Energy.gov

The U.S. Department of Energy is aware of fraudulent solicitations being received through the United States Postal Service that solicit personal information for purported "Federal Energy Home Improvement Loans" under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. These solicitations falsely appear to be on U.S.

Today the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published in the Federal Register an interpretive rule that sets out the Department's views on the definition of "showerhead" in 10 CFR 430.2.

DOE issues Requests for Information to help guide national Smart Grid policy

Today, the Department of Energy issued Guidance on the Imposition of Civil Penalties for Violations of EPCA Standards and Certification Obligations.  As explained in the Guidance, the Department’s penalty policy is intended to advance three goals:  (1) to deter future violations; (2) to ensure consistency and equity in the assessment of penalties; and (3) to encourage complete and timely resolution of any instances of non-compliance.   The Department also sets forth its basic approach to the imposition of penalties for violations of DOE’s standards and certification requirements.  A comple

On May 7, 2010, DOE entered into a Consent Decree with Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics, USA Inc.

Today, the Department of Energy announced that it had resolved civil penalty actions against four showerhead manufacturers for having violated the Department's water conservation certification regulations.  To resolve these actions  Zoe Industries, Altmans Products LLC, EZ-FLO International, and Watermark Designs Ltd. have now certified that their showerheads meet federal water conservation standards and collectively will pay civil penalties of $165,104.

Today, the Department of Energy issued a request for information to help it improve its energy efficiency certification and enforcement regulations. In its new Request for Information Regarding Revising the Energy Efficiency Certification and Enforcement Regulations (“RFI”), the Department seeks comment on how to strengthen DOE’s energy efficiency regulations to encourage compliance and prevent manufacturers who break the law from having a competitive advantage over those that adhere to the rules.

“The Office of Environmental Management has decided not to move forward at this time with its February decision to direct contractors to start planning for higher concentrations of plutonium in waste canisters at the Savannah River Site. While this may ultimately be a better way to manage and minimize the volume of waste, the Department wants to further review the issues involved before proceeding. No canisters have been filled at the higher concentration level.”

On January 7, 2010, DOE entered into a Consent Decree with Haier America regarding a problem with four models of Haier freezers that resulted in those freezers not achieving their advertised energy efficiency. DOE recently became aware that some consumers eligible for repairs were incorrectly told that they were not eligible. Haier has resolved the problem, and consumers are encouraged to contact Haier to verify whether or not their freezers are covered.

On April 23, 2010, the Department of Energy opposed the State of Washington’s motion to enjoin the Department's efforts to wind down the Yucca Mountain Program. The Department's filing, made in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, explained that Washington had not demonstrated either a likelihood of success on the merits or irreparable injury. The Department's filing can be found here.