[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 8, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7048-7056]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02576]


========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 26 / Tuesday, February 8, 2022 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 7048]]



DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Parts 429 and 431

[EERE-2022-BT-STD-0002]
RIN 1904-AC55


Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for 
Fans and Blowers

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

ACTION: Request for information.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'' or ``the Department'') 
is evaluating potential energy conservation standards for fans and 
blowers, including air circulating fans. Through this request for 
information (``RFI''), DOE seeks data and information to help determine 
whether potential energy conservation standards for fans and blowers, 
including air circulating fans, would result in standards that are 
technologically feasible and economically justified while producing 
significant conservation of energy. DOE welcomes written comments from 
the public on any subject within the scope of this document (including 
those topics not specifically raised in this RFI), as well as the 
submission of data and other relevant information.

DATES: Written comments and information are requested and will be 
accepted on or before March 10, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments. Alternatively, interested persons 
may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE-2022-BT-STD-0002, 
by any of the following methods:
    1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
    2. Email: To <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2c6a4d425f6d42486e40435b495e5f1e1c1e1e7f78681c1c1c1e6c494902484349024b435a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6d2b0c031e2c03092f01021a081f1e5f5d5f5f3e39295d5d5d5f2d080843090208430a021b">[email protected]</span></a>. Include docket 
number EERE-2022-BT-STD-0002 in the subject line of the message.
    No telefacsimilies (``faxes'') will be accepted. For detailed 
instructions on submitting comments and additional information on this 
process, see section III of this document.
    Although DOE has routinely accepted public comment submissions 
through a variety of mechanisms, including the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal, email, postal mail, or hand delivery/courier, the Department 
has found it necessary to make temporary modifications to the comment 
submission process in light of the ongoing coronavirus 2019 (``COVID-
19'') pandemic. DOE is currently suspending receipt of public comments 
via postal mail and hand delivery/courier. If a commenter finds that 
this change poses an undue hardship, please contact Appliance Standards 
Program staff at (202) 586-1445 to discuss the need for alternative 
arrangements. Once the COVID-19 pandemic health emergency is resolved, 
DOE anticipates resuming all of its regular options for public comment 
submission, including postal mail and hand delivery/courier.
    Docket: The docket for this activity, which includes Federal 
Register notices, comments, and other supporting documents/materials, 
is available for review at www.regulations.gov. All documents in the 
docket are listed in the www.regulations.gov index. However, some 
documents listed in the index, such as those containing information 
that is exempt from public disclosure, may not be publicly available.
    The docket web page can be found at www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2022-BT-STD-0002. The docket web page contains instructions on how 
to access all documents, including public comments, in the docket. See 
section III for information on how to submit comments through 
www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    Mr. Jeremy Dommu, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Office, EE-5B, 
1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: 
(202) 586-9870. Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#521322223e3b333c31370126333c363320362103273721263b3d3c211237377c363d377c353d24"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="05447575696c646b66605671646b616477617654706076716c6a6b764560602b616a602b626a73">[email protected]</span></a>.
    Ms. Amelia Whiting, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the 
General Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20585-0121. Telephone: 202-586-2588. Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a3c2cec6cfcac28dd4cbcad7cacdc4e3cbd28dc7ccc68dc4ccd5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="50313d353c39317e27383924393e371038217e343f357e373f26">[email protected]</span></a>.
    For further information on how to submit a comment or review other 
public comments and the docket, contact the Appliance and Equipment 
Standards Program staff at (202) 287-1445 or by email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#49083939252028272a2c1a3d28272d283b2d3a183c2c3a3d2026273a092c2c672d262c672e263f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="18596868747179767b7d4b6c79767c796a7c6b496d7d6b6c7177766b587d7d367c777d367f776e">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
    A. Authority and Background
    B. Rulemaking History
    C. Rulemaking Process
    D. Deviation From Appendix A
II. Request for Information
    A. Scope
    B. Market and Technology Assessment
    1. Equipment Classes
    2. Technology Assessment
    C. Screening Analysis
    D. Engineering Analysis
    1. Efficiency Analysis
    2. Cost Analysis
    E. Distribution Channels
    F. Energy Use Analysis
    G. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analyses
    1. Installation, Repair and Maintenance Costs
    2. Lifetime
    3. Efficiency Distribution in the No-New Standards Case
    H. Shipments
III. Submission of Comments

I. Introduction

A. Authority and Background

    The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (``EPCA''),\1\ 
authorizes DOE to regulate the energy efficiency of a number of 
consumer products and certain industrial equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6291-
6317) Title III, Part C \2\ of EPCA, added by Public Law 95-619, Title 
IV, section 441(a) (42 U.S.C. 6311-6317 as codified), established the 
Energy Conservation Program for Certain Industrial Equipment, which 
sets forth a variety of provisions designed to improve energy 
efficiency.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute 
as amended through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 
Public Law 117-58 (Nov. 15, 2021).
    \2\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Part C was redesignated Part A-1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    EPCA specifies a list of equipment that constitutes covered 
equipment

[[Page 7049]]

(hereafter referred to as ``covered equipment'').\3\ EPCA also provides 
that ``covered equipment'' includes any other type of industrial 
equipment for which the Secretary of Energy (``Secretary'') determines 
inclusion is necessary to carry out the purpose of Part A-1. (42 U.S.C. 
6311(1)(L); 42 U.S.C. 6312(b)) EPCA specifies the types of industrial 
equipment that can be classified as covered in addition to the 
equipment enumerated in 42 U.S.C. 6311(1) This industrial equipment 
includes fans and blowers. (42 U.S.C. 6311(2)(B)(ii) and (iii)) 
Additionally, industrial equipment must be of a type that consumes, or 
is designed to consume, energy in operation; is distributed in commerce 
for industrial or commercial use \4\; and is not a covered product as 
defined in 42 U.S.C. 6291(a)(2) 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)) On August 19, 2021, DOE 
published a final determination that the inclusion of fans and blowers 
as covered equipment was necessary to carry out the purpose of Part A-1 
and classified fans and blowers as covered equipment. 86 FR 46579, 
46588. Air circulating fans are a class of fans and blowers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ ``Covered equipment'' means one of the following types of 
industrial equipment: Electric motors and pumps; small commercial 
package air conditioning and heating equipment; large commercial 
package air conditioning and heating equipment; very large 
commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment; 
commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers; 
automatic commercial ice makers; walk-in coolers and walk-in 
freezers; commercial clothes washers; packaged terminal air-
conditioners and packaged terminal heat pumps; warm air furnaces and 
packaged boilers; and storage water heaters, instantaneous water 
heaters, and unfired hot water storage tanks. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(A)-
(K))
    \4\ DOE notes that distribution for residential use does not 
preclude coverage as covered equipment, so long as the equipment is 
of a type that is also distributed in commerce for industrial and 
commercial use.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The energy conservation program under EPCA consists essentially of 
four parts: (1) Testing, (2) labeling, (3) Federal energy conservation 
standards, and (4) certification and enforcement procedures. Relevant 
provisions of EPCA include definitions (42 U.S.C. 6311), test 
procedures (42 U.S.C. 6314), labeling provisions (42 U.S.C. 6315), 
energy conservation standards (42 U.S.C. 6313), and the authority to 
require information and reports from manufacturers. (42 U.S.C. 6316; 42 
U.S.C. 6296)
    Federal energy efficiency requirements for covered equipment 
established under EPCA generally supersede State laws and regulations 
concerning energy conservation testing, labeling, and standards. (42 
U.S.C. 6316(a) and (b); 42 U.S.C. 6297) DOE may, however, grant waivers 
of Federal preemption for particular State laws or regulations, in 
accordance with the procedures and other provisions of EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 
6316(b)(2)(D))
    In proposing new standards, DOE must evaluate that proposal against 
the criteria of 42 U.S.C. 6295(o), as described in section I.C of this 
document, and follow the rulemaking procedures set out in 42 U.S.C. 
6295(p). (42 U.S.C. 6316(a)) DOE is publishing this RFI consistent with 
its obligations in EPCA.

B. Rulemaking History

    On June 28, 2011, DOE published a notice of proposed determination 
of coverage proposing to determine that fans, blowers, and fume hoods 
qualify as covered equipment. 76 FR 37678. DOE noted that there are no 
statutory definitions for ``fan,'' ``blower,'' or ``fume hood,'' and 
presented definitions for consideration. 76 FR 37678, 37679. DOE 
subsequently published a framework document on February 1, 2013 
detailing the analytical approach for developing potential energy 
conservation standards for commercial and industrial fans and blowers 
should the Secretary classify such equipment as covered equipment 
(``Framework Document''). 78 FR 7306. In the Framework Document, DOE 
determined that it lacks authority to establish energy conservation 
standards for fume hoods because fume hoods are not listed as a type of 
equipment for which DOE could establish standards. (Docket EERE-2013-
BT-STD-0006, No. 1 at p. 15) DOE acknowledged that the fan, which 
provides ventilation for the fume hood, consumes the largest portion of 
energy within the fume hood system, and that DOE planned to cover all 
commercial and industrial fan types, which includes fans used to 
ventilate fume hoods. Id.
    On December 10, 2014, DOE published a notice of data availability 
that presented a provisional analysis estimating the economic impacts 
and energy savings from potential energy conservation standards for 
certain fans and blowers. This analysis did not include air circulating 
fans. 79 FR 73246.
    On April 1, 2015, DOE published a notice of intent to establish an 
Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee 
(``ASRAC'') Working Group for fans (hereafter referred to as the 
``Working Group''). 80 FR 17359.
    The Working Group commenced negotiations at an open meeting on May 
18, 2015 and held 16 meetings and three webinars to discuss scope, 
metrics, test procedures, and standard levels for fans and blowers.\5\ 
The Working Group concluded its negotiations on September 3, 2015, and, 
by consensus vote,\6\ approved a term sheet containing 27 
recommendations related to scope, test procedure and energy 
conservation standards (``term sheet'').\7\ See Docket No. EERE-2013-
BT-STD-0006, No. 179. ASRAC approved the term sheet on September 24, 
2015. The Working Group term sheet recommended the exclusion of 
circulating fans.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ All documentation from the Working Group meetings may be 
found in Docket No. EERE-2013-BT-STD-0006) at www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2013-BT-STD-0006/document.
    \6\ At the beginning of the negotiated rulemaking process, the 
Working Group defined that before any vote could occur, the Working 
Group must establish a quorum of at least 20 of the 25 members and 
defined consensus as an agreement with less than 4 negative votes. 
Twenty voting members of the Working Group were present for this 
vote. Two members (Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration 
Institute and Ingersoll Rand/Trane) voted no on the term sheet.
    \7\ In addition to the 27 recommendations, there were five 
recommendations that did not receive a consensus vote. 
Recommendations 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32 are included in Appendix F of 
the term sheet and were not approved by ASRAC.
    \8\ See Recommendation 2 of the term sheet.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On May 10, 2021, DOE published a request for information requesting 
comments on a potential fan or blower definition. 86 FR 24752 (``May 
2021 RFI''). On August 19, 2021, DOE published in the Federal Register 
a final coverage determination classifying fans and blowers as covered 
equipment (``August 2021 Final Coverage Determination''). 86 FR 46579.
    To date, DOE has not proposed test procedures or energy 
conservation standards for fans and blowers, including air circulating 
fans.

C. Rulemaking Process

    DOE must follow specific statutory criteria for prescribing new or 
amended standards for covered equipment. EPCA requires that any new or 
amended energy conservation standard prescribed by the Secretary of 
Energy (``Secretary'') be designed to achieve the maximum improvement 
in energy or water efficiency that is technologically feasible and 
economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6316(a); 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(A)) 
Furthermore, DOE may not adopt any standard that would not result in 
the significant conservation of energy. (42 U.S.C. 6316(a); 42 U.S.C. 
6295(o)(3))
    The significance of energy savings offered by a new or amended 
energy conservation standard cannot be determined without knowledge of 
the specific circumstances surrounding a

[[Page 7050]]

given rulemaking.\9\ For example, the United States has now rejoined 
the Paris Agreement on February 19, 2021. As part of that agreement, 
the United States has committed to reducing the GHG emissions in order 
to limit the rise in mean global temperature. As such, energy savings 
that reduce GHG emission have taken on greater importance. 
Additionally, some covered products and equipment have most of their 
energy consumption occur during periods of peak energy demand. The 
impacts of these products on the energy infrastructure can be more 
pronounced than products with relatively constant demand. In evaluating 
the significance of energy savings, DOE considers differences in 
primary energy and full fuel cycle (``FFC'') effects for different 
covered products and equipment when determining whether energy savings 
are significant. Primary energy and FFC effects include the energy 
consumed in electricity production (depending on load shape), in 
distribution and transmission, and in extracting, processing, and 
transporting primary fuels (i.e., coal, natural gas, petroleum fuels), 
and thus present a more complete picture of the impacts of energy 
conservation standards. Accordingly, DOE evaluates the significance of 
energy savings on a case-by-case basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ See 86 FR 70892, 70901 (Dec. 13, 2021).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To determine whether a standard is economically justified, EPCA 
requires that DOE determine whether the benefits of the standard exceed 
its burdens by considering, to the greatest extent practicable, the 
following seven factors:
    (1) The economic impact of the standard on the manufacturers and 
consumers of the affected products;
    (2) The savings in operating costs throughout the estimated average 
life of the product compared to any increases in the initial cost, or 
maintenance expenses;
    (3) The total projected amount of energy and water (if applicable) 
savings likely to result directly from the standard;
    (4) Any lessening of the utility or the performance of the 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 and water conservation; and
    (7) Other factors the Secretary considers relevant.

(42 U.S.C. 6316(a); 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(I)-(VII))

    DOE fulfills these and other applicable requirements by conducting 
a series of analyses throughout the rulemaking process. Table I.1 shows 
the individual analyses that are performed to satisfy each of the 
requirements within EPCA.

       Table I.1--EPCA Requirements and Corresponding DOE Analysis
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         EPCA requirement                Corresponding DOE analysis
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Significant Energy Savings........  Shipments Analysis, National Impact
                                     Analysis, Energy and Water Use
                                     Determination.
Technological Feasibility.........  Market and Technology Assessment,
                                     Screening Analysis, Engineering
                                     Analysis.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Economic Justification
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Economic Impact on Manufacturers    Manufacturer Impact Analysis, Life-
 and Consumers.                      Cycle Cost and Payback Period
                                     Analysis, Life-Cycle Cost Subgroup
                                     Analysis, Shipments Analysis.
Lifetime Operating Cost Savings     Markups for Product Price
 Compared to Increased Cost for      Determination, Energy and Water Use
 the Product.                        Determination, Life-Cycle Cost and
                                     Payback Period Analysis.
Total Projected Energy Savings....  Shipments Analysis, National Impact
                                     Analysis.
Impact on Utility or Performance..  Screening Analysis, Engineering
                                     Analysis.
Impact of Any Lessening of          Manufacturer Impact Analysis.
 Competition.
Need for National Energy and Water  Shipments Analysis, National Impact
 Conservation.                       Analysis.
Other Factors the Secretary         Employment Impact Analysis, Utility
 Considers Relevant.                 Impact Analysis, Emissions
                                     Analysis, Monetization of Emission
                                     Reductions Benefits, Regulatory
                                     Impact Analysis.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As detailed throughout this RFI, DOE is publishing this document 
seeking input and data from interested parties to aid in the 
development of the technical analyses on which DOE will ultimately rely 
to determine whether (and if so, how) to establish the standards for 
air circulating fans.

D. Deviation From Appendix A

    In accordance with section 3(a) of 10 CFR part 430, subpart C, 
appendix A, DOE notes that it is deviating from that appendix's 
provision requiring a 75-day comment period for all pre-NOPR standards 
documents. 10 CFR part 430, subpart C, appendix A, section 6(d)(2). DOE 
is opting to deviate from this step because DOE believes a 30-day 
comment period is sufficient given the substantial stakeholder 
engagement to date, as discussed in section I.B of this document. 
Further, the 30-day comment period will allow DOE to review comments 
received in response to this RFI to inform the scope of equipment 
considered in evaluating potential energy conservation standards, in 
particular whether air circulating fans should be included as part of 
that evaluation. DOE believes that the test procedure request for 
information on air circulating fan heads provided early notice that the 
Department is interested in evaluating potential energy savings for 
this equipment.

II. Request for Information

    In the following sections, DOE has identified a variety of issues 
on which it seeks input to aid in the development of the technical and 
economic analyses regarding whether standards for air circulating fans 
may be warranted. DOE also welcomes comments on other issues relevant 
to its analysis that may not specifically be identified in this 
document.

A. Scope

    On October 1, 2021, DOE published a request for information 
pertaining to potential test procedures for fans and blowers (``October 
2021 TP RFI''). 86 FR 54412. As part of the October 2021 TP RFI, DOE 
discussed potential scope and definitions for air circulating fans, 
which include air circulating fan heads, personnel coolers, box fans, 
and table fans. 86 FR 54412, 54414-54415. DOE is considering including 
air circulating fans in its analysis of potential energy

[[Page 7051]]

conservation standards for fans and blowers.

B. Market and Technology Assessment

    The market and technology assessment that DOE routinely conducts 
when analyzing the impacts of a potential new or amended energy 
conservation standard provides information about the air circulating 
fan industry that will be used in DOE's analysis throughout the 
rulemaking process. DOE uses qualitative and quantitative information 
to characterize the structure of the industry and market. DOE 
identifies manufacturers, estimates market shares and trends, addresses 
regulatory and non-regulatory initiatives intended to improve energy 
efficiency or reduce energy consumption, and explores the potential for 
efficiency improvements in the design and manufacturing of air 
circulating fans. DOE also reviews product literature, industry 
publications, and company websites. Additionally, DOE considers 
conducting interviews with manufacturers to improve its assessment of 
the market and to better understand available air circulating fan 
technologies.
1. Equipment Classes
    When evaluating and establishing energy conservation standards, DOE 
may divide covered equipment into equipment classes by the type of 
energy used, by capacity, or by other performance-related features that 
may justify a different standard. (42 U.S.C. 6316(a); 42 U.S.C. 
6295(q)(1)) In making a determination whether a performance-related 
feature justifies a different standard, DOE must consider such factors 
as the utility of the feature to the consumer and other factors DOE 
deems appropriate. Id. ANSI/AMCA Standard 230-15 ``Laboratory Methods 
of Testing Air Circulating Fans for Rating and Certification'' (``AMCA 
230-15'') \10\ is the industry test procedure for air circulating fans, 
which includes air circulating fan heads, personnel coolers, box fans, 
and table fans. Section 5.1. of AMCA 230-15 defines an air circulating 
fan as ``a non-ducted fan used for the general circulation of air 
within a confined space'' and provides additional definitions for air 
circulating fan head (section 5.1.1), ceiling fan (section 5.1.2), 
personnel cooler (section 5.1.3), box fan (section 5.1.4), and table 
fan (section 5.1.5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ ANSI/AMCA 230-15 is available at the AMCA website at 
www.amca.org/publish/publications-and-standards/amca-standards/amca-standard-230-15-laboratory-methods-of-testing-air-circulating-fans-for-rating-and-certification.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Table II.2 lists the four categories of air circulating fans as 
defined in in AMCA 230-15. DOE is evaluating whether to consider these 
four categories of air circulating fans separately, or if they should 
be considered as a single equipment category.

        Table II.2--Definitions of Air Circulating Fan Categories
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Category               Definition according to AMCA 230-15
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Circulating Fan Head.....  An assembly consisting of a motor,
                                impeller, and guard for mounting on a
                                pedestal having a base and column, wall
                                mount bracket, ceiling mount bracket, I-
                                beam bracket, or other commonly accepted
                                mounting means.
Box Fan......................  A fan used in an office or residential
                                application and having the motor and
                                impeller enclosed in an approximately
                                square box frame having a handle.
Personnel Cooler.............  A fan used in shops, factories, etc.
                                Generally supplied with wheels or
                                casters on the housing or frame to aid
                                in portability and with motor and
                                impeller enclosed in a common guard and
                                shroud.
Table Fan....................  A fan intended for use on a desk, table,
                                or countertop. The fan may also be
                                provided with the means for mounting to
                                a wall.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE's evaluation of product literature indicates that drum fans, 
barrel fans, and portable blowers are also sold as air circulating 
fans. DOE has tentatively included these fans under the definition of 
personnel coolers in Table II.2 of this RFI.
    DOE suggested a potential definition for air circulating fan heads 
in the October 2021 RFI, including that these fans are fans are 
designed for directional airflow. DOE is interested in understanding 
the type(s) of airflow typically associated with personnel coolers, box 
fans, and table fans. DOE will consider any feedback and comments on 
the flow and potential definitions for personnel cooler, box fan, and 
table fan in the test procedure docket (EERE-2021-BT-TP-0021).
    Issue 1: DOE requests comment on whether it should consider air 
circulating fan heads, personnel coolers, box fans, and table fans as 
separate categories or whether some or all of these four categories 
should be grouped together when evaluating potential energy 
conservation standards for fans. Specifically, DOE seeks information 
and data on whether these four fan categories have unique features or 
applications that warrant separate consideration from each other or 
whether any of them are so similar that they should be grouped 
together. DOE also requests feedback on whether there are any air 
circulating fans that it should include in its analysis that are not 
listed in Table II.2 of this RFI.
    Issue 2: DOE requests information on whether each of the four 
categories of air circulating fans shown in Table II.2 of this RFI 
provide general circulation of air, directional airflow, or some other 
type of airflow.
    Issue 3: DOE requests feedback on whether air circulating fan 
heads, personnel coolers, box fans, or table fans could be delineated 
into separate equipment classes based on diameter, operating speed, 
efficiency, or utility. If so, DOE seeks feedback on what those 
equipment classes would be for the particular air circulating fan 
categories and what features distinguish them from one another.
    Issue 4: DOE requests feedback on whether the definition of 
personnel coolers in Table II.2 of this RFI is sufficiently describes 
drum fans, barrel fans, and portable blower fans. If not, DOE requests 
information and data showing any differences in size, operating speed, 
efficiency, or utility between personnel coolers, drum fans, barrel 
fans, and portable blower fans.
2. Technology Assessment
    In analyzing the feasibility of potential new energy conservation 
standards, DOE uses information about existing and past technology 
options and prototype designs to help identify technologies that 
manufacturers could use to meet and/or exceed a given energy 
conservation standard level under consideration. In consultation with 
interested parties, DOE intends to develop a list of technologies to 
consider in its analysis of air circulating fans.
    DOE reviewed manufacturer catalogs, recent trade publications, and 
technical journals to develop a list of technology

[[Page 7052]]

options that could improve the efficiency of air circulating fans. A 
list of potential technology options for air circulating fans is shown 
in Table II.3 of this document.

    Table II.3--Potential Technology Options for Air Circulating Fans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Technology option                       Description
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Improved aerodynamic design..  Improving the aerodynamics of fan
                                components that are placed in the flow
                                of air can improve efficiency. This
                                includes the motor housing and the rear
                                and front fan guards but does not
                                include blade design.
Blade shape..................  Adjusting the amount or direction of the
                                curvature of the blades can improve
                                efficiency. Airfoil blades, in
                                particular, may offer better efficiency
                                than other blade shapes.\11\
More efficient motors........  Three-phase AC Induction motors and
                                Brushless DC motors have improved
                                efficiencies compared to Single-phase AC
                                Induction motors.
                               Three-phase induction motors can produce
                                higher torque than single-phase
                                induction motors and can therefore turn
                                the fan shaft more efficiently. They
                                also have less thermal energy losses
                                than single-phase induction motors.
                               Brushless DC motors are a type of
                                permanent magnet synchronous motor,
                                which are more efficient than induction
                                motors due to the lack of rotor losses.
Material selection...........  Different materials, such as aluminum,
                                plastic, steel, and fiberglass can be
                                used for fan blade impellers and may
                                improve fan efficiency.
Variable speed drives (VSDs).  VSDs allow control over fan speed for
                                fans sold with a motor. The fan speed
                                can be optimized to maximize efficiency
                                for fans that experience variable loads.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Issue 5: DOE requests information on how the technologies listed in 
Table II.3 of this document may impact the efficiency of air 
circulating fans. Specifically, DOE seeks data showing how one or more 
of the technology options listed in Table II.3 of this RFI improves air 
circulating fan efficiency. Additionally, DOE requests comment on 
whether the technology options listed in Table II.3 of this document 
apply equally to the different categories of air circulating fans 
(i.e., air circulating fan heads, personnel fans, box fans, and table 
fans). If not, DOE requests information on why they cannot be applied 
equally for the different classes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ United States Department of Energy Office of Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy (2013). Energy Conservation 
Standards Rulemaking Framework for Commercial and Industrial Fans 
and Blowers. www.regulations.gov/document/EERE-2013-BT-STD-0006-0001, p. 34.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Issue 6: DOE requests data on the impact of curved blades and 
airfoil blades on the efficiency of air circulating fans. Additionally, 
DOE requests feedback on whether any blade shapes not listed in Table 
II.3 are typically used for air circulating fans. DOE also requests 
data on the percentage of shipments for each category of air 
circulating fan (i.e., air circulating fan heads, personnel coolers, 
box fans, and table fans) with curved blades, airfoil blades, or other 
blade types.
    Issue 7: DOE requests data on the percentage of air circulating 
fans sold with a motor. For those fans sold with a motor, DOE seeks 
data on the percentage of these fans currently sold with a variable 
speed drive. Additionally, DOE requests information on whether a higher 
percentage of certain categories of air circulating fans (i.e., air 
circulating fan heads, personnel fans, box fans, and table fans) are 
sold with motors and/or variable speed drives than other types.
    Issue 8: DOE requests feedback on the efficiency impact of the 
blade materials listed in Table II.3 of this RFI for air circulating 
fans. Specifically, DOE requests data on the percentage of air 
circulating fan shipments that utilize aluminum, plastic, steel, or 
fiberglass for the design and manufacture of fan blades. Additionally, 
DOE seeks information on whether any materials not listed in Table II.3 
of this RFI are used, and if so, the percentage of fans sold with these 
other materials.
    Issue 9: DOE seeks comment on technology options not listed in 
Table II.3 of this document that it should consider for inclusion in 
its analysis of air circulating fans, or for specific categories of air 
circulating fans (i.e., air circulating fan heads, personnel fans, box 
fans, and table fans) and if these technologies may impact product 
features or consumer utility.
    Issue 10: DOE requests feedback on the order in which manufacturers 
would implement the technology options listed in Table II.3 of this RFI 
to increase the energy efficiency of air circulating fans. 
Additionally, DOE solicits feedback on whether the order in which the 
technology options listed in Table II.3 of this document might change 
for the different categories of air circulating fans (i.e., air 
circulating fan heads, personnel fans, box fans, and table fans). DOE 
is also interested in understanding whether the increased energy 
efficiency from any combination of the technology options in Table II.3 
of this RFI would result in design changes that would not otherwise 
occur. Finally, DOE requests information on how incorporating any of 
the technology options listed in Table II.3 of this RFI may impact 
other fan functions or attributes in response to consumer demand.

C. Screening Analysis

    The purpose of the screening analysis is to evaluate the 
technologies that improve energy efficiency to determine which 
technologies will be eliminated from further consideration and which 
will be passed to the engineering analysis for further consideration.
    DOE determines whether to eliminate certain technology options from 
further consideration based on the following criteria:
    (1) Technological feasibility. DOE will only consider technologies 
that are incorporated in commercial products or in working prototypes.
    (2) Practicability to manufacture, install, and service. If DOE 
determines that mass production of a technology in commercial products 
and reliable installation and servicing of the technology could not be 
achieved on the scale necessary to serve the relevant market at the 
time of the compliance date of the standard, DOE will eliminate that 
technology from further consideration.
    (3) Impacts on product utility or product availability. If DOE 
determines a technology has a significant adverse impact on the utility 
of the product to significant subgroups of consumers, or results in the 
unavailability of any covered product type with performance 
characteristics (including reliability), features, sizes, capacities, 
and volumes that are substantially the same as products generally 
available in the

[[Page 7053]]

United States at the time, DOE will eliminate it from further 
consideration.
    (4) Adverse impacts on health or safety. If DOE determines that a 
technology will have significant adverse impacts on health or safety, 
DOE will eliminate that technology from consideration.
    (5) Unique-Pathway Proprietary Technologies. If a design option 
utilizes proprietary technology that represents a unique pathway to 
achieving a given efficiency level, DOE will eliminate that technology 
from consideration due to the potential for monopolistic concerns.

10 CFR 431.4; 10 CFR part 430, subpart C, appendix A, sections 6(b)(3) 
and 7(b)

    Technology options identified in the technology assessment are 
evaluated against these criteria using DOE analyses and inputs from 
interested parties (e.g., manufacturers, trade organizations, and 
energy efficiency advocates). Technologies that pass through the 
screening analysis are referred to as ``design options'' in the 
engineering analysis. As described above, DOE eliminates from 
consideration any technology options that fail to meet one or more of 
the five criteria.
    Issue 11: DOE requests feedback on what impact, if any, the five 
screening criteria described in this section would have on each of the 
technology options listed in Table II.3 of this document with respect 
to air circulating fans. Similarly, DOE seeks information regarding how 
these same criteria would affect any other technology options not 
already identified in this document with respect to their potential use 
in air circulating fans.
    Issue 12: DOE seeks information on the technology options listed in 
Table II.3 of this RFI for air circulating fans regarding their market 
adoption, costs, and any potential issues with incorporating them into 
products (e.g., impacts on consumer utility, potential safety concerns, 
manufacturing, or production challenges, etc.). Additionally, DOE 
requests comment on if there are any differences in the market 
adoption, costs, safety, or utility of the technology options in Table 
II.3 of this RFI for the different categories of air circulating fans 
(i.e., air circulating fan heads, personnel fans, box fans, and table 
fans).

D. Engineering Analysis

    The purpose of the engineering analysis is to establish the 
relationship between the efficiency and cost of air circulating fans. 
There are two elements to consider in the engineering analysis: The 
selection of efficiency levels to analyze (i.e., the ``efficiency 
analysis'') and the determination of product cost at each efficiency 
level (i.e., the ``cost analysis''). In determining the performance of 
higher-efficiency products, DOE considers technologies and design 
option combinations not eliminated by the screening analysis. For each 
equipment class, DOE estimates the baseline cost, as well as the 
incremental cost for the equipment at efficiency levels above the 
baseline. The output of the engineering analysis is a set of cost-
efficiency ``curves'' that are used in downstream analyses (i.e., the 
life-cycle cost (``LCC'' and payback period (``PBP'') analyses and the 
national impacts analysis (``NIA'')).
1. Efficiency Analysis
    DOE typically uses one of two approaches to develop energy 
efficiency levels for the engineering analysis: (1) Relying on observed 
efficiency levels in the market (i.e., the efficiency level approach) 
or (2) determining the incremental efficiency improvements associated 
with incorporating specific design options to a baseline model (i.e., 
the design-option approach). Using the efficiency-level approach, the 
efficiency levels established for the analysis are determined based on 
the market distribution of existing products (in other words, based on 
the range of efficiencies and efficiency level ``clusters'' that 
already exist on the market). Using the design option approach, the 
efficiency levels established for the analysis are determined through 
detailed engineering calculations and/or computer simulations of the 
efficiency improvements from implementing specific design options that 
have been identified in the technology assessment. DOE may also rely on 
a combination of these two approaches. For example, the efficiency-
level approach (based on actual products on the market) may be extended 
using the design option approach to interpolate to define ``gap fill'' 
levels (to bridge large gaps between other identified efficiency 
levels) and/or to extrapolate to the max-tech level (particularly in 
cases where the max-tech level exceeds the maximum efficiency level 
currently available on the market).
a. Baseline Efficiency
    For each evaluated equipment class, DOE selects a baseline model as 
a reference point against which any changes resulting from new or 
amended energy conservation standards can be measured. The baseline 
model in each equipment class represents the characteristics of common 
or typical equipment in that class. Air circulating fans do not 
currently have established energy conservation standards, so DOE cannot 
use certification values or current minimum energy conservation 
standards to determine a baseline for air circulating fans. Instead, 
DOE plans to use performance data from air circulating fans currently 
on the market to establish a baseline.
    Issue 13: DOE requests efficiency data measured according to the 
ACMA 230-15 test procedure to characterize the baseline efficiency 
level of air circulating fans. Alternatively, DOE requests feedback on 
how it can best determine appropriate baseline efficiency levels for 
air circulating fans.
b. Maximum Available Efficiency
    As part of DOE's analysis, the maximum available efficiency level 
is the highest efficiency unit currently available on the market. DOE 
also defines a ``max-tech'' efficiency level to represent the 
theoretical maximum possible efficiency if all available design options 
are incorporated in a model. In applying these design options, DOE 
would only include those that are compatible with each other and that 
when combined, would represent the theoretical maximum possible 
efficiency. In many cases, the max-tech efficiency level is not 
commercially available because it is not economically feasible.
    Issue 14: DOE seeks input on the maximum available efficiencies for 
air circulating fans and whether the maximum available efficiencies are 
appropriate and technologically feasible for consideration as possible 
energy conservation standards for air circulating fans. Additionally, 
DOE requests comment on whether the maximum available efficiencies for 
air circulating fan categories (i.e., air circulating fan heads, 
personnel coolers, box fans, and table fans) are comparable, or whether 
there are significant differences in maximum efficiencies between 
categories.
    Issue 15: DOE seeks feedback on what design options would be 
incorporated at a max-tech efficiency level for all categories of air 
circulating fans, and the efficiencies associated with those levels. As 
part of this request, DOE also seeks information as to whether there 
are limitations on the use of certain combinations of design options.
c. Differences Between Air Circulating Fans and General Fans
    DOE is aware that the design and use of air circulating fans is 
different from the fans and blowers evaluated by the Working Group. For 
instance, air

[[Page 7054]]

circulating fans use a total pressure basis rather than a static 
pressure basis. Additionally, Section 5.1.1 of AMCA 214-21 uses a 
target of 0.66 when establishing the FEI based on the total pressure of 
the air circulating fan under test.
    Issue 16: DOE requests comment on additional differences between 
air circulating fans and general fans that it should include in its 
analysis.
2. Cost Analysis
    The cost analysis portion of the engineering analysis is conducted 
using one or a combination of cost approaches. The selection of cost 
approach depends on a suite of factors, including availability and 
reliability of public information, characteristics of the regulated 
product, and the availability and timeliness of purchasing the product 
on the market. The cost approaches are summarized as follows:
    <bullet> Physical teardowns: Under this approach, DOE physically 
dismantles a commercially available product, component-by-component, to 
develop a detailed bill of materials for the product.
    <bullet> Catalog teardowns: In lieu of physically deconstructing a 
product, DOE identifies each component using parts diagrams (available 
from manufacturer websites or appliance repair websites, for example) 
to develop the bill of materials for the product.
    <bullet> Price surveys: If neither a physical nor catalog teardown 
is feasible (for example, for tightly integrated products such as 
fluorescent lamps, which are infeasible to disassemble and for which 
parts diagrams are unavailable) or cost-prohibitive and otherwise 
impractical (e.g., large commercial boilers), DOE conducts price 
surveys using publicly available pricing data published on major online 
retailer websites and/or by soliciting prices from distributors and 
other commercial channels.
    The resulting bill of materials provides the basis for the 
manufacturer production cost (``MPC'') estimates. DOE then applies a 
manufacturer markup to convert the MPC to manufacturer selling price 
(``MSP''). The manufacturer markup accounts for costs such as overhead 
and profit.
    As described at the beginning of this section, the main outputs of 
the engineering analysis are cost-efficiency relationships that 
describe the estimated increases in manufacturer production cost 
associated with the higher-efficiency products for the analyzed product 
classes.
    As previously discussed, DOE is considering several technology 
options for improving the energy efficiency of air circulating fans. 
Those technology options are listed in Table II.3 of this document.
    Issue 17: DOE requests input on the increase in MPC associated with 
incorporating each technology option for air circulating fans listed in 
Table II.3 of this document. DOE also seeks information on the 
investments necessary to incorporate specific design options, 
including, but not limited to, costs related to new or modified tooling 
(if any), materials, engineering, and development efforts to implement 
each design option, and manufacturing/production impacts.
    DOE is also interested in determining a realistic production cost 
value for air circulating fans. This information is used to inform the 
MPC calculation and the total cost to the industry to redesign air 
circulating fans.
    Issue 18: DOE requests data showing the total cost of manufacturing 
for air circulating fan heads, personnel coolers, box fans, and table 
fans.

E. Distribution Channels

    In generating end-user price inputs for the life-cycle cost 
(``LCC'') analysis and national impact analysis (``NIA''), DOE must 
identify distribution channels (i.e., how the products are distributed 
from the manufacturer to the consumer) and estimate relative sales 
volumes through each channel. DOE is interested in developing 
distribution channels for each categories of air circulating fans 
(i.e., air circulating fan heads, personnel coolers, box fans, and 
table fans) and may consider different channels depending on the input 
power of the fans or other design characteristic.
    Issue 19: DOE requests information to help characterize 
distribution channels for air circulating fans. DOE also requests data 
on the fraction of sales that go through these channels.

F. Energy Use Analysis

    As part of the rulemaking process, DOE conducts an energy use 
analysis to identify how equipment is used by consumers, and thereby 
determine the energy savings potential of energy efficiency 
improvements. The energy use analysis is meant to represent the energy 
consumption of a given equipment when used in the field. The annual 
energy use of air circulating fans is calculated based on the fans' 
input power (in watts) and annual operating hours per year. In any 
future analysis, DOE may consider combining air circulating fan input 
power ratings in each operating mode (e.g., high speed, medium speed, 
low speed) from the engineering analysis based on estimates of the 
distribution of annual operating hours at each mode.
    DOE is interested in information to help characterize the annual 
operating hours of air circulating fans and time spend in each 
operating mode, if applicable.
    In the absence of existing data indicating the daily hours of 
operation specific to air circulating fans, DOE may consider relying on 
the annual operating hours developed for ceiling fans as used in the 
final rule published on January 19, 2017. See 82 FR 6826, 6846-6847. 
For example, for air circulating fans used in commercial and industrial 
applications, DOE may consider an estimated 12 hours of use per day 
consistent with the hours of use estimated for large-diameter ceiling 
fans and high-speed small diameter fans as used in the final rule 
published on January 19, 2017. 82 FR 6826, 6847. Large-diameter ceiling 
fans and high-speed small diameter fans are also used in commercial and 
industrial applications.
    Issue 20: DOE seeks information to help characterize the usage of 
air circulating fans. Specifically, DOE seeks input on data sources to 
help characterize the variability in annual energy consumption for air 
circulating fans. For each air circulating fan category, DOE is 
requesting data and information (by sectorial) related to: (1) Annual 
operating hours; and (2) fraction of time spent at each speed setting 
and standby mode (if applicable).
    Issue 21: For each air circulating fan category, DOE is also 
interested in percentage of shipments by sector of application. To the 
extent any of these usage parameters differ by geographical region or 
other user characteristics, DOE requests information to help 
characterize these variations.

G. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analyses

    DOE conducts the LCC and payback period (``PBP'') analysis to 
evaluate the economic effects of potential energy conservation 
standards for air circulating fans, on individual consumers. For any 
given efficiency level, DOE measures the PBP and the change in LCC 
relative to an estimated baseline level. The LCC is the total consumer 
expense over the life of the equipment, consisting of purchase, 
installation, and operating costs (expenses for energy use, 
maintenance, and repair). Inputs to the calculation of total installed 
cost include the cost of the equipment--which includes MSPs, 
distribution channel markups, and sales taxes--and installation costs. 
Inputs to the calculation of operating expenses

[[Page 7055]]

include annual energy consumption, energy prices and price projections, 
repair and maintenance costs, equipment lifetimes, discount rates, and 
the year that compliance with new and amended standards is required. In 
this section, DOE discusses specific inputs to the LCC and PBP analysis 
for which it requests comment and feedback.
1. Installation, Repair and Maintenance Costs
    As part of a potential energy conservation standards rulemaking, 
should one be conducted, DOE will review available air circulating fan 
installation, maintenance, and repair cost information.
    Issue 22: DOE requests information describing installation, 
maintenance, and repair practices of air circulating fans. DOE requests 
feedback and data on whether installation, maintenance, and repair 
costs of air circulating fans at higher efficiency levels differ in 
comparison to the baseline installation, maintenance, and repair costs. 
To the extent that these costs differ, DOE seeks supporting data and 
the reasons for those differences.
    Issue 23: DOE requests information on the repair rate of each air 
circulating fan category (i.e., percentage of fans purchased that are 
repaired).
2. Lifetime
    The equipment lifetime is the age at which given equipment is 
retired from service. DOE typically develops survival probabilities 
using on a Weibull function to characterize variability in lifetimes. 
As part of a potential energy conservation standards rulemaking, DOE 
will review available air circulating fan lifetime data by category and 
sector of application.
    Issue 24: DOE seeks data and input on the appropriate average, 
minimum, and maximum equipment lifetimes (by sector of application) for 
air circulating fans in years and/or in total lifetime operating hours 
that DOE should apply when performing its analysis.
3. Efficiency Distribution in the No-New Standards Case
    To accurately estimate the share of consumers that would be 
affected by a potential energy conservation standard at a particular 
efficiency level, DOE's LCC analysis considers the projected 
distribution (market shares) of equipment efficiencies in the no-new-
standards case (i.e., the case without amended or new energy 
conservation standards) in the compliance year.
    Issue 25: DOE seeks data and input on the appropriate efficiency 
distribution in the no-new standards case for each air circulating fan 
category. DOE seeks data that would support changes in efficiency 
distributions over time in the no-new standards case. To the extent any 
of the efficiency distributions in the no-new standards case differ by 
size or other user design characteristic within an air circulating fan 
category, DOE requests information to characterize these variations.

H. Shipments

    DOE develops shipments forecasts to calculate the national impacts 
of potential energy conservation standards on energy consumption, net 
present value (``NPV''), and future manufacturer cash flows. DOE 
shipments projections are typically based on available historical data 
broken out by equipment class, capacity, and efficiency. Current sales 
estimates allow for a more accurate model that captures recent trends 
in the market.
    As part of a potential energy conservation standards rulemaking, 
DOE will review available historical and current shipments data to 
estimate current and future shipments of air circulating fans by 
category (i.e., air circulating fan heads, personnel coolers, box fans, 
and table fans).
    Issue 26: DOE requests 2021 annual sales data (or the most recent 
year available)--i.e., number of shipments--for air circulating fans. 
If disaggregated data of annual sales are not available for different 
air circulating fan categories, DOE requests more aggregated data of 
annual sales as available.
    Issue 27: DOE requests 2021 data (or the most recent year 
available) on the fraction of shipments in the industrial, commercial, 
and residential sectors for air circulating fans. In each sector, DOE 
requests 2021 data (or the most recent year available) on the fraction 
of shipments that represent replacement versus new installations.
    Issue 28: DOE requests information on the rate at which annual 
sales (i.e., number of shipments) of air circulating fans is expected 
to change in the next 5-10 years. If possible, DOE requests this 
information for each air circulating fan category. If disaggregated 
data of annual sales are not available for each air circulating fan 
category, DOE requests more aggregated data of annual sales.
    Issue 29: DOE requests data and information on any trends in the 
fans market that could be used to forecast expected trends in market 
share by efficiency levels for air circulating fans. If disaggregated 
data are not available for each air circulating fan category, DOE 
requests more aggregated data.

III. Submission of Comments

    DOE invites all interested parties to submit in writing by the date 
specified under the DATES heading, comments and information on matters 
addressed in this RFI and on other matters relevant to DOE's 
consideration of energy conservation standards for fans and blowers. 
These comments and information will aid in the development of an energy 
conservation standards notice of proposed rulemaking for fans and 
blowers, including air circulating fans, if DOE determines that new 
energy conservation standards may be appropriate for this equipment.
    Submitting comments via www.regulations.gov. The 
www.regulations.gov web page will require you to provide your name and 
contact information. Your contact information will be viewable to DOE 
Building Technologies staff only. Your contact information will not be 
publicly viewable except for your first and last names, organization 
name (if any), and submitter representative name (if any). If your 
comment is not processed properly because of technical difficulties, 
DOE will use this information to contact you. If DOE cannot read your 
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, DOE may not be able to consider your comment.
    However, your contact information will be publicly viewable if you 
include it in the comment or in any documents attached to your comment. 
Any information that you do not want to be publicly viewable should not 
be included in your comment, nor in any document attached to your 
comment. Following this instruction, persons viewing comments will see 
only first and last names, organization names, correspondence 
containing comments, and any documents submitted with the comments.
    Do not submit to www.regulations.gov information for which 
disclosure is restricted by statute, such as trade secrets and 
commercial or financial information (hereinafter referred to as 
Confidential Business Information (``CBI'')). Comments submitted 
through www.regulations.gov cannot be claimed as CBI. Comments received 
through the website will waive any CBI claims for the information 
submitted. For information on submitting CBI, see the Confidential 
Business Information section.
    DOE processes submissions made through www.regulations.gov before 
posting. Normally, comments will be posted within a few days of being 
submitted. However, if large volumes of

[[Page 7056]]

comments are being processed simultaneously, your comment may not be 
viewable for up to several weeks. Please keep the comment tracking 
number that www.regulations.gov provides after you have successfully 
uploaded your comment.
    Submitting comments via email. Comments and documents submitted via 
email also will be posted to www.regulations.gov. If you do not want 
your personal contact information to be publicly viewable, do not 
include it in your comment or any accompanying documents. Instead, 
provide your contact information on a cover letter. Include your first 
and last names, email address, telephone number, and optional mailing 
address. The cover letter will not be publicly viewable as long as it 
does not include any comments.
    Include contact information each time you submit comments, data, 
documents, and other information to DOE. Faxes will not be accepted.
    Comments, data, and other information submitted to DOE 
electronically should be provided in PDF (preferred), Microsoft Word or 
Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file format. Provide documents that 
are not secured, are written in English and are free of any defects or 
viruses. Documents should not contain special characters or any form of 
encryption and, if possible, they should carry the electronic signature 
of the author.
    Campaign form letters. Please submit campaign form letters by the 
originating organization in batches of between 50 to 500 form letters 
per PDF or as one form letter with a list of supporters' names compiled 
into one or more PDFs. This reduces comment processing and posting 
time.
    Confidential Business Information. According 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 via 
email, postal mail, or hand delivery/courier two well-marked copies: 
one copy of the document marked confidential including all the 
information believed to be confidential, and one copy of the document 
marked ``non-confidential'' with the information believed to be 
confidential deleted. DOE will make its own determination about the 
confidential status of the information and treat it according to its 
determination.
    It is DOE's policy that all comments may be included in the public 
docket, without change and as received, including any personal 
information provided in the comments (except information deemed to be 
exempt from public disclosure).
    DOE considers public participation to be a very important part of 
the process for developing test procedures and energy conservation 
standards. DOE actively encourages the participation and interaction of 
the public during the comment period in each stage of this process. 
Interactions with and between members of the public provide a balanced 
discussion of the issues and assist DOE in the process. Anyone who 
wishes to be added to the DOE mailing list to receive future notices 
and information about this process should contact Appliance and 
Equipment Standards Program staff at (202) 287-1445 or via email at 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4b0a3b3b27222a25282e183f2a252f2a392f381a3e2e383f222425380b2e2e652f242e652c243d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4b0a3b3b27222a25282e183f2a252f2a392f381a3e2e383f222425380b2e2e652f242e652c243d">[email protected]</span></a>.

Signing Authority

    This document of the Department of Energy was signed on February 2, 
2022, by Kelly J. Speakes-Backman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary 
for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, pursuant to delegated 
authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document with the original 
signature and date is maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes 
only, and in compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal 
Register, the undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been 
authorized to sign and submit the document in electronic format for 
publication, as an official document of the Department of Energy. This 
administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of this 
document upon publication in the Federal Register.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on February 3, 2022.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2022-02576 Filed 2-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P


</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>