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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 11 (Friday, January 17, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 5748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-00965]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 431

[EERE-2022-BT-STD-0002]
RIN 1904-AF40

Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for 
Fans and Blowers

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: This document withdraws a proposed rule that was published in 
the Federal Register on January 19, 2024. The proposed rule would have 
established equipment classes and energy conservation standards for 
fans and blowers.

DATES: The proposed rule on energy conservation standards for fans and 
blowers, published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2024, at 89 
FR 3714 is withdrawn on January 17, 2025.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this activity, which includes Federal 
Register notices, comments, and other supporting documents/materials, 
is available for review 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. All documents in 
the docket are listed in the www.regulations.gov index; however, not 
all documents listed in the index may be publicly available, such as 
information that is exempt from public disclosure.

FOR 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: [email protected].
    Ms. Laura Zuber, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General 
Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. 
Telephone: (202) 586-4798. Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 19, 2024, the Department of 
Energy (``DOE'') published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (``NOPR'') and public meeting announcement, in which DOE 
proposed to establish equipment classes and energy conservation 
standards for fans and blowers. 89 FR 3714. Specifically, the proposed 
rule sought to establish energy conservation standards for two 
categories of fans and blowers: air circulating fans (``ACFs'') and 
fans and blowers that are not air circulating fans, which DOE referred 
to as general fans and blowers (``GFBs''). DOE proposed standards for 
various equipment classes of GFBs and ACFs. After review of the 
proposed rule and public comments, DOE has decided to withdraw the 
proposed rule.
    DOE received significant oral and written comments on its proposed 
rule and technical support document from individuals, manufacturers, 
trade associations, utilities, efficiency advocacy organizations, and 
other stakeholders. Some commenters opposed the rule, citing concerns 
about impacts on manufacturers and the analysis underlying the proposed 
standards. Other commenters supported the proposed rule and highlighted 
the proposed rule's energy savings, emission reductions, and consumer 
benefits. Although DOE continues to support the intent and purpose of 
the proposed energy conservation standards for fans and blowers, in 
light of the considerable feedback received through the public comment 
process, the forthcoming change in Administration, and the significant 
resources needed to review and consider all relevant matters presented 
in the public comments, DOE does not believe that finalizing the 
proposed energy conservation standards is an efficient use of its 
resources at this time.
    For each of these independent reasons, DOE is exercising its 
discretion to withdraw the proposed standards and terminate this 
rulemaking. DOE does not intend for a final rule to be issued on this 
NOPR as it will be important for the Department to be informed by 
updated data and public input when it in re-examines these important 
issues and explores options that best implement the requirements of the 
Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). 42 U.S.C. 6291 et seq. 
However, this withdrawal action does not preclude DOE from proposing 
energy conservation standards for fans and blowers in the future, 
including new standards that may be substantially identical or similar 
to those previously proposed. DOE notes that any future rulemaking it 
may undertake on this topic would similarly be subject to the notice 
and comment requirements of EPCA and the Administrative Procedure Act, 
5 U.S.C. 551, et seq.
    States are not prohibited from adopting their own energy 
conservation standards, including the standards proposed by DOE. DOE 
notes that in proposing these standards, DOE estimated that the 
standards would save a significant amount of energy and have 
significant cost savings to consumers and the nation.

Approval of the Office of the Secretary

    The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this proposed 
rule; withdrawal.

Signing Authority

    This document of the Department of Energy was signed on January 10, 
2025, by Jeffrey Marootian, 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 January 13, 2025.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2025-00965 Filed 1-16-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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