RIN Data

DOE/EE RIN: 1904-AD20 Publication ID: Fall 2015 
Title: Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Non-Weatherized Gas Furnaces 
Abstract:

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 furnaces. EPCA also requires the DOE to periodically determine whether more-stringent amended standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified and would save a significant amount of energy. DOE is amending its energy conservation standards for residential non-weatherized gas furnaces and mobile home gas furnaces in partial fulfillment of a court-ordered remand of DOE's 2011 rulemaking for these products.

 
Agency: Department of Energy(DOE)  Priority: Economically Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda   Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: Yes  Unfunded Mandates: Private Sector 
CFR Citation: 10 CFR 430   
Legal Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6295(f)(4)(e)    42 U.S.C. 6295(m)(1)    42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(3)   
Legal Deadline:
Action Source Description Date
Final  Judicial  One year after issuance of the proposed rule.  04/24/2016 
NPRM  Judicial    04/24/2015 

Statement of Need:

EPCA requires minimum energy efficiency standards for certain appliances and commercial equipment, including residential furnaces.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA or the Act), Public Law 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309, as codified), established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles. Pursuant to EPCA, any new or amended energy conservation standard that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) prescribes for certain products, such as residential furnaces, shall be designed to achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is technologically feasible and economically justified (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(A)) and result in a significant conservation of energy (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)(B)).

Alternatives:

The statute requires DOE to conduct rulemakings to review standards and to revise standards to achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that the Secretary determines is technologically feasible and economically justified. In making this determination, DOE conducts a thorough analysis of the alternative standard levels, including the existing standard, based on the criteria specified by the statute.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

Because DOE has not yet proposed energy efficiency standards, DOE cannot provide an estimate of combined aggregate costs and benefits for these actions.  DOE will, however, in compliance with all applicable laws, issue standards that provide for increased energy efficiency that are economically justified. Estimates of energy savings will be provided when DOE issues the notice of proposed rulemaking.

Risks:

Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Notice of Public Meeting  10/30/2014  79 FR 64517   
NPRM and Public Meeting Date 03/27/15  03/12/2015  80 FR 13120   
NPRM Comment Period Extended  05/20/2015  80 FR 28851   
NPRM Extended Comment Period End  07/10/2015 
Notice of Data Availability (NODA)  09/14/2015  80 FR 55038   
NODA Comment Period End  10/14/2015 
NODA Comment Period Reopened  10/23/2015  80 FR 64370   
NODA Comment Period Reopened End  11/06/2015 
Final Action  01/00/2016 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined  Government Levels Affected: Local, State 
Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes 
RIN Information URL: www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/product.aspx/productid/72   Public Comment URL: www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2014-BT-STD-0031  
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
John Cymbalsky
Building Technologies Office, EE-5B
Department of Energy
Departmental and Others
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585
Phone:202 287-1692
Email: john.cymbalsky@ee.doe.gov