[Federal Register: February 2, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 23)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 8745]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02fe01-6]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
10 CFR Part 430
[Docket No. EE-RM-97-440]
RIN 1904-AA77
Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products; Central Air
Conditioners and Heat Pumps Energy Conservation Standards
AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).
ACTION: Final rule; delay of effective date.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the memorandum of January 20, 2001, from
the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, entitled
``Regulatory Review Plan,'' published in the Federal Register on
January 24, 2001 (66 FR 7702), this action temporarily delays for 60
days the effective date of the rule entitled ``Energy Conservation
Program for Consumer Products; Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
Energy Conservation Standards'' published in the Federal Register on
January 22, 2001 (66 FR 7170).
DATES: The effective date of the rule amending 10 CFR part 430
published in the Federal Register at 66 FR 7170 on January 22, 2001, is
delayed 60 days, from February 21, 2001, until April 23, 2001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael D. Whatley, (202) 586-3410,
michael.whatley@hq.doe.gov; Dr. Michael E. McCabe, (202) 586-0854,
michael.e.mccabe@ee.doe.gov; or, Eugene Margolis, (202) 586-9526,
eugene.margolis@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To the extent that 5 U.S.C. section 553
applies to this action, it is exempt from notice and comment because it
constitutes a rule of procedure under 5 U.S.C. section 553(b)(A).
Alternatively, DOE's implementation of this action without opportunity
for public comment, effective immediately upon publication today in the
Federal Register, is based on the good cause exceptions in 5 U.S.C.
section 553(b)(B) and 553(d)(3). Seeking public comment is
impracticable, unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. The
temporary 60-day delay in effective date is necessary to give DOE
officials the opportunity for further review and consideration of new
regulations, consistent with the Assistant to the President's
memorandum of January 20, 2001. Given the imminence of the effective
date, seeking prior public comment on this temporary delay would have
been impractical, as well as contrary to the public interest in the
orderly promulgation and implementation of regulations. The imminence
of the effective date is also good cause for making this action
effective immediately upon publication.
Issued in Washington, D.C. on January 29, 2001.
Spencer Abraham,
Secretary of Energy.
[FR Doc. 01-2886 Filed 2-1-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P