New regs for Tuesday: Auto, buses, efficiency

Tuesday’s edition of the Federal Register contains new rules for automobile lenders, passenger-carrying buses and efficiency standards for air conditioners and heat pumps.

Here’s what is happening:

Buses: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is delaying new rules for passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicles like buses.

The FMCSA issued new regulations for the lease of interchange of these commercial passenger-carrying vehicles in May but is now extending the deadline for people to submit petitions protesting the rule. 

The public has until Aug. 25 to comment.

Cars: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is moving forward with new rules for larger automobile lenders under the Dodd-Frank financial reform laws.

The new rules define any automobile company that makes 10,000 loans a year as a larger market participant. They will be subject to new rules for automobile loans, refinancings and leases.

The rules go into effect in 60 days.

Efficiency: The Department of Energy is moving forward with new energy conservation standards for air conditioners and heat pumps.

The Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is issuing new test procedures that will cover packaged terminal air conditioners as well as packaged terminal heat pumps.

The rules go into effect on July 30.