Proposed Rule2025-08587
Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for External Power Supplies
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
May 16, 2025
Issuing agencies
Energy Department
Abstract
DOE is proposing to rescind its existing regulations regarding the energy conservation standards for consumer external power supplies adopted under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 94 (Friday, May 16, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 94 (Friday, May 16, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20899-20904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-08587]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Part 430
[EERE-2025-BT-STD-0026]
RIN 1904-AF96
Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for
External Power Supplies
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy (DOE).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: DOE is proposing to rescind its existing regulations regarding
the energy conservation standards for consumer external power supplies
[[Page 20900]]
adopted under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).
DATES:
Comments: Written comments, data, and information are requested and
must be received on or before July 15, 2025.
Meeting: DOE will hold a webinar on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 1
to 4 p.m. See section III, ``Public Participation,'' for webinar
registration information, participant instructions, and information
about the capabilities available to webinar participants.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> under docket
number EERE-2025-BT-STD-0026. Follow the instructions for submitting
comments. Alternatively, interested persons may submit comments,
identified by docket number EERE-2025-BT-STD-0026 by any of the
following methods:
(1) Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d194a9a581bea6b4a382a4a1a1bdb8b4a2e3e1e3e4828595e1e1e3e791b4b4ffb5beb4ffb6bea7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="53162b27033c243621002623233f3a362061636166000717636361651336367d373c367d343c25">[email protected]</span></a>. Include the
docket number EERE-2025-BT-STD-0026 in the subject line of the message.
Submit electronic comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or
ASCII file format, and avoid the use of special characters or any form
of encryption.
(2) Postal Mail: Appliance and Equipment Standards Program, U.S.
Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-5B,
1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. If possible,
please submit all items on a compact disc (CD), in which case it is not
necessary to include printed copies.
(3) Hand Delivery/Courier: Appliance and Equipment Standards
Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, 1000
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202)
287-1445. If possible, please submit all items on a CD, in which case
it is not necessary to include printed copies.
No telefacsimiles (faxes) will be accepted. For detailed
instructions on submitting comments and additional information on this
process, see section III (Public Participation) of this document.
Docket: The docket for this proposed rulemaking, which includes
Federal Register notices, public meeting attendee lists and
transcripts, comments, and other supporting documents and 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, not all
documents listed in the index may be publicly available, such as
information that is exempt from public disclosure.
The docket web page can be found at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2025-BT-STD-0026">www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2025-BT-STD-0026</a>. The docket web page contains instructions on how
to access all documents, including public comments, in the docket, as
well as a summary of the rulemaking. See section III, ``Public
Participation,'' for further information on how to submit comments
through <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(4), a
summary of this rulemaking may be found at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>, under
the docket number.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Taggart, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of the General Counsel, GC-1, 1000 Independence Avenue
SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-5281. Email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#24606b6163414a41564548674b514a574148644c550a404b410a434b52"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dc9893999bb9b2b9aebdb09fb3a9b2afb9b09cb4adf2b8b3b9f2bbb3aa">[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#d594a5a5b9bcb4bbb6b086a1b4bbb1b4a7b1a684a0b0a6a1bcbabba695b0b0fbb1bab0fbb2baa3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b5f4c5c5d9dcd4dbd6d0e6c1d4dbd1d4c7d1c6e4c0d0c6c1dcdadbc6f5d0d09bd1dad09bd2dac3">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Discussion
II. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
A. Review Under Executive Orders 12866
B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act
D. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
E. Review Under Executive Order 13132
F. Review Under Executive Order 12988
G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
H. Review Under the Treasury and General Government
Appropriations Act, 1999
I. Review Under Executive Order 12630
J. Review Under the Treasury and General Government
Appropriations Act, 2001
K. Review Under Executive Order 13211
L. Review Under the Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review
M. Review Under Additional Executive Orders and Presidential
Memoranda
III. Public Participation
A. Attendance at the Public Meeting/Webinar
B. Procedure for Submitting Prepared General Statements for
Distribution
C. Conduct of the Public Meeting/Webinar
D. Submission of Comments
IV. Approval of the Office of the Secretary
I. Discussion
DOE is proposing to rescind the efficiency standards for external
power supplies (EPS), codified in 10 CFR 430.32(w). Title III, Part B
of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (``EPCA''), Public
Law 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309, as codified), established the Energy
Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles.
Congress added EPSs as a covered product in the Energy Policy Act of
2005, Public Law 109-58. Congress subsequently passed the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 and provided therein efficiency
standards for Class A EPSs as well as a schedule for the amendment of
efficiency standards. Public Law 110-140, 301, 121 Stat. 1492, 1549-51
(2007). This schedule requires the Secretary to publish final rules
determining whether the standards established by EISA should be
amended. Id. DOE proposed to adopt new energy conservation standards
for EPSs in June 2009, and issued its final rule on September 19, 2011,
amending the energy conservation standard for EPSs. DOE again amended
the energy conservation standard on February 10, 2014.
After reevaluation of the EPS standards, pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
6295(u)(3)(D), the Secretary has tentatively determined that the
standards legislated by Congress do not require amendment and the
current regulatory standards are not economically justified.
Accordingly, DOE is proposing to rescind the current rule, last amended
by DOE on February 10, 2014, via 79 FR 7846, Energy Conservation
Program: Energy Conservation Standards for External Power Supplies, and
codified in 10 CFR 430.32. This recission will result in a reversion to
the efficiency standard legislated by Congress in the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007.
EPCA ``provide[s] Federal energy conservation standards applicable
to covered products,'' and also ``authorize[s] the Secretary to
prescribe amended or new energy conservation standards for each type
(or class) of covered product.'' 42 U.S.C. 6295(a). DOE must follow
specific statutory criteria for prescribing new or amended standards
for covered products. EPCA also specifies that the Secretary may not
prescribe any amended standard which ``increases the maximum allowable
energy use, or, in the case of showerheads, faucets, water closets, or
urinals, water use, or decreases the minimum required energy
efficiency, of a covered product.'' 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(1). This
restriction is generally referred to as the ``anti-backsliding''
provision. Additionally, EPCA specifies that any new or amended energy
conservation standard for any type of
[[Page 20901]]
covered product shall be designed to achieve the maximum improvement in
energy efficiency that is technologically feasible and economically
justified. 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(A).
The Secretary has reevaluated DOE's statutory authority and
tentatively determined that when DOE rescinds a rule in full it has not
``prescribe[d] any amended standard'' that falls under the anti-
backsliding provision. See 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(1). Moreover, even if a
rescission is an ``amended standard,'' the anti-backsliding provision
only prevents DOE from setting standards below the statutory maximum or
minimum.
This position appears to be supported by the legislative history
surrounding the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987
(NAECA), which amended EPCA to include the anti-backsliding provision.
In summarizing NAECA, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
reported that ``[a]fter the 3 to 10 year `lock-in' period, DOE may
promulgate new standards for each product which may not be less than
those established by the legislation.'' 133 Cong. Rec. S1909-01 (Feb.
5, 1987) (emphasis added). Legislation refers to the standards set by
Congress, not the regulatory standards set by DOE. Senator J. Bennett
Johnston, the NAECA sponsor, explained that NAECA would avoid costly
regulating ``by legislatively establishing standards which have already
been agreed to by the principal parties.'' 133 Cong. Rec. S1909-01
(Feb. 5, 1987) (emphasis added). These statements show that the
standards set by the NAECA legislation--and all subsequent
congressionally enacted legislation--are the focal point to which the
anti-backsliding provision attaches. Those are the ``maximum
allowable'' or ``minimum required'' standards. See 42 U.S.C.
6295(o)(1).
There are also various textual clues that backsliding applies to
the statutory standards, not subsequent regulatory standards. Other
parts of the statute consistently refer to the statutory standards as
maximum or minimum standards. See 42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(1)(B). Moreover,
Subsection (i) of 42 U.S.C. 6295, which was added by the Energy Policy
Act of 1992, Public Law 102-486 (Oct. 24, 1992), allows the Secretary
to increase or decrease regulatory standards but references only
subsection (n)(1) (allowing petitions for more stringent standards for
some products), not 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(1). This suggests 42 U.S.C.
6295(o)(1) is not a barrier to loosening or tightening regulatory
standards, just statutory standards.
It makes little sense for the anti-backsliding provision to apply
to regulatory standards. The statutory standards were crafted by
Congress and agreed upon by many stakeholders. Regulatory standards, to
the contrary, are based in point-in-time determinations made by DOE.
Standards prescribed at one time as economically justified might not be
economically justified at a later date. 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(A). DOE
must be able to reconsider its regulations in both directions, to make
sure standards meet current national energy needs and are justified by
the market. Economic conditions, and energy conditions, are constantly
changing.
DOE is seeking comment on all aspects of this proposal, including
but not limited to the prior rule's consistency with statutory
authority and the constitution, the prior rule's costs and benefits,
the prior rule's effect on innovation, development, and private
enterprise, the anti-backsliding provision, and the prior rule's
economic justification under the statutory factors.
II. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
A. Review Under Executive Orders 12866
Executive Order (E.O.) 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review,''
requires agencies, to the extent permitted by law, to (1) propose or
adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned determination that its benefits
justify its costs (recognizing that some benefits and costs are
difficult to quantify); (2) tailor regulations to impose the least
burden on society, consistent with obtaining regulatory objectives,
taking into account, among other things, and to the extent practicable,
the costs of cumulative regulations; (3) select, in choosing among
alternative regulatory approaches, those approaches that maximize net
benefits; (4) to the extent feasible, specify performance objectives,
rather than specifying the behavior or manner of compliance that
regulated entities must adopt; and (5) identify and assess available
alternatives to direct regulation, including providing economic
incentives to encourage the desired behavior, such as user fees or
marketable permits, or providing information upon which choices can be
made by the public. For the reasons stated in the preamble, this
proposed regulatory action is consistent with these principles.
B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires
preparation of an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) and a
final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA) 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 E.O. 13272,
``Proper Consideration of Small Entities in Agency Rulemaking,'' 67 FR
53461 (Aug. 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 website (<a href="http://www.energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel">www.energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel</a>).
DOE reviewed this proposed rescission under the provisions of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act and the policies and procedures published on
February 19, 2003. This proposal eliminates standards. Therefore, DOE
initially concludes that the impacts of the proposed rescission would
not have a ``significant economic impact on a substantial number of
small entities,'' and that the preparation of an IRFA is not warranted.
DOE will transmit this certification and supporting statement of
factual basis to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration for review under 5 U.S.C. 605(b).
C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act
This proposed action imposes no new information or record-keeping
requirements. Accordingly, the OMB clearance is not required under the
Paperwork Reduction Act. (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
D. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
DOE is analyzing this proposed action in accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, (NEPA) and DOE's
NEPA implementing regulations (10 CFR part 1021). DOE's regulations
include categorical exclusions for certain rulemakings. See 10 CFR part
1021, subpart D, appendices A and B. DOE is considering the categorical
exclusions potentially applicable to this proposed rule, such as B5.1,
and welcomes comment on the potential application of categorical
exclusion(s). DOE will
[[Page 20902]]
complete its NEPA review before issuing the final rule.
E. Review Under Executive Order 13132
E.O. 13132, ``Federalism,'' 64 FR 43255 (Aug. 10, 1999), imposes
certain requirements on Federal agencies formulating and implementing
policies or regulations that preempt State law or that have federalism
implications. The Executive Order requires agencies to examine the
constitutional and statutory authority supporting any action that would
limit the policymaking discretion of the States and to carefully assess
the necessity for such actions. The Executive Order also requires
agencies to have an accountable process to ensure meaningful and timely
input by State and local officials in the development of regulatory
policies that have federalism implications. On March 14, 2000, DOE
published a statement of policy describing the intergovernmental
consultation process it will follow in the development of such
regulations. 65 FR 13735.
DOE has examined this proposed rule rescission and has tentatively
determined that it would not have a substantial direct effect on the
States, on the relationship between the national government and the
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government. EPCA governs and prescribes Federal
preemption of State regulations as to energy conservation for the
products that are the subject of this proposed rule rescission. States
can petition DOE for exemption from such preemption to the extent, and
based on criteria, set forth in EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6297) Therefore, no
further action is required by E.O. 13132.
F. Review Under Executive Order 12988
With respect to the review of existing regulations and the
promulgation of new regulations, section 3(a) of E.O. 12988, ``Civil
Justice Reform,'' 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. 61 FR
4729 (Feb. 7, 1996). Regarding the review required by section 3(a),
section 3(b) of E.O. 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 defines 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 E.O. 12988 requires Executive agencies to review
regulations in light of applicable standards in section 3(a) and
section 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, this proposed
rescission meets the relevant standards of E.O. 12988.
G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
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. Public Law 104-4, sec. 201 (codified at 2 U.S.C. 1531).
For a 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 ``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 them. On March 18, 1997, DOE published
a statement of policy on its process for intergovernmental consultation
under UMRA. 62 FR 12820. DOE's policy statement is also available at
<a href="http://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/gcprod/documents/umra_97.pdf">www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/gcprod/documents/umra_97.pdf</a>.
DOE examined this proposed rule rescission according to UMRA and
its statement of policy and determined that the proposed rule
rescission does not contain a Federal intergovernmental mandate, nor is
it expected to require expenditures of $100 million or more in any one
year by State, local, and Tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by
the private sector. As a result, the analytical requirements of UMRA do
not apply.
H. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act,
1999
Section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations
Act, 1999 (Pub. L. 105-277) requires Federal agencies to issue a Family
Policymaking Assessment for any rule that may affect family well-being.
This proposed rule rescission would not have any impact on the autonomy
or integrity of the family as an institution. Accordingly, DOE has
concluded that it is not necessary to prepare a Family Policymaking
Assessment.
I. Review Under Executive Order 12630
Pursuant to E.O. 12630, ``Governmental Actions and Interference
with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights,'' 53 FR 8859 (March
18, 1988), DOE has determined that this proposed rule rescission would
not result in any takings that might require compensation under the
Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
J. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act,
2001
Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations
Act, 2001 (44 U.S.C. 3516, note) provides for Federal agencies to
review most disseminations of information to the public under
information quality guidelines established by each agency pursuant to
general guidelines issued by OMB. OMB's guidelines were published at 67
FR 8452 (Feb. 22, 2002), and DOE's guidelines were published at 67 FR
62446 (Oct. 7, 2002). Pursuant to OMB Memorandum M-19-15, Improving
Implementation of the Information Quality Act (April 24, 2019), DOE
published updated guidelines which are available at: <a href="https://www.energy.gov/cio/department-energy-information-quality-guidelines">https://www.energy.gov/cio/department-energy-information-quality-guidelines</a>.
DOE has reviewed this proposed rule rescission under the OMB and DOE
guidelines and has concluded that it is consistent with applicable
policies in those guidelines.
K. Review Under Executive Order 13211
E.O. 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly
Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use,'' 66 FR 28355 (May 22,
2001), requires Federal agencies to prepare and submit to OIRA at OMB,
a Statement of Energy Effects for any significant energy action. A
``significant energy action'' is defined as any action by an agency
that promulgates or is expected to lead to promulgation of a final
rule, and that: (1) is a significant regulatory action under Executive
Order 12866, or any
[[Page 20903]]
successor order and is likely to have a significant adverse effect on
the supply, distribution, or use of energy; or (2) is designated by the
Administrator of OIRA as a significant energy action. For any
significant energy action, the agency must give a detailed statement of
any adverse effects on energy supply, distribution, or use should the
proposal be implemented, and of reasonable alternatives to the action
and their expected benefits on energy supply, distribution, and use.
DOE has tentatively determined that this rulemaking would not have
a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of
energy. Accordingly, DOE has not prepared a Statement of Energy
Effects. DOE may prepare such a statement for the final rule, and seeks
all comments.
L. Review Under the Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review
On December 16, 2004, OMB, in consultation with the Office of
Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), issued its Final Information
Quality Bulletin for Peer Review (``the Bulletin''). 70 FR 2664 (Jan.
14, 2005). The Bulletin establishes that certain scientific information
shall be peer reviewed by qualified specialists before it is
disseminated by the Federal Government, including influential
scientific information related to agency regulatory actions. The
purpose of the Bulletin is to enhance the quality and credibility of
the Government's scientific information. Under the Bulletin, the energy
conservation standards rulemaking analyses are ``influential scientific
information,'' which the Bulletin defines as ``scientific information
the agency reasonably can determine will have, or does have, a clear
and substantial impact on important public policies or private sector
decisions.'' 70 FR 2664, 2667. In response to OMB's Bulletin, DOE
conducted formal peer reviews of the energy conservation standards
development process and the analyses that are typically used and
prepared a report describing that peer review. Generation of this
report involved a rigorous, formal, and documented evaluation using
objective criteria and qualified and independent reviewers to make a
judgment as to the technical/scientific/business merit, the actual or
anticipated results, and the productivity and management effectiveness
of programs and/or projects. Because available data, models, and
technological understanding have changed since 2007, DOE has engaged
with the National Academy of Sciences to review DOE's analytical
methodologies to ascertain whether modifications are needed to improve
the Department's analyses. DOE is in the process of evaluating the
resulting report.
M. Review Under Additional Executive Orders and Presidential Memoranda
DOE has examined this proposed rule rescission and has tentatively
determined that it is consistent with the policies and directives
outlined in E.O. 14154 ``Unleashing American Energy,'': E.O. 14192,
``Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation,'' and Presidential
Memorandum, ``Delivering Emergency Price Relief for American Families
and Defeating the Cost-of-Living Crisis.'' This proposed rescission, if
finalized as proposed, is expected to be an Executive Order 14192
deregulatory action.
III. Public Participation
A. Participation in the Webinar
The time and date of the webinar are listed in the DATES and
ADDRESSES sections at the beginning of this document. If you plan to
attend the public meeting webinar, please notify the Appliance and
Equipment Standards staff at (202) 287-1445 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#da9baaaab6b3bbb4b9bf8589aebbb4bebba8bea9858aafb8b6b3b98597bfbfaeb3b4bda99abfbff4beb5bff4bdb5ac"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="602110100c09010e03053f3314010e04011204133f3015020c09033f2d050514090e07132005054e040f054e070f16">[email protected]</span></a>.
Webinar registration information, participant instructions, and
information about the capabilities available to webinar participants
will be published on DOE's website at <a href="https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/public-meetings-and-comment-deadlines">https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/public-meetings-and-comment-deadlines</a>. Participants are
responsible for ensuring their systems are compatible with the webinar
software.
B. Procedure for Submitting Prepared General Statements for
Distribution
Any person who has an interest in the topics addressed in this
notice of proposed rulemaking, or who is a representative of a group or
class of persons that has an interest in these issues, may request an
opportunity to make an oral presentation at the webinar. Such persons
may submit requests, along with an advance electronic copy of their
statement in PDF (preferred), Microsoft Word or Excel, WordPerfect, or
text (ASCII) file format, to the appropriate address shown in the
ADDRESSES section at the beginning of this document. The request and
advance copy of statements must be received at least one week before
the public meeting and are to be emailed. Please include a telephone
number to enable DOE staff to make follow-up contact, if needed.
C. Conduct of the Webinar
DOE will designate a DOE official to preside at the webinar and may
also use a professional facilitator to aid discussion. The meeting will
not be a judicial or evidentiary-type public hearing, but DOE will
conduct it in accordance with section 336 of EPCA. 42 U.S.C. 6306. A
court reporter will be present to record the proceedings and prepare a
transcript. DOE reserves the right to schedule the order of
presentations and to establish the procedures governing the conduct of
the webinar. There shall not be discussion of proprietary information,
costs or prices, market share, or other commercial matters regulated by
U.S. anti-trust laws. After the webinar, interested parties may submit
further comments on the proceedings, as well as on any aspect of the
proposed rulemaking, until the end of the comment period.
The webinar will be conducted in an informal, conference style. DOE
will present a general overview of the topics addressed in this
proposed rulemaking, allow time for prepared general statements by
participants, and encourage all interested parties to share their views
on issues affecting this proposed rulemaking. Each participant will be
allowed to make a general statement (within time limits determined by
DOE), before the discussion of specific topics. DOE will allow, as time
permits, other participants to comment briefly on any general
statements.
At the end of all prepared statements on a topic, DOE will permit
participants to clarify their statements briefly. Participants should
be prepared to answer questions by DOE and by other participants
concerning these issues. DOE representatives may also ask questions of
participants concerning other matters relevant to this proposed
rulemaking. The official conducting the public meeting will accept
additional comments or questions from those attending, as time permits.
The presiding official will announce any further procedural rules or
modification of the previous procedures that may be needed for the
proper conduct of the webinar.
A transcript of the webinar will be included in the docket, which
can be viewed as described in the Docket section at the beginning of
this document and will be accessible on the DOE website. In addition,
any person may buy a copy of the transcript from the transcribing
reporter.
[[Page 20904]]
D. Submission of Comments
DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this
proposed rule no later than the date provided in the DATES section at
the beginning of this document. Interested parties may submit comments,
data, and other information using any of the methods described in the
ADDRESSES section at the beginning of this document.
Submitting comments via <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. The
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> web page will require you to provide your name and
contact information. Your contact information will be viewable to DOE
Building Technologies staff only. Your contact information will not be
publicly viewable except for your first and last names, organization
name (if any), and submitter representative name (if any). If your
comment is not processed properly because of technical difficulties,
DOE will use this information to contact you. If DOE cannot read your
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for
clarification, DOE may not be able to consider your comment.
However, your contact information will be publicly viewable if you
include it in the comment itself or in any documents attached to your
comment. Any information that you do not want to be publicly viewable
should not be included in your comment, nor in any document attached to
your comment. Otherwise, persons viewing comments will see only first
and last names, organization names, correspondence containing comments,
and any documents submitted with the comments.
Do not submit to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> information for which
disclosure is restricted by statute, such as trade secrets and
commercial or financial information (hereinafter referred to as
Confidential Business Information (CBI)). Comments submitted through
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> cannot be claimed as CBI. Comments received through
the website will waive any CBI claims for the information submitted.
For information on submitting CBI, see the Confidential Business
Information section.
DOE processes submissions made through <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> before
posting. Normally, comments will be posted within a few days of being
submitted. However, if large volumes of comments are being processed
simultaneously, your comment may not be viewable for up to several
weeks. Please keep the comment tracking number that <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>
provides after you have successfully uploaded your comment.
Submitting comments via email, hand delivery/courier, or postal
mail. Comments and documents submitted via email, hand delivery/
courier, or postal mail also will be posted to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. If
you do not want your personal contact information to be publicly
viewable, do not include it in your comments or any accompanying
documents. Instead, provide your contact information in a cover letter.
Include your first and last names, email address, telephone number, and
optional mailing address. The cover letter will not be publicly
viewable as long as it does not include any comments.
Include contact information each time you submit comments, data,
documents, and other information to DOE. If you submit via postal mail
or hand delivery/courier, please provide all items on a CD, if
feasible, in which case it is not necessary to submit printed copies.
No telefacsimiles (faxes) will be accepted.
Comments, data, and other information submitted to DOE
electronically should be provided in PDF (preferred), Microsoft Word or
Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file format. Provide documents that
are not secured, that are written in English, and that are free of any
defects or viruses. Documents should not contain special characters or
any form of encryption, and, if possible, they should carry the
electronic signature of the author.
Campaign form letters. Please submit campaign form letters by the
originating organization in batches of between 50 to 500 form letters
per PDF or as one form letter with a list of supporters' names compiled
into one or more PDFs. This reduces comment processing and posting
time.
Confidential Business Information. Pursuant to 10 CFR 1004.11, any
person submitting information that he or she believes to be
confidential and exempt by law from public disclosure should submit via
email, postal mail, or hand delivery/courier two well-marked copies:
one copy of the document marked ``confidential'' including all the
information believed to be confidential, and one copy of the document
marked ``non-confidential'' with the information believed to be
confidential deleted. DOE will make its own determination about the
confidential status of the information and treat it according to its
determination.
It is DOE's policy that all comments may be included in the public
docket, without change and as received, including any personal
information provided in the comments (except information deemed to be
exempt from public disclosure).
IV. Approval of the Office of the Secretary
The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this notice of
proposed rulemaking; request for comment.
List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 430
Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business
information, Energy conservation, Household appliances, Imports,
Intergovernmental relations, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements,
Small businesses.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of Energy was signed on May 9,
2025, by Chris Wright, 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 May 9, 2025.
Jennifer Hartzell,
Alternate Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, DOE proposes to amend
part 430 of chapter II, subchapter D, of title 10, of the Code of
Federal Regulations, as set forth below:
PART 430--ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS
0
1. The authority citation for part 430 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291-6309; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.
Sec. 430.32 [Amended]
0
2. Amend Sec. 430.32 by removing and reserving paragraph (w).
[FR Doc. 2025-08587 Filed 5-12-25; 9:30 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 16, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.