Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 189 / Friday, September 27, 1996 / Notices

1.5-minute time delay between the

ignition of the burner and the starting of

the circulating air blower. Bard requests

the allowance to test using a 30-second

blower time delay when testing its TU

and TDH series furnaces. Bard states

that since the 30-second delay is

indicative of how these models actually

operate, and since such a delay results

in an improvement in AFUE of an

average 0.4 to 0.6 percent, the Petition

should be granted.

Under specific circumstances, the

DOE test procedure contains exceptions

which allow testing with blower delay

times of less than the prescribed 1.5-

minute delay. Bard indicates that it is

unable to take advantage of any of these

exceptions for its TU and TDH series

furnaces.

Since the blower controls

incorporated on the Bard furnaces are

designed to impose a 30-second blower

delay in every instance of start up, and

since the current test procedure

provisions do not specifically address

this type of control, DOE agrees that a

waiver should be granted to allow the

30-second blower time delay when

testing the Bard TU and TDH series

furnaces. Accordingly, with regard to

testing the TU and TDH series furnaces,

today's Decision and Order exempts

Bard from the existing test procedure

provisions regarding blower controls

and allows testing with the 30-second

delay.

It is, therefore, ordered that:

(1) The "Petition for Waiver" filed by

Bard Manufacturing Company (Case No.

F-086) is hereby granted as set forth in

paragraph (2) below, subject to the

provisions of paragraphs (3), (4), and (5).

(2) Notwithstanding any contrary

provisions of Appendix N of 10 CFR

Part 430, Subpart B, Bard Manufacturing

Company, shall be permitted to test its

TU and TDH series furnaces on the basis

of the test procedure specified in 10

CFR Part 430, with modifications set

forth below:

(i) Section 3.0 of Appendix N is

deleted and replaced with the following

paragraph:

3.0 Test Procedure. Testing and

measurements shall be as specified in

section 9 in ANSI/ASHRAE Standard

103-82 with the exception of sections

9.2.2, 9.3.1, and 9.3.2, and the inclusion

of the following additional procedures:

(ii) Add a new paragraph 3.10 to

Appendix N as follows:

3.10 Gas- and Oil-Fueled Central

Furnaces. The following paragraph is in

lieu of the requirement specified in

section 9.3.1 of ANSI/ASHRAE

Standard 103-82. After equilibrium

conditions are achieved following the

cool-down test and the required

measurements performed, turn on the

furnace and measure the flue gas

temperature, using the thermocouple

grid described above, at 0.5 and 2.5

minutes after the main burner(s) comes

on. After the burner start-up, delay the

blower start-up by 1.5 minutes (t-),

unless: (1) the furnace employs a single

motor to drive the power burner and the

indoor air circulating blower, in which

case the burner and blower shall be

started together; or (2) the furnace is

designed to operate using an unvarying

delay time that is other than 1.5

minutes, in which case the fan control

shall be permitted to start the blower; or

(3) the delay time results in the

activation of a temperature safety device

which shuts off the burner, in which

case the fan control shall be permitted

to start the blower. In the latter case, if

the fan control is adjustable, set it to

start the blower at the highest

temperature. If the fan control is

permitted to start the blower, measure

time delay, (t-), using a stopwatch.

Record the measured temperatures.

During the heat-up test for oil-fueled

furnaces, maintain the draft in the flue

pipe within ±0.01 inch of water column

of the manufacturer's recommended onperiod draft.

(iii) With the exception of the

modifications set forth above, Bard

Manufacturing Company shall comply

in all respects with the test procedures

specified in Appendix N of 10 CFR Part

430, Subpart B.

(3) The Waiver shall remain in effect

from the date of issuance of this Order

until DOE prescribes final test

procedures appropriate to the TU and

TDH series furnaces manufactured by

Bard Manufacturing Company.

(4) This Waiver is based upon the

presumed validity of statements,

allegations, and documentary materials

submitted by the petitioner. This Waiver

may be revoked or modified at any time

upon a determination that the factual

basis underlying the Petition is

incorrect.

(5) Effective September 19, 1996, this

Waiver supersedes the Interim Waiver

granted Bard Manufacturing Company

on June 13, 1996. 61 FR 32790, June 25,

1996 (Case No. F-086).

Issued In Washington, DC, on September

19, 1996.

Christine A. Ervin,

Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy.

[FR Doc. 96-24809 Filed 9-26-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

50813

Energy Conservation Program for

Consumer Products : Granting of the

Application for Interim Waiver and

Publishing of the Petition for Waiver of

Rheem Manufacturing Company from

the DOE Furnace Test Procedure.

(Case No. F-087)

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy, Department of

Energy.

ACTION : Notice.

SUMMARY : Today's notice grants an

Interim Waiver to Rheem Manufacturing

Company (Rheem) from the existing

Department of Energy (DOE or

Department) test procedure regarding

blower time delay for the company's

GLH downflow and GPH upflow/

horizontal series furnaces.

Today's notice also publishes a

"Petition for Waiver" from Rheem.

Rheem's Petition for Waiver requests

DOE to grant relief from the DOE

furnace test procedure relating to the

blower time delay specification. Rheem

seeks to test using a blower delay time

of 12 seconds for its GLH downflow and

GPH upflow/horizontal series furnaces

instead of the specified 1.5-minute

delay between burner on-time and

blower on-time. The Department is

soliciting comments, data, and

information respecting the Petition for

Waiver.

DATES: DOE will accept comments, data,

and information not later than October

28, 1996.

ADDRESSES : Written comments and

statements shall be sent to: Department

of Energy, Office of Codes and

Standards, Case No. F-087, Mail Stop

EE-43, Room 1J-018, Forestall Building,

1000 Independence Avenue, SW.,

Washington, D.C. 20585, (202) 586-

7140.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Cyrus H. Nasseri, U.S. Department of

Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency

and Renewable Energy, Mail Station

EE-431, Forestall Building, 1000

Independence Avenue, SW.,

Washington, D.C. 20585-0121, (202)

586-9138.

Eugene Margolis, Esq., U.S. Department

of Energy, Office of General Counsel,

Mail Station GC-72, Forestall

Building, 1000 Independence Avenue,

SW., Washington, D.C. 20585-0103,

(202) 586-9507.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

Energy Conservation Program for

Consumer Products (other than

automobiles) was established pursuant

to the Energy Policy and Conservation

Act, as amended (EPCA), which requires

DOE to prescribe standardized test

 CAS-RM-79-104 COMMENT 152
50814 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 189 / Friday, September 27, 1996 / Notices

procedures to measure the energy downflow and GPH upflow/horizontal

consumption of certain consumer series furnaces. Rheem states that the

products, including furnaces. The intent 12-second delay is indicative of how

of the test procedures is to provide a these furnaces actually operate. Such a

comparable measure of energy delay results in an average 2.0 percent

consumption that will assist consumers increase in AFUE. Since current DOE

in making purchasing decisions. These test procedures do not address this

test procedures appear at Title 10 CFR variable blower time delay, Rheem asks

Part 430, Subpart B. that the Interim Waiver be granted.

The Department amended the test The Department has published a

procedure rules to provide for a waiver Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on

process by adding Section 430.27 to August 23, 1993, (58 FR 44583) to

Title 10 CFR Part 430. 45 FR 64108, amend the furnace test procedure,

September 26, 1980. Subsequently, DOE which addresses the above issue.

amended the waiver process to allow Previous Petitions for Waiver for this

the Assistant Secretary for Energy type of time blower delay control have

Efficiency and Renewable Energy been granted by DOE to Coleman

(Assistant Secretary) to grant an Interim Company, 50 FR 2710, January 18, 1985;

Waiver from test procedure Magic Chef Company, 50 FR 41553,

requirements to manufacturers that have October 11, 1985; Rheem Manufacturing

petitioned DOE for a waiver of such Company, 53 FR 48574, December 1,

prescribed test procedures. Title 10 CFR 1988, 56 FR 2920, January 25, 1991, 57

Part 430, Section 430.27(a)(2). FR 10166, March 24, 1992, 57 FR 34560,

The waiver process allows the August 5, 1992; 59 FR 30577, June 14,

Assistant Secretary to waive temporarily 1994, and 59 FR 55470, November 7,

test procedures for a particular basic 1994; Trane Company, 54 FR 19226,

model when a petitioner shows that the May 4, 1989, 56 FR 6021, February 14,

basic model contains one or more 1991,57 FR 10167, March 24, 1992, 57

design characteristics which prevent FR 22222, May 27, 1992, 58 FR 68138,

testing according to the prescribed test December 23, 1993, and 60 FR 62835,

procedures, or when the prescribed test December 7, 1995; Lennox Industries,

procedures may evaluate the basic 55 FR 50224, December 5, 1990, 57 FR

model in a manner so unrepresentative 49700, November 3, 1992, 58 FR 68136,

of its true energy consumption as to December 23, 1993, and 58 FR 68137,

provide materially inaccurate December 23, 1993; Inter-City Products

comparative data. Waivers generally Corporation, 55 FR 51487, December 14,

remain in effect until final test 1990, 56 FR 63945, December 6, 1991

procedure amendments become and 61 FR 27057, May 30, 1996; DMO

effective, resolving the problem that is Industries, 56 FR 4622, February 5,

the subject of the waiver. 1991, and 59 FR 30579, June 14, 1994;

An Interim Waiver will be granted if Heil-Quaker Corporation, 56 FR 6019,

it is determined that the applicant will February 14, 1991; Carrier Corporation,

experience economic hardship if the 56 FR 6018, February 14, 1991, 57 FR

Application for Interim Waiver is 38830, August 27, 1992, 58 FR 68131,

denied, if it appears likely that the December 23, 1993, 58 FR 68133,

Petition for Waiver will be granted, and/ December 23, 1993, 59 FR 14394, March

or the Assistant Secretary determines 28, 1994, and 60 FR 62832, December 7,

that it would be desirable for public 1995; Amana Refrigeration Inc., 56 FR

policy reasons to grant immediate relief 27958, June 18, 1991, 56 FR 63940,

pending a determination on the Petition December 6, 1991, 57 FR 23392, June 3,

for Waiver. Title 10 CFR Part 430, 1992, and 58 FR 68130, December 23,

Section 430.27 (g). An Interim Waiver 1993; Snyder General Corporation, 56

remains in effect for a period of 180 FR 54960, September 9, 1991; Goodman

days or until DOE issues its Manufacturing Corporation, 56 FR

determination on the Petition for 51713, October 15, 1991, 57 FR 27970,

Waiver, whichever is sooner, and may June 23, 1992, 59 FR 12586, March 17,

be extended for an additional 180 days, 1994 and 61 FR 17289, April 19, 1996;

if necessary. The Ducane Company Inc., 56 FR

On August 28, 1996, Rheem filed an 63943, December 6, 1991, 57 FR 10163,

Application for Interim Waiver and a March 24, 1992, and 58 FR 68134,

Petition for Waiver regarding blower December 23, 1993; Armstrong Air

time delay. Rheem's Application seeks Conditioning, Inc., 57 FR 899, January 9,

an Interim Waiver from the DOE test 1992, 57 FR 10160, March 24, 1992, 57

provisions that require a 1.5-minute FR 10161, March 24, 1992, 57 FR 39193,

time delay between the ignition of the August 28, 1992, 57 FR 54230,

burner and starting of the circulating air November 17, 1992, and 59 FR 30575,

blower. Instead, Rheem requests the June 14, 1994; Thermo Products, Inc., 57

allowance to test using a 12-second FR 903, January 9, 1992, and 61 FR

blower time delay when testing its GLH 17887, April 23, 1996; Consolidated

Industries Corporation, 57 FR 22220,

May 27, 1992, and 61 FR 4262, February

5, 1996; Evcon Industries, Inc., 57 FR

47847, October 20, 1992, and 59 FR

46968, September 13, 1994; Bard

Manufacturing Company, 57 FR 53733,

November 12, 1992, and 59 FR 30578,

June 14, 1994; and York International

Corporation, 59 FR 46969, September

13, 1994, 60 FR 100, January 3, 1995, 60

FR 62834, December 7, 1995, and 60 FR

62837, December 7, 1995.

Thus, it appears likely that this

Petition for Waiver for blower time

delay will be granted. In those instances

where the likely success of the Petition

for Waiver has been demonstrated based

upon DOE having granted a waiver for

a similar product design, it is in the

public interest to have similar products

tested and rated for energy consumption

on a comparable basis.

Therefore, based on the above, DOE is

granting Rheem an Interim Waiver for

its GLH downflow and GPH upflow/

horizontal series furnaces. Rheem shall

be permitted to test its GLH downflow

and GPM upflow/horizontal series

furnaces on the basis of the test

procedures specified in Title 10 CFR

Part 430, Subpart B, Appendix N, with

the modification set forth below:

(i) Section 3.0 in Appendix N is

deleted and replaced with the following

paragraph:

3.0 Test Procedure. Testing and

measurements shall be as specified in

Section 9 in ANSI/ASHRAE 103-82

with the exception of Sections 9.2.2,

9.3.1, and 9.3.2, and the inclusion of the

following additional procedures:

(ii) Add a new paragraph 3.10 in

Appendix N as follows:

3.10 Gas- and Oil-Fueled Central

Furnaces. After equilibrium conditions

are achieved following the cool-down

test and the required measurements

performed, turn on the furnace and

measure the flue gas temperature, using

the thermocouple grid described above,

at 0.5 and 2.5 minutes after the main

burner(s) comes on. After the burner

start- up, delay the blower start-up by

1.5 minutes (t-) unless: (1) the furnace

employs a single motor to drive the

power burner and the indoor air

circulation blower, in which case the

burner and blower shall be started

together; or (2) the furnace is designed

to operate using an unvarying delay

time that is other than 1.5 minutes, in

which case the fan control shall be

permitted to start the blower; or (3) the

delay time results in the activation of a

temperature safety device which shuts

off the burner, in which case the fan

control shall be permitted to start the

blower. In the latter case, if the fan

control is adjustable, set it to start the

 CAS-RM-79-104 COMMENT 152
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 189 / Friday, September 27, 1996 / Notices

blower at the highest temperature. If the

fan control is permitted to start the

blower, measure time delay (t-) using a

stop watch. Record the measured

temperatures. During the heat-up test for

oil-fueled furnaces, maintain the draft in

the flue pipe within ±0.01 inch of water

column of the manufacturer's

recommended on-period draft.

This Interim Waiver is based upon the

presumed validity of statements and all

allegations submitted by the company.

This Interim Waiver may be removed or

modified at any time upon a

determination that the factual basis

underlying the Application is incorrect.

The Interim Waiver shall remain in

effect for a period of 180 days or until

DOE acts on the Petition for Waiver,

whichever is sooner, and may be

extended for an additional 180-day

period, if necessary.

Rheem's Petition for Waiver requests

DOE to grant relief from the DOE

furnace test procedure relating to the

blower time delay specification. Rheem

seeks to test using a blower delay time

of 12 seconds for its GLH downflow and

GPH upflow/horizontal series furnaces

instead of the specified 1.5-minute

delay between burner on-time and

blower on-time. Pursuant to paragraph

(b) of Title 10 CFR Part 430.27, DOE is

hereby publishing the "Petition for

Waiver" in its entirety. The Petition

contains no confidential information.

The Department solicits comments,

data, and information respecting the

Petition.

Issued in Washington, DC, September 19,

1996.

Christine A. Ervin,

Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy.

Rheem Manufacturing Company

August 28, 1996.

Mr. Cyrus Nasseri,

Assistant Secretary, Conservation and

Renewable Energy, United States

Department of Energy, 1000

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington,

D. C. 20585.

Dear Mr. Nasseri: This is a petition for

waiver and application for interim waiver

submitted pursuant to title 10 CFR Part

430.27 Waiver is requested from the furnace

test procedure as prescribed in appendix N

to Subpart B of Part 430. The test procedure

requires a 1.5 minute delay between burner

and blower start-up. Rheem is requesting

authorization to use a 12 second delay

instead of 1.5 minutes for our series (-)GLH

downflow, and (-)GPH upflow/horizontal

residential gas-fired furnaces utilizing

General Electric type ICM2+ main blower

motors.

Rheem will be manufacturing these

appliances with an electronic device that

controls the blower operation on a timing

sequence as opposed to temperature.

Improved energy efficiency is achieved by

reducing on cycle losses. Under the

Appendix N procedures, the stack

temperature is allowed to climb at a faster

rate than it would with a 12 second blower

on time, allowing energy to be lost out of the

vent system. This waste of energy would not

occur in actual operation. If this petition is

granted, the true blower on time delay would

be used in the calculations.

The current test procedures do not give

Rheem credit for the energy savings which

averages approximately 2% Annual Fuel

Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). This

improvement is an average reduction of 20%

of the normal on cycle energy losses. Rheem

is of the opinion that a 20% reduction is a

worthwhile energy savings.

Rheem has been granted previous waivers

regarding blower on time to be used in the

efficiency calculations for our (-)GEB and

(-)GKA series condensing furnaces and/or

(-)GDE, (-)GLE, (-)GDG, (-)GLG,

(-)GPH, (-)GLH, (-)GVH, and (-)GVG

series furnaces. Several other manufacturers

of gas furnaces have also been granted a

waiver to permit calculations based on timed

blower operation. Also, ASHRAE Standard

103-1993, paragraph 9.5.1.2.2 specifically

addresses the use of a timed blower

operation.

Confidential and comparative test data is

available to you upon your request,

confirming the above energy savings.

Manufacturers that domestically market

similar products are being sent a copy of this

petition for waiver and petition for interim

waiver.

Sincerely,

Daniel J. Canclini,

Vice-President, Product Development and

Research Engineering.

bcc: B.A. Cook, K.W. Kleman, R.W. Willis

[FR Doc. 96-24808 Filed 9-26-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

Federal Energy Regulatory

Commission

[Docket No. ER96-2372-0001

Enova Energy, Inc.; Notice of Issuance

of Order

September 24, 1996.

Enova Energy, Inc. (Enova) filed an

application for authorization to sell

power at market-based rates, and for

certain waivers and authorizations. In

particular, Enova requested that the

Commission grant blanket approval

under 18 CFR part 34 of all future

issuances of securities and assumptions

of liabilities by Enova. On September 9,

1996, the Commission issued an Order

Conditionally Accepting For Filing

Proposed Market-Based Rates, Granting

Waivers and Authorizations and

Consolidating Proceedings (Order), in

the above-docketed proceeding.

The Commission's September 9, 1996

Order granted the request for blanket

50815

approval under part 34, subject to the

conditions found in Ordering

Paragraphs (F), (G), and (I):

(F) Within 30 days of the date of this

order, any person desiring to be heard

or to protest the Commission's blanket

approval of issuances of securities or

assumptions of liabilities by Enova

should file a motion to intervene or

protest with the Federal Energy

Regulatory Commission, 888 First

Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20426, in

accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of

the Commission's Rules of Practice and

Procedure, 18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214.

(G) Absent a request to be heard

within the period set forth in Ordering

Paragraph (F) above, Enova is hereby

authorized to issue securities and to

assume obligations or liabilities as

guarantor, endorser, surety or otherwise

in respect of any security of another

person; provided that such issue or

assumption is for some lawful object

within the corporate purposes of Enova,

compatible with the public interest, and

reasonably necessary or appropriate for

such purposes.

(I) The Commission reserves the right

to modify this order to require a further

showing that neither public nor private

interests will be adversely affected by

continued Commission approval of

Enova's issuances of securities or

assumptions of liabilities.* * *

Notice is hereby given that the

deadline for filing motions to intervene

or protests, as set forth above, is October

9, 1996.

Copies of the full text of the Order are

available from the Commission's Public

Reference Branch, 888 First Street, N.E.,

Washington, D.C. 20426.

Lois D. Cashell,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 96-24813 Filed 9-26-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-M

[Docket No. ER96-2860-000]

Northern States Power Company;

Notice of Filing

September 23, 1996.

Take notice that on August 27, 1996,

Northern States Power Company

tendered for filing revised tariff sheets

in compliance with the

recommendation by the Division of

Audits of the Office of Chief

Accountant, in Docket No. FA95-5-000

reflecting the removal of ineligible fuel

costs from the base and monthly fuel

components in adopting recommended

corrective actions, as stated in the audit

report dated January 16, 1996.

Any person desiring to be heard or to

protest said filing should file a motion

 CAS-RM-79-104 COMMENT 152