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In this rulemaking the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating an analysis of the steel and liquid-immersed distribution transformer markets to determine whether changes to market conditions, particularly the supply chain for amorphous steel, justify reevaluating the energy efficiency conservation requirements DOE adopted in April 2013. The first document in this rulemaking will be a request for information (RFI) which will seek information from the public that would help DOE determine whether any recent or planned increases in amorphous steel production or other market changes would alter the prior determination by DOE that adopting efficiency standards for liquid-immersed transformers more stringent than those adopted in April 2013 could significantly disrupt the steel supply market. This information sought through this RFI will help DOE in the process of determining whether national energy conservation standards for distribution transformers more stringent than those currently in place would result in significant additional energy savings, and whether any such amended standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified.

Overall Description of Deadline: Under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended, within six years of implementing an energy conservation standard, DOE must publish either a notice of proposed rulemaking including new proposed standards or a determination that standards do not need to be amended under the criteria laid out in EPCA.