DOCKETED  
Docket Number:  20-AAER -02 
Project Title:  Air Filters  
TN #:  247066  
Document Title:  2nd 15 -day Public Notice  
Description:  Public Notice to initiate 2nd public comment period for the 
proposed regulatory language for Air Filters  
Filer:  Alex Galdamez  
Organization:  California Energy Commission  
Submitter Role:  Commission Staff   
Submission Date:  10/28/2022 8:29:17 AM  
Docketed Date:  10/28/2022  
 STATE OF CALIFORNIA — NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY  Gavin Newsom, Governor  
 
CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION  
715 P Street  
Sacramento, California 95814  
 
energy.ca.gov  
 
CEC -057 (Revised 1 /21)
Notice of Availability  
NOTICE OF 2nd 15-DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIO D 
PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE  
AIR FILTERS REGULATIONS  
 
California Energy Commission 
Docket No. 20- AAER- 02 
 
On March 25, 2022, the California Energy Commission (CEC) published a Notice of 
Proposed Action with proposed amendments to the air filters regulations contained in 
the California Code of Regulations, Title 20. The CEC made all the documents av ailable 
for a 45- day comment period, which ended on May 9, 2022,  and held a public hearing 
on May 10, 2022.  
On August 22, 2022, the CEC published a public notice announcing a 15- day comment 
period for the changes to the proposed regulation for air filters.  Due to a technical issue 
concerning outreach, a second public notice was published o n August 29, 2022, 
updating the August 22, 2022,  public notice. Comments were received into the docket 
during the updated public comment period,  which concluded on September 13, 2022.  
Based on the comments received during the 15- day comment period, August 29, 2022,  
to September 13, 2022, the CEC is proposing additional changes to the proposed 
regulatory language offered on March 25, 2022, and as proposed to be modified on 
August 29, 2022. Any interested persons are invited to review and provide written comments to the CEC for consideration during the 2
nd 15-day comment period 
from October 28, 2022,  through November 1 4, 2022. The CEC appreciates receiving 
written comments at the earliest possible date. Comments submitted after November 14, 2022, are considered untimely and the CEC may, but is not required to, respond to 
those comments, including those raising significant issues .  
The CEC encourages use of its electronic commenting system. Visit the e- commenting 
page for Air Filters  at https://www.energy.ca.gov/rules -and-regulations/appliance-
efficiency -regulations -title-20/appliance- efficiency -proceedings -0 which links to the  
comment page for this docket.  Enter your contact information and a comment ti tle 
describing the subject of your comment(s). Comments may be included in the 
“Comment Text” box or attached as a downloadable, searchable document consistent with 20 California Code of Regulations section 1208.1. The maximum files size allowed is 10 MB.  
A paper copy may be sent to:  
 
California Energy Commission 
Docket Unit  
Docket No. 20-AAER- 02 
715 P Street, MS -4 
Sacramento, CA 95814 
Written comments, attachments, and associated contact information (including address, phone number, and email address) wil l become part of the public record of this 
proceeding with access available via any internet search engine.  
The 2
nd 15-day proposed language and related documents are available for review in 
“PROCEEDING INFORMATION” docket log (20- AAER- 02) of the CEC ’s Air Filters  
website .1 
In accordance with Government Code sections 11346.8 and 11347.1, these documents 
are made available for public comment at least 15 days before the CEC’s consideration and possible adoption of the proposed regulations. Copies of these documents are available for public inspection at the CEC located at the addres s above, subject to 
COVID- 19 limitations. The CEC has considered all public comments received in 
developing the 2
nd 15-day proposed language.  
The text of the modified regulatory language is also included as Attachment A. 
Amendments to the existing code that were made public with the 45- day notice on 
March 25, 2022, are shown in strike through (example)  to indicate deletions and 
underline (example) to indicate additions. Amendments proposed as a part of the 
updated 15-day notice of August 29, 2022, are shown in double strikethrough ( example) 
for deletions and double underline ( example) for additions. The amendments proposed 
under this second 15- day notice are shown in bold- italics strikethrough (example)  for 
deletions and bold- italics underline ( example) for additions.  
In the Final Statement of Reasons, staff will respond to all comments received on the 
record during the comment periods. The Administrative Procedure Act requires that staff respond to the comments received regarding all noticed changes. Therefore, staff will 
only address comments received during opportunities to comment that are responsive 
 
1 Air Filter website , https://www.energy.ca.gov/rules -and-regulations/appliance -efficiency -regulations -title-
20/appliance- efficiency -proceedings -0 to this notice, documents added to the record, or the changes detailed in the 2nd 15-day 
proposed language at the above- referenced website.  
To stay informed about this proceeding and receive documents and notices of 
upcoming workshops and hearings as they are filed, please subscribe to the proceeding email subscription at the following link: Air Filters website  
https://www.energy.ca.gov/rules -and-regulations/appliance- efficiency -regulations -title-
20/appliance- efficiency -proceedings -0. The email subscription sends out email 
notifications and direct links when documents and notices are filed in the proceeding docket. If you are unable to access the website and would like a copy of the rulemaking documents mailed or emailed to you, or if you have any questions, please c ontact 
Corrine Fishman at corrine.fishman@energy.ca.gov . 
The CEC’s Public Advisor provides the public assistance in participating in CEC proceedings. If you want information on how to participate in this forum, please contact the Public Advisor at publicadvisor @energy.ca.gov , or by phone at (916) 957 -7910.  
Direct media inquiries to the Media and Public Communications Office at (916) 654-  
4989, or by email at mediaoffice@energy.ca. gov.  
If you have question on the subject matter of this notice, please contact Alejandro Galdamez at alejandro.galdamez@energy.ca.gov  or (916) 237- 2550.  
Summary of Modifications 
Section 1602:  
- The definition of “air filter” was modified to make use of defined terms and to 
align to the language used for air filters  in the scope of the regulations ( Section 
1601(c) ). The change was necessary to address received public comments  that 
the proposed definition was ambiguous , unclear , and potentially exceeded the 
intended scope of the proposed regulations .  
Section 1606:   
- Unnecessary language mentioning “particulate matter”  was removed from table X 
regarding the particle size efficiency for particle size for 0.3 to 1.0 micrometer  
data point . The change was necessary for consistency with language used in the 
proposed test procedures and to avoi d potential ambiguity .  
- Unnecessary descriptors for the dust holding capacity data point in table X were removed. The change was necessary  for consistency with language used in the 
proposed test procedures and to avoid potential ambiguity .  
- Update of the a pplicability date from July  1, 2024, for the certification of air filters 
into CEC’s MAEDbS.   Section 1607:  
- Language relating to marking on packaging as a substitute for product marking, 
and to an “interim” marking that would allow for an earlier effect ive date, was 
removed.  This change was necessary to be responsive to numerous public 
comments expressing a preference for a single effective date for a fully 
informative product mark ing, and to ensure that product markings are visible to 
occupants when the air filter is replaced . 
- The effective date of the marking requirements was changed to July 1, 2024. The 
change was necessary to give manufacturers sufficient time to make production 
and supply changes necessary to support product marking, and specifically in recognition of the negative impacts that the COVID -19 pandemic has had on 
supply chains . In addition,  the new effective date will prevent the unnecessary 
disposal of 6-months of inventory which is the average maintained  by retail 
stores  as explained in the comment received.  
Summary of recommendations not implemented 
Section 1602:  
- A recommendation to modify the definition for the term “ basic model ” was not 
implemented.  Staff found that the recommendation would add ambiguous 
language and would negatively impact the intent of the proposed term and 
associated regulations .