Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Decision and Order Granting a Waiver to ASKO Appliances Inc. From the Department of Energy Residential Clothes Dryer Test Procedure, 53446-53448 [2013-21099]
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53446
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 168 / Thursday, August 29, 2013 / Notices
the Federal agencies is preliminary and
would not constitute a commitment to
grant a Federal Authorization.
Moreover, no agency would or could
determine prior to the formal NEPA
process that the Project Proponent’s
proposed or preferred Study Corridors
and Routes presented or discussed
during the IIP Process would constitute
a reasonable range of alternatives for
NEPA purposes. As set forth in Section
IX, the documents and communications
developed in this process would be
preserved by the Federal agencies and
would, as appropriate, become part of
any subsequent administrative record.
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Glossary
Federal Authorization means any
authorization required under Federal
law to site a transmission facility,
including permits, special use
authorizations, certifications, opinions,
or other approvals. This term includes
authorizations issued by Federal and
Non-Federal Entities that are
responsible for issuing decisions that
are called for under Federal law for a
transmission facility.
Federal Entities means any Federal
agencies with relevant expertise or
interests that may have jurisdiction
pertinent to the project, are responsible
for conducting permitting and
environmental reviews of the proposed
project or attendant facilities, or have
special expertise with respect to
environmental and other issues
pertinent to or that are potentially
affected by the project or its attendant
facilities or providing funding for the
same. Federal Entities include those
with either permitting or non-permitting
authority, for example, those entities
with which consultation must be
completed before authorizing a project.
Geographic Areas of Concern means
those areas that present challenges or
conflicts that could increase the time
needed for the Federal government to
evaluate the application if the route(s)
are is sited through such areas (e.g.,
right-of-way avoidance areas identified
through agency land management plans,
National Historic Landmarks, traditional
religious and cultural properties
significant to Indian tribe(s), National
Scenic and Historic Trails, National
Wildlife Refuges, units of the National
Park System, marine sanctuaries).
NEPA Lead Agency means the Federal
agency, selected as provided for in this
process pursuant to 40 CFR § 1501.5 to
supervise the preparation of an
environmental impact statement or an
environmental assessment, as
applicable, and to coordinate related
Federal agency reviews.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:34 Aug 28, 2013
Jkt 229001
Non-Federal Entities means Indian
Tribes, multistate entities, and State and
local government agencies with relevant
expertise that may have jurisdiction
within the Project Area, are responsible
for conducting permitting and
environmental reviews of the proposed
project or attendant facilities, or have
special expertise with respect to
environmental and other issues
pertinent to or that are potentially
affected by the project or its attendant
facilities. Non-Federal Entities include
those with either permitting or nonpermitting authority, for example those
entities with whom consultation must
be completed before authorizing a
project.
Project Area means the geographic
area to be considered when developing
potential Study Corridors for
environmental review and potential
project siting. It is an area located
between the two end points of the
project (e.g., substations), including
their immediate surroundings within at
least one-quarter mile of that area, and
over any proposed intermediate
substations. The size of the Project Area
should be sufficient to allow for the
evaluation of potential alternative
Routes with differing environmental,
engineering, and regulatory constraints.
Note that the Project Area does not
necessarily coincide with ‘‘permit area,’’
‘‘area of potential effect,’’ or ‘‘action
area,’’ which are specific to types of
regulatory review as determined by the
NEPA Lead Agency or DOE in
consultation with the Project Proponent.
Project Proponent means a person or
entity who initiates the IIP Process in
anticipation of seeking Federal
Authorizations for a Qualifying Project.
Qualifying Projects means (1) (a) a
non-marine high voltage transmission
line (230 kV or above) and its attendant
facilities or (b) a regionally or nationally
significant non-marine transmission line
and its attendant facilities, in which (2)
all or part of the proposed transmission
line is used for the transmission of
electric energy in interstate commerce
for sale at wholesale, and (3) all or part
of the proposed transmission line (a)
crosses jurisdictions administered by
more than one Federal Entity or (b)
crosses jurisdictions administered by a
Federal Entity and is considered for
Federal financial assistance from a
Federal Entity. Qualifying Projects do
not include those for which an
application has been submitted to FERC
for issuance of a permit for construction
or modification of a transmission
facility, or where a pre-filing procedure
has been initiated, under section 216(b)
of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C.
824p (b)) (transmission lines within a
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
DOE-designated National Interest
Electric Transmission Corridors).
Regional Mitigation Strategies means
mitigation measures and a framework
based on the results of regional,
landscape or watershed-level analyses
to directly compensate for project
impacts.
Route means a linear area within
which a transmission line could be
sited. A route is usually several hundred
feet wide. It should be wide enough to
allow minor adjustments in the
alignment of the transmission line so as
to avoid sensitive features or
accommodate potential engineering
constraints but narrow enough to allow
detailed study of the entire area.
Study Corridor means a contiguous
area usually one mile to several miles
wide within the Project Area where
alternative Routes may be considered
for further study.
Issued in Washington, DC, August 23,
2013.
Patricia A. Hoffman,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Electricity
Delivery and Energy Reliability.
[FR Doc. 2013–21098 Filed 8–28–13; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy
[Case No. CD–008]
Energy Conservation Program for
Consumer Products: Decision and
Order Granting a Waiver to ASKO
Appliances Inc. From the Department
of Energy Residential Clothes Dryer
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. CD–008)
that grants to ASKO Appliances Inc.
(ASKO) a waiver from the DOE clothes
dryer test procedure. The waiver
pertains to the models of condensing
residential clothes dryer specified in
ASKO’s petition. Condensing clothes
dryers cannot be tested using the
currently applicable DOE test
procedure. Under today’s decision and
order, ASKO shall not be required to
test and rate its specified models of
residential condensing clothes dryer
pursuant to the current test procedure.
DATES: This Decision and Order is
effective August 29, 2013.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM
29AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 168 / Thursday, August 29, 2013 / Notices
Mr.
Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department of
Energy, Building Technologies Program,
Mail Stop EE–2J, Forrestal Building,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: (202) 586–0371. Email:
Bryan.Berringer@ee.doe.gov.
Mr. James Silvestro, U.S. Department
of Energy, Office of the General Counsel,
Mail Stop GC–71, Forrestal Building,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0103.
Telephone: (202) 286–4224. Email:
James.Silvestro@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 ASKO a waiver from the
applicable residential clothes dryer test
procedure at 10 CFR part 430 subpart B,
appendix D, for the three models of
condensing clothes dryer specified it its
petition.
DOE notes that it has promulgated a
final test procedure for clothes dryers
that provides a mechanism for testing
condensing clothes dryers. (76 FR 972,
Jan. 6, 2011). Use of this test procedure
will be required on the compliance date
of any amended standards for clothes
dryers. DOE has also published a direct
final rule establishing amended
standards for clothes dryers, which
establishes standards for condensing
clothes dryers. (76 FR 22454, April 21,
2011). Absent adverse comment that the
Secretary determines may provide a
reasonable basis for withdrawal of the
direct final rule, DOE has proposed that
the standards would become effective
on January 1, 2015. (76 FR 26656, May
9, 2011). Use of the final test procedure
would also be required on that date.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 23,
2013.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy.
Decision and Order
In the Matter of: ASKO Appliances
Inc. (Case No. CD–008).
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Background
Title III, Part B of the Energy Policy
and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA),
Pub. L. 94–163 (42 U.S.C. 6291–6309, as
codified) established the Energy
Conservation Program for Consumer
Products Other Than Automobiles, a
program covering most major household
appliances, which includes the
residential clothes washers that are the
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:34 Aug 28, 2013
Jkt 229001
focus of this notice.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
which 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
current test procedure for clothes dryers
is contained in 10 CFR part 430, subpart
B, appendix D.
DOE’s regulations contain provisions
allowing a person to seek a waiver from
the test procedure requirements for
covered consumer products if at least
one of the following conditions is met:
(1) The petitioner’s basic model
contains one or more design
characteristics that prevent testing
according to the prescribed test
procedure, or (2) when the 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).
On June 19, 2013, ASKO filed a
petition for waiver from the test
procedures applicable to its T744C,
T754C, and T794C product models of
condensing clothes dryer. The
applicable test procedure is contained
in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix
D—Uniform Test Method for Measuring
the Energy Consumption of Clothes
Dryers. ASKO seeks a waiver from the
applicable test procedure for its T744C,
T754C, and T794C product models
because, ASKO asserts, design
characteristics of these models prevent
testing according to the currently
prescribed test procedure, as described
in greater detail in the following
paragraph.
In support of its petition, ASKO
claims that the current clothes dryer test
1 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the
U.S. Code, Part B was re-designated Part A.
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
53447
procedure applies only to vented
clothes dryers because the test
procedure requires the use of an exhaust
restrictor on the exhaust port of the
clothes dryer during testing. Because
condenser clothes dryers operate by
blowing air through the wet clothes,
condensing the water vapor in the
airstream, and pumping the collected
water into either a drain line or an inunit container, these products do not
use an exhaust port like a vented dryer
does. ASKO plans to market a
condensing clothes dryer for situations
in which a conventional vented clothes
dryer cannot be used, such as high-rise
apartments and condominiums, where
construction and building design do not
permit the use of external venting.
Assertions and Determinations
ASKO’s Petition for Waiver
On June 19, 2013, ASKO filed a
petition for waiver from the test
procedure applicable to residential
clothes dryers set forth in 10 CFR part
430, subpart B, appendix D for
particular models of condensing clothes
dryer. On July 10, 2013, DOE published
ASKO’s petition for waiver and granted
ASKO an interim waiver from the
current test procedure. (78 FR 41387)
DOE did not receive any comments on
the AKSO petition. DOE previously
granted BSH a waiver from test
procedures for two similar condenser
clothes dryer models. (76 FR 33271,
June 8, 2011) DOE also granted waivers
for the same type of clothes dryer to LG
Electronics (73 FR 66641, Nov. 10,
2008), Whirlpool Corporation (74 FR
66334, Dec. 15, 2009), General Electric
(75 FR 13122, Mar. 18, 2010), and Miele
Appliance, Inc. (60 FR 9330, Feb. 17,
1995; 76 FR 17637, Mar. 30, 2011).
ASKO claims that its condenser clothes
dryers cannot be tested pursuant to the
current test procedure and requests that
the same waiver granted to other
manufacturers be granted for ASKO’s
T744C, T754C, and T794C models.
Therefore, for the reasons discussed
above, and in light of the previous
waivers to other manufacturers, DOE
grants ASKO’s petition for waiver from
testing of its T744C, T754C, and T794C
condenser clothes dryers.
Consultations With Other Agencies
DOE consulted with the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) staff concerning the
ASKO petition for waiver. The FTC staff
did not have any objections to granting
a waiver to ASKO.
Conclusion
After careful consideration of all the
material that was submitted by ASKO
E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM
29AUN1
53448
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 168 / Thursday, August 29, 2013 / Notices
and consultation with the FTC staff, it
is ordered that:
(1) The petition for waiver submitted
by ASKO Appliances Inc. (Case No. CD–
008) is hereby granted as set forth in the
paragraphs below.
(2) ASKO shall not be required to test
or rate its T744C, T754C, and T794C
condensing clothes dryer models on the
basis of the test procedures at 10 CFR
part 430, subpart B, appendix D.
(3) This waiver shall remain in effect
from the date this decision and order
consistent with the provisions of 10 CFR
430.27(m).
(4) 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.
(5) This waiver applies to only those
models specifically set out in ASKO’s
petition. ASKO may submit a new or
amended petition for waiver and request
for grant of interim waiver, as
appropriate, for additional models of
clothes dryers for which it seeks a
waiver from the DOE test procedure.
Grant of this petition for waiver also
does not release a petitioner from any
applicable certification requirements set
forth at 10 CFR Part 429.
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 23,
2013.
Kathleen Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy.
[FR Doc. 2013–21099 Filed 8–28–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy
[Case No. CD–007]
Energy Conservation Program for
Consumer Products: Decision and
Order Granting a Waiver to BSH Home
Appliances Corporation From the
Department of Energy Residential
Clothes Dryer Test Procedure
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Decision and Order.
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY:
The U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) gives notice of the
decision and order (Case No. CD–007)
that grants to BSH Home Appliances
Corporation (BSH) a waiver from the
DOE clothes dryer test procedure. The
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:34 Aug 28, 2013
Jkt 229001
waiver pertains to the models of
condensing residential clothes dryer
specified in BSH’s petition. Condensing
clothes dryers cannot be tested using the
currently applicable DOE test
procedure. Under today’s decision and
order, BSH shall not be required to test
and rate its specified models of
residential condensing clothes dryer
pursuant to the current test procedure.
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 23,
2013.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy.
This Decision and Order is
effective August 29, 2013.
Background
DATES:
Mr.
Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department of
Energy, Building Technologies Office,
Mail Stop EE–2J, Forrestal Building,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: (202) 586–0371. Email:
Bryan.Berringer@ee.doe.gov.
Mr. James Silvestro, U.S. Department
of Energy, Office of the General Counsel,
Mail Stop GC–71, Forrestal Building,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0103.
Telephone: (202) 286–4224. Email:
James.Silvestro@hq.doe.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
In
accordance with Title 10 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (10 CFR), Section
430.27(l), DOE gives notice of the
issuance of its decision and order as set
forth below. The decision and order
grants BSH a waiver from the applicable
residential clothes dryer test procedure
at 10 CFR part 430 subpart B, appendix
D, for the three models of condensing
clothes dryer specified it its petition.
DOE notes that it has promulgated a
final test procedure for clothes dryers
that provides a mechanism for testing
condensing clothes dryers. (76 FR 972,
Jan. 6, 2011). Use of this test procedure
will be required on the compliance date
of any amended standards for clothes
dryers. DOE has also published a direct
final rule establishing amended
standards for clothes dryers, which
establishes standards for condensing
clothes dryers. (76 FR 22454, April 21,
2011).
Absent adverse comment that the
Secretary determines may provide a
reasonable basis for withdrawal of the
direct final rule, DOE has proposed that
the standards would become effective
on January 1, 2015. (76 FR 26656, May
9, 2011). Use of the final test procedure
would also be required on that date.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PO 00000
Decision and Order
In the Matter of: BSH Home
Appliances Corporation (Case No. CD–
007).
Title III, Part B of the Energy Policy
and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA),
Pub. L. 94–163 (42 U.S.C. 6291–6309, as
codified) established the Energy
Conservation Program for Consumer
Products Other Than Automobiles, a
program covering most major household
appliances, which includes the
residential clothes washers that are the
focus of this notice.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
which 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
current test procedure for clothes dryers
is contained in 10 CFR part 430, subpart
B, appendix D.
DOE’s regulations contain provisions
allowing a person to seek a waiver from
the test procedure requirements for
covered consumer products if at least
one of the following conditions is met:
(1) The petitioner’s basic model
contains one or more design
characteristics that prevent testing
according to the prescribed test
procedure, or (2) when the 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
1 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the
U.S. Code, Part B was re-designated Part A.
Frm 00027
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM
29AUN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 168 (Thursday, August 29, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53446-53448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-21099]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
[Case No. CD-008]
Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Decision and
Order Granting a Waiver to ASKO Appliances Inc. From the Department of
Energy Residential Clothes Dryer 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. CD-008) that grants to ASKO Appliances
Inc. (ASKO) a waiver from the DOE clothes dryer test procedure. The
waiver pertains to the models of condensing residential clothes dryer
specified in ASKO's petition. Condensing clothes dryers cannot be
tested using the currently applicable DOE test procedure. Under today's
decision and order, ASKO shall not be required to test and rate its
specified models of residential condensing clothes dryer pursuant to
the current test procedure.
DATES: This Decision and Order is effective August 29, 2013.
[[Page 53447]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mail Stop EE-2J, Forrestal
Building, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121.
Telephone: (202) 586-0371. Email: Bryan.Berringer@ee.doe.gov.
Mr. James Silvestro, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the
General Counsel, Mail Stop GC-71, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0103. Telephone: (202) 286-4224.
Email: James.Silvestro@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (10 CFR), Sec. 430.27(l), DOE gives notice of the
issuance of its decision and order as set forth below. The decision and
order grants ASKO a waiver from the applicable residential clothes
dryer test procedure at 10 CFR part 430 subpart B, appendix D, for the
three models of condensing clothes dryer specified it its petition.
DOE notes that it has promulgated a final test procedure for
clothes dryers that provides a mechanism for testing condensing clothes
dryers. (76 FR 972, Jan. 6, 2011). Use of this test procedure will be
required on the compliance date of any amended standards for clothes
dryers. DOE has also published a direct final rule establishing amended
standards for clothes dryers, which establishes standards for
condensing clothes dryers. (76 FR 22454, April 21, 2011). Absent
adverse comment that the Secretary determines may provide a reasonable
basis for withdrawal of the direct final rule, DOE has proposed that
the standards would become effective on January 1, 2015. (76 FR 26656,
May 9, 2011). Use of the final test procedure would also be required on
that date.
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 23, 2013.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
Decision and Order
In the Matter of: ASKO Appliances Inc. (Case No. CD-008).
Background
Title III, Part B of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975
(EPCA), Pub. L. 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309, as codified) established
the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than
Automobiles, a program covering most major household appliances, which
includes the residential clothes washers that are the focus of this
notice.\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 which 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 current test
procedure for clothes dryers is contained in 10 CFR part 430, subpart
B, appendix D.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code,
Part B was re-designated Part A.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE's regulations contain provisions allowing a person to seek a
waiver from the test procedure requirements for covered consumer
products if at least one of the following conditions is met: (1) The
petitioner's basic model contains one or more design characteristics
that prevent testing according to the prescribed test procedure, or (2)
when the 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).
On June 19, 2013, ASKO filed a petition for waiver from the test
procedures applicable to its T744C, T754C, and T794C product models of
condensing clothes dryer. The applicable test procedure is contained in
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D--Uniform Test Method for
Measuring the Energy Consumption of Clothes Dryers. ASKO seeks a waiver
from the applicable test procedure for its T744C, T754C, and T794C
product models because, ASKO asserts, design characteristics of these
models prevent testing according to the currently prescribed test
procedure, as described in greater detail in the following paragraph.
In support of its petition, ASKO claims that the current clothes
dryer test procedure applies only to vented clothes dryers because the
test procedure requires the use of an exhaust restrictor on the exhaust
port of the clothes dryer during testing. Because condenser clothes
dryers operate by blowing air through the wet clothes, condensing the
water vapor in the airstream, and pumping the collected water into
either a drain line or an in-unit container, these products do not use
an exhaust port like a vented dryer does. ASKO plans to market a
condensing clothes dryer for situations in which a conventional vented
clothes dryer cannot be used, such as high-rise apartments and
condominiums, where construction and building design do not permit the
use of external venting.
Assertions and Determinations
ASKO's Petition for Waiver
On June 19, 2013, ASKO filed a petition for waiver from the test
procedure applicable to residential clothes dryers set forth in 10 CFR
part 430, subpart B, appendix D for particular models of condensing
clothes dryer. On July 10, 2013, DOE published ASKO's petition for
waiver and granted ASKO an interim waiver from the current test
procedure. (78 FR 41387) DOE did not receive any comments on the AKSO
petition. DOE previously granted BSH a waiver from test procedures for
two similar condenser clothes dryer models. (76 FR 33271, June 8, 2011)
DOE also granted waivers for the same type of clothes dryer to LG
Electronics (73 FR 66641, Nov. 10, 2008), Whirlpool Corporation (74 FR
66334, Dec. 15, 2009), General Electric (75 FR 13122, Mar. 18, 2010),
and Miele Appliance, Inc. (60 FR 9330, Feb. 17, 1995; 76 FR 17637, Mar.
30, 2011). ASKO claims that its condenser clothes dryers cannot be
tested pursuant to the current test procedure and requests that the
same waiver granted to other manufacturers be granted for ASKO's T744C,
T754C, and T794C models.
Therefore, for the reasons discussed above, and in light of the
previous waivers to other manufacturers, DOE grants ASKO's petition for
waiver from testing of its T744C, T754C, and T794C condenser clothes
dryers.
Consultations With Other Agencies
DOE consulted with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) staff
concerning the ASKO petition for waiver. The FTC staff did not have any
objections to granting a waiver to ASKO.
Conclusion
After careful consideration of all the material that was submitted
by ASKO
[[Page 53448]]
and consultation with the FTC staff, it is ordered that:
(1) The petition for waiver submitted by ASKO Appliances Inc. (Case
No. CD-008) is hereby granted as set forth in the paragraphs below.
(2) ASKO shall not be required to test or rate its T744C, T754C,
and T794C condensing clothes dryer models on the basis of the test
procedures at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D.
(3) This waiver shall remain in effect from the date this decision
and order consistent with the provisions of 10 CFR 430.27(m).
(4) 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.
(5) This waiver applies to only those models specifically set out
in ASKO's petition. ASKO may submit a new or amended petition for
waiver and request for grant of interim waiver, as appropriate, for
additional models of clothes dryers for which it seeks a waiver from
the DOE test procedure. Grant of this petition for waiver also does not
release a petitioner from any applicable certification requirements set
forth at 10 CFR Part 429.
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 23, 2013.
Kathleen Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2013-21099 Filed 8-28-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P