[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 227 (Monday, November 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68586-68587]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19985]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

[Case No. CAC-012]
RIN 1904-AB12


Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Publication of 
the Extension of Interim Waiver of Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics 
USA, Inc., from the U.S. Department of Energy Residential and 
Commercial Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Test Procedures

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

[[Page 68587]]


ACTION: Notice of extension of interim waiver.

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SUMMARY: On March 24, 2006, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 
published in the Federal Register a Petition for Waiver and notice 
granting an Application for Interim Waiver to Mitsubishi Electric and 
Electronics USA, Inc., (MEUS) from energy efficiency test procedure 
requirements that are applicable to residential and commercial air 
conditioners and heat pumps. (71 FR 14858) The date of issuance of the 
Interim Waiver was March 15, 2006, and it terminated 180 days after 
issuance on September 11, 2006. In today's action, DOE is extending the 
Interim Waiver for 180 days, or until March 10, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Raymond at (202) 586-9611, e-
mail; [email protected], or Francine Pinto, Esq., (202) 586-
9507, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 15, 2006, DOE granted to MEUS an 
Interim Waiver from the energy efficiency test procedure requirements 
in appendix M to subpart B of Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations 
Parts 430 and 431 (10 CFR Parts 430 and 431) respectively, that are 
applicable to MEUS's CITY MULTI[reg] Variable Refrigerant Flow Zoning 
(VRFZ) package air conditioners and heat pump units that operate using 
R410A refrigerant, and requested comments. (71 FR 14858) Pursuant to 10 
CFR 430.27(h), ``an interim waiver will terminate 180 days after 
issuance or upon the determination on the Petition for Waiver, 
whichever occurs first. An interim waiver may be extended by DOE for 
180 days. Notice of such extension and/or any modification of the terms 
or duration of the interim waiver shall be published in the Federal 
Register, and shall be based on relevant information contained in the 
record and any comments received subsequent to issuance of the interim 
waiver.''
    The 180-day period for MEUS's Interim Waiver ended on September 11, 
2006. All but one of the comments received were favorable to MEUS's 
Petition for Waiver. As such, DOE intends to publish a decision and 
order concerning the energy efficiency test procedure requirements for 
residential and commercial air conditioners and heat pumps in 10 CFR 
Parts 430 and 431, which are applicable to MEUS's CITY MULTI[reg] VRFZ 
package air conditioners and heat pumps that operate using R410A 
refrigerant. Moreover, in view of the comments received and to provide 
sufficient time to further examine MEUS's Petition for Waiver, DOE has 
determined that it is appropriate to grant an extension of the Interim 
Waiver for an additional 180 days, until March 10, 2007, or until the 
determination on the Petition for Waiver, whichever occurs first.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 16, 2006.
Alexander A. Karsner,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. E6-19985 Filed 11-24-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P