```

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 11 (Friday, January 17, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5746-5747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-00964]

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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 430

[EERE-2019-BT-STD-0036]
RIN 1904-AE82

Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for 
Consumer Boilers

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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

SUMMARY: This document withdraws a proposed rule that was published in 
the Federal Register on August 14, 2023. The proposed rule would have 
amended energy conservation standards for consumer boilers.

DATES: The proposed rule on Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer 
Boilers, published in the Federal Register on August 14, 2023, at 88 FR 
55128 is withdrawn on January 17, 2025.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this rulemaking, which includes Federal 
Register notices, comments, and other supporting documents/materials, 
is available for review at www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2019-BT-STD-0036. 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: 
    Ms. Julia Hegarty, 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: 
(240) 597-6737. Email: [email protected].
    Mr. Uchechukwu ``Emeka'' Eze, 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 August 14, 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 the energy conservation standards for certain 
consumer boilers. 88 FR 55128. Specifically, the proposed rule sought 
to establish more stringent AFUE standards for gas-fired and oil-fired 
boilers; maintain the current standards for electric steam and hot 
water boilers; and maintain the design requirements and exceptions to 
the minimum AFUE requirements established by statute and codified at 10 
CFR 430.32(e)(2). 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 consumer boilers, 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 have updated data 
and public input to inform a future rule that 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

[[Page 5747]]

conservation standards for consumer boilers 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.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on January 13, 2025.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2025-00964 Filed 1-16-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
```