### 7306 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 22 / Friday, February 1, 2013 / Proposed Rules

balanced discussion of the issues to assist DOE in the standards rulemaking process. Accordingly, 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 this rulemaking should contact Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586–2945,
or via email at Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.

Issued in Washington, DC, on January 25,

2013. Kathleen B. Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

[FR Doc. 2013–02171 Filed 1–31–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 6450–01–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY**

**10 CFR Part 431**

**[Docket No. EERE–2013–BT–STD–0006]**

**RIN 1904–AC55**

**Energy Efficiency Program for Commercial and Industrial Equipment:**  **Public Meeting and Availability of the**
**Framework Document for Commercial**
**and Industrial Fans and Blowers**

**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 considering energy
conservation standards for commercial
and industrial fans and blowers. To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has prepared
a Framework Document that details the analytical approach and scope for this rulemaking and identifies several issues on which DOE is particularly interested in receiving comments. DOE will hold a 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 and relevant data from the public on any subject within the scope of this rulemaking. A copy of the Framework
Document is available at: http:// www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ appliance

_ standards/rulemaking.aspx/ ruleid/25

**DATES :**  Comments: DOE will accept written comments, data, and information regarding the Framework Document before and after the public meeting, but no later than March 18,

2013.

Meeting: DOE will hold a public meeting on February 21, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Washington, DC. Additionally, DOE plans to conduct the public meeting via webinar. Registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants will be published on DOE’s Web site at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ appliance

_ standards/rulemaking.aspx/ ruleid/25. Participants are responsible for ensuring their systems are compatible with the webinar software.

DOE must receive requests to speak at the public meeting before 4:00 p.m., February 13, 2013. DOE must receive an electronic copy of the statement with the name and, if appropriate, the organization of the presenter to be given at the public meeting before 4:00 p.m., February 15, 2013.

**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 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 as possible by contacting Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586–2945 so that the necessary procedures can be completed. Please note that any person wishing to bring a laptop computer into the Forrestal Building will be required to obtain a property pass. Visitors should avoid bringing laptops, or allow an extra 45 minutes. As noted above, persons may also attend the public meeting via
webinar.

Interested parties are encouraged to submit comments electronically by the following methods:

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

• Email to the following address: CIFB2013STD0006@ee.doe.gov. Include
docket number EERE–2013–BT–STD–
0006 and/or RIN 1904–AC55 in the subject line of the message. All comments should clearly identify the name, address, and, if appropriate, organization of the commenter. Submit electronic comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or ASCII file format, and avoid the use of special characters or any form of encryption.

• Postal Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J,
Framework Document for Commercial and Industrial Fans and Blowers, Docket
No. EERE–2013–BT–STD–0006 and/or RIN 1904–AC55, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585– 0121. If possible, please submit all items on a compact disc (CD), in which case it is not necessary to include printed copies. [Please note that comments sent by mail are often delayed and may be damaged by mail screening processes.]

• Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Sixth Floor, 950 L’Enfant Plaza SW., Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 586–2945. If possible, please submit all items on a CD, in which case it is not necessary to include printed copies.

Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and
docket number and/or RIN for this rulemaking. No telefacsimilies (faxes) will be accepted.

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 generated throughout the rulemaking process. The regulations.gov Web page contains
instructions on how to access all documents, including public comments,
in the docket. The docket can be accessed by searching for docket
number EERE–2013–BT–STD–0006 on the regulations.gov Web site. All
documents in the docket are listed in
the www.regulations.gov index. However, not all documents listed in the index may be publicly available, such as information that is exempt from public disclosure.

For information on how to submit a comment, review other public comments and the docket, or participate in the public meeting, contact Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586–2945 or by
email: Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Mr. Charles Llenza, 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) 586–2192. Email: CIFansBlowers@ee.doe.gov. Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department of

Energy, Office of the General Counsel, GC–71, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202) 586–7796. Email: Elizabeth.Kohl@hq.doe.gov.


### 7307 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 22 / Friday, February 1, 2013 / Proposed Rules

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. Email: Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended (42 U.S.C.

6291 et seq. ), sets forth various provisions designed to improve energy efficiency. Part C of Title III of EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6311–6317), which was redesignated for editorial reasons as Part A–1 upon codification in the U.S. Code, establishes the ‘‘Energy Conservation Program for Certain Industrial Equipment,’’ which covers certain commercial and industrial equipment (hereafter referred to as ‘‘covered equipment’’).

EPCA specifies a list of equipment
that constitutes covered commercial and industrial equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(A)–(L). The list includes 11 types of equipment and a catch-all provision for certain other types of industrial equipment classified as covered the Secretary of Energy (Secretary). EPCA also specifies the types of equipment that can be
classified as covered in addition to the equipment enumerated in 42 U.S.C. 6311(1). This equipment includes fans and blowers. (42 U.S.C. 6311(2)(B)) Industrial equipment must also be of a type that:

(1) Consumes, or is designed to consume, energy in operation;

(2) To any significant extent, is
distributed in commerce for industrial or commercial use;

(3) Is not a covered product as defined in 42 U.S.C. 6291(a)(2) of EPCA, other than a component of a covered product with respect to which there is in effect
a determination under 42 U.S.C. 6312(c). (42 U.S.C. 6311 (2)(A)).

To classify equipment as covered commercial or industrial equipment, the Secretary must determine that classifying the equipment as covered equipment is necessary for the purposes of Part A–1 of EPCA. The purpose of Part A–1 is to improve the efficiency of electric motors, pumps and certain other industrial equipment to conserve the energy resources of the nation. (42 U.S.C. 6312 (b))

DOE has proposed to determine that
the commercial and industrial fans and blowers (which DOE considers to be a type of fan with a specific ratio between 1.11 and 1.20) are covered equipment (76 FR 37678 (June 28, 2011)). DOE has developed a Framework Document in
further consideration of that determination and any associated energy conservation standards for fans. DOE may consider standby and off mode energy use for commercial and industrial fans as part of this rulemaking because many commercial and industrial fans do not operate continuously.

DOE has prepared the Framework Document to explain the relevant issues, analyses, and processes it anticipates using to determine whether to establish energy conservation standards, and, if so, for the development of such standards. The focus of the public meeting noted above will be to discuss the information presented and issues
identified in the Framework Document. At the public meeting, DOE will make presentations and invite discussion on the rulemaking process as it applies to
commercial and industrial fans. DOE will also solicit comments, data, and information from participants and other interested parties.

DOE is planning to conduct in-depth technical analyses in the following areas: (1) Engineering, (2) energy-use characterization, (3) equipment price, (4) life-cycle cost and payback period, (5) national impacts, (6) manufacturer impacts, (7) utility impacts, (8) employment impacts, (9) emission impacts, and (10) regulatory impacts.
DOE will also conduct several other analyses that support those previously listed, including the market and technology assessment, the screening analysis (which contributes to the engineering analysis), and the shipments analysis (which contributes to the national impact analysis).

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 Framework Document is
available at: http:// www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ appliance

_ standards/rulemaking.aspx/ ruleid/25.

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 March 18, 2013, comments and information on matters
addressed in the Framework Document
and on other matters relevant to DOE’s consideration of coverage and standards
for commercial and industrial fans.

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 placed on the
DOE Web site at: http:// www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ appliance

_ standards/rulemaking.aspx/
ruleid/25 and available for purchase from the court reporter.

After the public meeting and the close of the comment period on the Framework Document, DOE will collect additional data, conduct the analyses as
discussed in the Framework Document and at the public meeting and review the public comments received.

DOE considers public participation to be a very important part of the process for determining whether to establish energy conservation standards and, if so, in setting those amended standards. DOE actively encourages the participation and interaction of the public during the comment period in each stage of the rulemaking process. Beginning with the Framework Document, and during each subsequent public meeting and comment period, interactions with and among members of the public provide a balanced
discussion of the issues to assist DOE in the standards rulemaking process. Accordingly, 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 this rulemaking should contact Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586–2945, or via email

at Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.

Issued in Washington, DC, on January 28,

2013. Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

[FR Doc. 2013–02217 Filed 1–31–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 6450–01–P**