Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2014/02/14/2014-03103/energy-conservation-program-certification-of-commercial-heating-ventilation-and-air-conditioning
Timestamp: 2017-10-17 10:06:11
Document Index: 174529233

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 429', 'art 431', 'art 121', 'art 1021', 'art 1021', '§\u2009429', '§\u2009429', '§\u2009430', '§\u2009431', '§\u2009429', '§\u2009429', '§\u2009429', '§\u2009429', '§\u2009429', '§\u2009429', '§\u2009429', '§\u2009429', '§\u2009429', '§\u2009429', '§\u2009429', '§\u2009431']

DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) no later than March 17, 2014. See section V, ``Public Participation,'' of this NOPR for details.
79 FR 8886
8886-8903 (18 pages)
Review Under Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2014-03103 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2014-03103
Start Preamble Start Printed Page 8886
The U.S. Department of Energy is proposing to revise and expand its existing regulations governing certifying compliance with the applicable energy conservation standards and the reporting of related ratings for commercial heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, water heating, and refrigeration equipment covered by EPCA.
DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) no later than March 17, 2014. See section V, “Public Participation,” of this NOPR for details.
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, DOE is also seeking comment on a revised information collection. See the Paperwork Reduction Act section under Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review below. Please submit all comments relating to information collection requirements to DOE at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section on or before April 15, 2014. Comments to OMB are most useful if submitted within 30 days of publication.
Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Alternatively, interested persons may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE-2013-BT-NOC-0023, by any of the following methods:
Ms. Ashley Armstrong, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Email: Ashley.Armstrong@ee.doe.gov. Phone: 202-586-6590; and Ms. Laura Barhydt, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, Forrestal Building, GC-32, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585. Email: Laura.Barhydt@hq.doe.gov Phone: 202-287-5772.
Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as amended (“EPCA” or, in context, “the Act”) sets forth a variety of provisions designed to improve energy efficiency. Part A of Title III (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309) provides for the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles. The National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA), Public Law 95-619, amended EPCA to establish an energy conservation program for certain industrial equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6311-6317) [1] The Department of Energy (“DOE”) is charged with implementing these provisions.
In addition, sections 6299-6305, and 6316 of EPCA authorize DOE to enforce compliance with the energy and water conservation standards (all non-product specific references herein referring to energy use and consumption include Start Printed Page 8887water use and consumption; all references to energy efficiency include water efficiency) established for certain consumer products and industrial equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6299-6305 (consumer products), 6316 (industrial equipment)) DOE has promulgated enforcement regulations that include specific certification and compliance requirements. See 10 CFR part 429; 10 CFR part 431, subparts B, U, and V.
As required, the Working Group submitted an interim report to ASRAC on June 26, 2013, summarizing the group's recommendations regarding AEDMs for commercial HVAC, WH, and refrigeration equipment. The interim report to ASRAC can be found at http://www.regulations.gov/​#!documentDetail;​D=​EERE-2013-BT-NOC-0023-0046. ASRAC subsequently voted unanimously to approve the recommendations in the interim report for AEDMs. Subsequently, the Working Group submitted a final report on August 30, 2013, summarizing the Working Group's recommendations for model grouping, certification requirements and deadlines, and features to be excluded from certification, verification, and enforcement testing as long as specific conditions were met. ASRAC voted unanimously to approve the recommendations in the final report. DOE proposed to adopt the Working Group's recommendations, without modification, for AEDMs, basic model definitions, and the initial compliance date for certification in a notice published on October 22, 2013. 78 FR 62472. In this notice of proposed rulemaking, DOE is proposing to adopt without modification the remaining recommendations for certification requirements from the Working Group. DOE still intends to issue separate rulemaking or guidance documents regarding the treatment of specific features when testing.
The Commercial Certification Working Group held nine full meetings in Washington, DC, between April 30, 2013 and August 28, 2013. These meetings were attended by 57 interested parties, including members of the Working Group. Table II.1 lists the entities that attended the Commercial Certification Working Group meetings and their affiliation. The Working Group's recommendations regarding certification are presented in this notice of proposed rulemaking. A more detailed discussion of the recommendations can be found in the Commercial Certification Working Group meeting transcripts, which are located here: http://www.regulations.gov/​#!docketDetail;​D=​EERE-2013-BT-NOC-0023.
Table II.1—Interested Parties
AAON, Inc AAON Manufacturer.
Allied Air Enterprises Allied Air Manufacturer.
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers ASHRAE Trade Association.
Bard Manufacturing Company Inc Bard Manufacturer.
Bosch Thermotechnology Corp Bosch Manufacturer.
Bradford White Corporation Bradford White Manufacturer.
California Energy Commission CEC California State Government Agency.
Cleaver-Brooks Manufacturer.
ClimateMaster Inc ClimateMaster Manufacturer.
Continental Refrigerator Manufacturer.
CSA Group CSA Third-party laboratory.
Daikin McQuay Manufacturer.
EarthJustice Energy Efficiency Advocacy Group.
Edison Electric Institute EEI Energy Efficiency Advocacy Group.
Emerson Climate Technologies Emerson Component Manufacturer.
Estes Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc Estes Distributor.
General Electric Company GE Manufacturer.
Goodman Global, Inc Goodman Manufacturer.
Hillphoenix Hillphoenix Manufacturer.
Hoshizaki America, Inc Hoshizaki Manufacturer.
Intertek Intertek Third-party laboratory.
Johnson Controls Inc JCI Manufacturer.
Lennox International, Inc Lennox Manufacturer.
Lochinvar, LLC Lochinvar Manufacturer.
Mississippi College School of Law Law School.
McDermott Will & Emery Law Firm.
Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc MEUS Manufacturer.
National Comfort Products NCP Manufacturer.
National Electric Manufacturers Association NEMA Trade Association.
National Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning National Manufacturer.
Norlake Inc Norlake Manufacturer.
Natural Resources Canada NRCan Canadian Government Agency.
Manitowoc Foodservice Manitowoc Manufacturer.
P2S Engineering, Inc P2S Consulting Firm.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company PG&E Utility.
PVI Industries Inc PVI Manufacturer.
Regal-Beloit Corporation Regal-Beloit Manufacturer.
Saudi Diyar Consultants Diyar Engineering Design Firm.
Schneider Electric SA Schneider Electric Consulting Firm.
San Francisco Department of the Environment SF Environment California State Government Agency.
SJI Consultants Inc SJI Consulting firm.
Southern California Gas Company SoCal Gas Utility.
Source Energy Consulting Firm.
Southern Store Fixtures Manufacturer.
Trane Manufacturer.
True Manufacturing Co. Inc True Manufacturing Manufacturer.
Underwriters Laboratories LLC UL Third-party laboratory.
United CoolAir Corporation United CoolAir Manufacturer.
United Technologies Climate, Controls & Security and ITS Carrier UTC/Carrier Manufacturer.
Zero Zone Inc Zero Zone Manufacturer.
The Working Group recommended that a new concept, “engineered-to-order equipment,” be added to DOE's certification regulations. The Working Group recommended that this concept be applied to a basic model that is not listed in any catalogs or marketing literature and is designed and built to customer requirements. An engineered-to-order basic model does not include any models offered as a “configure-to-order” or “menu-system” set of options.[2] Additionally, the Working Group determined that a basic model may not be classified as engineered-to-order for more than one annual certification cycle, effectively meaning that the basic model cannot be classified as engineer-to-order for more than 24 months. If the manufacturer does not recertify the engineered-to-order product as a typical basic model by the second annual certification deadline then the manufacturer is effectively certifying that the model has been discontinued. In that case, DOE would automatically treat the basic model as discontinued.[3] DOE proposes to adopt Start Printed Page 8889the engineered-to-order concept by adding a definition of this term and the associated certification requirements and requests comment on this approach.
The Working Group recommended that manufacturers submit the following general information to DOE in all certification reports.
AEDM name or identifier, if the test sample size is “0.”
The only items listed above that manufacturers are not currently required to provide DOE in accordance with 10 CFR 429.12 are customer-specified model numbers and the name of the AEDM used.
Additionally, the Working Group recommended that only the information specified below be publicly posted on DOE's Web site. Accordingly, DOE is proposing to revise 10 CFR 429.7(a) to include these items as “not exempt from public disclosure.”
Whether the certification was based on exception relief from the Office of Hearings and Appeals and the date of such relief
During the Working Group discussions, manufacturers of commercial refrigeration equipment inquired about what “equipment classes” there are for commercial refrigeration equipment. DOE provides templates for certification reports that provide the current list of equipment classes, which correspond to the classes described in the relevant regulatory text promulgating standards for each piece of equipment. See, e.g., the Product Description tab of the Commercial Refrigeration Equipment templates available at https://www.regulations.doe.gov/​ccms/​templates and 10 CFR 431.66. DOE reviews the current equipment classes each time it analyses amended standards for equipment, so the list of equipment classes may change if amended standards are adopted by the Department.
DOE requires manufacturers to certify to DOE, prior to distribution in commerce, the compliance of each basic model subject to an applicable energy conservation standard set forth in 10 CFR 430 or 10 CFR 431 before distribution in commerce. The Working Group made several recommendations regarding when manufacturers should be required to submit a certification report to DOE based on the specific circumstances regarding manufacturing of commercial HVAC, WH, and refrigeration equipment. For domestically manufactured, engineered-to-order products, the Working Group recommended that DOE consider distribution in commerce to begin on the date on which the basic model is shipped. For all other domestic products, it recommended that DOE consider distribution in commerce to begin on the date on which a manufacturer is first willing to accept an order. For engineered-to-order products built outside of the U.S., the Working Group recommended that DOE consider distribution in commerce to begin on the date on which the basic model is imported. For all other foreign manufactured products, it recommended that DOE consider distribution in commerce to begin on either the date on which a basic model is imported for sale or the date on which a manufacturer is willing to accept an order, whichever is first. DOE is proposing to adopt these interpretations for the limited purposes of determining by what date certification reports must be submitted to the Department for commercial HVAC, WH and refrigeration equipment.
DOE proposed in its October 2013 notice regarding the Working Group's recommendations for AEDMs that commercial HVAC, WH, and refrigeration equipment manufacturers Start Printed Page 8890may elect to have a manufacturer's representative on-site to witness test set-up before verification testing of up to 10 percent of the manufacturer's certified basic models rated with an AEDM. A manufacturer would indicate its selection of basic models in its certification report(s). DOE has included this certification requirement in this proposal in the product-specific certification sections.
Certification report must include
Supplemental PDF information
—Self-contained commercial refrigerators and freezer with solid doors —Self-contained commercial refrigerators and freezers with transparent doors —Self-contained commercial refrigerator-freezers with solid doors —Daily energy consumption (kWh/day) —Chilled or frozen compartment volume (ft3), adjusted volume (ft3), or Total display area (ft2), as applicable —Operating temperature (i.e., the lowest product application temperature). —Additional testing instructions required —If applicable, must specify which, if any, excluded features are included in basic model.
—Remote condensing commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers
—Self-contained commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers without doors
—Commercial ice-cream freezers
—Commercial refrigeration equipment with two or more compartments
—Service over the counter refrigerators and freezers
Certification reports must include
Commercial Packaged Boilers —Combustion efficiency (%) or thermal efficiency (%) as required in 431.87.
Commercial package air-cooled, Split and Packaged ACs and HPs less than 65,000 Btu/h cooling capacity (3-Phase) —Seasonal energy efficiency ratio (Btu/Wh). —Heating seasonal performance factor (Btu/Wh) if applicable. —Rated cooling capacity (Btu/h).
Commercial package air-cooled, ACs and HPs greater than or equal to 65,000 Btu/h cooling capacity and evaporatively-cooled, and water cooled ACs and HPs —Energy efficiency ratio (Btu/Wh). —Coefficient of performance, if applicable. —Rated cooling capacity (Btu/h). —Heating type (electric, gas, hydronic, none).
Packaged Terminal ACs —Energy efficiency ratio (Btu/Wh).
Packaged Terminal HPs —Energy efficiency ratio (Btu/Wh).
Single Package Vertical ACs —Energy efficiency ratio (Btu/Wh).
Single Package Vertical HPs —Energy efficiency ratio (Btu/Wh).
Variable Refrigerant Flow Multi-Split ACs and HPs with less than 65,000 Btu/h rated cooling capacity —Seasonal energy efficiency ratio (Btu/Wh). —Heating seasonal performance factor (Btu/Wh) if applicable. —Rated cooling capacity (Btu/h).
Variable Refrigerant Flow Multi-Split AC and HPs with 65,000 Btu/h rated cooling capacity or more —Energy efficiency ratio (Btu/Wh). —Coefficient of performance, if applicable. —Rated cooling capacity (Btu/h). —Heating type (electric, gas, hydronic, none).
Water Source Variable Refrigerant Flow HPs (all rated cooling capacities) —Energy efficiency ratio (Btu/Wh). —Coefficient of performance. —Rated cooling capacity (Btu/h). —Heating type (electric, gas, hydronic, none).
Water Source HPs (other than variable refrigerant flow) —Energy efficiency ratio (Btu/Wh). —Coefficient of performance. —Rated cooling capacity (Btu/h). —Heating type (electric, gas, hydronic, none).
PDF Supplement to certification report
Commercial Warm Air Furnaces Additional testing instructions optional.
Commercial Packaged Boilers Additional testing instructions optional.
Air-Cooled, Split and Packaged ACs and HPs less than 65,000 Btu/h Cooling Capacity (3-Phase) Additional testing instructions are required and must include: —Nominal cooling capacity (Btu/h).
Commercial package air-cooled ACs and HPs with 65,000 Btu/h Cooling Capacity or More, Evaporatively-Cooled ACs and HPs, and Water-Cooled ACs and HPs Additional testing instructions are required and must include: —Nominal cooling capacity. —Rated heating capacity, if applicable. —Rated airflow (SCFM) for each fan coil. —Water flow rate (gpm) for water-cooled units only.
PTACs and PTHPs Additional testing instructions optional.
SPVUs Additional testing instructions optional.
Variable Refrigerant Flow Multi-Split ACs and HPs less than 65,000 Btu/h Cooling Capacity Additional testing instructions are required and must include: —Nominal cooling capacity (Btu/h). —Rated heating capacity (Btu/h), if applicable. —Outdoor unit(s) and indoor units identified in the tested combination.
Variable Refrigerant Flow Multi-Split ACs and HPs with 65,000 Btu/h Cooling Capacity or More Additional testing instructions are required and must include: —Nominal cooling capacity (Btu/h). —Rated heating capacity (Btu/h), if applicable. —Outdoor unit(s) and indoor units identified in the tested combination.
Water Source Variable Refrigerant Flow HPs Additional testing instructions are required and must include: —Nominal cooling capacity (Btu/h).
Computer Room ACs Additional testing instructions optional Supplemental information must include: —Which, if any, special features were included in rating the basic model.
Water Source HPs Additional testing instructions are required and must include: —Nominal cooling capacity (Btu/h).
Commercial gas-fired and oil-fired storage water heaters —Thermal efficiency (%) —Maximum standby loss (Btu/h). —Rated storage volume (gal). —Nameplate input rate (Btu/h). Optional.
Commercial water heaters and hot water supply boilers (storage capacity > 140 gal) —Thermal efficiency (%) —Statement whether storage volume is greater than 140 gal (Yes/No). —Statement whether tank surface area is insulated with at least R-12.5 (Yes/No). —Statement whether uses standing pilot light (Yes/No). —For gas or oil-fired water heater, statement whether has a fire damper or fan assisted combustion (Yes/No) —If “no” to any of the above, must also report standby loss (Btu/h) and measured storage volume (gal) Optional.
Commercial gas-fired and oil-fired instantaneous water heaters less than 10 gallons and gas-fired and oil-fired hot water supply boilers less than 10 gallons —Thermal efficiency (%) —Rated storage volume (gal). Optional.
Commercial gas-fired and oil-fired instantaneous water heaters greater than or equal to 10 gallons and gas-fired and oil-fired hot water supply boilers greater than or equal to10 gallons —Thermal efficiency (%) —Maximum standby loss (Btu/h). —Rated storage volume (gal). —Nameplate input rate (Btu/h). Optional.
In a notice of proposed rulemaking published November 4, 2013, DOE proposed changes to the residential and commercial water heater test procedures. 78 FR 66201. DOE notes that changes to the certification requirements proposed in this rule may be needed, depending on the outcome of that rulemaking. Any changes would be considered in a separate rulemaking.
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.) requires preparation of an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) for any rule that by law must be proposed for public comment, unless the agency certifies that the rule, if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. As required by Executive Order 13272, “Proper Consideration of Small Entities in Agency Rulemaking,” 67 FR 53461 (August 16, 2002), DOE published procedures and policies on February 19, 2003, to ensure that the potential impacts of its rules on small entities are properly considered during the rulemaking process. 68 FR 7990. DOE has made its procedures and policies available on the Office of the General Counsel's Web site (http://energy.gov/​gc/​office-general-counsel). DOE has prepared the following IRFA for the products that are the subject of this rulemaking.
For manufacturers of HVAC, WH, and refrigeration equipment, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has set a size threshold, which defines those entities classified as “small businesses” for the purposes of the statute. DOE used the SBA's small business size standards to determine whether any small entities would be subject to the requirements of the rule. 65 FR 30848 (May 15, 2000), as amended at 65 FR 53533, 53544 (Sept. 5, 2000) and codified at 13 CFR part 121. The size standards are listed by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and industry description and are available at http://www.sba.gov/​category/​navigation-structure/​contracting/​contracting-officials/​small-business-size-standards. Manufacturing of HVAC and commercial refrigeration equipment is classified under NAICS 333415, “Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing.”The SBA sets a threshold of 750 employees or less for an entity to be considered as a small business for this category. Manufacturing of WH equipment is classified under NAICS 333319, “Other Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing,” for which SBA also sets a size threshold of 500 employees or fewer for being considered a small business.
To estimate the number of companies that could be small business manufacturers of equipment covered by this rulemaking, DOE conducted a market survey using publicly available information. DOE's research involved Start Printed Page 8895industry trade association membership directories (including AHRI), information from previous rulemakings, product directories (AHRI Directory,[4] the California Energy Commission Appliance Efficiency Database [5] ), individual company Web sites, and market research tools (e.g., Dunn and Bradstreet reports [6] and Hoovers reports [7] ). DOE used information from these sources to create a list of companies that potentially manufacture commercial HVAC, WH, and refrigeration equipment covered by this rulemaking. DOE screened out companies that do not offer equipment covered by this rulemaking, do not meet the definition of a “small business,” or are foreign owned and operated. Based on these efforts, DOE estimates that there are 5 small business manufacturers of all commercial HVAC equipment, 32 small business manufacturers of commercial refrigeration equipment, and 9 small business manufacturers of commercial WH equipment.
DOE entered into negotiations with commercial HVAC, water heating, and refrigeration equipment manufacturers regarding the types of information to submit when certifying their equipment and when that certification must be made to the Department. The outcomes of the negotiation resulted in slight changes to the information that DOE is proposing to collect for commercial HVAC, WH, and refrigeration equipment. The most notable of these proposals is that DOE has proposed that manufacturers of commercial refrigeration equipment and some types of commercial HVAC equipment must submit a PDF with specific testing instructions to be used by the Department during verification and enforcement testing. Manufacturers of water heating equipment and some types of commercial HVAC equipment would have the option of submitting a PDF with additional testing instructions at the manufacturer's discretion. The proposals reflect the direct results of the negotiations, without modification. By permitting manufacturers to submit PDFs with additional testing instructions, individual manufacturers will have a mechanism to provide the Department with additional information necessary for testing each basic model.
DOE currently requires manufacturers or their party representatives to prepare and submit certification reports using DOE's electronic Web-based tool, the Compliance and Certification Management System (CCMS), which is the only mechanism for submitting certification reports to DOE. CCMS currently has product specific templates that manufacturers must use when submitting certification data to DOE. See http://www.regulations.doe.gov/​ccms. This proposed rule would not change the electronic submission requirement for commercial HVAC, WH, and refrigeration equipment. DOE believes the availability of electronic filing through the CCMS system reduces reporting burdens, streamlines the process, and provides the Department with needed information in a standardized, more accessible form. This electronic filing system also ensures that records are recorded in a permanent, systematic way.
This section considers alternatives to the proposals in today's certification, compliance, and enforcement rulemaking. DOE has tried to minimize the reporting burden as much as possible by: (1) Accepting electronic submissions; (2) providing preformatted templates that lay out the certification and compliance requirements for each product; and (3) allowing manufacturers to group individual models into basic models for the purposes of certification to reduce the number of discrete models reported to the Department. DOE also notes that the Working Group included representatives of small businesses and that this proposal reflects the recommendations of that Working Group. DOE has also made efforts to address the concerns of small businesses by expanding the ability of manufacturers to use alternative efficiency determination methods (AEDMs) in lieu of testing equipment. Further, DOE is proposing the certification provisions set forth in this rulemaking as negotiated by the Working Group for all manufacturers of covered products and covered equipment that would be affected by this proposal. DOE seeks input from businesses that would be affected by this rulemaking and will consider comments received in the development of any final rule.
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct, sponsor, or require through regulations. This proposal would mandate that manufacturers and importers of covered commercial HVAC, WH, and refrigeration equipment would need to certify to the Department that the products they are distributing in commerce in the U.S. comply with the applicable energy conservation standards.
Type of Request: Revision and Expansion of an Existing Collection.Start Printed Page 8896
DOE has determined that this proposed rule falls into a class of actions that are categorically excluded from review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and DOE's implementing regulations at 10 CFR part 1021. Specifically, this proposed rule would adopt changes to the manner in which certain covered equipment would be certified, which would not affect the amount, quality or distribution of energy usage, and, therefore, would not result in any environmental impacts. Thus, this rulemaking is covered by Categorical Exclusion A6 under 10 CFR part 1021, subpart D. Accordingly, neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required.
Regarding the review of existing regulations and the promulgation of new regulations, section 3(a) of Executive Order 12988, “Civil Justice Reform,” 61 FR 4729 (Feb. 7, 1996), imposes on Federal agencies the general duty to adhere to the following requirements: (1) Eliminate drafting errors and ambiguity; (2) write regulations to minimize litigation; (3) provide a clear legal standard for affected conduct rather than a general standard; and (4) promote simplification and burden reduction. Section 3(b) of Executive Order 12988 specifically requires that Executive agencies make every reasonable effort to ensure that the regulation: (1) Clearly specifies the preemptive effect, if any; (2) clearly specifies any effect on existing Federal law or regulation; (3) provides a clear legal standard for affected conduct while promoting simplification and burden reduction; (4) specifies the retroactive effect, if any; (5) adequately Start Printed Page 8897defines key terms; and (6) addresses other important issues affecting clarity and general draftsmanship under any guidelines issued by the Attorney General. Section 3(c) of Executive Order 12988 requires Executive agencies to review regulations in light of applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b) to determine whether they are met or it is unreasonable to meet one or more of them. DOE has completed the required review and determined that, to the extent permitted by law, the proposed rule meets the relevant standards of Executive Order 12988.
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) requires each Federal agency to assess the effects of Federal regulatory actions on State, local, and Tribal governments and the private sector. Pub. L. No. 104-4, sec. 201 (codified at 2 U.S.C. 1531). For a proposed regulatory action likely to result in a rule that may cause the expenditure by State, local, and Tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100 million or more in any one year (adjusted annually for inflation), section 202 of UMRA requires a Federal agency to publish a written statement that estimates the resulting costs, benefits, and other effects on the national economy. (2 U.S.C. 1532(a), (b)) The UMRA also requires a Federal agency to develop an effective process to permit timely input by elected officers of State, local, and Tribal governments on a proposed “significant intergovernmental mandate,” and requires an agency plan for giving notice and opportunity for timely input to potentially affected small governments before establishing any requirements that might significantly or uniquely affect small governments. On March 18, 1997, DOE published a statement of policy on its process for intergovernmental consultation under UMRA. 62 FR 12820; also available at www.gc.doe.gov. DOE examined today's proposed rule according to UMRA and its statement of policy and determined that the rule contains neither an intergovernmental mandate, nor a mandate that may result in the expenditure of $100 million or more in any year, so these requirements do not apply.
Today's proposal to amend the certification requirements for commercial HVAC, WH, and refrigeration equipment is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. Moreover, it would not have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy, nor has it been designated as a significant energy action by the Administrator of OIRA. Therefore, it is not a significant energy action, and, accordingly, DOE has not prepared a Statement of Energy Effects.
Under section 301 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (Pub. L. 95-91; 42 U.S.C. 7101), DOE must comply with section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974, as amended by the Federal Energy Administration Authorization Act of 1977. (15 U.S.C. 788; FEAA) Section 32 essentially provides in relevant part that, where a proposed rule authorizes or requires use of commercial standards, the notice of proposed rulemaking must inform the public of the use and background of such standards. In addition, section 32(c) requires DOE to consult with the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) concerning the impact of the commercial or industry standards on competition. Today's proposal to amend the certification requirements for all covered consumer products and commercial equipment does not propose the use of any commercial standards.
DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding the proposed rule no later than the date provided at the beginning of this notice of proposed rulemaking. Comments, data, and information submitted to DOE's email address for this rulemaking should be provided in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or text (ASCII) file format. Interested parties should avoid the use of special characters or any form of encryption, and wherever possible, comments should include the electronic signature of the author. Absent an electronic signature, comments submitted electronically must be followed and authenticated by submitting a signed original paper document to the address provided at the beginning of this notice of proposed rulemaking. Comments, data, and information submitted to DOE via mail or hand delivery/courier should include one signed original paper copy. No telefacsimiles (faxes) will be accepted.Start Printed Page 8898
(3) DOE requests comment on the specific certification requirements proposed in Table II.2, Table II.3, Table II.4, and Table II.5.
(a) The following records are not exempt from public disclosure: The product or equipment type, the product or equipment class, the private labeler name, the brand name, the applicable model number(s) unless it means the criteria specified in paragraph (b) of this section, the energy or water rating submitted by manufacturers to DOE pursuant to § 429.12(b)(13), whether the certification was based on a test procedure waiver and the date of such waiver, and whether the certification was based on exception relief from the Office of Hearing and Appeals and the date of such relief.
(6) For each brand, the basic model number and the individual manufacturer model number(s) in that basic model with the following exceptions: For external power supplies that are certified based on design families, the design family model number and the individual manufacturer's model numbers covered by that design family must be submitted for each brand. For walk-in coolers, the basic model number for each brand must be submitted. For distribution transformers, the basic model number or kVA grouping model number (depending on the certification method) for each brand must be submitted. For commercial HVAC, WH, and refrigeration equipment, an individual manufacturer model number may be identified as a “private model number” if it meets the requirements of § 429.7(b).
(7) Whether the submission is for a new model, a discontinued model, a correction to a previously submitted Start Printed Page 8899model, data on a carryover model, or a model that has been found in violation of a voluntary industry certification program;
(10) Whether certification is based upon any waiver of test procedure requirements under § 430.27 or § 431.401 of this chapter and the date of such waiver(s);
(13) Product specific information listed in §§ 429.14 through 429.54.
5. Revise § 429.41 to read as follows:
(2) Pursuant to § 429.12(b)(13), a certification report must include the following public, product-specific information: The thermal efficiency in percent (%), and the maximum rated input capacity in British thermal units per hour (Btu/h).
(3) Pursuant to § 429.12(b)(13), a certification report must include the following additional product-specific information:
(2) Pursuant to § 429.12(b)(13), a certification report must include the following public, product-specific information:
(3) Pursuant to § 429.12(b)(13), a certification report must include the Start Printed Page 8900following additional, product-specific information:
(4) Pursuant to § 429.12(b)(13), a certification report must include supplemental information submitted in PDF format. The product-specific, supplemental information must include testing instructions (e.g., charging instructions); and which, if any, special features were included in rating the basic model. A manufacturer may also include with a certification report other supplementary items in PDF format (e.g., manuals) for DOE consideration in performing testing under subpart C of this part.
(2) Pursuant to § 429.12(b)(13), a certification report must include the following public product-specific information:
(4) Pursuant to § 429.12(b)(13), a certification report must include supplemental information submitted in PDF format. A manufacturer may also include with a certification report other supplementary items in PDF format (e.g., manuals) for DOE consideration in performing testing under subpart C of this part. The product-specific, supplemental information must include at least the following:
(i) Commercial package air-conditioning and heating equipment (except commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment that is air-cooled with a cooling capacity less than 65,000 Btu/h): The nominal cooling capacity in British thermal units per hour (Btu/h); rated heating capacity in British thermal units per hour (Btu/h), if applicable; rated airflow in standard cubic feet per minute (SCFM) for each fan coil; water flow rate in gallons per minute (gpm) for water cooled units only; rated static pressure in inches of water; refrigeration charging instructions (e.g., refrigerant charge, superheat and/or subcooling temperatures); frequency or control set points for variable speed components (e.g., compressors, VFDs); required dip switch/control settings for step or variable components; statement whether the model will operate at test conditions without manufacturer programming; any additional testing instructions if applicable; if a variety of motors/drive kits are offered for sale as options in the basic model to account for varying installation requirements, the model number and specifications of the motor (to include efficiency, horsepower, open/closed, and number of poles) and Start Printed Page 8901the drive kit, including settings, associated with that specific motor that were used to determine the certified rating; and which, if any, special features were included in rating the basic model.
(viii) Computer room air-conditioners: Any additional testing instructions, if applicable; and which, if any, special features were included in rating the basic model.Start Printed Page 8902
(3) Pursuant to § 429.12(b)(13), a certification report must include the following additional, product-specific information:
(2) Pursuant to § 429.12(b)(13), a certification report must include the following public product-specific information: The combustion efficiency in percent (%) or the thermal efficiency in percent (%), as required in § 431.87 of this chapter; and the maximum rated Start Printed Page 8903input capacity in British thermal units per hour (Btu/h).
4. See www.ahridirectory.org/​ahriDirectory/​pages/​home.aspx.
5. See http://www.energy.ca.gov/​appliances/​.
6. “D&B | Business Information | Get Credit Reports | 888 480-6007.”. Dun & Bradstreet (Available at: www.dnb.com) (Last accessed October 10, 2011). See www.dnb.com/​.
7. “Hoovers | Company Information | Industry Information | Lists.” D&B (2013) (Available at: See http://www.hoovers.com/​) (Last accessed December 12, 2012).
[FR Doc. 2014-03103 Filed 2-13-14; 8:45 am]