Title 10 published on 2012-01-01
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The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including distribution transformers. EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to determine whether more-stringent standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would save a significant amount of energy. In this final rule, DOE is adopting more-stringent energy conservation standards for distribution transformers. It has determined that the amended energy conservation standards for this equipment would result in significant conservation of energy, and are technologically feasible and economically justified.
On February 17, 2012 (77 FR 9515), the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) published a direct final rule amending its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the Holtec International, Inc. (Holtec) HI-STORM 100 Cask System listing within the “List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks” to include Amendment No. 8 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1014. The direct final rule was effective on May 2, 2012 (77 FR 24585; April 25, 2012). The NRC has made non-substantive corrections to the technical specifications (TS) and the NRC's Safety Evaluation Report (SER) for the Holtec HI-STORM 100 Cask System, Amendment No. 8. The purpose of this document is to provide notification that the NRC is amending its regulations by revising the Holtec HI-STORM 100 Cask System listing within the “List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks” to include notification that Amendment No. 8 to CoC No. 1014 was corrected on November 16, 2012.
This document announces the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) denial of a petition from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) requesting reconsideration of DOE's final rule to amend the test procedures for residential dishwashers, dehumidifiers, and conventional cooking products, as well as the direct final rule to amend energy conservation standards for dishwashers.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations to establish security requirements for the use and transport of category 1 and category 2 quantities of radioactive material. The NRC considers these quantities to be risk significant and, therefore, to warrant additional protection. Category 1 and category 2 thresholds are based on the quantities established by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in its Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources, which the NRC endorses. The objective of this final rule is to provide reasonable assurance of preventing the theft or diversion of category 1 and category 2 quantities of radioactive material. The regulations also include security requirements for the transportation of irradiated reactor fuel that weighs 100 grams or less in net weight of irradiated fuel. The final rule affects any licensee that possesses an aggregated category 1 or category 2 quantity of radioactive material, any licensee that transports these materials using ground transportation, and any licensee that transports small quantities of irradiated reactor fuel. The rule also considers a petition for rulemaking (PRM-71-13) submitted by the State of Washington that requested that the NRC adopt the use of global positioning satellite tracking as a national requirement for vehicles transporting highly radioactive mobile or portable radioactive devices.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the NAC International, Inc. (NAC) Modular Advanced Generation Nuclear All-purpose Storage (MAGNASTOR®) System listing within the “List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks” to include Amendment No. 3 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1031. Amendment No. 3 revises authorized contents to include: Pressurized water reactor (PWR) damaged fuel contained in damaged fuel (DF) cans that are placed in a damaged fuel basket assembly; PWR fuel assemblies with nonfuel hardware per the expanded definition in the Amendment No. 3 application; and PWR fuel assemblies with up to five activated stainless steel fuel replacement rods at a maximum burnup/exposure of 32.5 gigawatt days per metric ton of uranium (GWd/MTU). Additionally, Amendment No. 3 revises paragraph 4.3.1(i) in appendix A of the CoC Technical Specifications (TS) to clarify that the maximum design basis earthquake accelerations of 0.37g in the horizontal direction (without cask sliding) and 0.25g in the vertical direction at the independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI) pad top surface do not result in cask tip-over. Amendment No. 3 also makes additional changes to appendix A, Technical Specifications and Design Features for the MAGNASTOR® System, and appendix B, Approved Contents for the MAGNASTOR® System, of the CoC.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its export and import regulations by adding South Sudan to the list of restricted destinations. This amendment is necessary to conform the NRC's regulations with U.S. Government foreign policy.
On November 23, 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNOPR) to amend the test procedures for microwave ovens. That SNOPR proposed amendments to the DOE test procedure to incorporate provisions from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 62301, “Household electrical appliances—Measurement of standby power,” Edition 2.0 2011-01 (IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition)). DOE published a second SNOPR on May 16, 2012, proposing additional provisions for measuring the standby mode and off mode energy use of products that combine a microwave oven with other appliance functionality, as well as minor technical clarifications. Those proposed rulemakings serve as the basis for today's action. DOE is issuing a final rule amending the DOE test procedure to incorporate by reference the proposed provisions from IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition) and the technical clarifications. DOE is not amending the test procedure at this time to measure the energy consumption of products that combine microwave ovens with other appliance functionality, but may consider such amendments in a future rulemaking.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing a new regulatory guide (RG) 4.22, “Decommissioning Planning During Operations.” The guide describes a method that the NRC staff considers acceptable for use by holders of licenses in complying with the NRC's Decommissioning Planning Rule (DPR) (76 FR 35512; June 17, 2011). The DPR went into effect on December 17, 2012, and is intended to minimize the likelihood of new “legacy sites,” which are NRC-licensed facilities with insufficient resources to complete decommissioning activities and termination of a license at the end of operations.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the “Department”) is adopting amendments to the compliance dates for manufacturers to submit certification reports for certain commercial and industrial equipment covered under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as amended (EPCA or the “Act”). Specifically, DOE is extending the compliance date for the certification provisions for commercial refrigeration equipment; commercial heating, ventilating, air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment; and commercial water heating (WH) equipment to December 31, 2013. DOE is extending the certification date for automatic commercial ice makers to August 1, 2013. Lastly, DOE is adopting a correction to the packaged terminal equipment standards table, which would impact standard-size packaged terminal air conditioners and packaged terminal heat pumps with a cooling capacity of 15,000 Btu/h.
In an earlier final rule, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) prescribed amendments to its test procedures for residential furnaces and boilers to include provisions for measuring the standby mode and off mode energy consumption of those products, as required by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. These test procedure amendments were primarily based on provisions incorporated by reference from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 62301 (First Edition), “Household electrical appliances—Measurement of standby power.” In this current final rule, DOE further amends its test procedure to incorporate by reference the latest edition of the IEC Standard, specifically IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition). The new version of this IEC standard includes a number of methodological changes designed to increase accuracy while reducing testing burden. This final rule also clarifies the rounding guidance and sampling provisions for the new measurement of standby mode and off mode wattage.
Where appropriate, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is amending its test procedures for residential water heaters, direct heating equipment (DHE), and pool heaters to include provisions for measuring standby mode and off mode energy consumption, as required by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007). DOE has concluded that such amendments are necessary for direct heating equipment and pool heaters, but test procedure amendments are not necessary for residential water heaters, because the existing test procedures for those products already address standby mode and off mode energy use. These test procedure amendments are primarily based upon provisions of the latest version of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 62301 (Second Edition 2011-01), “Household electrical appliances—Measurement of standby power,” which is incorporated by reference. For direct heating equipment and pool heaters, this final rule also adds new calculations to determine the annual energy consumption associated with product operation in standby mode and off mode, and it modifies the existing energy consumption equations to integrate standby mode and off mode energy consumption into the calculation of overall annual energy consumption of these products. For pool heaters only, the standby mode and off mode energy consumption is integrated into the efficiency metric. This rulemaking also adopts a number of definitions for key terms, as well as clarifies the rounding guidance and sampling provisions for the new measurement of standby mode and off mode.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is correcting a final rule that was published in the Federal Register on July 6, 2012 (77 FR 39899), and effective on August 6, 2012. That final rule amended the NRC regulations to make technical corrections, including updating the street address for the Region I office, correcting authority citations and typographical and spelling errors, and making other edits and conforming changes. This correcting amendment is necessary to correct the statutory authority that is cited in one of the authority citations in the final rule.
DOE is amending its regulations at 10 CFR part 710, which sets forth the policies and procedures for resolving questions concerning eligibility for DOE access authorization, to revise a provision concerning designation of an acting official and to update the official's title. Specifically, the duties assigned to the Principal Deputy for Mission Support Operations (formerly, the Deputy Chief for Operations), Office of Health, Safety and Security, may now be exercised by a person or persons designated in writing as acting for, or in the temporary capacity of, that official. Currently, the part 710 regulations state that this official's duties may be exercised by another individual only in the official's absence. Today's final rule also revises one title: “Principal Deputy for Mission Support Operations” replaces “Deputy Chief for Operations”.
The Department of Energy is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register of October 31, 2012. The rule established new test procedures for residential dishwashers and dehumidifiers, and amended the currently applicable test procedure for conventional cooking products under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) establishes new test procedures for residential dishwashers and dehumidifiers, and amends the currently applicable test procedure for conventional cooking products under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The new test procedures include provisions for measuring standby mode and off mode energy consumption, and update the provisions for measuring active mode energy consumption and, for dishwashers, water consumption. This final rule also amends the certification, compliance, and enforcement requirements for dishwashers, dehumidifiers and conventional cooking products, amends certain provisions in the currently applicable dishwasher test procedure, and eliminates an obsolete energy efficiency metric in the dishwasher test procedure and provisions in the cooking products test procedure that have become obsolete due to the elimination of standing pilot lights.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is publishing the final regulatory basis for rulemaking to streamline non-power reactor license renewal. This final regulatory basis incorporates input from the public, licensees, certificate holders, and other stakeholders provided during the public comment period that ended July 31, 2012. This regulatory basis provides the technical basis to support proceeding with rulemaking to streamline and enhance the Research and Test Reactor (RTR) License Renewal Process. This contemplated rulemaking also recommends conforming changes to address technical issues in existing non-power reactor regulations. The NRC has developed a final technical basis for this proposed rulemaking that describes the agency's overall objectives, conceptual approaches, potential solutions, integration with agency strategic goals, and related technical and regulatory clarity issues.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a direct final rule to establish amended energy conservation standards for dishwashers in the Federal Register on May 30, 2012. DOE has determined that the adverse comments received in response to the direct final rule were not sufficiently “adverse” as to provide a reasonable basis for withdrawing the direct final rule. Therefore, DOE provides this document confirming adoption of the energy conservation standards established in the direct final rule and announcing the effective date of those standards.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a direct final rule to establish amended energy conservation standards for residential clothes washers in the Federal Register on May 31, 2012. DOE has determined that the adverse comments received in response to the direct final rule were not sufficiently adverse to provide a reasonable basis for withdrawing the direct final rule. Therefore, DOE provides this document confirming adoption of the energy conservation standards established in the direct final rule and announcing the effective date of those standards.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confirming the effective date of August 22, 2012, for the direct final rule that appeared in the Federal Register of July 3, 2012 (77 FR 39385). This direct final rule amended the size standard that the NRC uses to qualify an NRC licensee as a “small entity” under the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as amended. The NRC is increasing its receipts-based, small business size standard from $6.5 million to $7 million to conform to the standard set by the Small Business Administration (SBA). This document confirms the effective date.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is amending its regulations related to verification of nuclear power plant construction activities through inspections, tests, analyses, and acceptance criteria (ITAAC) under a combined license, and issuing a revision to Regulatory Guide (RG) 1.215, “Guidance for ITAAC Closure Under 10 CFR [Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations ] Part 52.” The final rule contains new provisions that apply after a licensee has completed an ITAAC and submitted an ITAAC closure notification. The new provisions require licensees to report new information materially altering the basis for determining that inspections, tests, or analyses were performed as required, or that acceptance criteria are met, and to notify the NRC of the completion of all ITAAC activities. In addition, the NRC is including editorial corrections to existing language in the NRC's regulations to make that language consistent with language in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (AEA). Regulatory Guide 1.215 describes a method that the staff of the NRC considers acceptable for use in satisfying the requirements for documenting the completion of ITAAC.
On August 18, 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced its intention to use full-fuel-cycle (FFC) measures of energy use and greenhouse gas and other emissions in the national impact analyses and environmental assessments included in future energy conservation standards rulemakings. While DOE stated in that notice that it intended to use the Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) model to conduct the analyses, the Department also said that it would review alternative methods, including the use of the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) developed by DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA). After evaluating both NEMS and GREET, DOE has determined that NEMS is ultimately a more appropriate tool to calculate FFC measures of energy use and greenhouse gas and other emissions. Therefore, DOE intends to use the NEMS model, rather than the GREET model, as the basis for deriving the energy and emission multipliers used to conduct FFC analyses in support of future energy conservation standards rulemakings. The public is free to send in comments on this policy amendment at any time. DOE will address comments on this policy amendment in the first notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) to utilize the NEMS-based approach for the FFC.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is correcting the preamble, or statement of considerations (SOC), and codified text in a direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on May 3, 2012 (77 FR 26149) and confirmed on June 22, 2012 (77 FR 37553). The direct final rule amended the NRC's access authorization fees charged to licensees for work performed under the Material Access Authorization Program (MAAP) and the Information Access Authority Program (IAAP). This document is necessary to correct an email address, a codification error, a misspelled abbreviation, and the authority citations.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is amending its adjudicatory rules of practice. This rule makes changes to the NRC's adjudicatory process that the NRC believes will promote fairness, efficiency, and openness in NRC adjudicatory proceedings. This rule also corrects errors and omissions that have been identified since the major revisions to the NRC's rules of practice in early 2004.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is amending its regulations to make requirements for distributors of byproduct material clearer, less prescriptive, and more risk-informed and up to date. The Commission is also redefining categories of devices to be used under exemptions, adding explicit provisions regarding the sealed source and device registration process, and adding flexibility to the licensing of users of sealed sources and devices. This action is primarily intended to make licensing processes more efficient and effective. These changes will affect manufacturers and distributors of sources and devices containing byproduct material and future users of some products currently used under a general or specific license.
The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board is publishing its Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Fee Schedule Update pursuant to the Board's regulations.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is amending its regulations to make technical corrections, including updating the street address for its Region I office, correcting authority citations and typographical and spelling errors, and making other edits and conforming changes. This document is necessary to inform the public of these non-substantive changes to the NRC's regulations.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is amending the size standard that it uses to qualify an NRC licensee as a “small entity” under the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as amended. The NRC is increasing its receipts-based, small business size standard from $6.5 million to $7 million to conform to the standard set by the Small Business Administration (SBA). This size standard reflects the most commonly used SBA size standard for nonmanufacturing industries. The SBA adjusted this standard on July 18, 2008 (73 FR 41237), to account for inflation.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is confirming the effective date of June 22, 2012, for the direct final rule that it published in the Federal Register on May 3, 2012. The direct final rule amended the NRC's access authorization fees charged to licensees for work performed under the Material Access Authorization Program (MAAP) and the Information Access Authority Program (IAAP).
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is amending the licensing, inspection, and annual fees charged to its applicants and licensees. The amendments are necessary to implement the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (OBRA-90), as amended, which requires the NRC to recover through fees approximately 90 percent of its budget authority in fiscal year (FY) 2012, not including amounts appropriated for Waste Incidental to Reprocessing (WIR) and amounts appropriated for generic homeland security activities. Based on the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012, signed by President Obama on December 23, 2011, the NRC's required fee recovery amount for the FY 2012 budget is $1,038.1 million. After accounting for billing adjustments, the total amount to be billed as fees to licensees is $901 million.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations that govern packaging and transportation of radioactive material and physical protection of plants and materials. Specifically, the amendments require licensees to provide advance notification to participating Federally-recognized Tribal governments regarding shipments of irradiated reactor fuel and certain nuclear wastes for any shipment that passes within or across their reservations. The rule extends to Tribal officials, his or her designee, and Tribal law enforcement personnel relief from fingerprinting requirements required for access to Safeguards Information (SGI). The participating Tribal government is required to protect the shipment information as SGI.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) will consider in the rulemaking process the issues raised in the petition for rulemaking (PRM), PRM-26-7, submitted by the American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders (the Academy or the petitioner). The petitioner requested that the NRC amend its regulations to include the Academy as one of the organizations authorized to certify a substance abuse expert. The NRC determined that the issues raised in the PRM are appropriate for consideration and will consider them in the ongoing Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 26 Technical Issues rulemaking.
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including residential clothes washers. EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to determine whether amended standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would save a significant amount of energy. In this direct final rule, DOE is adopting amended energy conservation standards for residential clothes washers. It has determined that the amended energy conservation standards for these products would result in significant conservation of energy, and are technologically feasible and economically justified. A notice of proposed rulemaking that proposes identical energy efficiency standards is published elsewhere in today's Federal Register . If DOE receives adverse comment and determines that such comment may provide a reasonable basis for withdrawing the direct final rule, this final rule will be withdrawn and DOE will proceed with the proposed rule.
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including residential dishwashers. EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to determine whether amended standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would save a significant amount of energy. In this direct final rule, DOE is adopting amended energy conservation standards for residential dishwashers. DOE has determined that the amended energy conservation standards for these products would result in significant conservation of energy, and are technologically feasible and economically justified. A notice of proposed rulemaking that proposes identical energy efficiency standards is published elsewhere in today's Federal Register . If DOE receives adverse comment and determines that such comment may provide a reasonable basis for withdrawing the direct final rule, this final rule will be withdrawn and DOE will proceed with the proposed rule.
The Department of Energy (DOE) is publishing this technical amendment to the regulations for the loan guarantee program authorized by Section 1703 of Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Title XVII) to incorporate, without substantive change, an amendment to Section 1702(b) of Title XVII enacted by Section 305 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is amending its energy conservation standards for small, large, and very large water-cooled and evaporatively-cooled commercial package air conditioners, and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) water-source heat pumps less than 17,000 Btu/h. DOE is adopting new energy conservation standards for computer room air conditioners and VRF water-source heat pumps with a cooling capacity at or greater than 135,000 Btu/h and less than 760,000 Btu/h. Pursuant to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, DOE must assess whether the uniform national standards for these covered equipment need to be updated each time the corresponding industry standard—the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)/Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) Standard 90.1 (ASHRAE Standard 90.1)—is amended, which most recently occurred on October 29, 2010. The levels DOE is adopting are the same as the efficiency levels specified in ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010. DOE has determined that the ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010 efficiency levels for the equipment types listed above are more stringent than existing Federal energy conservation standards and will result in economic and energy savings compared existing energy conservation standards. Furthermore, DOE has concluded that clear and convincing evidence does not exist, as would justify more-stringent standard levels than the efficiency levels in ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010 for any of the equipment classes. DOE is also updating the current Federal test procedures or, for certain equipment, adopting new test procedures to incorporate by reference the most current versions of the relevant industry test procedures specified in ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010. Furthermore, DOE is adopting additional test procedure provisions to include with modification certain instructions from Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) operations manuals in that organization's test procedures that would clarify the application of the DOE test procedures and harmonize DOE testing with the testing performed by industry.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is amending its regulations to require non-power reactor (NPR) licensees to obtain fingerprint-based criminal history records checks before granting any individual unescorted access to their facilities. This action complies with the requirements of Section 652 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), which amended Section 149 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (AEA), to require fingerprinting and a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identification and criminal history records checks of individuals permitted unescorted access to a utilization facility.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is amending its regulations pertaining to the export and import of nuclear materials and equipment. This rulemaking is necessary to reflect the nuclear non-proliferation policy of the Executive Branch regarding U.S. Government obligations to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Also, this final rule makes certain editorial revisions, and corrects typographical errors.
On January 5, 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to amend the test procedures for electric motors and small electric motors. That supplemental proposal, along with an earlier proposal from December 22, 2008, form the basis for today's action to amend the current test procedures used to measure the energy efficiency of electric and small electric motors. These changes will be mandatory to demonstrate compliance with the current energy efficiency standards starting 180 days after publication. The final rule clarifies the scope of regulatory coverage for electric motors and ensures the accurate and consistent measurement of electric motor and small electric motor energy efficiency through changes to the current test procedures. These changes also clarify certain regulatory terms and language related to electric motors and small electric motors, clarify the scope of energy conservation standards for electric motors, update references to several industry and testing standards for electric motors, incorporate by reference and update alternative test methods that manufacturers may use when certifying polyphase and single-phase small electric motors as compliant, and specify the determination of efficiency requirements for small electric motors.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is amending the NRC's access authorization fees charged to licensees for work performed under the Material Access Authorization Program (MAAP) and the Information Access Authority Program (IAAP). The amended cost is due to an increase in the review time for each application for access authorization. The NRC's formula for calculating fees remains the same and is based on current Office of Personnel Management (OPM) investigation billing rates for background investigations. The formula is designed to recover the full cost of processing a request for access authorization from an NRC licensee.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is confirming the effective date of May 2, 2012, for the direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on February 17, 2012. This direct final rule amends the NRC's spent fuel storage regulations by revising the Holtec International HI-STORM 100 System listing within the “List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks” to include Amendment No. 8 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) Number 1014.
This final rule corrects the provisions for calculating the annual operating cost of residential clothes washers. In the final rule establishing new and amended test procedures for residential clothes washers, published in the Federal Register on March 7, 2012, and effective as of April 6, 2012, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) erroneously referenced the new test procedure, rather than the currently effective test procedure, in one section of the provisions for calculating annual operating cost.
The Department of Energy (DOE) is publishing this correction to its regulations pertaining to the energy conservation standards for certain external power supplies to re-insert a table that had been inadvertently deleted by a technical amendment published on September 19, 2011. That table contained the statutorily-prescribed energy conservation standards for all Class A external power supplies to meet.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is amending its regulations to remove its published General Counsel interpretations of various regulatory provisions. These interpretations are largely obsolete, having been superseded by subsequent statutory and regulatory changes, and this part of the Commission's regulations is no longer necessary.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is correcting a final rule establishing revised test procedures for residential clothes washers, published in the Federal Register on March 7, 2012, and applicable as of April 6, 2012. DOE erroneously omitted regulatory language to remove the obsolete parenthetical note from the water factor calculation section of the currently applicable test procedure.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) establishes new test procedures for residential clothes washers under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The new test procedures include provisions for measuring standby mode and off mode energy consumption, and update the provisions for measuring active mode energy and water consumption. This final rule also amends the certification, compliance, and enforcement requirements for residential clothes washers, amends provisions for calculating the estimated annual operating cost for clothes washers, eliminates an obsolete clothes washer test procedure, and amends certain provisions in the currently applicable test procedure.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published an interim final rule on March 11, 2010, requiring that all States and other service providers that participate in the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) treat all requests for information concerning applicants and recipients of WAP funds in a manner consistent with the Federal Government's treatment of information requested under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). DOE published a final rule on June 7, 2010, adopting the interim final rule as final without change. This adoption inadvertently caused the sunset date of December 6, 2010, stated in the interim final rule to also be adopted as final. DOE is today adopting the amendments to 10 CFR part 440 of chapter II of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations set forth in the interim final rule without adopting the sunset date.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is amending its export and import regulations by removing Oman from the list of restricted destinations. This amendment is necessary to conform the NRC's regulations with U.S. Government foreign policy.
In this final rule, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is amending its test procedure for commercial refrigeration equipment (CRE), incorporating changes that will take effect 30 days after the final rule is published in the Federal Register . These changes will be mandatory for equipment testing to demonstrate compliance with the amended energy standards (Docket No. EERE-2010-BT-STD-0003). The amendments to the test procedure adopted in this final rule include updating references to industry test procedures to their current versions, incorporating methods to evaluate the energy impacts resulting from the use of night curtains and lighting occupancy sensors and controls, and allowing testing of certain commercial refrigeration equipment at the lowest temperature at which it is able to operate, referred to as its lowest application product temperature. In response to comments received in response to the relevant November 2010 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR), and to minimize the testing burden on manufacturers, DOE is also incorporating provisions to allow manufacturers to test at the rating temperatures and ambient conditions required by NSF International (founded in 1944 as the National Sanitation Foundation, now referred to simply as NSF) for food safety testing.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is amending its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the Holtec International HI-STORM 100 dry cask storage system listing within the “List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks” to include Amendment No. 8 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1014. Amendment No. 8 adds a new multipurpose canister (MPC)-68M to the approved models currently included in CoC No. 1014 with two new boiling water reactor fuel assembly/array classes, and a new pressurized water reactor fuel assembly/class to CoC No. 1014 for loading into the MPC-32. In addition, the amendment makes several other changes as described under the “Discussion” heading in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document.
The Department of Energy (DOE) today is amending its Patent Compensation Board regulations to provide that the Secretary of Energy, or a person acting in that position, shall appoint, as needed, a three member panel to serve as the Patent Compensation Board to hear and decide cases falling under the subject matter jurisdiction of the Board. The Secretary of Energy shall further designate one member as the chairman. This action is made necessary by the abolishment of the Department of Energy Board of Contract Appeals, which had previously served as the Patent Compensation Board.
The Department of Energy (DOE) is amending its patent licensing regulations to remove outdated sections and provide for the creation of a new appeal authority to serve as the Invention Licensing Appeal Board. Under the new regulations, the DOE Deputy General Counsel for Technology Transfer and Procurement shall hear and decide appeals relating to licensing of federally-owned inventions; and to copyright licenses granted in works created under management and operating (M & O) contracts with DOE, but not including M & O contracts administered by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) for NNSA facilities. The NNSA Deputy General Counsel for Procurement shall hear and decide appeals under management and operating contracts administered by NNSA for NNSA facilities.
On September 14, 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) to amend the test procedures for general service fluorescent lamps (GSFLs), general service incandescent lamps (GSILs), and incandescent reflector lamps (IRLs). That proposed rulemaking serves as the basis for today's action. DOE is amending its test procedures for GSFLs and GSILs established under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). DOE is not amending in this final rule the existing test procedure for IRLs established under EPCA. For GSFLs and GSILs, DOE is updating several references to the industry standards referenced in DOE's test procedures. DOE is also establishing a lamp lifetime test procedure for GSILs. These test procedures also provide the protocols upon which the Federal Trade Commission bases its energy guide label for these products. DOE's review of the GSFL, GSIL, and IRL test procedures fulfills the EPCA requirement that DOE review test procedures for all covered products at least once every seven years.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is confirming the effective date of January 30, 2012, for the direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on November 14, 2011. This direct final rule amended the NRC's spent fuel storage regulations by revising the NAC International, Inc. (NAC) MAGNASTOR® System listing within the “List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks” to include Amendment No. 2 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) Number 1031.
This rulemaking amends the interim final rule for test procedures for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers, issued on December 16, 2010. Specifically, it amends test procedures at subpart B, appendices A and B, by incorporating changes to the interim final rule that will apply to all measurements of energy consumption of newly manufactured products starting September 15, 2014. These amendments modify the required test period for the second part of the test for products with cycling compressor systems and long-time automatic defrost or variable defrost control and adjust the default values of maximum and minimum compressor run time for products with variable defrost. These changes will ensure a more accurate measurement of the energy use of products with variable defrost control.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is correcting the preamble, or statements of consideration (SOC), and the codified text in a final rule that was published in the Federal Register on June 21, 2011 (76 FR 36232). The final rule amended the NRC's regulations to incorporate by reference various editions and addenda to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel (B&PV) Code, and the ASME Code for Operation and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants (OM Code). The final rule also incorporated by reference (with conditions on their use) ASME B&PV Code Cases N-722-1 and N-770-1. This document is necessary to correct typographical, formatting, and punctuation errors.
On April 4, 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) to amend the test procedure for automatic commercial ice makers (ACIM). That NOPR serves as the basis for today's action. This final rule amends the current test procedure for automatic commercial ice makers. The changes include updating the incorporation by reference of industry test procedures to the most current published versions, expanding coverage of the test procedure to all batch type and continuous type ice makers with capacities between 50 and 4,000 pounds of ice per 24 hours, standardizing test results based on ice hardness for continuous type ice makers, clarifying the test methods and reporting requirements for automatic ice makers designed to be connected to a remote compressor rack, and discontinuing the use of a clarified energy use equation.
The following are ALL rules, proposed rules, and notices (chronologically) published in the Federal Register relating to Title 10 after this date.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is publishing for comment a notice of receipt of a petition for rulemaking (PRM) filed with the Commission by Ellen C. Ginsberg on behalf of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI or the petitioner) on January 25, 2013. The petition was docketed by the NRC on February 4, 2013, and has been assigned Docket No. PRM-73-16. The petitioner requests that the NRC amend its regulations to limit the scope of third-party review of licensee decisions denying or revoking an employee's unescorted access at their facility. The petitioner seeks to ensure that such decisions cannot be overturned by any third party. The petitioner also requests an expedited review of this petition based on pending arbitration cases that will be affected by NRC action on this petition. The NRC has reviewed the petitioner's request for an expedited review of this petition and has determined that the petition should be expedited due to the aforementioned pending arbitration cases. Therefore, the NRC is limiting the public comment period to 45 days. While 75 days is the normal duration for NRC technical rules, the NRC believes that 45 days provides sufficient time for stakeholders to comment.
This notice announces an open meeting of the Commercial Heating, Ventilation, and Air-conditioning (HVAC), Water Heating (WH), and Refrigeration Certification Working Group (Commercial Certification Group). The purpose of the Commercial Certification Group is to undertake a negotiated rulemaking to discuss and, if possible, reach consensus on proposed certification requirements for commercial HVAC, WH, and refrigeration equipment, as authorized by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 6313(a)(6)(C) and 6317(a).
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will consider the issues raised in a petition for rulemaking (PRM), PRM-26-8, submitted by Mr. Thomas King (the petitioner) in the NRC's rulemaking process. The petitioner requested that the NRC amend its Fitness for Duty program regulations to amend drug testing requirements to test for additional synthetic drugs currently not included in the regulations. The NRC determined that the issues raised in the PRM are appropriate for consideration in an ongoing rulemaking on Drug and Alcohol Testing. The NRC is not instituting a public comment period at this time.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is denying a petition for rulemaking (PRM), PRM-73-15, dated September 15, 2011, which was filed with the NRC by George Hamawy (the petitioner). The petitioner requested that the NRC amend its regulations to require the installation of radiation alarms for rooms housing neutron sources.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is requesting comment on the draft regulatory basis document to support the potential amendment of its regulations concerning nuclear power plant licensees' station blackout mitigation strategies. Appendix A of the draft regulatory basis provides a discussion of rule language concepts that the NRC staff is considering for this potential rulemaking. In addition, Appendix A contains a set of questions soliciting stakeholder feedback in areas that would support the NRC staff in developing a proposed rule. The issuance of this draft regulatory basis document is one of the actions stemming from the NRC's lessons-learned efforts associated with the March 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in Japan.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes amendments to its May 2012 notice of proposed rulemaking related to DOE test procedures for showerheads, faucets, water closets, urinals, and commercial prerinse spray valves. The amendments proposed in this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking include revisions to the definitions of showerhead and hand-held showerhead; removal of body sprays from the proposed showerhead definition; requirements pertaining to testing of showerheads that are components of shower towers; a standardized test method to be used when verifying the mechanical retention of a showerhead flow control insert when subjected to 8 pounds force; clarification of permissible trim adjustments for tank-type water closets; and amendments to the required static test pressures to be used when testing flushometer valve siphonic and blowout water closets. DOE also proposes further clarification of the definition of basic model with respect to flushometer valve water closets and urinals, as well as associated changes to certification reporting requirements for these products.
This proposed rule would correct the energy conservation standards for room air conditioners. In the direct final rule establishing amended energy conservation standards for residential clothes dryers and room air conditioners, published in the Federal Register on April 21, 2011, and the subsequent notices of effective date and compliance dates for the direct final rule and amendment of compliance dates, published on August 24, 2011, the Department of Energy (DOE) erroneously specified the maximum cooling capacity for product class 5a for room air conditioners without reverse cycle and with louvered sides as 24,999 British thermal units per hour (Btu/h), and the minimum cooling capacity for product class 5b for room air conditioners without reverse cycle and with louvered sides as 25,000 Btu/h, rather than 27,999 Btu/h and 28,000 Btu/h, respectively.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) to begin the process of potentially amending its regulations to change the interlocutory appeals process for certain adjudicatory decisions. The NRC seeks public comment on these potential changes to the interlocutory appeals process.
On February 28, 2013, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a notice of public meeting and availability of the preliminary analysis on general service fluorescent lamps (GSFLs) and incandescent reflector lamps (IRLs) energy conservation standards in the Federal Register . This notice announces an extension of the public comment period for submitting comments on the preliminary analysis or any other aspect of the rulemaking for GSFLs and IRLs. The comment period is extended to May 13, 2013.
On February 28, 2013, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a notice of public meeting and availability of the interim technical support document (TSD) for high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps energy conservation standards in the Federal Register . This document announces an extension of the public comment period for submitting comments on the interim TSD or any other aspect of the rulemaking for HID lamps. The comment period is extended to May 17, 2013.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to establish test procedures for electrically-powered devices used in residential heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) products to circulate air through ductwork, hereafter referred to as “furnace fans.” DOE proposes a test procedure that would be applicable to furnace fans that are used in weatherized and non-weatherized gas, oil and electric furnaces and modular blowers, even though DOE interprets its authority as encompassing more than just circulation fans used in furnaces. This notice proposes to establish a test method for measuring the electrical consumption of the furnace fans used in these products. Concurrently, DOE is undertaking an energy conservation standards rulemaking to address the electrical energy used by these products for circulating air. Once these energy conservation standards are promulgated, the adopted test procedures would be used to determine compliance with the standards. DOE is also requesting written comments on issues presented in this test procedure rulemaking. DOE does not plan to hold a public meeting to discuss the modified proposals of this supplemental notice.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requests public comment on Draft Spent Fuel Storage and Transportation Interim Staff Guidance No. 26A (SFST-ISG-26A), Revision 0, “Shielding and Radiation Protection Review Effort and Licensing Conditions for 10 CFR Part 72 Applications.”
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) requests information to help inform its current rulemaking in which it has proposed to set energy conservation standards for classes of battery chargers and external power supplies. Specifically, DOE seeks information on battery chargers that manufacturers have certified as compliant with the California Energy Commission (CEC) standards that became effective on February 1, 2013. DOE is actively reviewing battery chargers that have been certified as compliant with the CEC standards to determine if the analysis DOE prepared in support of the notice of proposed rulemaking for Battery Chargers and External Power Supplies published on March 27, 2012, needs revision in light of the availability of these products. Based on testing data and information received from stakeholders, DOE may propose alternative energy conservation standard levels for battery chargers if it is determined that new energy conservation standards for battery chargers are technologically feasible and economically justified. If DOE determined that different standards could satisfy these criteria, DOE would issue a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking in order to discuss any new findings, propose alternative energy conservation standard levels, and request stakeholder feedback. At this time, DOE welcomes written comments from the public on the issues brought up in this Request for Information or on any other topic within the scope of this rulemaking.
On February 22, 2013, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a document in the Federal Register initiating a rulemaking to evaluate energy conservation standards for packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs) and packaged terminal heat pumps (PTHPs). In that document, DOE announced the availability of a framework document. This document announces an extension of the public comment period for submitting comments on the framework document or any other aspect of the rulemaking for PTACs and PTHPs. The comment period is extended to April 25, 2013.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the NAC International, Inc., Modular Advanced Generation Nuclear All-purpose Storage (MAGNASTOR®) Cask System listing within the “List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks” to include Amendment No. 3 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1031. Amendment No. 3 includes changes that would revise authorized contents to include: pressurized water reactor (PWR) damaged fuel contained in damaged fuel cans that are placed in a damaged fuel basket assembly; PWR fuel assemblies with nonfuel hardware per the expanded definition in the Amendment No. 3 application; and PWR fuel assemblies with up to five activated stainless steel fuel replacement rods at a maximum burnup/exposure of 32.5 gigawatt days per metric ton of uranium (GWd/MTU). Additionally, Amendment No. 3 would revise paragraph 4.3.1(i) in appendix A of the CoC Technical Specifications (TS), to clarify that the maximum design basis earthquake accelerations of 0.37g in the horizontal direction (without cask sliding) and 0.25g in the vertical direction at the independent spent fuel storage installation pad top surface do not result in cask tip-over. Amendment No. 3 would make additional changes to appendix A, Technical Specifications and Design Features for the MAGNASTOR® System, and appendix B, Approved Contents for the MAGNASTOR® System, of the CoC TS.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating the rulemaking and data collection process to consider amending the energy conservation standards for ceiling fans and ceiling fan light kits. DOE also plans to conduct a test procedure rulemaking for these products. To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has prepared a Framework Document that details the analytical approach and scope of coverage for the rulemaking, and identifies several issues on which DOE is particularly interested in receiving comment. DOE will hold an informal public meeting to discuss and receive comments on its analytical approach and issues it will address in this rulemaking proceeding. DOE welcomes written comments and relevant data from the public on any subject within the scope of this rulemaking.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is informing the public of its collection of shipment data and creation of spreadsheet models to provide comparisons between actual and benchmark estimate unit sales of five lamp types ( i.e., rough service lamps, vibration service lamps, 3-way incandescent lamps, 2,601-3,300 lumen general service incandescent lamps, and shatter-resistant lamps), which are currently exempt from energy conservation standards. As the actual sales do not exceed the forecasted estimate by 100 percent for any lamp type ( i.e., the threshold triggering a rulemaking for an energy conservation standard for that lamp type has not been exceeded), DOE has determined that no regulatory action is necessary at this time. However, DOE will continue to track sales data for these exempted lamps. Relating to this activity, DOE has prepared, and is making available on its Web site, a spreadsheet showing the comparisons of anticipated versus actual sales, as well as the model used to generate the original sales estimates.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) is giving notice that the Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (ASRAC) intends to establish a working group in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and the Negotiated Rulemaking Act (NRA) to negotiate certification requirements of commercial heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC), water heating (WH), and refrigeration equipment. The purpose of the working group will be to discuss and, if possible, reach consensus on proposed certification requirements for commercial HVAC, WH, and refrigeration equipment, as authorized by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as amended. The working group members will be representatives of parties having a defined stake in the outcome of the proposed certification requirements, and will consult with a range of experts on technical issues.
On January 19, 2012, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) in which DOE proposed a new test procedure for television sets (TVs). To address comments in response to the NOPR, DOE conducted additional research and analysis, which is incorporated in today's supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNOPR). DOE also incorporated elements from the draft Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) standard “CEA-2037-A, Determination of Television Average Power Consumption” into the SNOPR. In today's SNOPR, DOE proposes to update the input power requirements in the TVs test procedure NOPR by referencing International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 62301 Ed. 2.0, “Household electrical appliances—Measurement of standby power.” The SNOPR also proposes to include example accuracy tolerance calculations for light measuring devices (LMD). Additionally, DOE proposes to update the video source input cable hierarchy in the test procedure, as well as specify the TV input terminal for testing. Further, today's SNOPR clarifies TV warm-up and stabilization prior to testing, removes the standby-active, high mode test, includes a test for standby-active, low mode, updates the test order, and provides details for testing TVs shipped with Automatic Brightness Control (ABC) enabled. Finally, today's SNOPR adds rounding requirements to the TV test procedure NOPR that provide guidance for any calculated values used for representation in multiple metric outputs, including an annual energy consumption metric. The multiple metric outputs will also be subject to a sampling plan in today's SNOPR. DOE will hold a public meeting to receive and discuss comments on the proposal.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has completed an initial analysis that estimates the potential economic impacts and energy savings that could result from promulgating a regulatory energy conservation standard for set-top boxes. At this time, DOE is not proposing any energy conservation standard for set-top boxes. However, it is publishing this initial analysis so stakeholders can review the analysis's output and the underlining assumptions and calculations that might ultimately support a proposed standard. DOE encourages stakeholders to provide any additional data or information that may improve the analysis. The analysis is now publically available at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/33.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend the licensing, inspection, and annual fees charged to its applicants and licensees. The proposed amendments are necessary to implement the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (OBRA-90), as amended, which requires the NRC to recover through fees approximately 90 percent of its budget authority in Fiscal Year (FY) 2013, not including amounts appropriated for Waste Incidental to Reprocessing (WIR) and amounts appropriated for generic homeland security activities. The NRC is currently operating under a Continuing Resolution (CR) which is set to expire on March 27, 2013. Based on the FY 2013 budget submitted to the Congress, the NRC is proposing fees in this rulemaking based on the FY 2013 budget which is estimated to be $1,053.2 million. After accounting for billing adjustments, the total amount to be billed as fees is approximately $924.8 million. These fees are subject to change pending congressional action which may include sequestration, full-year CR or issuance of an FY 2013 appropriation which differs from the FY 2013 budget submitted to Congress which could result in higher or lower fees than those proposed in this rulemaking.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a notice in the Federal Register on February 22, 2013, concerning an announcement of a public meeting and availability of the framework document for packaged terminal air conditioners and heat pumps. This document corrects the date of the public meeting.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will hold a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on: the product classes that DOE plans to analyze for purposes of amending energy conservation standards for general service fluorescent lamps (GSFLs) and incandescent reflector lamps (IRLs); the analytical framework, models, and tools that DOE is using to evaluate standards for GSFLs and IRLs; the results of preliminary analyses DOE performed for these products; and potential energy conservation standard levels derived from these analyses that DOE could consider for GSFLs and IRLs. DOE encourages written comments on these subjects. To inform interested parties and facilitate this process, DOE has prepared an agenda, a preliminary technical support document (TSD), and briefing materials, which are available on regulations.gov, docket number EERE-2011-BT-STD-0006 at www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2011-BT-STD-0006.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will hold a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on the interim analysis it has conducted for purposes of establishing energy conservation standards for high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps. The meeting will cover the analytical framework, models, and tools that DOE is using to evaluate standards for this equipment; the results of interim analyses performed by DOE for this equipment; the potential energy conservation standard levels derived from these analyses that DOE could consider for this equipment; and any other issues relevant to the development of energy conservation standards for HID lamps. In addition, DOE encourages written comments on these subjects. To inform interested parties and facilitate this process, DOE has prepared an agenda, an interim technical support document (TSD), and briefing materials, which are available on the DOE Web site at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/23.
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including residential water heaters. EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to determine whether more stringent amended standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would save a significant amount of energy. Accordingly, DOE established amended energy conservation standards for several classes of residential water heaters in an April 2010 final rule. Subsequent to the publication of that final rule, a number of utility companies brought forth concerns regarding the amended energy conservation standard levels for electric storage water heaters and the impact of these standards on electric thermal storage programs that utility companies administer to manage peak load. In this document, DOE proposes to establish a waiver process that will mitigate the concerns of utility companies regarding the implementation of the April 2010 standard levels by allowing for the manufacture of certain large-volume electric storage water heaters provided that they meet a set of conditions discussed in this proposed rule. The document also announces a public meeting to receive comment on the proposed waiver process and criteria for obtaining a waiver.
The comment period for the notice of public meeting and availability of the Framework Document pertaining to the development of energy conservation standards for commercial and industrial fan and blower equipment published on February 1, 2013, is extended to May 2, 2013.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating a rulemaking and data collection process to consider amending energy conservation standards for packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs) and packaged terminal heat pumps (PTHPs). DOE will hold a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on its planned analytical approach and issues it will address in this rulemaking proceeding. DOE welcomes written comments and relevant data from the public on any subject within the scope of this rulemaking. To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has prepared a framework document that details the analytical approach and identifies several issues on which DOE is particularly interested in receiving comments.
The comment period for the notice of public meeting and availability of the Framework Document pertaining to the development of energy conservation standards for commercial and industrial pumps published on February 1, 2013, is extended to May 2, 2013.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating the rulemaking and data collection process to consider amending the energy conservation standards for residential boilers. This rulemaking will satisfy the statutory requirement for DOE to conduct a second round of energy conservation standards rulemaking for residential boilers, and it will also fulfill DOE's statutory obligation to review energy conservation standards within six years after issuance of any final rule establishing or amending a standard to determine whether such standards should be amended. After concluding its initial review of the available information and public comments, DOE will publish either a notice of the determination that standards do not need to be amended, or a notice of proposed rulemaking including new proposed standards. To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has prepared a Framework Document that details the analytical approach and scope of coverage for the rulemaking, and identifies several issues on which DOE is particularly interested in receiving comments. DOE will hold a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on its planned analytical approach and issues it will address in this rulemaking proceeding. DOE welcomes written comments and relevant data from the public on any subject within the scope of this rulemaking. A copy of the Framework Document is available at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/furnaces_boilers.html .
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to amend its test procedures for residential clothes dryers established under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The proposed amendments would clarify the installation conditions for console lights, the method for measuring the drum capacity, the maximum allowable scale range, and the allowable use of a relative humidity meter.
This notice announces that the period for submitting comments to the notice of proposed determination, published December 31, 2012, about commercial and industrial compressors is reopening to February 28, 2013.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is publishing for public comment a notice of receipt for a petition for rulemaking (PRM), dated October 3, 2012, which was filed with the NRC by Anthony R. Pietrangelo on behalf of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI or the petitioner). The petition was docketed by the NRC on October 18, 2012, and assigned Docket No. PRM-72-7. The petitioner requests that the NRC add a new rule that governs the format and content of spent fuel storage cask Certificates of Compliance (CoCs), extend the backfit rule to CoCs, and make other improvements that result in “more efficient and effective NRC oversight of dry cask storage activities as well as improved implementation of dry cask storage requirements by industry.”
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to revise its test procedure for residential furnaces and boilers established under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. This rulemaking would adopt needed equations, applicable to certain classes of these products, which were omitted from the relevant industry standard incorporated by reference in the DOE test procedure.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to revise its test procedures for microwave ovens established under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The proposed amendments would add provisions for measuring the active mode energy use for microwave ovens, including both microwave-only ovens and convection microwave ovens. Specifically, DOE is proposing provisions for measuring the energy use of the microwave-only cooking mode for both microwave-only ovens and convection microwave ovens based on the testing methods in the latest draft version of the International Electrotechnical Commission Standard 60705, “Household microwave ovens—Methods for measuring performance.” DOE is proposing provisions for measuring the energy use of the convection-only cooking mode for convection microwave ovens based on the DOE test procedure for conventional ovens in our regulations. DOE is also proposing to calculate the energy use of the convection-microwave cooking mode for convection microwave ovens by apportioning the microwave-only mode and convection-only mode energy consumption measurements based on typical consumer use.
Pursuant to the American Energy Manufacturing Technical Corrections Act, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating an effort to determine whether to amend the current energy conservation standards for certain commercial air-conditioning and heating equipment. This notice seeks to solicit information from the public to help DOE determine whether national standards more stringent than those that are currently in place would result in a significant amount of additional energy savings and whether those national standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified. Separately, DOE also seeks information from the public on the merits of adopting the integrated energy efficiency ratio (IEER) as the energy efficiency descriptor for small, large, and very large air-cooled commercial air conditioners and heat pumps.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is considering energy conservation standards for commercial and industrial pumps. To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has prepared a Framework Document that details the analytical approach and preliminary scope of the rulemaking, and identifies several issues on which DOE is particularly interested in receiving comments. DOE will hold a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on its planned analytical approach and issues it will address in this rulemaking proceeding. DOE welcomes written comments and relevant data from the public on any subject within the scope of this rulemaking. A copy of the Framework Document is available at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/14.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is considering energy conservation standards for commercial and industrial fans and blowers. To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has prepared a Framework Document that details the analytical approach and scope for this rulemaking and identifies several issues on which DOE is particularly interested in receiving comments. DOE will hold a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on its planned analytical approach and issues it will address in this rulemaking proceeding. DOE welcomes written comments and relevant data from the public on any subject within the scope of this rulemaking. A copy of the Framework Document is available at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/25
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to revise its test procedures for cooking products established under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Test procedures for cooking products can be found at DOE's regulations for Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products, subpart B, appendix I (Appendix I). The proposed amendments to Appendix I would amend the test method for measuring the energy efficiency of induction cooking tops and ranges. Appendix I does not currently include any test methods applicable to induction cooking products. The proposed amendments would incorporate induction cooking tops by amending the definition of “conventional cooking top” to include induction heating technology. Furthermore, the proposed amendments would require for cooking tops the use of test equipment compatible with induction technology as well as with gas burners and electric resistance heating elements. Specifically, the amendments would replace the solid aluminum test blocks currently specified in the test procedure for cooking tops with hybrid test blocks comprising two separate pieces: an aluminum body and a stainless steel base. Appendix I currently specifies the test block size for electric cooking tops based on the surface unit diameter; however, there are no provisions for determining which test block size to use for non-circular electric surface units. The proposed amendments include a clarification that the test block size be determined using the smallest dimension of the electric surface unit.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to establish a new test procedure for set-top boxes (STBs). The proposed test procedure describes the methods for measuring the power consumption of STBs in the on, sleep (commonly known as standby mode), and off modes. Further, an annual energy consumption (AEC) metric is proposed to calculate the annualized energy consumption of the STB based on its power consumption in the different modes of operation. DOE has tentatively identified that the test methods described in the draft Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) standard, CEA-2043, “Set-top Box (STB) Power Measurement” are appropriate to use as a basis for developing the test procedure for STBs. The draft CEA-2043 standard specifies the test methods for determining the power consumption of a STB in the on, sleep, and off modes. The proposed test procedure in this rulemaking is primarily based on the draft CEA-2043 standard, which was issued as an email ballot to the members of the CEA working group developing the standard for a vote on November 27, 2012.
The regulations for packaging and transport of spent nuclear fuel are separate from requirements for storage of spent nuclear fuel. Because these regulatory schemes are separate, there is no requirement that loaded storage casks also meet transportation requirements. Integration of storage and transport regulations could enable a more predictable transition from storage to transport by potentially minimizing future handling of spent fuel and uncertainty as to whether loaded storage casks may be transported from the storage location. As part of its evaluation of integration and compatibility between storage and transportation regulations, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing its policies, regulations, guidance, and technical needs in several key areas, such as: retrievability, cladding integrity, and safe handling of spent fuel; criticality safety features and requirements for spent fuel transportation; and aging management and qualification of dual-purpose canisters and components after long-term storage. The NRC staff is reviewing the potential policy issues and requirements related to retrievability, cladding integrity, and safe handling of spent fuel as the lead issue for evaluating compatibility of storage and transportation regulations. As part of its evaluation of integration and compatibility between NRC's storage regulations and transportation regulations, the NRC is issuing this request for comment (available in the NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) under Accession No. ML12293A434) as the staff begins its review of NRC policies, guidance, and technical needs related to retrievability, cladding integrity, and safe handling of spent fuel.
Through this Request for Information (RFI), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating the rulemaking and data collection process to develop a uniform efficiency descriptor and accompanying test method for residential water heaters and commercial water heaters. This test procedure rulemaking is intended to fulfill DOE's statutory obligation to develop a uniform efficiency descriptor for residential and commercial water heaters pursuant to the amendments to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) brought about by the American Energy Manufacturing Technical Corrections Act (AEMTCA; H.R. 6582), which was signed into law on December 18, 2012 (Pub. L. 112-210). To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has identified several issues in this RFI on which DOE is particularly interested in receiving comment from interested parties. In overview, the issues outlined in this document are mainly associated with: Currently available efficiency metrics and test procedures for rating the efficiency of residential and commercial water heaters; the requirements for a uniform metric set forth in the AEMTCA; and available options for DOE to address those statutory requirements. DOE welcomes written comments from the public on any subject within the scope of this rulemaking (including relevant topics not specifically raised in this RFI).
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is proposing regulations that would implement its authority under Section 161A of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (AEA), and revise existing regulations governing security event notifications. The NRC proposed new regulations on February 3, 2011, that would implement its authority under Section 161A. The NRC is now proposing to further revise its regulations that address the voluntary application for enhanced weapons authority, preemption authority, and the mandatory firearms background checks under Section 161A to include as a class of designated facilities at-reactor, independent spent fuel storage installations (ISFSIs).
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is correcting a document appearing in the Federal Register on December 7, 2012 entitled, “Low-Level Waste Disposal” that announced the availability of a regulatory basis document and requested comment on preliminary rule language. This action is necessary to correct the title and number used to access the regulatory basis document in the NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS).
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is issuing a draft regulatory basis document to support the potential amendment of its regulations concerning nuclear power plant licensees' onsite emergency response capabilities. The NRC is seeking public comments on this document. The issuance of this draft regulatory basis document is one of the actions stemming from the NRC's lessons-learned efforts associated with the March 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in Japan.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating a rulemaking and data collection process to consider amendments to DOE's test procedure for residential furnaces and boilers. Because DOE has recently completed a test procedure rulemaking for the standby mode and off mode energy consumption of these products, the primary focus of this rulemaking will be on active mode operation. This rulemaking is intended to fulfill DOE's statutory obligation to review its test procedures for covered products at least once every seven years. To inform interested parties and to facilitate the process, DOE has gathered data and has identified several issues that might warrant modifications to the currently applicable test procedures, including topics on which DOE is particularly interested in receiving comment. In overview, the issues outlined in this document mainly concern reducing the test burden, test conditions impacting the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) metric, test conditions impacting non-AFUE efficiency parameters, the performance test for automatic means in boilers, harmonization of standards, alternative methods for furnace/boiler efficiency determination, and scope. These topics (and others which commenters identify) are ones which DOE anticipates may lead to proposed test procedure amendments in a subsequent notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR). DOE welcomes written comments from the public on any subject related to the test procedures for residential furnaces and boilers, including topics not specifically raised in this RFI.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to revise its test procedures for residential clothes dryers established under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The proposed amendments to appendix D1 would include testing methods for more accurately measuring the effects of automatic cycle termination. In addition, the proposed amendments would update the reference to the latest edition of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 62301, “Household electrical appliances—Measurement of standby power,” Edition 2.0 2011-01. For the test procedures at both appendix D and appendix D1, DOE proposes to clarify the cycle settings used for the test cycle and the requirements for the gas supply for gas clothes dryers.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is providing supplemental information to a notice of receipt that appeared in the Federal Register on December 19, 2012. This document informed the public of a petition for rulemaking submitted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Commonwealth) requesting that the NRC institute a rulemaking to rescind the regulations excluding consideration of spent fuel pool storage impacts from license renewal environmental reviews. This action is necessary to provide the public with supplemental information on how to access documents referenced in the Commonwealth's petition.
The Department of Energy (DOE) received a petition from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) requesting reconsideration of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) final rule to amend the test procedures for residential dishwashers, dehumidifiers, and conventional cooking products, published on October 31, 2012, and DOE's direct final rule to amend energy conservation standards for dishwashers, published on May 30, 2012. Specifically, AHAM requested that DOE stay the effectiveness of the test procedure final rule and final standards rule until DOE either: Revises the standards in the final standards rule to account for the impact on measured energy resulting from test procedure amendments to measure fan-only mode and standby and off mode energy use; or delays requirements regarding measurement of fan-only mode and standby and off mode energy use until promulgation of a revised standard for dishwashers. DOE seeks comment on whether to grant the petition and proceed with a rulemaking on this matter.
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including incandescent reflector lamps (IRLs). The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) received a petition from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association requesting the initiation of a rulemaking to exclude from coverage under EPCA standards a certain type of IRL marketed for use in pool and spa applications. Specifically, the lamp at issue is a 100-watt R20 short (having a maximum overall length of 3 and 5/8 or 3.625 inches) IRL (“R20 short lamp”). DOE published this petition and a request for comment in the Federal Register on December 23, 2010. From its evaluation of the petition and careful consideration of the public comments, DOE decided to grant the petition for rulemaking. DOE published a request for information in the Federal Register on September 8, 2011. Based on the comments received and additional data gathered by DOE, DOE proposes to exclude R20 short lamps from coverage under the EPCA energy conservation standards.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to determine that commercial and industrial compressors meet the criteria for covered equipment under Part A-1 of Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended. DOE proposes that classifying equipment of such type as covered equipment is necessary to carry out the purpose of Part A-1 of EPCA, which is to improve the efficiency of electric motors and pumps and certain other industrial equipment to conserve the energy resources of the nation.
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act as amended prescribes energy conservation standards for certain commercial and industrial equipment, and requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to administer an energy conservation program for the equipment, including the development of labeling requirements. In this notice, DOE requests information from interested parties regarding the potential for establishing labeling requirements for covered commercial and industrial equipment, including information about the technical and economic feasibility of labeling such equipment, the extent to which labeling would assist consumers in making purchasing decisions, the potential for significant energy savings resulting from labeling, the potential content and format of prospective labels for each type of equipment, the ideal location of placement for any such labels, and prospective burdens on manufacturers associated with labeling of covered equipment. Additional input and suggestions relevant to labeling of commercial and industrial equipment are also welcome.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has received a petition for rulemaking from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Commonwealth or petitioner) requesting that the NRC rescind its regulations excluding consideration of spent fuel pool storage impacts from license renewal environmental review. The petition was filed on June 2, 2011, with the NRC's Atomic Safety Licensing Board (ASLB) in conjunction with a request for a waiver of the NRC's spent fuel pool exclusion regulations. The petitioner requested that, if the ASLB rejected the Commonwealth's waiver petition, the NRC initiate a rulemaking. On November 28, 2011, the ASLB denied the Commonwealth's waiver petition, and on March 8, 2012, in a Commission Memorandum and Order, the petition for rulemaking was referred to NRC staff. The NRC is not requesting public comment period on this petition at this time.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will consider in the NRC rulemaking process the issues raised in a petition for rulemaking (PRM) submitted by Thomas Popik (the petitioner) on behalf of the Foundation for Resilient Societies. The petition was dated March 14, 2011, and was docketed as PRM-50-96. The petitioner requests that the NRC amend its regulations to require facilities licensed by the NRC to assure long-term cooling and unattended water makeup of spent fuel pools (SFP).
The U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE” or the “Department”) proposes amendments and corrections to portions of its regulations governing petitions for waiver and interim waiver from DOE test procedures. In finalizing the March 7, 2011 final certification, compliance and enforcement rule for consumer products and commercial equipment, DOE inadvertently deleted language pertaining to petitions for waiver and interim waiver of DOE's test procedure requirements for consumer products. This notice addresses that error by proposing to restore, with minor amendments, the omitted text. DOE also proposes a process by which, within 60 days after DOE grants a waiver for a product employing a particular technology, other manufacturers of that product employing a technology or characteristic that results in the same need for a waiver would submit a petition for waiver. This process would ensure that manufacturers of similar products test and rate those products in a comparable manner. The proposed rule also sets forth a process for manufacturers to request rescission or modification of a waiver if they determine that the waiver is no longer needed, or for other appropriate reasons. DOE also proposes to make other minor modifications to the waiver provisions for both consumer products and commercial equipment and to clarify certain aspects related to the submission and processing of a waiver petition.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations that govern low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) disposal facilities to require new and revised site-specific analyses and to permit the development of criteria for waste acceptance based on the results of these analyses. These amendments will ensure that waste streams that are significantly different in terms of radiological characteristics (e.g., half-life) from those considered in the technical basis for the current regulations can be disposed of safely and meet the performance objectives for land disposal of LLRW. These amendments will also increase the use of site-specific information to ensure that public health and safety would continue to be protected. The NRC is publishing a second version of preliminary rule language and has revised the regulatory basis document that will support this rulemaking. NRC is taking this action to inform interested stakeholders of the current status of the NRC's activities and to solicit public comments on the preliminary rule language. The regulatory basis document is being made available to inform stakeholder comments on the preliminary rule language. The NRC is not requesting comments on the regulatory basis.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the “Department”) proposes to amend the compliance dates for revisions to its certification regulations for certain commercial and industrial equipment covered under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as amended (EPCA or the “Act”). Specifically, DOE is proposing a 12-month extension to the compliance date for the certification provisions of commercial refrigeration equipment; commercial heating, ventilating, air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment; and commercial water heating equipment. DOE is proposing to retain a December 31, 2012 certification date for automatic commercial ice makers. Lastly, DOE is proposing a correction in the packaged terminal equipment standards table, which would impact standard-size packaged terminal air conditioners and packaged terminal heat pumps with a cooling capacity of 15,000 Btu/h.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is updating its Waste Confidence Decision and Rule. The NRC intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to support the rulemaking to update the Commission's Waste Confidence Decision and Rule, and is conducting a scoping process to gather information necessary to prepare the EIS. As part of the scoping process the NRC is planning to hold two public meetings on November 14, 2012, and two webinars on December 5 and 6, 2012.
In 2010, the NRC published a final rule amending its regulations concerning export and import of nuclear equipment and material. Among other things, it added the phrase “Of U.S. origin” to the first exclusion to the definition of “radioactive waste”. The phrase was added to the final rule in response to a public comment on the proposed rule to clarify the exclusion. Since publication of the final rule, NRC staff has been engaged with industry in response to concerns raised regarding established industry practices and the need for guidance on implementation of the “U.S.-origin” exclusion.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) received a petition for rulemaking (PRM) dated November 24, 2008, filed by Ms. Sandra Gavutis, Executive Director for C-10 Research and Education Foundation Inc. (the petitioner). The petition was docketed by the NRC and assigned Docket No. PRM-72-6. The petitioner requests that the NRC amend its regulations concerning dry cask safety, security, transferability, and longevity. The petitioner made 12 requests. The NRC is denying nine of the petitioner's requests, but will consider one request in the rulemaking process. Action on two requests is being reserved for future rulemaking determinations, as these requests are currently under consideration by the NRC. The NRC will publish another Federal Register notice to inform the public of the Commission's decision for these two requests. The docket for this PRM will remain open until action is taken on the two remaining requests.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) received a petition for rulemaking (PRM), dated June 18, 2012, which was filed with the NRC by the Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. (NRDC) and Mr. Paul M. Blanch (collectively, the petitioners). The petition was docketed by the NRC on June 22, 2012, and assigned Docket No. PRM-50-106. The petitioners request that the NRC initiate a rulemaking “to revise its regulations to clearly and unequivocally require the environmental qualification of all safety-related cables, wires, splices, connections and other ancillary electrical equipment that may be subjected to submergence and/or moisture intrusion during normal operating conditions, severe weather, seasonal flooding, seismic events, and post-accident conditions, both inside and outside of containment.” The NRC is not instituting a public comment period for this PRM at this time.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will consider the issue raised in the petition for rulemaking (PRM) submitted by Annette User, on behalf of GE Osmonics, Inc. (GE or the petitioner), in the rulemaking process. The petitioner requests that the NRC amend its regulations regarding the commercial distribution of byproduct material to allow recipients of exempt quantities of polymer (polycarbonate or polyester) track etch (PCTE) membranes that have been irradiated with mixed fission products (MFP) to commercially redistribute the material without a license. In its review of the PRM, the NRC concluded that the petitioner raised a valid issue concerning regulatory control of the commercial distribution of PCTE membranes that the NRC will consider in its rulemaking process.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) will periodically make publicly available a series of documents related to the ongoing proposed rulemaking effort to amend its regulations regarding Fitness-for-Duty Programs. The NRC does not plan to institute a public comment period for these materials when making them publicly available. This document announces the availability of two rulemaking documents: The regulatory basis and preliminary proposed rule language for requiring personnel performing certain quality control and quality verification (QC/QV) duties to comply with the work hour provisions. The availability of these documents provides increased awareness to interested stakeholders and provides preparatory material for future public meetings.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is seeking public comment on a draft regulatory issue summary (RIS) that provides information on requests for alternatives to and relief from the regulatory requirements pertaining to Codes and Standards. The draft RIS also provides clarification when relief is requested by licensees and applicants where American Society of Mechanical Engineers Code requirements are determined impractical, and when proposed alternatives to the regulations are submitted to the NRC.
This document announces that the period for submitting comments on the dehumidifier framework document is extended to October 17, 2012.
The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board is extending the time for comments on its proposed rule, Procedures for Safety Investigations, which published July 27, 2012 in the Federal Register , 77 FR 44174. The comment period expires August 27, 2012.
The Department of Energy (DOE) issues a framework document to consider whether to amend the energy conservation standards for residential dehumidifiers. DOE also announces a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on issues that it will address in this rulemaking proceeding. DOE is initiating data collection for considering amended energy conservation standards for residential dehumidifiers. DOE also encourages written comments on potential amended standards, including comments on the issues identified in the framework document. The framework document, which is intended to inform stakeholders and facilitate the rulemaking process, is available at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/dehumidifiers.html.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to amend its test procedures for residential dishwashers to update certain obsolete dishware, flatware and food items, make minor amendments to the definition of the normal cycle, and update the ambient temperature and preconditioning requirements as well as the industry test method referenced in DOE's test procedure. DOE also proposes to add water pressure, drain height, rack position, loading, rinse aid container, and soil preparation specifications to the dishwasher test procedure. DOE additionally proposes to amend the test procedures for both dishwashers and conventional cooking products for the measurement of energy use in fan-only mode.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) plans to conduct a workshop on performance assessments of near-surface low-level radioactive waste (LLW) disposal facilities. The workshop has been developed to facilitate communication among Federal and State agencies, industry representatives, contractors, and members of the public on three aspects of a performance assessment: (1) Features, Events, and Processes (FEPs) analysis, (2) the development of scenarios and conceptual models, and (3) the selection of computer codes. Information gathered from invited subject matter experts, stakeholders, and other interested members of the public will be used to improve guidance on performance assessments for near-surface disposal of LLW.
The Department of Energy (DOE) issues a framework document to consider whether to amend the energy and water conservation standards for commercial clothes washers. DOE also announces a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on issues that it will address in this rulemaking proceeding. DOE is initiating data collection for considering amended energy and water conservation standards for commercial clothes washers. DOE also encourages written comments on potential amended standards, including comments on the issues identified in the framework document. The framework document, which is intended to inform stakeholders and facilitate the rulemaking process, is available at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/commercial/clothes_washers.html.
The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Board) is responsible for making recommendations to the Secretary of Energy and the President regarding health and safety issues at the Department of Energy's (DOE) defense nuclear facilities. In this notice, the Board proposes a rule establishing procedures for conducting preliminary and formal safety investigations of events or practices at DOE defense nuclear facilities that the Board determines have adversely affected, or may adversely affect, public health and safety. The Board's experience in conducting formal safety investigations necessitates codifying the procedures set forth in the proposed rule. These procedures, among other benefits, will ensure a more efficient investigative process, protect confidential and privileged safety information, and promote uniformity of future safety investigations.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is amending its regulations to make requirements for distributors of byproduct material clearer, less prescriptive, and more risk-informed and up to date. The rulemaking also redefines some categories of devices to be used under exemption from licensing requirements, adds explicit provisions regarding the sealed source and device registration process, and adds flexibility to the licensing of users of sealed sources and devices. This action was primarily intended to make licensing processes more efficient and effective. These changes will affect manufacturers and distributors of sources and devices containing byproduct material and future users of some products currently used under a general or specific license. The NRC has prepared interim guidance to address implementation of the final regulations. This document announces the availability of the implementation guidance document for public comment.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or Department) will hold a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on the following: the equipment classes DOE plans to analyze for the purpose of amending energy conservation standards for certain commercial and industrial electric motors under section 342(b) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended; the analytical framework, models, and tools that DOE plans to use to evaluate standards for this type of equipment; the results of preliminary analyses performed by DOE for this equipment; and the potential energy conservation standard levels derived from these analyses, which DOE may consider for this equipment. DOE also encourages interested parties to submit written comments on these subjects. To inform interested parties and facilitate the public meeting and comment process, DOE has prepared an agenda, a preliminary technical support document (TSD), and briefing materials, which are available at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/commercial/electric_motors.html
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is seeking input from the public, licensees, Agreement States, non-Agreement States, and other stakeholders on revised draft regulatory guide (DG) 4014, “Decommissioning Planning During Operations.” This guide describes a method that the NRC staff considers acceptable for use in complying with the NRC's Decommissioning Planning Rule. The NRC will hold a public meeting and concurrent Webinar to facilitate the public's and other stakeholders' comments.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) plans to conduct a public meeting to discuss proposed changes to its current regulatory requirements as directed by the Commission in a January 19, 2012, Staff Requirements Memorandum. Information will be gathered from invited subject matter experts, stakeholders, and other interested members of the public regarding the changes proposed by the Commission. Specifically, the NRC staff is interested in gaining a better understanding of the issues associated with specifying a regulatory time of compliance for a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility, allowing licensees the flexibility to implement waste acceptance criteria as an alternative to the current waste classification system, and revising the NRC's licensing requirements for land disposal of radioactive waste.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will hold a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on the product classes that DOE plans to analyze for purposes of establishing energy conservation standards for residential furnace fans; the analytical framework, models, and tools that DOE is using to evaluate potential standards for these products; the results of preliminary analyses performed by DOE for these products; the potential energy conservation standard levels derived from these analyses that DOE could consider for these products; and any other issues relevant to the development of energy conservation standards for residential furnace fans. In addition, DOE encourages written comments on these subjects. To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has prepared an agenda, a preliminary technical support document (preliminary TSD), and briefing materials, which are available on the DOE Web site.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is proposing to amend the size standard that it uses to qualify an NRC licensee as a “small entity” under the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as amended. The NRC is proposing to increase its receipts-based, small business size standard from $6.5 million to $7 million to conform to the standard set by the Small Business Administration (SBA). This size standard reflects the most commonly used SBA size standard for nonmanufacturing industries. The SBA adjusted this standard on July 18, 2008 (73 FR 41237), to account for inflation.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is making available a preliminary draft regulatory basis for a proposed rulemaking that would amend the NRC's regulations concerning the license renewal requirements for non-power reactors. This contemplated rulemaking would also make conforming changes to address technical issues in existing non-power reactor regulations. The NRC is seeking input from the public, licensees, certificate holders, and other stakeholders on the preliminary draft regulatory basis.
This document announces a reopening of the comment period for 15 days in order to consider comments previously submitted after the close of the earlier comment period and to allow interested parties to submit comments on the notice of proposed rulemaking to establish energy conservation standards for battery chargers and external power supplies.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is requesting data and information about the impact of its recently amended energy conservation standards for residential electric water heaters on utility programs that use high-storage-volume (above 55 gallons) electric storage water heaters to reduce peak electricity demand. DOE amended its standards for residential water heaters on April 16, 2010, and compliance with the amended standards is required beginning on April 16, 2015. Of particular relevance, the amended standards for residential water heaters raised the minimum requirements for electric storage water heaters with storage volumes above 55 gallons to levels that are currently achieved through the use of heat pump water heater technology. Utilities have expressed concerns that the amended levels will negatively impact programs designed to reduce peak energy demand by heating water only during off-peak times and storing the water for use during peak demand periods. This request for information solicits feedback on the effects of the amended energy conservation standards for electric storage water heaters on such utility programs.
This document corrects the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION to the Board's proposed FOIA Fee Schedule Update published in the Federal Register of June 1, 2012. The document contained incorrect dates and references.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) initiated a test procedure rulemaking to develop active mode testing methodologies for residential microwave ovens. DOE conducted testing to evaluate potential test procedure amendments to provide methods of measuring energy use for microwave ovens, including both microwave-only ovens and convection microwave cooking ovens. In today's notice, DOE presents the results from these testing investigations and requests comment and additional information on these results and potential amendments to the microwave oven test procedure.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or Department) will hold a public meeting to discuss additional information that it is making available about the liquid-immersed distribution transformer equipment classes that were analyzed in a previously issued notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR). Specifically, DOE is supplementing the NOPR analysis to include additional trial standard levels (TSLs) that embody separate equipment classes for several different types of liquid-immersed distribution transformers. In addition to this notice and the public meeting, DOE has several documents and analytical tools available to interested parties on its Web site. The documents describe the technical information in more detail and the software modeling tools that can be used by interested parties to evaluate how this information affects the results of certain aspects of DOE's key economic analyses. Through this notice and public meeting, DOE invites comment, data, and information about the considered equipment classes and their effects on DOE's analysis, results, and (TSLs).
Pursuant to 10 CFR 1703.107(b)(6) of the Board's regulations, the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board is publishing its proposed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Fee Schedule Update and solicits comments from interested organizations and individual members of the public.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to revise and expand its existing regulations governing the use of particular methods as alternatives to testing for the purposes of certifying compliance with the applicable energy conservation standards and the reporting of related ratings for certain consumer products and commercial and industrial equipment covered by energy conservation standards.
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including residential clothes washers. EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to determine whether amended standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would save a significant amount of energy. In this proposed rule, DOE proposes amended energy conservation standards for residential clothes washers identical to those set forth in a direct final rule published elsewhere in today's Federal Register . If DOE receives adverse comment and determines that such comment may provide a reasonable basis for withdrawing the direct final rule, DOE will publish a notice withdrawing the final rule and will proceed with this proposed rule.
In this notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to update its test procedures for showerheads, faucets, water closets, and urinals. Specifically, DOE proposes to incorporate by reference the American Society of Mechanical Engineers/American National Standards Institute (ASME/ANSI) Standard A112.18.1-2011 test procedure for faucets and showerheads, which would replace the 1996 version currently referenced by DOE in its test procedure. DOE also proposes to incorporate by reference ASME/ANSI Standard A112.19.2-2008 procedure for water closets and urinals, which would replace the 1995 version currently referenced by DOE in its test procedure. These updates fulfill DOE's obligation under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to review its test procedures for covered products at least once every 7 years and either amend the applicable test procedures or publish a determination in the Federal Register not to amend them. DOE also expects that incorporation of the updated procedures will bring DOE's testing requirements more closely in line with current industry practices, reduce the burden associated with testing and reporting test results for these products, and improve the accuracy of test results. For commercial prerinse spray valves, DOE has preliminarily determined that no changes are needed to the existing DOE test procedure in order to accurately measure the water consumption of these products, and proposes to retain the existing procedure without change. However, since the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) reapproved this standard in 2009 as F2324-03 (2009), DOE is proposing to incorporate by reference this most recent version. This action would also satisfy the EPCA requirement for DOE to review the test procedures for these products at least once every 7 years. This notice also announces a public meeting to receive comments on these proposed amendments to the test procedures.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is holding a public meeting to provide interested parties an opportunity to comment on DOE's proposed modifications to the regulations authorizing the use of alternative methods of determining energy efficiency or energy consumption of various consumer products and commercial equipment.
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including residential dishwashers. EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to determine whether amended standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would save a significant amount of energy. In this proposed rule, DOE proposes amended energy conservation standards for residential dishwashers identical to those set forth in a direct final rule published elsewhere in today's Federal Register . If DOE receives adverse comment and determines that such comment may provide a reasonable basis for withdrawing the direct final rule, DOE will publish a notice withdrawing the final rule and will proceed with this proposed rule.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to amend its test procedures for residential dishwashers, dehumidifiers, and conventional cooking products (which includes cooktops, ovens, and ranges) to address the measurement of active mode fan-only energy use. This SNOPR also addresses energy and water use associated with dishwasher water softeners, the energy test cycle for dishwashers with a separate soil-sensing cycle, and the normal cycle definition, power supply and detergent dosing for dishwashers. The proposal would also update the industry test method specified in the dehumidifier test procedure, eliminate measurement of gas pilot light energy use in the cooking products test procedure, and remove an obsolete energy efficiency metric in the dishwasher test procedure.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is publishing for public comment a notice of receipt for a petition for rulemaking (PRM), dated February 28, 2012, which was filed with the NRC by Mr. Mark Edward Leyse (the petitioner). The petition was docketed by the NRC on March 2, 2012, and assigned Docket No. PRM-50-105. The petitioner requests that the NRC amend its regulations to “require all holders of operating licenses for nuclear power plants (“NPP”) to operate NPPs with in-core thermocouples at different elevations and radial positions throughout the reactor core.”
On November 23, 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNOPR) to amend the test procedures for microwave ovens. That SNOPR proposed amendments to the DOE test procedure to incorporate provisions from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 62301, “Household electrical appliances—Measurement of standby power,” Edition 2.0 2011-01 (IEC Standard 62301 (Second Edition)). Today's SNOPR proposes additional provisions for measuring the standby mode and off mode energy use of products that combine a microwave oven with other appliance functionality, as well as minor technical clarifications.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is holding a public meeting to provide a forum for manufacturers and test laboratories to discuss their respective interpretations of existing DOE test procedures, where they believe that the test procedures lack clarity, and to provide information for DOE to consider prior to publishing any proposed guidance to clarify the current test procedures for room air conditioners, residential dishwashers, and residential clothes washers.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to establish test procedures for residential products that use electricity for purposes of circulating air through duct work, hereafter referred to as “furnace fans.” Specifically, this notice proposes to establish a test method for measuring the airflow performance and electrical consumption of these products. Concurrently, DOE is undertaking an energy conservation standards rulemaking to address the electrical energy used by these products for circulating air. Once these energy conservation standards are promulgated, the adopted test procedures will be used to determine compliance with the standards. DOE is also announcing a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on issues presented in this test procedure rulemaking.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is denying a petition for rulemaking (PRM) submitted by Raymond Shadis and Mary Lampert on behalf of Earth Day Commitment/Friends of the Coast, Beyond Nuclear, Seacoast Anti-Pollution League, C-10 Research and Education Foundation, Pilgrim Watch, New England Coalition, and joined in by New Hampshire State Representative Robin Reed (the petitioners). The petitioners requested that the NRC amend its regulations to accept a license renewal application (LRA) no sooner than 10 years before the expiration of the current license and to apply the revised rule to all LRAs for which the NRC has not issued a final safety evaluation report. The petitioners also requested a suspension of all new license renewal activity until the rulemaking is decided. After reviewing the petition, the NRC is denying the petition.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) plans to conduct a public meeting to discuss possible revisions to the regulatory framework for the management of commercial low-level radioactive waste (LLW). The purpose of this public meeting is to gather information and receive feedback from stakeholders and other interested members of the public concerning specific proposed revisions to the Commission's LLW regulations. Consistent with Commission direction, the NRC staff plans to hold a series of three public meetings in 2012 on the proposed revisions to the Commission's LLW regulations. This is the second of those public meetings.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is proposing to amend its access authorization fees charged to licensees for work performed under the Material Access Authorization Program (MAAP) and the Information Access Authority Program (IAAP). The amended cost is due to an increase in the review time for each application for access authorization. The NRC's formula for calculating fees remains the same and is based on current Office of Personnel Management (OPM) billing rates for background investigations. The formula is designed to recover the full cost of processing a request for access authorization from an NRC licensee.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is publishing for public comment a notice of receipt for a petition for rulemaking (PRM), dated February 15, 2012, which was filed with the NRC by Mr. Michael Mariotte on behalf of the Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS or the petitioner) and 37 co-petitioners. The petition was docketed by the NRC on February 17, 2012, and assigned Docket No. PRM-50-104. The petitioner requests that the NRC amend its regulations to expand the Emergency Planning Zones (EPZs) for nuclear power plants.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) will consider the issues raised in the petition for rulemaking (PRM), PRM-50-102, submitted by the Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. (NRDC or the petitioner), in the rulemaking process. The petitioner requested that the NRC amend its regulations to require more realistic, hands-on training and exercises on Severe Accident Management Guidelines (SAMGs) and Extensive Damage Mitigation Guidelines (EDMGs). The NRC determined that the issues raised in the PRM are appropriate for consideration and will consider them in the ongoing Fukushima Near Term Task Force (NTTF) Recommendation 8 rulemaking.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is issuing this Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) to begin the process of potentially amending its regulations to strengthen and integrate onsite emergency response capabilities. The NRC seeks public comment on specific questions and issues with respect to possible revision to the NRC's requirements for onsite emergency response capabilities, and development of both new requirements and the supporting regulatory basis. This regulatory action is one of the actions stemming from the NRC's lessons-learned efforts associated with the March 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in Japan.