[Federal Register: November 27, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 227)]
[Notices]
[Page 68586-68587]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27no06-65]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
[Case No. CAC-012]
RIN 1904-AB12
Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Publication of
the Extension of Interim Waiver of Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics
USA, Inc., from the U.S. Department of Energy Residential and
Commercial Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Test Procedures
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
[[Page 68587]]
ACTION: Notice of extension of interim waiver.
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SUMMARY: On March 24, 2006, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
published in the Federal Register a Petition for Waiver and notice
granting an Application for Interim Waiver to Mitsubishi Electric and
Electronics USA, Inc., (MEUS) from energy efficiency test procedure
requirements that are applicable to residential and commercial air
conditioners and heat pumps. (71 FR 14858) The date of issuance of the
Interim Waiver was March 15, 2006, and it terminated 180 days after
issuance on September 11, 2006. In today's action, DOE is extending the
Interim Waiver for 180 days, or until March 10, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Raymond at (202) 586-9611, e-
mail; michael.raymond@ee.doe.gov, or Francine Pinto, Esq., (202) 586-
9507, e-mail: francine.pinto@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 15, 2006, DOE granted to MEUS an
Interim Waiver from the energy efficiency test procedure requirements
in appendix M to subpart B of Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations
Parts 430 and 431 (10 CFR Parts 430 and 431) respectively, that are
applicable to MEUS's CITY MULTI[reg] Variable Refrigerant Flow Zoning
(VRFZ) package air conditioners and heat pump units that operate using
R410A refrigerant, and requested comments. (71 FR 14858) Pursuant to 10
CFR 430.27(h), ``an interim waiver will terminate 180 days after
issuance or upon the determination on the Petition for Waiver,
whichever occurs first. An interim waiver may be extended by DOE for
180 days. Notice of such extension and/or any modification of the terms
or duration of the interim waiver shall be published in the Federal
Register, and shall be based on relevant information contained in the
record and any comments received subsequent to issuance of the interim
waiver.''
The 180-day period for MEUS's Interim Waiver ended on September 11,
2006. All but one of the comments received were favorable to MEUS's
Petition for Waiver. As such, DOE intends to publish a decision and
order concerning the energy efficiency test procedure requirements for
residential and commercial air conditioners and heat pumps in 10 CFR
Parts 430 and 431, which are applicable to MEUS's CITY MULTI[reg] VRFZ
package air conditioners and heat pumps that operate using R410A
refrigerant. Moreover, in view of the comments received and to provide
sufficient time to further examine MEUS's Petition for Waiver, DOE has
determined that it is appropriate to grant an extension of the Interim
Waiver for an additional 180 days, until March 10, 2007, or until the
determination on the Petition for Waiver, whichever occurs first.
Issued in Washington, DC, on November 16, 2006.
Alexander A. Karsner,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. E6-19985 Filed 11-24-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P