Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 26 / Tuesday, February 8, 2000 / Notices 6197

stringency of alternate paths internal to

a single standard or between standards.

The large quantity of variables among

the alternative compliance paths would

make such analysis prohibitive to

undertake. Further, we know of no data

on which to base the selection of

representative requirements for such an

analysis. Assignment of requirements

would be arbitrary. Rather we would

focus on what we believe is the most

common approach to using the standard

in question for particular building types.

Quantitative Comparison

We propose to base the quantitative

comparison of energy codes on whole

building energy simulations of buildings

built to each standard. We would

simulate seven representative building

types in 11 representative U.S. climates.

The simulated buildings would utilize

the 15 zone building prototype used in

previous DOE building research, and the

energy use intensities for each zone

from the simulations would be scaled to

correctly reflect variations in

characteristic building sizes and shapes

for each representative building type.

Energy Use Intensities (EUIs) developed

for each representative building type

would be weighted by total national

square footage in each representative

building category to provide an estimate

of the national energy savings. Note that

only changes to new buildings would be

considered in this quantitative analysis.

The scope of ASHRAE 90.1–1999 also

addresses additions and renovations to

existing buildings. While this may have

a significant energy impact, we do not

believe the data is available to quantify

this impact. We propose to point out

this difference in the qualitative

comparison of the two standards.

B. Public Workshop

1. Procedures for Submitting Requests

To Speak

You will find the time and place of

the public workshop listed at the

beginning of this notice. The

Department invites any person who

would like to attend the public

workshop to notify Brenda EdwardsJones at (202) 586–2945. You may hand

deliver requests to speak to the address

indicated at the beginning of this notice

between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00

p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays, or send them by mail.

2. Conduct of Workshop

The workshop will be conducted in

an informal, conference style. The

Department may use a professional

facilitator to facilitate discussion, and a

court reporter will be present to record

the transcript of the meeting. We will

present summaries of comments

received before the workshop, allow

time for presentations by workshop

participants, and encourage all

interested parties to share their views on

issues affecting the proposed analysis.

Following the workshop, we will

provide an additional one week

comment period, during which

interested parties will have an

opportunity to present further comment

on the proposed analysis.

The Department will arrange for a

transcript of the workshop and will

make the entire record of the workshop,

including the transcript, available for

inspection in the Department’s Freedom

of Information Reading Room. Any

person may purchase a copy of the

transcript from the transcribing reporter.

C. Issues Requested for Comment

The Department of Energy is

interested in receiving comments and/or

data concerning issues relating to the

comparative analysis of Standard 90.1–

1989 and Standard 90.1–1999. We are

especially interested in any comments

or data regarding:

(1) The seven building types listed

below and selected for analysis.

(2) The 11 representative climate

locations proposed for the analysis.

(3) The frequency of use of alternative

paths to compliance in building

standards (e.g. space-by-space versus

whole building lighting power

allowances).

(4) New non-residential building

construction data by State or census

division and building type.

(5) Data to quantify the impact of

Standard 90.1–1999 on additions and

renovations to existing buildings.

(6) The prevalence of the semi-heated

building envelope subcategory in the

building types proposed for analysis.

(7) Specific comments on the

preliminary energy savings analysis

distributed in June 1999.

The seven building types proposed for

the analysis are Office, Retail,

Education, Lodging, Public Assembly,

Food Service, and Warehouse and

Storage. It is currently proposed to

include outpatient health care buildings

in the office building category. These

buildings together will account for

approximately 80% of commercial

building energy use, and national

weights for each of these building

categories can be readily obtained

through the Commercial Buildings

Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS)

data. One category of building which is

conspicuously absent is multifamily

dwellings over three stories above grade.

Relevant data on current stock,

construction, or building configuration

for this category would allow its

inclusion in the analysis.

The 11 climate variations proposed

for the analysis are the same as those

used in the National Energy Model,

version 5, and in the initial analysis and

they are proposed to be represented by

the same climate locations used in that

analysis. The climate locations are:

Providence, Rhode Island; Detroit,

Michigan, Minneapolis, Minnesota;

Knoxville, Tennessee; Shreveport,

Louisiana, Tampa, Florida; Denver,

Colorado; Phoenix, Arizona; Seattle

Washington; Fresno, California; and Los

Angeles, California. We would be

interested to know of any data or

analysis that would indicate that these

are inappropriate for this analysis, and

what alternatives are more appropriate

and why.

This analysis proposes to set criteria

for buildings using what are believed to

be the most common paths to

compliance. Any data describing the

relative frequency of use of alternative

paths to compliance would be

appreciated as would more detailed data

on building construction by State,

region and building type. Additionally,

we are interested in data regarding the

type and fraction of buildings which

should be modeled as semi-heated

buildings for the 90.1–1999 standard.

Finally, as the methodology proposed is

an extension of what was done for the

preliminary analysis in June, any

comments on that methodology and the

questions raised in the presentation,

would be appreciated.

These data will help us to make a

determination whether ASHRAE/IESNA

Standard 90.1–1999 will improve

energy efficiency in commercial

buildings.

Issued in Washington, DC, on February 2,

2000.

Dan W. Reicher,

Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy.

[FR Doc. 00–2793 Filed 2–7–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Notice of Competitive Financial

Assistance for the Office of Energy

Efficiency and Renewable Energy

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of Competitive Financial

Assistance Solicitation, State Science

Initiative for Applied Research,

Development and Demonstration

Projects.

6198 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 26 / Tuesday, February 8, 2000 / Notices

SUMMARY: The Department of Energy

(DOE) is announcing a competitive

solicitation for applications for

cooperative agreements to pursue

applied research, development and

demonstration (including field testing)

involving energy efficiency.

Demonstrations will be limited to field

tests which provide critical operational

feedback to researchers and/or

manufacturers for the purpose of

improving technical performance or

lowering costs.

It is estimated that funding of

approximately $6 million will be

available for 7 to 10 awards under this

solicitation in fiscal year 2000. Seven

priority areas of interest have been

identified through a collaborative

planning process with the States during

the past year: (1) Bio-based products

and bioenergy; (2) Fuel cells and

microturbines; (3) Petroleum industry;

(4) Schools; (5) Combined heat and

power and distributed generation; (6)

Data acquisition; and (7) Transportation.

The awards will be for a period of one

to three years.

Proposals will be subject to the

objective merit review procedures for

the Office of Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy (EERE). Eligibility

under this solicitation is restricted to

state energy offices and state energy

research organizations. These

organizations may enter teaming

arrangements with industry, DOE

national laboratories, private

educational institutions, non-profit

organizations, and Native American

organizations.

Applications by DOE management

and operating contractors (M&O) will

not be eligible for award. However,

applications that include performance

of a portion of the project, not to exceed

50 percent of the total effort, by an M&O

contractor will be eligible provided that

the proposed use of any such entity is

specifically authorized in writing by the

DOE Contracting Officer or authorized

designee responsible for the M&O.

This solicitation provides

opportunities to leverage funds for

important Research, Development and

Demonstration (RD&D) designed to

advance technologies that promote

energy efficiency. It is anticipated that

a minimum of 20 percent non-Federal

cost-sharing will be required for all

projects receiving awards. Any

proposed cost-sharing above the

minimum 20 percent will be given

favorable consideration in the selection

process.

DATES: The formal solicitation

document, which will include greater

detail about specific program areas of

interest, application instructions, due

dates and evaluation criteria, is

expected to be issued later in February

2000. Prospective applicants will be

encouraged to submit a pre-application,

not longer than two pages, within 20

days following issuance of the

solicitation. All pre-applications must

be submitted by an eligible applicant. A

response to the pre-application

encouraging or discouraging a formal

application will be communicated to the

applicant. Submission of a preapplication is not a requirement for

submitting an application under this

solicitation.

ADDRESSES: The formal solicitation

document will be disseminated

electronically as Solicitation No. DE–

PS36–00GO10499 through the Golden

Field Office’s World Wide Web site at

http://www.eren.doe.gov/golden/

solicitations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Contact the U.S. Department of Energy,

Office of Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy, Golden Field Office,

1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401. The

Contract Specialist is James Damm, at

FAX (303) 275–4788 or e-mail at

jimldamm@nrel.gov. All questions or

comments concerning this

announcement must be in writing and

should be directed to the attention of

Mr. Damm. The preferred method of

submitting questions and/or comments

is through e-mail. Only questions and

comments submitted to Mr. Damm will

be considered. Questions and/or

comments requiring coordination with

EERE program officials will be directed

by Mr. Damm to the cognizant offices.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office

of EERE implements DOE’s strategic

objectives of increasing the efficiency

and productivity of energy use, while

limiting environmental impacts;

reducing the vulnerability of the U.S.

economy to disruptions in energy

supplies; ensuring that a competitive

electric utility industry is in place that

can deliver adequate and affordable

supplies with reduced environmental

impacts; supporting U.S. energy,

environmental, and economic interests

in global markets; and delivering

leading-edge technologies.

The purpose of the planned

solicitation is to pursue applied

research, development, and

demonstration (including field testing)

with state energy offices and state

energy research organizations in the

following technology areas (or

combination of technology areas) as

described below:

1. Bio-Based Products and Bioenergy

Applications will be accepted on

applied research and development for

promoting the use of crops, trees and

residues to (a) replace conventional

feedstocks to make chemical products;

or (b) enhance existing, or produce new,

forest or agricultural (non-food, nonfeed) products. We anticipate that

proposals will include, but are not

limited to, R&D on: (a) Biotechnology

for accelerating the development or

deployment of plant feedstocks that

could be used by companies to perform

biochemical and other conversions to

produce chemicals and other products;

(b) plant physiology controlling

important traits affecting crop and forest

productivity; (c) improved production

methods and practices to ensure that an

adequate supply of plant-derived

material is available for industrial use;

or (d) improved conversion methods or

practices for the production of bio-based

chemicals and products. Priority will be

given to projects that integrate the areas

of plant science and production with

processing and utilization of new

chemical, forest or agricultural (nonfood, non-feed) products. Such

integrated projects that also show a

linkage to the biopower and biofuels

technologies are encouraged.

2. Fuel Cells and Microturbines

Applications will be accepted for

applied research and technology field

tests focused in both the buildings and

transportation sectors. Proposals in the

fuel cells technology area should

include, but are not limited to, applied

research and field testing of: (a) Proton

exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells

adapted for use in residential and light

commercial facilities, particularly the

operation of PEM fuel cells in a variety

of existing building types (e.g., small

commercial retail, light manufacturing,

multi-family residential) under various

operating scenarios; (b) other types of

fuel cells (e.g., molten carbonate, solid

oxide) in commercial and industrial

facilities; (c) fuel cell performance in

on-road vehicles under various

operating conditions; and (d) vehicle

fleets as a test bed for improving current

systems or advancing technologies to

generate hydrogen from natural gas

reforming or through electrolysis.

In the microturbine technology area,

cooperative projects should focus on

applied research and field testing over

a range of applications, geographic

locations, and operating systems: (a) To

demonstrate technical performance

reliability and durability and to provide

feedback for further technology

development; and (b) to demonstrate

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 26 / Tuesday, February 8, 2000 / Notices 6199

microturbine technology improvements

or upgrades, including components or

subsystems (e.g., gas compressors,

recuperators, and combustors).

3. Petroleum Industry

Applications will be accepted for

applied research and testing of motors

and other energy-using equipment in

domestic oil fields to assess usage and

modify or replace equipment to reduce

energy costs. Examples of efforts with

the states could include, but are not

limited to: (a) Improving sensor and

control technologies for reducing

electricity demand in the oil fields; (b)

developing models for field energy use

assessments; and (3) developing

guidelines for equipment replacement.

4. Schools

Applications will be accepted for

applied research and technology field

validations/operational tests which

accelerate adoption of new technologies

to improve the energy efficiency of

school facilities. This work should be

focused in the following areas:

(a) Building Technologies—Conduct

applied research and technology field

testing through an integrated buildings

approach in a range of technology areas,

such as: space conditioning and

refrigeration; other energy-efficient

appliances; super-efficient windows and

lighting; productivity enhancing

approaches (e.g., increased daylighting);

and peak shaving/load shifting

technologies that reduce peak air

conditioning demand during the day.

(b) Advanced Technologies—Conduct

applied research and field testing of (i)

distributed generation technologies,

including but not limited to, fuel cell,

microturbine and cogeneration

applications in school facilities; and (ii)

advanced energy technologies for use in

school facilities.

(c) Technology Integration—Develop a

mechanism that will take the results of

the building and advanced technologies

research and field testing and integrate

them into a comprehensive program

which supports, but is not limited to,

the development of technical design

guidelines for new school construction

and renovations which will be used by

architects, engineers and product

manufacturers. Emphasis also will be

placed on building design and financing

templates and related facilitation of

financial assistance aimed at integrated

building efficiency improvements.

5. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and

Distributed Power

Applications will be accepted for

work involving distributed power and

combined heat and power technologies.

This work includes, but is not limited

to, applied research and field testing to

address:

(a) Transmission constraints,

interconnect barriers, and to encourage

strategic placement of distributed power

technologies, consistent and

streamlined siting and permitting

regulations, and an equipment precertification program to avoid long and

costly permitting delays;

(b) New commercial and industrial

development and urban infill

redevelopment for distributed

generation utilizing several DOE

developed technologies (e.g., fuel cells,

microturbines, industrial turbines,

photovoltaics, wind, solar geothermal

and energy storage) and demand-side

management measures to examine

systemic operational parameters and

capabilities;

(c) Advanced distributed power and

combined heat and power technologies

at state and federal facilities; and

(d) Hybrid applications (e.g., hybrid

wind/fuel cell/microturbine

applications) for institutional and

commercial application.

6. Data Acquisition

Applications will be accepted for: (a)

Reviewing and developing

complementary State and Federal

energy data sets; (b) expanding energy

data sets; and (c) redesigning federal

and state data collection instruments to

evaluate the changing structure of the

electric power industry and the natural

gas industry.

7. Transportation

Emphasis should be placed upon

applied research and technology field

validations/operational tests designed to

maximize the benefits of clean and

efficient vehicle technologies. These

activities include, but are not limited to:

(a) Testing alternative fuels performance

in on-road vehicles under operating

conditions to test propulsion systems;

(b) research on operating a refueling

infrastructure for alternative fuel

vehicles; (c) transportation applications,

such as fuel cells, hybrid propulsion

systems, motors, controllers, and

sensors.

Additional information about the

programs of the Office of EERE can be

obtained at the Office’s Internet site at

http://www.eren.doe.gov/ee.html.

Issued in Golden, CO

Dated: February 1, 2000.

Jerry Zimmer,

Procurement Director, Golden Field Office.

[FR Doc. 00–2795 Filed 2–7–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory

Commission

[Docket No. CP00–72–000]

ANR Pipeline Company; Notice of

Application

February 2, 2000.

Take notice that on January 27, 2000,

ANR Pipeline Company (ANR), 500

Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan

48243, filed in Docket No. CP00–72–000

an application pursuant to Section 7(b)

of the Natural Gas Act for permission

and approval to abandon natural gas

transportation service provided to Texas

Gas Transmission Corporation (Texas

Gas) under an individually certificated

agreement, all as more fully set forth in

the application which is on file with the

Commission and open to public

inspection. This filing may be viewed

on the web at http://www.ferc.fed.us/

online/rims.htm (call 202–208–2222 for

assistance).

ANR proposes to abandon a firm

natural gas transportation service

provided to Texas Gas under ANR’s

Rate Schedule X–153 contained in its

respective FERC Gas Tariff, Original

Volume No. 2. ANR states that the

service agreement provided for an initial

term of fifteen years from the date of

first deliveries and from year to year

thereafter, unless canceled by either

party. ANR asserts that transportation of

the gas commenced on February 7,

1985. ANR states that Texas Gas has

requested that the parties terminate the

transportation service effective February

27, 2000 and requests that authority to

abandon the transportation service

provided under Rate Schedule X–153 be

made effective as of that date. ANR

declares that it does not propose to

abandon any facilities pursuant to the

instant application.

Any person desiring to be heard or to

make any protest with reference to said

Application should on or before

February 23, 2000, file with the Federal

Energy Regulatory Commission, 888

First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426,

a motion to intervene or a protest in

accordance with the requirements of the

Commission’s Rules of Practice and

Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 or 18 CFR

385.214) and the Regulations under the

Natural Gas Act (18 CFR 157.10). All

protests filed with the Commission will

be considered by it in determining the

appropriate action to be taken but will

not serve to make the protestants parties

to the proceeding. Any person wishing

to become a party to a proceeding or to

participate as a party in any hearing

therein must file a motion to intervene