Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Decision and Order Granting a Waiver to Whirlpool From the Department of Energy Residential Clothes Washer Test Procedure, 26215-26217 [2016-10209]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 84 / Monday, May 2, 2016 / Notices
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Issued in Washington, DC, on April 26,
2016.
LaTanya R. Butler,
Deputy Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016–10208 Filed 4–29–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
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26215
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy
[Case No. CW–026]
Energy Conservation Program for
Consumer Products: Decision and
Order Granting a Waiver to Whirlpool
From the Department of Energy
Residential Clothes Washer Test
Procedure
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Decision and order.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) gives notice of a decision
and order (Case No. CW–026) that grants
to Whirlpool Corporation (Whirlpool) a
waiver from the DOE clothes washer test
procedure for determining the energy
consumption of clothes washers. Under
this decision and order, Whirlpool is
required to test and rate its clothes
washers with clothes containers greater
than 6.0 cubic feet using an alternate
test procedure that takes this larger
capacity into account when measuring
energy consumption.
DATES: This Decision and Order is
effective May 2, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department
of Energy, Building Technologies
Program, Mail Stop EE–5B, 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–33, Forrestal Building,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0103.
Telephone: (202) 586–7796. Email:
Elizabeth.Kohl@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with Title 10 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (10 CFR
430.27(f)(2)), DOE gives notice of the
issuance of its decision and order as set
forth below. The decision and order
grants Whirlpool a waiver from the
applicable clothes washer test
procedure in 10 CFR part 430, subpart
B, appendix J2 for certain basic models
of clothes washers with capacities
greater than 6.0 cubic feet, provided that
Whirlpool tests and rates such products
using the alternate test procedure
described in this notice. Whirlpool’s
representations concerning the energy
efficiency of these products must be
based on testing consistent with the
provisions and restrictions in the
SUMMARY:
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26216
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 84 / Monday, May 2, 2016 / Notices
alternate test procedure set forth in the
decision and order below, and the
representations must 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).
Not later than July 1, 2016, any
manufacturer currently distributing in
commerce in the United States a
residential clothes washer with a
capacity larger than 6.0 cubic feet must
submit a petition for waiver pursuant to
the requirements of this section.
Manufacturers not currently distributing
such products in commerce in the
United States must petition for and be
granted a waiver prior to distribution in
commerce in the United States.
Manufacturers may also submit a
request for interim waiver pursuant to
the requirements of 10 CFR 430.27.
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 26,
2016.
Kathleen Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy.
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Decision and Order
In the Matter of: Whirlpool
Corporation (Case No. CW–026)
I. Background and Authority
Title III, Part B of the Energy Policy
and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA)
(42 U.S.C. 6291–6309) established the
Energy Conservation Program for
Consumer Products Other Than
Automobiles, a program covering most
major household appliances, including
the residential clothes washers.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
measuring energy efficiency, energy use,
or estimated operating costs, and that
are not unduly burdensome to conduct.
(42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) The test
procedure for residential clothes
washers is contained in 10 CFR part
430, subpart B, appendix J2.
The regulations set forth in 10 CFR
430.27 enable a person to seek a waiver
from the test procedure requirements for
covered products. DOE will grant a
waiver if DOE determines that the basic
model for which the petition for waiver
was submitted contains one or more
design characteristics that prevents
1 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the
U.S. Code, Part B was re-designated Part A.
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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(f)(2).
DOE may grant the waiver subject to
conditions, including adherence to
alternate test procedures. 10 CFR
430.27(f)(2).
II. Whirlpool’s Petition for Waiver:
Assertions and Determinations
On November 9, 2015, Whirlpool
submitted a petition for waiver from the
DOE test procedure applicable to
automatic and semi-automatic clothes
washers as set forth in 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix J2. Whirlpool
requested the waiver because the mass
of the test load used in the procedure,
which is based on the basket volume of
the test unit, is currently not defined for
basket sizes greater than 6.0 cubic feet.
In its petition, Whirlpool sought a
waiver for the specified basic models,
which have capacities greater than 6.0
cubic feet, as the current DOE test
procedure specifies test load sizes only
for machines with capacities up to 6.0
cubic feet. (See 77 FR 13888, Mar. 7,
2012; the ‘‘March 2012 Final Rule’’)
Table 5.1 of Appendix J2 defines the
test load sizes used in the test procedure
as linear functions of the basket volume.
Whirlpool requested that DOE grant a
waiver for testing and rating based on a
revised Table 5.1. Whirlpool also
requested an interim waiver from the
existing DOE test procedure, which DOE
granted. See 80 FR at 78208. After
reviewing the alternate procedure
suggested by Whirlpool, DOE granted
the interim waiver because DOE
concluded that it would allow for the
accurate measurement of the energy use
of these products, while alleviating the
testing problems associated with testing
clothes washers with capacities greater
than 6.0 cubic feet.
Whirlpool’s petition was published in
the Federal Register on December 16,
2015. 80 FR 78208. DOE received one
comment on the Whirlpool petition
filed jointly by the Appliance Standards
Awareness Project (ASAP), Alliance to
Save Energy (ASE), American Council
for an Energy-Efficient Economy
(ACEEE), Natural Resources Defense
Council (NRDC), and Northwest Energy
Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) (hereinafter
the ‘‘Joint Commenters’’). The Joint
Commenters did not object to
manufacturers being able to test and
certify clothes washers with capacities
greater than 6.0 cu. ft. They reiterated
concerns raised in the rulemaking that
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culminated in the March 2012 Final
Rule, however, regarding a potential
bias in the test procedure towards large
capacity washers, and asserted that
these concerns would be exacerbated
with a further extension of Table 5.1 of
appendix J2 up to 8.0 cu. ft. (Joint
Commenters, No. 2 at p. 1) 2
DOE granted a waiver to Whirlpool
for a similar request under Decision and
Order (75 FR 69653, Nov. 15, 2010) to
allow for the testing of clothes washers
with container volumes between 3.8
cubic feet and 6.0 cubic feet. In addition
to the previous waiver granted to
Whirlpool, DOE granted waivers to LG
(CW–016 (76 FR 11233, Mar. 1, 2011),
CW–018 (76 FR 21879, Apr. 19, 2011),
and CW–021 (76 FR 64330, Oct. 18,
2011); General Electric (75 FR 76968,
Dec. 10, 2010), Samsung (76 FR 13169,
Mar. 10, 2011); 76 FR 50207, Aug. 12,
2011), and Electrolux (76 FR 11440,
Mar. 2, 2011) to allow for the testing of
clothes washers with container volumes
between 3.8 cubic feet and 6.0 cubic
feet.
For the reasons set forth in DOE’s
March 2012 Final Rule, DOE concludes
that extending the linear relationship
between test load size and container
capacity to larger capacities represents
the best possible approach for
determining load size for large capacity
washers. DOE will continue to evaluate
the possibility of a bias in the test
procedure with respect to large capacity
washers in the next revision to the DOE
test procedure in appendix J2. In
addition, DOE determines that testing a
basic model with a capacity larger than
6.0 cubic feet using the current
procedure at Appendix J2 could
evaluate the basic models in a manner
so unrepresentative of their true energy
consumption as to provide materially
inaccurate comparative data.
III. Consultations With Other Agencies
DOE consulted with the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) staff concerning the
Whirlpool petition for waiver. The FTC
staff did not have any objections to
granting a waiver to Whirlpool.
IV. Order
After careful consideration of all the
material that was submitted by
Whirlpool and the Joint Commenters,
the testing and analysis conducted for
the March 2012 Final Rule, and
2 A notation in the form ‘‘Joint Commenters, No.
2 at p. 1’’ identifies a written comment: (1) Made
by the ASAP, ASE, ACEEE, NRDC, and NEEA
(hereinafter the ‘‘Joint Commenters’’); (2) recorded
in document number 2 that is filed in the docket
of this waiver (Docket No. EERE–2015– BT–WAV–
0020) and available for review at
www.regulations.gov; and (3) which appears on
page 1 of document number 2.
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 84 / Monday, May 2, 2016 / Notices
consultation with the FTC staff, in
accordance with 10 CFR 430.27, it is
ORDERED that:
(1) The petition for waiver submitted
by the Whirlpool Corporation (Case No.
CW–026) is hereby granted as set forth
in the paragraphs below.
(2) Whirlpool must test and rate the
Whirlpool basic models specified in
paragraph (3) on the basis of the current
test procedure contained in 10 CFR part
430, subpart B, appendix J2, except that
Table 5.1 of appendix J2 is
supplemented by the following
additional rows:
TABLE 5.1—TEST LOAD SIZES—SUPPLEMENT
Container volume
cu. ft.
≥<
6.00–6.10
6.10–6.20
6.20–6.30
6.30–6.40
6.40–6.50
6.50–6.60
6.60–6.70
6.70–6.80
6.80–6.90
6.90–7.00
7.00–7.10
7.10–7.20
7.20–7.30
7.30–7.40
7.40–7.50
7.50–7.60
7.60–7.70
7.70–7.80
7.80–7.90
7.90–8.00
Minimum load
liter
≥<
..............
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..............
..............
..............
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..............
..............
..............
..............
..............
..............
169.9–172.7
172.7–175.6
175.6–178.4
178.4–181.2
181.2–184.1
184.1–186.9
186.9–189.7
189.7–192.6
192.6–195.4
195.4–198.2
198.2–201.0
201.0–203.9
203.9–206.7
206.7–209.5
209.5–212.4
212.4–215.2
215.2–218.0
218.0–220.9
220.9–223.7
223.7–226.5
lb
..........
..........
..........
..........
..........
..........
..........
..........
..........
..........
..........
..........
..........
..........
..........
..........
..........
..........
..........
..........
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 26,
2016.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy.
[FR Doc. 2016–10209 Filed 4–29–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Notice of Attendance at PJM
Interconnection, L.L.C. Meetings
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:30 Apr 29, 2016
Jkt 238001
lb
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.36
24.80
25.20
25.60
26.00
26.40
26.90
27.30
27.70
28.10
28.50
28.90
29.30
29.70
30.10
30.60
31.00
31.40
31.80
32.20
32.60
The Commission and Commission staff
may attend the following meetings:
PJM Members Committee
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
April 28, 2016—(Wilmington, DE)
May 17–19, 2016—(Cambridge, MD)
June 30, 2016—(Wilmington, DE)
July 28, 2016—(TBD)
September 29, 2016—(TBD)
October 27, 2016—(TBD)
November 17, 2016—(TBD)
PJM Markets and Reliability Committee
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
April 28, 2016—(Wilmington, DE)
May 26, 2016—(Wilmington, DE)
June 30, 2016—(Wilmington, DE)
July 28, 2016—(TBD)
August 25, 2016—(TBD)
September 29, 2016—(TBD)
October 27, 2016—(TBD)
November 17, 2016—(TBD)
December 22, 2016—(TBD)
May 11, 2016—(Audubon, PA)
June 8, 2016—(Audubon, PA)
July 13, 2016—(Audubon, PA)
August 10, 2016—(Audubon, PA)
September 14, 2016—(Audubon, PA)
October 5, 2016—(Audubon, PA)
Planning and Market Implementation) and senior
standing committees (Members and Markets and
Reliability) meet on a variety of different topics;
they convene and dissolve on an as-needed basis.
Therefore, the Commission and Commission staff
may monitor the various meetings posted on the
PJM Web site.
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Average load
kg
PJM Market Implementation Committee
The Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (Commission) hereby gives
notice that members of the Commission
and Commission staff may attend
upcoming PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.
(PJM) Members Committee and Markets
and Reliability Committee meetings, as
well as other PJM committee,
subcommittee or task force meetings.1
1 For example, PJM subcommittees and task
forces of the standing committees (Operating,
kg
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
(3) This order applies only to the
following three basic models:
V15EAg50(3B); V15EBg50(3B); and
V15ECg50(3B).
(5) This waiver shall remain in effect
consistent with the provisions of 10 CFR
430.27.
Maximum load
lb
11.25
11.43
11.61
11.79
11.97
12.20
12.38
12.56
12.75
12.93
13.11
13.29
13.47
13.65
13.88
14.06
14.24
14.42
14.61
14.79
Kg
13.90
14.10
14.30
14.50
14.70
14.95
15.15
15.35
15.55
15.75
15.95
16.15
16.35
16.55
16.80
17.00
17.20
17.40
17.60
17.80
6.30
6.40
6.49
6.58
6.67
6.78
6.87
6.96
7.05
7.14
7.23
7.33
7.42
7.51
7.62
7.71
7.80
7.89
7.98
8.07
• November 2, 2016—(Audubon, PA)
• December 14, 2016—(Audubon, PA)
The discussions at each of the
meetings described above may address
matters at issue in pending proceedings
before the Commission, including the
following currently pending
proceedings:
Docket No. EL05–121, PJM
Interconnection, L.L.C.
Docket No. EL08–14, Black Oak Energy
LLC, et al., v. FERC
Docket No. ER11–1844, Midwest
Independent Transmission System
Operator, Inc.
Docket Nos. AD12–1 and ER11–4081,
Midwest Independent Transmission
System Operator, Inc.
Docket No. EL12–54, Viridity Energy,
Inc. v. PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.
Docket No. EL13–88, Northern Indiana
Public Service Company v.
Midcontinent Independent System
Operator, Inc. and PJM
Interconnection, L.L.C.
Docket No. ER13–90, Public Service
Electric and Gas Company and PJM
Interconnection, L.L.C.
Docket No. ER13–195, Indicated PJM
Transmission Owners
Docket No. ER13–349, PJM
Interconnection, L.L.C.
Docket No. ER13–535, PJM
Interconnection, L.L.C.
Docket No. ER13–1654, PJM
Interconnection, L.L.C.
E:\FR\FM\02MYN1.SGM
02MYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 84 (Monday, May 2, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26215-26217]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10209]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
[Case No. CW-026]
Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Decision and
Order Granting a Waiver to Whirlpool From the Department of Energy
Residential Clothes Washer Test Procedure
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Decision and order.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of a decision
and order (Case No. CW-026) that grants to Whirlpool Corporation
(Whirlpool) a waiver from the DOE clothes washer test procedure for
determining the energy consumption of clothes washers. Under this
decision and order, Whirlpool is required to test and rate its clothes
washers with clothes containers greater than 6.0 cubic feet using an
alternate test procedure that takes this larger capacity into account
when measuring energy consumption.
DATES: This Decision and Order is effective May 2, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department of Energy, Building
Technologies Program, Mail Stop EE-5B, 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-33, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0103. Telephone: (202) 586-7796.
Email: Elizabeth.Kohl@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (10 CFR 430.27(f)(2)), DOE gives notice of the
issuance of its decision and order as set forth below. The decision and
order grants Whirlpool a waiver from the applicable clothes washer test
procedure in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J2 for certain basic
models of clothes washers with capacities greater than 6.0 cubic feet,
provided that Whirlpool tests and rates such products using the
alternate test procedure described in this notice. Whirlpool's
representations concerning the energy efficiency of these products must
be based on testing consistent with the provisions and restrictions in
the
[[Page 26216]]
alternate test procedure set forth in the decision and order below, and
the representations must 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).
Not later than July 1, 2016, any manufacturer currently
distributing in commerce in the United States a residential clothes
washer with a capacity larger than 6.0 cubic feet must submit a
petition for waiver pursuant to the requirements of this section.
Manufacturers not currently distributing such products in commerce in
the United States must petition for and be granted a waiver prior to
distribution in commerce in the United States. Manufacturers may also
submit a request for interim waiver pursuant to the requirements of 10
CFR 430.27.
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 26, 2016.
Kathleen Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
Decision and Order
In the Matter of: Whirlpool Corporation (Case No. CW-026)
I. Background and Authority
Title III, Part B of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975
(EPCA) (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309) established the Energy Conservation
Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles, a program
covering most major household appliances, including the residential
clothes washers.\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 measuring energy efficiency,
energy use, or estimated operating costs, and that are not unduly
burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) The test procedure for
residential clothes washers is contained in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
appendix J2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code,
Part B was re-designated Part A.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The regulations set forth in 10 CFR 430.27 enable a person to seek
a waiver from the test procedure requirements for covered products. DOE
will grant a waiver if DOE determines 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(f)(2). DOE may grant the
waiver subject to conditions, including adherence to alternate test
procedures. 10 CFR 430.27(f)(2).
II. Whirlpool's Petition for Waiver: Assertions and Determinations
On November 9, 2015, Whirlpool submitted a petition for waiver from
the DOE test procedure applicable to automatic and semi-automatic
clothes washers as set forth in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix
J2. Whirlpool requested the waiver because the mass of the test load
used in the procedure, which is based on the basket volume of the test
unit, is currently not defined for basket sizes greater than 6.0 cubic
feet. In its petition, Whirlpool sought a waiver for the specified
basic models, which have capacities greater than 6.0 cubic feet, as the
current DOE test procedure specifies test load sizes only for machines
with capacities up to 6.0 cubic feet. (See 77 FR 13888, Mar. 7, 2012;
the ``March 2012 Final Rule'')
Table 5.1 of Appendix J2 defines the test load sizes used in the
test procedure as linear functions of the basket volume. Whirlpool
requested that DOE grant a waiver for testing and rating based on a
revised Table 5.1. Whirlpool also requested an interim waiver from the
existing DOE test procedure, which DOE granted. See 80 FR at 78208.
After reviewing the alternate procedure suggested by Whirlpool, DOE
granted the interim waiver because DOE concluded that it would allow
for the accurate measurement of the energy use of these products, while
alleviating the testing problems associated with testing clothes
washers with capacities greater than 6.0 cubic feet.
Whirlpool's petition was published in the Federal Register on
December 16, 2015. 80 FR 78208. DOE received one comment on the
Whirlpool petition filed jointly by the Appliance Standards Awareness
Project (ASAP), Alliance to Save Energy (ASE), American Council for an
Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), Natural Resources Defense Council
(NRDC), and Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) (hereinafter
the ``Joint Commenters''). The Joint Commenters did not object to
manufacturers being able to test and certify clothes washers with
capacities greater than 6.0 cu. ft. They reiterated concerns raised in
the rulemaking that culminated in the March 2012 Final Rule, however,
regarding a potential bias in the test procedure towards large capacity
washers, and asserted that these concerns would be exacerbated with a
further extension of Table 5.1 of appendix J2 up to 8.0 cu. ft. (Joint
Commenters, No. 2 at p. 1) \2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ A notation in the form ``Joint Commenters, No. 2 at p. 1''
identifies a written comment: (1) Made by the ASAP, ASE, ACEEE,
NRDC, and NEEA (hereinafter the ``Joint Commenters''); (2) recorded
in document number 2 that is filed in the docket of this waiver
(Docket No. EERE-2015- BT-WAV-0020) and available for review at
www.regulations.gov; and (3) which appears on page 1 of document
number 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE granted a waiver to Whirlpool for a similar request under
Decision and Order (75 FR 69653, Nov. 15, 2010) to allow for the
testing of clothes washers with container volumes between 3.8 cubic
feet and 6.0 cubic feet. In addition to the previous waiver granted to
Whirlpool, DOE granted waivers to LG (CW-016 (76 FR 11233, Mar. 1,
2011), CW-018 (76 FR 21879, Apr. 19, 2011), and CW-021 (76 FR 64330,
Oct. 18, 2011); General Electric (75 FR 76968, Dec. 10, 2010), Samsung
(76 FR 13169, Mar. 10, 2011); 76 FR 50207, Aug. 12, 2011), and
Electrolux (76 FR 11440, Mar. 2, 2011) to allow for the testing of
clothes washers with container volumes between 3.8 cubic feet and 6.0
cubic feet.
For the reasons set forth in DOE's March 2012 Final Rule, DOE
concludes that extending the linear relationship between test load size
and container capacity to larger capacities represents the best
possible approach for determining load size for large capacity washers.
DOE will continue to evaluate the possibility of a bias in the test
procedure with respect to large capacity washers in the next revision
to the DOE test procedure in appendix J2. In addition, DOE determines
that testing a basic model with a capacity larger than 6.0 cubic feet
using the current procedure at Appendix J2 could evaluate the basic
models in a manner so unrepresentative of their true energy consumption
as to provide materially inaccurate comparative data.
III. Consultations With Other Agencies
DOE consulted with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) staff
concerning the Whirlpool petition for waiver. The FTC staff did not
have any objections to granting a waiver to Whirlpool.
IV. Order
After careful consideration of all the material that was submitted
by Whirlpool and the Joint Commenters, the testing and analysis
conducted for the March 2012 Final Rule, and
[[Page 26217]]
consultation with the FTC staff, in accordance with 10 CFR 430.27, it
is ORDERED that:
(1) The petition for waiver submitted by the Whirlpool Corporation
(Case No. CW-026) is hereby granted as set forth in the paragraphs
below.
(2) Whirlpool must test and rate the Whirlpool basic models
specified in paragraph (3) on the basis of the current test procedure
contained in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J2, except that Table
5.1 of appendix J2 is supplemented by the following additional rows:
Table 5.1--Test Load Sizes--Supplement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Container volume Minimum load Maximum load Average load
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
cu. ft. >= < liter >= < lb kg lb kg lb Kg
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.00-6.10......................... 169.9-172.7......... 3.00 1.36 24.80 11.25 13.90 6.30
6.10-6.20......................... 172.7-175.6......... 3.00 1.36 25.20 11.43 14.10 6.40
6.20-6.30......................... 175.6-178.4......... 3.00 1.36 25.60 11.61 14.30 6.49
6.30-6.40......................... 178.4-181.2......... 3.00 1.36 26.00 11.79 14.50 6.58
6.40-6.50......................... 181.2-184.1......... 3.00 1.36 26.40 11.97 14.70 6.67
6.50-6.60......................... 184.1-186.9......... 3.00 1.36 26.90 12.20 14.95 6.78
6.60-6.70......................... 186.9-189.7......... 3.00 1.36 27.30 12.38 15.15 6.87
6.70-6.80......................... 189.7-192.6......... 3.00 1.36 27.70 12.56 15.35 6.96
6.80-6.90......................... 192.6-195.4......... 3.00 1.36 28.10 12.75 15.55 7.05
6.90-7.00......................... 195.4-198.2......... 3.00 1.36 28.50 12.93 15.75 7.14
7.00-7.10......................... 198.2-201.0......... 3.00 1.36 28.90 13.11 15.95 7.23
7.10-7.20......................... 201.0-203.9......... 3.00 1.36 29.30 13.29 16.15 7.33
7.20-7.30......................... 203.9-206.7......... 3.00 1.36 29.70 13.47 16.35 7.42
7.30-7.40......................... 206.7-209.5......... 3.00 1.36 30.10 13.65 16.55 7.51
7.40-7.50......................... 209.5-212.4......... 3.00 1.36 30.60 13.88 16.80 7.62
7.50-7.60......................... 212.4-215.2......... 3.00 1.36 31.00 14.06 17.00 7.71
7.60-7.70......................... 215.2-218.0......... 3.00 1.36 31.40 14.24 17.20 7.80
7.70-7.80......................... 218.0-220.9......... 3.00 1.36 31.80 14.42 17.40 7.89
7.80-7.90......................... 220.9-223.7......... 3.00 1.36 32.20 14.61 17.60 7.98
7.90-8.00......................... 223.7-226.5......... 3.00 1.36 32.60 14.79 17.80 8.07
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) This order applies only to the following three basic models:
V15EAg50(3B); V15EBg50(3B); and V15ECg50(3B).
(5) This waiver shall remain in effect consistent with the
provisions of 10 CFR 430.27.
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 26, 2016.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2016-10209 Filed 4-29-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
