DOE Initiates Rulemaking to Amend Commercial, Industrial Electric Motors Energy Standards
The Department of Energy has announced that it is initiating a rulemaking to amend the energy conservation standards for certain commercial and industrial electric motors under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA)1.
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DOE has Prepared Framework Document, Seeks Comments by Oct 28
To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has prepared a framework document that details the analytical approach that DOE will use and identifies several issues on which DOE is particularly interested in receiving comment. DOE will accept written comments, data, and information regarding the framework document submitted by October 28, 2010.
EPCA Directs DOE to Publish Final Rule on Electric Motor Standards
EPCA directs DOE to publish a final rule determining whether to amend existing electric motors standards within 24 months of the effective date of the previous final electric motors rule. The most recent electric motors standards were set out in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and codified in the CFR in March 2009 go into effect on December 19, 2010.
Therefore, DOE must publish a final rule determining whether to amend the electric motors standards by December 19, 2012. Any amended standards established pursuant to this rulemaking would apply to products manufactured five years or more after the effective date of the previous electric motors standard. Any amended standards that result from this rulemaking process would have a compliance date of December 19, 2015.
DOE to Hold Public Informal Meeting to Discuss Rulemaking
DOE will hold an informal public meeting to discuss and receive comments on its planned analytical approach and the issues it will address during this rulemaking on October 18, 2010 in Washington, DC.
The public meeting will be conducted in an informal, facilitated, conference style. There will be no discussion of proprietary information, costs or prices, market shares, or other commercial matters regulated by U.S. antitrust laws. A court reporter will record the proceedings of the public meeting, after which a transcript will be available on the DOE website.
After Meeting and Close of Comment Period, DOE Will Conduct Analyses
After the public meeting and the close of the comment period on the framework document, DOE will begin conducting the analyses discussed in the framework document and reviewing the public comments received.
1EPCA established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles, a program covering most major household appliances. Over time, amendments to EPCA have given DOE expanded authority to regulate the energy efficiency of certain commercial and industrial equipment, including the electric motors that are the focus of this notice.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/11/10 news, 10031130, for BP summary of DOE’s final rule setting energy conservation standards for small electric motors.)
Additional information on energy conservation standards and test procedures for electric motors is available here.
DOE contact- James Raba (202) 586-8654 or Jim.Raba@ee.doe.gov
(D/N EERE--2010--BT--STD--0027, FR Pub 09/28/10)