[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 14 (Friday, January 22, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 3492-3493] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-1455] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Availability of Product Energy Efficiency Recommendations AGENCY: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office, Federal Energy Management Program, Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of seven new Product Energy Efficiency Recommendations, covering distribution transformers, electric motors, residential windows, clothes washers, fluorescent luminaires, unitary air conditioners, and commercial heat pumps, and the revision of one existing Recommendation on room air conditioners. These Recommendations, along with 21 others previously released, have been published by the Department of Energy's (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) to help agencies comply with Executive Order 12902, which directs each Federal agency to increase, to the extent practicable and cost-effective, the purchase of products that are in the upper 25 percent of energy efficiency for all similar products, or products that are at least 10 percent more efficient than the minimum level that meets national standards. ADDRESSES: The Recommendations are available on the internet at http:// www.eren.doe.gov/femp/procurement. Paper copies of the Recommendations may be obtained by calling 1-800-363- [[Page 3493]] 3732 and requesting the Buying Energy Efficient Products binder. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katie Kroehle McGervey, Federal Energy Management Program, U.S. Department of Energy, EE-90, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121, 202-586-4858, [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 8262g) directed Federal supply agencies, along with DOE and the Department of Defense, to include energy-efficient products in their procurement and supply functions. On March 8, 1994, Executive Order 12902, Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation at Federal Facilities (59 FR 11463, 3 CFR 1994 Comp. p 869), defined energy-efficient products as those that are in the upper 25 percent of energy efficiency for all similar products or that are at least 10 percent more efficient than national standards. Executive Order 12902 directed federal agencies to purchase these higher-efficiency products whenever they are cost-effective and meet agencies' functional requirements. The Federal Acquisition Regulations (48 CFR 23.704) mirrors the Executive Order, requiring agencies to implement cost-effective contracting preference programs favoring the acquisition of environmentally preferable and energy efficient products and services, with products that are in the upper 25 percent of energy-efficiency for all similar products, or products that are at least 10 percent more efficient than the minimum level that meets Federal standards. Recommendations currently exist for the following products: room air conditioners, refrigerators, clothes washers, dishwashers, residential central air conditioners, residential air-source heat pumps, residential furnaces, residential electric and gas water heaters, faucets, showerheads, toilets, urinals, exit signs, fluorescent tube lamps, fluorescent ballasts, computer monitors, personal computers, computer printers, copiers, fax machines, commercial ice cube machines, and large electric chillers. Recommendations continue to be developed at the rate of about ten per year and will include other commercial building equipment and construction materials. Each of the two-page Recommendations describes where to find energy-efficient models through Federal supply sources (General Services Administration and Defense Logistics Agency), includes guidance on cost-effectiveness, and offers other energy-saving tips for selecting and using these products. In all cases the recommended efficiency levels have been set to be consistent with those of the Environmental Protection Agency/DOE Energy Starlabeling program. Purchasing products that carry an Energy Star label will ensure that Federal purchasers are meeting the requirements of Executive Order 12902. Issued in Washington, DC, on January 15, 1999. Dan W. Reicher, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. [FR Doc. 99-1455 Filed 1-21-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P