Petition for Waiver and Notice of Granting the Application for Interim Waiver of Indesit Company From the DOE Residential Clothes Dryer Test Procedure, 68042-68044 [2013-27114]

Download as PDF 68042 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 219 / Wednesday, November 13, 2013 / Notices and establishes an interagency Council for the Conservation of Migratory Birds to oversee the implementation of this Order. It requires agencies to avoid or minimize the adverse impact of their actions on migratory birds and ensure that environmental analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act evaluate the effects of proposed Federal actions on such species. DOE and FWS entered into the first MOU on migratory bird protection in 2006. This updated MOU, signed September 12, 2013, took effect upon signature of DOE and FWS and remains in effect for five years. Section F.9 of the MOU directs DOE to advise the public of this MOU through a notice published in the Federal Register. Issued in Washington, DC, on November 1, 2013. Andrew C. Lawrence, Director, Office of Environmental Protection, Sustainability Support and Corporate Safety Analysis, U.S. Department of Energy. [FR Doc. 2013–27120 Filed 11–12–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy [Case No. CD–009] Petition for Waiver and Notice of Granting the Application for Interim Waiver of Indesit Company From the DOE Residential Clothes Dryer Test Procedure Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of Petition for Waiver, Granting of Application for Interim Waiver, and Request for Public Comments. AGENCY: This notice announces receipt of and publishes the Indesit Company (Indesit) petition for waiver from specified portions of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure for determining the energy consumption of residential clothes dryers. The waiver request pertains to Indesit’s specified models of condensing residential clothes dryers. The existing test procedure does not apply to condensing clothes dryers. In addition, today’s notice grants Indesit an interim waiver from the DOE test procedure applicable to residential clothes dryers. DOE solicits comments, data, and information concerning Indesit’s petition. DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, and information with respect to sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:14 Nov 12, 2013 Jkt 232001 Indesit’s Petition until December 13, 2013. You may submit comments, identified by case number CD–009, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Email: AS_Waiver_Requests@ ee.doe.gov. Include the case number [Case No. CD–009] in the subject line of the message. • Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE–2J, Petition for Waiver Case No. CD–009, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202) 586–2945. Please submit one signed original paper copy. • Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, 950 L’Enfant Plaza SW., Suite 600, Washington, DC 20024. Please submit one signed original paper copy. Docket: For access to the docket to review the background documents relevant to this matter and comments received, you may visit the U.S. Department of Energy, 950 L’Enfant Plaza SW., (Resource Room of the Building Technologies Program), Washington, DC, 20024; (202) 586–2945, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Please call Ms. Brenda Edwards at the above telephone number for additional information. 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. Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, 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) 586–7796. Email: Elizabeth.Kohl@hq.doe.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ADDRESSES: I. Background and Authority Title III, Part B of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), Public Law 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 dryers PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 test procedure for clothes dryers is contained in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D. DOE’s regulations set forth in 10 CFR 430.27 contain provisions that enable a person to seek a waiver from the test procedure requirements for covered consumer products. A waiver will be granted by the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (the Assistant Secretary) if it is determined that the basic model for which the petition for waiver was submitted contains one or more design characteristics that prevents testing of the basic model according to the prescribed test procedures, or if 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. The Assistant Secretary may grant the 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). The waiver process also allows the Assistant Secretary to grant an interim waiver from test procedure requirements to manufacturers that have petitioned DOE for a waiver of such prescribed test procedures if it is determined that the applicant will experience economic hardship if the application for interim waiver is denied, if it appears likely that the petition for waiver will be granted, and/or if 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(a)(2); 430.27(g). An interim waiver remains in effect for a period of 180 days or until DOE issues its determination on the 1 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, Part B was re-designated Part A. E:\FR\FM\13NON1.SGM 13NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 219 / Wednesday, November 13, 2013 / Notices sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES petition for waiver, whichever is sooner, and may be extended for an additional 180 days, if necessary. 10 CFR 430.27(h). On January 6, 2011, DOE published a test procedure final rule (76 FR 1032) to include provisions for testing ventless clothes dryers. The rule became effective on February 7, 2011, and requires compliance on or after January 1, 2015. Ventless clothes dryers manufactured on or after January 1, 2015, must be tested with the new DOE test procedure. II. Petition for Waiver of Test Procedure On October 22, 2013, Indesit filed a petition for waiver and an application for interim waiver from the test procedure applicable to residential clothes dryers set forth in 10 CFR Part 430, subpart B, appendix D. Indesit seeks a waiver from the applicable test procedure for its Ariston TCL73XNA and TCL73XSNA condensing clothes dryers because, Indesit asserts, design characteristics of these models prevent testing in accordance with the currently prescribed test procedure, as described in greater detail in the following paragraph. DOE granted similar waivers for the same type of clothes dryer to Bosch (BSH) (76 FR 33271, June 8, 2011), Miele Appliance, Inc. (Miele) (60 FR 9330, February 17, 1995; 76 FR 17637, March 30, 2011), LG Electronics (73 FR 66641, November 10, 2008), Whirlpool Corporation (74 FR 66334, December 15, 2009), General Electric (75 FR 13122, March 18, 2010), and ASKO Appliances, Inc. (ASKO) (78 FR 53446, August 29, 2013). Indesit claims that its condensing clothes dryers cannot be tested pursuant to the DOE procedure and requests that the same waiver granted to other manufacturers be granted for Indesit’s Ariston TCL73XNA and TCL73XSNA models. In support of its petition, Indesit 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 condensing 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. Indesit plans to market its condensing clothes dryers for situations in which a conventional vented clothes dryer cannot be used, such as high-rise apartments and other buildings where exhaust venting is not practical or is cost prohibitive. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:14 Nov 12, 2013 Jkt 232001 The Indesit petition requests that DOE grant a waiver from the existing test procedure to allow for the sale of two models (TCL73XNA and TCL73XSNA) until DOE prescribes final test procedures and minimum energy conservation standards appropriate to condensing clothes dryers. Similar to the other manufacturers of condensing clothes dryers, Indesit did not include an alternate test procedure in its petition. III. Application for Interim Waiver Indesit also requests an interim waiver from the existing DOE test procedure for immediate relief. DOE has determined that Indesit’s application for interim waiver does not provide sufficient market, equipment price, shipments, and other manufacturer impact information to permit DOE to evaluate the economic hardship Indesit might experience absent a favorable determination on its application for interim waiver. DOE understands, however, that the Indesit condensing clothes dryers have a feature that prevents testing them according to the existing DOE test procedure. In addition, as stated in the previous section, DOE has previously granted waivers to ASKO, BSH, Miele, LG, Whirlpool and GE for similar products. It is in the public interest to have similar products tested and rated for energy consumption on a comparable basis, where possible. Further, DOE has determined that Indesit is likely to succeed on the merits of its petition for waiver for the same reasons set forth in the waivers to other manufacturers, and that it is desirable for policy reasons to grant immediate relief. IV. Interim Waiver Granted For the reasons stated above, DOE grants Indesit’s application for interim waiver from testing of its condensing clothes dryer product line. Therefore, it is ordered that: The application for interim waiver filed by Indesit is hereby granted for Indesit’s Ariston TCL73XNA and TCL73XSNA condensing clothes dryers. Indesit shall not be required to test its Ariston TCL73XNA and TCL73XSNA condensing clothes dryers on the basis of the test procedure under 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D, consistent with the timing provisions in 430.27(h). DOE makes decisions on waivers and interim waivers for only those models specifically set out in the petition, not future models that may or may not be manufactured by the petitioner. Indesit may submit a new or amended petition for waiver and request for grant of interim waiver, as appropriate, for PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 68043 additional models of clothes dryers for which it seeks a waiver from the DOE test procedure. In addition, DOE notes that grant of an interim waiver or waiver does not release a petitioner from the certification requirements set forth at 10 CFR part 429. Further, this interim waiver is conditioned upon the presumed validity of statements, representations, and documents provided by the petitioner. DOE may revoke or modify this interim waiver at any time upon a determination that the factual basis underlying the petition for waiver is incorrect, or upon a determination that the results from the alternate test procedure are unrepresentative of the basic models’ true energy consumption characteristics. V. Summary and Request for Comments Through today’s notice, DOE grants Indesit an interim waiver from the specified portions of the test procedure applicable to Indesit’s Ariston TCL73XNA and TCL73XSNA condensing clothes dryers and announces receipt of Indesit’s petition for waiver from those same portions of the test procedure. DOE publishes Indesit’s petition for waiver in its entirety pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(b)(1)(iv). The petition contains no confidential information. DOE solicits comments from interested parties on all aspects of the petition. Pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(b)(1)(iv), any person submitting written comments to DOE must also send a copy of such comments to the petitioner. The contact information for the petitioner is: Mr. Aldo Cariati, Indesit Company, Centro Gerre 2000, Via Pobiette, 11, CH—6928 Manno (Lugano), Switerland. All submissions received must include the agency name and case number for this proceeding. Submit electronic comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, Portable Document Format (PDF), or text (American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)) file format and avoid the use of special characters or any form of encryption. Wherever possible, include the electronic signature of the author. DOE does not accept telefacsimiles (faxes). According to 10 CFR 1004.11, any person submitting information that he or she believes to be confidential and exempt by law from public disclosure should submit two copies to DOE: one copy of the document including all the information believed to be confidential and one copy of the document with the information believed to be confidential deleted. DOE will make its own determination about the confidential E:\FR\FM\13NON1.SGM 13NON1 68044 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 219 / Wednesday, November 13, 2013 / Notices sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES status of the information and treat it according to its determination. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Issued in Washington, DC, on November 6, 2013. Kathleen B. Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. 22nd October 2013. Dr. David T Danielson, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, Mail Station EE–1, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585. Dear Assistant Secretary Danielson, Indesit Company International Business S.A. based in Lugano, Ticino 6928 Switzerland hereby submits this Petition for Waiver and application for Interim Waiver, pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27, for its Ariston branded condenser tumble dryer models TCL 73 X NA and TCL 73 XS NA. Indesit Company is a European manufacturer of household appliances including refrigeration, washing machines, cookers and dishwashers in addition to tumble dryers. The company head office is in Italy and the tumble dryer manufacturing plant is in the UK. In addition to tumble dryers Indesit Company also sells, washers, washerdryers, hobs, ovens and hoods in the USA under the Ariston, Scholtes and Splendide brands. This petition and application are based on the following major points: 1. Indesit’s petition is for condenser clothes dryer models TCL73XNA and TCL73XSNA for sale in the USA during the remainder of 2013 and 2014. 2. The test procedures outlined in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D cannot be applied to condensing type tumble dryers. 3. Waivers have previously been granted for similar products produced by other manufacturers including Bosch, Miele and ASKO. 4. The equivalent product on sale in Europe has been tested in accordance the European energy labelling standard and complies with the European energy labelling directives. 5. Lack of relief will impose economic hardship on Indesit Company particularly where Indesit washing machines are sold as a pair with a matching tumble dryer, which is common practice in the USA. 6. Indesit will notify all clothes dryer manufacturers of domestically marketed units known to Indesit of this petition and application by letter. We would be pleased to discuss this request with the DOE and to provide any further information as required. Yours sincerely, Aldo Cariati, Marketing Manager International Business, Indesit Company—International Business S.A., Centro Gerre 2000, Via Pobiette, 11, CH—6928 Manno (Lugano), Telephone (+41) 916119900, Fax (+41) 916119900. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [FR Doc. 2013–27114 Filed 11–12–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:14 Nov 12, 2013 Jkt 232001 [Project No. 7320–042] Erie Boulevard Hydropower, L.P.; Notice of Scoping Meetings and Environmental Site Review and Soliciting Scoping Comments Take notice that the following hydroelectric applications have been filed with the Commission and are available for public inspection: a. Type of Application: New Major License. b. Project No.: 7320–042. c. Date filed: July 1, 2013. d. Applicant: Erie Boulevard Hydropower, L.P. e. Name of Project: Chasm Hydroelectric Project. f. Location: On the Salmon River, in Franklin County, New York. No federal lands are occupied by the project works or located within the project boundary. g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791 (a)–825(r). h. Applicant Contact: Steven Murphy, Compliance Specialist, Brookfield Renewable Power—New York West Operations, 33 West 1st Street South, Fulton, NY 13069; (315) 589–6130; email—steven.murphy@ brookfieldpower.com. i. FERC Contact: John Mudre at (202) 502–8902; or email at john.mudre@ ferc.gov. j. Deadline for filing scoping comments: January 6, 2014. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file scoping comments using the Commission’s eFiling system at https://www.ferc.gov/ docs-filing/efiling.asp. Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system at https:// www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ ecomment.asp. You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866) 208–3676 (toll free), or (202) 502–8659 (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, please send a paper copy to: Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. The first page of any filing should include docket number P–7320–042. The Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure require all interveners filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each person on the official service list for the project. Further, if an intervener files comments or documents with the PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document on that resource agency. k. This application is not ready for environmental analysis at this time. l. The existing Chasm Project consists of: (1) A 201-foot-long, 32-foot-high maximum height concrete gravity-type dam having a spillway section with crest elevation 1,283.8 feet mean sea level (msl) about 100 feet long, surmounted by 2-foot-high flashboards and having an intake section with steel trash racks and headgates; (2) a reservoir having a surface area of about 22 acres and a gross storage capacity of 74 acrefeet at normal pool elevation of 1,285.8 feet msl; (3) a 7-foot-diameter welded steel pipeline approximately 3,355 feet in length connecting to a 6-footdiameter steel manifold pipeline just upstream of the powerhouse; (4) a powerhouse containing three Francistype generating units having a total rated capacity of 3,350 kilowatts operated under a 268-foot head and at a flow of 195 cubic feet per second; (5) a 20-foot-wide, 850-foot-long tailrace; (6) 50-foot-long buried generator leads extending from the powerhouse to a non-project substation owned and operated by National Grid; and 7) appurtenant facilities. m. A copy of the application is available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission’s Web site at https://www.ferc.gov using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. A copy is also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item h above. You may also register online at https:// www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. n. Scoping Process The Commission intends to prepare an Environmental assessment (EA) on the project in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The EA will consider both site-specific and cumulative environmental impacts and reasonable alternatives to the proposed action. Scoping Meetings FERC staff will conduct one agency scoping meeting and one public meeting. The agency scoping meeting will focus on resource agency and non- E:\FR\FM\13NON1.SGM 13NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 13, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68042-68044]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27114]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

[Case No. CD-009]


Petition for Waiver and Notice of Granting the Application for 
Interim Waiver of Indesit Company From the DOE Residential Clothes 
Dryer Test Procedure

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
Energy.

ACTION: Notice of Petition for Waiver, Granting of Application for 
Interim Waiver, and Request for Public Comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt of and publishes the Indesit 
Company (Indesit) petition for waiver from specified portions of the 
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure for determining the 
energy consumption of residential clothes dryers. The waiver request 
pertains to Indesit's specified models of condensing residential 
clothes dryers. The existing test procedure does not apply to 
condensing clothes dryers. In addition, today's notice grants Indesit 
an interim waiver from the DOE test procedure applicable to residential 
clothes dryers. DOE solicits comments, data, and information concerning 
Indesit's petition.

DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, and information with respect to 
Indesit's Petition until December 13, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by case number CD-009, 
by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Email: AS_Waiver_Requests@ee.doe.gov. Include the case 
number [Case No. CD-009] in the subject line of the message.
     Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, 
Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-2J, Petition for Waiver Case 
No. CD-009, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. 
Telephone: (202) 586-2945. Please submit one signed original paper 
copy.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Building Technologies Office, 950 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Suite 
600, Washington, DC 20024. Please submit one signed original paper 
copy.
    Docket: For access to the docket to review the background documents 
relevant to this matter and comments received, you may visit the U.S. 
Department of Energy, 950 L'Enfant Plaza SW., (Resource Room of the 
Building Technologies Program), Washington, DC, 20024; (202) 586-2945, 
between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. Please call Ms. Brenda Edwards at the above telephone number 
for additional information.

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.
    Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, 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) 586-7796. 
Email: Elizabeth.Kohl@hq.doe.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background and Authority

    Title III, Part B of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 
(EPCA), Public Law 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 dryers 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 test procedure for 
clothes dryers is contained in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D.
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    \1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Part B was re-designated Part A.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE's regulations set forth in 10 CFR 430.27 contain provisions 
that enable a person to seek a waiver from the test procedure 
requirements for covered consumer products. A waiver will be granted by 
the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (the 
Assistant Secretary) if it is determined that the basic model for which 
the petition for waiver was submitted contains one or more design 
characteristics that prevents testing of the basic model according to 
the prescribed test procedures, or if 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. The Assistant Secretary may grant the 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).
    The waiver process also allows the Assistant Secretary to grant an 
interim waiver from test procedure requirements to manufacturers that 
have petitioned DOE for a waiver of such prescribed test procedures if 
it is determined that the applicant will experience economic hardship 
if the application for interim waiver is denied, if it appears likely 
that the petition for waiver will be granted, and/or if 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(a)(2); 430.27(g). An interim waiver 
remains in effect for a period of 180 days or until DOE issues its 
determination on the

[[Page 68043]]

petition for waiver, whichever is sooner, and may be extended for an 
additional 180 days, if necessary. 10 CFR 430.27(h).
    On January 6, 2011, DOE published a test procedure final rule (76 
FR 1032) to include provisions for testing ventless clothes dryers. The 
rule became effective on February 7, 2011, and requires compliance on 
or after January 1, 2015. Ventless clothes dryers manufactured on or 
after January 1, 2015, must be tested with the new DOE test procedure.

II. Petition for Waiver of Test Procedure

    On October 22, 2013, Indesit filed a petition for waiver and an 
application for interim waiver from the test procedure applicable to 
residential clothes dryers set forth in 10 CFR Part 430, subpart B, 
appendix D. Indesit seeks a waiver from the applicable test procedure 
for its Ariston TCL73XNA and TCL73XSNA condensing clothes dryers 
because, Indesit asserts, design characteristics of these models 
prevent testing in accordance with the currently prescribed test 
procedure, as described in greater detail in the following paragraph. 
DOE granted similar waivers for the same type of clothes dryer to Bosch 
(BSH) (76 FR 33271, June 8, 2011), Miele Appliance, Inc. (Miele) (60 FR 
9330, February 17, 1995; 76 FR 17637, March 30, 2011), LG Electronics 
(73 FR 66641, November 10, 2008), Whirlpool Corporation (74 FR 66334, 
December 15, 2009), General Electric (75 FR 13122, March 18, 2010), and 
ASKO Appliances, Inc. (ASKO) (78 FR 53446, August 29, 2013). Indesit 
claims that its condensing clothes dryers cannot be tested pursuant to 
the DOE procedure and requests that the same waiver granted to other 
manufacturers be granted for Indesit's Ariston TCL73XNA and TCL73XSNA 
models.
    In support of its petition, Indesit 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 condensing 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. Indesit plans to market its 
condensing clothes dryers for situations in which a conventional vented 
clothes dryer cannot be used, such as high-rise apartments and other 
buildings where exhaust venting is not practical or is cost 
prohibitive.
    The Indesit petition requests that DOE grant a waiver from the 
existing test procedure to allow for the sale of two models (TCL73XNA 
and TCL73XSNA) until DOE prescribes final test procedures and minimum 
energy conservation standards appropriate to condensing clothes dryers. 
Similar to the other manufacturers of condensing clothes dryers, 
Indesit did not include an alternate test procedure in its petition.

III. Application for Interim Waiver

    Indesit also requests an interim waiver from the existing DOE test 
procedure for immediate relief. DOE has determined that Indesit's 
application for interim waiver does not provide sufficient market, 
equipment price, shipments, and other manufacturer impact information 
to permit DOE to evaluate the economic hardship Indesit might 
experience absent a favorable determination on its application for 
interim waiver. DOE understands, however, that the Indesit condensing 
clothes dryers have a feature that prevents testing them according to 
the existing DOE test procedure. In addition, as stated in the previous 
section, DOE has previously granted waivers to ASKO, BSH, Miele, LG, 
Whirlpool and GE for similar products. It is in the public interest to 
have similar products tested and rated for energy consumption on a 
comparable basis, where possible. Further, DOE has determined that 
Indesit is likely to succeed on the merits of its petition for waiver 
for the same reasons set forth in the waivers to other manufacturers, 
and that it is desirable for policy reasons to grant immediate relief.

IV. Interim Waiver Granted

    For the reasons stated above, DOE grants Indesit's application for 
interim waiver from testing of its condensing clothes dryer product 
line. Therefore, it is ordered that:
    The application for interim waiver filed by Indesit is hereby 
granted for Indesit's Ariston TCL73XNA and TCL73XSNA condensing clothes 
dryers. Indesit shall not be required to test its Ariston TCL73XNA and 
TCL73XSNA condensing clothes dryers on the basis of the test procedure 
under 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D, consistent with the 
timing provisions in 430.27(h).
    DOE makes decisions on waivers and interim waivers for only those 
models specifically set out in the petition, not future models that may 
or may not be manufactured by the petitioner. Indesit 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. In addition, DOE notes that 
grant of an interim waiver or waiver does not release a petitioner from 
the certification requirements set forth at 10 CFR part 429.
    Further, this interim waiver is conditioned upon the presumed 
validity of statements, representations, and documents provided by the 
petitioner. DOE may revoke or modify this interim waiver at any time 
upon a determination that the factual basis underlying the petition for 
waiver is incorrect, or upon a determination that the results from the 
alternate test procedure are unrepresentative of the basic models' true 
energy consumption characteristics.

V. Summary and Request for Comments

    Through today's notice, DOE grants Indesit an interim waiver from 
the specified portions of the test procedure applicable to Indesit's 
Ariston TCL73XNA and TCL73XSNA condensing clothes dryers and announces 
receipt of Indesit's petition for waiver from those same portions of 
the test procedure. DOE publishes Indesit's petition for waiver in its 
entirety pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(b)(1)(iv). The petition contains no 
confidential information.
    DOE solicits comments from interested parties on all aspects of the 
petition. Pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(b)(1)(iv), any person submitting 
written comments to DOE must also send a copy of such comments to the 
petitioner. The contact information for the petitioner is: Mr. Aldo 
Cariati, Indesit Company, Centro Gerre 2000, Via Pobiette, 11, CH--6928 
Manno (Lugano), Switerland. All submissions received must include the 
agency name and case number for this proceeding. Submit electronic 
comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, Portable Document Format 
(PDF), or text (American Standard Code for Information Interchange 
(ASCII)) file format and avoid the use of special characters or any 
form of encryption. Wherever possible, include the electronic signature 
of the author. DOE does not accept telefacsimiles (faxes).
    According to 10 CFR 1004.11, any person submitting information that 
he or she believes to be confidential and exempt by law from public 
disclosure should submit two copies to DOE: one copy of the document 
including all the information believed to be confidential and one copy 
of the document with the information believed to be confidential 
deleted. DOE will make its own determination about the confidential

[[Page 68044]]

status of the information and treat it according to its determination.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 6, 2013.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy.
22nd October 2013.

Dr. David T Danielson, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency & 
Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, Mail Station EE-1, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585.

    Dear Assistant Secretary Danielson, Indesit Company 
International Business S.A. based in Lugano, Ticino 6928 Switzerland 
hereby submits this Petition for Waiver and application for Interim 
Waiver, pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27, for its Ariston branded condenser 
tumble dryer models TCL 73 X NA and TCL 73 XS NA.
    Indesit Company is a European manufacturer of household 
appliances including refrigeration, washing machines, cookers and 
dishwashers in addition to tumble dryers. The company head office is 
in Italy and the tumble dryer manufacturing plant is in the UK. In 
addition to tumble dryers Indesit Company also sells, washers, 
washerdryers, hobs, ovens and hoods in the USA under the Ariston, 
Scholtes and Splendide brands.
    This petition and application are based on the following major 
points:
    1. Indesit's petition is for condenser clothes dryer models 
TCL73XNA and TCL73XSNA for sale in the USA during the remainder of 
2013 and 2014.
    2. The test procedures outlined in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, 
appendix D cannot be applied to condensing type tumble dryers.
    3. Waivers have previously been granted for similar products 
produced by other manufacturers including Bosch, Miele and ASKO.
    4. The equivalent product on sale in Europe has been tested in 
accordance the European energy labelling standard and complies with 
the European energy labelling directives.
    5. Lack of relief will impose economic hardship on Indesit 
Company particularly where Indesit washing machines are sold as a 
pair with a matching tumble dryer, which is common practice in the 
USA.
    6. Indesit will notify all clothes dryer manufacturers of 
domestically marketed units known to Indesit of this petition and 
application by letter.
    We would be pleased to discuss this request with the DOE and to 
provide any further information as required.

Yours sincerely,

Aldo Cariati,
Marketing Manager International Business, Indesit Company--
International Business S.A., Centro Gerre 2000, Via Pobiette, 11, 
CH--6928 Manno (Lugano), Telephone (+41) 916119900, Fax (+41) 
916119900.

[FR Doc. 2013-27114 Filed 11-12-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

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