[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 103 (Friday, May 29, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29357-29358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14258]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

10 CFR Part 430

[Docket No. EE-RM/STD-98-440]
RIN 1904-AA77


Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Notice of 
Public Workshop on Central Air Conditioner Energy Efficiency Standards 
Rulemaking

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

ACTION: Notice of Public Workshop.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (the Department or DOE) today gives 
notice that it will convene a public workshop to discuss the proposed 
analytical framework and tools for evaluating possible revisions to the 
central air conditioner and heat pump energy efficiency standards.

DATES: The public workshop will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 1998, from 
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The workshop will be held at the U.S. Department of Energy, 
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, EE-43, Room 1E-245, 
1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121.
    Written comments are welcome, especially following the workshop. 
Please submit 10 copies (no faxes) and a computer diskette (WordPerfect 
6.1) to: Ms. Brenda Edwards-Jones, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of 
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Energy Conservation Program for 
Consumer Products: Notice of Public Workshop on Central Air Conditioner 
Energy Efficiency Standards Rulemaking, Docket No. EE-RM/STD-98-440, 
EE-43, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. 
Telephone: (202) 586-2945.

[[Page 29358]]

    Copies of the transcript of the public workshop, public comments 
received, and this notice may be read at the DOE Freedom of Information 
Reading Room, U.S. DOE, Forrestal Building, Room 1E-190, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-3142, between 
the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward Pollock , U.S. Department of 
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Forrestal 
Building, Mail Station EE-43, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, 
DC 20585-0121, (202) 586-5778.
Ms. Brenda Edwards-Jones, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, Mail 
Station EE-43, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121, 
(202) 586-2945.
Eugene Margolis, Esq., U.S. Department of Energy, Office of General 
Counsel, Mail Station GC-72, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence 
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585-0103, (202) 586-9526.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In continuing the work on possible revisions 
to energy efficiency standards on central air conditioners, the 
Department is convening a workshop to present and receive public 
comments on the proposed analytical approach for evaluating the central 
air conditioner standards. At this workshop the following will be 
discussed:
    Review of the Rulemaking Framework: The Department will seek 
comment on the draft analytical framework for the central air 
conditioner rulemaking. Copies of the draft framework document will be 
available beginning the week of May 25, 1998, on the Office of Codes 
and Standards web site. The web site address is as follows: http://
www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/codes__ standards/index.htm.
    Identification of Analytical Methods and Tools: The Department 
seeks input into the selection of engineering and economic analytical 
tools to be used during the rulemaking:
    Engineering Analysis/Data Collection: The Department plans to 
collect data for the engineering analysis using one or more of the 
following methods: the energy efficiency approach to derive a cost 
efficiency curve within a range, the design option approach, and the 
market price (or reverse engineering) approach. The Department will 
review the key issues surrounding: (1) The pros and cons of each 
approach, and (2) data collection and the reporting of costs for 
incorporation into the engineering analysis.
    Price of Air Conditioners: The Department will lead a discussion on 
possible approaches to generating retail prices to be used in the 
consumer life-cycle-cost analysis.
    Life-Cycle-Cost: The Department plans to demonstrate a new life-
cycle-cost spreadsheet model which can account for variability of key 
criteria, such as utility rates and climate.
    Electricity Price: The Department will lead a discussion on 
possible approaches for accounting for variations in electricity price, 
and the effects of these variations on different consumers.
    Refrigerant: The refrigerant used in air conditioners will be 
banned by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2010. The Department 
will lead a discussion on the effects of this ban on the timing of the 
revision to central air conditioner standards.
    Energy Savings Forecasts: The Department will present an example of 
energy savings forecasting results using a simple spreadsheet to show 
how the growth in efficiency can be accounted for over time.
    Background on the approach to be followed in evaluating central air 
conditioner standards is found in Section 325 of the Energy Policy and 
Conservation Act, as amended, and appendix A of subpart C of 10 CFR 
part 430, 61 FR 36974 (July 15, 1996). Appendix A outlines the planning 
and prioritization process, data collection and analysis, and decision 
making criteria. Previously published information pertaining to this 
rulemaking includes the following: An Advance Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking Regarding Energy Conservation Standards for Three Types of 
Consumer Products, published on September 8, 1993 (58 FR 47326), and 
comments thereon. Copies may be read at the DOE Freedom of Information 
Reading Room.
    Please notify Brenda Edwards-Jones or Edward Pollock at the above 
listed address if you intend to attend the workshop, if you wish to 
receive material prepared for the workshop (including the draft 
analytical framework), or if you wish to be added to the DOE mailing 
list for receipt of future notices and information concerning central 
air conditioner matters relating to energy efficiency.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 22, 1998.
Dan W. Reicher,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 98-14258 Filed 5-28-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P