[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 207 (Friday, October 29, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59889-59890]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23251]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 430

[EERE-2017-BT-STD-0014]
RIN 1904-AD98


Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for 
Residential Clothes Washers, Webinar and Availability of the 
Preliminary Technical Support Document

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

ACTION: Extension of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') is extending the 
public comment period for the preliminary analysis regarding proposals 
to amend the energy conservation standards for residential clothes 
washers. DOE published the notification of a webinar and availability 
of preliminary technical support document in the Federal Register on 
September 29, 2021, establishing a 75-day public comment period ending 
December 13, 2021. On October 11, 2021, DOE received a comment 
requesting extension of the comment period by an additional 64 days to 
February 15, 2022. DOE is extending the public comment period for 
submitting comments and data on the preliminary analysis documents by 
an additional 45 days, to January 27, 2022, for a total of a 120-day 
comment period.

DATES: The comment period for the preliminary analysis published on 
September 29, 2021 (86 FR 53886), is extended. DOE will accept 
comments, data, and information regarding this preliminary analysis no 
later than January 27, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments. Alternatively, interested persons 
may submit comments by email to the following address: 
[email protected]. Include the docket number 
EERE-2017-BT-STD-0014 and/or RIN number 1904-AD98 in the subject line 
of the message. Submit electronic comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft 
Word, PDF, or ASCII file format, and avoid the use of special 
characters or any form of encryption.
    Although DOE has routinely accepted public comment submissions 
through a variety of mechanisms, including postal mail and hand 
delivery/courier, the Department has found it necessary to make 
temporary modifications to the comment submission process in light of 
the ongoing corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic. DOE is currently 
accepting only electronic submissions at this time. If a commenter 
finds that this change poses an undue hardship, please contact 
Appliance Standards Program staff at (202) 586-1445 to discuss the need 
for alternative arrangements. Once the COVID-19 pandemic health 
emergency is resolved, DOE anticipates resuming all of its regular 
options for public comment submission, including postal mail and hand 
delivery/courier.
    No telefacsimilies (faxes) will be accepted.
    Docket: The docket for this activity, which includes Federal 
Register notices, comments, and other supporting documents/materials, 
is available for review at www.regulations.gov. All documents in the 
docket are listed in the www.regulations.gov index. However, some 
documents listed in the index, such as those containing information 
that is exempt from public disclosure, may not be publicly available.
    The docket web page can be found at www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2017-BT-STD-0014. The docket web page contains instructions on how 
to access all documents, including public comments in the docket.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building 
Technologies Office, EE-5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-0371. Email: 
[email protected].
    Ms. Kathryn McIntosh, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the 
General Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-2002. Email: 
[email protected].
    For further information on how to submit a comment or review other 
public comments and the docket contact the Appliance and Equipment 
Standards Program staff at (202) 287-1445 or by email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 29, 2021, DOE published the 
notification of a webinar and availability of preliminary technical 
support document in the Federal Register soliciting public comment on 
its proposed amendments to the energy conservation standards for 
residential clothes washers. 86 FR 53886. Comments were originally due 
on December 13, 2021. On October 11, 2021, DOE received a comment from 
the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers to extend the comment 
period by an additional 64 days to February 15, 2022.\1\
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    \1\ DOE has posted this comment to the docket at 
www.regulations.gov/comment/EERE-2016-BT-TP-0011-0020.
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    DOE has reviewed the request and considered the benefit to 
stakeholders in providing additional time to review the preliminary 
analysis and gather information/data that DOE is seeking. Accordingly, 
DOE has determined that an extension of the comment period is 
appropriate and is hereby extending the comment period by an additional 
45 days to January 27, 2022 for a total of a 120 day comment period.

Signing Authority

    This document of the Department of Energy was signed on October 19, 
2021, by Kelly Speakes-Backman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary 
and Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable 
Energy, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. 
That document with the original signature and date is

[[Page 59890]]

maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance 
with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the 
undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to 
sign and submit the document in electronic format for publication, as 
an official document of the Department of Energy. This administrative 
process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon 
publication in the Federal Register.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on October 20, 2021.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2021-23251 Filed 10-28-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P