[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 247 (Friday, December 23, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 94735-94740]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29860]



[[Page 94735]]

Vol. 81

Friday,

No. 247

December 23, 2016

Part VII





Department of Energy





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





Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

  Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 247 / Friday, December 23, 2016 / 
Unified Agenda  

[[Page 94736]]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Chs. II, III, and X

48 CFR Ch. 9


Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) has prepared and is making 
available its portion of the semiannual Unified Agenda of Federal 
Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (Agenda), including its Regulatory 
Plan (Plan), pursuant to Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning 
and Review,'' and the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Agenda is a government-wide compilation 
of upcoming and ongoing regulatory activity, including a brief 
description of each rulemaking and a timetable for action. The Agenda 
also includes a list of regulatory actions completed since publication 
of the last Agenda. The Department of Energy's portion of the Agenda 
includes regulatory actions called for by statute, including amendments 
contained in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and the 
American Energy Manufacturing Technical Corrections Act, and 
programmatic needs of DOE offices.
    The Internet is the basic means for disseminating the Agenda and 
providing users the ability to obtain information from the Agenda 
database. DOE's entire Fall 2016 Agenda can be accessed online by going 
to www.reginfo.gov. Agenda entries reflect the status of activities as 
of approximately November 30, 2016.
    Publication in the Federal Register is mandated by the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 602) only for Agenda entries that require 
either a regulatory flexibility analysis or periodic review under 
section 610 of that Act. DOE's regulatory flexibility agenda is made up 
of seven rulemakings that will set energy conservation standards for 
the following products:

 Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers (1904-AD59)
 Residential Non-Weatherized Gas Furnaces and Mobile Home Gas 
Furnaces (1904-AD20)
 Commercial Water Heaters (1904-AD34)
 Commercial Packaged Boilers (1904-AD01)
 General Service Fluorescent Lamps (1904-AD09)
 Dedicated Purpose Pool Pumps (1904-AD52)
 Manufactured Housing (1904-AC11)

    The Plan appears in both the online Agenda and the Federal Register 
and includes the most important of DOE's significant regulatory actions 
and a Statement of Regulatory and Deregulatory Priorities.

Steven P. Croley,
General Counsel.

       Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
245.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AD09
                             Standards for General
                             Service Lamps (Reg Plan
                             Seq No. 26).
246.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AD20
                             Standards for Residential
                             Non-Weatherized Gas
                             Furnaces and Mobile Home
                             Gas Furnaces (Reg Plan
                             Seq No. 27).
247.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AD59
                             Standards for Walk-In
                             Coolers and Walk-In
                             Freezers (Reg Plan Seq
                             No. 28).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in The Regulatory Plan in part II of this
  issue of the Federal Register.


        Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
248.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AD01
                             Standards for Commercial
                             Packaged Boilers (Reg
                             Plan Seq No. 30).
249.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AD28
                             Standards for Ceiling
                             Fans.
250.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AD34
                             Standards for Commercial
                             Water Heating Equipment
                             (Reg Plan Seq No. 31).
251.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AD72
                             Program: Test Procedures
                             for Walk-In Cooler and
                             Freezer Refrigeration
                             Systems.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in The Regulatory Plan in part II of this
  issue of the Federal Register.


        Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
252.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AD35
                             Standards for Hearth
                             Products.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


        Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
253.......................  Enforcement of Regional            1904-AC68
                             Standards for Residential
                             Furnaces and Central Air
                             Conditioners and Heat
                             Pumps.
254.......................  Energy Efficiency                  1904-AC81
                             Standards for Residential
                             Dehumidifiers.
255.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AC95
                             Standards for Small,
                             Large, and Very Large
                             Commercial Package Air
                             Conditioning and Heating
                             Equipment.
256.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AD11
                             Standards for Commercial
                             Warm Air Furnaces.
257.......................  Test Procedure for                 1904-AD18
                             Commercial Water Heating
                             Equipment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 94737]]


            Defense and Security Affairs--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
258.......................  Workplace Substance Abuse          1992-AA53
                             Programs at DOE Sites.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


             Defense and Security Affairs--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
259.......................  Chronic Beryllium Disease          1992-AA39
                             Prevention Program.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


               Office of General Counsel--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
260.......................  Energy Conservation                1990-AA44
                             Program: Certification
                             and Enforcement--Import
                             Data Collection.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE)

Proposed Rule Stage

245. Energy Conservation Standards for General Service Lamps

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 26 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 1904-AD09

246. Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Non-Weatherized Gas 
Furnaces and Mobile Home Gas Furnaces

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 27 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 1904-AD20

247. Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In 
Freezers

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 28 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 1904-AD59

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE)

Final Rule Stage

248. Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Packaged Boilers

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 30 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 1904-AD01

249. Energy Conservation Standards for Ceiling Fans

    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6295(ff); 42 U.S.C. 6291 (49)
    Abstract: EPCA authorizes the Secretary to determine whether 
updating the statutory energy conservation standards for ceiling fans 
is technically feasible and economically justified and would result in 
significant energy savings. If these criteria are met, the Secretary 
may issue amended energy conservation standards for ceiling fans.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   01/13/16  81 FR 1688
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/14/16  .......................
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   03/15/16  81 FR 13763
NPRM Comment Period Extended End....   04/14/16  .......................
Final Action........................   11/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Lucy DeButts, Office of Buildings Technologies 
Program, EE-5B, Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable 
Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, Phone: 202 
287-1604, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AD28

250. Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Water Heating 
Equipment

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 31 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 1904-AD34

251.  Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Walk-In 
Cooler and Freezer Refrigeration Systems

    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.
    Abstract: DOE established a Working Group to negotiate amended 
energy conservation standards for six classes of walk-in cooler and 
freezer (walk-in) refrigeration systems. After holding a series of 
meetings as part of a negotiated rulemaking, the Working Group 
developed a Term Sheet containing a series of recommendations regarding 
potential energy conservation standards for these refrigeration systems 
and the current test procedure for evaluating the energy efficiency of 
a walk-in refrigeration system. This rulemaking proposes several test 
procedure amendments to implement these recommendations. These proposed 
amendments include certain changes to improve test procedure clarity, 
updating related certification and enforcement provisions to address 
the performance-based energy conservation standards for walk-in cooler 
and freezer equipment, and establishing labeling requirements that will 
aid manufacturers in determining which components would be considered 
for compliance purposes as intended for walk-in cooler and freezer 
applications. The proposal would also add certain equipment-specific 
definitions, remove the test method for refrigeration systems with hot 
gas defrost, and include a method to accommodate refrigeration 
equipment that use adaptive defrost and on-cycle variable-speed 
evaporator fan control.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   08/17/16  81 FR 54926
NPRM Comment Period End.............   10/17/16  .......................
Final Action........................   12/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Ashley Armstrong, General Engineer, EE-5B, 
Department of

[[Page 94738]]

Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 1000 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, Phone: 202 586-6590, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AD72

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE)

Long-Term Actions

252. Energy Conservation Standards for Hearth Products

    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(20) and (b); 42 U.S.C. 
6295(l)(1)
    Abstract: DOE is conducting a rulemaking to analyze potential 
energy conservation standards for hearth products. DOE is developing 
this rulemaking concurrent with its coverage determination for these 
products.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM and Notice of Public Meeting...   02/09/15  80 FR 7082
NPRM Comment Period End.............   04/10/15  .......................
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   04/13/15  80 FR 19569
NPRM Comment Period Extended End....   05/11/15  .......................
                                     -----------------------------------
Final Action........................           To Be Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John Cymbalsky, Phone: 202 287-1692, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AD35

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE)

Completed Actions

253. Enforcement of Regional Standards for Residential Furnaces and 
Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps

    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(6)(G)(ii)(l)
    Abstract: DOE has developed three separate possible approaches to 
enforcement of regional standards for residential furnaces and 
residential central air conditioners and heat pumps set forth by direct 
final rule published in the Federal Register on June 27, 2011. 76 FR 
37549. Adoption of these regional standards was addressed on October 
31, 2011. (76 FR 67037) DOE intends to select one of these three 
approaches, or a combination of elements in these approaches, as a 
framework for an enforcement plan for regional standards. DOE is also 
considering a possible waiver process for regional standards 
applicability. DOE is required to promulgate an enforcement final rule 
covering the enforcement of regional standards ``[n]ot later than 15 
months after the date of the issuance of a final rule that establishes 
a regional standard'' (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(6)(G)(ii)(III)). In a notice 
published in the Federal Register on June 13, 2014, 79 FR 33870, DOE 
announced that it was forming a working group under the Appliance 
Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (ASRAC) to develop 
proposed energy efficiency requirements for regional standards 
enforcement. On November 19, 2015, DOE published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking that included the recommendations of the working group (80 
FR 72373). On July 14, 2016, DOE published a final rule. (81 FR 45387)
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Action........................   07/14/16  81 FR 45387
Final Action Effective..............   08/15/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Ashley Armstrong, Phone: 202 586-6590, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AC68

254. Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential Dehumidifiers

    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6295(m) and (cc)
    Abstract: EPCA requires the Secretary to determine whether updating 
the statutory energy conservation standards for residential 
dehumidifiers is technically feasible and economically justified and 
would result in significant energy savings. If these criteria are met, 
the Secretary will issue amended energy conservation standards.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Rule..........................   06/13/16  81 FR 38338
Final Rule Effective................   08/12/16  .......................
Final Rule; Technical Correction....   08/22/16  81 FR 56471
Final Rule; Technical Correction       08/22/16  .......................
 Effective.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John Cymbalsky, Phone: 202 287-1692, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AC81

255. Energy Conservation Standards for Small, Large, and Very Large 
Commercial Package Air Conditioning and Heating Equipment

    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6313(a)(6)(c)(i) and (vi); 42 U.S.C. 
6316; 42 U.S.C. 6295(p)(4)
    Abstract: The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as 
amended, requires DOE to periodically review its standards for small, 
large, and very large commercial package air conditioners and heating 
equipment (which includes commercial unitary air conditioners and heat 
pumps--or CUACs). Under amendments to EPCA made by the American Energy 
Manufacturing Technical Corrections Act of 2012, Pub. L. 112-210 (Dec. 
18, 2012), DOE must review its standards for this equipment every six 
years and determine whether they need amending. It also requires that, 
for those equipment types for which more than six years have elapsed 
since the most recent final rules establishing or amending a standard 
for that equipment, DOE must publish either a notice of determination 
not to amend standards or a proposal to amend the applicable standard 
by December 31, 2013. More than six years has elapsed since the 
standards for this equipment were last amended. On April 1, 2015, DOE 
published a notice announcing that a working group, under the Appliance 
Standards Federal Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ASRAC), was created to 
potentially develop negotiated standards (80 FR 17363). DOE is 
conducting this rulemaking to consider amended energy conservation 
standards for commercial unitary air conditioners and heat pumps as 
required by EPCA, as amended.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct Final Rule and Accompanying     05/04/16  .......................
 SNPRM Comment Period End.
Direct Final Rule Effective.........   05/16/16  .......................
Confirmation of Effective Date and     05/24/16  81 FR 32628
 Compliance Dates for Direct Final
 Rule.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 94739]]

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John Cymbalsky, Phone: 202 287-1692, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AC95

256. Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Warm Air Furnaces

    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6313(a)(6)(C)(i) and (vi); 42 U.S.C. 
6316; 42 U.S.C. 6295(p)(4); 42 U.S.C. 6311 (11)(A)
    Abstract: EPCA, as amended by the American Energy Manufacturing 
Technical Corrections Act (AEMTCA) of 2012, Pub. L. 112-210 (Dec. 18, 
2012), requires the Secretary to review its standards for this 
equipment every six years and to determine whether updating the 
statutory energy conservation standards for commercial warm air 
furnaces is technically feasible and economically justified and would 
save a significant amount of energy. It also requires that, for those 
equipment types for which more than six years have elapsed since the 
most recent final rules establishing or amending a standard for that 
equipment, DOE must publish either a notice of determination not to 
amend standards or a proposal to amend the applicable standards by 
December 31, 2013. More than six years have elapsed since the standards 
for this equipment were last amended. On April 1, 2015, DOE published a 
notice announcing the creation of a working group under the Appliance 
Standards Federal Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ASRAC) to potentially 
develop negotiated standards (80 FR 17363). DOE is conducting this 
rulemaking to consider amended energy conservation standards for 
commercial warm air furnaces as required by EPCA, as amended.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct Final Rule and Accompanying     05/04/16  .......................
 SNPRM Comment Period End.
Direct Final Rule Effective.........   05/16/16  .......................
Confirmation of Effective Date and     05/24/16  81 FR 32628
 Compliance Date for Direct Final
 Rule.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John Cymbalsky, Phone: 202 287-1692, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AD11

257. Test Procedure for Commercial Water Heating Equipment

    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(1)(A); 42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(B)
    Abstract: EPCA, as amended by EISA 2007 and AEMTCA, requires the 
Secretary to update test procedures for commercial water heating 
equipment to be consistent with the amended industry test procedure so 
as to reflect any technological advances in this equipment and 
accurately represent the energy consumption of this equipment. The 
statute also requires DOE to consider any necessary amendments to its 
test procedures at least once every seven years. This rulemaking will 
satisfy both statutory provisions.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   05/09/16  81 FR 28588
Final Rule..........................   11/10/16  81 FR 79261
Final Action Effective..............   12/12/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Ashley Armstrong, Phone: 202 586-6590, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AD18

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)

Defense and Security Affairs (DSA)

Proposed Rule Stage

258. Workplace Substance Abuse Programs at DOE Sites

    Legal Authority: 41 U.S.C. 701 et seq.; 41 U.S.C. 2012, 2013, 2051, 
2061, 2165, 2201b, 2201i, and 2201(p); 42 U.S.C 5814 and 5815; 42 
U.S.C. 7151, 7251, and 7256; 50 U.S.C. 2401 et seq.
    Abstract: The Department of Energy is amending its regulation 
related to workplace substance abuse programs at DOE sites. The 
proposed amendments would address drug and alcohol abuse, testing 
workers in certain sensitive positions, development and approval of a 
workplace substance abuse program, employee assistance programs and 
training. The proposed amendments would improve and strengthen the 
substance abuse programs and enhance consistency with advances in 
similar rules and other Federal drug and alcohol programs that place 
similar requirements on the private sector.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/00/16  .......................
Final Action........................   12/00/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Jacqueline D. Rogers, Industrial Hygienist, AU-11, 
Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 
20585, Phone: 202 586-4714, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1992-AA53

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)

Defense and Security Affairs (DSA)

Final Rule Stage

259. Chronic Beryllium Disease Prevention Program

    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2201(i)(3), and (p); 42 U.S.C. 2282(c); 
29 U.S.C. 668; 42 U.S.C. 7107 et seq.; 50 U.S.C. 2401 et seq.; E.O. 
12196
    Abstract: The Department of Energy is amending its current chronic 
beryllium disease prevention program regulation. The proposed 
amendments would improve and strengthen the current provisions and 
continue to be applicable to DOE Federal and contractor employees who 
are, were, or potentially were exposed to beryllium at DOE sites.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/07/16  81 FR 36704
NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/06/16  .......................
Final Action........................   10/00/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Jacqueline D. Rogers, Industrial Hygienist, AU-11, 
Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 
20585, Phone: 202 586-4714, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1992-AA39

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)

Office of General Counsel (OGC)

Final Rule Stage

260. Energy Conservation Program: Certification and Enforcement-Import 
Data Collection

    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291 to 6317
    Abstract: This rulemaking will provide DOE an automated mechanism 
to advise U.S. Customs and Border

[[Page 94740]]

Protection (CBP) of imports that do not comply with energy conservation 
standards and/or to advise CBP of DOE's recommendation for conditional 
release of goods.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/29/15  80 FR 81199
NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/12/16  .......................
Notice of Public Meeting and NPRM      02/17/16  81 FR 8022
 Comment Period Reopened.
NPRM Comment Period Reopened End....   02/29/16  .......................
2nd NPRM Comment Period Reopened....   03/07/16  81 FR 11686
2nd NPRM Comment Period Reopened End   03/14/16  .......................
3rd NPRM Comment Period Reopened....   05/16/16  81 FR 30217
3rd NPRM Comment Period Reopened End   06/15/16  .......................
Final Action........................   12/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Laura Barhydt, Assistant General Counsel for 
Enforcement, Department of Energy, Office of General Counsel, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, Phone: 202 287-5772, 
Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1990-AA44

[FR Doc. 2016-29860 Filed 12-22-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P