[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 22, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11222-11225]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02270]



[[Page 11221]]

Vol. 88

Wednesday,

No. 35

February 22, 2023

Part VII





Department of Energy





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

  Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 35 / Wednesday, February 22, 2023 / 
UA: Reg Flex Agenda  

[[Page 11222]]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Chs. II, III, and X

48 CFR Ch. 9


Fall 2022 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Semiannual Regulatory Agenda.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) has prepared and is making 
available its portion of the semi-annual 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 the Energy Policy and 
Conservation Act, as amended, 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 2022 Regulatory Agenda can be accessed 
online by going to www.reginfo.gov.
    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. 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.

Samuel Walsh,
General Counsel.

       Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
291.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AD15
                             Standards for Residential
                             Conventional Cooking
                             Products.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


        Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
292.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AD20
                             Standards for Residential
                             Non-Weatherized Gas
                             Furnaces and Mobile Home
                             Gas Furnaces (Reg Plan
                             Seq No. 48).
293.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AD34
                             Standards for Commercial
                             Water Heating-Equipment.
294.......................  Test Procedure for                 1904-AE77
                             Consumer Water Heaters
                             and Residential-Duty
                             Commercial Water Heaters.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in The Regulatory Plan in part II of this
  issue of the Federal Register.


        Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
295.......................  Energy Conservation                1904-AD09
                             Standards for General
                             Service Lamps.
296.......................  Test Procedure for Ceiling         1904-AD88
                             Fans.
297.......................  Test Procedures for                1904-AE46
                             Dehumidifying Direct-
                             Expansion Dedicated
                             Outdoor Air Systems.
298.......................  Test Procedure for Battery         1904-AE49
                             Chargers.
299.......................  Test Procedures for                1904-AE62
                             Electric Motors.
300.......................  Test Procedure for Cooking         1904-AF18
                             Tops.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE)

Proposed Rule Stage

291. Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Conventional Cooking 
Products [1904-AD15]

    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6295(m)(1); 42 U.S.C. 6292 (a)(10); 42 
U.S.C. 6295(h)
    Abstract: The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended 
by Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), prescribes 
energy conservation standards for various consumer products, including 
consumer conventional cooking products. EPCA also requires the U.S. 
Department of Energy (DOE) to periodically determine whether more 
stringent standards would be technologically feasible and economically 
justified and would result in a significant conservation of energy. In 
this rulemaking, DOE is considering whether to update energy 
conservation standards for consumer conventional cooking products in 
order to fulfill its statutory deadline for amending energy 
conservation standards for cooking products under 42 U.S.C. 6295(m)(1). 
In 2020, DOE tentatively determined that amended energy conservation 
standards for consumer conventional cooking products would not be 
economically justified and would not result in significant energy 
savings. DOE re-evaluates this determination of whether amending 
standards for cooking products would result in significant energy 
savings.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information (RFI).......   02/12/14  79 FR 8337
RFI Comment Period End..............   03/14/14
RFI Comment Period Extended.........   03/03/14  79 FR 11714
RFI Comment Period Extended End.....   04/14/14
NPRM and Public Meeting.............   06/10/15  80 FR 33030

[[Page 11223]]

 
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   07/30/15  80 FR 45452
NPRM Comment Period Extended End....   09/09/15
Supplemental NPRM...................   09/02/16  81 FR 60784
SNPRM Comment Period Extended.......   09/30/16  81 FR 67219
SNPRM Comment Period Extended End...   11/02/16
Notice of Proposed Determination and   12/14/20  85 FR 80982
 Request for Comment.
Notice of Proposed Determination       03/01/21
 Comment Period End.
Second SNPRM........................   01/00/23
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Stephanie Johnson, General Engineer, Department of 
Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 1000 Independence 
Avenue SW, Building Technologies Office, EE5B, Washington, DC 20585, 
Phone: 202 287-1943, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AD15

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE)

Final Rule Stage

292. Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Non-Weatherized Gas 
Furnaces and Mobile Home Gas Furnaces [1904-AD20]

    Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 48 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.
    RIN: 1904-AD20

293. Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Water Heating-
Equipment [1904-AD34]

    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6313(a)(6)(C)(i) and (vi)
    Abstract: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is undertaking a 
rulemaking to amend energy conservation standards for commercial water 
heaters. Once completed, this rulemaking will fulfill DOE's statutory 
obligation under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended, 
(EPCA) to either propose amended energy conservation standards for 
commercial water heaters and hot water supply boilers (CWHs), or 
determine that the existing standards do not need to be amended. 
(Unfired hot water storage tanks and commercial heat pump water heaters 
are being considered in a separate rulemaking.) DOE must determine 
whether national standards more stringent than those that are currently 
in place would result in a significant additional amount of energy 
savings and whether such amended national standards would be 
technologically feasible and economically justified. DOE proposed to 
amend the standards for certain classes of CWH equipment for which DOE 
has tentatively determined there is clear and convincing evidence to 
support more-stringent standards. Additionally, DOE has proposed to 
codify standards for electric instantaneous CWH equipment from EPCA 
into the Code of Federal Regulations.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information (RFI).......   10/21/14  79 FR 62899
RFI Comment Period End..............   11/20/14
NPRM................................   05/31/16  81 FR 34440
NPRM Comment Period End.............   08/01/16
NPRM Comment Period Reopened........   08/05/16  81 FR 51812
NPRM Comment Period Reopened End....   08/30/16
Notice of Data Availability (NODA)..   12/23/16  81 FR 94234
NODA Comment Period End.............   01/09/17
Notice of NPRM Withdrawal...........   01/15/21  86 FR 3873
NPRM................................   05/19/22  87 FR 30610
NPRM Comment Period End.............   07/18/22
NPRM Comment Period Reopened........   07/20/22  87 FR 43226
NPRM Comment Period End.............   08/01/22
Final Action........................   07/00/23
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Julia Hegarty, Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585, Phone: 240 597-6737, 
Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AD34

294. Test Procedure for Consumer Water Heaters and Residential-Duty 
Commercial Water Heaters [1904-AE77]

    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A); 42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(1)
    Abstract: Consistent with the requirements under the Energy Policy 
and Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended, the U.S. Department of Energy 
(DOE) is examining whether to amend the current test procedure for 
consumer water heaters and certain commercial water heaters found at 10 
CFR 430, subpart B, appendix E and 10 CFR 431.106. As a result of this 
effort, DOE may propose and amend the test procedures for this product/
equipment, or issue a determination that no amendments to the current 
test procedures are required.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information (RFI).......   04/16/20  85 FR 21104
RFI Comment Period End..............   06/01/20
RFI Comment Period Reopened.........   06/10/20  85 FR 35382
RFI Comment Period Reopened End.....   06/24/20
NPRM................................   01/11/22  87 FR 1554
NPRM; Correction....................   01/19/22  87 FR 2731
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/14/22
Supplemental NPRM...................   07/14/22  87 FR 42270
Supplemental NPRM Comment Period End   08/04/22
Final Action........................   12/00/22
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Julia Hegarty, Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585, Phone: 240 597-6737, 
Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AE77

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE)

Completed Actions

295. Energy Conservation Standards for General Service Lamps [1904-
AD09]

    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(6)(A); 42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(6)(B)
    Abstract: Amendments to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act 
(EPCA) in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) 
direct the U.S.

[[Page 11224]]

Department of Energy (DOE) to conduct two rulemaking cycles to evaluate 
energy conservation standards for general service lamps (GSLs). EISA 
specifically states that the scope of the rulemaking is not limited to 
incandescent lamp technologies. EISA also states that DOE must consider 
in the first rulemaking cycle the minimum backstop requirement of 45 
lumens per watt (lm/W) for GSLs effective January 1, 2020. Pursuant to 
this authority, in 2014, DOE initiated a rulemaking to determine 
whether to amend or adopt standards for GSLs. Because DOE ultimately 
failed to complete the first cycle of GSL rulemaking in accordance with 
statutory criteria, in 2022, DOE finalized a rulemaking establishing 
the 45 lm/W backstop requirement for GSLs. 87 FR 27439 (May 9, 2022). 
By completing the final backstop rule, DOE has concluded this first 
cycle of rulemaking. DOE is pursuing the second rulemaking cycle for 
GSLs under RIN 1904-AF43.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Rule Adopting a Definition for   05/09/22  87 FR 27461
 GSL.
Final Rule Adopting a Definition for   07/08/22
 GSL Effective.
Final Action Backstop Requirement      05/09/22  87 FR 27439
 for GSLs.
Final Rule, Backstop Requirement for   07/25/22
 GSLs Effective.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Stephanie Johnson, Phone: 202 287-1943, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AD09

296. Test Procedure for Ceiling Fans [1904-AD88]

    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1) and (16); 42 U.S.C. 6291(49)
    Abstract: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a final 
rule amending its test procedures for ceiling fans established under 
the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended. The final 
rule amends the test procedures for ceiling fans to include a 
definition for ``circulating air'' for the purpose of the ceiling fan 
definition; include ceiling fans greater than 24 feet within the scope 
of the test procedure; include certain belt-driven ceiling fans within 
the scope of the test procedure; specify that certain very small-
diameter ceiling fans are not required to be tested; maintain 
applicability of the standby power test procedure to large-diameter 
ceiling fans; specify instructions for testing ceiling fans with 
certain accessories or features; clarify test voltage for large-
diameter ceiling fans; amend the low speed definition and increase low 
speed tolerance for stability criteria; permit an alternate set-up to 
collect air velocity test data and provide greater specificity 
regarding sensor orientation; amend the blade thickness measurement 
requirement; update instrument measurement resolution, represented 
values, rounding instructions, and enforcement provisions; and codify 
current guidance on calculating several values reported on the 
EnergyGuide label. The final rule also includes updated references to 
the industry test standard to reference the latest version.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Rule..........................   08/16/22  87 FR 50396
Final Rule; Correction..............   08/26/22  87 FR 52433
Final Rule Effective................   09/15/22  .......................
Final Rule; Technical Amendment.....   11/28/22  87 FR 72862
Final Rule; Technical Amendment        11/28/22  .......................
 Effective.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Jeremy Dommu, Phone: 202 586-9870, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AD88

297. Test Procedures for Dehumidifying Direct-Expansion Dedicated 
Outdoor Air Systems [1904-AE46]

    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)
    Abstract: Consistent with the requirements under the Energy Policy 
and Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended, the U.S. Department of Energy 
(DOE) has established definitions for ``direct expansion-dedicated 
outdoor air systems'' (DXDOASes) and ``unitary dedicated outdoor air 
systems'' (unitary DOASes). Unitary DOASes are a category of small, 
large, and very large commercial package air conditioning and heating 
equipment under EPCA. In addition, DOE established a test procedure to 
measure the energy efficiency of DXDOASes, which aligns with the most 
recent version of the relevant industry consensus test standards for 
DXDOASes, with certain minor modifications. Lastly, DOE adopted 
supporting definitions, energy efficiency metrics for dehumidification 
and heating modes, and provisions governing public representations 
through a final rule.
    For covered equipment addressed in the American Society of Heating, 
Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 90.1, 
the DOE test procedure must be based upon the generally accepted 
industry testing procedure referenced in that industry consensus 
standard (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(A)). The statute further requires that 
each time the referenced industry test procedure is updated, DOE must 
amend the Federal test procedure to be consistent with the amended 
industry test procedure, unless there is clear and convincing evidence 
that the update would not be representative of an average use cycle or 
would be unduly burdensome to conduct (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(B)). 
Independent of that test procedure review obligation, EPCA also 
includes a 7-year-look-back review provision for covered commercial and 
industrial equipment that requires DOE to conduct an evaluation of each 
class of covered equipment to determine whether amended test procedures 
would more accurately or fully comply with the requirements that the 
Federal test procedure be representative of an average use cycle and 
not be unduly burdensome to conduct (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(1)). In this 
test procedure rulemaking, DOE acted under its authority at 42 U.S.C. 
6314(a)(4)(B) after determining there is clear and convincing evidence 
that the industry consensus standard referenced in ASHRAE Standard 90.1 
(AHRI 920-2015) would not meet the requirements of 6314(a)(2). 
Therefore, DOE established the test procedure in alignment with the 
most recent version of the industry test procedure (AHRI 920-2020) 
which DOE determined is representative of an average use cycle and is 
not unduly burdensome to conduct, in accordance with 6314(a)(2). (The 
NOPR for this rule was mistakenly published in the Federal Register as 
RIN 1904-AD93 on July 7, 2021).
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Action........................   07/27/22  87 FR 45164
Final Action Effective..............   08/26/22  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Catherine Rivest, Phone: 202 586-7335, Email: 
[email protected].

[[Page 11225]]

    RIN: 1904-AE46

298. Test Procedure for Battery Chargers [1904-AE49]

    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6295(u); 42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)
    Abstract: The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), as 
amended, requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to consider every 
7 years whether to amend test procedures for battery chargers. In 
making this determination, DOE must consider whether to amend its test 
procedures because doing so would more accurately produce test results 
which measure energy efficiency, or determine not to amend the test 
procedures. In the final rule, DOE amends the existing test procedures 
for battery chargers to reorganize certain subsections, clarify 
symbology and references, correct an incorrect cross reference and 
section title, update the list of battery chemistries, and terminate an 
existing test procedure waiver because the covered subject models have 
been discontinued. This final rule also establishes in new appendix Y1 
a new a test procedure for battery chargers that expands coverage to 
include inductive wireless battery chargers and establishes associated 
definitions and test provisions; establishes a new test procedure 
approach that relies on separate metrics for active mode, standby mode, 
and off mode; and updates the EPS selection criteria. The new test 
procedure Y1 will be used for the evaluation and issuance of updated 
efficiency standards, as well as to determine compliance with the 
updated standards, should such standards be established. This 
rulemaking fulfills DOE's statutory obligation to either propose 
amended test procedures for this equipment or determine that the test 
procedures do not need to be amended.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Action........................   09/08/22  87 FR 55090
Final Action; Correction............   10/07/22  87 FR 60867
Final Action Effective..............   10/11/22  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Jeremy Dommu, Phone: 202 586-9870, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AE49

299. Test Procedures for Electric Motors [1904-AE62]

    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(A); 42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(1)
    Abstract: The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), as 
amended, requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to amend the test 
procedures with respect to electric motors at least once every 7 years, 
if it determines that amended test procedures would more accurately 
produce test results measuring the energy efficiency of electric 
motors, or make a determination not to amend the test procedures. The 
final rule amends the existing scope of the test procedures for 
electric motors consistent with related updates to the relevant 
industry testing standard (i.e., for air-over electric motors, electric 
motors greater than 500 horsepower, electric motors considered small, 
inverter-only electric motors, and synchronous electric motors); adds 
test procedures, an appropriate metric, and supporting definitions for 
additional electric motors covered under the amended scope; and updates 
references to industry standards to reference current versions. 
Furthermore, DOE is adopting certain industry provisions related to the 
prescribed test conditions to further ensure the comparability of test 
results. DOE is also amending provisions pertaining to certification 
testing and the determination of represented values for electric motors 
other than dedicated-purpose pool pump motors, and re-locating such 
provisions consistent with the location of the certification 
requirements for other covered products and equipment. Finally, DOE is 
adding provisions pertaining to certification testing and the 
determination of represented values for dedicated-purpose pool pump 
motors. Now completed, this rulemaking fulfills DOE's statutory 
obligation to either propose an amended test procedure or determine 
that the existing test procedure does not need to be amended.
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Action........................   10/19/22  87 FR 63588
Final Action; Correction............   10/26/22  87 FR 64689
Final Action Effective..............   11/18/22  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Jeremy Dommu, Phone: 202 586-9870, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AE62

300. Test Procedure for Cooking Tops [1904-AF18]

    Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1); 42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(10)
    Abstract: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is required to review 
its test procedures for cooking products, including conventional 
cooking tops, once every 7 years under the Energy Policy and 
Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended. In this rulemaking, DOE has 
established a test procedure for conventional cooking tops, a category 
of cooking products, under a new appendix. The new test procedure 
adopts the latest version of the relevant industry standard for 
electric cooking tops with modifications. The modifications adapt the 
test method to gas cooking tops, normalize the energy use of each test 
cycle, include measurement of standby mode and off mode energy use, 
update certain test conditions, and clarify certain provisions. This 
final rule retitles the existing cooking products test procedure to 
specify that it is for microwave ovens only. Through this final rule, 
DOE fulfills its statutory obligation to either propose new test 
procedures for this product or determine that new test procedures are 
not required. This review also satisfies the review requirement under 
Executive Order 13990, ``Protecting Public Health and the Environment 
and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis,'' 86 FR 7037 
(January 25, 2021).
    Completed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Reason                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Action........................   08/22/22  87 FR 51492
Final Action Effective..............   09/21/22  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Stephanie Johnson, Phone: 202 287-1943, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 1904-AF18

[FR Doc. 2023-02270 Filed 2-21-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P