Proposed Rule2021-24929
Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Distribution Transformers, Webinar and Availability of the Preliminary Technical Support Document
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
November 16, 2021
Effective
August 27, 2021
Issuing agencies
Energy Department
Abstract
On August 27, 2021, the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") published a notification of a webinar and availability of preliminary technical support document that DOE conducted for purposes of evaluating energy conservation standards for distribution transformers. The notification provided an opportunity for submitting written comments, data, and information by November 10, 2021. DOE received requests from Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Corporation (Cleveland-Cliffs) and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) asking DOE for a 30-day extension of the public comment period. DOE has reviewed this request and is reopening the public comment period to allow public comments to be submitted until December 10, 2021.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 218 (Tuesday, November 16, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 218 (Tuesday, November 16, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63318-63319]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24929]
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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.
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 218 / Tuesday, November 16, 2021 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 63318]]
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Parts 429 and 431
[EERE-2019-BT-STD-0018]
RIN 1904-AE12
Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for
Distribution Transformers, Webinar and Availability of the Preliminary
Technical Support Document
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Reopening of public comment period.
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SUMMARY: On August 27, 2021, the U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'')
published a notification of a webinar and availability of preliminary
technical support document that DOE conducted for purposes of
evaluating energy conservation standards for distribution transformers.
The notification provided an opportunity for submitting written
comments, data, and information by November 10, 2021. DOE received
requests from Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Corporation (Cleveland-Cliffs) and
the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) asking DOE for
a 30-day extension of the public comment period. DOE has reviewed this
request and is reopening the public comment period to allow public
comments to be submitted until December 10, 2021.
DATES: The comment period for the RFI published on August 27, 2021 (86
FR 48058) is reopened. DOE will accept comments, data, and information
regarding this notification received no later than December 10, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments. Alternatively, interested persons
may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE-2019-BT-STD-0018,
by any of the following methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
2. Email: To <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7b3f12080f0912190e0f1214152f091a15081d0914161e0908494b4a42282f3f4b4b4a433b1e1e551f141e551c140d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d793bea4a3a5beb5a2a3beb8b983a5b6b9a4b1a5b8bab2a5a4e5e7e6ee848393e7e7e6ef97b2b2f9b3b8b2f9b0b8a1">[email protected]</span></a>.
Include docket number EERE-2019-BT-STD-0018 in the subject line of the
message.
No telefacsimiles (``faxes'') will be accepted.
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 Covid-9 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, public meeting transcripts, and other
supporting documents/materials, is available for review at
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. All documents in the docket are listed in the
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> 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 <a href="http://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EERE-2019-BT-STD-0018">www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EERE-2019-BT-STD-0018</a>. The docket web page contains
instructions on how to access all documents, including public comments
in the docket.
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#14556464787d757a77714760757a707566706745617167607d7b7a675471713a707b713a737b62"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a5e4d5d5c9ccc4cbc6c0f6d1c4cbc1c4d7c1d6f4d0c0d6d1cccacbd6e5c0c08bc1cac08bc2cad3">[email protected]</span></a>.
Mr. Matthew Ring, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General
Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121.
Telephone: (202) 586-2555. Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#701d1104041815075e02191e173018015e141f155e171f06"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="600d0114140805174e12090e072008114e040f054e070f16">[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#99d8e9e9f5f0f8f7fafccaedf8f7fdf8ebfdeac8ecfceaedf0f6f7ead9fcfcb7fdf6fcb7fef6ef"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5c1d2c2c30353d323f390f283d32383d2e382f0d29392f283533322f1c393972383339723b332a">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 27, 2021, DOE published a
notification announcing the availability of a technical support
document and notification of a webinar on the preliminary analysis that
DOE conducted for purposes of evaluating energy conservation standards
for distribution transformers. 86 FR 48058. This webinar was held on
September 29, 2021 and covered the analytical framework, models, and
tools that DOE is using to evaluate potential standards for this
equipment; the results of preliminary analyses performed by DOE for
this equipment; the potential energy conservation standard levels
derived from these analyses that DOE could consider for this product
should it determine that proposed amendments are necessary; and any
issues relevant to the evaluation of energy conservation standards for
distribution transformers. In addition, the notification announced that
DOE will be accepting written comments on these subjects on or before,
November 10, 2021.
On October 29, 2021, NEMA requested a 30-day extension of the
public comment period for this preliminary analysis. NEMA commented
that given the volume of DOE analysis and number of questions posted,
more time is needed to gather NEMA members together and prepare
detailed industry responses. NEMA stated that manufacturers continue to
face challenges in their businesses during the continued global
pandemic and other supply chain disruptions and that more time will
give greater opportunity to research and communicate accurate data and
responses. (NEMA, No. 43 at p. 1) \1\
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\1\ The parenthetical reference provides a reference for
information located in DOE's rulemaking docket. (Docket No. EERE-
2019-BT-STD-0018, which is maintained at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2019-BT-STD-0018">www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2019-BT-STD-0018</a>). The references are arranged as follows:
(Commenter name, comment docket ID number, page of that document).
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[[Page 63319]]
Cleveland-Cliffs also requested a 30-day extension of the public
comment period for this preliminary analysis on November 5, 2021.
Cleveland-Cliffs stated in their request that they are the only company
in North America that procures Grain Oriented Electrical Steel, which
is a critical and irreplaceable material used in distribution and dry-
type transformers. Cleveland Cliff explained in their request that the
preliminary analysis and technical support document is comprehensive
and lengthy and that given the potentially significant impacts to
transformer industry and specifically core steel selection, more time
is needed to fully understand the impact to Cleveland-Cliffs' customer
base and their business. (Cleveland-Cliffs, No. 44 at p. 1) \2\
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\2\ The parenthetical reference provides a reference for
information located in DOE's rulemaking docket. (Docket No. EERE-
2019-BT-STD-0018, which is maintained at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2019-BT-STD-0018">www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2019-BT-STD-0018</a>). The references are arranged as follows:
(Commenter name, comment docket ID number, page of that document).
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DOE has reviewed the requests and is reopening the comment period
to allow additional time for interested parties to submit comments.
Therefore, DOE is reopening the comment period until December 10, 2021.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of Energy was signed on November 9,
2021, by Kelly Speakes-Backman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary
and Acting 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 November 10, 2021.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2021-24929 Filed 11-15-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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