Zero-Based Regulating

This proposed rule would insert sunset provisions into certain regulations, consistent with the Executive Order (E.O.), Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy (April 9, 2025), and agency policy. Each sunset provision would establish a conditional sunset date for covered regulations, as defined by the E.O. In this notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes regulatory revisions identical to those set forth in a direct final rule published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register . If DOE receives significant adverse comments, DOE will publish a notice of withdrawal for the direct final rule and will proceed with this proposed rule. This direct final rule inserts sunset provisions into certain regulations, consistent with Executive order (E.O.), Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy (April 9, 2025), and agency policy. Each sunset provision will establish a conditional sunset date for covered regulations, as defined by E.O 14270. If DOE does not extend a particular regulation before its conditional sunset date, that regulation will expire, cease to be enforceable and will be removed from the Code of Federal Regulations. The conditional sunset date may be extended by DOE as many times as appropriate, but never to a date more than five years in the future.