[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 23 (Friday, February 2, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 8745]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-2886]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

10 CFR Part 430

[Docket No. EE-RM-97-440]
RIN 1904-AA77


Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products; Central Air 
Conditioners and Heat Pumps Energy Conservation Standards

AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Final rule; delay of effective date.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the memorandum of January 20, 2001, from 
the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, entitled 
``Regulatory Review Plan,'' published in the Federal Register on 
January 24, 2001 (66 FR 7702), this action temporarily delays for 60 
days the effective date of the rule entitled ``Energy Conservation 
Program for Consumer Products; Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps 
Energy Conservation Standards'' published in the Federal Register on 
January 22, 2001 (66 FR 7170).

DATES: The effective date of the rule amending 10 CFR part 430 
published in the Federal Register at 66 FR 7170 on January 22, 2001, is 
delayed 60 days, from February 21, 2001, until April 23, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael D. Whatley, (202) 586-3410, 
[email protected]; Dr. Michael E. McCabe, (202) 586-0854, 
[email protected]; or, Eugene Margolis, (202) 586-9526, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To the extent that 5 U.S.C. section 553 
applies to this action, it is exempt from notice and comment because it 
constitutes a rule of procedure under 5 U.S.C. section 553(b)(A). 
Alternatively, DOE's implementation of this action without opportunity 
for public comment, effective immediately upon publication today in the 
Federal Register, is based on the good cause exceptions in 5 U.S.C. 
section 553(b)(B) and 553(d)(3). Seeking public comment is 
impracticable, unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. The 
temporary 60-day delay in effective date is necessary to give DOE 
officials the opportunity for further review and consideration of new 
regulations, consistent with the Assistant to the President's 
memorandum of January 20, 2001. Given the imminence of the effective 
date, seeking prior public comment on this temporary delay would have 
been impractical, as well as contrary to the public interest in the 
orderly promulgation and implementation of regulations. The imminence 
of the effective date is also good cause for making this action 
effective immediately upon publication.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. on January 29, 2001.
Spencer Abraham,
Secretary of Energy.
[FR Doc. 01-2886 Filed 2-1-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P