[6450-01-P]

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 431 

(Docket No. EERE–2009–BT–STD–0018) 

RIN: 1904-AC00 

Energy Efficiency Program for Consumer Products: Public Meeting and Availability of the 

Framework Document for Metal Halide Lamp Fixtures 

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy. 

ACTION: Notice of public meeting and availability of the framework document. 

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating the rulemaking and data 

collection process to establish amended energy conservation standards for certain metal halide 

lamp fixtures. Accordingly, DOE will hold an informal public meeting to discuss and receive 

comments on its planned analytical approach and issues it will address in this rulemaking 

proceeding. DOE welcomes written comments from the public on any subject within the scope 

of this rulemaking. To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has prepared a 

framework document that details the analytical approach and identifies several issues on which 

DOE is particularly interested in receiving comment. A copy of the framework document is 

available at: 

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/commercial/metal_halide_lamp_bal 

lasts.html. 

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EERE-2009-BT-STD-0018 DOC ID 1.1.001
DATES: DOE will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, January 26, 2010, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 

p.m. in Washington, DC. DOE must receive requests to speak at the public meeting before 4:00 

p.m., Tuesday, January 12, 2010. DOE must receive a signed original and an electronic copy of 

the statement to be given at the public meeting before 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 19, 2010. 

DOE will accept written comments, data, and information regarding the framework document 

before and after the public meeting, but no later than [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER 

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of Energy, Forrestal 

Building, Room 1E-245, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Please 

note that foreign nationals planning to participate 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 a possible by contacting Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 

586-2945 so that the necessary procedures can be completed. 

Interested parties may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE-2009-BTSTD-0018 and/or Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 1904-AC00, by any of the following 

methods: 

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

submitting comments. 

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EERE-2009-BT-STD-0018 DOC ID 1.1.001
• E-mail: MHLF-2009-STD-0018@ee.doe.gov. Include docket number EERE-2009-BTSTD-0018 and/or RIN 1904-AC00 in the subject line of the message. 

• Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 

Mailstop EE-2J, Framework Document for Metal Halide Lamp Fixtures, Docket No. 

EERE-2009-BT-STD-0018 and/or RIN 1904-AC00, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., 

Washington, DC 20585-0121. Please submit one signed paper original. 

• Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building 

Technologies Program, Sixth Floor, 950 L’Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington, DC 20024. 

Please submit one signed paper original. 

Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents, a copy of the transcript 

of the public meeting, or comments received, go to the U.S. Department of Energy, Resource 

Room of the Building Technologies Program, Sixth Floor, 950 L’Enfant Plaza, SW., 

Washington, DC 20024, (202) 586-2945, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through 

Friday, except Federal holidays. Please call Ms. Brenda Edwards first at the above telephone 

number for additional information regarding visiting the Resource Room. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Linda Graves, U.S. Department of 

Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies, EE-2J, 

1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-8654. Email: Linda.Graves@ee.doe.gov. 

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EERE-2009-BT-STD-0018 DOC ID 1.1.001
Mr. Eric Stas, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, GC-71, 1000 

Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-5827. E-mail: 

Eric.Stas@hq.doe.gov. 

For information on how to submit or review public comments and on how to participate 

in the public meeting, contact Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of 

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 

Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, 20585-0121. Telephone (202) 586-2945. E-mail: 

Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Part A of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 

1975 (EPCA), Pub. L. 94-163, (42 U.S.C. 6291–6309) 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 several other kinds of equipment, including certain metal halide 

lamp fixtures which are the focus of this notice. Amendments to EPCA in the Energy 

Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007), Pub. L.110-140, established energy 

conservation standards for certain metal halide lamp fixtures by prescribing minimum 

performance requirements for metal halide lamp ballasts contained in those fixtures. (42 U.S.C. 

6295(hh)(1)) A summary of the standards promulgated by EISA 2007 can be found in section 

1.1 of the framework document. The EISA 2007 amendments also require DOE to conduct two 

rulemaking cycles to determine whether standards should be amended. (42 U.S.C. 6295(hh)(2)-

(3)) DOE must publish a final rule for the first amended standards rulemaking by January 1, 

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EERE-2009-BT-STD-0018 DOC ID 1.1.001
2012, which shall apply to products manufactured on or after January 1, 2015. (42 U.S.C. 

6295(hh)(2)) This framework document is being published as a first step in meeting this 

statutory requirement. 

Although metal halide lamp fixtures are typically understood to be equipment used in the 

commercial and industrial sectors, it is the “consumer products” section of the statute that grants 

authority to DOE to cover and regulate this equipment. In the United States Code, Title 42, “The 

Public Health and Welfare,” chapter 77, “Energy Conservation,” subchapter III, “Improving 

Energy Efficiency,” two parts cluster together the group of products DOE regulates. “Part A – 

Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles” includes a 

range of consumer products, some of which are used primarily in the residential sector, such as 

refrigerators, dishwashers, and clothes washers. Part A also includes consumer products that are 

also used primarily in the commercial sector, such as metal halide lamp fixtures, fluorescent 

lamp ballasts, and urinals. “Part A-1 – Certain Industrial Equipment” in subchapter III includes 

products that are primarily used in the commercial and industrial sectors, such as electric motors 

and pumps, and packaged terminal air conditioners and heat pumps. 

As amended by EISA 2007, EPCA currently regulates metal halide lamp fixtures 

designed to be operated with lamps rated greater than or equal to 150 watts but less than or equal 

to 500 watts, subject to certain exclusions discussed below. EPCA prescribes performance 

requirements for the metal halide lamp ballasts contained in metal halide lamp fixtures. For 

metal halide lamp fixtures within the specified rated lamp wattage range, the metal halide lamp 

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EERE-2009-BT-STD-0018 DOC ID 1.1.001
fixtures must contain: (1) a pulse-start metal halide ballast with a minimum ballast efficiency of 

88 percent; (2) a magnetic probe-start ballast with a minimum ballast efficiency of 94 percent; or 

(3) a nonpulse-start electronic ballast with (a) a minimum ballast efficiency of 92 percent for 

wattages greater than 250 watts, and (b) a minimum ballast efficiency of 90 percent for wattages 

less than or equal to 250 watts. (U.S.C 6292 (hh)(1)(A)) Metal halide lamp fixtures excluded 

from regulation by the statute include metal halide lamp fixtures: (1) with regulated lag ballasts; 

(2) that use electronic ballasts that operate at 480 volts; or (3) that (a) are rated only for 150 watt 

lamps, (b) are rated for use in wet locations, as specified by the National Electrical Code 2002, 

section 410.4(A), and (c) contain a ballast that is rated to operate at ambient air temperatures 

above 50 °C, as specified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 1029–2001, “Standard for HighIntensity-Discharge Lamp Ballasts.” (42 U.S.C 6292 (hh)(1)(B)) 

In addition to establishing energy conservation standards for metal halide lamp fixtures, 

EPCA, as amended by EISA 2007, directs DOE to establish test procedures for metal halide 

lamp ballasts based on American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard C82.6-2005, 

“Ballasts for High Intensity Discharge Lamps—Method of Measurement.” (42 U.S.C. 

6293(b)(18)). On July 10, 2009, DOE published a notice of proposed rulemaking for the metal 

halide lamp ballast test procedure, which included definitions and test procedure requirements. 

74 FR 33171. Upon publication of the final rule in this proceeding, DOE will have complied 

with the EPCA metal halide lamp ballast test procedure statutory requirements. 

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EERE-2009-BT-STD-0018 DOC ID 1.1.001
DOE notes that because of the codification of the metal halide lamp fixture provisions in 42 

U.S.C. 6295, a rulemaking for metal halide lamp fixture energy conservation standards, as well as 

any associated test procedures, are subject to the requirements of the consumer products provisions 

of Part A of Title III. However, because metal halide lamp fixtures are generally considered to be 

commercial equipment and consistent with DOE’s previous action to incorporate requirements of 

the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005) for commercial equipment into 10 CFR part 431 

(“Energy Efficiency Program for Certain Commercial and Industrial Equipment”), DOE intends to 

place the new requirements for metal halide lamp fixtures in 10 CFR part 431 for ease of reference. 

DOE notes that the location of the provisions within the CFR does not affect either the substance 

or applicable procedure for metal halide fixtures; as such, DOE plans to place them in the 

appropriate CFR part based upon the nature or type of those products. Based upon their placement 

into 10 CFR 431, metal halide lamp fixtures and metal halide lamp ballasts will be referred to as 

‘‘equipment’’ throughout this notice. 

In addition, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(3)(A), DOE is directed to incorporate 

standby mode and off mode energy use in any amended (or new) standard adopted after July 1, 

2010. Because this energy conservation standards rulemaking for metal halide lamp fixtures will 

be completed in 2012, the requirement to incorporate standby mode and off mode energy use 

into the energy conservation standards analysis is applicable. However, in the proposed metal 

halide lamp ballast test procedure, DOE tentatively concluded that off mode does not apply to 

metal halide lamp fixtures. 74 FR 33171, 33175 (July 10, 2009). EISA 2007 also contains 

relevant definitions for “ballast,” “electronic ballast,” “metal halide ballast,” “metal halide 

lamp,” “metal halide lamp fixture,” “probe-start metal halide ballast,” and “pulse-start metal 

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EERE-2009-BT-STD-0018 DOC ID 1.1.001
halide ballast.” These new definitions and standby mode and off mode requirements are fully 

addressed by the analyses that DOE intends to conduct in the energy conservation standards 

rulemaking for metal halide lamp fixtures. 

To initiate the first rulemaking cycle to consider amended energy conservation standards 

for metal halide lamp fixtures, DOE has prepared a framework document to explain the issues, 

analyses, and processes it anticipates using for the development of amended energy conservation 

standards for certain metal halide lamp fixtures. In the framework document, DOE also presents 

its initial approach to consider expansion of scope, in order to determine whether the standards 

should be made applicable to additional metal halide lamp fixtures by establishing efficiency 

requirements for both fixtures with metal halide lamps outside the wattage range currently set by 

the statute, as well as fixtures with types of metal halide lamp ballasts currently excluded from 

coverage by EPCA. The main focus of the public meeting noted above will be to discuss the 

analyses presented and issues identified in the framework document. At the public meeting, DOE 

will make a number of presentations, invite discussion on the rulemaking process as it applies to 

certain metal halide lamp fixtures, and solicit comments, data, and information from participants 

and other interested parties. DOE will also invite comment on its preliminary determination of 

the scope of coverage for the metal halide lamp fixtures energy conservation standard. DOE is 

considering expanding the scope of coverage to include additional metal halide lamp fixtures that 

would be analyzed in the energy conservation standards rulemaking. 

DOE encourages those who wish to participate in the public meeting to obtain the 

framework document and to be prepared to discuss its contents. A copy of the draft framework 

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EERE-2009-BT-STD-0018 DOC ID 1.1.001
document is available at: 

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/commercial/metal_halide_lamp_bal 

lasts.html. 

Public meeting participants need not limit their comments to the issues identified in the 

framework document. DOE is also interested in comments on other relevant issues that 

participants believe would affect energy conservation standards for this equipment, applicable 

test procedures, or the preliminary determination on the scope of coverage. DOE invites all 

interested parties, whether or not they participate in the public meeting, to submit in writing by 

[INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL 

REGISTER], comments and information on matters addressed in the framework document and 

on other matters relevant to DOE’s consideration of amended standards for metal halide lamp 

fixtures. 

The public meeting will be conducted in an informal, facilitated, conference style. There 

shall 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 for purchase from the court 

reporter and placed on the DOE website at: 

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/commercial/metal_halide_lamp_bal 

lasts.html. 

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EERE-2009-BT-STD-0018 DOC ID 1.1.001