### 48108 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 156 / Monday, August 13, 2012 / Proposed Rules

is not necessary. Members of the public choosing to participate in this meeting remotely can do so in one of two ways— online, or via a telephone (audio) connection. The webinar and call-in information is provided below:

Date and Time: August 29, 2012 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Telephone Number: 1–888–469–3043. Access Code: 23678. Webinar Address: https://www1. gotomeeting.com/register/937057065.

Date and Time: August 30, 2012 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Telephone Number: 1–888–942–8392. Access Code: 85687. Webinar Address: https://www1. gotomeeting.com/register/156319977.

Members of the public interested in participating via webinar should follow the registration link above. After registering, instructions for joining the Webinar (including a teleconference number and pass code) will be provided via email. All participants will be in ‘‘listen-only’’ mode during the presentation. Participants will have a chance to pose questions either orally after the presentation or in writing during the Webinar.

The agenda for the public meeting will be noticed no fewer than 10 days prior to the meeting on the NRC’s Public Meeting Schedule Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/publicmeetings/index.cfm.

Questions about participation in the public meetings should be directed to the points of contact listed in the **FOR**
**FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT** section of this document.

Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 6th day of August 2012.

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Kevin Hsueh, Acting Deputy Director, Environmental Protection and Performance Assessment Directorate, Division of Waste Management and Environmental Protection, Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs.

[FR Doc. 2012–19774 Filed 8–10–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 7590–01–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY**

**10 CFR Part 430**

**[Docket No. EERE–2012–STD–0020]**

**RIN 1904–AC77**

**Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Clothes Washers: Public**  **Meeting and Availability of the Framework Document** 

**AGENCY :**  Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy. **ACTION :**  Notice of public meeting and availability of the framework document.

**SUMMARY :**  The Department of Energy (DOE) issues a framework document to consider whether to amend the energy and water conservation standards for commercial clothes washers. DOE also announces a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on issues that it will address in this rulemaking proceeding. DOE is initiating data collection for considering amended energy and water conservation standards for commercial clothes washers. DOE also encourages written comments on potential amended standards, including comments on the issues identified in the framework document. The framework document, which is intended to inform stakeholders and facilitate the rulemaking process, is available at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ appliance

_ standards/commercial/ clothes

_ washers.html.

**DATES :**  DOE will hold a public meeting on September 24, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Washington, DC. Any person requesting to speak at the public meeting should submit such request along with a signed original and an electronic copy of the statements to be given at the public meeting before 4:00 p.m., September 10, 2012. Written comments are welcome, especially following the public meeting, and should be submitted by October 12,

2012.

**ADDRESSES :**  The public meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 8E–089, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Please note that foreign nationals participating in the public meeting are subject to advance security screening procedures. If a foreign national wishes to participate in the public meeting, please inform DOE of this fact as soon as possible by contacting Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586–2945 so that the necessary procedures can be completed.

Stakeholders may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE– 2012–STD– 0020 and/or Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 1904–AC77, by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// www.regulations.gov Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

• Email: CommClothesWashers-2012- STD-0020@ee.doe.gov Include docket number EERE–2012–STD–0020 and/or RIN 1904–AC77 in the subject line of the message.

• Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. If possible, please submit all items on a CD. It is not necessary to include printed copies.

• Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 950 L’Enfant Plaza SW., Suite 600, Washington, DC 20024. Phone: (202) 586–2945. Please submit one signed paper original. If possible, please submit all items on a CD. It is not necessary to include printed copies.

• Docket: The docket is available for review at http://www.regulations.gov, and will include Federal Register notices, framework document, notice of proposed rulemaking, public meeting attendee lists and transcripts, comments, and other supporting documents/materials throughout the rulemaking process. The docket can be accessed by searching for Docket No. EERE–2012–BT–STD–0020 at the regulations.gov Web site.

For further information on how to submit or review public comments or view hard copies of the docket in the Resource Room, contact Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586–2945 or email: Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Mr. Stephen Witkowski, U.S.

Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies, EE–2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Phone: (202) 586–7463. Email: stephen. witkowski@ee.doe.gov. Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department of

Energy, Office of General Counsel, GC–71, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Phone: (202) 586–7796, email: elizabeth.kohl@hq.doe.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  I. Introduction and Legal Authority II. Test Procedures III. Energy Conservation Standards I. Introduction and Legal Authority

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA) established an energy conservation program for consumer products. (42 U.S.C. 6291– 6309) The National Energy Conservation Policy Act of 1978 amended EPCA to add Part C of Title III, which established an energy conservation program for certain industrial equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6311–6317) (Part C was re-designated Part A–1 on codification in the U.S. Code, for editorial reasons.) The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005), Public Law 109–58, further amended


### 48109 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 156 / Monday, August 13, 2012 / Proposed Rules

EPCA to expand DOE’s energy conservation program to include commercial clothes washers and other commercial equipment.

EPACT 2005 established the first energy conservation standards for commercial clothes washers, requiring commercial clothes washers manufactured on or after January 1, 2007 to have a modified energy factor (MEF) of at least 1.26 and a water factor (WF) of no more than 9.5. (42 U.S.C. 6313(e)(1); 10 CFR 431.156) EPACT 2005 further directed DOE to conduct two rulemaking cycles to determine whether to amend these standards. EPCA required completion of the first rulemaking by January 1, 2010, and DOE must complete the second rulemaking by January 1, 2015. (42 U.S.C. 6313(e)).

DOE completed the first rulemaking when it issued a final rule to amend the standards for commercial clothes washers on December 18, 2009. (75 FR 1122, January 8, 2010). Compliance with the amended standards is required as of January 8, 2013. The January 2010 final rule established revised standards fortwo separate product classes: toploading and front-loading commercial clothes washers. These standards were based on the MEF and WF metrics.

This current rulemaking will satisfy the requirement to publish the second final rule by January 1, 2015. Compliance with any amended standards would be required three years after the date of publication of the final standards.

II. Test Procedures

EPCA requires that CCWs use the same test procedures as residential clothes washers. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(8)) DOE published a final rule amending its clothes washer test procedures on March 7, 2012. (‘‘March 2012 final rule’’). (77 FR 13888) The March 2012 final rule amended the test procedure at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1 and established a new test procedure at Appendix J2. Manufacturers of both commercial and residential clothes washers will be required to use the new Appendix J2 on the compliance date of the amended standards for residential clothes washers, March 7, 2015. (The amended standards for residential clothes washers were established by a direct final rule. If DOE withdraws the direct final rule on the basis of adverse comments pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6295(p)(4), a different compliance date may be established in subsequent rulemaking action for residential clothes washers.)

The new Appendix J2 contains provisions for measuring standby mode and off mode energy use, which is factored into a new efficiency metric, integrated modified energy factor (IMEF). Appendix J2 also establishes a new water efficiency metric, integrated water factor (IWF), which provides a more representative measure of water consumption by incorporating water consumption from all the temperature cycles; in contrast, the WF metric is based on the water consumption of only the cold wash cycle.

Appendix J2 retains provisions for calculating MEF and WF; however, because of certain changes to the active mode provisions of the test procedure, MEF and WF calculated using Appendix J2 will differ from MEF and WF calculated for the same clothes washer using the current test procedure at Appendix J1. The current standard levels for commercial clothes washers are based on MEF and WF as measured using Appendix J1, and products that minimally comply with the standard as measured using Appendix J1 would likely not comply if measured using Appendix J2. III. Energy Conservation Standards

During this rulemaking, DOE will determine whether to further amend the energy conservation standards for commercial clothes washers. (42 U.S.C. 6313(e)). DOE will also consider developing correction factors that would be used to determine compliance with the MEF/WF standards effective January 8, 2013 when manufacturers are required to measure energy and water consumption using Appendix J2. Such correction factors would be used until compliance with any amended standards developed in this rulemaking was required.

EPCA requires that any new or amended energy conservation standard be designed to achieve the maximum improvement in energy or water efficiency that is technologically feasible and economically justified. To determine whether a standard is economically justified, EPCA requires that DOE determine whether the benefits of the standard exceed its burdens by considering, to the greatest extent practicable, the following:

(1) The economic impact of the standard on the manufacturers and consumers of the affected products;

(2) The savings in operating costs throughout the estimated average life of the product compared to any increases in the initial cost, or maintenance

expense;

(3) The total projected amount of energy and water (if applicable) savings likely to result directly from the imposition of the standard; (4) Any lessening of the utility or the performance of the products likely to result from the imposition of the standard;

(5) The impact of any lessening of competition, as determined in writing by the Attorney General, that is likely to result from the imposition of the standard;

(6) The need for national energy and water conservation; and

(7) Other factors the Secretary considers relevant.

(42 U.S.C. 6295 (o)(2)(B)(i) and 42 U.S.C. 6316(a))

To begin the required rulemaking process, DOE has prepared a framework document to explain the issues, analyses, and processes that it is considering for the development of amended energy conservation standards for commercial clothes washers. The framework document is available at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ appliance

_ standards/commercial/ clothes

_ washers.html.

Additionally, DOE will hold a public meeting to focus on the analyses and issues described in the framework document. DOE encourages anyone who wishes to participate in the public meeting to view the framework document and to be prepared to discuss its contents. Public meeting participants need not limit their comments to the topics identified in the framework document; DOE is also interested in receiving views on other relevant issues that participants believe would affect energy conservation standards for this equipment. DOE welcomes all interested parties, regardless of whether they participate in the public meeting, to submit in writing comments and information on matters addressed in the framework document and on other matters relevant to consideration of standards for commercial clothes washers.

DOE will conduct the public meeting in an informal conference style. A court reporter will record the minutes of the meeting. The discussion will not include proprietary information, costs or prices, market shares, or other commercial matters regulated by U.S. antitrust laws.

After the public meeting and the expiration of the period for submitting written statements, DOE will begin collecting data, conducting the analyses as discussed at the public meeting, and reviewing public comments.

Anyone who wishes to participate in the public meeting, receive meeting materials, or be added to the DOE mailing list to receive future notices and information about the rulemaking process for commercial clothes washers


### 48110 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 156 / Monday, August 13, 2012 / Proposed Rules

should contact Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586–2945.

Issued in Washington, DC, on July 31,

2012. Kathleen B. Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

[FR Doc. 2012–19766 Filed 8–10–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 6450–01–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION**

**Federal Aviation Administration**

**14 CFR Part 39**

**[Docket No. FAA–2012–0817; Directorate Identifier 99–NE–24–AD]** 

**RIN 2120–AA64**

**Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines** 

**AGENCY :**  Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

**ACTION :**  Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

**SUMMARY :**  We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain General Electric Company (GE) CF6–80C2 series turbofan engines. The existing AD requires replacement of the fuel tubes connected to the fuel flowmeter. Since we issued that AD, we received several additional reports of fuel leaks and tworeports of engine fire due to misassembled supporting brackets on the fuel tube connecting the flowmeter to the Integrated Drive Generator (IDG) fuel-oil cooler. This proposed AD wouldrequire installing a new simplified onepiece bracket to eliminate mis-assembly. We are proposing this AD to prevent high-pressure fuel leaks caused by improper seating of fuel tube flanges, which could result in an engine fire and damage to the airplane.

**DATES :**  We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 12, 2012.

**ADDRESSES :**  You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:

• Federal Rulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov . Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

• Fax: 202–493–2251.

• Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. For service information identified in this AD, contact General Electric Company, GE–Aviation, Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215, phone: (513) 552–3272; email: geae.aoc@ge.com . You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781–238–7125. Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http:// www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is in the

**ADDRESSES** section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Jason Yang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781–238–7747; fax: 781–238– 7199; email: jason.yang@faa.gov

. **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 
Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the

**ADDRESSES** section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2012–0817; Directorate Identifier 99–NE–24–AD’’ at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD because of those

comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http:// www.regulations.gov , including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

On February 17, 2000, we issued AD 2000–04–14, Amendment 39–11597 (65 FR 10698, February 29, 2000), for all GE CF6–80C2 series turbofan engines. That AD requires replacement of the fuel tube connecting the fuel flowmeter to the IDG fuel-oil cooler and the fuel tubes connecting the fuel flowmeter to the Main Engine Control (MEC) or Hydromechanical Unit (HMU) with improved fuel tubes. That AD resulted from reports of fuel leaking in the core cowl cavity under high pressure that can be ignited by contact with hot engine case surfaces. We issued that AD to prevent high-pressure fuel leaks caused by improper seating of fuel tube flanges, which could result in an engine fire and damage to the airplane. Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

Since we issued AD 2000–04–14, Amendment 39–11597 (65 FR 10698, February 29, 2000), we received several reports of fuel leaks and two reports of engine fire due to mis-assembled supporting brackets on the fuel tube connecting the fuel flowmeter to the IDG fuel-oil cooler. Investigation of these two fires determined the root cause was due to a design shortfall, which allowed improper installation of the two-piece bracket and subsequent fuel leaks from the fuel tube connection.

FAA’s Determination

We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design. Proposed AD Requirements

This proposed AD would require replacement of the fuel tube connecting the fuel flowmeter to the IDG fuel-oil cooler and the fuel tubes connecting the fuel flowmeter to the MEC or HMU with improved fuel tubes. This proposed AD would also require installing a simplified one-piece bracket to eliminate mis-assembly when the fuel tubes connecting the fuel flowmeter to the IDG fuel-oil cooler are disconnected. Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 2,300 CF6–80C2 engines installed on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that one work-hour would be required per engine to accomplish the actions required by this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. We also estimate that the required parts will cost about $180 per engine. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators is $609,500. Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA’s authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,