WASHINGTON — On Jan. 17, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced the first meeting of the Appliance Standards and Rulemakings Federal Advisory Committee (ASRAC). The purpose of the meeting is to provide advice and recommendations to the DOE on the development of standards and test procedures for residential appliances and commercial equipment, certification and enforcement of standards, and product labeling. The first ASRAC meeting is scheduled for Feb. 26, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at DOE headquarters in Washington.

The tentative meeting agenda includes an overview of the appliance standards program, a discussion on the committee’s purpose and structure, and a discussion of appliances and equipment best suited for the negotiated rulemaking process. The committee is comprised of the following individuals: Co-chair: Andrew deLaski, Appliance Standards Awareness Project; co-chair: John Mandyck, UTC Climate, Controls & Security; Ashley Armstrong, DOE; John Caskey, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA); Timothy Cassidy, Best Buy Co., Inc.; Thomas Coughlin, National Grid; Steven Cousins, The Coca-Cola Co.; Thomas Eckman, Northwest Power and Conservation Council; Dr. David Hungerford, California Energy Commission; Kelley Kline, General Electric, Appliances; and Kent Peterson, P2S Engineering, Inc.