Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee: Notice of Intent To Establish a Working Group for Certain Equipment Classes of Refrigeration Systems of Walk-in Coolers and Freezers To Negotiate a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) for Energy Conservation Standards

The U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'' or, in context, ``the Department'') is giving notice of a public meeting and that DOE 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 amended energy conservation standards for six equipment classes (i.e., the two equipment classes of multiplex condensing refrigeration systems operating at medium and low temperatures and the four equipment classes of dedicated condensing refrigeration systems operating at low temperatures) of walk-in cooler and freezer refrigeration systems. The purpose of the working group will be to discuss and, if possible, reach consensus on a proposed rule regarding amended energy conservation standards for only those aforementioned equipment classes of refrigeration systems of walk-in coolers and freezers, 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. Per the ASRAC Charter, the working group is expected to make a concerted effort to negotiate a final term sheet by December 27, 2015.