ALEXANDRIA, VA (PRWEB) September 28, 2015
The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) announces that the U.S. Department of Energy Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (ASRAC) recently appointed members to the newly established Dedicated Pool Pump Working Group.
Through its negotiated rulemaking process, the goal of the effort is to write reasonable energy efficient regulations for the industry’s pumps to ensure that pool, portable spa and auxiliary pumps are differentiated and not grouped with industrial pumps.
The individuals selected to serve include the following APSP members: Jeff Farlow, Pentair Aquatic Systems; Patrizio Fumagalli, Bestway, USA, Inc.; Paul Lin, Regal Beloit Corporation; Ray Mirzaei, Waterway; and Doug Philhower, Hayward Industries, Inc. These APSP members serve on the APSP/ICC-15 standards committee on Residential Swimming Pool and Spa Energy Efficiency. This standards committee works collaboratively within the industry, and externally with the California Energy Commission and others, on issues related to pool and spa energy efficiency. Now with this newly formed negotiated rulemaking working group, the focus of those appointed and the APSP/ICC-15 committee will be proposed pump regulations at the federal level.
The ASRAC was established in an effort to further improve the DOE’s process of establishing energy efficiency standards for certain appliances and commercial equipment. According to the DOE website, ASRAC will allow DOE to use negotiated rulemaking as a means to engage all interested parties, gather data, and attempt to reach consensus on establishing energy efficiency standards. Rules drafted by negotiation may be more pragmatic and implemented at earlier dates than under a more traditional rulemaking process. ASRAC has established workgroups to focus in on specific appliances and equipment. APSP and the California Investor Owned Utilities requested the working group for pool pumps.
Other members of the dedicated pool pump working group include: Gary Fernstrom, California Investor-Owned Utilities; Joanna Mauer, Appliance Standards Awareness Project; Meg Waltner, Natural Resources Defense Council; Kristen Driskell, California Energy Commission; John Cymbalsky, U.S. DOE; and John Caskey, ASRAC/National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
“When the DOE announced proposed federal standards and test procedures that would apply equally to all pumps, APSP reached out and engaged them to better understand the effort and differentiate swimming pool pumps and portable spa pumps from industrial pumps,” said APSP Vice President, Technical & Standards Carvin DiGiovanni. “We are collaborating with the Department of Energy, the California Investor-Owned Utilities and others so that the interests of our members are represented and that the role of energy efficient products remains competitive and desirable amongst consumers,” he added. Jennifer Hatfield, Director, Government Affairs, is assisting in the facilitation of this effort.
The first meeting of the newly formed workgroup will be held Sept. 30-Oct.1. To attend in person or via webinar and for additional information click here.
For more information about the APSP Energy Working Group, contact DiGiovanni.
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About APSP
The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) is the world’s oldest and largest association representing swimming pool, hot tub, and spa manufacturers, distributors, manufacturers’ agents, designers, builders, installers, suppliers, retailers, and service professionals. Dedicated to the growth and development of its members’ businesses and to promoting the enjoyment and safety of pools and spas, APSP offers a range of services, from professional development to advancing key legislation and regulation at the federal and local levels, to consumer outreach and public safety. APSP is the only industry organization recognized by the American National Standards Institute to develop and promote national standards for pools, hot tubs, and spas. For more information, visit APSP.org.