REQUEST FOR RECORDS: COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND IDEA PROJECT DATA (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

Dear Mr. Zieminski:

This is to acknowledge your records request, received by Lawrence Berkeley
National Laboratory on November 14, 2023.

Although the requested records have not yet been fully gathered and
reviewed, we believe that it is possible that all of the records you seek
would be owned by the U.S. Department of Energy, but we will not be able to
say for sure until we have the records in hand. If that is the case, then
you will need to make a request for those records under the Freedom of
Information Act directly to the DOE FOIA/Privacy Act Officer using the form
found at: https://www.energy.gov/doe-headquarters-foia-request-form.

Further, it is possible that the requested material may contain
information exempt from disclosure pursuant to the CPRA. However, this is
not a determination that the requested records are necessarily exempt from
disclosure. I will provide you with a status update after the requested
records have been thoroughly reviewed.

For your information, the California Public Records Act allows agencies to
make records available “upon payment of fees covering direct costs of
duplication.” (Government Code Section 6253(b)). The charge is $0.20 per
page for copies. Prepayment is required before the release of public
records. Inquiries about this records request should refer to CPRA 2023-06
(MuckRock-Zieminski).

Thank you,

Alleen

--
Alleen Zulkowski
Senior Advisor

510-701-9297

azulkowski@lbl.gov

---

On Nov. 14, 2023:
Subject: California Public Records Act Request: REQUEST FOR RECORDS:
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND IDEA PROJECT DATA (Lawrence
Berkeley National Laboratory)
To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the
following records:

An electronic database export, in spreadsheet format, of:

1) Compliance Certification Management System (CCMS) Records: An electronic
database export, in spreadsheet format, of all Compliance Certification
Management System records received by your office. The program is described
at https://www.regulations.doe.gov/certification-data/#q=Product_Group_s%3A*.
Please release all historical records containing Brand Name, Product Group
Code Description, Basic Model Number, and Individual Model Number Covered
by the Basic Model produced since this program's inception.

2) IDEA Project Data: Additionally, I am requesting any and all records
related to the International Data Exchange on Appliance Efficiency (IDEA)
project. This project, initially associated with the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) under the EnergyGuide labeling program, was reportedly
integrated into the Department of Energy and may contain valuable
historical model number data and other efficiency-related information. If
possible, please provide records from both the FTC's and DOE's involvement
with this project.
The program is described at the following URL:
https://eta-publications.lbl.gov/sites/default/files/lbnl-184403.pdf

As the FOIA requires, please release all reasonably segregable nonexempt
portions of documents. If you withhold information or records then please
identify the exemption through which you do so and advise me of my options
for appeal under the law.

FEES AND FEE STATUS
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this
request is in the public interest. As a board member at The Repair
Association, a nonprofit organization, I am engaged in academic and public
education efforts through my Appliance Repair Accessibility project. The
information requested will significantly contribute to the public's
understanding of appliance repairability and access to repair content,
topics of increasing relevance in our consumer and
environmentally-conscious society. This aligns with the FOIA's objectives
of promoting transparency and accountability in governmental practices
related to appliance standards and regulations.

Furthermore, by analyzing and disseminating the findings through our
website, social media, and industry news partners, we aim to educate the
public about the importance of repairability and sustainability in the
appliance industry. This endeavor is not for commercial use but for the
broader purpose of public education and advocacy in the field of repair
rights and environmental sustainability.

Therefore, as per Sack v. DOD (2016), I qualify for educational institution
fee status and ask that you process my request accordingly. In your
response, please confirm that you will be processing my request under the
educational institution fee status.

If fees are assessed then I agree to pay fees up to $30 without additional
notice. In the event that there are fees exceeding $30 then please inform
me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and
this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform
me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer
the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or
CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I
look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar
days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Matthew Zieminski

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PLEASE NOTE: This request is not filed by a MuckRock staff member, but is
being sent through MuckRock by the above in order to better track, share,
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Dear Mr. Zieminski,

Initial search efforts by LBNL to locate "all Compliance Certification
Management System records received by your office" and "any and all records
related to the International Data Exchange on Appliance Efficiency (IDEA)
project" did not turn up any responsive documents.

By providing you with this information, we consider your Public Records Act
request CPRA 2023-06 (MuckRock-Zieminski) to be fulfilled and our file will
be closed.

Thank you,
Alleen
--
Alleen Zulkowski
Senior Advisor

510-701-9297

azulkowski@lbl.gov