87 FR 194 pgs. 60941-60942 - Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Microwave Ovens; Extension of Public Comment Period
Type: PRORULEVolume: 87Number: 194Pages: 60941 - 60942
Pages: 60941, 60942Docket number: [EERE-2017-BT-STD-0023]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2022-21922 Filed 10-6-22; 8:45 am]
Agency: Energy Department
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Part 430
[EERE-2017-BT-STD-0023]
RIN 1904-AE00
Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Microwave Ovens; Extension of Public Comment Period
AGENCY:
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy.
ACTION:
Notice of public meeting and extension of public comment period.
SUMMARY:
On August 24, 2022 the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") published a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking ("SNOPR") to amend the energy conservation standards for microwave ovens. ("August 2022 SNOPR") This document announces a public meeting to be held in support of that SNOPR and extends the public comment period for the SNOPR by 14 days to allow public comments to be submitted until November 7, 2022.
DATES:
DOE will hold a public meeting via webinar on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. See section, "Public Participation," for webinar registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants. The comment period for the published August 2022 SNOPR (87 FR 52282) is also extended. DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding the SNOPR that are received no later than November 7, 2022.
ADDRESSES:
Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov under docket number EERE-2017-BT-STD-0023. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Alternatively, interested persons may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE-2017-BT-STD-0023, by any of the following methods:
(1) Email: MWO2017STD0023@ee.doe.gov. Include the docket number EERE-2017-BT-STD-0023 in the subject line of the message.
(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. Telephone: (202) 287-1445. 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, 950 L'Enfant Plaza SW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20024. 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.
Docket: The docket for this activity, which includes Federal Register notices, comments, and other supporting documents/materials, is available for review at www.regulations.gov. 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.
The docket web page can be found at www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EERE-2017-BT-STD-0023. The docket web page contains instructions on how to access all documents, including public comments, in the docket.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Stephanie Johnson, 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. Email: ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov.
Ms. Celia Sher, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 287-6122. Email: Celia.Sher@hq.doe.gov.
For further information on how to submit a comment, review other public comments and the docket, or participate in the public meeting, contact the Appliance and Equipment Standards Program staff at (202) 287-1445 or by email: ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DOE published a notice of proposed determination ("NOPD") on August 12, 2021, in which DOE initially determined that current standards for microwave ovens do not need to be amended. 86 FR 44298. DOE provided opportunities for stakeholders to provide written comments and held a public meeting on September 13, 2021, to solicit additional feedback on the analysis. In response to comments received on the NOPD, DOE conducted further investigative testing and manufacturer discussions resulting in an updated engineering analysis. Based on this revised analysis, on August 24, 2022, DOE published the August 2022 SNOPR proposing amended energy conservation standards for microwave ovens. 87 FR 52282. The August 2022 SNOPR provided for the written submission of comments by October 24, 2022.
This notice announces a public meeting that will be held to facilitate discussions among interested parties with regards to DOE's analysis supporting the August 2022 SNOPR and also extends the comment period for that notice until November 7, 2022.
Public Participation
A. Participation in the Webinar
The time and date for the webinar meeting are listed in the DATES section at the beginning of this document. Webinar registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants will be published on DOE's website: www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/public-meetings-and-comment-deadlines. Participants are responsible for ensuring their systems are compatible with the webinar software.
B. Procedure for Submitting Prepared General Statements for Distribution
[top] Any person who has an interest in the topics addressed in this document, or who is 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
Persons requesting to speak should briefly describe the nature of their interest in this document and provide a telephone number for contact. DOE requests persons selected to make an oral presentation to submit an advance copy of their statements at least two weeks before the webinar. At its discretion, DOE may permit persons who cannot supply an advance copy of their statement to participate, if those persons have made advance alternative arrangements with the Building Technologies Office. As necessary, requests to give an oral presentation should ask for such alternative arrangements.
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 and until the end of the comment period, interested parties may submit further comments on the proceedings and any aspect of the rulemaking.
The webinar will be conducted in an informal, conference style. DOE will present a general overview of the topics addressed in the SNOPR, allow time for prepared general statements by participants, and encourage all interested parties to share their views on issues affecting the SNOPR. Each participant will be allowed to make a general statement (within time limits determined by DOE), before the discussion of specific topics. DOE will permit, as time allows, 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 the SNOPR. The official conducting the webinar 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 above 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. In addition, any person may buy a copy of the transcript from the transcribing reporter. DOE invites public participation in this process through participation in the submission of written comments and information. After the closing of the comment period, DOE will consider all timely-submitted comments and additional information obtained from interested parties, as well as information obtained through further analyses.
Approval of the Office of the Secretary
The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this notice of public meeting and extension of public comment period.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of Energy was signed on October 3, 2022, by Mr. Francisco Alejandro Moreno, 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 October 4, 2022.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2022-21922 Filed 10-6-22; 8:45 am]
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