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Rulemaking for Room Air Conditioners Energy Conservation Standard

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The Department of Energy (DOE) is considering whether to amend its energy conservation standards for room air conditioners. This activity is mandated by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).

Recent Updates

DOE has published a Federal Register extension of the comment period regarding the request for information for room air conditioners. 80 FR 44301 (July 27, 2015). The comment period is extended until September 2, 2015.

DOE has published a Federal Register notice regarding energy conservation standards for room air conditioners. 80 FR 34843 (June 18, 2015).

Public Meeting Information

There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.

Submitting Public Comments

The comment period is extended until September 2, 2015. Interested parties are encouraged to submit comments electronically. However, comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

2. E-mail: RoomAC2014STD0059@ee.doe.gov. Include docket number EERE-2014-BT-STD-0059 in the subject line of the message. All comments should clearly identify the name, address, and, if appropriate, organization of the commenter. Submit electronic comments in Word Perfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or ASCII file format, and avoid the use of special characters or any form on encryption.

3. Postal Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-5B, Request for Information for Energy Conservation Standards for Room Air Conditioners, Docket No. EERE-2014-BT-STD-0059, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Please submit one signed paper original.

4. Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, Sixth Floor, 950 L’Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington, DC 20024. Please submit one signed paper original.

All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number for this rulemaking. No telefacsimiles (faxes) will be accepted.

Milestones and Documents

The room air conditioner energy conservation standards rulemaking docket EERE-2014-BT-STD-0059 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.

Request for
Information (RFI)

Request for Information, Federal Register, 80 FR 34843 (June 9, 2015)
Extension of the Comment Period, Federal Register, 80 FR 44301 (July 27, 2015)
Comment Deadline:  9/2/2015

Related Rulemakings

There are no related rulemakings at this time.

Statutory Authority

The current energy conservation standards for residential room air conditioners are mandated by Part A, the ‘‘Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles’’ of Title III of EPCA, as amended. (42 U.S.C. 6291–6309) These appliances are covered products under Part A. (42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(2))

Contact Information

For more information related to this rulemaking, please email:

room_air_conditioners@ee.doe.gov