33450 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 109 / Wednesday, June 6, 2012 / Notices 

1For editorial reasons, upon codification in the 

U.S. Code, Part B was re-designated Part A. 

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

Office of Energy Efficiency and 

Renewable Energy 

[Case No. DW–008] 

Notice of Petition for Waiver of BSH 

Corporation From the Department of 

Energy Residential Dishwasher Test 

Procedure, and Grant of Interim Waiver 

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and 

Renewable Energy, Department of 

Energy. 

ACTION: Notice of petition for waiver, 

notice of grant of interim waiver, and 

request for comments. 

SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt 

of and publishes the BSH Corporation 

(BSH) petition for waiver (hereafter, 

‘‘petition’’) from specified portions of 

the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 

test procedure for determining the 

energy consumption of dishwashers. 

Today’s notice also grants an interim 

waiver of the dishwasher test procedure. 

Through this notice, DOE also solicits 

comments with respect to the BSH 

petition. 

DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, 

and information with respect to the BSH 

petition until July 6, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, 

identified by case number DW–008, by 

any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// 

www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Email: 

AS_Waiver_Requests@ee.doe.gov. 

Include ‘‘Case No. DW–008’’ in the 

subject line of the message. 

• Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. 

Department of Energy, Building 

Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J, 

Petition for Waiver Case No. DW–008, 

1000 Independence Avenue SW., 

Washington, DC 20585–0121. 

Telephone: (202) 586–2945. Please 

submit one signed original paper copy. 

• Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda 

Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, 

Building Technologies Program, 950 

L’Enfant Plaza SW., Suite 600, 

Washington, DC 20024. Please submit 

one signed original paper copy. 

Docket: For access to the docket to 

review the background documents 

relevant to this matter, you may visit the 

U.S. Department of Energy, 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. Available documents 

include the following items: (1) This 

notice; (2) public comments received; 

(3) the petition for waiver and 

application for interim waiver; and (4) 

prior DOE waivers and rulemakings 

regarding similar dishwasher products. 

Please call Ms. Brenda Edwards at the 

above telephone number for additional 

information. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. 

Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department of 

Energy, Building Technologies Program, 

Mail Stop EE–2J, Forrestal Building, 

1000 Independence Avenue SW., 

Washington, DC 20585–0121. 

Telephone: (202) 586–0371. Email: 

Bryan.Berringer@ee.doe.gov. 

Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department 

of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, 

Mail Stop GC–71, Forrestal Building, 

1000 Independence Avenue SW., 

Washington, DC 20585–0103. 

Telephone: (202) 586–7796. Email: 

Elizabeth.Kohl@hq.doe.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background and Authority 

Title III, Part B of the Energy Policy 

and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), 

Public Law 94–163 (42 U.S.C. 6291– 

6309, as codified) established the 

Energy Conservation Program for 

Consumer Products Other Than 

Automobiles, a program covering most 

major household appliances, which 

includes dishwashers.1 Part B includes 

definitions, test procedures, labeling 

provisions, energy conservation 

standards, and the authority to require 

information and reports from 

manufacturers. Further, Part B 

authorizes the Secretary of Energy to 

prescribe test procedures that are 

reasonably designed to produce results 

which measure energy efficiency, 

energy use, or estimated operating costs, 

and that are not unduly burdensome to 

conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) The test 

procedure for dishwashers is contained 

in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix 

C. 

The regulations set forth in 10 CFR 

430.27 contain provisions that enable a 

person to seek a waiver from the test 

procedure requirements for covered 

consumer products. A waiver will be 

granted by the Assistant Secretary for 

Energy Efficiency and Renewable 

Energy (the Assistant Secretary) if it is 

determined that the basic model for 

which the petition for waiver was 

submitted contains one or more design 

characteristics that prevents testing of 

the basic model according to the 

prescribed test procedures, or if the 

prescribed test procedures may evaluate 

the basic model in a manner so 

unrepresentative of its true energy 

consumption characteristics as to 

provide materially inaccurate 

comparative data. 10 CFR 430.27(l). 

Petitioners must include in their 

petition any alternate test procedures 

known to the petitioner to evaluate the 

basic model in a manner representative 

of its energy consumption. The 

Assistant Secretary may grant the 

waiver subject to conditions, including 

adherence to alternate test procedures. 

10 CFR 430.27(l). Waivers remain in 

effect pursuant to the provisions of 10 

CFR 430.27(m). 

The waiver process also allows the 

Assistant Secretary to grant an interim 

waiver from test procedure 

requirements to manufacturers that have 

petitioned DOE for a waiver of such 

prescribed test procedures. 10 CFR 

430.27(a)(2) An interim waiver must be 

granted if it is determined that the 

applicant will experience economic 

hardship if the application for interim 

waiver is denied, if it appears likely that 

the petition for waiver will be granted, 

and/or the Assistant Secretary 

determines that it would be desirable for 

public policy reasons to grant 

immediate relief pending a 

determination of the petition for waiver. 

(10 CFR 430.27(g)) An interim waiver 

remains in effect for 180 days or until 

DOE issues its determination on the 

petition for waiver, whichever is sooner. 

DOE may extend an interim waiver for 

an additional 180 days. 10 CFR 

430.27(h) 

II. Application for Interim Waiver and 

Petition for Waiver 

On March 27, 2012, BSH submitted 

the instant petition for waiver and 

interim waiver from the test procedure 

applicable to dishwashers set forth in 10 

CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix C. In 

every respect except the introduction of 

new model numbers, the instant 

petition is identical to petitions 

submitted by BSH on February 4, 2011 

and December 7, 2011. DOE granted the 

February 4th petition on June 29, 2011 

(76 FR 38144). DOE granted an interim 

waiver to BSH for the model numbers 

specified in the December 7th petition 

and published that petition for comment 

on April 2, 2012 (77 FR 19650). 

BSH states that ‘‘hard’’ water can 

reduce customer satisfaction with 

dishwasher performance resulting in 

increased pre-rinsing and/or hand 

washing as well as increased detergent 

and rinse agent usage. According to 

BSH, a dishwasher equipped with a 

water softener will minimize pre-rinsing 

and rewashing, and consumers will 

have less reason to periodically run 

their dishwasher through a clean-up 

cycle. BSH also states that the amount 

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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 109 / Wednesday, June 6, 2012 / Notices 33451 

of water consumed by the regeneration 

operation of a water softener in a 

dishwasher is very small, but that it 

varies significantly depending on the 

adjustment of the softener. The 

regeneration operation takes place 

infrequently, and the frequency is 

related to the level of water hardness. 

For the reasons discussed in previous 

waivers granted to Whirlpool and BSH, 

DOE has determined that constant 

values should be used to estimate the 

energy and water use due to softener 

regeneration. In its petition, BSH 

requests that constant values of 47.6 

gallons per year for water consumption 

and 8.0 kWh per year for energy 

consumption be used. BSH included 

calculations showing this water and 

energy use, which was derived using the 

same method as that used by Whirlpool 

in its petition for waiver, which was 

granted by DOE. (75 FR 62127, Oct. 7, 

2010). 

DOE has determined that BSH’s 

application for interim waiver does not 

provide sufficient market, equipment 

price, shipments, and other 

manufacturer impact information to 

permit DOE to evaluate the economic 

hardship BSH might experience absent 

a favorable determination on its 

application for interim waiver. DOE has 

also determined, however, that it is 

likely BSH’s petition will be granted, 

and that it is desirable for public policy 

reasons to grant BSH relief pending a 

determination on the petition. Based on 

the information provided by BSH and 

Whirlpool, use of the DOE test 

procedure may provide materially 

inaccurate comparative data. In 

addition, the constant values submitted 

by BSH provide a reasonable estimate of 

the energy and water used during water 

softener regeneration for the basic 

model set forth in this petition and 

BSH’s previous petition. 

Based on these considerations, and 

the waivers granted to BSH and 

Whirlpool for similar models, it appears 

likely that the petition for waiver will be 

granted. DOE also believes that the 

energy efficiency of similar products 

should be tested and rated in the same 

manner. As a result, DOE grants BSH’s 

application for interim waiver for the 

basic models of dishwashers specified 

in its petition for waiver, pursuant to 10 

CFR 430.27(g). Therefore, it is ordered 

that: 

The application for interim waiver 

filed by BSH is hereby granted for the 

specified BSH dishwasher basic models, 

subject to the specifications and 

conditions below. 

BSH shall be required to test and rate 

the specified dishwasher products 

according to the alternate test procedure 

as set forth in section III, ‘‘Alternate Test 

Procedure.’’ 

The interim waiver applies to the 

following basic model groups: 

Bosch brand: 

• Basic Model—SHX5ER## 

DOE makes decisions on waivers and 

interim waivers for only those models 

specifically set out in the petition, not 

future models that may be manufactured 

by the petitioner. BSH may submit a 

subsequent petition for waiver and 

request for grant of interim waiver, as 

appropriate, for additional models of 

clothes washers for which it seeks a 

waiver from the DOE test procedure. In 

addition, DOE notes that grant of an 

interim waiver or waiver does not 

release a petitioner from the 

certification requirements set forth at 10 

CFR part 429. 

III. Alternate Test Procedure 

EPCA requires that manufacturers use 

DOE test procedures to make 

representations about the energy 

consumption and energy consumption 

costs of products covered by the statute. 

(42 U.S.C. 6293(c)) Consistent 

representations are important for 

manufacturers to use in making 

representations about the energy 

efficiency of their products and to 

demonstrate compliance with 

applicable DOE energy conservation 

standards. Pursuant to its regulations 

applicable to waivers and interim 

waivers from applicable test procedures 

at 10 CFR 430.27, DOE will consider 

setting an alternate test procedure for 

BSH in a subsequent Decision and 

Order. 

During the period of the interim 

waiver granted in this notice, BSH shall 

test its dishwasher basic models 

according to the existing DOE test 

procedure at 10 CFR part 430, subpart 

B, appendix C with the modification set 

forth below. 

Under appendix C, the water energy 

consumption, W or Wg, is calculated 

based on the water consumption as set 

forth in Sect. 4.3: 

§ 4.3 Water consumption. Measure the 

water consumption, V, expressed as the 

number of gallons of water delivered to 

the machine during the entire test cycle, 

using a water meter as specified in 

section 3.3 of this Appendix. 

Where the regeneration of the water 

softener depends on demand and water 

hardness, and does not take place on 

every cycle, BSH shall measure the 

water consumption of dishwashers 

having water softeners without 

including the water consumed by the 

dishwasher during softener 

regeneration. If a regeneration operation 

takes place within the test, the water 

consumed by the regeneration operation 

shall be disregarded when declaring 

water and energy consumption. 

Constant values of 47.6 gallons/year of 

water and 8 kWh/year of energy shall be 

added to the values measured by 

appendix C. 

IV. Summary and Request for 

Comments 

Through today’s notice, DOE 

announces receipt of BSH’s petition for 

waiver from certain parts of the test 

procedure that apply to dishwashers 

and grants an interim waiver. DOE is 

publishing BSH’s petition for waiver in 

its entirety. The petition contains no 

confidential information. The petition 

includes a suggested alternate test 

procedure which is to measure the 

water consumption of dishwashers 

having water softeners without 

including the water consumed by the 

dishwasher during softener 

regeneration. 

DOE solicits comments from 

interested parties on all aspects of the 

petition. Pursuant to 10 CFR 

430.27(b)(1)(iv), any person submitting 

written comments to DOE must also 

send a copy of such comments to the 

petitioner. The contact information for 

the petitioner is Mike Edwards, Senior 

Engineer, Performance and 

Consumption, BSH Home Appliances 

Corporation (FNbG), 100 Bosch Blvd., 

Building 102, New Bern, NC 28562– 

6924. All submissions received must 

include the agency name and case 

number for this proceeding. Submit 

electronic comments in WordPerfect, 

Microsoft Word, Portable Document 

Format (PDF), or text (American 

Standard Code for Information 

Interchange (ASCII)) file format and 

avoid the use of special characters or 

any form of encryption. Wherever 

possible, include the electronic 

signature of the author. DOE does not 

accept telefacsimiles (faxes). 

Issued in Washington, DC, on May 24, 

2012. 

Timothy Unruh, 

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Energy 

Efficiency and Renewable Energy. 

March 27, 2012 

The Honorable Dr. Henry C. Kelly, 

Assistant Secretary, Energy 

Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 

U.S. Department of Energy, Mail 

Station EE–10, 1000 Independence 

Avenue SW., Washington, DC 

20585, Via email 

(henry.kelly@ee.doe.gov) and 

overnight mail 

Re: Petition for Waiver and Application 

for Interim Waiver concerning the 

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33452 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 109 / Wednesday, June 6, 2012 / Notices 

measurement of water and energy 

used in the water softening 

regeneration process of 

Dishwashers having an Integrated 

Water Softener 

Dear Assistant Secretary Kelly: BSH 

Home Appliance Corporation (‘‘BSH’’) 

hereby submits this Petition for Waiver 

and Application for Interim Waiver 

pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27, concerning 

the test procedure for measuring energy 

consumption of Dishwashers. 

BSH is the manufacturer of household 

appliances bearing the brand names of 

Bosch, Thermador, and Gaggenau. Its 

appliances include dishwashers, 

washing machines, clothes dryers, 

refrigerator-freezers, ovens, and 

microwave ovens, and are sold 

worldwide, including in the United 

States. BSH’s United States operations 

are headquartered in Irvine, California. 

BSH’s appliances are produced in the 

United States and Germany. 

10 CFR 430.27(a)(1) provides that any 

interested person may submit a petition 

to waive for a particular basic model 

any requirement of Section 430.23, or of 

any appendix to this subpart, upon 

grounds that the basic model contains 

one or more design characteristics 

which either prevent testing of the basic 

model according to the prescribed test 

procedures, or the prescribed test 

procedures may evaluate the basic 

model in a manner so unrepresentative 

of its true energy consumption 

characteristics, or water consumption 

characteristics as to provide materially 

inaccurate comparative data. 

Additionally, 10 CFR 430.27(b)(2) 

allows any applicant of a Petition of 

Waiver to also request an Interim 

Waiver if it can be demonstrated the 

likely success of the Petition for Waiver, 

while addressing the economic hardship 

and/or competitive disadvantage that is 

likely to result absent a favorable 

determination on the Application for 

Interim Waiver. 

This request for Waiver is directed to 

Dishwashers containing a built-in or 

integrated water softener, specifically 

addressing the energy and water used in 

the regeneration process of the 

integrated water softener. This request is 

identical to Waiver Case Number DW– 

005 (and a pending waiver) previously 

granted to BSH Home Appliance 

Corporation with the only modification 

being to add additional model numbers. 

Further, the water softening technology 

used in these models is identical to the 

models that were previously approved. 

Based on the reasoning indicated 

herein, BSH submits that the testing of 

Dishwashers equipped with a water 

softener under the current DOE test 

procedure may lead to information that 

could be considered misleading to 

consumers. 

1. Identification of Basic Models. 

The Dishwasher models 

manufactured by BSH which contain an 

integrated water softener and were not 

included in previous Waiver 

applications is as follows: 

Bosch brand: 

• Basic Model—SHX5ER## 

2. Background 

The design characteristic that is 

unique among the above listed models 

is an integrated water softener. The 

primary function of a water softener is 

to reduce the high mineral content of 

‘‘hard’’ water. Hard water reduces the 

effectiveness of detergents leading to 

additional detergent usage. Hard water 

also causes increased water spots on 

dishware, resulting in the need to use 

more rinse aid to counterbalance this 

effect. ‘‘Hard’’ water can reduce 

customer satisfaction with Dishwasher 

performance resulting in increased prerinsing and/or hand washing as well as 

increased detergent and rinse agent 

usage. 

The water softening process requires 

water usage for both the regeneration 

process and to flush the system. For 

purposes of this Waiver request, the 

term ‘‘regeneration’’ will include the 

water and energy used in both the 

flushing and regeneration process of the 

water softener. The water used in the 

regeneration process is in addition to 

the water used in the dish washing 

process. The water used in the 

regeneration process does not occur 

with each use of the Dishwasher. The 

frequency of the regeneration process is 

dependent upon an adjustable water 

softener setting that is controlled by the 

end user, and based on the home water 

hardness. Regeneration frequency will 

vary greatly depending upon the 

customer setting of the water softener. 

Data from the U.S. Geological Survey 

shows considerable variation in the 

water hardness within the U.S. and for 

many locations the use of a water 

softener is not necessary. Water 

hardness varies throughout the U.S. 

with the mean hardness of 217 mg/liter 

or 12.6 grains/gallon (based on 

information provided by the U.S. 

Geological Survey located at http:// 

water.usgs.gov/owq/hardnessalkalinity.html). 

Calculations 

Water Use 

• Based on the DOE Energy Test for 

Dishwashers, the BSH Dishwashers 

listed in this waiver with an internal 

water softener use an average of 6.65 

liters of water per dish cleaning cycle. 

• Based on an average U.S. water 

hardness of 12.6 grains/gallon, the 

internal BSH Dishwasher water softener 

system would be set on ‘‘4’’. 

• Based on a BSH Dishwasher 

internal water softening system setting 

of ‘‘4’’ and the dishwasher using 6.65 

liters of water per run, the water 

regeneration process would occur every 

6th cycle. 

• When using the Dishwasher 215 

times per year (per DOE test procedure), 

the regeneration process would occur 

35.8 times (36). 

• The internal BSH water softening 

system uses 4.97 liters (5.0) per 

regeneration cycle. 

• Water usage calculation based on 

above data. 

Æ 36 × 5 = 180 liters per year (47.6 

gallons) or .84 liters (.22 gallons) each 

time the dishwasher is used. 

Energy Used in kWh 

• Formula W = V × T × K 

Æ V = Weighted Average Water Usage 

per DOE 

Æ T = Nominal water heater 

temperature rise of 39° C 

Æ K = Specific heat of water 0.00115 

• Calculated Energy use—180 × 39 × 

.00115 = 8.0 kWh/yr 

Summary 

• A Dishwasher built by BSH with an 

integrated water softener in a home with 

a 12.6 grain per gallon water hardness 

would be cycled through the water 

softening regeneration process 

approximately every 6 dish cleaning 

cycles. When the water used in the 

water softener regeneration process is 

apportioned evenly over all dishwasher 

runs, the amount of energy and water 

usage per cycle is very low. Based on 

the assumptions provided, BSH 

estimates the typical water used in the 

internal Dishwasher water softener 

regeneration process at .84 liters (.22 

gallons) per use; furthermore, using 

about 8.0 kWh per year to heat this 

water in the home hot water heater. 

Note: Contrary to current DOE 

direction, in BSH’s opinion the water 

used in the Water Softening 

regeneration process has the separate 

and distinct purpose of softening water 

and we do not feel that this water and 

energy should be included in the energy 

usage figures for washing dishes. EN 

50242 does not include the water or 

energy used in the water softening 

process in the dishwasher energy 

consumption calculation and BSH 

would suggest adopting a similar 

approach as used in EN50242 when the 

test procedure is updated. 

3. Requirements sought to be waived 

Dishwashers are subjected to test 

methods outlined in 10 CFR Part 430, 

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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 109 / Wednesday, June 6, 2012 / Notices 33453 

Subpart B, App. C, Section 4.3, which 

specifies the method for the water 

energy calculation. 

• To stay consistent with the recently 

approved Dishwasher waivers for units 

with a water softener, BSH is requesting 

approval to estimate the water and 

energy used in the water softening 

process based on the design of the BSH 

Dishwasher and the calculations and 

assumptions outlined above. 

4. Grounds for Waiver and Interim 

Waiver 

10 CFR 430.27(a)(1) provides that a 

Petition to waive a requirement of 

430.23 may be submitted upon grounds 

that the basic model contains one or 

more design characteristics which either 

prevent testing of the basic model 

according to the prescribed test 

procedures, or the prescribed test 

procedures may evaluate the basic 

model in a manner so unrepresentative 

of its true energy consumption 

characteristics as to provide materially 

inaccurate comparative data. 

If a water softener regeneration 

process was to occur while running an 

energy test, the water usage would be 

overstated. In this case, the water energy 

usage would be unrepresentative of the 

product providing inaccurate data 

resulting in a competitive disadvantage 

to BSH. 

Granting of an Interim Waiver in this 

case is justified since the prescribed test 

procedures would potentially evaluate 

the basic model in a manner so 

unrepresentative of its true energy 

consumption characteristics as to 

provide materially inaccurate 

comparative data. In addition, a similar 

Interim Waiver and Waiver have 

previously been granted to BSH. 

5. Manufacturers of Similar Products 

and Affected Manufacturers 

Web based research shows that at 

least two other manufacturers are 

currently selling dishwashers with an 

integrated water softener, Miele Inc. and 

Whirlpool Corporation (Waiver 

Granted). 

Manufacturers selling dishwashers in 

the United States include AGA Marvel, 

Arcelik A.S., ASKO Appliances, Inc., 

Electrolux North America, Inc., Fagor 

America, Inc., Fisher & Paykel 

Appliances, GE Appliances and 

Lighting, Haier America, Indesit 

Company Sa, Kuppersbusch USA, LG 

Electronics USA, Miele, Inc., Samsung 

Electronics Co., Viking Range 

Corporation and Whirlpool Corporation. 

BSH will notify all companies listed 

above (as well as AHAM), as required by 

the Department’s rules, providing them 

with a copy of this Petition for Waiver 

and Interim Waiver. 

6. Conclusion 

BSH Home Appliances Corporation 

hereby requests approval of the Waiver 

petition and Interim Waiver. By granting 

said Waivers the Department of Energy 

will further ensure that water energy is 

measured in the same way by all 

Dishwasher Manufacturer’s that have a 

integrated water softener. Further, BSH 

would request that these Waivers be in 

good standing until such time that the 

test procedure can be formally modified 

to account for integrated water 

softeners. 

BSH Home Appliances certifies that 

all manufacturers of domestic 

Dishwashers as listed above have been 

notified by letter. Copies of these 

notifications are attached. 

With Best Regards, 

Mike Edwards 

Senior Engineer, Performance and 

Consumption, BSH Home Appliances 

Corporation (FNbG), 100 Bosch Blvd., 

Building 102, New Bern, NC 28562–6924, 

mike.edwards@bshg.com, 

www.boschappliances.com, Phone (252) 636 

4334, Fax (252) 636 4450 

[FR Doc. 2012–13618 Filed 6–5–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6450–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

U.S. Energy Information 

Administration 

Agency Information Collection 

Extension 

AGENCY: U.S. Energy Information 

Administration (EIA), Department of 

Energy. 

ACTION: Notice and Request for 

Comments. 

SUMMARY: The EIA invites public 

comment on the proposed collection of 

information involving a three-year 

extension of the following Oil and Gas 

Reserves System Survey Forms that EIA 

is developing for submission to the 

Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) pursuant to the Paperwork 

Reduction Act of 1995: Form EIA–23L 

Annual Survey of Domestic Oil and Gas 

Reserves, Field Level Report; Form EIA– 

23S Annual Survey of Domestic Oil and 

Gas Reserves, Summary Level Report; 

and Form EIA–64A Annual Report of 

the Origin of Natural Gas Liquids. 

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether 

the proposed extended collection of 

information is necessary for the proper 

performance of the functions of the 

agency, including whether the 

information shall have practical utility; 

(b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate 

of the burden of the proposed collection 

of information, including the validity of 

the methodology and assumptions used; 

(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, 

and clarity of the information to be 

collected; and (d) ways to minimize the 

burden of the collection of information 

on respondents, including through the 

use of automated collection techniques 

or other forms of information 

technology. 

DATES: Comments must be filed by 

August 6, 2012. If you anticipate 

difficulty in submitting comments 

within that period, contact the person 

listed in the below ADDRESSES Section 

as soon as possible. 

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be 

sent to Mr. Steven Grape, EI–24 U. S. 

Department of Energy, 1000 

Independence Avenue SW., Washington 

DC 20585, or by fax at (202) 586–4420, 

or by email at steven.grape@eia.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Requests for additional information or 

copies of the information collection 

instrument and instructions should be 

directed to Mr. Grape, as listed above. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 

information collection request contains: 

(1) OMB No. 1905–0057; 

(2) Information Collection Request 

Title: Oil and Gas Reserves System; 

(3) Type of Request: Extension, 

without change, of the currently 

approved Form EIA–23L, Form EIA– 

23S, and Form EIA–64A; 

(4) Purpose: In response to Section 

657 of the Department of Energy 

Organization Act of 1977, Public Law 

95–91, estimates of U.S. oil and gas 

reserves are to be reported annually. 

Many U. S. government agencies have 

an interest in the definitions of proved 

oil and gas reserves and the quality, 

reliability, and usefulness of estimates 

of reserves. The U.S. Energy Information 

Administration (EIA), Department of 

Energy has a congressional mandate to 

provide accurate annual estimates of 

U.S. proved crude oil, natural gas, and 

natural gas liquids reserves, and EIA 

presents annual reserves data in EIA 

Web reports to meet this requirement. 

The Government also uses the 

resulting information to develop 

national and regional estimates of 

proved reserves of domestic crude oil, 

natural gas, and natural gas liquids to 

facilitate national energy policy 

decisions. These estimates are essential 

to the development, implementation, 

and evaluation of energy policy and 

legislation. Data are used directly in EIA 

Web reports concerning U.S. crude oil, 

natural gas, and natural gas liquids 

reserves and are incorporated into a 

number of other Web reports and 

analyses. Secondary reports that use the 

data include EIA’s Annual Energy 

Review, Annual Energy Outlook, 

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