[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 64 (Monday, April 4, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7870]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 4, 1994]


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


DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
 

Appliance and Equipment Energy Efficiency Standards: Public 
Meetings To Discuss Evaluation Criteria for the Voluntary Programs to 
Provide Energy Efficiency Information for Luminaires and Commercial 
Office Equipment

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

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

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

SUMMARY: The Energy Policy Act of 1992 requires the Department of 
Energy (DOE or Department) to support voluntary national testing and 
information programs for those types of luminaires and commercial 
office equipment that are widely used, and show potential for 
significant energy savings. Not later than October 24, 1995, DOE must 
determine whether the voluntary programs thus created by members of 
those industries are consistent with the objectives set forth in the 
legislation.
    In order to determine what specific criteria will be used to 
evaluate the effectiveness of the voluntary programs, the Department 
will hold two public meetings and invite interested parties for each 
program to offer suggestions concerning methods of evaluation. All 
persons are hereby given notice of the opportunity to submit written 
comments and to attend the public meetings.

DATES: Written comments in quadruplicate must be received by May 12, 
1994. Requests to speak should also be submitted in advance before May 
12, 1994, or if time permits, upon registration the day of the meeting. 
The public meeting for the luminaire program will be held on Tuesday, 
May 24, 1994. The public meeting for commercial office equipment will 
be held on Thursday, May 26, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and requests to speak should be labeled 
``Voluntary Program to Promote Energy Efficiency in Luminaires'' or 
``Voluntary Program to Promote Energy Efficiency in Commercial Office 
Equipment,'' and submitted to Ms. Barbara Twigg, Office of Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Mail Station EE-431, U.S. Department 
of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585. 
Telephone: (202) 586-9127; FAX: (202) 586-4617.
    The meetings will begin at 9:30 a.m., and will be held at the U.S. 
Department of Energy, Forrestal Building, room 1E-245, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC.
    Copies of the transcripts of the public meetings and public 
comments received may be read at the DOE Freedom of Information Reading 
Room, U.S. Department of Energy, Forrestal Building, room 1E-190, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, (202) 586-6020 between the 
hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Barbara Twigg, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency 
and Renewable Energy, Forrestal Building, Mail Station EE-431, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-9127.
Eugene Margolis, Esq., U.S. Department of Energy, Office of General 
Counsel, Forrestal Building, Mail Station GC-72, 1000 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-9507.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Authority

    The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT; Pub. L. 102-486) identified 
several new categories of products and equipment for inclusion in a 
range of required and voluntary testing and information programs to 
promote energy efficiency. Under sections 125 and 126 of EPACT, the 
Secretary of Energy, after consulting with industry associations and 
other interested organizations, is to provide technical and financial 
assistance to support voluntary national testing and information 
programs for those types of commercial office equipment and luminaires 
that are widely used, and for which there is a potential for 
significant energy savings as a result of such programs. These test 
procedures will provide information that when conveyed to consumers, 
will enable purchasers of such equipment to assess the energy 
consumption and potential cost savings of alternative products.

2. Background

    The voluntary programs for commercial office equipment and 
luminaires will be developed by separate organizations composed of 
interested parties associated with each industry, and the efforts to 
develop these programs will be monitored and evaluated by the Secretary 
of Energy. Not later than three years after the date of enactment of 
EPACT (October 24, 1995), the Secretary shall make a determination as 
to whether the voluntary programs are positioned to achieve the 
objectives established for the sale and purchase of commercial office 
equipment and luminaires. If the Secretary determines that either of 
the voluntary programs is not consistent with the objectives of the 
legislation, the Secretary shall, after consultation with the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology, develop test procedures for that 
set of products. One year later, the Federal Trade Commission will 
prescribe labeling rules.
    The Department recognizes that the clarification of evaluation 
criteria is an important guiding element as the testing and information 
programs take shape. As part of the monitoring and evaluation process, 
DOE would like to solicit comments on how the evaluation criteria 
should be determined within the context of the emerging programs. After 
oral and written comments have been submitted, DOE will analyze the 
suggestions, determine the specific evaluation criteria, and publish 
its findings in the Federal Register.

3. Discussion

    The purpose of the public meeting is twofold: (1) To provide an 
opportunity to inform DOE on the progress of the voluntary programs; 
and (2) to request suggestions from all interested parties on the best 
means of evaluating the potential effectiveness of the programs.
    Some specific areas for comment are identified below; however, 
these areas are not intended to limit the content of submissions.
     The type, use, and standardization of test procedures.
     The extent of market penetration represented by the 
products selected as ``widely used'' and the extent of participation 
across the respective industries.
     The dissemination of information to potential consumers.
     The amount of energy saved.
     Provisions to update the program in future years and 
incorporate new products.
     Provisions for DOE to monitor the progress of the program.

4. Public Meeting Procedure

    DOE will make a presentation at the outset of each meeting to 
provide background and explain the goals for the meeting. DOE will then 
accept oral comments limited to a time which will be set in light of 
the number of persons who request to speak. The official conducting the 
meeting will accept comments and questions from those attending to 
afford the DOE staff and interested parties an opportunity to discuss 
and explore issues surrounding the proposed evaluation criteria.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 25, 1994.
Frank M. Stewart, Jr.,
Acting Chief of Staff, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 94-7870 Filed 4-1-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P