[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 238 (Thursday, December 11, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 73503-73507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-29143]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 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.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 238 / Thursday, December 11, 2014 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 73503]]



DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 430

[Docket No. EERE-2013-BT-STD-0051]
RIN 1904-AD09


Energy Efficiency Program for Consumer Products: Energy 
Conservation Standards for General Service Lamps: Public Meeting and 
Availability of the Preliminary Technical Support Document

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

ACTION: Notice of public meeting and availability of preliminary 
technical support document.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will hold a public meeting 
to discuss and receive comments on the preliminary analysis it has 
conducted for purposes of establishing energy conservation standards 
for general service lamps. The meeting will cover the analytical 
framework, models, and tools that DOE is using to evaluate potential 
standards for this product; the results of preliminary analyses 
performed by DOE for this product; the potential energy conservation 
standard levels derived from these analyses that DOE could consider for 
this product; and any other issues relevant to the development of 
energy conservation standards for general service lamps. In addition, 
DOE encourages written comments on these subjects. To inform interested 
parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has prepared an agenda, a 
preliminary technical support document (TSD), and briefing materials, 
which are available on the DOE Web site at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/83.

DATES: DOE will hold a public meeting on January 20, 2015, from 9 a.m. 
to 5 p.m., in Washington, DC. Additionally, DOE plans to allow for 
participation in the public meeting via webinar. DOE will accept 
comments, data, and other information regarding this rulemaking before 
or after the public meeting, but no later than February 9, 2015. See 
section IV, ``Public Participation,'' of this notice of public meeting 
(NOPM) for details.

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.
    Interested persons may submit comments, identified by docket number 
EERE-2013-BT-STD-0051 and/or Regulation Identification Number (RIN) 
1904-AD09, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
     Email: [email protected]. Include the docket 
number EERE-2013-BT-STD-0051 and/or RIN 1904-AD09 in the subject line 
of the message.
     Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, 
Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, 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. [Please note that comments and CDs sent by mail are 
often delayed and may be damaged by mail screening processes.]
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 950 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Suite 
600, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone (202) 586-2945. If possible, 
please submit all items on CD, in which case it is not necessary to 
include printed copies.
    Docket: The docket is available for review at www.regulations.gov, 
including Federal Register notices, framework documents, public meeting 
attendee lists and transcripts, comments, and other supporting 
documents/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.
    The rulemaking Web page can be found at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/83. This Web page contains a link to the docket for this notice 
on the regulation.gov site. The regulations.gov Web page contains 
instructions on how to access all documents in the docket, including 
public comments.
    For detailed instructions on attending the meeting and submitting 
comments and for additional information on the rulemaking process, see 
section IV, ``Public Participation,'' of this document. For further 
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, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 
20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 287-1604. Email: [email protected].
    Or visit DOE's general service lamps Web page at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/83. for information about any existing standards and test 
procedures, and the history and impacts of previous DOE regulatory 
actions, for this category of products.
    In the Office of the General Counsel, contact Ms. Celia Sher, U.S. 
Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, GC-71, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 
287-6122. 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, Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone (202) 586-2945. Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Statutory Authority
II. Rulemaking for General Service Lamps
    A. Background
    B. Current Rulemaking Process
III. Summary of the Analyses Performed by DOE

[[Page 73504]]

    A. Engineering Analysis
    B. Product Price Determination
    C. Energy Use Analysis
    D. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analyses
    E. National Impact Analysis
IV. Public Participation
    A. Attendance at Public Meeting
    B. Procedure for Submitting Requests To Speak
    C. Conduct of Public Meeting
    D. Submission of Comments
V. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

I. Statutory Authority

    Title III, Part B \1\ of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 
1975, as amended, (EPCA or the Act), Pub. L. 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\ Subsequent amendments expanded Title III of 
EPCA to include additional consumer products, including GSLs--the 
products that are the focus of this document. In particular, amendments 
to EPCA in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) 
directed DOE to conduct two rulemaking cycles to evaluate energy 
conservation standards for GSLs. (42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(6)(A)-(B))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Part B was re-designated Part A.
    \2\ All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute 
as amended through the American Energy Manufacturing Technical 
Corrections Act (AEMTCA), Public Law 112-210 (Dec. 18, 2012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE is required to consider standards for general service lamps 
that: (1) Achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is 
technologically feasible and economically justified; and (2) result in 
significant conservation of energy. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(A) and 
(o)(3)(B)) To determine whether a proposed standard is economically 
justified, DOE will, after receiving comments on the proposed standard, 
determine whether the benefits of the standard exceed its burdens to 
the greatest extent practicable, using the following seven factors:
    1. The economic impact of the standard on manufacturers and 
consumers of products subject to the standard;
    2. The savings in operating costs throughout the estimated average 
life of the covered products in the type (or class) compared to any 
increase in the price, initial charges, or maintenance expenses for the 
covered products which are likely to result from the standard;
    3. The total projected amount of energy savings likely to result 
directly from the standard;
    4. Any lessening of the utility or the performance of the covered 
products likely to result from the standard;
    5. The impact of any lessening of competition, as determined in 
writing by the Attorney General, that is likely to result from the 
standard;
    6. The need for national energy conservation; and
    7. Other factors the Secretary of Energy considers relevant. (42 
U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i))
    DOE also adheres to additional statutory requirements of general 
applicability for prescribing new or amended standards set forth in 
other relevant sections of EPCA.

II. Rulemaking for General Service Lamps

A. Background

    As mentioned in the previous section, amendments to EPCA in EISA 
directed DOE to conduct two rulemaking cycles to evaluate energy 
conservation standards for GSLs. (42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(6)(A)-(B)) For the 
first rulemaking cycle, EPCA, as amended by EISA, directs DOE to 
initiate a rulemaking no later than January 1, 2014 to evaluate 
standards for GSLs and determine whether exemptions for certain 
incandescent lamps should be maintained or discontinued. (42 U.S.C. 
6295(i)(6)(A)(i)) The scope of the rulemaking is not limited to 
incandescent lamp technologies. (42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(6)(A)(ii)) The EISA 
amendments to EPCA further require that if standards are to be 
established for GSLs, a final rule must be published by January 1, 2017 
with a compliance date at least 3 years after the date on which the 
final rule is published. (42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(6)(A)(iii)) Additionally, 
the requirements direct DOE to consider phased-in compliance dates 
based on the impact of amending standards on manufacturers, retiring 
and repurposing existing equipment, stranded investments, labor 
contracts, workers, raw materials, and time needed to revise sales and 
marketing strategies. (42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(6)(A)(iv))
    Further, for this first cycle of rulemaking, the EISA amendments 
provide that DOE must consider a minimum standard of 45 lumens per watt 
(lm/W). (42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(6)(A)(ii)) If DOE fails to meet the 
requirements of 42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(6)(A)(i)-(iv) or the final rule from 
the first rulemaking cycle does not produce savings greater than or 
equal to the savings from a minimum efficacy standard of 45 lm/W, sales 
of GSLs that do not meet the minimum 45 lm/W standard beginning on 
January 1, 2020 will be prohibited. (42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(6)(A)(v)) 
Additionally, state preemption requirements are specified for 
California and Nevada. Namely, beginning January 1, 2018, no provision 
of law could preclude these states from adopting: (1) A final rule 
adopted in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(6)(A)(i)-(iv); (2) the 
minimum efficacy standard of the backstop requirement (45 lm/W) if no 
final rule was adopted; or (3) for the state of California, any 
California regulations related to the covered products adopted pursuant 
to State statute in effect as of the date of enactment of EISA. 42 
U.S.C. 6295(i)(6)(A)(vi)
    The EISA-prescribed amendments direct DOE to initiate a second 
rulemaking cycle by January 1, 2020 to determine whether standards in 
effect for general service incandescent lamps (GSILs) should be amended 
with more stringent requirements and if the exemptions for certain 
incandescent lamps should be maintained or discontinued. (42 U.S.C. 
6295(i)(6)(B)(i)) For this second review of energy conservation 
standards, the scope is not limited to incandescent lamp technologies. 
(42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(6)(B)(ii)) The EISA amendments require that if 
standards are to be amended for GSILs, a final rule must be published 
by January 1, 2022 with a compliance date at least 3 years after the 
date on which the final rule is published. (42 U.S.C. 
6295(i)(6)(B)(iii)) These amendments also direct DOE to consider 
phased-in effective dates for the second round of review based on the 
impact of amending standards on manufacturers, retiring and repurposing 
existing equipment, stranded investments, labor contracts, workers, raw 
materials, and time needed to revise sales and marketing strategies. 
(42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(6)(B)(iv))
    Additionally, this rulemaking satisfies the requirements under 42 
U.S.C 6295(m)(1) for DOE to review the existing standards for medium 
base compact fluorescent lamps (MBCFLs) as compact fluorescent lamps 
are included in the definition of GSL. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 
(EPAct 2005) amended EPCA by establishing energy conservation standards 
for MBCFLs. Under 42 U.S.C 6295(m)(1), within 6 years after issuance of 
any final rule establishing or amending a standard, DOE is required to 
publish a notice determining whether to amend such standards. If DOE 
determines that amendment is warranted, DOE must also issue a notice of 
proposed rulemaking including new proposed

[[Page 73505]]

energy conservation standards by that same date. (42 U.S.C. 6295(m)(l))

B. Current Rulemaking Process

    In initiating this rulemaking, DOE prepared a Framework Document, 
``Energy Conservation Standards Rulemaking Framework Document for 
General Service Lamps,'' which describes the procedural and analytical 
approaches DOE anticipates using to evaluate energy conservation 
standards for general service lamps. This document is available at: 
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/83.
    DOE held a public meeting on January 14, 2014, at which it 
described the various analyses DOE would conduct as part of the 
rulemaking, such as the engineering analysis, the life-cycle cost (LCC) 
and payback period (PBP) analyses, and the national impact analysis 
(NIA). Representatives for manufacturers, trade associations, 
environmental and energy efficiency advocates, and other interested 
parties attended the meeting.
    Comments received since publication of the Framework Document have 
helped DOE identify and resolve issues related to the preliminary 
analyses. Chapter 2 of the preliminary TSD summarizes and addresses the 
comments received.

III. Summary of the Analyses Performed by DOE

    For the products covered in this rulemaking, DOE conducted in-depth 
technical analyses in the following areas: (1) Engineering; (2) markups 
to determine product price; (3) energy use; (4) life-cycle cost and 
payback period; and (5) national impacts. The preliminary TSD that 
presents the methodology and results of each of these analyses is 
available at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/83.
    The tools used in preparing several of the above analyses (life-
cycle cost and national impacts) are available at the same Web site. 
Each individual spreadsheet includes an introduction describing the 
various inputs and outputs to the analysis, as well as operation 
instructions.
    DOE also conducted, and has included in the preliminary TSD, 
several other analyses that support the major analyses or are 
preliminary analyses that will be expanded upon for a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NOPR) if DOE determines that energy conservation 
standards are technologically feasible, economically justified, and 
would save a significant amount of energy, based on the information 
presented to the Department. These analyses include: (1) The market and 
technology assessment; (2) the screening analysis, which contributes to 
the engineering analysis; and (3) the shipments analysis, which 
contributes to the LCC and PBP analysis and NIA. In addition to these 
analyses, DOE has begun preliminary work on the manufacturer impact 
analysis and has identified the methods to be used for the consumer 
subgroup analysis, the emissions analysis, the employment impact 
analysis, the regulatory impact analysis, and the utility impact 
analysis. DOE will expand on these analyses in the NOPR.

A. Engineering Analysis

    For this GSL rulemaking, DOE derives efficacy levels in the 
engineering analysis and lamp end-user prices in the product price 
determination (see section III.B). DOE estimates the end-user price of 
GSLs directly because it is difficult to disassemble and reverse-
engineer the lamps. The outputs of the engineering analysis and product 
price determination are used to develop cost-efficiency relationships.
    The engineering analysis focuses on selecting commercially 
available lamps that incorporate design options that improve efficacy. 
The engineering analysis identifies both the highest efficacy level 
that is technologically feasible within each product class and the 
representative baseline models, which serve as reference points against 
which DOE can measure changes resulting from potential energy 
conservation standards. After identifying more efficacious substitutes 
for each baseline model, DOE develops candidate standard levels. 
Chapters 2 and 5 of the preliminary TSD discuss the engineering 
analysis, and chapters 2 and 6 of the preliminary TSD discuss the 
product price determination.

B. Product Price Determination

    As mentioned in section III.A, DOE often develops cost-efficiency 
relationships in the engineering analysis. However, for this 
rulemaking, DOE estimated the end-user price of GSLs directly. DOE 
selected this methodology because it is difficult to reverse-engineer 
GSLs, which are not easily disassembled. Chapters 2 and 6 of the 
preliminary TSD provide detail on the estimation of end-user prices.

C. Energy Use Analysis

    The energy use analysis provides estimates of the annual energy 
consumption of general service lamps. The energy use analysis seeks to 
estimate the range of energy consumption of the products that meet each 
of the efficiency levels considered in a given rulemaking as they are 
used in the field. DOE uses these values in the LCC and PBP analyses 
and in the NIA. Chapter 7 of the preliminary TSD addresses the energy 
use analysis.

D. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analyses

    The LCC and PBP analyses determine the economic impact of potential 
standards on individual consumers. The LCC is the total cost of 
purchasing, installing and operating a considered product over the 
course of its lifetime. The LCC analysis compares the LCCs of products 
designed to meet possible energy conservation standards with the LCC of 
the product likely to be installed in the absence of standards. DOE 
determines LCCs by considering: (1) Total installed cost to the 
purchaser (which consists of end-user product price, sales taxes, and 
installation cost); (2) the operating cost of the product (energy cost, 
water and wastewater cost in some cases, and maintenance and repair 
cost); (3) product lifetime; and (4) a discount rate that reflects the 
real consumer cost of capital and puts the LCC in present-value terms. 
The PBP represents the number of years needed to recover the increase 
in purchase price (including installation cost) of higher-efficiency 
products through savings in the operating cost of the product. PBP is 
calculated by dividing the incremental increase in installed cost of 
the higher efficiency product, compared to the baseline product, by the 
annual savings in operating costs. Chapter 8 of the preliminary TSD 
addresses the LCC and PBP analyses.

E. National Impact Analysis

    The NIA estimates the national energy savings (NES) and the net 
present value (NPV) of total consumer costs and savings expected to 
result from standards at specific efficiency levels (referred to as 
candidate standard levels). DOE calculated NES and NPV for each 
candidate standard level for general service lamps as the difference 
between a base-case forecast (without standards) and the standards-case 
forecast (with standards). Cumulative energy savings are the sum of the 
annual NES determined for the lifetime of the products shipped from 
2020 to 2049.\3\ The NPV is the sum over time of the discounted net 
savings each year, which consists of the difference between total

[[Page 73506]]

operating cost savings and increases in total installed costs. Critical 
inputs to this analysis include shipments projections, estimated 
product lifetimes, product installed costs and operating costs, product 
annual energy consumption, the base case efficiency projection, and 
discount rates. Chapter 10 of the preliminary TSD addresses the NIA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ For purposes of analysis, DOE assumes that 2020 would be the 
first year of compliance with amended standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Public Participation

    DOE invites input from the public on all the topics described 
above. The preliminary analytical results are subject to revision 
following further review and input from the public. A complete and 
revised TSD will be made available upon issuance of a NOPR. The final 
rule establishing any energy conservation standards will contain the 
final analytical results and will be accompanied by a final rule TSD.
    DOE encourages those who wish to participate in the public meeting 
to obtain the preliminary TSD from DOE's Web site and to be prepared to 
discuss its contents. Once again, a copy of the preliminary TSD is 
available at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/83. However, public meeting 
participants need not limit their comments to the topics identified in 
the preliminary TSD; DOE is also interested in receiving views 
concerning other relevant issues that participants believe would affect 
energy conservation standards for this product or that DOE should 
address in the NOPR.
    Furthermore, DOE welcomes all interested parties, regardless of 
whether they participate in the public meeting, to submit in writing by 
February 9, 2015 comments, data, and information on matters addressed 
in the preliminary TSD and on other matters relevant to consideration 
of energy conservation standards for general service lamps.
    The public meeting will be conducted in an informal conference 
style. A court reporter will be present to record the minutes of the 
meeting. There shall be no discussion of proprietary information, costs 
or prices, market shares, or other commercial matters regulated by 
United States antitrust laws.
    After the public meeting and the closing of the comment period, DOE 
will consider all timely-submitted comments and additional information 
obtained from interested parties, as well as information obtained 
through further analyses. Afterwards, the Department will publish 
either a determination that the standards for general service lamps 
need not be amended or a NOPR proposing to amend those standards. The 
NOPR will include proposed energy conservation standards for the 
products covered by the rulemaking, and members of the public will be 
given an opportunity to submit written and oral comments on the 
proposed standards.

A. Attendance at Public Meeting

    The time and date of the public meeting are listed in the DATES and 
ADDRESSES sections at the beginning of this notice. 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. To 
attend the public meeting, please notify Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 
586-2945. Please note that foreign nationals participating in the 
public meeting are subject to advance security screening procedures 
which require advance notice prior to attendance at the public meeting. 
If a foreign national wishes to participate in the public meeting, 
please inform DOE of this fact as soon as possible by contacting Ms. 
Regina Washington at (202) 586-1214 or by email: 
[email protected] so that the necessary procedures can be 
completed. DOE requires visitors to with laptop computers and other 
devices, such as tablets, to be checked upon entry into the building. 
Any person wishing to bring these devices into the Forrestal Building 
will be required to obtain a property pass. Visitors should avoid 
bringing these devices, or allow an extra 45 minutes to check in. 
Please report to the visitor's desk to have devices checked before 
proceeding through security.
    Due to the REAL ID Act implemented by the Department of Homeland 
Security (DHS), there have been recent changes regarding ID 
requirements for individuals wishing to enter Federal buildings from 
specific states and U.S. territories. Driver's licenses from the 
following states or territory will not be accepted for building entry 
and one of the alternate forms of ID listed below will be required. DHS 
has determined that regular driver's licenses (and ID cards) from the 
following jurisdictions are not acceptable for entry into DOE 
facilities: Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Louisiana, Maine, 
Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oklahoma, and Washington. 
Acceptable alternate forms of Photo-ID include: U.S. Passport or 
Passport Card; an Enhanced Driver's License or Enhanced ID-Card issued 
by the states of Minnesota, New York or Washington (Enhanced licenses 
issued by these states are clearly marked Enhanced or Enhanced Driver's 
License); a military ID or other Federal government issued Photo-ID 
card.
    You can attend the public meeting via webinar, and registration 
information, participant instructions, and information about the 
capabilities available to webinar participants will be published on the 
following Web site: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/83. Participants are 
responsible for ensuring their computer systems are compatible with the 
webinar software.
    The purpose of the meeting is to receive comments and to help DOE 
understand potential issues associated with this rulemaking. DOE must 
receive requests to speak at the meeting before 5 p.m. on January 6, 
2014. DOE must receive a signed original and an electronic copy of 
statements to be given at the public meeting before 5 p.m. on January 
6, 2014.

B. Procedure for Submitting Requests to Speak

    Any person who has an interest in today's notice or who is a 
representative of a group or class of persons that has an interest in 
these issues may request an opportunity to make an oral presentation. 
Such persons may hand-deliver requests to speak, along with a computer 
diskette or CD in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or text (ASCII) 
file format to Ms. Brenda Edwards at the address shown in the ADDRESSES 
section at the beginning of this notice between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Requests may also be 
sent by mail to the address shown in the ADDRESSES section or email to 
[email protected].
    Persons requesting to speak should briefly describe the nature of 
their interest in this rulemaking and provide a telephone number for 
contact. DOE requests persons selected to be heard to submit an advance 
copy of their statements at least two weeks before the public meeting. 
At its discretion, DOE may permit any person who cannot supply an 
advance copy of their statement to participate, if that person has made 
advance alternative arrangements with the Building Technologies 
Program. The request to give an oral presentation should ask for such 
alternative arrangements.

C. Conduct of Public Meeting

    DOE will designate a DOE official to preside at the public meeting 
and may also employ a professional facilitator to aid discussion. The 
meeting will not be a judicial or evidentiary-type public hearing, but 
DOE will conduct it in accordance with section 336 of EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 
6306) A court reporter will record the proceedings and prepare a 
transcript. DOE reserves the right to

[[Page 73507]]

schedule the order of presentations and to establish the procedures 
governing the conduct of the public meeting. After the public meeting, 
interested parties may submit further comments on the proceedings as 
well as on any aspect of the rulemaking until the end of the comment 
period.
    The public meeting will be conducted in an informal conference 
style. DOE will present summaries of comments received before the 
public meeting, allow time for presentations by participants, and 
encourage all interested parties to share their views on issues 
affecting this rulemaking. Each participant will be allowed to make a 
prepared general statement (within DOE-determined time limits) prior to 
the discussion of specific topics. DOE will permit other participants 
to comment briefly on any general statements.
    At the end of all prepared statements on a topic, DOE will permit 
participants to clarify their statements briefly and comment on 
statements made by others. Participants should be prepared to answer 
questions from DOE and other participants concerning these issues. DOE 
representatives may also ask questions of participants concerning other 
matters relevant to this rulemaking. The official conducting the public 
meeting will accept additional comments or questions from those 
attending, as time permits. The presiding official will announce any 
further procedural rules or modification of the above procedures that 
may be needed for the proper conduct of the public meeting.
    A transcript of the public meeting will be posted on the DOE Web 
site and will also be included in the docket, which can be viewed as 
described in the Docket section at the beginning of this notice. In 
addition, any person may buy a copy of the transcript from the 
transcribing reporter.

D. Submission of Comments

    DOE will accept comments, data, and other information regarding 
this rulemaking before or after the public meeting, but no later than 
the date provided at the beginning of this notice. Please submit 
comments, data, and other information as provided in the ADDRESSES 
section. Submit electronic comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, 
PDF, or text (ASCII) file format and avoid the use of special 
characters or any form of encryption. Comments in electronic format 
should be identified by the Docket Number EERE-2013-BT-STD-0051 and/or 
RIN 1904-AD09 and, wherever possible, carry the electronic signature of 
the author. No telefacsimiles (faxes) will be accepted.
    Pursuant to 10 CFR 1004.11, any person submitting information that 
he or she believes to be confidential and exempt by law from public 
disclosure should submit two copies: One copy of the document including 
all the information believed to be confidential and one copy of the 
document with the information believed to be confidential deleted. DOE 
will make its own determination as to the confidential status of the 
information and treat it according to its determination.
    Factors of interest to DOE when evaluating requests to treat 
submitted information as confidential include: (1) A description of the 
items; (2) whether and why such items are customarily treated as 
confidential within the industry; (3) whether the information is 
generally known by or available from other sources; (4) whether the 
information has previously been made available to others without 
obligation concerning its confidentiality; (5) an explanation of the 
competitive injury to the submitting person which would result from 
public disclosure; (6) a date upon which such information might lose 
its confidential nature due to the passage of time; and (7) why 
disclosure of the information would be contrary to the public interest.

V. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

    The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this notice of 
public meeting and availability of preliminary technical support 
document.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 5, 2014.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2014-29143 Filed 12-10-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P