Decision and Order Granting a Waiver to Samsung From the Department of Energy Residential Refrigerator and Refrigerator-Freezer Test Procedures, 9896-9897 [2014-03694]

Download as PDF 9896 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 35 / Friday, February 21, 2014 / Notices Issued at Washington, DC, on February 11, 2014. LaTanya R. Butler, Deputy Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. 2014–03695 Filed 2–20–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy [Case No. RF–034] Decision and Order Granting a Waiver to Samsung From the Department of Energy Residential Refrigerator and Refrigerator-Freezer Test Procedures 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 its decision and order in Case No. RF–034 that grants to Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (Samsung) a waiver from the DOE electric refrigerator and refrigeratorfreezer test procedures for specific basic models set forth in its petition for waiver. In its petition, Samsung provides an alternate test procedure that is identical to the test procedure DOE published in a final rule dated January 25, 2012 (77 FR 3559) that manufacturers will be required to use starting in 2014. Under today’s decision and order, Samsung shall be required to test and rate these refrigerator-freezers using an alternate test procedure as adopted in that January 2012 final rule, which accounts for multiple defrost cycles when measuring energy consumption. SUMMARY: This Decision and Order is effective February 21, 2014. DATES: Mr. Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE–5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585– 0121. Telephone: (202) 586–0371, Email: Bryan.Berringer@ee.doe.gov. Mr. Michael Kido, 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) 586–8145. Email: Michael.Kido@hq.doe.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR 430.27(l)), DOE gives notice of the issuance of its decision and order as set forth below. The decision and order grants Samsung rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:09 Feb 20, 2014 Jkt 232001 with a waiver from the applicable residential refrigerator and refrigeratorfreezer test procedures in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix A1 for certain basic models of refrigerator-freezers with multiple defrost cycles, provided that Samsung tests and rates such products using the alternate test procedure described in this notice. Today’s decision prohibits Samsung from making representations concerning the energy efficiency of these products unless the product has been tested in a manner consistent with the provisions and restrictions in the alternate test procedure set forth in the decision and order below, and the representations fairly disclose the test results. Distributors, retailers, and private labelers are held to the same standard when making representations regarding the energy efficiency of these products. 42 U.S.C. 6293(c). Issued in Washington, DC, on February 12, 2014. Kathleen B. Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Decision and Order In the Matter of: Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (Case No. RF–034) 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 electric refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers 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 that measure energy efficiency, energy use, or estimated operating costs, and that are not unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) The test procedure for residential electric refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers is set forth in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix A1. DOE’s regulations for covered products contain provisions allowing a person to seek a waiver from the test procedure requirements for a particular 1 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, Part B was re-designated Part A. PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 basic model for covered consumer products when (1) the petitioner’s basic model for which the petition for waiver was submitted contains one or more design characteristics that prevent testing according to the prescribed test procedure, or (2) when prescribed test procedures may evaluate the basic model in a manner so unrepresentative of its true energy consumption characteristics as to provide materially inaccurate comparative data. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(1). Petitioners must include in their petition any alternate test procedures known to the petitioner to evaluate the basic model in a manner representative of its energy consumption characteristics. The Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (the Assistant Secretary) may grant a waiver subject to conditions, including adherence to alternate test procedures. 10 CFR 430.27(l). Waivers remain in effect pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 430.27(m). Any interested person who has submitted a petition for waiver may also file an application for interim waiver of the applicable test procedure requirements. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(2). The Assistant Secretary will grant an interim waiver request if it is determined that the applicant will experience economic hardship if the interim waiver is denied, if it appears likely that the petition for waiver will be granted, and/or the Assistant Secretary determines that it would be desirable for public policy reasons to grant immediate relief pending a determination on the petition for waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(g). II. Samsung’s Petition for Waiver: Assertions and Determinations On September 23, 2013, Samsung submitted a petition for waiver from the test procedure applicable to residential electric refrigerators and refrigeratorfreezers set forth in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix A1. Samsung is designing new refrigerator-freezers that incorporate multiple defrost cycles. In its petition, Samsung seeks a waiver from the existing DOE test procedure applicable to refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers under 10 CFR part 430 because the existing test procedure does not account for multiple defrost cycles. Therefore, Samsung has asked to use an alternate test procedure that is the same as the one manufacturers will be required to use in 2014 for products with long-time or variable defrost. See 77 FR 3559 (Jan. 25, 2012) (final rule). Samsung has submitted similar petitions for waiver and requests for interim waiver for other basic models of refrigerator-freezers that incorporate E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM 21FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 35 / Friday, February 21, 2014 / Notices multiple defrost cycles. DOE subsequently granted a waiver for the products specified in these petitions. See 77 FR 1474 (Jan. 10, 2012), 77 FR 75428 (Dec. 20, 2012), 78 FR 35901 (June 14, 2013), 78 FR 35898 (June 14, 2013), and 78 FR 65623 (Nov. 1, 2013). Samsung’s petition included an alternate test procedure to account for the energy consumption of its refrigerator-freezer models with multiple defrost cycles. The alternate test procedure specified by Samsung is the same as the test procedure that DOE finalized in January 2012. See 77 FR 3359. Among other things, the notice to that final rule addressed comments responding to the earlier Samsung petitions that were the subject of the previous waiver, as well as the interim final rule that had previously been issued. See 75 FR 78809 (Dec. 16, 2010). The alternate test procedure that Samsung has requested permission to use as part of its waiver petition is, as with its prior waiver petitions noted above, identical to the test procedure provisions for products with long-time or variable defrost DOE adopted in the final test procedure rule that manufacturers will be required to use starting in 2014. Because the currently applicable test procedure found in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix A1 cannot be used to test the basic models at issue or would otherwise lead to materially inaccurate results, DOE previously granted a waiver to Samsung for other basic models incorporating multiple defrost technology. See 77 FR 1474, 77 FR 75428, 78 FR 35901, 78 FR 35898, and 78 FR 65623. DOE has determined that it is desirable to have similar basic models, such as those addressed by the Samsung petition addressed in this notice, tested in a consistent manner and is adopting the same approach laid out in its prior decision by permitting Samsung to use the alternate test procedure specified in this Decision and Order. granted as set forth in the paragraphs below. (2) Samsung shall be required to test and rate the following Samsung model according to the alternate test procedure set forth in paragraph (3) of this section. RS22HD*PN** (3) Samsung shall be required to test the products listed in paragraph (2) of this section according to appendix A1 to subpart B of 10 CFR part 430 except that the test cycle shall be identical to the test procedure provisions for products with long-time or variable defrost located in section 4.2.1 of appendix A to subpart B of 10 CFR part 430, as adopted in DOE’s final rule dated January 25, 2012 (77 FR 3559). (4) Representations. Samsung may make representations about the energy use of its refrigerator-freezer products for compliance, marketing, or other purposes only to the extent that such products have been tested in accordance with the provisions outlined above and such representations fairly disclose the results of such testing. (5) This waiver shall remain in effect consistent with the provisions of 10 CFR 430.27(m). (6) This waiver is issued on the condition that the statements, representations, and documentary materials provided by the petitioner are valid and accurate. DOE may revoke or modify this waiver at any time if it determines the factual basis underlying the petition for waiver is incorrect, or the results from the alternate test procedure are unrepresentative of the basic models’ true energy consumption characteristics. (7) This waiver applies only to those basic models set out in Samsung’s September 23, 2013 petition for waiver. Grant of this waiver does not release a petitioner from the certification requirements set forth at 10 CFR part 429. III. Consultations With Other Agencies DOE consulted with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) staff concerning the Samsung petition for waiver. The FTC staff did not have any objections to granting a waiver to Samsung. Issued in Washington, DC, on February 12, 2014. Kathleen B. Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. [FR Doc. 2014–03694 Filed 2–20–14; 8:45 am] rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES IV. Conclusion DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY After careful consideration of all the material submitted by Samsung and consultation with the FTC staff, it is ordered that: (1) The petitions for waiver submitted by the Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (Case No. RF–034) are hereby VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:09 Feb 20, 2014 BILLING CODE 6450–01–P Jkt 232001 Western Area Power Administration Falcon and Amistad Projects’ Rate Order No. WAPA–164 Western Area Power Administration (Western), DOE. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 9897 Notice of proposed extension for the Falcon and Amistad Projects’ Power Rate Formula. ACTION: This action is a proposal to extend the existing Falcon and Amistad Projects’ Firm Power Rate Formula through June 7, 2019. The Falcon and Amistad Projects’ Firm Power Rate Formula will expire on June 7, 2014. DATES: Thirty days after this notice is published, Western will take further action on the proposed formula rate extension consistent with 10 CFR 903. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Lynn C. Jeka, CRSP Manager, Colorado River Storage Project Management Center, Western Area Power Administration, 150 East Social Hall Avenue, Suite 300, Salt Lake City, UT 84111–1580, (801) 524–6372, email: jeka@wapa.gov, or Mr. Rodney Bailey, Power Marketing Manager, Colorado River Storage Project Management Center, Western Area Power Administration, 150 East Social Hall Avenue, Suite 300, Salt Lake City, UT 84111–1580, (801) 524–4007, email: rbailey@wapa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By Delegation Order No. 00–037.00A, the Secretary of Energy delegated: (1) The authority to develop power and transmission rates to Western’s Administrator; (2) the authority to confirm, approve, and place in effect such rates on an interim basis to the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Energy; and (3) the authority to confirm and approve on a final basis or to disapprove rates developed by the Administrator under the delegation to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This extension is issued pursuant to the Delegation Order and DOE rate extension procedures at 10 CFR 903.23(a). The Falcon and Amistad Dams are features of international water storage projects located on the Rio Grande River between Texas and Mexico. Under the terms of Contract No. 7–07–50–P0890 (Contract), dated August 9, 1977, as amended, Western marketed the power from these dams to two electric cooperatives, South Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc., and Medina Electric Cooperative. The power rate formula of the Contract was initially approved by the Federal Power Commission, predecessor to FERC, in Docket No. E– 9566 on August 12, 1977 (59 FPC 1653), for a 5-year period effective on the date of initial operation of Amistad Power Plant, June 8, 1983.1 SUMMARY: 1 A 5-year rate extension of this same rate formula through June 7, 1993, was approved by FERC on E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM Continued 21FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 35 (Friday, February 21, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9896-9897]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-03694]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

[Case No. RF-034]


Decision and Order Granting a Waiver to Samsung From the 
Department of Energy Residential Refrigerator and Refrigerator-Freezer 
Test Procedures

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 its 
decision and order in Case No. RF-034 that grants to Samsung 
Electronics America, Inc. (Samsung) a waiver from the DOE electric 
refrigerator and refrigerator-freezer test procedures for specific 
basic models set forth in its petition for waiver. In its petition, 
Samsung provides an alternate test procedure that is identical to the 
test procedure DOE published in a final rule dated January 25, 2012 (77 
FR 3559) that manufacturers will be required to use starting in 2014. 
Under today's decision and order, Samsung shall be required to test and 
rate these refrigerator-freezers using an alternate test procedure as 
adopted in that January 2012 final rule, which accounts for multiple 
defrost cycles when measuring energy consumption.

DATES: This Decision and Order is effective February 21, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-5B, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 
586-0371,
    Email: Bryan.Berringer@ee.doe.gov.
    Mr. Michael Kido, 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) 586-8145. Email: 
Michael.Kido@hq.doe.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (10 CFR 430.27(l)), DOE gives notice of the 
issuance of its decision and order as set forth below. The decision and 
order grants Samsung with a waiver from the applicable residential 
refrigerator and refrigerator-freezer test procedures in 10 CFR part 
430, subpart B, appendix A1 for certain basic models of refrigerator-
freezers with multiple defrost cycles, provided that Samsung tests and 
rates such products using the alternate test procedure described in 
this notice. Today's decision prohibits Samsung from making 
representations concerning the energy efficiency of these products 
unless the product has been tested in a manner consistent with the 
provisions and restrictions in the alternate test procedure set forth 
in the decision and order below, and the representations fairly 
disclose the test results.
    Distributors, retailers, and private labelers are held to the same 
standard when making representations regarding the energy efficiency of 
these products. 42 U.S.C. 6293(c).

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 12, 2014.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy.

Decision and Order

    In the Matter of: Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (Case No. RF-
034)

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 electric refrigerators and refrigerator-
freezers 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 that measure energy efficiency, energy use, or estimated 
operating costs, and that are not unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 
U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) The test procedure for residential electric 
refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers is set forth in 10 CFR part 
430, subpart B, appendix A1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    DOE's regulations for covered products contain provisions allowing 
a person to seek a waiver from the test procedure requirements for a 
particular basic model for covered consumer products when (1) the 
petitioner's basic model for which the petition for waiver was 
submitted contains one or more design characteristics that prevent 
testing according to the prescribed test procedure, or (2) when 
prescribed test procedures may evaluate the basic model in a manner so 
unrepresentative of its true energy consumption characteristics as to 
provide materially inaccurate comparative data. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(1). 
Petitioners must include in their petition any alternate test 
procedures known to the petitioner to evaluate the basic model in a 
manner representative of its energy consumption characteristics.
    The Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 
(the Assistant Secretary) may grant a waiver subject to conditions, 
including adherence to alternate test procedures. 10 CFR 430.27(l). 
Waivers remain in effect pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 
430.27(m).
    Any interested person who has submitted a petition for waiver may 
also file an application for interim waiver of the applicable test 
procedure requirements. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(2). The Assistant Secretary 
will grant an interim waiver request if it is determined that the 
applicant will experience economic hardship if the interim waiver is 
denied, if it appears likely that the petition for waiver will be 
granted, and/or the Assistant Secretary determines that it would be 
desirable for public policy reasons to grant immediate relief pending a 
determination on the petition for waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(g).

II. Samsung's Petition for Waiver: Assertions and Determinations

    On September 23, 2013, Samsung submitted a petition for waiver from 
the test procedure applicable to residential electric refrigerators and 
refrigerator-freezers set forth in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix 
A1. Samsung is designing new refrigerator-freezers that incorporate 
multiple defrost cycles. In its petition, Samsung seeks a waiver from 
the existing DOE test procedure applicable to refrigerators and 
refrigerator-freezers under 10 CFR part 430 because the existing test 
procedure does not account for multiple defrost cycles. Therefore, 
Samsung has asked to use an alternate test procedure that is the same 
as the one manufacturers will be required to use in 2014 for products 
with long-time or variable defrost. See 77 FR 3559 (Jan. 25, 2012) 
(final rule). Samsung has submitted similar petitions for waiver and 
requests for interim waiver for other basic models of refrigerator-
freezers that incorporate

[[Page 9897]]

multiple defrost cycles. DOE subsequently granted a waiver for the 
products specified in these petitions. See 77 FR 1474 (Jan. 10, 2012), 
77 FR 75428 (Dec. 20, 2012), 78 FR 35901 (June 14, 2013), 78 FR 35898 
(June 14, 2013), and 78 FR 65623 (Nov. 1, 2013).
    Samsung's petition included an alternate test procedure to account 
for the energy consumption of its refrigerator-freezer models with 
multiple defrost cycles. The alternate test procedure specified by 
Samsung is the same as the test procedure that DOE finalized in January 
2012. See 77 FR 3359. Among other things, the notice to that final rule 
addressed comments responding to the earlier Samsung petitions that 
were the subject of the previous waiver, as well as the interim final 
rule that had previously been issued. See 75 FR 78809 (Dec. 16, 2010). 
The alternate test procedure that Samsung has requested permission to 
use as part of its waiver petition is, as with its prior waiver 
petitions noted above, identical to the test procedure provisions for 
products with long-time or variable defrost DOE adopted in the final 
test procedure rule that manufacturers will be required to use starting 
in 2014.
    Because the currently applicable test procedure found in 10 CFR 
part 430, subpart B, appendix A1 cannot be used to test the basic 
models at issue or would otherwise lead to materially inaccurate 
results, DOE previously granted a waiver to Samsung for other basic 
models incorporating multiple defrost technology. See 77 FR 1474, 77 FR 
75428, 78 FR 35901, 78 FR 35898, and 78 FR 65623. DOE has determined 
that it is desirable to have similar basic models, such as those 
addressed by the Samsung petition addressed in this notice, tested in a 
consistent manner and is adopting the same approach laid out in its 
prior decision by permitting Samsung to use the alternate test 
procedure specified in this Decision and Order.

III. Consultations With Other Agencies

    DOE consulted with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) staff 
concerning the Samsung petition for waiver. The FTC staff did not have 
any objections to granting a waiver to Samsung.

IV. Conclusion

    After careful consideration of all the material submitted by 
Samsung and consultation with the FTC staff, it is ordered that:
    (1) The petitions for waiver submitted by the Samsung Electronics 
America, Inc. (Case No. RF-034) are hereby granted as set forth in the 
paragraphs below.
    (2) Samsung shall be required to test and rate the following 
Samsung model according to the alternate test procedure set forth in 
paragraph (3) of this section.
    RS22HD*PN**
    (3) Samsung shall be required to test the products listed in 
paragraph (2) of this section according to appendix A1 to subpart B of 
10 CFR part 430 except that the test cycle shall be identical to the 
test procedure provisions for products with long-time or variable 
defrost located in section 4.2.1 of appendix A to subpart B of 10 CFR 
part 430, as adopted in DOE's final rule dated January 25, 2012 (77 FR 
3559).
    (4) Representations. Samsung may make representations about the 
energy use of its refrigerator-freezer products for compliance, 
marketing, or other purposes only to the extent that such products have 
been tested in accordance with the provisions outlined above and such 
representations fairly disclose the results of such testing.
    (5) This waiver shall remain in effect consistent with the 
provisions of 10 CFR 430.27(m).
    (6) This waiver is issued on the condition that the statements, 
representations, and documentary materials provided by the petitioner 
are valid and accurate. DOE may revoke or modify this waiver at any 
time if it determines the factual basis underlying the petition for 
waiver is incorrect, or the results from the alternate test procedure 
are unrepresentative of the basic models' true energy consumption 
characteristics.
    (7) This waiver applies only to those basic models set out in 
Samsung's September 23, 2013 petition for waiver. Grant of this waiver 
does not release a petitioner from the certification requirements set 
forth at 10 CFR part 429.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 12, 2014.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2014-03694 Filed 2-20-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

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