[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 137 (Thursday, July 17, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38222-38223]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18838]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

10 CFR Part 430

[Docket No. EE-RM-97-500]
RIN 1904-AA75


Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Energy 
Conservation Standards for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
Energy (DOE).


[[Page 38223]]


ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (the Department or DOE) today gives 
notice that copies of the ``Draft Report on Potential Impact of 
Possible Energy Efficiency Levels for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts'' are 
available for review and comment.

DATES: Written comments in response to this notice must be received by 
September 2, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the report entitled ``Draft Report on Potential 
Impact of Possible Energy Efficiency Levels for Fluorescent Lamp 
Ballasts'' may be obtained from Sandy Beall at: U.S. Department of 
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, EE-43, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121, (202) 586-7574. 
This document may be read at the DOE Freedom of Information Reading 
Room, U.S. Department of Energy, Room 1E-190, 1000 Independence Avenue, 
SW, Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-3142, between the hours of 9:00 
a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Written comments are welcomed. Please submit 10 copies to: U.S. 
Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 
``Ballast Docket No. EE-RM-97-500,'' EE-43, Room 1J-018, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121.
    Pursuant to the provisions of Title 10 CFR 1004.11, any person 
submitting information which he or she believes to be confidential and 
exempt by law from public disclosure should submit one complete copy of 
the document and ten (10) copies, if possible, from which the 
information believed to be confidential has been deleted. The 
Department of Energy will make its own determination with regard to the 
confidential status of the information and treat it according to its 
determination.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Anthony T. Balducci, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Mail Station EE-43, 1000 Independence 
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121, Phone: (202) 586-8459, Fax: 
(202) 586-4617, E-mail: [email protected]
Ms. Sandy Beall, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency 
and Renewable Energy, Mail Station EE-43, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, 
Washington, DC 20585-0121, Phone: (202) 586-7574, Fax: (202) 586-4617.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Energy is implementing 
enhanced procedures for the development and revision of appliance 
efficiency standards, including the fluorescent lamp ballast standards. 
See 61 FR 36973 (July 15, 1996). One of the themes of these process 
improvements is the Department's commitment to share analyses with the 
public and provide meaningful opportunity for public comment.
    As part of our effort to review fluorescent lamp ballast standards, 
the Department is making the following document available: ``Draft 
Report on Potential Impact of Possible Energy Efficiency Levels for 
Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts.'' The report identifies product categories 
and includes life-cycle cost analyses, engineering analyses, and 
national benefits of the options being considered as potential standard 
levels for ballasts. The report is a revision of the February 1996 
report. Revisions were based on comments received during the June 1996 
workshop and the March 1997 workshop, stakeholder interviews, and a 
1996 ballast price survey.
    The report provides energy saving impacts for the various 
efficiency levels analyzed. The energy savings calculated for the 
period 2000-2030 range from 1.5 quadrillion Btus (Quads) to 5.3 Quads 
depending on the efficiency level and the base case assumptions. The 
Department invites the submission of written comments on the report.
    Through its interactions with interested parties, the Department 
has gathered information on the entire ballast market. After examining 
this information, the Department believes that it is important to 
distinguish between the characteristics of the T8 and T12 ballast 
markets. Specifically, the Department requests comments on the 
following questions relating to the future market of fluorescent lamp 
ballasts:
    1. For the T8 and T12 ballast markets, what percent of each of 
these markets will be electronic and magnetic in 10 years? In 15 years?
    2. How is the magnetic T12 ballast market changing? Is it growing, 
shrinking, or remaining stable? How large (percent of total) will this 
market be in 10 years? In 15 years?
    3. Is the T12 market changing from T12 magnetic ballasts to T12 
electronic ballasts? If it is, at what rate? What will the rate be in 
10 years? In 15 years?
    4. Is the T12 market changing from T12 magnetic ballasts to T8 
electronic ballasts? If it is, at what rate? What will the rate be in 
10 years? In 15 years?
    Please substantiate your answers with data when available.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 1, 1997.
Joseph J. Romm,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 97-18838 Filed 7-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P