Federal Register #2026-07165

DOE Rescinds Obsolete Grant Program Regulations for Schools, Hospitals, and Public Care Institutions

The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a final rule rescinding outdated regulations for legacy grant programs: - Government Buyer: - United States Department of Energy (DOE) - Office of State and Community Energy Programs - Scope of Rule: - Eliminates regulations at 10 CFR Part 455 related to grant programs for schools, hospitals, and public care institutions - These regulations implemented the Institutional Conservation Program (ICP), which provided grants for energy audits and conservation measures - The ICP was consolidated into the State Energy Program (SEP) in 1996 - No Congressional funding for the underlying program for decades - Impact: - No OEMs, vendors, products, or purchase quantities are involved - The rule is strictly procedural and administrative - No effect on stakeholders, financial assistance, small entities, families, or energy supply - Relevant activities are now covered under SEP regulations - Purpose: - Streamlines DOE's regulatory framework by removing obsolete regulations

Description

The Department of Energy (DOE) has published a final rule to eliminate regulations related to grant programs for schools, hospitals, and buildings owned by local government units and public care institutions. These regulations are legacy rules from an ancestral program that has not been funded for decades and are no longer applicable. The rule streamlines DOE's regulatory framework without impacting stakeholders or reducing financial assistance, as the activities are now covered under the State Energy Program regulations. The rule is effective May 14, 2026.

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