Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Clothes Washers: Public Meeting and Availability of the Framework Document, 48108-48110 [2012-19766]
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48108
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 156 / Monday, August 13, 2012 / Proposed Rules
is not necessary. Members of the public
choosing to participate in this meeting
remotely can do so in one of two ways—
online, or via a telephone (audio)
connection. The webinar and call-in
information is provided below:
Date and Time: August 29, 2012 8:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Telephone Number: 1–888–469–3043.
Access Code: 23678.
Webinar Address: https://www1.
gotomeeting.com/register/937057065.
Date and Time: August 30, 2012 8:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Telephone Number: 1–888–942–8392.
Access Code: 85687.
Webinar Address: https://www1.
gotomeeting.com/register/156319977.
Members of the public interested in
participating via webinar should follow
the registration link above. After
registering, instructions for joining the
Webinar (including a teleconference
number and pass code) will be provided
via email. All participants will be in
‘‘listen-only’’ mode during the
presentation. Participants will have a
chance to pose questions either orally
after the presentation or in writing
during the Webinar.
The agenda for the public meeting
will be noticed no fewer than 10 days
prior to the meeting on the NRC’s Public
Meeting Schedule Web site at https://
www.nrc.gov/public-involve/publicmeetings/index.cfm.
Questions about participation in the
public meetings should be directed to
the points of contact listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of
this document.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 6th day
of August 2012.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Kevin Hsueh,
Acting Deputy Director, Environmental
Protection and Performance Assessment
Directorate, Division of Waste Management
and Environmental Protection, Office of
Federal and State Materials and
Environmental Management Programs.
[FR Doc. 2012–19774 Filed 8–10–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Part 430
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[Docket No. EERE–2012–STD–0020]
RIN 1904–AC77
Energy Conservation Standards for
Commercial Clothes Washers: Public
Meeting and Availability of the
Framework Document
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
AGENCY:
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Notice of public meeting and
availability of the framework document.
ACTION:
The Department of Energy
(DOE) issues a framework document to
consider whether to amend the energy
and water conservation standards for
commercial clothes washers. DOE also
announces a public meeting to discuss
and receive comments on issues that it
will address in this rulemaking
proceeding. DOE is initiating data
collection for considering amended
energy and water conservation
standards for commercial clothes
washers. DOE also encourages written
comments on potential amended
standards, including comments on the
issues identified in the framework
document. The framework document,
which is intended to inform
stakeholders and facilitate the
rulemaking process, is available at
https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/
appliance_standards/commercial/
clothes_washers.html.
DATES: DOE will hold a public meeting
on September 24, 2012, from 9 a.m. to
12 p.m. in Washington, DC. Any person
requesting to speak at the public
meeting should submit such request
along with a signed original and an
electronic copy of the statements to be
given at the public meeting before 4:00
p.m., September 10, 2012. Written
comments are welcome, especially
following the public meeting, and
should be submitted by October 12,
2012.
SUMMARY:
The public meeting will be
held at the U.S. Department of Energy,
Forrestal Building, Room 8E–089, 1000
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121. Please
note that foreign nationals participating
in the public meeting are subject to
advance security screening procedures.
If a foreign national wishes to
participate in the public meeting, please
inform DOE of this fact as soon as
possible by contacting Ms. Brenda
Edwards at (202) 586–2945 so that the
necessary procedures can be completed.
Stakeholders may submit comments,
identified by docket number EERE–
2012–STD– 0020 and/or Regulation
Identifier Number (RIN) 1904–AC77, by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Email: CommClothesWashers-2012STD-0020@ee.doe.gov Include docket
number EERE–2012–STD–0020 and/or
RIN 1904–AC77 in the subject line of
the message.
• Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S.
Department of Energy, Building
ADDRESSES:
PO 00000
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Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121. If
possible, please submit all items on a
CD. It is not necessary to include
printed copies.
• Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda
Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy,
Building Technologies Program, 950
L’Enfant Plaza SW., Suite 600,
Washington, DC 20024. Phone: (202)
586–2945. Please submit one signed
paper original. If possible, please submit
all items on a CD. It is not necessary to
include printed copies.
• Docket: The docket is available for
review at https://www.regulations.gov,
and will include Federal Register
notices, framework document, notice of
proposed rulemaking, public meeting
attendee lists and transcripts,
comments, and other supporting
documents/materials throughout the
rulemaking process. The docket can be
accessed by searching for Docket No.
EERE–2012–BT–STD–0020 at the
regulations.gov Web site.
For further information on how to
submit or review public comments or
view hard copies of the docket in the
Resource Room, contact Ms. Brenda
Edwards at (202) 586–2945 or email:
Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Stephen Witkowski, U.S.
Department of Energy, Office of
Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy, Building Technologies, EE–2J,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121. Phone:
(202) 586–7463. Email: stephen.
witkowski@ee.doe.gov.
Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of General Counsel,
GC–71, 1000 Independence Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Phone: (202) 586–7796, email:
elizabeth.kohl@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction and Legal Authority
II. Test Procedures
III. Energy Conservation Standards
I. Introduction and Legal Authority
The Energy Policy and Conservation
Act of 1975 (EPCA) established an
energy conservation program for
consumer products. (42 U.S.C. 6291–
6309) The National Energy Conservation
Policy Act of 1978 amended EPCA to
add Part C of Title III, which established
an energy conservation program for
certain industrial equipment. (42 U.S.C.
6311–6317) (Part C was re-designated
Part A–1 on codification in the U.S.
Code, for editorial reasons.) The Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005),
Public Law 109–58, further amended
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 156 / Monday, August 13, 2012 / Proposed Rules
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EPCA to expand DOE’s energy
conservation program to include
commercial clothes washers and other
commercial equipment.
EPACT 2005 established the first
energy conservation standards for
commercial clothes washers, requiring
commercial clothes washers
manufactured on or after January 1,
2007 to have a modified energy factor
(MEF) of at least 1.26 and a water factor
(WF) of no more than 9.5. (42 U.S.C.
6313(e)(1); 10 CFR 431.156) EPACT
2005 further directed DOE to conduct
two rulemaking cycles to determine
whether to amend these standards.
EPCA required completion of the first
rulemaking by January 1, 2010, and DOE
must complete the second rulemaking
by January 1, 2015. (42 U.S.C. 6313(e)).
DOE completed the first rulemaking
when it issued a final rule to amend the
standards for commercial clothes
washers on December 18, 2009. (75 FR
1122, January 8, 2010). Compliance with
the amended standards is required as of
January 8, 2013. The January 2010 final
rule established revised standards for
two separate product classes: toploading and front-loading commercial
clothes washers. These standards were
based on the MEF and WF metrics.
This current rulemaking will satisfy
the requirement to publish the second
final rule by January 1, 2015.
Compliance with any amended
standards would be required three years
after the date of publication of the final
standards.
II. Test Procedures
EPCA requires that CCWs use the
same test procedures as residential
clothes washers. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(8))
DOE published a final rule amending its
clothes washer test procedures on
March 7, 2012. (‘‘March 2012 final
rule’’). (77 FR 13888) The March 2012
final rule amended the test procedure at
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1
and established a new test procedure at
Appendix J2. Manufacturers of both
commercial and residential clothes
washers will be required to use the new
Appendix J2 on the compliance date of
the amended standards for residential
clothes washers, March 7, 2015. (The
amended standards for residential
clothes washers were established by a
direct final rule. If DOE withdraws the
direct final rule on the basis of adverse
comments pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
6295(p)(4), a different compliance date
may be established in subsequent
rulemaking action for residential clothes
washers.)
The new Appendix J2 contains
provisions for measuring standby mode
and off mode energy use, which is
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factored into a new efficiency metric,
integrated modified energy factor
(IMEF). Appendix J2 also establishes a
new water efficiency metric, integrated
water factor (IWF), which provides a
more representative measure of water
consumption by incorporating water
consumption from all the temperature
cycles; in contrast, the WF metric is
based on the water consumption of only
the cold wash cycle.
Appendix J2 retains provisions for
calculating MEF and WF; however,
because of certain changes to the active
mode provisions of the test procedure,
MEF and WF calculated using
Appendix J2 will differ from MEF and
WF calculated for the same clothes
washer using the current test procedure
at Appendix J1. The current standard
levels for commercial clothes washers
are based on MEF and WF as measured
using Appendix J1, and products that
minimally comply with the standard as
measured using Appendix J1 would
likely not comply if measured using
Appendix J2.
III. Energy Conservation Standards
During this rulemaking, DOE will
determine whether to further amend the
energy conservation standards for
commercial clothes washers. (42 U.S.C.
6313(e)). DOE will also consider
developing correction factors that would
be used to determine compliance with
the MEF/WF standards effective January
8, 2013 when manufacturers are
required to measure energy and water
consumption using Appendix J2. Such
correction factors would be used until
compliance with any amended
standards developed in this rulemaking
was required.
EPCA requires that any new or
amended energy conservation standard
be designed to achieve the maximum
improvement in energy or water
efficiency that is technologically
feasible and economically justified. To
determine whether a standard is
economically justified, EPCA requires
that DOE determine whether the
benefits of the standard exceed its
burdens by considering, to the greatest
extent practicable, the following:
(1) The economic impact of the
standard on the manufacturers and
consumers of the affected products;
(2) The savings in operating costs
throughout the estimated average life of
the product compared to any increases
in the initial cost, or maintenance
expense;
(3) The total projected amount of
energy and water (if applicable) savings
likely to result directly from the
imposition of the standard;
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48109
(4) Any lessening of the utility or the
performance of the products likely to
result from the imposition of the
standard;
(5) The impact of any lessening of
competition, as determined in writing
by the Attorney General, that is likely to
result from the imposition of the
standard;
(6) The need for national energy and
water conservation; and
(7) Other factors the Secretary
considers relevant.
(42 U.S.C. 6295 (o)(2)(B)(i) and 42
U.S.C. 6316(a))
To begin the required rulemaking
process, DOE has prepared a framework
document to explain the issues,
analyses, and processes that it is
considering for the development of
amended energy conservation standards
for commercial clothes washers. The
framework document is available at
https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/
appliance_standards/commercial/
clothes_washers.html.
Additionally, DOE will hold a public
meeting to focus on the analyses and
issues described in the framework
document. DOE encourages anyone who
wishes to participate in the public
meeting to view the framework
document and to be prepared to discuss
its contents. Public meeting participants
need not limit their comments to the
topics identified in the framework
document; DOE is also interested in
receiving views on other relevant issues
that participants believe would affect
energy conservation standards for this
equipment. DOE welcomes all
interested parties, regardless of whether
they participate in the public meeting,
to submit in writing comments and
information on matters addressed in the
framework document and on other
matters relevant to consideration of
standards for commercial clothes
washers.
DOE will conduct the public meeting
in an informal conference style. A court
reporter will record the minutes of the
meeting. The discussion will not
include proprietary information, costs
or prices, market shares, or other
commercial matters regulated by U.S.
antitrust laws.
After the public meeting and the
expiration of the period for submitting
written statements, DOE will begin
collecting data, conducting the analyses
as discussed at the public meeting, and
reviewing public comments.
Anyone who wishes to participate in
the public meeting, receive meeting
materials, or be added to the DOE
mailing list to receive future notices and
information about the rulemaking
process for commercial clothes washers
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 156 / Monday, August 13, 2012 / Proposed Rules
should contact Ms. Brenda Edwards at
(202) 586–2945.
Issued in Washington, DC, on July 31,
2012.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy, Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2012–19766 Filed 8–10–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2012–0817; Directorate
Identifier 99–NE–24–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General
Electric Company Turbofan Engines
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
We propose to supersede an
existing airworthiness directive (AD)
that applies to certain General Electric
Company (GE) CF6–80C2 series
turbofan engines. The existing AD
requires replacement of the fuel tubes
connected to the fuel flowmeter. Since
we issued that AD, we received several
additional reports of fuel leaks and two
reports of engine fire due to misassembled supporting brackets on the
fuel tube connecting the flowmeter to
the Integrated Drive Generator (IDG)
fuel-oil cooler. This proposed AD would
require installing a new simplified onepiece bracket to eliminate mis-assembly.
We are proposing this AD to prevent
high-pressure fuel leaks caused by
improper seating of fuel tube flanges,
which could result in an engine fire and
damage to the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by October 12, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments,
using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
methods:
• Federal Rulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: 202–493–2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail
address above between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
SUMMARY:
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For service information identified in
this AD, contact General Electric
Company, GE–Aviation, Room 285, 1
Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 45215,
phone: (513) 552–3272; email:
geae.aoc@ge.com. You may review
copies of the referenced service
information at the FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 781–238–7125.
connecting the fuel flowmeter to the
Main Engine Control (MEC) or
Hydromechanical Unit (HMU) with
improved fuel tubes. That AD resulted
from reports of fuel leaking in the core
cowl cavity under high pressure that
can be ignited by contact with hot
engine case surfaces. We issued that AD
to prevent high-pressure fuel leaks
caused by improper seating of fuel tube
flanges, which could result in an engine
fire and damage to the airplane.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov; or in person at the
Docket Management Facility between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this proposed AD, the
regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The
street address for the Docket Office
(phone: 800–647–5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jason Yang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine
Certification Office, FAA, Engine &
Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803;
phone: 781–238–7747; fax: 781–238–
7199; email: jason.yang@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2000–04–14,
Amendment 39–11597 (65 FR 10698,
February 29, 2000), we received several
reports of fuel leaks and two reports of
engine fire due to mis-assembled
supporting brackets on the fuel tube
connecting the fuel flowmeter to the
IDG fuel-oil cooler. Investigation of
these two fires determined the root
cause was due to a design shortfall,
which allowed improper installation of
the two-piece bracket and subsequent
fuel leaks from the fuel tube connection.
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written
relevant data, views, or arguments about
this proposed AD. Send your comments
to an address listed under the
ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2012–0817; Directorate Identifier
99–NE–24–AD’’ at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite
comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy
aspects of this proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the
closing date and may amend this
proposed AD because of those
comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact we receive
about this proposed AD.
Discussion
On February 17, 2000, we issued AD
2000–04–14, Amendment 39–11597 (65
FR 10698, February 29, 2000), for all GE
CF6–80C2 series turbofan engines. That
AD requires replacement of the fuel tube
connecting the fuel flowmeter to the
IDG fuel-oil cooler and the fuel tubes
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FAA’s Determination
We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all the relevant information
and determined the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or
develop in other products of the same
type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require
replacement of the fuel tube connecting
the fuel flowmeter to the IDG fuel-oil
cooler and the fuel tubes connecting the
fuel flowmeter to the MEC or HMU with
improved fuel tubes. This proposed AD
would also require installing a
simplified one-piece bracket to
eliminate mis-assembly when the fuel
tubes connecting the fuel flowmeter to
the IDG fuel-oil cooler are disconnected.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD
would affect 2,300 CF6–80C2 engines
installed on airplanes of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that one work-hour
would be required per engine to
accomplish the actions required by this
AD. The average labor rate is $85 per
work-hour. We also estimate that the
required parts will cost about $180 per
engine. Based on these figures, we
estimate the total cost of the proposed
AD to U.S. operators is $609,500.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code
specifies the FAA’s authority to issue
rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
Section 106, describes the authority of
the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 156 (Monday, August 13, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48108-48110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-19766]
=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
10 CFR Part 430
[Docket No. EERE-2012-STD-0020]
RIN 1904-AC77
Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Clothes Washers:
Public Meeting and Availability of the Framework Document
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting and availability of the framework
document.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) issues a framework document to
consider whether to amend the energy and water conservation standards
for commercial clothes washers. DOE also announces a public meeting to
discuss and receive comments on issues that it will address in this
rulemaking proceeding. DOE is initiating data collection for
considering amended energy and water conservation standards for
commercial clothes washers. DOE also encourages written comments on
potential amended standards, including comments on the issues
identified in the framework document. The framework document, which is
intended to inform stakeholders and facilitate the rulemaking process,
is available at https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/commercial/clothes_washers.html.
DATES: DOE will hold a public meeting on September 24, 2012, from 9
a.m. to 12 p.m. in Washington, DC. Any person requesting to speak at
the public meeting should submit such request along with a signed
original and an electronic copy of the statements to be given at the
public meeting before 4:00 p.m., September 10, 2012. Written comments
are welcome, especially following the public meeting, and should be
submitted by October 12, 2012.
ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of
Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 8E-089, 1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585-0121. Please note that foreign nationals
participating in the public meeting are subject to advance security
screening procedures. If a foreign national wishes to participate in
the public meeting, please inform DOE of this fact as soon as possible
by contacting Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945 so that the
necessary procedures can be completed.
Stakeholders may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE-
2012-STD- 0020 and/or Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 1904-AC77, by
any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Email: CommClothesWashers-2012-STD-0020@ee.doe.gov Include
docket number EERE-2012-STD-0020 and/or RIN 1904-AC77 in the subject
line of the message.
Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy,
Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. If possible, please submit all items on
a CD. It is not necessary to include printed copies.
Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 950 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Suite
600, Washington, DC 20024. Phone: (202) 586-2945. Please submit one
signed paper original. If possible, please submit all items on a CD. It
is not necessary to include printed copies.
Docket: The docket is available for review at https://www.regulations.gov, and will include Federal Register notices,
framework document, notice of proposed rulemaking, public meeting
attendee lists and transcripts, comments, and other supporting
documents/materials throughout the rulemaking process. The docket can
be accessed by searching for Docket No. EERE-2012-BT-STD-0020 at the
regulations.gov Web site.
For further information on how to submit or review public comments
or view hard copies of the docket in the Resource Room, contact Ms.
Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945 or email: Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Stephen Witkowski, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies, EE-2J, 1000
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Phone: (202) 586-
7463. Email: stephen.witkowski@ee.doe.gov.
Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of General
Counsel, GC-71, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-
0121. Phone: (202) 586-7796, email: elizabeth.kohl@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction and Legal Authority
II. Test Procedures
III. Energy Conservation Standards
I. Introduction and Legal Authority
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA) established
an energy conservation program for consumer products. (42 U.S.C. 6291-
6309) The National Energy Conservation Policy Act of 1978 amended EPCA
to add Part C of Title III, which established an energy conservation
program for certain industrial equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6311-6317) (Part C
was re-designated Part A-1 on codification in the U.S. Code, for
editorial reasons.) The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005), Public
Law 109-58, further amended
[[Page 48109]]
EPCA to expand DOE's energy conservation program to include commercial
clothes washers and other commercial equipment.
EPACT 2005 established the first energy conservation standards for
commercial clothes washers, requiring commercial clothes washers
manufactured on or after January 1, 2007 to have a modified energy
factor (MEF) of at least 1.26 and a water factor (WF) of no more than
9.5. (42 U.S.C. 6313(e)(1); 10 CFR 431.156) EPACT 2005 further directed
DOE to conduct two rulemaking cycles to determine whether to amend
these standards. EPCA required completion of the first rulemaking by
January 1, 2010, and DOE must complete the second rulemaking by January
1, 2015. (42 U.S.C. 6313(e)).
DOE completed the first rulemaking when it issued a final rule to
amend the standards for commercial clothes washers on December 18,
2009. (75 FR 1122, January 8, 2010). Compliance with the amended
standards is required as of January 8, 2013. The January 2010 final
rule established revised standards for two separate product classes:
top-loading and front-loading commercial clothes washers. These
standards were based on the MEF and WF metrics.
This current rulemaking will satisfy the requirement to publish the
second final rule by January 1, 2015. Compliance with any amended
standards would be required three years after the date of publication
of the final standards.
II. Test Procedures
EPCA requires that CCWs use the same test procedures as residential
clothes washers. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(8)) DOE published a final rule
amending its clothes washer test procedures on March 7, 2012. (``March
2012 final rule''). (77 FR 13888) The March 2012 final rule amended the
test procedure at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1 and
established a new test procedure at Appendix J2. Manufacturers of both
commercial and residential clothes washers will be required to use the
new Appendix J2 on the compliance date of the amended standards for
residential clothes washers, March 7, 2015. (The amended standards for
residential clothes washers were established by a direct final rule. If
DOE withdraws the direct final rule on the basis of adverse comments
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6295(p)(4), a different compliance date may be
established in subsequent rulemaking action for residential clothes
washers.)
The new Appendix J2 contains provisions for measuring standby mode
and off mode energy use, which is factored into a new efficiency
metric, integrated modified energy factor (IMEF). Appendix J2 also
establishes a new water efficiency metric, integrated water factor
(IWF), which provides a more representative measure of water
consumption by incorporating water consumption from all the temperature
cycles; in contrast, the WF metric is based on the water consumption of
only the cold wash cycle.
Appendix J2 retains provisions for calculating MEF and WF; however,
because of certain changes to the active mode provisions of the test
procedure, MEF and WF calculated using Appendix J2 will differ from MEF
and WF calculated for the same clothes washer using the current test
procedure at Appendix J1. The current standard levels for commercial
clothes washers are based on MEF and WF as measured using Appendix J1,
and products that minimally comply with the standard as measured using
Appendix J1 would likely not comply if measured using Appendix J2.
III. Energy Conservation Standards
During this rulemaking, DOE will determine whether to further amend
the energy conservation standards for commercial clothes washers. (42
U.S.C. 6313(e)). DOE will also consider developing correction factors
that would be used to determine compliance with the MEF/WF standards
effective January 8, 2013 when manufacturers are required to measure
energy and water consumption using Appendix J2. Such correction factors
would be used until compliance with any amended standards developed in
this rulemaking was required.
EPCA requires that any new or amended energy conservation standard
be designed to achieve the maximum improvement in energy or water
efficiency that is technologically feasible and economically justified.
To determine whether a standard is economically justified, EPCA
requires that DOE determine whether the benefits of the standard exceed
its burdens by considering, to the greatest extent practicable, the
following:
(1) The economic impact of the standard on the manufacturers and
consumers of the affected products;
(2) The savings in operating costs throughout the estimated average
life of the product compared to any increases in the initial cost, or
maintenance expense;
(3) The total projected amount of energy and water (if applicable)
savings likely to result directly from the imposition of the standard;
(4) Any lessening of the utility or the performance of the products
likely to result from the imposition of the standard;
(5) The impact of any lessening of competition, as determined in
writing by the Attorney General, that is likely to result from the
imposition of the standard;
(6) The need for national energy and water conservation; and
(7) Other factors the Secretary considers relevant.
(42 U.S.C. 6295 (o)(2)(B)(i) and 42 U.S.C. 6316(a))
To begin the required rulemaking process, DOE has prepared a
framework document to explain the issues, analyses, and processes that
it is considering for the development of amended energy conservation
standards for commercial clothes washers. The framework document is
available at https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/commercial/clothes_washers.html.
Additionally, DOE will hold a public meeting to focus on the
analyses and issues described in the framework document. DOE encourages
anyone who wishes to participate in the public meeting to view the
framework document and to be prepared to discuss its contents. Public
meeting participants need not limit their comments to the topics
identified in the framework document; DOE is also interested in
receiving views on other relevant issues that participants believe
would affect energy conservation standards for this equipment. DOE
welcomes all interested parties, regardless of whether they participate
in the public meeting, to submit in writing comments and information on
matters addressed in the framework document and on other matters
relevant to consideration of standards for commercial clothes washers.
DOE will conduct the public meeting in an informal conference
style. A court reporter will record the minutes of the meeting. The
discussion will not include proprietary information, costs or prices,
market shares, or other commercial matters regulated by U.S. antitrust
laws.
After the public meeting and the expiration of the period for
submitting written statements, DOE will begin collecting data,
conducting the analyses as discussed at the public meeting, and
reviewing public comments.
Anyone who wishes to participate in the public meeting, receive
meeting materials, or be added to the DOE mailing list to receive
future notices and information about the rulemaking process for
commercial clothes washers
[[Page 48110]]
should contact Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945.
Issued in Washington, DC, on July 31, 2012.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy.
[FR Doc. 2012-19766 Filed 8-10-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
