Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Energy Conservation Standards for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

10 CFR Part 430

[Docket No. EE-RM-97-500]

RIN 1904-AA75

Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Energy

Conservation Standards for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of

Energy (DOE).

[[Page 38223]]

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (the Department or DOE) today gives

notice that copies of the ``Draft Report on Potential Impact of

Possible Energy Efficiency Levels for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts'' are

available for review and comment.

DATES: Written comments in response to this notice must be received by

September 2, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the report entitled ``Draft Report on Potential

Impact of Possible Energy Efficiency Levels for Fluorescent Lamp

Ballasts'' may be obtained from Sandy Beall at: U.S. Department of

Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, EE-43, 1000

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121, (202) 586-7574.

This document may be read at the DOE Freedom of Information Reading

Room, U.S. Department of Energy, Room 1E-190, 1000 Independence Avenue,

SW, Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-3142, between the hours of 9:00

a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Written comments are welcomed. Please submit 10 copies to: U.S.

Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,

``Ballast Docket No. EE-RM-97-500,'' EE-43, Room 1J-018, 1000

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121.

Pursuant to the provisions of Title 10 CFR 1004.11, any person

submitting information which he or she believes to be confidential and

exempt by law from public disclosure should submit one complete copy of

the document and ten (10) copies, if possible, from which the

information believed to be confidential has been deleted. The

Department of Energy will make its own determination with regard to the

confidential status of the information and treat it according to its

determination.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Anthony T. Balducci, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy

Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Mail Station EE-43, 1000 Independence

Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121, Phone: (202) 586-8459, Fax:

(202) 586-4617, E-mail: [email protected]

Ms. Sandy Beall, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency

and Renewable Energy, Mail Station EE-43, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW,

Washington, DC 20585-0121, Phone: (202) 586-7574, Fax: (202) 586-4617.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Energy is implementing

enhanced procedures for the development and revision of appliance

efficiency standards, including the fluorescent lamp ballast standards.

See 61 FR 36973 (July 15, 1996). One of the themes of these process

improvements is the Department's commitment to share analyses with the

public and provide meaningful opportunity for public comment.

As part of our effort to review fluorescent lamp ballast standards,

the Department is making the following document available: ``Draft

Report on Potential Impact of Possible Energy Efficiency Levels for

Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts.'' The report identifies product categories

and includes life-cycle cost analyses, engineering analyses, and

national benefits of the options being considered as potential standard

levels for ballasts. The report is a revision of the February 1996

report. Revisions were based on comments received during the June 1996

workshop and the March 1997 workshop, stakeholder interviews, and a

1996 ballast price survey.

The report provides energy saving impacts for the various

efficiency levels analyzed. The energy savings calculated for the

period 2000-2030 range from 1.5 quadrillion Btus (Quads) to 5.3 Quads

depending on the efficiency level and the base case assumptions. The

Department invites the submission of written comments on the report.

Through its interactions with interested parties, the Department

has gathered information on the entire ballast market. After examining

this information, the Department believes that it is important to

distinguish between the characteristics of the T8 and T12 ballast

markets. Specifically, the Department requests comments on the

following questions relating to the future market of fluorescent lamp

ballasts:

1. For the T8 and T12 ballast markets, what percent of each of

these markets will be electronic and magnetic in 10 years? In 15 years?

2. How is the magnetic T12 ballast market changing? Is it growing,

shrinking, or remaining stable? How large (percent of total) will this

market be in 10 years? In 15 years?

3. Is the T12 market changing from T12 magnetic ballasts to T12

electronic ballasts? If it is, at what rate? What will the rate be in

10 years? In 15 years?

4. Is the T12 market changing from T12 magnetic ballasts to T8

electronic ballasts? If it is, at what rate? What will the rate be in

10 years? In 15 years?

Please substantiate your answers with data when available.

Issued in Washington, DC, on July 1, 1997.

Joseph J. Romm,

Acting Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

[FR Doc. 97-18838 Filed 7-16-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P