Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee: Notice of Intent To Establish the Miscellaneous Refrigeration Products Working Group To Negotiate a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) for Energy Conservation Standards

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) is giving notice that it intends to establish a negotiated rulemaking working group under the Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (ASRAC) in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and the Negotiated Rulemaking Act (NRA) to negotiate proposed Federal standards for the energy efficiency requirements of miscellaneous refrigeration standards. The purpose of the working group will be to discuss and, if possible, reach consensus on a proposed rule for the scope and definitions, certain aspects of the test procedure, and energy conservation standards for miscellaneous refrigeration products, as authorized by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) of 1975, as amended. The working group will consist of representatives of parties having a defined stake in the outcome of the proposed standards, and will consult as appropriate with a range of experts on technical issues. The working group is expected to make a concerted effort to negotiate a final term sheet within four (4) months of its first meeting. At a minimum, within four months (4) of its first meeting, the working group is required to provide a status update to ASRAC. An extension of no more than two (2) months may be provided given formal feedback and recommendation from ASRAC members after deliberation and discussion surrounding the working group's status update. Lastly, DOE is announcing the first Working Group session, which is open to the public, on Monday, May 4, and Tuesday, May 5.