Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Decision and Order Granting a Waiver to the General Electric Company from the Department of Energy Residential Clothes Washer Test Procedure, 76968-76970 [2010-31062]
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76968
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 237 / Friday, December 10, 2010 / Notices
Department.11 Accordingly, Electrolux
respectfully submits that sufficient
grounds exist for the Assistant Secretary
to grant the Electrolux Application for
Interim Waiver.
ACTION:
Decision and Order.
Electrolux urges the Assistant
Secretary to grant its Petition for Waiver
and Application for Interim Waiver to
allow Electrolux to test its new
refrigerator models as noted above.
Granting Electrolux’s Petition for
Waiver will encourage the introduction
of advanced technologies while
providing proper consideration of
energy consumption.
The U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) gives notice of the
decision and order (Case No. CW–013)
that grants to the General Electric
Company (GE) a waiver from the DOE
clothes washer test procedure for
determining the energy consumption of
clothes washers. Under today’s decision
and order, GE shall be required to test
and rate its clothes washers with larger
clothes containers using an alternate test
procedure that takes the larger
capacities into account when measuring
energy consumption.
IV. Affected Persons
DATES:
III. Conclusion
Primarily affected persons in the
refrigerator-freezer category include
BSH Home Appliances Corp. (BoschSiemens Hausgerate GmbH), Equator,
Fisher & Paykel Appliances Inc., GE
Appliances, Haier America Trading,
L.L.C., Heartland Appliances, Inc.,
Liebherr Hausgerate, LG Electronics
USA Inc., Northland Corporation,
Samsung Electronics America, Inc.,
Sanyo Fisher Company, Sears, Sub-Zero
Freezer Company, U–Line, Viking
Range, W. C. Wood Company, and
Whirlpool Corporation. The Association
of Home Appliance Manufacturers is
also generally interested in energy
efficiency requirements for appliances.
Electrolux will notify all these entities
as required by the Department’s rules
and provide them with a version of this
Petition.
Sincerely,
Jean-Cyril Walker
Enclosures
cc: Michael Raymond, DOE Office of
Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy
[FR Doc. 2010–31063 Filed 12–9–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
[Case No. CW–013]
Energy Conservation Program for
Consumer Products: Decision and
Order Granting a Waiver to the General
Electric Company from the Department
of Energy Residential Clothes Washer
Test Procedure
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
AGENCY:
11 See
SUMMARY:
This Decision and Order is
effective December 10, 2010.
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:
mailto:Michael.Raymond@ee.doe.gov.
Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of the General Counsel,
Mail Stop GC–71, 1000 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585–
0103. Telephone: (202) 287–7796, Email:
mailto:Jennifer.Tiedeman@hq.doe.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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 GE 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 GE tests and rates such
products using the alternate test
procedure described in this notice.
Today’s decision prohibits GE from
making representations concerning the
energy efficiency of these products
unless the product has been tested
consistent with the provisions of 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:
18:39 Dec 09, 2010
Decision and Order
In the Matter of: The General Electric
Company (Case No. CW–013)
I. Background and Authority
Title III of the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act (EPCA) sets forth a
variety of provisions designed to
improve energy efficiency. Part B of
Title III (42 U.S.C. 6291–6309) provides
for the ‘‘Energy Conservation Program
for Consumer Products Other Than
Automobiles.’’ 1 Part B includes
definitions, test procedures, labeling
provisions, energy conservation
standards, and the authority to require
information and reports from
manufacturers. Further, Part B
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).
1 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the
U.S. Code, Part B was re-designated Part A.
supra notes 2–3.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
Issued in Washington, DC, on December 3,
2010.
Cathy Zoi,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
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76969
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 237 / Friday, December 10, 2010 / Notices
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. GE’s Petition for Waiver: Assertions
and Determinations
On June 22, 2010, GE filed a petition
for waiver from the test procedure
applicable to automatic and semiautomatic clothes washers set forth in
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1.
In particular, GE 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.
GE’s petition was published in the
Federal Register on September 23, 2010.
75 FR 57915. DOE received no
comments on the GE petition.
GE’s petition seeks a waiver from the
DOE test procedure because the mass of
the test load used in the procedure is
based on the basket volume of the test
unit, which is currently not defined for
the basket sizes of the basic models
cited in its waiver application. In the
DOE test procedure, the relation
between basket volume and test load
mass is defined for basket volumes
between 0 and 3.8 cubic feet. GE has
designed a series of clothes washers that
contain basket volumes greater than 3.8
cubic feet. In addition, if the current
maximum test load mass is used to test
these products, the tested energy use
would be less than the actual energy
usage, and could evaluate the basic
model in a manner so unrepresentative
of its true energy consumption
characteristics as to provide materially
inaccurate comparative data. DOE notes
that Whirlpool Corporation and
Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
received interim waivers for similar
products with basket volumes greater
than 3.8 cubic feet on August 22, 2006
(71 FR 48913) and September 16, 2010
(75 FR 57937), respectively.
Table 5.1 of Appendix J1 defines the
test load sizes used in the test procedure
as linear functions of the basket volume.
GE has submitted a proposed revised
table to extend the maximum basket
volume from 3.8 cubic feet to 5.1 cubic
feet, a table the same as one developed
by the Association of Home Appliance
Manufacturers (AHAM). 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, however, and AHAM and GE
appear to have used the conversion ratio
of 1/2.2 (or 0.45454545) to convert
pounds to kilograms. Samsung and
Whirlpool used the more accurate
conversion value of 0.45359237. In a
recently published notice of proposed
rulemaking (NOPR), DOE published a
Table 5.1 with some small differences
from the Table 5.1 used by Whirlpool
and Samsung, and somewhat larger
differences from the Table 5.1 used by
AHAM and GE. (75 FR 57556, Sept. 21,
2010). The differences are due to the
conversion factor and to rounding.
Differences in energy and water use will
also be in the range of 0.2%. The Table
5.1 values in the alternate test procedure
presented below 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,
and DOE will consider using the same
alternate test procedure in future waiver
decisions. DOE further notes that 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.
III. Consultations with Other Agencies
DOE consulted with the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) staff concerning the
GE petition for waiver. The FTC staff
did not have any objections to granting
a waiver to GE.
IV. Conclusion
After careful consideration of all the
material that was submitted by GE, the
interim waivers granted to Whirlpool
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 General Electric Company (Case
No. CW–013) is hereby granted as set
forth in the paragraphs below.
(2) GE shall not be required to test or
rate the following GE 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:
PTWN8055*, PTWN8050*,
PFWS4600*, PFWS4605*, PFWH4400*,
PFWH4405*, GFWS3600*, GFWS3605*,
GFWS3500*, GFWS3505*,
GFWH3400*, GFWH3405*,
GFWH2400*, GFWH2405*
(3) GE 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 GE 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
≥<
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 .....................................................................
1.40–1.50 .....................................................................
1.50–1.60 .....................................................................
1.60–1.70 .....................................................................
VerDate Mar<15>2010
Average load
lb
Lb
lb
liter
≥ <.
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
cu. ft
Maximum load
18:39 Dec 09, 2010
Jkt 223001
PO 00000
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
39.6–42.5
42.5–45.3
45.3–48.1
Frm 00020
Fmt 4703
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
Sfmt 4703
kg
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
kg
3.00
3.50
3.90
4.30
4.70
5.10
5.50
5.90
6.40
6.80
E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM
10DEN1
1.36
1.59
1.77
1.95
2.13
2.31
2.49
2.68
2.90
3.08
3.00
3.25
3.45
3.65
3.85
4.05
4.25
4.45
4.70
4.90
kg
1.36
1.47
1.56
1.66
1.75
1.84
1.93
2.02
2.13
2.22
76970
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 237 / Friday, December 10, 2010 / Notices
TABLE 5.1—TEST LOAD SIZES—Continued
Container volume
Minimum load
cu. ft
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
≥<
Average load
lb
Lb
kg
lb
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
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
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
liter
≥ <.
Maximum load
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
.....................................................................
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
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
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
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD 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. GE 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
CFR430.27(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
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:39 Dec 09, 2010
Jkt 223001
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.
(7) Grant of this waiver does not
release a petitioner from the
certification requirements set forth at 10
CFR 430.62.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Issued in Washington, DC, on December 3,
2010.
lllllllllllllllllllll
Cathy Zoi,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
December 3, 2010.
[FR Doc. 2010–31062 Filed 12–9–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
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Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. CP11–40–000]
East Cheyenne Gas Storage, LLC;
Notice of Amendment
Take notice that on November 19,
2010, East Cheyenne Gas Storage, LLC
(East Cheyenne), 10901 W. Toller Drive,
Suite 200, Littleton, Colorado 80127,
filed in the captioned docket an
application under section 7 of the
Natural Gas Act (NGA), as amended,
and part 157 of the Commission’s
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 237 (Friday, December 10, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76968-76970]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31062]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
[Case No. CW-013]
Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Decision and
Order Granting a Waiver to the General Electric Company 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-013) that grants to the General
Electric Company (GE) a waiver from the DOE clothes washer test
procedure for determining the energy consumption of clothes washers.
Under today's decision and order, GE shall be required to test and rate
its clothes washers with larger clothes containers using an alternate
test procedure that takes the larger capacities into account when
measuring energy consumption.
DATES: This Decision and Order is effective December 10, 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: mailto:Michael.Raymond@ee.doe.gov.
Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General
Counsel, Mail Stop GC-71, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20585-0103. Telephone: (202) 287-7796, E-mail:
mailto: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 GE 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 GE tests and rates such products using the alternate test
procedure described in this notice. Today's decision prohibits GE from
making representations concerning the energy efficiency of these
products unless the product has been tested consistent with the
provisions of 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 December 3, 2010.
Cathy Zoi,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Decision and Order
In the Matter of: The General Electric Company (Case No. CW-013)
I. Background and Authority
Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) sets
forth a variety of provisions designed to improve energy efficiency.
Part B of Title III (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309) provides for the ``Energy
Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles.''
\1\ Part B includes definitions, test procedures, labeling provisions,
energy conservation standards, and the authority to require information
and reports from manufacturers. Further, Part B 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.
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\1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code,
Part B was re-designated Part A.
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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).
[[Page 76969]]
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. GE's Petition for Waiver: Assertions and Determinations
On June 22, 2010, GE 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, GE
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. GE's petition was published in the Federal Register on
September 23, 2010. 75 FR 57915. DOE received no comments on the GE
petition.
GE's petition seeks a waiver from the DOE test procedure because
the mass of the test load used in the procedure is based on the basket
volume of the test unit, which is currently not defined for the basket
sizes of the basic models cited in its waiver application. In the DOE
test procedure, the relation between basket volume and test load mass
is defined for basket volumes between 0 and 3.8 cubic feet. GE has
designed a series of clothes washers that contain basket volumes
greater than 3.8 cubic feet. In addition, if the current maximum test
load mass is used to test these products, the tested energy use would
be less than the actual energy usage, and could evaluate the basic
model in a manner so unrepresentative of its true energy consumption
characteristics as to provide materially inaccurate comparative data.
DOE notes that Whirlpool Corporation and Samsung Electronics America,
Inc. received interim waivers for similar products with basket volumes
greater than 3.8 cubic feet on August 22, 2006 (71 FR 48913) and
September 16, 2010 (75 FR 57937), respectively.
Table 5.1 of Appendix J1 defines the test load sizes used in the
test procedure as linear functions of the basket volume. GE has
submitted a proposed revised table to extend the maximum basket volume
from 3.8 cubic feet to 5.1 cubic feet, a table the same as one
developed by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM).
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, however, and AHAM and GE
appear to have used the conversion ratio of 1/2.2 (or 0.45454545) to
convert pounds to kilograms. Samsung and Whirlpool used the more
accurate conversion value of 0.45359237. In a recently published notice
of proposed rulemaking (NOPR), DOE published a Table 5.1 with some
small differences from the Table 5.1 used by Whirlpool and Samsung, and
somewhat larger differences from the Table 5.1 used by AHAM and GE. (75
FR 57556, Sept. 21, 2010). The differences are due to the conversion
factor and to rounding. Differences in energy and water use will also
be in the range of 0.2%. The Table 5.1 values in the alternate test
procedure presented below 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, and DOE will consider using the same alternate test
procedure in future waiver decisions. DOE further notes that 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.
III. Consultations with Other Agencies
DOE consulted with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) staff
concerning the GE petition for waiver. The FTC staff did not have any
objections to granting a waiver to GE.
IV. Conclusion
After careful consideration of all the material that was submitted
by GE, the interim waivers granted to Whirlpool 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 General Electric
Company (Case No. CW-013) is hereby granted as set forth in the
paragraphs below.
(2) GE shall not be required to test or rate the following GE
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:
PTWN8055*, PTWN8050*, PFWS4600*, PFWS4605*, PFWH4400*, PFWH4405*,
GFWS3600*, GFWS3605*, GFWS3500*, GFWS3505*, GFWH3400*, GFWH3405*,
GFWH2400*, GFWH2405*
(3) GE 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
GE 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
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Container volume Minimum load Maximum load Average load
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cu. ft liter
----------------------------------------------- lb kg Lb kg lb kg
>= <. >= <
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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
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
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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
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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. GE 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 CFR430.27(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.
(7) Grant of this waiver does not release a petitioner from the
certification requirements set forth at 10 CFR 430.62.
Issued in Washington, DC, on December 3, 2010.
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Cathy Zoi,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2010-31062 Filed 12-9-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
