### 64712 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 211 / Friday, October 31, 2014 / Proposed Rules

1 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, Part B was re-designated Part A. **DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY**

**10 CFR Part 430**

**[Docket No. EERE–2012–BT–STD–0045]**

**RIN 1904–AC87**

**Energy Efficiency Program for Consumer Products: Energy**  **Conservation Standards for Ceiling Fan Light Kits** 

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

**ACTION :**  Notice of public meeting and availability of preliminary technical support document.

**SUMMARY :**  The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will hold a public meeting
to discuss and receive comments on the preliminary analyses it has conducted for purposes of establishing energy conservation standards for ceiling fan light kits. The meeting will cover the analytical framework, models, and tools that DOE is using to evaluate potential standards for this product; the results of preliminary analyses performed by DOE for this product; the potential energy
conservation standard levels derived from these analyses that DOE could consider for this product; and any other issues relevant to the development of energy conservation standards for ceiling fan light kits. In addition, DOE encourages written comments on these subjects. To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has prepared an agenda, a preliminary technical support document (TSD), and briefing materials, which are available
on the DOE Web site at: http:// www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ appliance

_ standards/rulemaking.aspx/
ruleid/66.

**DATES :**  DOE will hold a two-day public meeting on November 18–19, 2014, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Washington, DC. Additionally, DOE plans to allow for participation in the public meeting via webinar. DOE will accept comments, data, and other information regarding this rulemaking before or after the public meeting, but no later than December 30, 2014. DOE must receive requests to speak at the meeting before 5 p.m. on November 4, 2014. DOE must receive a signed original and an electronic copy of statements to be given at the public meeting before 5 p.m. on November 4, 2014. See section IV, ‘‘Public Participation,’’ of this notice of public meeting (NOPM) for details.

**ADDRESSES :**  The public meeting on November 18, 2014 will be held at the U.S. Department of Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 8E–089, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. The public meeting on November 19, 2014 will be held at the U.S. Department of Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 6E– 069, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121.

Interested persons may submit comments, identified by docket number
EERE–2012–BT–STD–0045 and/or Regulation Identification Number (RIN) 1904–AC87, by any of the following
methods:

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

• Email: CeilingFanLightKits2012STD0045@ ee.doe.gov. Include the docket number
EERE–2012–BT–STD–0045 and/or RIN 1904–AC87 in the subject line of the

message.

• Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–5B, 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 and CDs 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, 950 L’Enfant Plaza SW., Suite 600, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone (202) 586–2945. If possible, please submit all items on CD, in which case it is not necessary to include printed copies.

Docket: The docket is available for

review at www.regulations.gov, including Federal Register notices, framework documents, public meeting attendee lists and transcripts, comments, and other supporting
documents/materials. 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.

The rulemaking Web page can be
found at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/ buildings/appliance

_ standards/ rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/66. This Web page contains a link to the docket for this notice on the regulation.gov site.
The www.regulations.gov Web page
contains instructions on how to access all documents in the docket, including public comments.

For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional information on the rulemaking process, see section IV, ‘‘Public Participation,’’ of this document. For further 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 :**  Ms. Lucy deButts, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies, EE–5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202)–287–1604. Email: ceiling

_ fan

_ light

_ kits@ee.doe.gov

. In the Office of the General Counsel, contact Ms. Jennifer Tiedeman, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, GC–71, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202)–287–6111. Email: Jennifer.Tiedeman@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–5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Telephone (202) 586–2945. Email: Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 

Table of Contents

I. Statutory Authority II. History of Rulemaking for Ceiling Fan Light Kits A. Background B. Current Rulemaking Process III. Summary of the Analyses Performed by

DOE A. Engineering Analysis B. Energy Use Analysis C. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period

Analyses D. National Impact Analysis IV. Public Participation

A. Attendance at Public Meeting B. Procedure for Submitting Requests to

Speak C. Conduct of Public Meeting
D. Submission of Comments V. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

I. Statutory Authority

Title III, Part B 1 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as amended, (EPCA or the Act), Public Law 94–163 (42 U.S.C. 6291–6309, as codified) established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles, which includes the ceiling fan light kits (CFLKs) that are the subject of this


### 64713 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 211 / Friday, October 31, 2014 / Proposed Rules

2 All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute as amended through the American Energy Manufacturing Technical Corrections Act (AEMTCA), Public Law 112–210 (Dec. 18, 2012). rulemaking. 2 (42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)) This program authorizes DOE to establish technologically feasible, economically justified energy efficiency regulations for certain products that would be likely to result in substantial national energy savings. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(I)– (VII))

DOE is required to consider energy conservation standards for ceiling fan light kits that: (1) Achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is technologically feasible and economically justified; and (2) result in significant conservation of energy. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(A) and (o)(3)(B)) To determine whether a proposed standard is economically justified, DOE will, after receiving comments on the proposed standard, determine whether the
benefits of the standard exceed its burdens to the greatest extent practicable, using the following seven
factors:

1. The economic impact of the
standard on manufacturers and consumers of products subject to the standard;

2. The savings in operating costs throughout the estimated average life of the covered products in the type (or class) compared to any increase in the price, initial charges, or maintenance expenses for the covered products which are likely to result from the standard;

3. The total projected amount of energy savings likely to result directly from the standard;

4. Any lessening of the utility or the performance of the covered products likely to result from the standard;

5. The impact of any lessening of competition, as determined in writing by the Attorney General, that is likely to result from the standard;

6. The need for national energy conservation; and

7. Other factors the Secretary of Energy considers relevant. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i))

DOE also adheres to additional statutory requirements of general applicability for prescribing new or
amended standards set forth in other
relevant sections of EPCA.

II. History of Rulemaking for Ceiling Fan Light Kits

A. Background

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005), Public Law 109–58, amended EPCA and established energy conservation standards for ceiling fan light kits, as well as requirements for determining whether these standards should be amended. (42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)) Specifically, EPACT 2005 set energy conservation standards for ceiling fan light kits with medium screw base sockets, as well as pin-based sockets. (42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)(2)–(3)) The statute
also directed DOE to consider and issue requirements for other types of ceiling fan light kits (including candelabra screw base sockets) by January 1, 2007,
and if DOE failed to issue such standards by the specified date, the statute provided for an alternative set of requirements for ceiling fan light kits manufactured after January 1, 2010. (42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)) After January 1, 2010, DOE may again consider amended energy efficiency standards for ceiling fan light kits, standards that would apply to products manufactured not earlier than two years after the date of publication of the final rule establishing the amended standard. (42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)(5))

EPCA defines a ‘‘ceiling fan’’ as ‘‘a nonportable device that is suspended from a ceiling for circulating air via the rotation of fan blades’’ (42 U.S.C. 6291(49)) and defines a ‘‘ceiling fan light kit’’ as ‘‘equipment designed to provide light from a ceiling fan’’ that can be (1) integral, such that the equipment is attached to the ceiling fan prior to the time of retail sale; or (2) attachable, such that at the time of retail sale the equipment is not physically attached to the ceiling fan, but may be included inside the ceiling fan at the time of sale or sold separately for subsequent attachment to the fan. (42 U.S.C. 6291(50))

Under this statutory structure, DOE promulgated design standards for ceiling fans, performance standards for ceiling fan light kits and test procedures for both ceiling fans and ceiling fan light
kits. In a final rule technical amendment published in the Federal Register on October 18, 2005, DOE codified the statutory design standards for ceiling fans and the performance standards for ceiling fan light kits in the CFR at 10 CFR 430.32(s). 70 FR 60407, 60413.
Because DOE did not issue a final rule on standards for CFLKs by January 1, 2007, DOE published a final rule
technical amendment in the Federal Register on January 11, 2007, codifying statutory standards for light kits with
sockets other than medium-screw base or pin-based fluorescent lamps in the
CFR. 72 FR 1270. In a final rule published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2006, DOE adopted test procedures for ceiling fan light kits at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix U and appendix V, respectively. 71 FR 71340, 71366–71367. Another technical amendment issued on March 3, 2009, (74 FR 12058), codified a provision that CFLKs with sockets for pin-based fluorescent lamps must be packaged with lamps to fill all sockets. (42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)(4)(C)(ii))

DOE is initiating this rulemaking pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6295(ff)(5)–(6),
which allows DOE to consider establishing or amending energy conservation standards for ceiling fan light kits, and 42 U.S.C. 6295(r), which requires DOE to prescribe test procedures for new or amended energy
conservation standards. In addition to considering the energy consumption of these products in active mode, 42 U.S.C. 6295(gg) requires DOE to consider the standby mode and off mode energy consumption of ceiling fan light kits in amending both its test procedures and energy conservation standards.

B. Current Rulemaking Process

In initiating this rulemaking, DOE has prepared a Framework Document, ‘‘Energy Conservation Standards Rulemaking Framework Document for Ceiling Fans and Ceiling Fan Light Kits,’’ which describes the procedural and analytical approaches DOE anticipates using to evaluate energy conservation standards for ceiling fan light kits. This document is available at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ appliance

_ standards/rulemaking.aspx/
ruleid/66.

DOE held a public meeting on March 22, 2013, at which it described the various analyses DOE would conduct as part of the rulemaking, such as the engineering analysis, the life-cycle cost (LCC) and payback period (PBP) analyses, and the national impact analysis (NIA). Representatives for manufacturers, trade associations, environmental and energy efficiency advocates, and other interested parties attended the meeting.

Comments received since publication
of the Framework Document have helped DOE identify and resolve issues related to the preliminary analyses. Chapter 2 of the preliminary TSD
summarizes and addresses the
comments received.

III. Summary of the Analyses Performed by DOE

For the CFLKs covered in this rulemaking, DOE conducted in-depth technical analyses in the following areas: (1) Engineering; (2) markups to determine product price; (3) energy use; (4) life-cycle cost and payback period; and (5) national impacts. The preliminary TSD that presents the methodology and results of each of


### 64714 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 211 / Friday, October 31, 2014 / Proposed Rules

3 For purposes of analysis, DOE assumes that 2019 would be the first year of compliance with

amended standards. these analyses is available at http:// www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ appliance

_ standards/rulemaking.aspx/
ruleid/66.

The tools used in preparing several of the above analyses (life-cycle cost and national impacts) are available at the
above Web site. Each individual spreadsheet includes an introduction describing the various inputs and outputs of the analysis, as well as operation instructions.

DOE also conducted, and has included in the preliminary TSD, several other analyses that support the major analyses or are preliminary analyses that will be expanded upon for a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) if DOE determines that amended energy
conservation standards are technologically feasible, economically justified, and would save a significant amount of energy, based on the information presented to the Department. These analyses include: (1) The market and technology assessment; (2) the screening analysis, which contributes to the engineering analysis; and (3) the shipments analysis, which contributes to the LCC and PBP analysis and NIA. In addition to these analyses, DOE has begun preliminary work on the manufacturer impact analysis and has
identified the methods to be used for the consumer subgroup analysis, the emissions analysis, the employment impact analysis, the regulatory impact analysis, and the utility impact analysis. DOE will expand on these analyses in the notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR).

A. Engineering Analysis

The engineering analysis establishes the relationship between the cost and efficiency levels of the product that DOE is evaluating as potential energy
conservation standards. Thisrelationship serves as the basis for costbenefit calculations for individual consumers, manufacturers, and the Nation. The engineering analysis identifies representative baseline products, which is the starting point for analyzing technologies that provide energy efficiency improvements. ‘‘Baseline products’’ refers to a model or models having features and technologies typically found in minimally-efficient products currently available on the market and, for products already subject to energy conservation standards, a model that just meets the current standard. After identifying the baseline models, DOE estimated manufacturer selling prices by using a consistent methodology and pricing scheme that
includes material costs and manufacturer markups. Chapter 5 of the preliminary TSD discusses the engineering analysis.

B. Energy Use Analysis

The energy use analysis provides estimates of the annual energy consumption of ceiling fan light kits. The energy use analysis seeks to estimate the range of energy consumption of the products that meet each of the efficiency levels considered in a given rulemaking as they are used
in the field. DOE uses these values in the LCC and PBP analyses and in the NIA. Chapter 7 of the preliminary TSD addresses the energy use analysis.

C. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analyses

The LCC and PBP analyses determine the economic impact of potential
standards on individual consumers. The LCC is the total cost of purchasing, installing and operating a considered product over the course of its lifetime. The LCC analysis compares the LCCs of products designed to meet possible energy conservation standards with the LCC of the product likely to be installed
in the absence of standards. DOE determines LCCs by considering: (1) Total installed cost to the purchaser (which consists of manufacturer selling price, distribution chain markups, sales taxes, and installation cost); (2) the operating cost of the product (energy cost, water and wastewater cost in some cases, and maintenance and repair cost); (3) product lifetime; and (4) a discount
rate that reflects the real consumer costof capital and puts the LCC in presentvalue terms. The PBP represents the number of years needed to recover the increase in purchase price (including installation cost) of higher-efficiency products through savings in the operating cost of the product. PBP is calculated by dividing the incremental increase in installed cost of the higher efficiency product, compared to the baseline product, by the annual savings in operating costs. Chapter 8 of the preliminary TSD addresses the LCC and PBP analyses.

D. National Impact Analysis

The NIA estimates the national energy savings (NES) and the net present value (NPV) of total consumer costs and savings expected to result from amended standards at specific efficiency levels (referred to as candidate standard levels). DOE calculated NES and NPV
for each candidate standard level for ceiling fan light kits as the difference between a base-case forecast (withoutamended standards) and the standardscase forecast (with amended standards). Cumulative energy savings are the sum of the annual NES determined for the lifetime of the products shipped from

2019 to 2048. 3 The NPV is the sum over time of the discounted net savings each year, which consists of the difference between total operating cost savings and
increases in total installed costs. Critical inputs to this analysis include shipments projections, estimated product lifetimes, product installed costs and operating costs, product annual energy consumption, the base case efficiency projection, and discount rates. Chapter 10 of the preliminary TSD
addresses the NIA.

IV. Public Participation

DOE invites input from the public on all of the topics described above. The preliminary analytical results are subject to revision following further review and input from the public. A complete and revised TSD will be made available upon issuance of a NOPR. The final rule establishing any amended energy conservation standards will contain the final analytical results and will be accompanied by a final rule

TSD.

DOE encourages those who wish to participate in the public meeting to obtain the preliminary TSD from DOE’s Web site and to be prepared to discuss its contents. Once again, a copy of the preliminary TSD is available at: http:// www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ appliance

_ standards/rulemaking.aspx/
ruleid/66. However, public meeting participants need not limit their comments to the topics identified in the preliminary TSD; DOE is also interested in receiving views concerning other relevant issues that participants believe would affect energy conservation standards for this product or that DOE
should address in the NOPR.

Furthermore, DOE welcomes all interested parties, regardless of whether they participate in the public meeting, to submit in writing by December 30, 2014 comments, data, and information on matters addressed in the preliminary
TSD and on other matters relevant to consideration of energy conservation standards for ceiling fan light kits.

The public meeting will be conducted in an informal conference style. A court reporter will be present to record the minutes of the meeting. There shall be no discussion of proprietary information, costs or prices, market shares, or other commercial matters regulated by United States antitrust
laws.


### 64715 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 211 / Friday, October 31, 2014 / Proposed Rules

After the public meeting and the closing of the comment period, DOE will consider all timely-submitted
comments and additional information obtained from interested parties, as well as information obtained through further analyses. Afterwards, the Department will publish either a determination that the standards for ceiling fan light kits
need not be amended or a NOPR proposing to amend those standards. The NOPR will include proposed energy conservation standards for the products covered by the rulemaking, and members of the public will be given an opportunity to submit written and oral comments on the proposed standards.

Please also visit DOE’s ceiling fan light kits Web page at http:// www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ appliance

_ standards/rulemaking.aspx/
ruleid/66. for information about existing standards and test procedures, and the history and impacts of previous DOE regulatory actions, for this category of products.

A. Attendance at Public Meeting

The time and date of the public meeting are listed in the **DATES** and

**ADDRESSES** sections at the beginning of this notice. 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. To attend the public meeting, please notify Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586–2945. DOE requires visitors to have laptops and other devices, such as tablets, checked upon entry into the building. Please report to the visitor’s desk to have devices checked before proceeding through security.

Please note that foreign nationals participating in the public meeting are subject to advance security screening procedures which require advance notice prior to attendance at the public meeting. If a foreign national wishes to participate in the public meeting, please
inform DOE of this fact as soon as possible by contacting Ms. Regina Washington at (202) 586–1214 or by
email: Regina.Washington@ee.doe.gov so that the necessary procedures can be completed.

You can attend the public meeting via webinar, and registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants will be published on the following Web site: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ appliance

_ standards/rulemaking.aspx/
ruleid/66. Participants are responsible for ensuring their computer systems are compatible with the webinar software. The purpose of the meeting is to receive comments and to help DOE understand potential issues associated with this rulemaking. DOE must receive requests to speak at the meeting before 5 p.m. on November 4, 2014. DOE must receive a signed original and an electronic copy of statements to be given at the public meeting before 5 p.m. on November 4, 2014.

B. Procedure for Submitting Requests to Speak

Any person who has an interest in this rulemaking or who is a representative of a group or class of persons that has an interest in these issues may request an opportunity to make an oral presentation. Such persons may hand-deliver requests to speak, along with a computer diskette or CD in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or text (ASCII) file format to Ms. Brenda
Edwards at the address shown in the

**ADDRESSES** section at the beginning of this notice between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Requests may also be sent by
mail to the address shown in the

**ADDRESSES** section or email to Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.

Persons requesting to speak should briefly describe the nature of their interest in this rulemaking and provide a telephone number for contact. DOE requests persons selected to be heard to submit an advance copy of their
statements at least two weeks before the public meeting. At its discretion, DOE may permit any person who cannot supply an advance copy of their statement to participate, if that person
has made advance alternative arrangements with the Building Technologies Program. The request to give an oral presentation should ask for such alternative arrangements.

C. Conduct of Public Meeting

DOE will designate a DOE official to preside at the public meeting and may also employ a professional facilitator to aid discussion. The meeting will not be a judicial or evidentiary-type public hearing, but DOE will conduct it in
accordance with section 336 of EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6306) A court reporter will record the proceedings and prepare a transcript. DOE reserves the right to schedule the order of presentations and to establish the procedures governing the conduct of the public meeting. After the public meeting, interested parties may submit further comments on the proceedings as well as on any aspect of the rulemaking until the end of the comment period.

The public meeting will be conducted in an informal conference style. DOE will present summaries of comments received before the public meeting, allow time for presentations by participants, and encourage all interested parties to share their views on issues affecting this rulemaking. Each participant will be allowed to make a prepared general statement (within DOE-determined time limits) prior to the discussion of specific topics. DOE will permit other participants to comment briefly on any general

statements.

At the end of all prepared statements on a topic, DOE will permit participants to clarify their statements briefly and comment on statements made by others. Participants should be prepared to answer questions from DOE and other participants concerning these issues. DOE representatives may also ask questions of participants concerning
other matters relevant to this rulemaking. The official conducting the public meeting will accept additional comments or questions from those attending, as time permits. The presiding official will announce any further procedural rules or modification of the above procedures that may be needed for the proper conduct of the public meeting.

A transcript of the public meeting will be posted on the DOE Web site and will also be included in the docket, which
can be viewed as described in the Docket section at the beginning of this notice. In addition, any person may buy a copy of the transcript from the transcribing reporter.

D. Submission of Comments

DOE will accept comments, data, and other information regarding this rulemaking before or after the public meeting, but no later than the date provided at the beginning of this document. Please submit comments, data, and other information as provided
in the **ADDRESSES** section. Submit electronic comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or text (ASCII) file format and avoid the use of special characters or any form of encryption.
Comments in electronic format should be identified by the Docket Number
EERE–2011–BT–STD–0045 and/or RIN 1904–AC87 and, wherever possible, carry the electronic signature of the author. No telefacsimiles (faxes) will be accepted.

Pursuant to 10 CFR 1004.11, any person submitting information that he
or she believes to be confidential and exempt by law from public disclosure should submit two copies: One copy of the document including all the
information believed to be confidential and one copy of the document with the


### 64716 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 211 / Friday, October 31, 2014 / Proposed Rules

information believed to be confidential
deleted. DOE will make its own
determination as to the confidential
status of the information and treat it according to its determination.

Factors of interest to DOE when evaluating requests to treat submitted information as confidential include: (1) A description of the items; (2) whether and why such items are customarily
treated as confidential within the industry; (3) whether the information is generally known by or available from other sources; (4) whether the information has previously been made available to others without obligation concerning its confidentiality; (5) an explanation of the competitive injury to the submitting person which would result from public disclosure; (6) a date upon which such information might
lose its confidential nature due to the passage of time; and (7) why disclosure of the information would be contrary to the public interest.

V. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this NOPM.

Issued in Washington, DC, on October 27,

2014. Kathleen B. Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

[FR Doc. 2014–25933 Filed 10–30–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 6450–01–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION**

**34 CFR Chapter II**

**[ED–2014–OESE–0134; CFDA Number: 84.415A]** 

**Proposed Priorities, Requirements, Definitions, and Selection Criteria—**  **State Tribal Education Partnership Program** 

**AGENCY :**  Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of
Education.

**ACTION :**  Proposed priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection

criteria.

**SUMMARY :**  The Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education proposes priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria for the State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP) program. The Assistant Secretary may use one or more of these priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2015 and later years. We propose
this action to enable tribal educational agencies (TEAs) to administer formula grant programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), and to improve the partnership
between TEAs and the State educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies (LEAs) that educate students
from the affected tribe.

**DATES :**  We must receive your comments on or before December 1, 2014.

**ADDRESSES :**  Submit your comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal or via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. We will not accept comments submitted by fax or by email
or those submitted after the comment period. To ensure that we do not receive duplicate copies, please submit your comments only once. In addition, please include the Docket ID at the top of your

comments.

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov to submit your comments electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing agency documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket, is available on the site under ‘‘Are you new to the site?’’

• Postal Mail, Commercial Delivery, or Hand Delivery: If you mail or deliver your comments about these proposed regulations, address them to the person
listed under **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION**

**CONTACT**

.

Privacy Note: The Department’s policy is

to make all comments received from members of the public available for public viewing in their entirety on the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov. Therefore, commenters should be careful to include in their comments only information that they wish to make publicly available.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Shahla Ortega, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 3E211, Washington, DC 20202– 6450. Telephone: (202) 453–5602 or by
email: shahla.ortega@ed.gov.

If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877–

8339.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 

Invitation To Comment: We invite you to submit comments regarding this notice. To ensure that your comments have maximum effect in developing the notice of final priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria, we urge you to identify clearly the specific proposed priority, requirement, definition, or selection criterion that
each comment addresses.

We invite you to assist us in complying with the specific requirements of Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 and their overall requirement of reducing regulatory burden that might result from these proposed priorities, requirements, definitions, and
selection criteria. Please let us know of any further ways we could reduce potential costs or increase potential benefits while preserving the effective
and efficient administration of the

program.

During and after the comment period, you may inspect all public comments about the proposed regulations by accessing Regulations.gov. You may also inspect the comments in person in room 3E211, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Washington, DC, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, Monday through Friday of each week except Federal holidays. If you want to schedule time to inspect comments, please contact the person
listed under **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION**

**CONTACT**

.

Assistance to Individuals With Disabilities in Reviewing the Rulemaking Record: On request, we will provide an appropriate accommodation or auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability who needs assistance to
review the comments or other documents in the public rulemaking record for this notice. If you want to schedule an appointment for this type of accommodation or auxiliary aid, please contact the person listed under **FOR**

**FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**

.

Purposes of Program: The purposes of this program are to: (1) Promote
increased collaboration between TEAs
and the SEAs and LEAs that serve students from the relevant tribes, in the
administration of certain ESEA formula grant programs; and (2) build the capacity of TEAs to conduct certain
administrative functions under those programs for eligible schools, as determined by the TEA, SEA, and LEA.

Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7451(a)(4).

Background

The FY 2012 appropriation for the Department of Education (the Department) included funding for a pilot program under the Indian Education (ESEA title VII) National Activities authority. Under the pilot, the Department awarded competitive grants
to four TEAs to increase collaboration
between TEAs and SEAs in the
administration of certain ESEA Stateadministered formula grant programs, build TEA capacity to conduct State
administrative functions under those programs for eligible schools located on reservations, increase the role of TEAs in the education of their children, and improve the academic achievement of