Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Decision and Order Granting a Waiver to Samsung Electronics America, Inc. From the Department of Energy Residential Clothes Washer Test Procedure, 13169-13171 [2011-5506]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 47 / Thursday, March 10, 2011 / Notices
[FR Doc. 2011–5501 Filed 3–9–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy
[Case No. CW–014]
Energy Conservation Program for
Consumer Products: Decision and
Order Granting a Waiver to Samsung
Electronics America, Inc. From the
Department of Energy Residential
Clothes Washer Test Procedure
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Decision and Order.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) gives notice of the
decision and order (Case No. CW–014)
that grants to Samsung Electronics
America, Inc. (Samsung) a waiver from
the DOE clothes washer test procedure
for determining the energy consumption
of clothes washers. Under today’s
decision and order, Samsung 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 March 10, 2011.
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: mail
to: 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) 586–7796, Email: mail to:
Elizabeth.Kohl@hq.doe.gov.
SUMMARY:
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 Samsung
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 Samsung tests and rates
such products using the alternate test
procedure described in this notice.
Today’s decision prohibits Samsung
jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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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 March 3,
2011.
Cathy Zoi,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
Decision and Order
In the Matter of: Samsung Electronics
America, Inc. (Case No. CW–014)
I. Background and Authority
Title III of the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act (EPCA) sets forth a
variety of provisions concerning energy
efficiency. Part B of Title III provides for
the ‘‘Energy Conservation Program for
Consumer Products Other Than
Automobiles.’’ 42 U.S.C. 6291–6309.1
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
1 Upon codification in the U.S. Code, Part B was
re-designated Part A for editorial reasons.
PO 00000
Frm 00046
Fmt 4703
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13169
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. Samsung’s Petition for Waiver:
Assertions and Determinations
On July 20, 2010, Samsung 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, Samsung 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.
Samsung’s petition was published in the
Federal Register on September 23, 2010.
75 FR 57937. DOE received no
comments on the Samsung petition.
Samsung’s petition seeks a waiver
from the DOE test procedure because
the mass of the test load used in the
DOE test procedure is based on the
basket volume of the test specimen,
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. Samsung has designed a series of
clothes washers that contain basket
volumes greater than 3.8 cubic feet.
DOE has granted petitions for waiver
and requests for interim waiver to other
manufacturers for clothes washer basic
models with capacities greater than 3.8
cubic feet. In addition to the interim
waiver granted to Samsung (75 FR
57937, Sept. 23, 2010), DOE has granted
interim waivers to Whirlpool
Corporation (71 FR 48913, Aug. 22,
E:\FR\FM\10MRN1.SGM
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13170
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 47 / Thursday, March 10, 2011 / Notices
2006), LG Electronics, Inc. (LG) (75 FR
71680, Nov. 24, 2010), the General
Electric Company (GE) (75 FR 57915,
Sept. 16, 2010), and Electrolux (75 FR
81258, December 27, 2010). DOE also
granted the petitions for waiver
submitted by Whirlpool (75 FR 69653,
Nov. 15, 2010) and GE (75 FR 76968,
Dec. 10, 2010).
Table 5.1 of Appendix J1 defines the
test load sizes used in the test procedure
as linear functions of the basket volume.
Samsung has submitted a proposed
revised table to extend the maximum
basket volume from 3.8 cubic feet to 6.0
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.
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.
Samsung used the more accurate
conversion value of 0.45359237 (which
Whirlpool also used in its similar
petition), rounding the results in
kilograms to two decimal places.
A similar Table 5.1 was also set forth
in the notice of proposed rulemaking
(NOPR) to amend the DOE test
procedure, published September 21,
2010 (75 FR 57556). The Table 5.1 in the
clothes washer NOPR has some small
differences with the Table 5.1 used by
Samsung and Whirlpool. The
differences are due to rounding, and the
largest difference is less than 0.5%. The
Table 5.1 values in the alternative test
procedure set forth in this waiver 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
Samsung petition for waiver. The FTC
staff did not have any objections to
granting a waiver to Samsung.
IV. Conclusion
After careful consideration of all the
material that was submitted by
Samsung, the waivers and interim
waivers granted to Whirlpool, GE, LG,
Electrolux and Samsung, DOE’s
proposed rule to amend the clothes
washer test procedure, and consultation
with FTC staff, it is ordered that:
(1) The petition for waiver submitted
by Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
(Case No. CW–014) is hereby granted as
set forth in the paragraphs below.
(2) Samsung shall not be required to
test or rate the following Samsung
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:
WA51A****; WA52A****;
WA53A****; WA54A****;
WA55A****; WA56A****; WF221***;
WF231***; WF241***; WF251***;
WF330***; WF331***; WF340***;
WF350***; WF409***; WF410***;
WF419***; WF421***; WF428***;
WF431***; WF438***; WF441***;
WF448***; WF451***; WF461***;
WF471***; WF500***; WF510***;
WF511***; WF512***; WF520***.
(3) Samsung 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 Samsung 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
jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES
cu. ft.
≥<
liter
≥<
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 .....................
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 .....................
VerDate Mar<15>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
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
14:43 Mar 09, 2011
Jkt 223001
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
PO 00000
Maximum load
Frm 00047
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
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Average load
kg
3.00
3.50
3.90
4.30
4.70
5.10
5.50
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
E:\FR\FM\10MRN1.SGM
lb
1.36
1.59
1.77
1.95
2.13
2.31
2.49
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
10MRN1
kg
3.00
3.25
3.45
3.65
3.85
4.05
4.25
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
1.36
1.47
1.56
1.66
1.75
1.84
1.93
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
13171
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 47 / Thursday, March 10, 2011 / Notices
TABLE 5.1—TEST LOAD SIZES—Continued
Container volume
cu. ft.
≥<
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
Minimum load
liter
≥<
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
Lb
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
Maximum load
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
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
Average load
kg
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
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
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
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
jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD 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. Samsung 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 decision and order applies
only to those models specifically set out
in the petition, not future models that
may be manufactured by Samsung.
Samsung may submit a new or amended
petition for waiver and request for grant
of interim waiver, as appropriate, for
additional models of clothes washers for
which it seeks a waiver from the DOE
test procedure. Grant of this waiver does
not release Samsung from the
certification requirements set forth at 10
CFR 430.62.
(6) This waiver shall remain in effect
consistent with the provisions of 10
CFR430.27(m).
(7) 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.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:43 Mar 09, 2011
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Issued in Washington, DC, on March 3,
2011.
Cathy Zoi,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2011–5506 Filed 3–9–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. CP11–107–000]
Leaf River Energy Center LLC; Notice
of Application
On February 25, 2011, Leaf River
Energy Center LLC (Leaf River), 53
Riverside Avenue, Westport,
Connecticut 06880, filed with the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(Commission) an application under
section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act
(NGA), as amended, and part 157 of the
Commission’s regulations for an order
amending the certificate of public
convenience and necessity issued in
Docket No. CP08–8–000 to authorize
Leaf River to relocate and construct two
of its certificated and not yet
constructed storage caverns and to
construct associated cavern piping
corridors, access roads and related
facilities, all as more fully detailed in
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
the Application. Leaf River also seeks
reaffirmation of its previously granted
authorization to charge market-based
rates for its storage and hub services, as
well as various waivers granted in the
order issuing certificate. Leaf River
states that this amendment does not
involve any change in capacity,
pressures, injection rates or withdrawal
rates authorized by the Commission in
the original certificate order.
Questions regarding the application
may be directed to James F. Bowe, Jr.,
Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, 1101 New York
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20005–
4213, 202–346–7999 (phone), 202–346–
8102 (fax), or jbowe@dl.com.
Pursuant to section 157.9 of the
Commission’s rules, 18 CFR 157.9,
within 90 days of this Notice the
Commission staff will either: complete
its environmental assessment (EA) and
place it into the Commission’s public
record (eLibrary) for this proceeding; or
issue a Notice of Schedule for
Environmental Review. If a Notice of
Schedule for Environmental Review is
issued, it will indicate, among other
milestones, the anticipated date for the
Commission staff’s issuance of the final
environmental impact statement (FEIS)
or EA for this proposal. The filing of the
EA in the Commission’s public record
for this proceeding or the issuance of a
Notice of Schedule for Environmental
Review will serve to notify Federal and
E:\FR\FM\10MRN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 47 (Thursday, March 10, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13169-13171]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5506]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
[Case No. CW-014]
Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Decision and
Order Granting a Waiver to Samsung Electronics America, Inc. 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-014) that grants to Samsung Electronics
America, Inc. (Samsung) a waiver from the DOE clothes washer test
procedure for determining the energy consumption of clothes washers.
Under today's decision and order, Samsung 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 March 10, 2011.
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: mail to: 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) 586-7796, E-mail: mail to:
Elizabeth.Kohl@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 Samsung 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 Samsung tests and rates such products using the alternate
test procedure described in this notice. Today's decision prohibits
Samsung 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 March 3, 2011.
Cathy Zoi,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Decision and Order
In the Matter of: Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (Case No. CW-
014)
I. Background and Authority
Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) sets
forth a variety of provisions concerning energy efficiency. Part B of
Title III provides for the ``Energy Conservation Program for Consumer
Products Other Than Automobiles.'' 42 U.S.C. 6291-6309.\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\ Upon codification in the U.S. Code, Part B was re-designated
Part A for editorial reasons.
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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).
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. Samsung's Petition for Waiver: Assertions and Determinations
On July 20, 2010, Samsung 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,
Samsung 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. Samsung's petition was published in the Federal Register on
September 23, 2010. 75 FR 57937. DOE received no comments on the
Samsung petition.
Samsung's petition seeks a waiver from the DOE test procedure
because the mass of the test load used in the DOE test procedure is
based on the basket volume of the test specimen, 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. Samsung has designed a series of clothes washers that
contain basket volumes greater than 3.8 cubic feet.
DOE has granted petitions for waiver and requests for interim
waiver to other manufacturers for clothes washer basic models with
capacities greater than 3.8 cubic feet. In addition to the interim
waiver granted to Samsung (75 FR 57937, Sept. 23, 2010), DOE has
granted interim waivers to Whirlpool Corporation (71 FR 48913, Aug. 22,
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2006), LG Electronics, Inc. (LG) (75 FR 71680, Nov. 24, 2010), the
General Electric Company (GE) (75 FR 57915, Sept. 16, 2010), and
Electrolux (75 FR 81258, December 27, 2010). DOE also granted the
petitions for waiver submitted by Whirlpool (75 FR 69653, Nov. 15,
2010) and GE (75 FR 76968, Dec. 10, 2010).
Table 5.1 of Appendix J1 defines the test load sizes used in the
test procedure as linear functions of the basket volume. Samsung has
submitted a proposed revised table to extend the maximum basket volume
from 3.8 cubic feet to 6.0 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. 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. Samsung used the more accurate
conversion value of 0.45359237 (which Whirlpool also used in its
similar petition), rounding the results in kilograms to two decimal
places.
A similar Table 5.1 was also set forth in the notice of proposed
rulemaking (NOPR) to amend the DOE test procedure, published September
21, 2010 (75 FR 57556). The Table 5.1 in the clothes washer NOPR has
some small differences with the Table 5.1 used by Samsung and
Whirlpool. The differences are due to rounding, and the largest
difference is less than 0.5%. The Table 5.1 values in the alternative
test procedure set forth in this waiver 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 Samsung petition for waiver. The FTC staff did not have
any objections to granting a waiver to Samsung.
IV. Conclusion
After careful consideration of all the material that was submitted
by Samsung, the waivers and interim waivers granted to Whirlpool, GE,
LG, Electrolux and Samsung, DOE's proposed rule to amend the clothes
washer test procedure, and consultation with FTC staff, it is ordered
that:
(1) The petition for waiver submitted by Samsung Electronics
America, Inc. (Case No. CW-014) is hereby granted as set forth in the
paragraphs below.
(2) Samsung shall not be required to test or rate the following
Samsung 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:
WA51A****; WA52A****; WA53A****; WA54A****; WA55A****; WA56A****;
WF221***; WF231***; WF241***; WF251***; WF330***; WF331***; WF340***;
WF350***; WF409***; WF410***; WF419***; WF421***; WF428***; WF431***;
WF438***; WF441***; WF448***; WF451***; WF461***; WF471***; WF500***;
WF510***; WF511***; WF512***; WF520***.
(3) Samsung 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 Samsung 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
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
[[Page 13171]]
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. Samsung 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 decision and order applies only to those models
specifically set out in the petition, not future models that may be
manufactured by Samsung. Samsung may submit a new or amended petition
for waiver and request for grant of interim waiver, as appropriate, for
additional models of clothes washers for which it seeks a waiver from
the DOE test procedure. Grant of this waiver does not release Samsung
from the certification requirements set forth at 10 CFR 430.62.
(6) This waiver shall remain in effect consistent with the
provisions of 10 CFR430.27(m).
(7) 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 March 3, 2011.
Cathy Zoi,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2011-5506 Filed 3-9-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
