[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 46 (Thursday, March 8, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14008-14009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5661]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy


Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee 
(ASRAC)

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

ACTION: Notice of Establishment of the Appliance Standards and 
Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (ASRAC) and Solicitation of 
Nominations for Membership.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (FACA), and in accordance with Title 41, Code of Federal 
Regulations, Section 102-3.65, and following consultation with the 
Committee Management Secretariat, General Services Administration, and 
in accordance with the Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1996 (NRA), and the 
Administrative Procedure Act, notice is hereby given that the ASRAC 
will be established for a two-year period.
    The Committee will provide advice and recommendations to the 
Secretary of Energy on matters concerning the DOE's Appliances and 
Commercial Equipment Standards Program's (Program) test procedures and 
rulemaking process. Formation of this committee allows the Program to 
further improve the rulemaking process. The Committee provides advice 
and makes recommendations on the: (1) Development of minimum efficiency 
standards for residential appliances and commercial equipment, (2) 
development of product test procedures, (3) certification and 
enforcement of standards, (4) labeling for various residential products 
and commercial equipment, and (5) specific issues of concern to DOE, as 
requested by the Secretary of Energy, the Assistant Secretary for 
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), and the Buildings 
Technologies Program Manager.
    Additionally, the establishment of the Appliance Standards and 
Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee has been determined to be 
essential to the conduct of the Department's mission and to be in the 
public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed 
upon the Department of Energy by law and agreement. The Committee will 
operate in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, and rules and regulations issued in implementation of 
that Act, the Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1996 (NRA), and the 
Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
    This notice also requests nominations for members on the Committee, 
to ensure a wide range of member candidates and a balanced committee.

DATES: The deadline for nominations for members must be received on or 
before April 2, 2012.

ADDRESSES: The nominee's name, resume, biography, and any letters of 
support must be submitted in electronic format via email to 
[email protected]. Any requests for further information should also be 
sent via email to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Energy is hereby 
soliciting nominations for members of the Committee. The Secretary of 
Energy will appoint approximately 25 Committee members. Members will be 
selected with a view toward achieving a balanced committee of experts 
in fields relevant to energy efficiency, appliance and commercial 
equipment standards, to include DOE, as well as representatives of 
industry (including manufacturers and trade associations representing 
manufacturers, component manufacturers and related suppliers, and 
retailers), utilities, energy efficiency/environmental advocacy groups 
and consumers. Committee members will serve for a term of three years 
or less and may be reappointed for successive terms, with no more than 
two successive terms. Appointments may be made in a manner that allows 
the terms of the members serving at any time to expire at spaced 
intervals, so as

[[Page 14009]]

to ensure continuity in the functioning of the Committee. The Chair and 
Vice Chair of the Committee will be appointed by the Assistant 
Secretary for EERE, from among the selected members, and the Committee 
is expected to meet approximately twice per year, or as necessary. 
Subcommittees may be formed to address appliance standards. Some 
Committee members may be appointed as special Government employees, 
experts in fields relevant to energy efficiency and appliance and 
commercial equipment standards; or as representatives of industry 
(including manufacturers and trade associations representing 
manufacturers, component manufacturers and related suppliers, and 
retailers), utilities, energy efficiency/environmental advocacy groups 
and consumers. Special Government employees will be subject to certain 
ethical restrictions and such members will be required to submit 
certain information in connection with the appointment process.
    Process and Deadline for Submitting Nominations: Qualified 
individuals can self-nominate or be nominated by any individual or 
organization. Nominators should submit (via email to [email protected]) 
on or before April 2, 2012, a description of the nominee's 
qualifications, including matters enabling the Department to make an 
informed decision, not limited to, the nominee's education and 
professional experience. Should more information be needed, DOE staff 
will contact the nominee, obtain information from the nominee's past 
affiliations or obtain information from publicly available sources, 
such as the internet. A selection team will review the nomination 
packages. This team will be comprised of representatives from several 
DOE Offices. The selection team will seek balanced viewpoints and 
consider many criteria, including: (a) Scientific or technical 
expertise, knowledge, and experience; (b) stakeholder representation; 
(c) availability and willingness to serve; and (d) skills working in 
committees, subcommittees and advisory panels. The selection team will 
make recommendations regarding membership to the Assistant Secretary 
for EERE. The Assistant Secretary for EERE will submit a list of 
recommended candidates to the Secretary of Energy for review and 
selection of Committee members.
    Nominations are open to all individuals without regard to race, 
color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical 
handicap, marital status, or sexual orientation. To ensure that 
recommendations to the Committee take into account the needs of the 
diverse groups served by DOE, membership shall include, to the extent 
practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent 
minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. Please note, however, 
that Federally-registered lobbyists and individuals already serving on 
another Federal advisory committee are ineligible for nomination.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Cymbalsky, Designated Federal 
Officer, by telephone at (202) 287-1692.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 1, 2012.
Carol A. Matthews,
Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-5661 Filed 3-7-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P