Report.




                                                The first cost data shown in Table 1                                    would be accompanied by a reduction                                   TABLE 2—AVERAGE ANNUAL ENERGY
                                             can be further aggregated by foundation                                    in energy costs and an increase in life                                COST SAVINGS FOR THE 2015 IECC
                                             type using the foundation type                                             cycle cost savings.                                                    COMPARED TO THE 2009 IECC—
                                             weightings found in the 2015 IECC Cost-                                      The estimated energy cost savings
                                                                                                                                                                                               Continued
                                             Effectiveness report (and also shown in                                    associated with the 2015 IECC is shown
                                             Table 1 in the row labeled ‘‘Foundation                                    in Table 2. This table is based on a                                                                             Average annual
                                             Weights’’). The results of that weighting                                  combination of single-family homes and                                                                             energy cost
                                                                                                                                                                                                    Climate zone
                                             indicate that the typical first cost of a                                  apartments/condos as described in                                                                                     savings
                                             home would be $2,051 and that of an                                        DOE’s cost-effectiveness report. While                                                                           ($/residence-yr)
                                             apartment/condo would be $1,027.                                           the weighting of homes and apartments/
                                                                                                                                                                                          National Average ............                                315
                                             These first cost increases should be                                       condos may not be identical in the
                                             compared to the estimated first cost of                                    private and Federal sectors, the trends
                                                                                                                        are similar for both single-family homes                            The life-cycle cost impact of the 2015
                                             new Federal low-rise residential                                                                                                             IECC is shown in Table 3. Again, these
                                             construction, but that information is not                                  and apartments/condos. The 2015 IECC
                                                                                                                        saves a considerable amount of energy                             values represent the combination of
                                             typically publicly available. Instead,                                                                                                       single-family homes and apartments/
                                             DOE has chosen to compare these costs                                      costs over the 2009 IECC in all climate
                                                                                                                        zones in the United States.                                       condos, but the trends are clear. The
                                             to typical costs in the private sector.                                                                                                      2015 IECC has large life cycle cost-
                                                The National Association of Realtors                                                                                                      savings in all climate zones in the U.S.
                                                                                                                            TABLE 2—AVERAGE ANNUAL ENERGY
                                             (NAR) in a press release dated
                                             September 21, 2015 states that the                                              COST SAVINGS FOR THE 2015 IECC
                                                                                                                                                                                              TABLE 3—TOTAL LIFE CYCLE COST
                                             median U.S. single family home price                                            COMPARED TO THE 2009 IECC
                                                                                                                                                                                              SAVINGS FOR THE 2015 IECC COM-
                                             was $230,200 in August 2015.20 The                                                                                                               PARED TO THE 2009 IECC
                                                                                                                                                                     Average annual
                                             $2,051 cost increase represents                                                                                           energy cost
                                             approximately 0.9% of the average cost                                               Climate zone                            savings                                                         Total life cycle
                                             of a new home. As previously stated,                                                                                    ($/residence-yr)               Climate zone                           cost savings
                                             DOE does not believe that a large                                                                                                                                                           ($/residence-yr)
                                             fraction of Federal low-rise construction                                  1   ......................................                 $179
                                                                                                                        2   ......................................                  220   1   ......................................              +$4,418
                                             falls under this rule, but for comparison,                                                                                                   2   ......................................               +5,725
                                                                                                                        3   ......................................                  256
                                             the same NAR press release lists the                                       4   ......................................                  353   3   ......................................               +6,569
                                             price for condominiums at $217,400.                                        5   ......................................                  353   4   ......................................               +8,088
                                             The $1,027 cost increase for                                               6   ......................................                  497   5   ......................................               +7,697
                                             condominiums represents a 0.5%                                             7   ......................................                  841   6   ......................................              +11,231
                                             increase. Any increase in first cost                                       8   ......................................                1,199   7   ......................................              +17,525
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                                                19 DOE’s main source of Federal construction                            regulated under the Federal building energy                       rooms, and physical training facilities and are
                                             information, the Federal Real Property Profile, does                       efficiency standards for commercial and high-rise                 therefore designed by DOD using the Federal
                                             list Family Housing and Barracks/Apartments as                             multi-family buildings. While Barracks may be                     commercial and high-rise multi-family
                                             separate categories but does not differentiate                             envisioned long low buildings containing rows of                  requirements.
                                             Barracks/Apartments on the basis of number of                              cots, this vision is driven primarily by old-style                  20 See http://www.realtor.org/news-releases/2015/

                                             stories. DOE assumes the all Family Housing would                          barracks from the past. DOD’s new training barracks               09/existing-home-sales-stall-in-august-prices-
                                             fall under this rule, while Barracks/Apartments are                        tend to combine sleeping accommodations, class                    moderate.



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                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                                   2865

                                                TABLE 3—TOTAL LIFE CYCLE COST                                for the design and construction of new                 Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended
                                                SAVINGS FOR THE 2015 IECC COM-                               Federal buildings, is a rule relating to               (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and DOE’s
                                                PARED TO THE 2009 IECC—Contin-                               public property, and therefore is not                  NEPA Implementing Procedures (10
                                                ued                                                          subject to the rulemaking requirements                 CFR part 1021).
                                                                                                             of the Administrative Procedure Act,                      The EA addresses the possible
                                                                                         Total life cycle    including the requirement to publish a
                                                                                                                                                                    incremental environmental effects
                                                      Climate zone                        cost savings       notice of proposed rulemaking. (See 5
                                                                                        ($/residence-yr)                                                            attributable to the application of the
                                                                                                             U.S.C. 553(a)(2))
                                                                                                                                                                    final rule. The only anticipated impact
                                             8 ......................................            +24,003     C. Review Under the Regulatory                         would be a decrease in outdoor air
                                             National Average ............                        +7,421     Flexibility Act                                        pollutants resulting from decreased
                                                                                                        The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5                           fossil fuel burning for energy use in
                                               Multiplying the estimated 4936 new                    U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires the                               Federal buildings. Therefore, DOE has
                                             Federal homes per year by the national                  preparation of an initial regulatory                           issued a Finding of No Significant
                                             average values in Tables 1, 2, and 3                    flexibility analysis for any rule that by                      Impact (FONSI), pursuant to NEPA, the
                                             provides a summary of annual cost                       law must be proposed for public                                regulations of the Council on
                                             increases, energy savings, and first cost-              comment, unless the agency certifies                           Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts
                                             increases for the entire Federal low-rise               that the rule, if promulgated, will not                        1500–1508), and DOE’s regulations for
                                             sector shown in Table 4.                                have a significant economic impact on                          compliance with NEPA (10 CFR part
                                                                                                     a substantial number of small entities.                        1021).
                                              TABLE 4—ANNUAL NATIONAL AVERAGE As required by Executive Order 13272,
                                                FIRST COST INCREASE, ENERGY Proper Consideration of Small Entities                                                     To identify the potential
                                                SAVINGS, AND LIFE CYCLE COST in Agency Rulemaking, 67 FR 53461                                                      environmental impacts that may result
                                                SAVINGS FOR FEDERAL LOW RISE (August 16, 2002), DOE published                                                       from implementing the final rule on
                                                RESIDENTIAL SECTOR FOR THE 2015 procedures and policies on February 19,                                             new Federal low-rise residential
                                                                                                     2003, to ensure that the potential                             buildings, DOE compared the
                                                IECC COMPARED TO 2009 IECC
                                                                                                     impacts of its rules on small entities are                     requirements of the final rule updating
                                                                                 Annual national     properly considered during the                                 energy efficiency performance standard
                                                       Metric                    average fist cost   rulemaking process, 68 FR 7990. The                            for Federal new low-rise residential
                                                                                     increase                                                                       buildings to 2015 IECC with the ‘‘no-
                                                                                      (million)      Department has made its procedures
                                                                                                     and policies available on the Office of                        action alternative’’ of using the current
                                             Incremental First Cost In-                              General Counsel’s Web site: http://                            Federal standards (the 2009 IECC). This
                                                crease .........................               $9.24 energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel.                          comparison is identical to that
                                             Energy Savings ..............                      1.55    DOE has determined that a notice of                         undertaken by DOE in its
                                             Life Cycle Cost Savings                            36.6 proposed rulemaking is not required by                         determinations of energy savings of
                                                                                                     5 U.S.C. 553 or any other law for                              those standards and codes.
                                             B. Administrative Procedure Act                         issuance of this rule. As such, the                               Accordingly, DOE concludes in the
                                                DOE notes that the determination                     analytical requirements of the                                 EA that new Federal buildings designed
                                             regarding the 2015 IECC in the context                  Regulatory Flexibility Act do not apply.                       and constructed to the 2015 IECC will
                                             of State building codes was subject to                  D. Review Under the Paperwork                                  use less energy than new Federal
                                             notice and comment in evaluating the                    Reduction Act of 1995                                          buildings designed and constructed to
                                             voluntary consensus codes. See 79 FR                                                                                   the 2009 IECC because the 2015 IECC is
                                             57915 (September 26, 2014) for the                         This rulemaking will impose no new
                                                                                                                                                                    more efficient than 2009 IECC. This
                                             preliminary determination and 80 FR                     information or record keeping
                                                                                                     requirements. Accordingly, Office of                           decrease in energy usage translates to
                                             33250 (June 11, 2015) for the final                                                                                    reduced emissions of carbon dioxide
                                             determination. DOE also notes that the                  Management and Budget (OMB)
                                                                                                     clearance is not required under the                            (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and
                                             determination regarding the 2012 IECC                                                                                  mercury (Hg) over the thirty-year period
                                             in the context of State building codes                  Paperwork Reduction Act. (44 U.S.C.
                                                                                                     3501 et seq).                                                  examined in the EA. Cumulative
                                             was subject to notice and comment in                                                                                   emission reductions for 30 years of
                                             evaluating the voluntary consensus                      E. Review Under the National                                   construction (2018 through 2047) and
                                             codes. See 76 FR 42688 (July 19, 2011)                  Environmental Policy Act of 1969                               30 years of energy reduction for each
                                             for the preliminary determination and
                                                                                                        The Department prepared an                                  building built during that period can be
                                             77 FR 29322 (May 17, 2012) for the final
                                                                                                     Environmental     Assessment (EA) (DOE/                        estimated at up to 4,114,800 metric tons
                                             determination. The determinations
                                                                                                     EA–2020)    entitled,  ‘‘Environmental                         of CO2, up to 3,147 metric tons of NOX,
                                             made in the context of the State codes
                                             are equally applicable in the context of                Assessment    for  Final  Rule, 10 CFR part                    and up to 0.0338 metric tons of Hg. DOE
                                             Federal buildings. DOE finds that                       435,  ‘Energy  Efficiency    Standards for                     conducted a separate calculation to
                                             providing notice and comment on the                     New    Federal  Low-Rise     Residential                       determine emissions reductions relative
                                             determinations again in the context of                  Buildings,’ Baseline Standards                                 to the targets identified in the CAP. This
                                             Federal buildings would be                              Update,’’ 21 pursuant to the Council on                        calculation showed that the cumulative
                                             unnecessary. The fact that the voluntary                Environmental     Quality’s (CEQ)                              reduction in CO2 emissions through
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                                             consensus codes apply to Federal                        Regulations   for  Implementing the                            2030 amounts to 690,220 metric tons of
                                             buildings as opposed to the general                     Procedural   Provisions    of the National                     CO2.22
                                             building stock does not require a                       Environmental     Policy   Act   (40 CFR parts
                                             different evaluation of energy efficiency               1500–1508),    the  National    Environmental                    22 See discussion of CAP calculations in footnote

                                             and cost-effectiveness. Additionally,                                                                                  12 on page 23 of the EA for this rule. The EA may
                                                                                                       21 The EA may be found in the docket for this                be found in the docket for this rulemaking and at
                                             DOE notes that this rule, which updates rulemaking and at https://energy.gov/sites/prod/                               https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/12/f34/EA-
                                             energy efficiency performance standards files/2016/12/f34/EA-2020-FEA-2016.pdf.                                        2020-FEA-2016.pdf.



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                                             2866               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                             F. Review Under Executive Order 13132,                  review regulations in light of applicable              prepare a Family Policymaking
                                             ‘‘Federalism’’                                          standards in section 3(a) and section                  Assessment.
                                                Executive Order 13132, ‘‘Federalism,’’               3(b) to determine whether they are met
                                                                                                                                                            J. Review Under Executive Order 12630,
                                             64 FR 43255 (August 4, 1999), imposes                   or it is unreasonable to meet one or
                                                                                                                                                            ‘‘Governmental Actions and
                                             certain requirements on agencies                        more of them. DOE has completed the
                                                                                                                                                            Interference With Constitutionally
                                             formulating and implementing policies                   required review and determined that, to
                                                                                                                                                            Protected Property Rights’’
                                             or regulations that preempt State law or                the extent permitted by law, this rule
                                                                                                     meets the relevant standards of                           The Department has determined,
                                             that have federalism implications. The                                                                         under Executive Order 12630,
                                             Executive Order requires agencies to                    Executive Order 12988.
                                                                                                                                                            ‘‘Governmental Actions and Interference
                                             examine the constitutional and statutory                H. Review Under the Unfunded                           with Constitutionally Protected Property
                                             authority supporting any action that                    Mandates Reform Act of 1995                            Rights’’ 53 FR 8859 (March 18, 1988)
                                             would limit the policymaking discretion                    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates                   that this rule would not result in any
                                             of the States and to carefully assess the               Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Pub. L.                     takings which might require
                                             necessity for such actions. The                         104–4) requires each Federal agency to                 compensation under the Fifth
                                             Executive Order also requires agencies                  assess the effects of Federal regulatory               Amendment to the United States
                                             to have an accountable process to                       actions on State, local, and tribal                    Constitution.
                                             ensure meaningful and timely input by                   governments and the private sector. For
                                             State and local officials in the                                                                               K. Review Under the Treasury and
                                                                                                     a proposed regulatory action likely to
                                             development of regulatory policies that                                                                        General Government Appropriations
                                                                                                     result in a rule that may cause the
                                             have federalism implications. On March                                                                         Act, 2001
                                                                                                     expenditure by State, local, and tribal
                                             14, 2000, DOE published a statement of                  governments, in the aggregate, or by the                 Section 515 of the Treasury and
                                             policy describing the intergovernmental                 private sector of $100 million or more                 General Government Appropriations
                                             consultation process it will follow in the              in any one year (adjusted annually for                 Act, 2001 (44 U.S.C. 3516, note)
                                             development of such regulations, 65 FR                  inflation), section 202 of UMRA requires               provides for agencies to review most
                                             13735. DOE examined this rule and                       a Federal agency to publish a written                  disseminations of information to the
                                             determined that it does not preempt                     statement that estimates the resulting                 public under guidelines established by
                                             State law and does not have a                           costs, benefits, and other effects on the              each agency pursuant to general
                                             substantial direct effect on the States, on             national economy. (2 U.S.C. 1532(a) and                guidelines issued by OMB. OMB’s
                                             the relationship between the national                   (b)) The UMRA also requires a Federal                  guidelines were published at 67 FR
                                             government and the States, or on the                    agency to develop an effective process                 8452 (February 22, 2002), and DOE’s
                                             distribution of power and                               to permit timely input by elected                      guidelines were published at 67 FR
                                             responsibilities among the various                      officers of State, local, and tribal                   62446 (October 7, 2002). DOE has
                                             levels of Government. No further action                 governments on a proposed ‘‘significant                reviewed this final rule under the OMB
                                             is required by Executive Order 13132.                   intergovernmental mandate’’ and                        and DOE guidelines and has concluded
                                                                                                     requires an agency plan for giving notice              that it is consistent with applicable
                                             G. Review Under Executive Order
                                                                                                     and opportunity for timely input to                    policies in those guidelines.
                                             12988, ‘‘Civil Justice Reform’’
                                                                                                     potentially affected small governments                 L. Review Under Executive Order 13211,
                                                With respect to the review of existing               before establishing any requirements
                                             regulations and the promulgation of                                                                            ‘‘Actions Concerning Regulations That
                                                                                                     that might significantly or uniquely                   Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
                                             new regulations, section 3(a) of                        affect small governments. On March 18,
                                             Executive Order 12988, ‘‘Civil Justice                                                                         Distribution, or Use’’
                                                                                                     1997, DOE published a statement of
                                             Reform,’’ 61 FR 4729 (February 7, 1996),                policy on its process for                                 Executive Order 13211, ‘‘Actions
                                             imposes on Federal agencies the general                 intergovernmental consultation under                   Concerning Regulations That
                                             duty to adhere to the following                         UMRA (62 FR 12820) (also available at                  Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
                                             requirements: (1) Eliminate drafting                    http://energy.gov/gc/office-general-                   Distribution, or Use,’’ 66 FR 28355 (May
                                             errors and ambiguity; (2) write                         counsel). This final rule contains                     22, 2001), requires Federal agencies to
                                             regulations to minimize litigation; and                 neither an intergovernmental mandate                   prepare and submit to the Office of
                                             (3) provide a clear legal standard for                  nor a mandate that may result in the                   Information and Regulatory Affairs
                                             affected conduct, rather than a general                 expenditure of $100 million or more in                 (OIRA), Office of Management and
                                             standard and promote simplification                     any year by State, local, and tribal                   Budget, a Statement of Energy Effects for
                                             and burden reduction. Section 3(b) of                   governments, in the aggregate, or by the               any proposed significant energy action.
                                             Executive Order 12988 specifically                      private sector, so these requirements                  A ‘‘significant energy action’’ is defined
                                             requires that Executive agencies make                   under the Unfunded Mandates Reform                     as any action by an agency that
                                             every reasonable effort to ensure that the              Act do not apply.                                      promulgated or is expected to lead to
                                             regulation: (1) Clearly specifies the                                                                          promulgation of a final rule, and that:
                                             preemptive effect, if any; (2) clearly                  I. Review Under the Treasury and                       (1) Is a significant regulatory action
                                             specifies any effect on existing Federal                General Government Appropriations                      under Executive Order 12866, or any
                                             law or regulation; (3) provides a clear                 Act of 1999                                            successor order; and (2) is likely to have
                                             legal standard for affected conduct,                       Section 654 of the Treasury and                     a significant adverse effect on the
                                             while promoting simplification and                      General Government Appropriations                      supply, distribution, or use of energy, or
                                             burden reduction; (4) specifies the                     Act of 1999 (Pub. L. 105–277) requires                 (3) is designated by the Administrator of
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                                             retroactive effect, if any; (5) adequately              Federal agencies to issue a Family                     OIRA as a significant energy action. For
                                             defines key terms; and (6) addresses                    Policymaking Assessment for any rule                   any proposed significant energy action,
                                             other important issues affecting clarity                that may affect family well-being. This                the agency must give a detailed
                                             and general draftsmanship under any                     final rule would not have any impact on                statement of any adverse effects on
                                             guidelines issued by the Attorney                       the autonomy or integrity of the family                energy supply, distribution, or use
                                             General. Section 3(c) of Executive Order                as an institution. Accordingly, DOE has                should the proposal be implemented,
                                             12988 requires Executive agencies to                    concluded that it is not necessary to                  and of reasonable alternatives to the


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                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                             2867

                                             action and their expected benefits on                   revisions, including procedures for                      Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6831–6832; 6834–
                                             energy supply, distribution, and use.                   timely, documented, consensus action                   6836; 42 U.S.C. 8253–54, 42 U.S.C. 7101 et
                                             DOE’s Energy Information                                on requested changes to the IECC. The                  seq.
                                             Administration (EIA) estimates that new                 2015 IECC was published in 2014.                       ■ 2. Section 435.2 is amended by:
                                             construction in the residential sector                  However, DOE is unable to conclude                     ■ a. Adding in alphabetical order the
                                             will range from average about 81 million                whether the IECC fully complies with                   definition of ‘‘IECC Baseline Building
                                             households in the US in 2016, with a                    the requirements of section 32(b) of the               2015’’; and
                                             growth rate of roughly 0.8% per year                    FEAA (i.e., whether they were                          ■ b. Revising the definition of ‘‘New
                                             which is equivalent to about 648,000                    developed in a manner that fully                       Federal building’’.
                                             new households per year.23 This rule is                 provides for public participation,                       The revision and addition read as
                                             expected to incrementally reduce the                    comment, and review). DOE has                          follows:
                                             energy usage of approximately 4936 24                   consulted with both the Attorney                       § 435.2   Definitions.
                                             units of Federal low-rise residential                   General and the Chairman of the FTC
                                                                                                                                                            *     *     *     *     *
                                             construction annually. Thus, the rule                   about the impact on competition of
                                                                                                                                                               IECC Baseline Building 2015 means a
                                             represents approximately 0.76% of the                   using the methods contained in these
                                                                                                                                                            building that is otherwise identical to
                                             expected annual U.S. construction in                    standards and has received no
                                                                                                                                                            the proposed building but is designed to
                                             2017, and less in every succeeding year.                comments objecting to their use.
                                                                                                                                                            meet, but not exceed, the energy
                                             This final rule would not have a
                                                                                                     N. Description of Materials Incorporated               efficiency specifications in the ICC IECC
                                             significant adverse effect on the supply,
                                                                                                     by Reference                                           2015 (incorporated by reference, see
                                             distribution, or use of energy and,
                                                                                                       In this rule, DOE incorporates by                    § 435.3).
                                             therefore, is not a significant energy
                                             action. Accordingly, DOE has not                        reference the ICC 2015 IECC,                           *     *     *     *     *
                                             prepared a Statement of Energy Effects.                 International Energy Conservation Code,                   New Federal building means any new
                                                                                                     Copyright 2014. This U.S. standard                     building (including a complete
                                             M. Review Under Section 32 of the                       provides minimum requirements for                      replacement of an existing building
                                             Federal Energy Administration Act of                    energy efficient designs for low-rise                  from the foundation up) to be
                                             1974                                                    residential buildings. Copies of this                  constructed by, or for the use of, any
                                               Under section 301 of the Department                   standard are available from the                        federal agency. Such term shall include
                                             of Energy Organization Act (Pub. L. 95–                 International Code Council, 4051 West                  buildings built for the purpose of being
                                             91), DOE must comply with section 32                    Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, IL                 leased by a federal agency, and
                                             of the Federal Energy Administration                    60478, 1–888–422–7233, http://                         privatized military housing.
                                             Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93–275), as                        www.iccsafe.org.                                       *     *     *     *     *
                                             amended by the Federal Energy                           VII. Congressional Notification                        ■ 3. Revise § 435.3(b) to read as follows:
                                             Administration Authorization Act of
                                             1977 (Pub. L. 95–70). (15 U.S.C. 788)                     As required by 5 U.S.C. 801, DOE will                § 435.3 Materials incorporated by
                                             Section 32 provides that where a                        report to Congress on the promulgation                 reference.
                                             proposed rule authorizes or requires use                of this rule prior to its effective date.              *      *     *    *     *
                                             of commercial standards, the NOPR                       The report will state that it has been                    (b) ICC. International Code Council,
                                             must inform the public of the use and                   determined that the rule is not a ‘‘major              4051 West Flossmoor Road, Country
                                             background of such standards. In                        rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).                  Club Hills, IL 60478, 1–888–422–7233,
                                             addition, section 32(c) requires DOE to                 VIII. Approval of the Office of the                    or go to http://www.iccsafe.org/.
                                             consult with the Department of Justice                  Secretary                                                 (1) ICC International Energy
                                             (DOJ) and the Federal Trade                                                                                    Conservation Code (IECC), 2004
                                                                                                       The Secretary of Energy has approved                 Supplement Edition (‘‘IECC 2004’’),
                                             Commission (FTC) concerning the
                                                                                                     publication of this final rule.                        January 2005, IBR approved for
                                             impact of the commercial or industry
                                             standards on competition.                               List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 435                    §§ 435.2, 435.4, 435.5;
                                               Although section 32 specifically refers                                                                         (2) ICC International Energy
                                                                                                       Buildings and facilities, Energy                     Conservation Code (IECC), 2009 Edition
                                             to the proposed rule stage, DOE is                      conservation, Federal buildings and
                                             meeting these requirements at the final                                                                        (‘‘IECC 2009’’), January 2009, IBR
                                                                                                     facilities, Housing, Incorporation by                  approved for §§ 435.2, 435.4, 435.5.
                                             rule stage because there was no                         reference.
                                             proposed rule for this action. This final                                                                         (3) ICC International Energy
                                             rule incorporates testing methods                         Issued in Washington, DC, on December                Conservation Code (IECC), 2015 Edition
                                                                                                     28, 2016.                                              (‘‘IECC 2015’’), published May 30, 2014,
                                             contained in the following commercial
                                             standard: ICC 2015 IECC, International                  David J. Friedman,                                     IBR approved for §§ 435.2, 435.4, 435.5.
                                             Energy Conservation Code, 2014,                         Acting Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency          ■ 4. Section 435.4 is amended by:
                                             International Code Council, ISBN 978–                   and Renewable Energy.                                  ■ a. Revising the introductory text of
                                             1–60983–486–9.                                            For the reasons set forth in the                     paragraph (a)(2);
                                               DOE has evaluated these standards                     preamble, the Department of Energy                     ■ b. Adding paragraph (a)(3); and
                                             and notes that the IECC Standard is                     amends part 435 of chapter II of title 10              ■ c. Revising paragraph (b).
                                             developed under ICC’s governmental                      of the Code of Federal Regulations as set                 The revisions and addition reads as
                                             consensus standard procedures, and is                   forth below:                                           follows:
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                                             under a three-year maintenance cycle.                                                                          § 435.4 Energy efficiency performance
                                             ICC has established a program for                       PART 435—ENERGY EFFICIENCY
                                                                                                                                                            standard.
                                             regular publication of errata and                       STANDARDS FOR THE DESIGN AND
                                                                                                     CONSTRUCTION OF NEW FEDERAL                              (a) * * *
                                               23 See Table A4 of the 2016 Annual Energy             LOW-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS                           (2) All Federal agencies shall design
                                             Outlook at http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/.                                                                  new Federal buildings that are low-rise
                                               24 See Environmental Assessment for this rule for     ■ 1. The authority citation for part 435               residential buildings, for which design
                                             origin of the 4936 homes estimate.                      continues to read as follows:                          for construction began on or after


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                                             2868               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                             August 10, 2012, but before January 10,                 building by using the Simulated                        Points, and subsequent amendments can
                                             2018 to:                                                Performance Alternative found in                       be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/
                                             *      *      *     *     *                             section R405 of the IECC 2015                          air_traffic/publications/. For further
                                               (3) All Federal agencies shall design                 (incorporated by reference, see § 435.3).              information, you can contact the
                                             new Federal buildings that are low-rise                 [FR Doc. 2017–00025 Filed 1–9–17; 8:45 am]             Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation
                                             residential buildings, for which design                 BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
                                                                                                                                                            Administration, 800 Independence
                                             for construction began on or after                                                                             Avenue SW., Washington, DC, 20591;
                                             January 10, 2018 to:                                                                                           telephone: 202–267–8783. The Order is
                                               (i) Meet the IECC 2015, (incorporated                 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                           also available for inspection at the
                                             by reference, see § 435.3), including the                                                                      National Archives and Records
                                             mandatory mechanical ventilation                        Federal Aviation Administration                        Administration (NARA). For
                                             requirements in Section R403.6 of the                                                                          information on the availability of FAA
                                             2015 IECC; and                                          14 CFR Part 71                                         Order 7400.11A at NARA, call 202–741–
                                               (ii) If life-cycle cost-effective, achieve                                                                   6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/
                                                                                                     [Docket No. FAA–2016–8833; Airspace                    federal_register/code_of_federal-
                                             energy consumption levels, calculated                   Docket No. 16–ACE–8]
                                             consistent with paragraph (b) of this                                                                          regulations/ibr_locations.html.
                                             section, that are at least 30 percent                   Amendment of Class E Airspace for                         FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace
                                             below the levels of the IECC Baseline                   the Following Iowa Towns; Algona, IA;                  Designations and Reporting Points, is
                                             Building 2015.                                          Ankeny, IA; Atlantic, IA; Belle Plane,                 published yearly and effective on
                                               (b)(1) For new Federal low-rise                       IA; Creston, IA; Estherville, IA;                      September 15.
                                             residential buildings whose design for                  Grinnell, IA; Guthrie Center, IA; and                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                             construction began before January 10,                   Oelwein, IA                                            Jeffrey Claypool, Federal Aviation
                                             2018, energy consumption for the                                                                               Administration, Operations Support
                                             purposes of calculating the 30 percent                  AGENCY:  Federal Aviation                              Group, Central Service Center, 10101
                                             savings shall include space heating,                    Administration (FAA), DOT.                             Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX
                                             space cooling, and domestic water                       ACTION: Final rule.                                    76177; telephone (817) 222–5711.
                                             heating.                                                                                                       SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                               (2) For new Federal low-rise                          SUMMARY:   This action modifies Class E
                                             residential buildings whose design for                  surface area at Ankeny Regional Airport,               Authority for This Rulemaking
                                             construction began on or after before                   Ankeny, IA; and Class E airspace
                                                                                                     extending upward from 700 feet above                     The FAA’s authority to issue rules
                                             January 10, 2018, energy consumption                                                                           regarding aviation safety is found in
                                             for the purposes of calculating the 30                  the surface at Algona Municipal Airport,
                                                                                                     Algona, IA; Ankeny Regional Airport;                   Title 49 of the United States Code.
                                             percent savings shall include space                                                                            Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the
                                             heating, space cooling, lighting,                       Atlantic Municipal Airport, Atlantic, IA;
                                                                                                     Belle Plaine Municipal Airport, Belle                  authority of the FAA Administrator.
                                             mechanical ventilation, and domestic                                                                           Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
                                             water heating.                                          Plaine, IA; Creston Municipal Airport,
                                                                                                     Creston, IA; Estherville Municipal                     describes in more detail the scope of the
                                             *      *      *     *     *                             Airport, Estherville, IA; Grinnell                     agency’s authority. This rulemaking is
                                             ■ 5. Revise § 435.5 to read as follows:                 Regional Airport, Grinnell, IA; Guthrie                promulgated under the authority
                                                                                                     County Regional Airport, Guthrie                       described in Subtitle VII, Part A,
                                             § 435.5   Performance level determination.                                                                     Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that
                                                                                                     Center, IA; and Oelwein Municipal
                                               (a) For new Federal buildings for                                                                            section, the FAA is charged with
                                                                                                     Airport, Oelwein, IA. Decommissioning
                                             which design for construction began on                                                                         prescribing regulations to assign the use
                                                                                                     of non-directional radio beacons (NDB),
                                             or after January 3, 2007, but before                                                                           of airspace necessary to ensure the
                                                                                                     cancellation of NDB approaches, and
                                             August 10, 2012, each Federal agency                                                                           safety of aircraft and the efficient use of
                                                                                                     implementation of area navigation
                                             shall determine energy consumption                                                                             airspace. This regulation is within the
                                                                                                     (RNAV) procedures have made this
                                             levels for both the IECC Baseline                                                                              scope of that authority as it amends
                                                                                                     action necessary for the safety and
                                             Building 2004 and proposed building by                                                                         Class E surface area at Ankeny Regional
                                                                                                     management of Instrument Flight Rules
                                             using the Simulated Performance                                                                                Airport, Ankeny, IA; and Class E
                                                                                                     (IFR) operations at these airports.
                                             Alternative found in section 404 of the                                                                        airspace extending upward from 700
                                                                                                     Additionally, the geographic
                                             IECC 2004 (incorporated by reference,                                                                          feet above the surface at Algona
                                                                                                     coordinates for Algona Municipal
                                             see § 435.3).                                                                                                  Municipal Airport, Algona, IA; Ankeny
                                                                                                     Airport, Atlantic Municipal Airport, and
                                               (b) For new Federal buildings for                                                                            Regional Airport; Atlantic Municipal
                                                                                                     Grinnell Regional Airport are being
                                             which design for construction began on                                                                         Airport, Atlantic, IA; Belle Plaine
                                                                                                     adjusted to coincide with the FAA’s
                                             or after August 10, 2012, but before                                                                           Municipal Airport, Belle Plaine, IA;
                                                                                                     aeronautical database. The name of
                                             January 10, 2018, each Federal agency                                                                          Creston Municipal Airport, Creston, IA;
                                                                                                     Belle Plaine, IA, is also being adjusted
                                             shall determine energy consumption                                                                             Estherville Municipal Airport,
                                                                                                     to correct a misspelling in the legal
                                             levels for both the IECC Baseline                                                                              Estherville, IA; Grinnell Regional
                                                                                                     description.
                                             Building 2009 and proposed building by                                                                         Airport, Grinnell, IA; Guthrie County
                                             using the Simulated Performance                         DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, April 27,                   Regional Airport, Guthrie Center, IA;
                                             Alternative found in section 405 of the                 2017. The Director of the Federal                      and Oelwein Municipal Airport,
                                             IECC 2009 (incorporated by reference,                   Register approves this incorporation by                Oelwein, IA.
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                                             see § 435.3).                                           reference action under Title 1, Code of
                                               (c) For new Federal buildings for                     Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to               History
                                             which design for construction began on                  the annual revision of FAA Order                         On September 23, 2016, the FAA
                                             or after January 10, 2018 each Federal                  7400.11 and publication of conforming                  published in the Federal Register a
                                             agency shall determine energy                           amendments.                                            notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM),
                                             consumption levels for both the IECC                    ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11A,                         (81 FR 65583) Docket No. FAA–2016–
                                             Baseline Building 2015 and proposed                     Airspace Designations and Reporting                    8833, to amend Class E surface area at


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Document Created: 2018-02-01 14:53:46
Document Modified: 2018-02-01 14:53:46
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 rule.
DatesThis rule is effective March 13, 2017.
ContactNicolas Baker, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Federal Energy Management Program, Mailstop EE- 5F, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-8215, email: [email protected] Kavita Vaidyanathan, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, Forrestal Building, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-0669, email: [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 2857 
RIN Number1904-AD56
CFR AssociatedBuildings and Facilities; Energy Conservation; Federal Buildings and Facilities; Housing and Incorporation by Reference

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