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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 11 (Friday, January 17, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5747-5748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-00966]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 431

[EERE-2020-BT-STD-0013]
RIN 1904-AE50

Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for 
Battery Chargers

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 March 15, 2023. The proposed rule would have 
established amended energy conservation standards for battery chargers.

DATES: The proposed rule on energy conservation standards for battery 
chargers, published in the Federal Register on March 15, 2023, at 88 FR 
16112 is withdrawn on January 17, 2025.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].
    Mr. Pete Cochran, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General 
Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. 
Telephone: (202) 586-9870. Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 15, 2023, 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 amend energy conservation standards for battery chargers 
based on the multi-metric approach. 88 FR 16112. Specifically, DOE 
proposed maximum active charge energy, maximum standby, and maximum off 
mode power values, based on associated battery energy. 88 FR 16112, 
16113. 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 expressed concerns with 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 battery chargers, 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 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 battery chargers 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.

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.

[[Page 5748]]

    Signed in Washington, DC, on January 13, 2025.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2025-00966 Filed 1-16-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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