[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 11 (Friday, January 17, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 5748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-00965]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Part 431
[EERE-2022-BT-STD-0002]
RIN 1904-AF40
Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for
Fans and Blowers
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.
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SUMMARY: This document withdraws a proposed rule that was published in
the Federal Register on January 19, 2024. The proposed rule would have
established equipment classes and energy conservation standards for
fans and blowers.
DATES: The proposed rule on energy conservation standards for fans and
blowers, published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2024, at 89
FR 3714 is withdrawn on January 17, 2025.
ADDRESSES: The docket for this activity, which includes Federal
Register notices, comments, and other supporting documents/materials,
is available for review at www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2022-BT-STD-0002. The docket web page contains instructions on how to access all
documents, including public comments, in the docket. 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Jeremy Dommu, 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) 586-9870. Email: [email protected].
Ms. Laura Zuber, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General
Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121.
Telephone: (202) 586-4798. Email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 19, 2024, the Department of
Energy (``DOE'') published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed
rulemaking (``NOPR'') and public meeting announcement, in which DOE
proposed to establish equipment classes and energy conservation
standards for fans and blowers. 89 FR 3714. Specifically, the proposed
rule sought to establish energy conservation standards for two
categories of fans and blowers: air circulating fans (``ACFs'') and
fans and blowers that are not air circulating fans, which DOE referred
to as general fans and blowers (``GFBs''). DOE proposed standards for
various equipment classes of GFBs and ACFs. After review of the
proposed rule and public comments, DOE has decided to withdraw the
proposed rule.
DOE received significant oral and written comments on its proposed
rule and technical support document from individuals, manufacturers,
trade associations, utilities, efficiency advocacy organizations, and
other stakeholders. Some commenters opposed the rule, citing concerns
about impacts on manufacturers and the analysis underlying the proposed
standards. Other commenters supported the proposed rule and highlighted
the proposed rule's energy savings, emission reductions, and consumer
benefits. Although DOE continues to support the intent and purpose of
the proposed energy conservation standards for fans and blowers, in
light of the considerable feedback received through the public comment
process, the forthcoming change in Administration, and the significant
resources needed to review and consider all relevant matters presented
in the public comments, DOE does not believe that finalizing the
proposed energy conservation standards is an efficient use of its
resources at this time.
For each of these independent reasons, DOE is exercising its
discretion to withdraw the proposed standards and terminate this
rulemaking. DOE does not intend for a final rule to be issued on this
NOPR as it will be important for the Department to be informed by
updated data and public input when it in re-examines these important
issues and explores options that best implement the requirements of the
Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). 42 U.S.C. 6291 et seq.
However, this withdrawal action does not preclude DOE from proposing
energy conservation standards for fans and blowers in the future,
including new standards that may be substantially identical or similar
to those previously proposed. DOE notes that any future rulemaking it
may undertake on this topic would similarly be subject to the notice
and comment requirements of EPCA and the Administrative Procedure Act,
5 U.S.C. 551, et seq.
States are not prohibited from adopting their own energy
conservation standards, including the standards proposed by DOE. DOE
notes that in proposing these standards, DOE estimated that the
standards would save a significant amount of energy and have
significant cost savings to consumers and the nation.
Approval of the Office of the Secretary
The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this proposed
rule; withdrawal.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of Energy was signed on January 10,
2025, by Jeffrey Marootian, Principal Deputy 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 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 January 13, 2025.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2025-00965 Filed 1-16-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P