Rulemaking for Commercial and Industrial Fans and Blowers

DOE published a notice of public meeting an availability of the framework document regarding energy conservation standards for commercial and industrial fans and blowers. 78 FR 7306 (Feb. 1, 2013). The comment deadline of May 2, 2013 has been extended to June 3, 2013. 78 FR 26544 (May 7, 2013).

A public meeting was held on February 21, 2013.

Comments may be submitted through regulations.gov, email, postal mail, or by hand delivery/courier. All comments must be received by June 3, 2013. Please follow the directions below and the additional directions in the Public Participation section of the notice regarding submission format, campaign form letters, and confidential business information.

Any comments submitted must identify the commercial and industrial fans and blowers energy conservation standards rulemaking by name and provide its docket number EERE-2013-BT-STD-0006 and/or Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 1904-AC55. Comments may be submitted using any of the following methods:

1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: The rulemaking docket at www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
2. E-mail: CIFB2013STD0006@ee.doe.gov. Include the docket number and/or RIN in the subject line of the message.
3. Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Please submit one signed original paper copy.
4. Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 950 L’Enfant Plaza, SW., Suite 600, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 586-2945. Please submit one signed original paper copy.

The commercial and industrial fans and blowers energy conservation standards rulemaking docket EERE-2013-BT-STD-0006 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents. For the latest information on the planned timing of future DOE regulatory milestones, see the current Office of Management and Budget Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. All planned dates are preliminary and subject to change.

DOE is also considering a test procedures rulemaking for commercial and industrial fans and blowers.

Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended. Part A-1 of Title III of EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6311-6317) establishes the "Energy Conservation Program for Certain Industrial Equipment,” which covers certain commercial and industrial equipment (referred to as "covered equipment").

EPCA specifies a list of equipment that constitutes covered commercial and industrial equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(A)-(G)) The list includes 7 types of equipment and a catchall provision for other types of industrial equipment classified as covered the Secretary of Energy (Secretary). EPCA also specifies the types of equipment that can be classified as covered in addition to the listed equipment, and the criteria that must be met. This equipment includes fans and blowers. (42 U.S.C. 6311(2)(A) and (B))

To classify equipment as covered commercial or industrial equipment, the Secretary must determine that classifying the equipment as covered equipment is necessary for the purposes of Part A-1 of EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6312(b))