Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Decision and Order Granting a Waiver to Whirlpool From the Department of Energy Residential Clothes Washer Test Procedure, 69653-69655 [2010-28646]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 219 / Monday, November 15, 2010 / Notices BPDeepwaterHorizionCommission@hq. doe.gov. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting will be available at the Commission’s Web site: https:// www.OilSpillCommission.gov or by contacting Mr. Smith. He may be reached at the postal or e-mail addresses above. Accommodation for the hearing impaired: A sign language interpreter will be onsite for the duration of the meeting. Issued in Washington, DC, on November 9, 2010. Rachel Samuel, Deputy Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. 2010–28645 Filed 11–12–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy [Case No. CW–015] In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR 430.27(l)), DOE gives notice of the issuance of its decision and order as set forth below. The decision and order grants Whirlpool a waiver from the applicable clothes washer test procedure in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1 for certain basic models of clothes washers with capacities greater than 3.8 cubic feet, provided that Whirlpool tests and rates such products using the alternate test procedure described in this notice. Today’s decision prohibits Whirlpool from making representations concerning the energy efficiency of these products unless the product has been tested consistent with the provisions and restrictions in the alternate test procedure set forth in the decision and order below, and the representations fairly disclose the test results. Distributors, retailers, and private labelers are held to the same standard when making representations regarding the energy efficiency of these products. 42 U.S.C. 6293(c). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Decision and Order Granting a Waiver to Whirlpool From the Department of Energy Residential Clothes Washer Test Procedure Issued in Washington, DC, on November 4, 2010. Cathy Zoi, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy. ACTION: Decision and order. Decision and Order In the Matter of: Whirlpool Corporation (Case No. CW–015). AGENCY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of the decision and order (Case No. CW–015) that grants to Whirlpool Corporation (Whirlpool) a waiver from the DOE clothes washer test procedure for determining the energy consumption of clothes washers. Under today’s decision and order, Whirlpool shall be required to test and rate its clothes washers with larger clothes containers using an alternate test procedure that takes this technology into account when measuring energy consumption. DATES: This Decision and Order is effective November 15, 2010. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Michael G. Raymond, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202) 586–9611, E-mail: Michael.Raymond@ee.doe.gov. Jennifer Tiedeman, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, Mail Stop GC–71, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585– 0103. Telephone: (202) 287–6111, Email: Jennifer.Tiedeman@hq.doe.gov. srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:04 Nov 12, 2010 Jkt 223001 I. Background and Authority Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) sets forth a variety of provisions concerning energy efficiency. Part A of Title III provides for the ‘‘Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles.’’ 42 U.S.C. 6291–6309. Part A includes definitions, test procedures, labeling provisions, energy conservation standards, and the authority to require information and reports from manufacturers. Further, Part A authorizes the Secretary of Energy to prescribe test procedures that are reasonably designed to produce results that measure energy efficiency, energy use, or estimated operating costs, and that are not unduly burdensome to conduct. 42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3). The test procedure for residential clothes washers, the subject of today’s notice, is contained in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1. DOE’s regulations for covered products contain provisions allowing a person to seek a waiver for a particular basic model from the test procedure requirements for covered consumer products when (1) the petitioner’s basic model for which the petition for waiver PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 69653 was submitted contains one or more design characteristics that prevent testing according to the prescribed test procedure, or (2) when prescribed test procedures may evaluate the basic model in a manner so unrepresentative of its true energy consumption characteristics as to provide materially inaccurate comparative data. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(1). Petitioners must include in their petition any alternate test procedures known to the petitioner to evaluate the basic model in a manner representative of its energy consumption characteristics. 10 CFR 430.27(b)(1)(iii). The Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (the Assistant Secretary) may grant a waiver subject to conditions, including adherence to alternate test procedures. 10 CFR 430.27(l). Waivers remain in effect pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 430.27(m). Any interested person who has submitted a petition for waiver may also file an application for interim waiver of the applicable test procedure requirements. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(2). The Assistant Secretary will grant an interim waiver request if it is determined that the applicant will experience economic hardship if the interim waiver is denied, if it appears likely that the petition for waiver will be granted, and/or the Assistant Secretary determines that it would be desirable for public policy reasons to grant immediate relief pending a determination on the petition for waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(g). II. Whirlpool’s Petition for Waiver: Assertions and Determinations On November 21, 2005, Whirlpool filed a petition for waiver from the test procedure applicable to automatic and semi-automatic clothes washers set forth in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1. In particular, Whirlpool requested a waiver to test its clothes washers on the basis of the residential test procedures contained in 10 CFR part 430, Subpart B, Appendix J1, with a revised Table 5.1 extended to larger container volumes. Whirlpool’s petition was published in the Federal Register on August 22, 2006. 71 FR 48913. DOE received one comment on the Whirlpool petition, from a private citizen who opined that the purpose of waivers is to evade regulations. In its petition, Whirlpool pointed out that the required mass of the test load used in DOE’s test procedure is based on the basket volume of the test specimen. However, the test procedure does not define required test load masses for the basket sizes of Whirlpool’s basic models cited in its E:\FR\FM\15NON1.SGM 15NON1 69654 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 219 / Monday, November 15, 2010 / Notices waiver application, which are larger than those contemplated by the test procedure. Specifically, in the DOE test procedure, the relation between basket volume and test load mass is only defined for basket volumes between 0 and 3.8 cubic feet. Whirlpool has designed a series of clothes washers that contain basket volumes of greater than 3.8 cubic feet. On June 22, 2010 and July 20, 2010, General Electric Company (GE) and Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (Samsung), respectively, filed very similar petitions for waiver and applications for interim waivers for their clothes washers with basket volumes greater than 3.8 cubic feet. DOE granted GE and Samsung’s interim waivers on September 16, 2010. (75 FR 57915; 75 FR 57937). Table 5.1 of Appendix J1 defines the test load sizes used in the test procedure as linear functions of the basket volume. Whirlpool has submitted a proposed revised table to extend the maximum basket volume from 3.8 cubic feet to 5.1 cubic feet, a table similar to one developed by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) and provided to DOE in comments on a proposed DOE residential clothes washer test procedure rulemaking. The notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) was published September 21, 2010 (75 FR 57556). When the residential clothes washer test procedure rulemaking process is complete, any amended test procedure will supersede the alternate test procedure described in this waiver. AHAM provided calculations to extrapolate Table 5.1 of the DOE test procedure to larger container volumes. DOE believes that this is a reasonable procedure because the DOE test procedure defines test load sizes as linear functions of the basket volume. AHAM’s extrapolation was performed on the load weight in pounds, and AHAM appears to have used the conversion ratio of 1/2.2 (or 0.45454545) to convert pounds to kilograms. Whirlpool used the more accurate conversion value of 0.45359237 (which Samsung also used in its similar petition), rounding the results in kilograms to two decimal places. The Table 5.1 in the clothes washer NOPR referenced above has some small differences with the Table 5.1 used by Whirlpool and Samsung. The differences are due to rounding which Samsung and Whirlpool applied too early. The largest difference is 0.5%. The Table 5.1 values here are from DOE’s NOPR. As DOE has stated in the past, it is in the public interest to have similar products tested and rated for energy consumption on a comparable basis. III. Consultations With Other Agencies DOE consulted with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) staff concerning the Whirlpool petition for waiver. The FTC staff did not have any objections to granting a waiver to Whirlpool. IV. Conclusion After careful consideration of all the material that was submitted by Whirlpool, the interim waivers granted to GE and Samsung, the clothes washer test procedure rulemaking, and consultation with the FTC staff, it is ordered that: (1) The petition for waiver submitted by the Whirlpool Corporation (Case No. CW–015) is hereby granted as set forth in the paragraphs below. (2) Whirlpool shall not be required to test or rate the following Whirlpool models on the basis of the current test procedure contained in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1. Instead, it shall be required to test and rate such products according to the alternate test procedure as set forth in paragraph (3) below: Brand Model No. Amana ................................. Kenmore .............................. Kenmore .............................. Kenmore .............................. Kenmore .............................. Kenmore .............................. Kenmore .............................. Kenmore .............................. Kenmore .............................. NFW7600X* 2803* 2804* 2803* 2804* 2706* 2707* 2708* 2709* Brand Model No. Kenmore .............................. Kenmore .............................. Kenmore .............................. Kenmore .............................. Kenmore .............................. Kenmore .............................. Kenmore .............................. Kenmore .............................. Maytag ................................. Maytag ................................. Maytag ................................. Maytag ................................. Maytag ................................. Maytag ................................. Maytag ................................. Maytag ................................. Maytag ................................. Maytag ................................. Maytag ................................. Maytag ................................. Maytag ................................. Maytag ................................. Maytag ................................. Maytag ................................. Maytag ................................. Whirlpool .............................. Whirlpool .............................. Whirlpool .............................. Whirlpool .............................. Whirlpool .............................. Whirlpool .............................. Whirlpool .............................. Whirlpool .............................. Whirlpool .............................. Whirlpool .............................. Whirlpool .............................. Whirlpool .............................. Whirlpool .............................. Whirlpool .............................. Whirlpool .............................. Whirlpool .............................. Whirlpool .............................. Whirlpool .............................. Whirlpool .............................. Whirlpool .............................. Whirlpool .............................. 2808* n/a 2806* 2807* 2808* 2809* 2808* 2809* MHWE950W* MHWE550W* MHWE400W* MHWE450W* MTW6300TQ1 MTW6500TQ1 MTW6600T*1 MTW6700TQ1 MVWB400VW0 MVWB700VW0 MVWB800VW0 MVWB300W* MVWB450W* MVWB750W* MVW7000X* MHW6000X* MVWB850W* WFW9750W* WFW9470W* WTW9451X* WTW6200S2 WTW6200V* WTW6400S2 WTW6600S2 WTW6700T0 WTW6300W* WTW6340W* WTW6700T* WTW7300X* WTW7340X* WFW94HEX* WFW95HEX* WFW97HEX* WTW7600X* WTW7800X* WTW6500W* WTW6800W* WTW7990X* (3) Whirlpool shall be required to test the products listed in paragraph (2) above according to the test procedures for clothes washers prescribed by DOE at 10 CFR part 430, appendix J1, except that, for the Whirlpool products listed in paragraph (2) only, the expanded Table 5.1 below shall be substituted for Table 5.1 of appendix J1. TABLE 5.1—TEST LOAD SIZES Container volume Minimum load srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES cu. ft. ≥< Average load liter ≥< Maximum load 0–0.8 0.80–0.90 0.90–1.00 1.00–1.10 1.10–1.20 1.20–1.30 1.30–1.40 VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:04 Nov 12, 2010 lb 0–22.7 22.7–25.5 25.5–28.3 28.3–31.1 31.1–34.0 34.0–36.8 36.8–39.6 Jkt 223001 PO 00000 kg 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 Frm 00036 Fmt 4703 lb 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 Sfmt 4703 kg 3.00 3.50 3.90 4.30 4.70 5.10 5.50 E:\FR\FM\15NON1.SGM lb 1.36 1.59 1.77 1.95 2.13 2.31 2.49 15NON1 kg 3.00 3.25 3.45 3.65 3.85 4.05 4.25 1.36 1.47 1.56 1.66 1.75 1.84 1.93 69655 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 219 / Monday, November 15, 2010 / Notices TABLE 5.1—TEST LOAD SIZES—Continued Container volume Minimum load cu. ft. ≥< Average load liter ≥< Maximum load 1.40–1.50 1.50–1.60 1.60–1.70 1.70–1.80 1.80–1.90 1.90–2.00 2.00–2.10 2.10–2.20 2.20–2.30 2.30–2.40 2.40–2.50 2.50–2.60 2.60–2.70 2.70–2.80 2.80–2.90 2.90–3.00 3.00–3.10 3.10–3.20 3.20–3.30 3.30–3.40 3.40–3.50 3.50–3.60 3.60–3.70 3.70–3.80 3.80–3.90 3.90–4.00 4.00–4.10 4.10–4.20 4.20–4.30 4.30–4.40 4.40–4.50 4.50–4.60 4.60–4.70 4.70–4.80 4.80–4.90 4.90–5.00 5.00–5.10 5.10–5.20 5.20–5.30 5.30–5.40 5.40–5.50 5.50–5.60 5.60–5.70 5.70–5.80 5.80–5.90 5.90–6.00 lb 39.6–42.5 42.5–45.3 45.3–48.1 48.1–51.0 51.0–53.8 53.8–56.6 56.6–59.5 59.5–62.3 62.3–65.1 65.1–68.0 68.0–70.8 70.8–73.6 73.6–76.5 76.5–79.3 79.3–82.1 82.1–85.0 85.0–87.8 87.8–90.6 90.6–93.4 93.4–96.3 96.3–99.1 99.1–101.9 101.9–104.8 104.8–107.6 107.6–110.4 110.4–113.3 113.3–116.1 116.1–118.9 118.9–121.8 121.8–124.6 124.6–127.4 127.4–130.3 130.3–133.1 133.1–135.9 135.9–138.8 138.8–141.6 141.6–144.4 144.4–147.2 147.2–150.1 150.1–152.9 152.9–155.7 155.7–158.6 158.6–161.4 161.4–164.2 164.2–167.1 167.1–169.9 kg 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 lb 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 kg 5.90 6.40 6.80 7.20 7.60 8.00 8.40 8.80 9.20 9.60 10.00 10.50 10.90 11.30 11.70 12.10 12.50 12.90 13.30 13.70 14.10 14.60 15.00 15.40 15.80 16.20 16.60 17.00 17.40 17.80 18.20 18.70 19.10 19.50 19.90 20.30 20.70 21.10 21.50 21.90 22.30 22.80 23.20 23.60 24.00 24.40 lb 2.68 2.90 3.08 3.27 3.45 3.63 3.81 3.99 4.17 4.35 4.54 4.76 4.94 5.13 5.31 5.49 5.67 5.85 6.03 6.21 6.40 6.62 6.80 6.99 7.16 7.34 7.53 7.72 7.90 8.09 8.27 8.46 8.65 8.83 9.02 9.20 9.39 9.58 9.76 9.95 10.13 10.32 10.51 10.69 10.88 11.06 kg 4.45 4.70 4.90 5.10 5.30 5.50 5.70 5.90 6.10 6.30 6.50 6.75 6.95 7.15 7.35 7.55 7.75 7.95 8.15 8.35 8.55 8.80 9.00 9.20 9.40 9.60 9.80 10.00 10.20 10.40 10.60 10.80 11.00 11.20 11.40 11.60 11.90 12.10 12.30 12.50 12.70 12.90 13.10 13.30 13.50 13.70 2.02 2.13 2.22 2.31 2.40 2.49 2.59 2.68 2.77 2.86 2.95 3.06 3.15 3.24 3.33 3.42 3.52 3.61 3.70 3.79 3.88 3.99 4.08 4.17 4.26 4.35 4.45 4.54 4.63 4.72 4.82 4.91 5.00 5.10 5.19 5.28 5.38 5.47 5.56 5.65 5.75 5.84 5.93 6.03 6.12 6.21 srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES NOTES: (1) All test load weights are bone dry weights. (2) Allowable tolerance on the test load weights are ±0.10 lbs (0.05 kg). (4) Representations. Whirlpool may make representations about the energy use of its clothes washer products for compliance, marketing, or other purposes only to the extent that such products have been tested in accordance with the provisions outlined above and such representations fairly disclose the results of such testing. (5) This waiver shall remain in effect consistent with the provisions of 10 CFR 430.27(m). (6) This waiver is issued on the condition that the statements, representations, and documentary materials provided by the petitioner are VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:04 Nov 12, 2010 Jkt 223001 valid. DOE may revoke or modify this waiver at any time if it determines the factual basis underlying the petition for waiver is incorrect, or the results from the alternate test procedure are unrepresentative of the basic models’ true energy consumption characteristics. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Issued in Washington, DC, on November 4, 2010. Cathy Zoi, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. AGENCY: [FR Doc. 2010–28646 Filed 11–12–10; 8:45 am] SUMMARY: BILLING CODE 6450–01–P PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee (ERAC) Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. ACTION: Notice of open meeting. This notice announces the first meeting of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advisory E:\FR\FM\15NON1.SGM 15NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 219 (Monday, November 15, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69653-69655]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-28646]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

[Case No. CW-015]

Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Decision and
Order Granting a Waiver to Whirlpool From the Department of Energy
Residential Clothes Washer Test Procedure

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.

ACTION: Decision and order.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of the
decision and order (Case No. CW-015) that grants to Whirlpool
Corporation (Whirlpool) a waiver from the DOE clothes washer test
procedure for determining the energy consumption of clothes washers.
Under today's decision and order, Whirlpool shall be required to test
and rate its clothes washers with larger clothes containers using an
alternate test procedure that takes this technology into account when
measuring energy consumption.

DATES: This Decision and Order is effective November 15, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Michael G. Raymond, U.S.
Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J,
1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone:
(202) 586-9611, E-mail: Michael.Raymond@ee.doe.gov.
Jennifer Tiedeman, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General
Counsel, Mail Stop GC-71, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20585-0103. Telephone: (202) 287-6111, E-mail:
Jennifer.Tiedeman@hq.doe.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (10 CFR 430.27(l)), DOE gives notice of the
issuance of its decision and order as set forth below. The decision and
order grants Whirlpool a waiver from the applicable clothes washer test
procedure in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1 for certain basic
models of clothes washers with capacities greater than 3.8 cubic feet,
provided that Whirlpool tests and rates such products using the
alternate test procedure described in this notice. Today's decision
prohibits Whirlpool from making representations concerning the energy
efficiency of these products unless the product has been tested
consistent with the provisions and restrictions in the alternate test
procedure set forth in the decision and order below, and the
representations fairly disclose the test results. Distributors,
retailers, and private labelers are held to the same standard when
making representations regarding the energy efficiency of these
products. 42 U.S.C. 6293(c).

Issued in Washington, DC, on November 4, 2010.
Cathy Zoi,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Decision and Order

In the Matter of: Whirlpool Corporation (Case No. CW-015).

I. Background and Authority

Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) sets
forth a variety of provisions concerning energy efficiency. Part A of
Title III provides for the ``Energy Conservation Program for Consumer
Products Other Than Automobiles.'' 42 U.S.C. 6291-6309. Part A includes
definitions, test procedures, labeling provisions, energy conservation
standards, and the authority to require information and reports from
manufacturers. Further, Part A authorizes the Secretary of Energy to
prescribe test procedures that are reasonably designed to produce
results that measure energy efficiency, energy use, or estimated
operating costs, and that are not unduly burdensome to conduct. 42
U.S.C. 6293(b)(3). The test procedure for residential clothes washers,
the subject of today's notice, is contained in 10 CFR part 430, subpart
B, appendix J1.
DOE's regulations for covered products contain provisions allowing
a person to seek a waiver for a particular basic model from the test
procedure requirements for covered consumer products when (1) the
petitioner's basic model for which the petition for waiver was
submitted contains one or more design characteristics that prevent
testing according to the prescribed test procedure, or (2) when
prescribed test procedures may evaluate the basic model in a manner so
unrepresentative of its true energy consumption characteristics as to
provide materially inaccurate comparative data. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(1).
Petitioners must include in their petition any alternate test
procedures known to the petitioner to evaluate the basic model in a
manner representative of its energy consumption characteristics. 10 CFR
430.27(b)(1)(iii).
The Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
(the Assistant Secretary) may grant a waiver subject to conditions,
including adherence to alternate test procedures. 10 CFR 430.27(l).
Waivers remain in effect pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR
430.27(m).
Any interested person who has submitted a petition for waiver may
also file an application for interim waiver of the applicable test
procedure requirements. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(2). The Assistant Secretary
will grant an interim waiver request if it is determined that the
applicant will experience economic hardship if the interim waiver is
denied, if it appears likely that the petition for waiver will be
granted, and/or the Assistant Secretary determines that it would be
desirable for public policy reasons to grant immediate relief pending a
determination on the petition for waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(g).

II. Whirlpool's Petition for Waiver: Assertions and Determinations

On November 21, 2005, Whirlpool filed a petition for waiver from
the test procedure applicable to automatic and semi-automatic clothes
washers set forth in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1. In
particular, Whirlpool requested a waiver to test its clothes washers on
the basis of the residential test procedures contained in 10 CFR part
430, Subpart B, Appendix J1, with a revised Table 5.1 extended to
larger container volumes. Whirlpool's petition was published in the
Federal Register on August 22, 2006. 71 FR 48913. DOE received one
comment on the Whirlpool petition, from a private citizen who opined
that the purpose of waivers is to evade regulations.
In its petition, Whirlpool pointed out that the required mass of
the test load used in DOE's test procedure is based on the basket
volume of the test specimen. However, the test procedure does not
define required test load masses for the basket sizes of Whirlpool's
basic models cited in its

[[Page 69654]]

waiver application, which are larger than those contemplated by the
test procedure. Specifically, in the DOE test procedure, the relation
between basket volume and test load mass is only defined for basket
volumes between 0 and 3.8 cubic feet. Whirlpool has designed a series
of clothes washers that contain basket volumes of greater than 3.8
cubic feet. On June 22, 2010 and July 20, 2010, General Electric
Company (GE) and Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (Samsung),
respectively, filed very similar petitions for waiver and applications
for interim waivers for their clothes washers with basket volumes
greater than 3.8 cubic feet. DOE granted GE and Samsung's interim
waivers on September 16, 2010. (75 FR 57915; 75 FR 57937).
Table 5.1 of Appendix J1 defines the test load sizes used in the
test procedure as linear functions of the basket volume. Whirlpool has
submitted a proposed revised table to extend the maximum basket volume
from 3.8 cubic feet to 5.1 cubic feet, a table similar to one developed
by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) and provided
to DOE in comments on a proposed DOE residential clothes washer test
procedure rulemaking. The notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) was
published September 21, 2010 (75 FR 57556). When the residential
clothes washer test procedure rulemaking process is complete, any
amended test procedure will supersede the alternate test procedure
described in this waiver. AHAM provided calculations to extrapolate
Table 5.1 of the DOE test procedure to larger container volumes. DOE
believes that this is a reasonable procedure because the DOE test
procedure defines test load sizes as linear functions of the basket
volume. AHAM's extrapolation was performed on the load weight in
pounds, and AHAM appears to have used the conversion ratio of 1/2.2 (or
0.45454545) to convert pounds to kilograms. Whirlpool used the more
accurate conversion value of 0.45359237 (which Samsung also used in its
similar petition), rounding the results in kilograms to two decimal
places. The Table 5.1 in the clothes washer NOPR referenced above has
some small differences with the Table 5.1 used by Whirlpool and
Samsung. The differences are due to rounding which Samsung and
Whirlpool applied too early. The largest difference is 0.5%. The Table
5.1 values here are from DOE's NOPR. As DOE has stated in the past, it
is in the public interest to have similar products tested and rated for
energy consumption on a comparable basis.

III. Consultations With Other Agencies

DOE consulted with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) staff
concerning the Whirlpool petition for waiver. The FTC staff did not
have any objections to granting a waiver to Whirlpool.

IV. Conclusion

After careful consideration of all the material that was submitted
by Whirlpool, the interim waivers granted to GE and Samsung, the
clothes washer test procedure rulemaking, and consultation with the FTC
staff, it is ordered that:
(1) The petition for waiver submitted by the Whirlpool Corporation
(Case No. CW-015) is hereby granted as set forth in the paragraphs
below.
(2) Whirlpool shall not be required to test or rate the following
Whirlpool models on the basis of the current test procedure contained
in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1. Instead, it shall be
required to test and rate such products according to the alternate test
procedure as set forth in paragraph (3) below:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brand Model No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amana................................... NFW7600X*
Kenmore................................. 2803*
Kenmore................................. 2804*
Kenmore................................. 2803*
Kenmore................................. 2804*
Kenmore................................. 2706*
Kenmore................................. 2707*
Kenmore................................. 2708*
Kenmore................................. 2709*
Kenmore................................. 2808*
Kenmore................................. n/a
Kenmore................................. 2806*
Kenmore................................. 2807*
Kenmore................................. 2808*
Kenmore................................. 2809*
Kenmore................................. 2808*
Kenmore................................. 2809*
Maytag.................................. MHWE950W*
Maytag.................................. MHWE550W*
Maytag.................................. MHWE400W*
Maytag.................................. MHWE450W*
Maytag.................................. MTW6300TQ1
Maytag.................................. MTW6500TQ1
Maytag.................................. MTW6600T*1
Maytag.................................. MTW6700TQ1
Maytag.................................. MVWB400VW0
Maytag.................................. MVWB700VW0
Maytag.................................. MVWB800VW0
Maytag.................................. MVWB300W*
Maytag.................................. MVWB450W*
Maytag.................................. MVWB750W*
Maytag.................................. MVW7000X*
Maytag.................................. MHW6000X*
Maytag.................................. MVWB850W*
Whirlpool............................... WFW9750W*
Whirlpool............................... WFW9470W*
Whirlpool............................... WTW9451X*
Whirlpool............................... WTW6200S2
Whirlpool............................... WTW6200V*
Whirlpool............................... WTW6400S2
Whirlpool............................... WTW6600S2
Whirlpool............................... WTW6700T0
Whirlpool............................... WTW6300W*
Whirlpool............................... WTW6340W*
Whirlpool............................... WTW6700T*
Whirlpool............................... WTW7300X*
Whirlpool............................... WTW7340X*
Whirlpool............................... WFW94HEX*
Whirlpool............................... WFW95HEX*
Whirlpool............................... WFW97HEX*
Whirlpool............................... WTW7600X*
Whirlpool............................... WTW7800X*
Whirlpool............................... WTW6500W*
Whirlpool............................... WTW6800W*
Whirlpool............................... WTW7990X*
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(3) Whirlpool shall be required to test the products listed in
paragraph (2) above according to the test procedures for clothes
washers prescribed by DOE at 10 CFR part 430, appendix J1, except that,
for the Whirlpool products listed in paragraph (2) only, the expanded
Table 5.1 below shall be substituted for Table 5.1 of appendix J1.

Table 5.1--Test Load Sizes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Container volume Minimum load Maximum load Average load
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
cu. ft. liter
----------------------------------- lb kg lb kg lb kg
>= < >= <
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-0.8 0-22.7 3.00 1.36 3.00 1.36 3.00 1.36
0.80-0.90 22.7-25.5 3.00 1.36 3.50 1.59 3.25 1.47
0.90-1.00 25.5-28.3 3.00 1.36 3.90 1.77 3.45 1.56
1.00-1.10 28.3-31.1 3.00 1.36 4.30 1.95 3.65 1.66
1.10-1.20 31.1-34.0 3.00 1.36 4.70 2.13 3.85 1.75
1.20-1.30 34.0-36.8 3.00 1.36 5.10 2.31 4.05 1.84
1.30-1.40 36.8-39.6 3.00 1.36 5.50 2.49 4.25 1.93

[[Page 69655]]

1.40-1.50 39.6-42.5 3.00 1.36 5.90 2.68 4.45 2.02
1.50-1.60 42.5-45.3 3.00 1.36 6.40 2.90 4.70 2.13
1.60-1.70 45.3-48.1 3.00 1.36 6.80 3.08 4.90 2.22
1.70-1.80 48.1-51.0 3.00 1.36 7.20 3.27 5.10 2.31
1.80-1.90 51.0-53.8 3.00 1.36 7.60 3.45 5.30 2.40
1.90-2.00 53.8-56.6 3.00 1.36 8.00 3.63 5.50 2.49
2.00-2.10 56.6-59.5 3.00 1.36 8.40 3.81 5.70 2.59
2.10-2.20 59.5-62.3 3.00 1.36 8.80 3.99 5.90 2.68
2.20-2.30 62.3-65.1 3.00 1.36 9.20 4.17 6.10 2.77
2.30-2.40 65.1-68.0 3.00 1.36 9.60 4.35 6.30 2.86
2.40-2.50 68.0-70.8 3.00 1.36 10.00 4.54 6.50 2.95
2.50-2.60 70.8-73.6 3.00 1.36 10.50 4.76 6.75 3.06
2.60-2.70 73.6-76.5 3.00 1.36 10.90 4.94 6.95 3.15
2.70-2.80 76.5-79.3 3.00 1.36 11.30 5.13 7.15 3.24
2.80-2.90 79.3-82.1 3.00 1.36 11.70 5.31 7.35 3.33
2.90-3.00 82.1-85.0 3.00 1.36 12.10 5.49 7.55 3.42
3.00-3.10 85.0-87.8 3.00 1.36 12.50 5.67 7.75 3.52
3.10-3.20 87.8-90.6 3.00 1.36 12.90 5.85 7.95 3.61
3.20-3.30 90.6-93.4 3.00 1.36 13.30 6.03 8.15 3.70
3.30-3.40 93.4-96.3 3.00 1.36 13.70 6.21 8.35 3.79
3.40-3.50 96.3-99.1 3.00 1.36 14.10 6.40 8.55 3.88
3.50-3.60 99.1-101.9 3.00 1.36 14.60 6.62 8.80 3.99
3.60-3.70 101.9-104.8 3.00 1.36 15.00 6.80 9.00 4.08
3.70-3.80 104.8-107.6 3.00 1.36 15.40 6.99 9.20 4.17
3.80-3.90 107.6-110.4 3.00 1.36 15.80 7.16 9.40 4.26
3.90-4.00 110.4-113.3 3.00 1.36 16.20 7.34 9.60 4.35
4.00-4.10 113.3-116.1 3.00 1.36 16.60 7.53 9.80 4.45
4.10-4.20 116.1-118.9 3.00 1.36 17.00 7.72 10.00 4.54
4.20-4.30 118.9-121.8 3.00 1.36 17.40 7.90 10.20 4.63
4.30-4.40 121.8-124.6 3.00 1.36 17.80 8.09 10.40 4.72
4.40-4.50 124.6-127.4 3.00 1.36 18.20 8.27 10.60 4.82
4.50-4.60 127.4-130.3 3.00 1.36 18.70 8.46 10.80 4.91
4.60-4.70 130.3-133.1 3.00 1.36 19.10 8.65 11.00 5.00
4.70-4.80 133.1-135.9 3.00 1.36 19.50 8.83 11.20 5.10
4.80-4.90 135.9-138.8 3.00 1.36 19.90 9.02 11.40 5.19
4.90-5.00 138.8-141.6 3.00 1.36 20.30 9.20 11.60 5.28
5.00-5.10 141.6-144.4 3.00 1.36 20.70 9.39 11.90 5.38
5.10-5.20 144.4-147.2 3.00 1.36 21.10 9.58 12.10 5.47
5.20-5.30 147.2-150.1 3.00 1.36 21.50 9.76 12.30 5.56
5.30-5.40 150.1-152.9 3.00 1.36 21.90 9.95 12.50 5.65
5.40-5.50 152.9-155.7 3.00 1.36 22.30 10.13 12.70 5.75
5.50-5.60 155.7-158.6 3.00 1.36 22.80 10.32 12.90 5.84
5.60-5.70 158.6-161.4 3.00 1.36 23.20 10.51 13.10 5.93
5.70-5.80 161.4-164.2 3.00 1.36 23.60 10.69 13.30 6.03
5.80-5.90 164.2-167.1 3.00 1.36 24.00 10.88 13.50 6.12
5.90-6.00 167.1-169.9 3.00 1.36 24.40 11.06 13.70 6.21
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: (1) All test load weights are bone dry weights.
(2) Allowable tolerance on the test load weights are 0.10 lbs (0.05 kg).

(4) Representations. Whirlpool may make representations about the
energy use of its clothes washer products for compliance, marketing, or
other purposes only to the extent that such products have been tested
in accordance with the provisions outlined above and such
representations fairly disclose the results of such testing.
(5) This waiver shall remain in effect consistent with the
provisions of 10 CFR 430.27(m).
(6) This waiver is issued on the condition that the statements,
representations, and documentary materials provided by the petitioner
are valid. DOE may revoke or modify this waiver at any time if it
determines the factual basis underlying the petition for waiver is
incorrect, or the results from the alternate test procedure are
unrepresentative of the basic models' true energy consumption
characteristics.

Issued in Washington, DC, on November 4, 2010.
Cathy Zoi,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2010-28646 Filed 11-12-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

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