[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 51 (Friday, March 15, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16443-16445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06019]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 51 / Friday, March 15, 2013 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 16443]]



DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 430

[Docket No. EERE-2012-BT-STD-0045]
RIN 1904-AC87


Energy Efficiency Program for Consumer Products: Energy 
Conservation Standards for Ceiling Fans and Ceiling Fan Light Kits

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

ACTION: Notice of public meeting and availability of the Framework 
Document.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating the 
rulemaking and data collection process to consider amending the energy 
conservation standards for ceiling fans and ceiling fan light kits. DOE 
also plans to conduct a test procedure rulemaking for these products. 
To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has 
prepared a Framework Document that details the analytical approach and 
scope of coverage for the rulemaking, and identifies several issues on 
which DOE is particularly interested in receiving comment. DOE will 
hold an informal public meeting to discuss and receive comments on its 
analytical approach and issues it will address in this rulemaking 
proceeding. DOE welcomes written comments and relevant data from the 
public on any subject within the scope of this rulemaking.

DATES: Meeting: DOE will hold a public meeting on Friday, March 22, 
2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Washington, DC. Additionally, DOE 
plans to conduct the public meeting via webinar. You may attend the 
public meeting via webinar, and registration information, participant 
instructions, and information about the capabilities available to 
webinar participants will be published on DOE's Web site at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/65 and http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/66. Participants are responsible for 
ensuring that their systems are compatible with the webinar software.
    DOE must receive requests to speak at the public meeting before 
4:00 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2013. DOE must receive an electronic copy 
of the statement with the name and, if appropriate, the organization of 
the presenter to be given at the public meeting before 4:00 p.m., 
Friday, March 15, 2013.
    Comments: DOE will accept written comments, data, and information 
regarding the Framework Document before and after the public meeting, 
but no later than April 29, 2013.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of 
Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 8E-089, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20585-0121. See, Public Participation in SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION for meeting details.
    Interested parties are encouraged to submit comments 
electronically. However, commenters may be submitted by any of the 
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Email: [email protected]. Include 
docket number EERE-2011-BT-STD-0045 and/or regulatory identification 
number (RIN) 1904-AC87 in the subject line of the message. All comments 
should clearly identify the name, address, and, if appropriate, 
organization of the commenter. Submit electronic comments in Word 
Perfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or ASCII file format, and avoid the use 
of special characters or any form of encryption.
     Postal Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, Framework 
Document for Ceiling Fans and Ceiling Fan Light Kits, Docket No. EERE-
2010-BT-STD-0045 and/or RIN 1904-AC87, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20585-0121. If possible, please submit all items on a 
compact disc (CD), in which case it is not necessary to include printed 
copies.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Sixth Floor, 950 L'Enfant 
Plaza, SW., Washington, DC 20024. If possible, please submit all items 
on a CD, in which case it is not necessary to include printed copies.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and docket number and/or RIN for this rulemaking. No telefacsimilies 
(faxes) will be accepted.
    Docket: The docket is available for review at www.regulations.gov, 
including Federal Register notices, public meeting attendee lists and 
transcripts, comments, and other supporting document/materials. All 
documents in the docket are listed in the www.regulations.gov index. 
However, not all documents listed in the index may be publicly 
available such as information that is exempt from public disclosure. A 
link to the docket Web page can be found at: www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;dct=FR%252BPR%252BN%252BO%252BSR%252BPS;rpp=25;po=25;D=EE
RE-2012-BT-STD-0045. This Web page contains a link to the docket for 
this notice on the www.regulations.gov Web site. The 
www.regulations.gov Web page contains simple instructions on how to 
access all documents, including public comments, in the docket.
    For information on how to submit a comment, review other public 
comments and the docket, or participate in the public meeting, contact 
Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945 or by email: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Lucy deButts, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building 
Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, 
DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 287-1604. Email: [email protected].
    Mr. Eric Stas, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General 
Counsel, GC-71, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-
0121. Telephone: (202) 586-9507. Email: [email protected].
    For information on how to submit or review public comments and on 
how to participate in the public meeting, contact Ms. Brenda Edwards, 
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable 
Energy,

[[Page 16444]]

Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone (202) 586-2945. Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title III, Part B \1\ of the Energy Policy 
and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA or the Act), Public Law 94-163 (42 
U.S.C. 6291-6309, as codified) sets forth a variety of provisions 
designed to improve energy efficiency and established the Energy 
Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles, a 
program covering most major household appliances (collectively referred 
to as ``covered products'').\2\
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    \1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Part B was redesignated Part A.
    \2\ All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute 
as amended through the American Manufacturing Technical Corrections 
Act (AEMTCA), Public Law 112-210 (Dec. 18, 2012).
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    These include the types of ceiling fans and ceiling fan light kits 
that are the subject of this rulemaking. (42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)) This 
program authorizes DOE to establish technologically feasible, 
economically justified energy efficiency regulations for certain 
products and equipment that would be likely to result in substantial 
national energy savings. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(I)-(VII))
    The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005), Public Law 109-58, 
amended EPCA and established energy conservation standards for ceiling 
fans and ceiling fan light kits, as well as requirements for 
determining whether these standards should be amended. (42 U.S.C. 
6295(ff)) Specifically, EPACT 2005 set design standards for ceiling 
fans and provided that DOE may consider and issue energy efficiency or 
energy use standards for electricity used by ceiling fans to circulate 
air in a room. (42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)(1) and (6)) For ceiling fan light 
kits, EPACT 2005 set energy conservation standards for ceiling fan 
light kits with medium screw base sockets, as well as pin-based 
sockets. (42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)(2)-(3)) The statute also directed DOE to 
consider and issue requirements for other types of ceiling fan light 
kits (including candelabra screw base sockets) by January 1, 2007, and 
if DOE failed to issue such standards by the date specified, the 
statute provided for an alternative set of requirements for ceiling fan 
light kits manufactured after January 1, 2010. (42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)) 
After January 1, 2010, DOE may again consider amended energy efficiency 
standards for ceiling fan light kits, standards that would apply to 
products manufactured not earlier than two years after the date of 
publication of the final rule. (42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)(5))
    EPCA defines a ``ceiling fan'' as ``a nonportable device that is 
suspended from a ceiling for circulating air via the rotation of fan 
blades'' (42 U.S.C. 6291(49)), and it defines a ``ceiling fan light 
kit'' as ``equipment designed to provide light from a ceiling fan that 
can be--(A) integral, such that the equipment is attached to the 
ceiling fan prior to the time of retail sale; or (B) attachable, such 
that at the time of retail sale the equipment is not physically 
attached to the ceiling fan, but may be included inside the ceiling fan 
at the time of sale or sold separately for subsequent attachment to the 
fan.'' (42 U.S.C. 6291(50))
    Under this statutory structure, DOE promulgated design standards 
for ceiling fans, performance standards for ceiling fan light kits and 
test procedures for both ceiling fans and ceiling fan light kits. In a 
final rule technical amendment published in the Federal Register on 
October 18, 2005, DOE codified the statutory design standards for 
ceiling fans and the performance standards for ceiling fan light kits 
in the CFR at 10 CFR 430.32(s). 70 FR 60407, 60413. An additional final 
rule technical amendment published in the Federal Register on January 
11, 2007, codified standards for light kits with sockets other than 
medium-screw base or pin-based fluorescent lamps in the CFR. 72 FR 
1270. In a final rule published in the Federal Register on December 8, 
2006, DOE adopted test procedures for ceiling fans and ceiling fan 
light kits at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix U and appendix V, 
respectively. 71 FR 71340, 71366-67.
    DOE is initiating this rulemaking pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 
6295(ff)(5)-(6), which allows DOE to consider establishing or amending 
energy conservation standards for ceiling fans and ceiling fan light 
kits, and 42 U.S.C. 6295(r), which requires DOE to prescribe test 
procedures for new or amended energy conservation standards. In 
addition to considering the energy consumption of these products in 
active mode, 42 U.S.C. 6295(gg) requires DOE to consider the standby 
mode and off mode energy consumption of ceiling fans and ceiling fan 
light kits in amending both its test procedures and energy conservation 
standards.
    To initiate the ceiling fan and ceiling fan light kit energy 
conservation standards rulemaking, DOE has prepared this Framework 
Document to explain the relevant issues, analyses, and processes it 
anticipates using in considering amended energy conservation standards 
for these products.
    This Framework Document also includes DOE's preliminary review of 
relevant industry test procedures and testing methods used to 
characterize the performance of ceiling fans and ceiling fan light kits 
in all modes of operation. DOE has also included in this Framework 
Document a detailed summary of key issues that DOE is considering in 
developing its own test procedures and for use in developing energy 
conservation standards for ceiling fans and ceiling fan light kits. In 
addition, DOE has identified issues regarding the testing of ceiling 
fans and ceiling fan light kits on which it is seeking comment. DOE 
will consider the feedback received in response to this Framework 
Document in developing proposed test procedures for ceiling fans and 
ceiling fan light kits. DOE intends to issue a separate notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NOPR) addressing the test procedures for ceiling 
fans and ceiling fan light kits. When the test procedure final rule is 
published, DOE will have complied with the statutory requirements to 
review ceiling fan and ceiling fan light kit test procedures at least 
once every 7 years (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A)) and to include where 
applicable, test procedures with new or amended energy conservation 
standards (42 U.S.C. 6295(r)).
    The primary focus of the public meeting noted above will be to 
discuss the analyses presented and issues identified in the Framework 
Document. At the public meeting, DOE will make presentations and invite 
discussion on the rulemaking process as it applies to certain ceiling 
fans and ceiling fan light kits. DOE will also solicit comments, data, 
and information from participants and other interested parties. In 
addition, DOE will invite comment on its preliminary determination of 
the scope of coverage for the ceiling fan energy conservation standards 
and its preliminary analysis regarding the development of test 
procedures for ceiling fans and ceiling fan light kits.
    DOE is planning to conduct in-depth technical analyses in the 
following areas: (1) Engineering; (2) energy-use characterization; (3) 
product price; (4) life-cycle cost and payback period; (5) national 
impacts; (6) manufacturer impacts; (7) utility impacts; (8) employment 
impacts; (9) emission impacts; and (10) regulatory impacts. DOE will 
also conduct several other analyses that support those previously 
listed, including the market and technology assessment, the screening 
analysis (which contributes to the engineering analysis), and the

[[Page 16445]]

shipments analysis (which contributes to the national impact analysis).
    Public Participation: DOE encourages those who wish to participate 
in the public meeting to obtain the Framework Document and be prepared 
to discuss its contents. A copy of the Framework Document is available 
at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/65 and http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/66.
    Please note that foreign nationals planning to participate in the 
public meeting are subject to advance security screening procedures. If 
a foreign national wishes to participate in the public meeting, please 
inform DOE of this fact as soon as possible by contacting Ms. Brenda 
Edwards at (202) 586-2945 so that the necessary procedures can be 
completed. Please note that any person wishing to bring a laptop 
computer into the Forrestal Building will be required to obtain a 
property pass. Visitors should avoid bringing laptops, or allow an 
extra 45 minutes.
    Public meeting participants need not limit their comments to the 
issues identified in the Framework Document. DOE is also interested in 
comments on other relevant issues that participants believe would 
affect energy conservation standards or energy use standards for these 
products, associated test procedures, or the preliminary determination 
on the scope of coverage. DOE invites all interested parties, whether 
or not they participate in the public meeting, to submit in writing by 
April 29, 2013, comments and information on matters addressed in the 
Framework Document and on other matters relevant to DOE's consideration 
of amended energy conservation standards for ceiling fans and ceiling 
fan light kits.
    The public meeting will be conducted in an informal, facilitated, 
conference style. There shall be no discussion of proprietary 
information, costs or prices, market shares, or other commercial 
matters regulated by U.S. antitrust laws. A court reporter will record 
the proceedings of the public meeting, after which a transcript will be 
available for purchase from the court reporter and will be placed on 
the DOE Web site at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/65 and http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/66.
    After the public meeting and the close of the comment period on the 
Framework Document, DOE will begin collecting data, conducting the 
analyses described in the Framework Document and at the public meeting, 
and reviewing the public comments. Those actions will assist in 
developing an energy conservation standards NOPR and separate test 
procedure NOPR for ceiling fans and ceiling fan light kits.
    DOE considers public participation to be a vital part of the 
process for considering amended energy conservation standards. DOE 
actively encourages the participation and interaction of the public 
during the comment period established for each stage of the rulemaking 
process. Beginning with the Framework Document and during each 
subsequent public meeting and comment period, interactions with and 
among members of the public provide a balanced discussion of the issues 
and assist DOE in the standards rulemaking process. Accordingly, anyone 
who wishes to participate in the public meeting, receive meeting 
materials, or be added to the DOE mailing list to receive future 
notices and information about this rulemaking should contact Ms. Brenda 
Edwards at (202) 586-2945, or via email at [email protected].

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 8, 2013.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2013-06019 Filed 3-14-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P