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]

Download as PDF 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. Jkt 223001 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM 10DEN1 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 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM 10DEN1

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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Part B was re-designated Part A.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 76970]]

 
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. 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.

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

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
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.