Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-In Cooler and Freezer Refrigeration Systems, 31808-31886 [2017-14079]

Download as PDF 31808 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 10 CFR Part 431 [Docket Number EERE–2015–BT–STD– 0016] RIN 1904–AD59 Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-In Cooler and Freezer Refrigeration Systems Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (‘‘EPCA’’), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. This final rule details a series of energy conservation standards pertaining to certain discrete classes of refrigeration systems used in this equipment. These standards, which are consistent with recommendations presented by a working group that included refrigeration system manufacturers, installers, and energy efficiency advocates, have been determined to result in the significant conservation of energy and achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is technologically feasible and economically justified. DATES: The effective date of this rule is September 8, 2017. Compliance with the standards established for WICF refrigeration systems in this final rule is required on and after July 10, 2020. ADDRESSES: The docket for this rulemaking, which includes Federal Register notices, public meeting attendee lists and transcripts, comments, and other supporting documents/materials, is available for review at www.regulations.gov. All documents in the docket are listed in the www.regulations.gov index. However, not all documents listed in the index may be publicly available, such as information that is exempt from public disclosure. The docket web page can be found at www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ appliance_standards/ standards.aspx?productid=56. The docket web page contains simple instructions on how to access all documents, including public comments, in the docket. For further information on how to review the docket, contact the Appliance and Equipment Standards sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 Program staff at (202) 586–6636 or by email: WICF2015STD0016@ee.doe.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ashley Armstrong, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Office, EE–5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202) 586–6590. Email: walk-in_coolers_and_walk-in_freezers@ ee.doe.gov. Michael Kido, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, GC–33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202) 586–8145. Email: michael.kido@hq.doe.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents I. Synopsis of the Final Rule A. Benefits and Costs to Consumers B. Impact on Manufacturers C. National Benefits and Costs D. Conclusion II. Introduction A. Authority B. Background III. General Discussion A. Equipment Classes and Scope of Coverage B. Test Procedure C. Technological Feasibility 1. General 2. Maximum Technologically Feasible Levels D. Energy Savings 1. Determination of Savings 2. Significance of Savings E. Economic Justification 1. Specific Criteria a. Economic Impact on Manufacturers and Consumers b. Savings in Operating Costs Compared to Increase in Price (LCC and PBP) c. Energy Savings d. Lessening of Utility or Performance of Products e. Impact of Any Lessening of Competition f. Need for National Energy Conservation g. Other Factors 2. Rebuttable Presumption F. Compliance Date of Standards IV. Methodology and Discussion of Related Comments A. General Rulemaking Issues 1. Proposed Standard Levels 2. Test Procedure a. Process Cooling b. Preparation Room Refrigeration Systems c. Single-Package Dedicated System d. Hot Gas Defrost e. High-Temperature Freezers 3. Rulemaking Timeline 4. ASRAC Working Group Representation B. Market and Technology Assessment 1. Scope of Coverage and Product Classes 2. Technology Options C. Screening Analysis 1. Technologies Having No Effect on Rated Energy Consumption 2. Adaptive Defrost and On-Cycle VariableSpeed Evaporator Fans PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 3. Screened-Out Technologies 4. Remaining Technologies D. Engineering Analysis 1. Component-Based Analysis 2. Refrigerants 3. As-Tested Versus Field-Representative Performance Analysis 4. Representative Equipment for Analysis 5. Manufacturer Production Cost and Manufacturer Sales Price 6. Component and System Efficiency Model a. Unit Coolers (Formerly Termed the ‘‘Multiplex Condensing’’ Class) b. Condensing Units/Dedicated Condensing Class c. Field-Representative Paired Dedicated Condensing Systems d. Analysis Adjustment 7. Baseline Specifications 8. Design Options a. Higher Efficiency Compressors b. Improved Condenser Coil c. Floating Head Pressure 9. Cost-Efficiency Curves 10. Engineering Efficiency Levels E. Markups Analysis F. Energy Use Analysis 1. Oversize Factors 2. Net Capacity Adjustment Factors 3. Temperature Adjustment Factors G. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analysis 1. System Boundaries a. Field-Paired b. Condensing Unit-Only c. Unit Cooler Only d. System Boundary and Equipment Class Weights 2. Equipment Cost 3. Installation Cost 4. Annual Energy Use 5. Energy Pricing and Projections 6. Maintenance and Repair Costs 7. Equipment Lifetime 8. Discount Rates 9. Energy Efficiency Distribution in the NoNew-Standards Case 10. Payback Period (PBP) Analysis H. Shipments Analysis I. National Impact Analysis 1. Equipment Efficiency Trends 2. National Energy Savings 3. Net Present Value Analysis J. Consumer Subgroup Analysis K. Manufacturer Impact Analysis 1. Definition of Manufacturer 2. Overview 3. Government Regulatory Impact Model and Key Inputs a. Manufacturer Production Costs b. Shipment Scenarios c. Capital and Product Conversion Costs d. Testing and Labeling Costs e. Manufacturer Markup Scenarios 4. Discussion of Comments L. Emissions Analysis M. Monetizing Carbon Dioxide and Other Emissions Impacts 1. Social Cost of Carbon a. Monetizing Carbon Dioxide Emissions b. Current Approach and Key Assumptions 2. Social Cost of Methane and Nitrous Oxide 3. Social Cost of Other Air Pollutants N. Utility Impact Analysis E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations O. Employment Impact Analysis V. Analytical Results and Conclusions A. Trial Standard Levels B. Economic Justification and Energy Savings 1. Economic Impacts on Individual Consumers a. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period b. Consumer Subgroup Analysis c. Rebuttable Presumption Payback 2. Economic Impacts on Manufacturers a. Impacts on Direct Employment b. Impacts on Manufacturing Capacity c. Impacts on Subgroups of Manufacturers d. Cumulative Regulatory Burden e. Impact on Manufacturers of Complete Walk-Ins 3. National Impact Analysis a. Significance of Energy Savings b. Net Present Value of Consumer Costs and Benefits c. Indirect Impacts on Employment 4. Impact on Utility or Performance of Products 5. Impact of Any Lessening of Competition 6. Need of the Nation To Conserve Energy 7. Other Factors C. Summary of National Economic Impacts D. Conclusion 1. Benefits and Burdens of TSLs Considered for WICF Refrigeration System Standards 2. Annualized Benefits and Costs of the Adopted Standards VI. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review A. Review Under Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act 1. Need for, and Objectives of, the Rule 2. Significant Issues Raised in Response to the IRFA 3. Description on Estimated Number of Small Entities Regulated 4. Description and Estimate of Compliance Requirements, Including Differences in Cost, if Any, for Different Groups of Small Entities 5. Significant Alternatives to the Rule C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act D. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 E. Review Under Executive Order 13132 F. Review Under Executive Order 12988 G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 H. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 1999 I. Review Under Executive Order 12630 J. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001 K. Review Under Executive Order 13211 L. Information Quality M. Congressional Notification VII. Approval of the Office of the Secretary I. Synopsis of the Final Rule Title III, Part C 1 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (‘‘EPCA’’ or, in context, ‘‘the Act’’), Public Law 94–163 (42 U.S.C. 6291–6309, as codified), established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles.2 The Act, and its numerous amendments, reaches a variety of products and equipment that the Department of Energy (‘‘DOE’’) must treat as covered products and equipment (and thus that are subject to regulation). Among the types of covered equipment that DOE must regulate are walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers (collectively, ‘‘WICFs’’ or ‘‘walk-ins’’). Included within this regulatory scope are the refrigeration systems used in this equipment, such as low-temperature dedicated condensing systems and both medium- and lowtemperature unit coolers,3 the subjects of this rulemaking. 31809 Pursuant to EPCA, any new or amended energy conservation standard must be designed to achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that DOE determines is technologically feasible and economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(4)(A)) Furthermore, the new or amended standard must result in significant conservation of energy. (42 U.S.C. 6316(a) and 6295(o)(3)(B)) In accordance with these and other statutory provisions discussed in this document, DOE is adopting energy conservation standards for the following classes of WICF refrigeration systems: Low-temperature dedicated condensing refrigeration systems and both mediumand low-temperature unit coolers. These standards that will be in addition to the standards that DOE has already promulgated for medium-temperature dedicated condensing refrigeration systems. See 10 CFR 431.306(e) as amended by 80 FR 69837 (November 12, 2015). The adopted standards, which are expressed in terms of an annual walk-in energy factor (‘‘AWEF’’), are shown in Table I–1. AWEF is an annualized refrigeration efficiency metric that expresses the ratio of the heat load that a system can reject (in Btus) to the energy required to reject that load (in watt-hours). These standards apply to all applicable WICF refrigeration systems listed in Table I– 1 and manufactured in, or imported into, the United States starting on the compliance date specified at the beginning of this document and in the regulatory text that follows this discussion. TABLE I–1—ENERGY CONSERVATION STANDARDS FOR WICF REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS Minimum AWEF (Btu/W-h) * Equipment class Dedicated Condensing System—Low, Indoor with a Net Capacity (qnet) of: <6,500 Btu/h ...................................................................................................................................................... ≥6,500 Btu/h ...................................................................................................................................................... Dedicated Condensing System—Low, Outdoor with a Net Capacity (qnet) of: <6,500 Btu/h ...................................................................................................................................................... ≥6,500 Btu/h ...................................................................................................................................................... Unit Cooler—Medium ................................................................................................................................................ Unit Cooler—Low with a Net Capacity (qnet) of: <15,500 Btu/h .................................................................................................................................................... ≥15,500 Btu/h .................................................................................................................................................... 9.091 × 10¥5 × qnet + 1.81. 2.40. 6.522 × 10¥5 × qnet + 2.73. 3.15. 9.00. 1.575 × 10¥5 × qnet + 3.91. 4.15. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 * Where qnet is net capacity as determined in accordance with 10 CFR 431.304 and certified in accordance with 10 CFR part 429. 1 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, Part B was redesignated Part A and Part C as Part A–1. 2 All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute as amended through the Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015, Public Law 114–11 (April 30, 2015). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 3 In previous proceedings, most notably the June 2014 final rule, DOE used the terminology ‘‘multiplex condensing’’ (abbreviated ‘‘MC’’) to refer to the class of equipment represented by a unit cooler, which for purposes of testing and certification is rated as though it would be connected to a multiplex condensing system. In a separate test procedure rulemaking, DOE has PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 changed the terminology to better reflect the equipment itself, which consists of a unit cooler sold without a condensing unit, and which can ultimately be used in either a multiplex condensing or dedicated condensing application. Accordingly, in this document, DOE has changed the class name from ‘‘multiplex condensing’’ to ‘‘unit cooler’’ and the class abbreviation from ‘‘MC’’ to ‘‘UC.’’ E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31810 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations In various places in this document, DOE will use the following acronyms to denote the equipment classes of walk-in refrigeration systems that are subject to this rulemaking: —DC.L.I. (dedicated condensing, lowtemperature, indoor unit) —DC.L.O (dedicated condensing, lowtemperature, outdoor unit) —UC.L. (unit cooler, low-temperature) —UC.M. (unit cooler, mediumtemperature) For reference, DOE will use the following acronyms to denote the two equipment classes of walk-in refrigeration systems which are not subject to this rulemaking but for which standards were established in the previous WICF rulemaking: —DC.M.I (dedicated condensing, medium-temperature, indoor unit) —DC.M.O (dedicated condensing, medium-temperature, outdoor unit) A. Benefits and Costs to Consumers Table I–2 presents DOE’s evaluation of the economic impacts of the adopted standards on consumers of the considered WICF refrigeration systems (i.e., medium- and low-temperature unit coolers and dedicated condensing lowtemperature systems), as measured by the average life-cycle cost (‘‘LCC’’) savings and the simple payback period (‘‘PBP’’).4 DOE’s analysis demonstrates that the projected average LCC savings are positive for all considered equipment classes, and the projected PBP is less than the average lifetime of the considered WICF refrigeration systems, which is estimated to be 11 years (see section IV.F). TABLE I–2—IMPACTS OF ADOPTED ENERGY CONSERVATION STANDARDS ON CONSUMERS OF WICF REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS [TSL 3] Average life-cycle cost savings (2015$) Equipment class Application Design path DC.L.I .............................................. Dedicated, Indoor ........................... Dedicated, Indoor ........................... Dedicated, Indoor ........................... Dedicated, Outdoor ........................ Dedicated, Outdoor ........................ Dedicated, Outdoor ........................ Multiplex ......................................... Dedicated, Indoor ........................... Dedicated, Outdoor ........................ Multiplex ......................................... Condensing Unit Only * .................. Field—Paired ** .............................. Unit Cooler Only † .......................... Condensing Unit Only .................... Field—Paired ................................. Unit Cooler Only ............................ Unit Cooler Only ............................ Unit Cooler Only ............................ Unit Cooler Only ............................ Unit Cooler Only ............................ DC.L.O ............................................ UC.L ................................................ UC.M ............................................... UC.M ............................................... UC.M ............................................... 1,272 1,397 135 2,839 3,294 288 $74 89 87 75 Simple payback period (years) 1.5 1.5 4.8 1.2 1.4 4.5 7.6 1.4 1.8 3.0 Note: DOE separately considers the impacts of unit cooler standards when the unit cooler is combined in an application with dedicated condensing equipment versus multiplex condensing equipment. In addition to low-temperatures unit coolers and dedicated condensing equipment DOE is examining the impacts of unit coolers that are combined with medium-temperature dedicated condensing equipment (DC.M.I and DC.M.O). DOE is not establishing standards for the latter, as they are covered by the June 2014 final rule and were not vacated by the Fifth Circuit order discussed below. * Condensing Unit Only (CU-Only): This analysis evaluates standard levels applied to a condensing unit for a scenario in which a new condensing unit is installed to replace a failed condensing unit, but the existing baseline unit cooler is not replaced. See section IV.G.1.b for more details. ** Field-Paired (FP): This analysis evaluates a scenario in which both a new condensing unit and a new unit cooler are installed as paired equipment in the field. See section IV.G.1.a for more details. † Unit Cooler Only (UC-Only): This analysis evaluates standard levels applied to a unit cooler for a scenario in which a new unit cooler is installed to replace a failed unit cooler, but the existing baseline condensing unit (or multiplex system) is not replaced. See section IV.G.1.c for more details. DOE’s analysis of the impacts of the adopted standards on consumers is described in section IV.F of this document. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 B. Impact on Manufacturers The industry net present value (‘‘INPV’’) is the sum of the discounted cash flows to the industry from the base year through the end of the analysis period (2016–2049). Using a real discount rate of 10.2 percent, DOE estimates that the INPV for manufacturers of WICF refrigeration systems in the case without amended standards is $97.9 million in 2015$. 4 The average LCC savings are measured relative to the efficiency distribution in the no-newstandards case, which depicts the market in the compliance year in the absence of standards (see section IV.F.9). The simple PBP, which is designed to compare specific efficiency levels, is measured relative to baseline equipment (see section IV.CD.7) VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 Under the adopted standards, DOE expects the change in INPV to range from ¥14.6 percent to ¥6.3 percent, which is approximately ¥$14.3 million to ¥$6.1 million. In order to bring products into compliance with standards, DOE expects the industry to incur total conversion costs of $18.7 million. DOE’s analysis of the impacts of the adopted standards on manufacturers is described in section IV.J and section V.B.2 of this document. C. National Benefits and Costs 5 DOE’s analyses indicate that the adopted energy conservation standards for the considered WICF refrigeration systems would save a significant amount of energy. Relative to the case without adopting the standards, the lifetime energy savings for the considered WICF refrigeration systems purchased in the 30-year period that begins in the anticipated year of compliance with the standards (2020– 2049), amount to 0.9 quadrillion British thermal units (‘‘Btu’’), or quads.6 This represents a savings of 24 percent relative to the energy use of these 5 All monetary values in this document are expressed in 2015 dollars and, where appropriate, are discounted to 2016 unless explicitly stated otherwise. 6 The quantity refers to full-fuel-cycle (‘‘FFC’’) energy savings. FFC energy savings includes the energy consumed in extracting, processing, and transporting primary fuels (i.e., coal, natural gas, petroleum fuels), and, thus, presents a more complete picture of the impacts of energy efficiency standards. For more information on the FFC metric, see section IV.H.1. PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations products in the case without standards (referred to as the ‘‘no-new-standards case’’). The cumulative net present value (‘‘NPV’’) of total consumer benefits of the standards for the considered WICF refrigeration systems ranges from $1.4 billion (at a 7-percent discount rate) to $3.2 billion (at a 3-percent discount rate). This NPV expresses the estimated total value of future operating-cost savings minus the estimated increased equipment costs for the considered WICF refrigeration systems purchased in 2020–2049. In addition, the adopted standards for the considered WICF refrigeration systems are projected to yield significant environmental benefits. DOE estimates that the standards will result in cumulative emission reductions (over the same period as for energy savings) of 46 million metric tons (Mt) 7 of carbon dioxide (CO2), 36 thousand tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2), 58 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOX), 218 thousand tons of methane (CH4), 0.7 thousand tons of nitrous oxide (N2O), and 0.1 tons of mercury (Hg).8 The estimated cumulative reduction in CO2 emissions through 2030 amounts to 7.4 Mt, which is equivalent to the emissions resulting from the annual electricity use of more than 783 thousand homes. The value of the CO2 reduction is calculated using a range of values per metric ton (t) of CO2 (otherwise known as the ‘‘social cost of CO2,’’ or ‘‘SCCO2’’) developed by a Federal interagency working group.9 The derivation of the SC-CO2 values is discussed in section IV.M.1. Using discount rates appropriate for each set of SC-CO2 values, DOE estimates that the present value of the CO2 emissions reduction is between $0.3 billion and $4.5 billion, with a value of $1.5 billion using the central SC-CO2 case represented by $47.4/metric ton (t) in 2020. DOE also calculated the value of the reduction in emissions of methane and nitrous oxide, using values for the social cost of methane (‘‘SC-CH4’’) and the social cost of nitrous oxide (‘‘SC-N2O’’) recently developed by the interagency working group.10 See section IV.L.2 for a description of the methodology and the values used for DOE’s analysis. The estimated present value of the methane 31811 emissions reduction is between $0.1 billion and $0.6 billion, with a value of $0.2 billion using the central SC-CH4 case, and the estimated present value of the SC-N2O emissions reduction is between $0.002 billion and $0.02 billion, with a value of $0.01 billion using the central SC-N2O case. In this rule, DOE uses the term ‘‘greenhouse gases’’ (‘‘GHGs’’) to refer to carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. DOE also estimates the present value of the NOX emissions reduction to be $0.10 billion using a 7-percent discount rate, and $0.04 billion using a 3-percent discount rate.11 DOE is still investigating appropriate valuation of the reduction in other emissions, and therefore did not include any such values for those emissions in the analysis for this final rule. Because the inclusion of such values would only increase the already positive net benefit of the new standards, however, it would not affect the outcome of this rulemaking. Table I–3 summarizes the economic benefits and costs expected to result from the adopted standards for the considered WICF refrigeration systems. TABLE I–3—SELECTED CATEGORIES OF ECONOMIC BENEFITS AND COSTS OF ADOPTED ENERGY CONSERVATION STANDARDS FOR THE CONSIDERED WICF REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS [TSL 3] * Present value (billion 2015$) Category Discount rate (percent) Benefits Consumer Operating Cost Savings ............................................................................................................. 1.7 3.8 0.4 1.7 2.7 5.1 0.0 0.1 3.5 5.6 GHG Reduction (using avg. social costs at 5% discount rate) ** ............................................................... GHG Reduction (using avg. social costs at 3% discount rate) ** ............................................................... GHG Reduction (using avg. social costs at 2.5% discount rate) ** ............................................................ GHG Reduction (using 95th percentile social costs at 3% discount rate) ** .............................................. NOX Reduction † .......................................................................................................................................... sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Total Benefits ‡ ............................................................................................................................................ 7 A metric ton is equivalent to 1.1 short tons. Results for emissions other than CO2 are presented in short tons. 8 DOE calculated emissions reductions relative to the no-new-standards-case, which reflects key assumptions in the Annual Energy Outlook 2016 (AEO2016). AEO2016 represents current federal and state legislation and final implementation of regulations as of the end of February 2016. See section IV.L fur further discussion of AEO2016 assumptions that effect air pollutant emissions. 9 United States Government—Interagency Working Group on Social Cost of Carbon. Technical Support Document: Technical Update of the Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis Under Executive Order 12866. May 2013. Revised July 2015. www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/ omb/inforeg/scc-tsd-final-july-2015.pdf. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:59 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 10 United States Government—Interagency Working Group on Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases. Addendum to Technical Support Document on Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis under Executive Order 12866: Application of the Methodology to Estimate the Social Cost of Methane and the Social Cost of Nitrous Oxide. August 2016. www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/ files/omb/inforeg/august_2016_sc_ch4_sc_n2o_ addendum_final_8_26_16.pdf. 11 DOE estimated the monetized value of NO X emissions reductions associated with electricity savings using benefit per ton estimates from the Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Clean Power Plan Final Rule, published in August 2015 by EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. Available at www.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan/cleanpower-plan-final-rule-regulatory-impact-analysis. PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 7 3 5 3 2.5 3 7 3 7 3 See section IV.L.3 for further discussion. The U.S. Supreme Court has stayed the rule implementing the Clean Power Plan until the current litigation against it concludes. Chamber of Commerce, et al. v. EPA, et al., Order in Pending Case, 577 U.S. l , 136 S.Ct. 999l( (2016). However, the benefit-per-ton estimates established in the Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Clean Power Plan are based on scientific studies that remain valid irrespective of the legal status of the Clean Power Plan. To be conservative, DOE is primarily using a lower national benefit-per-ton estimate for NOX emitted from the Electricity Generating Unit sector based on an estimate of premature mortality derived from the ACS study (Krewski et al. 2009). If the benefit-perton estimates were based on the Six Cities study (Lepuele et al. 2011), the values would be nearly two-and-a-half times larger. E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31812 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE I–3—SELECTED CATEGORIES OF ECONOMIC BENEFITS AND COSTS OF ADOPTED ENERGY CONSERVATION STANDARDS FOR THE CONSIDERED WICF REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS—Continued [TSL 3] * Present value (billion 2015$) Category Discount rate (percent) Costs Consumer Incremental Installed Costs ....................................................................................................... 0.3 0.6 7 3 3.1 5.0 7 3 Total Net Benefits Including GHG and NOX Reduction Monetized Value ‡ .............................................................................. * This table presents the costs and benefits associated with considered WICF refrigeration systems shipped in 2020–2049. These results include benefits to consumers which accrue after 2049 from the products shipped in 2020–2049. The incremental installed costs include incremental equipment cost as well as installation costs. The costs account for the incremental variable and fixed costs incurred by manufacturers due to the adopted standards, some of which may be incurred in preparation for the rule. The GHG reduction benefits are global benefits due to actions that occur domestically. ** The interagency group selected four sets of SC-CO2, SC-CH4, and SC-N2O values for use in regulatory analyses. Three sets of values are based on the average social costs from the integrated assessment models, at discount rates of 5 percent, 3 percent, and 2.5 percent. The fourth set, which represents the 95th percentile of the social cost distributions calculated using a 3-percent discount rate, is included to represent higher-than-expected impacts from climate change further out in the tails of the social cost distributions. The social cost values are emission year specific. See section IV.L.1 for more details. † DOE estimated the monetized value of NOX emissions reductions associated with electricity savings using benefit per ton estimates from the Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Clean Power Plan Final Rule, published in August 2015 by EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. (Available at www.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan/clean-power-plan-final-rule-regulatory-impact-analysis.) See section IV.M.3 for further discussion. To be conservative, DOE is primarily using a national benefit-per-ton estimate for NOX emitted from the electricity generation sector based on an estimate of premature mortality derived from the ACS study (Krewski et al. 2009). If the benefit-per-ton estimates were based on the Six Cities study (Lepuele et al. 2011), the values would be nearly two-and-a-half times larger. ‡ Total Benefits for both the 3-percent and 7-percent cases are presented using the average social costs with 3-percent discount rate. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 The benefits and costs of the adopted standards, for the considered WICF refrigeration systems sold in 2020–2049, can also be expressed in terms of annualized values. The monetary values for the total annualized net benefits are (1) the reduced consumer operating costs, minus (2) the increases in product purchase prices and installation costs, plus (3) the value of the benefits of GHG and NOX emission reductions, all annualized.12 The national operating cost savings are domestic private U.S. consumer monetary savings that occur as a result of purchasing the covered products and are measured for the lifetime of the considered WICF refrigeration systems shipped in 2020–2049. The benefits associated with reduced GHG emissions achieved as a result of the adopted standards are also calculated based on the lifetime of WICF refrigeration systems shipped in 2020–2049. Because CO2 emissions have a very long residence time in the atmosphere, the SC-CO2 values for CO2 emissions in future years reflect impacts that continue through 2300. The CO2 reduction is a benefit that accrues globally. DOE maintains that consideration of global benefits is appropriate because of the global nature of the climate change problem. Estimates of annualized benefits and costs of the adopted standards are shown in Table I–4. The results under the primary estimate are as follows. Using a 7-percent discount rate for benefits and costs other than GHG reductions (for which DOE used average social costs with a 3-percent discount rate),13 the estimated cost of the adopted standards for the considered WICF refrigeration systems is $34 million per year in increased equipment costs, while the estimated annual benefits are $169 million in reduced equipment operating costs, $95 million in GHG reductions, and $4.2 million in reduced NOX emissions. In this case, the net benefit amounts to $234 million per year. Using a 3-percent discount rate for all benefits and costs, the estimated cost of the adopted standards for the considered WICF refrigeration systems is $36 million per year in increased equipment costs, while the estimated annual benefits are $213 million in reduced equipment operating costs, $95 million in GHG reductions, and $5.8 million in reduced NOX emissions. In this case, the net benefit amounts to $279 million per year. 12 To convert the time-series of costs and benefits into annualized values, DOE calculated a present value in 2016, the year used for discounting the NPV of total consumer costs and savings. For the benefits, DOE calculated a present value associated with each year’s shipments in the year in which the shipments occur (e.g., 2020 or 2030), and then discounted the present value from each year to 2016. The calculation uses discount rates of 3 and 7 percent for all costs and benefits except for the value of GHG reductions, for which DOE used casespecific discount rates, as shown in Table I–3. Using the present value, DOE then calculated the fixed annual payment over a 30-year period, starting in the compliance year, that yields the same present value. 13 DOE used average social costs with a 3-percent discount rate because these values are considered as the ‘‘central’’ estimates by the interagency group. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31813 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE I–4—SELECTED CATEGORIES OF ANNUALIZED BENEFITS AND COSTS OF ADOPTED STANDARDS (TSL 3) FOR CONSIDERED WICF REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS Discount rate (percent) Primary estimate Low-net-benefits estimate High-net-benefits estimate Million 2015$/year Benefits Consumer Operating Cost Savings ....................................... GHG Reduction (using avg. social costs at 5% discount rate) **. GHG Reduction (using avg. social costs at 3% discount rate) **. GHG Reduction (using avg. social costs at 2.5% discount rate) **. GHG Reduction (using 95th percentile social costs at 3% discount rate) **. NOX Reduction † ................................................................... Total Benefits †† .................................................................... 7 ................................ 3 ................................ 5 ................................ 169.3 .................. 213.4 .................. 29.8 .................... 158.4 .................. 196.9 .................. 27.2 .................... 183.0. 233.9. 32.4. 3 ................................ 95.3 .................... 86.7 .................... 104.0. 2.5 ............................. 137.7 .................. 125.1 .................. 150.4. 3 ................................ 285.8 .................. 259.8 .................. 311.9. 7 3 7 7 3 3 4.2 ...................... 5.8 ...................... 203 to 459 .......... 269 ..................... 249 to 505 .......... 314 ..................... 3.9 ...................... 5.3 ...................... 190 to 422 .......... 249 ..................... 229 to 462 .......... 289 ..................... 10.1. 14.3. 225 to 505. 297. 281 to 560. 352. 34 ....................... 36 ....................... 36 ....................... 38 ....................... 33. 34. 169 234 213 279 154 213 192 251 192 to 472. 264. 247 to 526. 318. ................................ ................................ plus GHG range ..... ................................ plus GHG range ..... ................................ Costs Consumer Incremental Equipment Costs ............................. 7 ................................ 3 ................................ Net Benefits Total †† .................................................................................. 7 7 3 3 plus GHG range ..... ................................ plus GHG range ..... ................................ to 425 .......... ..................... to 469 .......... ..................... to 386 .......... ..................... to 424 .......... ..................... sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 * This table presents the annualized costs and benefits associated with the considered WICF refrigeration systems shipped in 2020–2049. These results include benefits to consumers which accrue after 2049 from the WICF refrigeration systems purchased from 2020–2049. The incremental installed costs include incremental equipment cost as well as installation costs. The results account for the incremental variable and fixed costs incurred by manufacturers due to the adopted standards, some of which may be incurred in preparation for the rule. The GHG reduction benefits are global benefits due to actions that occur nationally. The Primary, Low Net Benefits, and High Net Benefits Estimates utilize projections of energy prices and real GDP from the AEO2016 No-CPP case, a Low Economic Growth case, and a High Economic Growth case, respectively. In addition, incremental product costs reflect constant prices in the Primary Estimate, a low decline rate in the Low Benefits Estimate, and a high decline rate in the High Benefits Estimate. The methods used to derive projected price trends are explained in section IV.G. Note that the Benefits and Costs may not sum to the Net Benefits due to rounding. The equipment price projection is described in section IV.G.2 of this document and chapter 8 of the final rule technical support document (TSD). In addition, DOE used estimates for equipment efficiency distribution in its analysis based on national data supplied by industry. Purchases of higher efficiency equipment are a result of many different factors unique to each consumer including boiler heating loads, installation costs, site environmental consideration, and others. For each consumer, all other factors being the same, it would be anticipated that higher efficiency purchases in the baseline would correlate positively with higher energy prices. To the extent that this occurs, it would be expected to result in some lowering of the consumer operating cost savings from those calculated in this rule. ** The interagency group selected four sets of SC-CO2 SC-CH4, and SC-N2O values for use in regulatory analyses. Three sets of values are based on the average social costs from the integrated assessment models, at discount rates of 5 percent, 3 percent, and 2.5 percent. The fourth set, which represents the 95th percentile of the social cost distributions calculated using a 3-percent discount rate, is included to represent higher-than-expected impacts from climate change further out in the tails of the social cost distributions. The social cost values are emission year specific. See section IV.L for more details. † DOE estimated the monetized value of NOX emissions reductions associated with electricity savings using benefit per ton estimates from the Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Clean Power Plan Final Rule, published in August 2015 by EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. (Available at www.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan/clean-power-plan-final-rule-regulatory-impact-analysis.) See section IV.M.3 for further discussion. For the Primary Estimate and Low Net Benefits Estimate, DOE used national benefit-per-ton estimates for NOX emitted from the Electric Generating Unit sector based on an estimate of premature mortality derived from the ACS study (Krewski et al. 2009). For the High Net Benefits Estimate, the benefit-per-ton estimates were based on the Six Cities study (Lepuele et al. 2011); these are nearly two-and-a-half times larger than those from the ACS study. †† Total Benefits for both the 3-percent and 7-percent cases are presented using the average social costs with 3-percent discount rate. In the rows labeled ‘‘7% plus GHG range’’ and ‘‘3% plus GHG range,’’ the operating cost and NOX benefits are calculated using the labeled discount rate, and those values are added to the full range of social cost values. D. Conclusion Based on the analyses culminating in this final rule, DOE found the benefits to the Nation of the standards (energy savings, consumer LCC savings, positive NPV of consumer benefit, and emission reductions) outweigh the burdens (loss VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 of INPV and LCC increases for some users of these products). DOE has concluded that the standards in this final rule represent the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is technologically feasible and PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 economically justified, and would result in significant conservation of energy. II. Introduction The following section briefly discusses the statutory authority underlying this final rule, as well as E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31814 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 some of the relevant historical background related to the establishment of standards for WICF refrigeration systems. A. Authority Title III, Part C of EPCA, as amended, includes the refrigeration systems used in walk-ins that are the subject of this rulemaking. (42 U.S.C. 6291–6309) EPCA, as amended, prescribed certain prescriptive energy conservation standards for these equipment (42 U.S.C. 6313(f)), and directs DOE to conduct future rulemakings to establish performance-based energy conservation standards and to later determine whether those standards should be amended. (42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(4)(A), (5)) Under 42 U.S.C. 6295(m), which applies to walk-ins through 42 U.S.C. 6316(a), the agency must periodically review its already established energy conservation standards for a covered product no later than 6 years from the issuance of a final rule establishing or amending a standard for a covered product. Pursuant to EPCA, DOE’s energy conservation program for covered products consists essentially of four parts: (1) Testing, (2) labeling, (3) the establishment of Federal energy conservation standards, and (4) certification and enforcement procedures. Subject to certain criteria and conditions, DOE is required to develop test procedures to measure the energy efficiency, energy use, or estimated annual operating cost of each covered product. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)(A) and (r) and 6316(a)) Manufacturers of covered equipment must use the prescribed DOE test procedure as the basis for certifying to DOE that their equipment complies with the applicable energy conservation standards adopted under EPCA and when making representations to the public regarding the energy use or efficiency of that equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6314(d), 6295(s) and 6316(a)) Similarly, DOE must use these test procedures to determine whether the equipment complies with standards adopted pursuant to EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6295(s) and 6316(a)) The DOE test procedures for WICF refrigeration systems appear at title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (‘‘CFR’’) § 431.304. DOE has recently published a final rule (‘‘December 2016 TP final rule’’) amending the test procedures applicable to the equipment classes addressed in this final rule, 81 FR 95758 (December 28, 2016). The standards established in this rulemaking were evaluated using those concurrently amended test procedures. While DOE typically finalizes its test procedures for a given VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 regulated product or equipment prior to proposing new or amended energy conservation standards for that product or equipment, see 10 CFR part 430, subpart C, Appendix A, sec. 7(c) (‘‘Procedures, Interpretations and Policies for Consideration of New or Revised Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Products’’ or ‘‘Process Rule’’), DOE did not do so in this instance. As part of the negotiated rulemaking that led to the Term Sheet setting out the standards that DOE is adopting, Working Group members recommended (with ASRAC’s approval) that DOE modify its test procedure for walk-in refrigeration systems. The test procedure changes at issue clarify the scope of equipment classes covered by the regulations, modify the test procedure to ensure that it avoids measuring efficiency benefits for technology options deemed by the Working Group to be inappropriate for consideration under the standards rulemaking, and simplify the structure of the current test procedure as presented in the CFR. Separate from the changes affecting the test procedure itself, DOE’s test procedure rule also finalized an approach establishing labeling requirements to mitigate the regulatory burden on installers of walkins. Specifically, the test procedure explained that walk-in installers are not required to submit certification reports for the complete walk-in. Additionally, an installer that uses certified components with labels that meets DOE’s requirements bears no responsibility for the testing and certification of those walk-in components. The installer is permitted to rely upon the representations of the manufacturer of a WICF component to ensure compliance of the component; if those representations turn out to be false, the component manufacturer is responsible. See Docket No. EERE– 2016–BT–TP–0030. In DOE’s view, all of these amendments to the test procedure rule have been consistent with the approach agreed upon by the various parties who participated in the negotiated rulemaking. On July 29, 2016, well before the publication of the energy conservation standard NOPR on September 13, 2016 (81 FR 62979), DOE publicly issued a pre-publication version of the test procedure NOPR, which immediately made it available for all members of the public, including participating stakeholders, to review. As a result, all members of the Working Group and other interested parties had an ample opportunity to review the proposed procedure and evaluate the PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 proposed WICF energy conservation standards against the backdrop of the proposed test procedures, which are consistent with the final test procedures. Thus, DOE concludes that publishing a final version of the test procedure rule—which adopts the limited changes to method for measuring a refrigeration system’s AWEF that were proposed in the NOPR—prior to the publication of the standards proposal was not necessary. Accordingly, consistent with section 14 of the Process Rule, DOE has concluded that its deviation from the Process Rule is appropriate here. DOE must follow specific statutory criteria for prescribing new or amended standards for covered products, including WICF refrigeration systems. Any new or amended standard for a covered product must be designed to achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that the Secretary of Energy determines is technologically feasible and economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(A)–(3)(B) and 6316(a)) Furthermore, DOE may not adopt any standard that would not result in the significant conservation of energy. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3) and 6316(a)) Moreover, DOE may not prescribe a standard (1) for certain equipment, including WICF refrigeration systems, if no test procedure has been established for the product, or (2) if DOE determines by rule that the standard is not technologically feasible or economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)(A)–(B) and 6316(a)) In deciding whether a standard is economically justified, DOE must determine whether the benefits of the standard exceed its burdens. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i) and 6316(a)) DOE must make this determination after proposing the standard and receiving comments on it, and by considering, to the greatest extent practicable, the following seven statutory factors: (1) The economic impact of the standard on manufacturers and consumers of the equipment subject to the standard; (2) The savings in operating costs throughout the estimated average life of the covered equipment in the type (or class) compared to any increase in the price, initial charges, or maintenance expenses for the covered equipment that are likely to result from the standard; (3) The total projected amount of energy (or as applicable, water) savings likely to result directly from the standard; (4) Any lessening of the utility or the performance of the covered equipment likely to result from the standard; (5) The impact of any lessening of competition, as determined in writing E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations by the Attorney General, that is likely to result from the standard; (6) The need for national energy and water conservation; and (7) Other factors the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) considers relevant. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(I)–(VII) and 6316(a)) Further, EPCA, as codified, establishes a rebuttable presumption that a standard is economically justified if the Secretary finds that the additional cost to the consumer of purchasing equipment complying with an energy conservation standard level will be less than three times the value of the energy savings during the first year that the consumer will receive as a result of the standard, as calculated under the applicable test procedure.14 (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(iii) and 6316(a)) EPCA, as codified, also contains what is known as an ‘‘anti-backsliding’’ provision, which prevents the Secretary from prescribing any amended standard that either increases the maximum allowable energy use or decreases the minimum required energy efficiency of covered equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(1) and 6316(a)) Also, the Secretary may not prescribe an amended or new standard if interested persons have established by a preponderance of the evidence that the standard is likely to result in the unavailability in the United States in any covered equipment type (or class) of performance characteristics (including reliability), features, sizes, capacities, and volumes that are substantially the same as those generally available in the United States. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(4) and 6316(a)) Additionally, EPCA specifies requirements when promulgating an energy conservation standard for covered equipment that has two or more subcategories. DOE must specify a different standard level for a type or class of equipment that has the same function or intended use if DOE determines that products within such group (A) consume a different kind of energy from that consumed by other covered equipment within such type (or class); or (B) have a capacity or other performance-related feature which other equipment within such type (or class) do not have and such feature justifies a higher or lower standard. (42 U.S.C. 6295(q)(1) and 6316(a)) In determining whether a performance-related feature justifies a different standard for a group of equipment, DOE must consider such factors as the utility to the consumer of 14 This is equivalent to stating that the rebuttable presumption of a standard is justified if the simple payback to the consumer, as calculated under the applicable test procedures, of the purchased equipment is equal to, or less than 3 years. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 such a feature and other factors DOE deems appropriate. Id. Any rule prescribing such a standard must include an explanation of the basis on which such higher or lower level was established. (42 U.S.C. 6295(q)(2) and 6316(a)) Federal energy conservation requirements generally supersede State laws or regulations concerning energy conservation testing, labeling, and standards. (42 U.S.C. 6297(a) through (c) and 6316(a)) DOE may, however, grant waivers of Federal preemption for particular State laws or regulations, in accordance with the procedures and other provisions set forth under 42 U.S.C. 6297(d) and 6316(a). Finally, pursuant to the amendments contained in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (‘‘EISA 2007’’), Public Law 110–140, any final rule for new or amended energy conservation standards promulgated after July 1, 2010, is required to address standby mode and off mode energy use. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(3)) Specifically, when DOE adopts a standard for a covered product after that date, it must, if justified by the criteria for adoption of standards under EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)), incorporate standby mode and off mode energy use into a single standard, or, if that is not feasible, adopt a separate standard for such energy use for that equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(3)(A)–(B)) In the case of WICFs, DOE is continuing to apply this approach to provide analytical consistency when evaluating energy conservation standards for this equipment. See generally, 42 U.S.C. 6316(a). B. Background A walk-in is an enclosed storage space refrigerated to temperatures above, and at or below, respectively, 32 °F that can be walked into and has a total chilled storage area of less than 3,000 square feet. (42 U.S.C. 6311(20)) By definition, equipment designed and marketed exclusively for medical, scientific, or research purposes are excluded. See id. EPCA also provides prescriptive standards for walk-ins manufactured starting on January 1, 2009. First, walkins must have automatic door closers that firmly close all walk-in doors that have been closed to within 1 inch of full closure, for all doors narrower than 3 feet 9 inches and shorter than 7 feet and must also have strip doors, spring hinged doors, or other methods of minimizing infiltration when doors are open. Additionally, they must also contain wall, ceiling, and door insulation of at least R–25 for coolers and R–32 for freezers, excluding glazed PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 31815 portions of doors and structural members, and floor insulation of at least R–28 for freezers. Walk-in evaporator fan motors of under 1 horsepower (‘‘hp’’) and less than 460 volts must be electronically commutated motors (brushless direct current motors) or three-phase motors, and walk-in condenser fan motors of under 1 horsepower must use permanent split capacitor motors, electronically commutated motors, or three-phase motors. Interior light sources must have an efficacy of 40 lumens per watt or more, including any ballast losses; lessefficacious lights may only be used in conjunction with a timer or device that turns off the lights within 15 minutes of when the walk-in is unoccupied. See 42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(1). Second, walk-ins have requirements related to electronically commutated motors used in them. See 42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(2)). Specifically, in those walkins that use an evaporator fan motor with a rating of under 1 hp and less than 460 volts, that motor must be either a three-phase motor or an electronically commutated motor unless DOE determined prior to January 1, 2009 that electronically commutated motors are available from only one manufacturer. (42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(2)(A)) Consistent with this requirement, DOE eventually determined that more than one manufacturer offered these motors for sale, which effectively made electronically commutated motors a required design standard for use with evaporative fan motors rated at under 1 hp and under 460 volts. DOE documented this determination in the rulemaking docket as docket ID EERE– 2008–BT–STD–0015–0072. This document can be found at www.regulations.gov/ #!documentDetail;D=EERE-2008-BTSTD-0015-0072. Additionally, DOE may permit the use of other types of motors as evaporative fan motors—if DOE determines that, on average, those other motor types use no more energy in evaporative fan applications than electronically commutated motors. (42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(2)(B)) DOE is unaware of any other motors that would offer performance levels comparable to the electronically commutated motors required by Congress. Accordingly, all evaporator motors rated at under 1 hp and under 460 volts must be electronically commutated motors or three-phase motors. Third, EPCA requires that walk-in freezers with transparent reach-in doors must have triple-pane glass with either heat-reflective treated glass or gas fill for doors and windows. Cooler doors must have either double-pane glass with E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31816 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations treated glass and gas fill or triple-pane glass with treated glass or gas fill. (42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(3)(A)–(B)) For walk-ins with transparent reach-in doors, EISA 2007 also prescribed specific anti-sweat heater-related requirements: Walk-ins without anti-sweat heater controls must have a heater power draw of no more than 7.1 or 3.0 watts per square foot of door opening for freezers and coolers, respectively. Walk-ins with anti-sweat heater controls must either have a heater power draw of no more than 7.1 or 3.0 watts per square foot of door opening for freezers and coolers, respectively, or the anti-sweat heater controls must reduce the energy use of the heater in a quantity corresponding to the relative humidity of the air outside the door or to the condensation on the inner glass pane. See 42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(3)(C)–(D). EPCA also directed the Secretary to issue performance-based standards for walk-ins that would apply to equipment manufactured three (3) years after the final rule is published, or five (5) years if the Secretary determines by rule that a 3-year period is inadequate. (42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(4)) In a final rule published on June 3, 2014 (June 2014 final rule), DOE prescribed performance-based standards for walk-ins manufactured on or after June 5, 2017. 79 FR 32050. These standards applied to a walk-in’s main components: Refrigeration systems, panels, and doors. The standards were expressed in terms of AWEF for the walk-in refrigeration systems, R-value for walk-in panels, and maximum energy consumption for walk-in doors. The standards are shown in Table II–1 and Table II–2. TABLE II–1—ENERGY CONSERVATION STANDARDS FOR WALK-IN COOLER AND WALK-IN FREEZER REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS SET FORTH IN 2014 RULE Standard level min. AWEF (Btu/W-h) * Class descriptor Class Dedicated Condensing, Medium—Temperature, Indoor System, <9,000 Btu/h Capacity. Dedicated Condensing, Medium—Temperature, Indoor System, ≥9,000 Btu/h Capacity. Dedicated Condensing, Medium—Temperature, Outdoor System, <9,000 Btu/h Capacity. Dedicated Condensing, Medium—Temperature, Outdoor System, ≥9,000 Btu/h Capacity. Dedicated Condensing, Low-Temperature, Indoor System, <9,000 Btu/h Capacity Dedicated Condensing, Low-Temperature, Indoor System, ≥9,000 Btu/h Capacity Dedicated Condensing, Low-Temperature, Outdoor System, <9,000 Btu/h Capacity. Dedicated Condensing, Low-Temperature, Outdoor System, ≥9,000 Btu/h Capacity. Multiplex Condensing, Medium—Temperature ** .................................................... Multiplex Condensing, Low-Temperature ** ............................................................. DC.M.I, <9,000 ................... 5.61 DC.M.I, ≥9,000 ................... 5.61 DC.M.O, <9,000 ................. 7.60 DC.M.O, ≥9,000 ................. 7.60 DC.L.I, <9,000 .................... DC.L.I, ≥9,000 .................... DC.L.O, <9,000 .................. 5.93 × 10–5 × Q + 2.33 3.10 2.30 × 10–4 × Q + 2.73 DC.L.O, ≥9,000 .................. 4.79 MC.M .................................. MC.L ................................... 10.89 6.57 * These standards were expressed in terms of Q, which represents the system gross capacity as calculated in AHRI 1250. ** DOE used this terminology to refer to these equipment classes in the June 2014 final rule. In this rule, DOE has changed ‘‘multiplex condensing’’ to ‘‘unit cooler’’ and the abbreviation ‘‘MC’’ to ‘‘UC,’’ consistent with the separate test procedure rulemaking conducted by DOE. TABLE II–2—ENERGY CONSERVATION STANDARDS FOR WALK-IN COOLER AND WALK-IN FREEZER PANELS AND DOORS SET FORTH IN 2014 RULE Class descriptor Class Standard level Panels Min. R-value (h-ft2-°F/Btu) Structural Panel, Medium-Temperature .................................................................................................. Structural Panel, Low-Temperature ........................................................................................................ Floor Panel, Low-Temperature ............................................................................................................... SP.M .............. SP.L ............... FP.L ............... 25 32 28 Non-display doors Max. energy consumption (kWh/day) † sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Passage Door, Medium-Temperature .................................................................................................... Passage Door, Low-Temperature ........................................................................................................... Freight Door, Medium-Temperature ....................................................................................................... Freight Door, Low-Temperature ............................................................................................................. PD.M .............. PD.L ............... FD.M .............. FD.L ............... Display doors DD.M .............. DD.L ............... † And represents the surface area of the non-display door. †† Add represents the surface area of the display door. 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4701 × × × × And And And And + + + + 1.7 4.8 1.9 5.6 Max. energy consumption (kWh/day) †† Display Door, Medium-Temperature ....................................................................................................... Display Door, Low-Temperature ............................................................................................................. VerDate Sep<11>2014 0.05 0.14 0.04 0.12 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 0.04 × Add + 0.41 0.15 × Add + 0.29 31817 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations After publication of the June 2014 final Rule, the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (‘‘AHRI’’) and Lennox International, Inc. (‘‘Lennox’’) (a manufacturer of WICF refrigeration systems) filed petitions for review of DOE’s final rule and DOE’s subsequent denial of a petition for reconsideration of the rule with the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Lennox Int’l v. Dep’t of Energy, Case No. 14–60535 (5th Cir.). Other WICF refrigeration system manufacturers—Rheem Manufacturing Co., Heat Transfer Products Group (a subsidiary of Rheem Manufacturing Co.), and Hussmann Corp.—along with the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (‘‘ACCA’’) (a trade association representing contractors who install WICF refrigeration systems) intervened on the petitioners’ behalf. The Natural Resources Defense Council (‘‘NRDC’’), the American Council for an EnergyEfficient Economy, and the Texas Ratepayers’ Organization to Save Energy intervened on behalf of DOE. As a result of this litigation, a settlement agreement was reached to address, among other things, six of the refrigeration system standards—each of which is addressed in this document.15 A controlling court order from the Fifth Circuit, which was issued on August 10, 2015, vacated those six standards. These vacated standards related to (1) the two energy conservation standards applicable to multiplex condensing refrigeration systems (re-named as ‘‘unit coolers’’ for purposes of this rule) operating at medium and low temperatures and (2) the four energy conservation standards applicable to dedicated condensing refrigeration systems operating at low temperatures. See 79 FR at 32124 (June 3, 2014). The thirteen other standards established in the June 2014 final rule and shown in Table II–1 and Table II– 2 (that is, the four standards applicable to dedicated condensing refrigeration systems operating at medium temperatures; the three standards applicable to panels; and the six standards applicable to doors) were not vacated and remain subject to the June 5, 2017 compliance date prescribed by the June 2014 final rule.16 To help clarify the applicability of these standards, DOE is also modifying the organization of its regulations to specify the compliance date of these existing standards and the standards finalized in this rule. To aid in readability, DOE is replacing the existing table at 10 CFR 431.306(e) with a new table that incorporates both the refrigeration system standards established in this rule and the existing refrigeration system standards and clarifies the compliance dates for both sets of standards. In addition, DOE notes that the existing standard for all capacities of dedicated condensing, mediumtemperature, indoor refrigeration systems requires that these equipment classes meet a minimum AWEF of 5.61 Btu/W-h. Likewise, all capacities of dedicated condensing, mediumtemperature, outdoor refrigeration systems must meet a minimum AWEF of 7.60 Btu/W-h. Rather than listing multiple ranges of capacity for both indoor and outdoor classes, DOE has modified the organization of these standards by grouping these classes into two line items, each showing the standard for the relevant full capacity range. After the Fifth Circuit issued its order, DOE established a working group to negotiate energy conservation standards to replace the six vacated standards. Specifically, on August 5, 2015, DOE published a notice of intent to establish a WICF Working Group. 80 FR 46521. The Working Group was established under the Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (‘‘ASRAC’’) in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (‘‘FACA’’) and the Negotiated Rulemaking Act (‘‘NRA’’). (5 U.S.C. App. 2; 5 U.S.C. 561–570, Pub. L. 104– 320.) The purpose of the Working Group was to discuss and, if possible, reach consensus on standard levels for the energy efficiency of the affected classes of WICF refrigeration systems. The Working Group was to consist of representatives of parties having a defined stake in the outcome of the standards, and the group would consult as appropriate with a range of experts on technical issues. Ultimately, the Working Group consisted of 12 members and one DOE representative (see Table II–3). (See Appendix A, List of Members and Affiliates, Negotiated Rulemaking Working Group Ground Rules, Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016, No. 5 at p. 5.) The Working Group met in-person during 13 days of meetings held August 27, September 11, September 30, October 1, October 15, October 16, November 3, November 4, November 20, December 3, December 4, December 14, and December 15, 2015. TABLE II–3—ASRAC WALK-IN COOLERS AND FREEZERS WORKING GROUP MEMBERS AND AFFILIATIONS Affiliation Ashley Armstrong ..................................... Lane Burt .................................................. Mary Dane ................................................ Cyril Fowble .............................................. Sean Gouw ............................................... Andrew Haala ........................................... Armin Hauer ............................................. John Koon ................................................ Joanna Mauer ........................................... Charlie McCrudden ................................... Louis Starr ................................................ Michael Straub .......................................... Wayne Warner .......................................... sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Member U.S. Department of Energy ....................................................................................... Natural Resources Defense Council ......................................................................... Traulsen ..................................................................................................................... Lennox International, Inc. (Heatcraft) ........................................................................ California Investor-Owned Utilities ............................................................................ Hussmann Corp ......................................................................................................... ebm-papst, Inc ........................................................................................................... Manitowoc Company ................................................................................................. Appliance Standards Awareness Project .................................................................. Air Conditioning Contractors of America ................................................................... Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance ........................................................................ Rheem Manufacturing (Heat Transfer Products Group) ........................................... Emerson Climate Technologies ................................................................................ 15 The ‘‘six’’ standards established in the 2014 final rule and vacated by the Fifth Circuit court order have become ‘‘seven’’ standards due to the split of one of the equipment classes based on capacity. Specifically, the ‘‘multiplex condensing, VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 low-temperature’’ class (see 79 FR 32050, 32124 (June 3, 2014)) has become two classes of ‘‘unit cooler, low-temperature,’’, one with capacity (qnet) less than 15,500 Btu/h, and the other with capacity greater or equal to 15,500 Btu/h (see Table I–1). PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 Abbreviation DOE. NRDC. Traulsen. Lennox. CA IOUs. Hussmann. ebm-papst. Manitowoc. ASAP. ACCA. NEEA. Rheem. Emerson. 16 DOE has issued an enforcement policy with respect to dedicated condensing refrigeration systems operating at medium temperatures. See www.energy.gov/gc/downloads/walk-coolerwalkfreezer-refrigeration-systems-enforcement-policy. E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31818 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations All of the meetings were open to the public and were also broadcast via webinar. Several people who were not members of the Working Group attended the meetings and were given the opportunity to comment on the proceedings. Non-Working Group meeting attendees are listed in Table II– 4. TABLE II–4—OTHER ASRAC WALK-IN COOLERS AND FREEZERS MEETING ATTENDEES AND AFFILIATIONS Attendee Affiliation Abbreviation Akash Bhatia ............................................ Bryan Eisenhower .................................... Dean Groff ................................................ Brian Lamberty ......................................... Michael Layne .......................................... Jon McHugh ............................................. Yonghui (Frank) Xu .................................. Vince Zolli ................................................. Tecumseh Products Company .................................................................................. VaCom Technologies ................................................................................................ Danfoss ...................................................................................................................... Unknown .................................................................................................................... Turbo Air .................................................................................................................... McHugh Energy ......................................................................................................... National Coil Company .............................................................................................. Keeprite Refrigeration ................................................................................................ Tecumseh. VaCom. Danfoss. Brian Lamberty. Turbo Air. McHugh Energy. National Coil. Keeprite. To facilitate the negotiations, DOE provided analytical support, including detailed analyses and presentations. These materials are available in the relevant rulemaking docket (www.regulations.gov/ #!docketBrowser;rpp=25;po=0;D=EERE2015-BT-STD-0016). The analyses and presentations, developed with direct input from the Working Group members, included preliminary versions of many of the analyses discussed in this final rule, including a market and technology assessment; screening analysis; engineering analysis; energy use analysis; markups analysis; life cycle cost and payback period analysis; shipments analysis; and national impact analysis. On December 15, 2015, the Working Group reached consensus on, among other things, a series of energy conservation standards to replace those that were vacated as a result of the litigation. The Working Group assembled its recommendations into a single term sheet (See Docket EERE– 2015–BT–STD–0016, No. 52) that was presented to, and approved by the ASRAC on December 18, 2015. DOE considered the approved term sheet, along with other comments received during the negotiated rulemaking process, in developing energy conservation standards in this document. DOE published a notice of proposed rulemaking on September 13, 2016. (September 2016 NOPR) 81 FR 62979. A public meeting to discuss DOE’s proposal was held on September 29, 2016. III. General Discussion DOE developed this rule after considering oral and written comments, data, and information from interested parties that represent a variety of interests. DOE received comments from a number of different entities. A list of these entities is included in Table III– 1. The following discussion addresses issues raised by these commenters. TABLE III–1—INTERESTED PARTIES WHO COMMENTED ON THE WICF NOPR Comment No. (docket reference) Acronym Type Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute ........ Appliance Standards Awareness Project ............................ Appliance Standards Awareness Project, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. California Investor Owned Utilities ...................................... Cato Institute ....................................................................... CoilPod LLC ........................................................................ sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Name AHRI .................................... ASAP ................................... ASAP, NRDC and NEEA (ASAP et al.). Trade Association ................ Energy Efficiency Advocates Energy Efficiency Advocates 90 * 79 84 CA IOUs .............................. Cato ..................................... CoilPod ................................ 80 87 77 Andrews ............................... Hussmann ............................ Joint Advocates ................... Utility Association ................ Think Tank ........................... Component/Material Supplier. Individual .............................. Manufacturer ........................ Energy Efficiency Advocates Lennox ................................. Manufacturer ........................ 89 Manitowoc ............................ Rheem ................................. Manufacturer ........................ Manufacturer ........................ 82 91 USCC et al .......................... Business Federation ............ 86 Weiss ................................... Component/Material Supplier. 85 Eric Andrews ....................................................................... Hussmann Corporation ....................................................... Environmental Defense Fund, Institute for Policy Integrity at New York University School of Law, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Union of Concerned Scientists. Lennox International Inc. and Heatcraft Refrigeration Products, LLC. Manitowoc Foodservice, Inc ............................................... Rheem Manufacturing Company and Heat Transfer Products Group, LLC. U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American Chemistry Council, American Coke and Coal Chemicals Institute, American Forest & Paper Association, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, American Petroleum Institute, Brick Industry Association, Council of Industrial Boiler Owners, National Association of Manufacturers, National Lime Association, National Mining Association, National Oilseed Processors Association, and the Portland Cement Association. Weiss Instruments, Inc ........................................................ VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 76 83 81 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 31819 TABLE III–1—INTERESTED PARTIES WHO COMMENTED ON THE WICF NOPR—Continued Name Acronym Type Zero Zone ............................................................................ Zero Zone ............................ Comment No. (docket reference) Manufacturer ........................ 88 * Comment number 79 indicates the party commented during the public meeting. A. Equipment Classes and Scope of Coverage When evaluating and establishing energy conservation standards, DOE divides covered equipment into equipment classes by the type of energy used, capacity, or other performancerelated features that would justify different standards. In determining whether a performance-related feature would justify applying a different standard, DOE must consider such factors as the utility of the feature to the consumer and other factors DOE determines are appropriate. (42 U.S.C. 6295(q) and 6316(a)) As previously noted in section II.B, a court order vacated the portions of the June 2014 final rule relating to multiplex condensing refrigeration systems (i.e., unit coolers) operating at medium and low temperatures and dedicated condensing refrigeration systems operating at low temperatures. Therefore, this rulemaking focuses on standards related to these refrigeration system classes. More information relating to the scope of coverage is described in section IV.B.1 of this final rule. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 B. Test Procedure EPCA sets forth generally applicable criteria and procedures for DOE’’s adoption and amendment of test procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6293 and 6314) Manufacturers must use the test procedures prescribed under these provisions to certify compliance with the applicable energy conservation standards and to quantify the efficiency of their covered product or equipment. EPCA, as modified by EISA 2007, required DOE to develop a performancebased test procedure to measure the energy use of walk-in coolers and walkin freezers. (42 U.S.C. 6213(a)(9)(B)(i)) On April 15, 2011, DOE published test procedures for the principal components that make up a walk-in: The panels, doors, and refrigeration systems. DOE took this componentbased testing approach based on a significant body of feedback from interested parties that requiring a single test procedure for an entire walk-in would be impractical because most walk-ins are assembled on-site with components from different VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 manufacturers. 76 FR 21580, 21582 (April 15, 2011). DOE’s current energy conservation standards for WICF refrigeration systems are expressed in terms of AWEF (see 10 CFR 431.304(c)(10)). AWEF is an annualized refrigeration efficiency metric that expresses the ratio of the heat load that a system can reject (in Btus) to the energy required to reject that load (in watt-hours). The existing DOE test procedure for determining the AWEF of walk-in refrigeration systems is located at 10 CFR part 431, subpart R. The current DOE test procedure for walk-in refrigeration systems was originally established by an April 15, 2011 final rule, which incorporates by reference the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (‘‘AHRI’’) Standard 1250–2009, 2009 Standard for Performance Rating of Walk-In Coolers and Freezers. 76 FR 21580, 21605– 21612. On May 13, 2014, DOE updated its test procedures for WICFs in a final rule published in the Federal Register (May 2014 test procedure final rule). 79 FR 27388. That rule allowed WICF refrigeration system manufacturers to use an alternative efficiency determination method (‘‘AEDM’’) to rate and certify their basic models by using the projected energy efficiency level derived from these simulation models in lieu of testing. It also adopted testing methods to enable an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to readily test and rate its unit cooler or condensing unit individually rather than as part of matched pairs. Under this approach, a manufacturer who distributes a unit cooler as a separate component must rate that unit cooler as though it were to be connected to a multiplex system. The unit cooler must comply with any applicable unit cooler standard that DOE may establish. Similarly, a manufacturer distributing a condensing unit as a separate component must use fixed values for the suction (inlet) conditions and certain nominal values for unit cooler fan and defrost energy, in lieu of actual unit cooler test data, when calculating AWEF. (10 CFR 431.304(c)(12)(ii)) DOE notes that, although that final rule established the approach for rating individual components of dedicated condensing systems, it still allowed for PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 matched-pair ratings of these systems. This approach addressed the testing of dedicated condensing systems with multiple capacity stages and/or variablecapacity, since the current test procedure of AHRI 1250–2009 does not have a provision for testing individual condensing units with such features. An OEM would have to use matched-pair testing to rate multiple- or variablecapacity systems, but can choose matched-pair or individual-component rating for single-capacity dedicated condensing systems. The May 2014 test procedure final rule also introduced several clarifications and additions to the AHRI test procedure for WICF refrigeration systems. These changes can be found in 10 CFR 431.304. The Working Group, in addition to making recommendations regarding standards, also recommended that DOE consider making certain amendments to the test procedure to support the recommended replacement refrigeration system standards. See Term Sheet at EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016, No. 56, recommendation #6 and #7. Consistent with these test procedure-related recommendations, DOE published a test procedure notice of proposed rulemaking on August 17, 2016 (‘‘August 2016 TP NOPR’’). 81 FR 54926. A public meeting was held on September 12, 2016. DOE published a test procedure final rule on December 28, 2016. 81 FR 95758. All documents and information pertaining to the test procedure rulemaking can be found in docket EERE–2016–BT–TP–0030. The standard levels discussed in this document were evaluated using that revised test procedure. C. Technological Feasibility 1. General In each energy conservation standards rulemaking, DOE conducts a screening analysis based on information gathered on all current technology options and prototype designs that could improve the efficiency of the products or equipment that are the subject of the rulemaking. As the first step in such an analysis, DOE develops a list of technology options for consideration in consultation with manufacturers, design engineers, and other interested parties. E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31820 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations DOE then determines which of those means for improving efficiency are technologically feasible. DOE considers technologies incorporated in commercially available products or in working prototypes to be technologically feasible. 10 CFR part 430, subpart C, appendix A, section 4(a)(4)(i) After DOE has determined that particular technology options are technologically feasible, it further evaluates each technology option in light of the following additional screening criteria: (1) Practicability to manufacture, install, and service; (2) adverse impacts on product utility or availability; and (3) adverse impacts on health or safety. 10 CFR part 430, subpart C, appendix A, section 4(a)(4)(ii)–(iv) Additionally, it is DOE policy not to include in its analysis any proprietary technology that is a unique pathway to achieving a certain efficiency level. Section IV.C of this document discusses the results of the screening analysis for WICF refrigeration systems, particularly the designs DOE considered, those it screened out, and those forming the basis of the standards considered in this rulemaking. For further details on the screening analysis for this rulemaking, see chapter 4 of the final rule technical support document (‘‘TSD’’). 2. Maximum Technologically Feasible Levels When DOE adopts a standard for a type or class of covered product, it must determine the maximum improvement in energy efficiency or maximum reduction in energy use that is technologically feasible for such product. (42 U.S.C. 6295(p)(1) and 6316(a)) Accordingly, in the engineering analysis, DOE determined the maximum technologically feasible (‘‘max-tech’’) improvements in energy efficiency for WICF refrigeration systems using the design parameters for the most efficient products available on the market or in working prototypes. The max-tech levels that DOE determined for this rulemaking are described in section IV.D.10 of this final rule and in chapter 5 of the final rule TSD. 1. Determination of Savings 2. Significance of Savings To adopt any new or amended standards for a covered equipment, DOE must determine that such action would result in significant energy savings. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)(B) and 6316(a)) Although the term ‘‘significant’’ is not defined in the Act, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Natural Resources Defense Council v. Herrington, 768 F.2d 1355, 1373 (D.C. Cir. 1985), indicated that Congress intended ‘‘significant’’ energy savings in the context of EPCA to be savings that are not ‘‘genuinely trivial.’’ For each trial standard level (‘‘TSL’’), DOE projected energy savings from application of the TSL to covered WICF refrigeration systems purchased in the 30-year period that begins in the year of compliance with the standards (2020– 17 DOE also presents a sensitivity analysis that considers impacts for products shipped in a 9-year period. 18 The FFC metric is discussed in DOE’s statement of policy and notice of policy amendment. 76 FR 51282 (August. 18, 2011), as amended at 77 FR 49701 (August. 17, 2012). D. Energy Savings sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 2049).17 The savings are measured over the entire lifetime of considered WICF refrigeration systems purchased in the 30-year analysis period. DOE quantified the energy savings attributable to each TSL as the difference in energy consumption between each standards case and the no-new-standards case. The no-new-standards case represents a projection of energy consumption that reflects how the market for the equipment at issue would likely evolve in the absence of energy conservation standards. DOE used its national impact analysis (‘‘NIA’’) spreadsheet models to estimate national energy savings (‘‘NES’’) from potential standards for considered WICF refrigeration systems at issue. The NIA spreadsheet model (described in section IV.H of this document) calculates energy savings in terms of site energy, which is the energy directly consumed by equipment at the locations where they are used. For electricity, DOE reports national energy savings in terms of primary energy savings, which is the savings in the energy that is used to generate and transmit the site electricity. For natural gas, the primary energy savings are considered to be equal to the site energy savings. DOE also calculates NES in terms of full-fuelcycle (‘‘FFC’’) energy savings. The FFC metric includes the energy consumed in extracting, processing, and transporting primary fuels (i.e., coal, natural gas, petroleum fuels), and thus presents a more complete picture of the impacts of energy conservation standards.18 DOE’s approach is based on the calculation of an FFC multiplier for each of the energy types used by covered products or equipment. For more information on FFC energy savings, see section IV.I.2 of this document. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 The energy savings for all the TSLs considered in this rulemaking, including the adopted standards, are nontrivial, and, therefore, DOE considers them ‘‘significant’’ within the meaning of section 325 of EPCA (i.e., 42 U.S.C. 6295). E. Economic Justification 1. Specific Criteria As noted above, EPCA provides seven factors to be evaluated in determining whether a potential energy conservation standard is economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(I)(VII) and 6316(a)) The following sections discuss how DOE has addressed each of those seven factors in this rulemaking. a. Economic Impact on Manufacturers and Consumers In determining the impacts of potential amended standards on manufacturers, DOE conducts a manufacturer impact analysis (‘‘MIA’’), as discussed in section IV.J. DOE first uses an annual cash-flow approach to determine the quantitative impacts. This step includes both a short-term assessment—based on the cost and capital requirements during the period between when a regulation is issued and when entities must comply with the regulation—and a long-term assessment over a 30-year period. The industrywide impacts analyzed include (1) industry net present value (‘‘INPV’’), which values the industry on the basis of expected future cash flows; (2) cash flows by year; (3) changes in revenue and income; and (4) other measures of impact, as appropriate. Second, DOE analyzes and reports the impacts on different types of manufacturers, including impacts on small manufacturers. Third, DOE considers the impact of standards on domestic manufacturer employment and manufacturing capacity, as well as the potential for standards to result in plant closures and loss of capital investment. Finally, DOE takes into account cumulative impacts of various DOE regulations and other regulatory requirements on manufacturers. For individual consumers, measures of economic impact include the changes in LCC and the PBP associated with new or amended standards. These measures are discussed further in the following section. For consumers in the aggregate, DOE also calculates the national net present value of the economic impacts applicable to a particular rulemaking. DOE also evaluates the LCC impacts of potential standards on identifiable subgroups of consumers that may be E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations models to project national energy savings. b. Savings in Operating Costs Compared to Increase in Price (LCC and PBP) EPCA requires DOE to consider the savings in operating costs throughout the estimated average life of the covered product in the type (or class) compared to any increase in the price of, or in the initial charges for, or maintenance expenses of, the covered product that are likely to result from a standard. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(II) and 6316(a)) DOE conducts this comparison in its LCC and PBP analysis. The LCC is the sum of the purchase price of a product (including its installation) and the operating cost (including energy, maintenance, and repair expenditures) discounted over the lifetime of the product. The LCC analysis requires a variety of inputs, such as product prices, product energy consumption, energy prices, maintenance and repair costs, product lifetime, and discount rates appropriate for consumers. To account for uncertainty and variability in specific inputs, such as product lifetime and discount rate, DOE uses a distribution of values, with probabilities attached to each value. The PBP is the estimated amount of time (in years) it takes consumers to recover the increased purchase cost (including installation) of a moreefficient product through lower operating costs. DOE calculates the PBP by dividing the change in purchase cost due to a more-stringent standard by the change in annual operating cost for the year that standards are assumed to take effect. For its LCC and PBP analysis, DOE assumes that consumers will purchase the covered products in the first year of compliance with new or amended standards. The LCC savings for the considered efficiency levels are calculated relative to the case that reflects projected market trends in the absence of new or amended standards. DOE’s LCC and PBP analysis is discussed in further detail in section IV.F. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 affected disproportionately by a national standard. d. Lessening of Utility or Performance of Products In establishing equipment classes, and in evaluating design options and the impact of potential standard levels, DOE evaluates potential standards that would not lessen the utility or performance of the considered equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(IV) and 6316(a)) Based on data available to DOE, the standards adopted in this document would not reduce the utility or performance of the equipment under consideration in this rulemaking. c. Energy Savings Although significant conservation of energy is a separate statutory requirement for adopting an energy conservation standard, EPCA requires DOE, in determining the economic justification of a standard, to consider the total projected energy savings that are expected to result directly from the standard. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(III) and 6316(a)) As discussed in section IV.H, DOE uses the NIA spreadsheet VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 e. Impact of Any Lessening of Competition EPCA directs DOE to consider the impact of any lessening of competition, as determined in writing by the Attorney General, that is likely to result from a standard. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(V) and 6316(a)) It also directs the Attorney General to determine the impact, if any, of any lessening of competition likely to result from a standard and to transmit such determination to the Secretary within 60 days of the publication of a proposed rule, together with an analysis of the nature and extent of the impact. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(ii) and 6316(a)) To assist the Department of Justice (‘‘DOJ’’) in making such a determination, DOE transmitted copies of its proposed rule and the NOPR TSD to the Attorney General for review, with a request that the DOJ provide its determination on this issue. In its assessment letter responding to DOE, DOJ concluded that the proposed energy conservation standards for WICF refrigeration systems are unlikely to have a significant adverse impact on competition. DOE is publishing the Attorney General’s assessment at the end of this final rule. f. Need for National Energy Conservation DOE also considers the need for national energy and water conservation (as applicable) in determining whether a new or amended standard is economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(VI) and 6316(a)) The energy savings from the adopted standards are likely to provide improvements to the security and reliability of the Nation’s energy system. Reductions in the demand for electricity also may result in reduced costs for maintaining the reliability of the Nation’s electricity system. DOE conducts a utility impact analysis to estimate how standards may affect the PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 31821 Nation’s needed power generation capacity, as discussed in section IV.M. DOE maintains that environmental and public health benefits associated with the more efficient use of energy are important to take into account when considering the need for national energy conservation. The adopted standards are likely to result in environmental benefits in the form of reduced emissions of air pollutants and GHGs associated with energy production and use. DOE conducts an emissions analysis to estimate how potential standards may affect these emissions, as discussed in section IV.K; the estimated emissions impacts are reported in section V.B.6 of this document. DOE also estimates the economic value of emissions reductions resulting from the considered TSLs, as discussed in section IV.L. g. Other Factors In determining whether an energy conservation standard is economically justified, DOE may consider any other factors that the Secretary deems to be relevant. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(VII) and 6316(a)) To the extent DOE identifies any relevant information regarding economic justification that does not fit into the other categories described above, DOE could consider such information under ‘‘other factors.’’ 2. Rebuttable Presumption As set forth in 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(iii) ) (and as applied to WICFs through 42 U.S.C. 6316(a)), EPCA creates a rebuttable presumption that an energy conservation standard is economically justified if the additional cost to the consumer of a product that meets the standard is less than three times the value of the first year’s energy savings resulting from the standard, as calculated under the applicable DOE test procedure. DOE’s LCC and PBP analyses generate values used to calculate the effect potential energy conservation standards would have on the payback period for consumers. These analyses include, but are not limited to, the 3-year payback period contemplated under the rebuttablepresumption test. In addition, DOE routinely conducts an economic analysis that considers the full range of impacts to consumers, manufacturers, the Nation, and the environment, as required under 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i), which is applied to WICFs through 42 U.S.C. 6316(a). The results of this analysis serve as the basis for DOE’s evaluation of the economic justification for a potential standard level (thereby supporting or rebutting the results of any preliminary E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31822 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations determination of economic justification). The rebuttable presumption payback calculation is discussed in section IV.F of this final rule. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 F. Compliance Date of Standards Under EPCA, performance-based standards for WICFs, including the initial establishment of those standards, have a statutorily prescribed lead time starting on the applicable final rule’s publication date and ending three (3) years later. Starting on that later date, WICF manufacturers must comply with the relevant energy conservation standards. See 42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(4)–(5). DOE may extend the lead time to as long as five (5) years if the Secretary determines, by rule, that the default 3year period is inadequate. (See id.) As discussed in section III.B, DOE developed test procedures for the principal components that make up walk-ins: The panels, doors, and refrigeration systems. DOE developed test procedures for walk-in refrigeration systems that express their efficiency in terms of AWEF. 76 FR 21580 (April 15, 2011). The June 2014 final rule established DOE’s energy conservation standards for walk-in refrigeration systems based on AWEF—these standards, established for lowtemperature and medium-temperature dedicated condensing refrigeration systems and for low-temperature and medium-temperature unit coolers (then called multiplex condensing systems), had a compliance date of June 5, 2017. 79 FR at 32124 (June 3, 2014). As discussed in section II.B, the standards for several of these categories of refrigeration systems were vacated. However, the standards for mediumtemperature dedicated condensing systems remain in place, and their compliance date remains as June 5, 2017. In the September 2016 NOPR, DOE projected that that this final rule would publish in the second half of 2016, and that it would hence establish a compliance date in the second half of 2019 for the new refrigeration system standards that DOE is adopting—DOE did not anticipate extending the standards lead time beyond three years. 81 FR at 62992 (Sept. 13, 2016). DOE updated its enforcement policy for walk-in refrigeration systems on February 1, 2016, indicating that it would not exercise its enforcement authority in regard to energy conservation standards associated with medium-temperature dedicated condensing refrigeration systems for any VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 such equipment manufactured prior to January 1, 2020.19 Manitowoc, Hussmann, Lennox, Rheem, and AHRI requested that manufacturers not be required to submit certification reports for WICF equipment covered in this rule and medium-temperature dedicated condensing classes until the projected January 2020 enforcement date. They argued that requiring manufacturers to certify refrigeration systems covered by the June 2014 final Rule on June 5, 2017, despite the fact that enforcement would not occur until 2020, would confuse customers and place unneeded burden on manufacturers. Zero Zone also argued that requiring certification before enforcement begins will cause confusion for manufacturers and customers and will not allow the Department to verify the certification data. (Manitowoc, No. 82 at p. 1; Hussmann, No. 83 at p. 1; Lennox, No. 89 at p. 6; Rheem, No. 91 at pp. 1–2; AHRI, No. 90 at pp. 1–2; Zero Zone, No. 88 at p. 1) As discussed in the test procedure final rule, DOE has not changed the date for certifying the compliance of equipment covered by the June 2014 standards that have not been vacated, i.e., those applicable to doors and medium-temperature dedicated condensing refrigeration systems. 81 FR at 95759–95760 (December 28, 2016). The compliance date for the WICF equipment covered in this rule, i.e., classes of low-temperature dedicated condensing refrigeration systems and all classes of unit coolers, is three years from today’s date. Weiss asked for clarification regarding how DOE’s proposal would address the installation of walk-ins by local contractors who buy components from wholesalers and assemble the walk-in on-site. (Weiss, No. 85 at p. 1). Lennox commented there is ambiguity whether refrigeration system components assembled into a complete walk-in must be compliant on the date of manufacture of the refrigeration component or when the final WICF is actually assembled. Lennox noted that component manufacturers would need to leave time to sell components in inventory in advance of a compliance deadline, but WICF installers would also need to leave time both to purchase WICF components and install such components in advance of the compliance deadline. Lennox stated that additional burden is placed on WICF component manufacturers to compress 19 https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/02/f29/ Enforcement%20Policy%20Statement%20%20WICF%2002-01-16.pdf. PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 timelines by several months or more if assemblers of complete walk-ins are required to use WICF components that are compliant at the time of assembly. (Lennox No. 89 at pp. 7–8) AHRI and Rheem also commented that additional burden is placed on component manufacturers as a result of a shortened compliance period if the requirement remains for installers to use components that are compliant at the time of the complete walk-in assembly. (AHRI No. 90 at p. 3; Rheem No. 91 at p. 3) Lennox, AHRI and Rheem requested that DOE allow an unlimited sell through period for components manufactured prior to the compliance date of the amended standard. AHRI stated that most products subject to energy conservation standards have unlimited sell through periods for products manufactured before the effective date of an amended standard. Id. As discussed in the test procedure final rule, a manufacturer of a walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer is any person who: (1) Manufactures a component of a walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer that affects energy consumption, including, but not limited to, refrigeration, doors, lights, windows, or walls; or (2) manufactures or assembles the complete walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer. 10 CFR 431.302. A manufacturer of a walk-in component (i.e., part 1 of the definition of a manufacturer of a walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer) is the entity that manufactures, produces, assembles or imports a walk-in panel, door or refrigeration system. The component manufacturer is responsible for ensuring the compliance of the component(s) it manufactures. DOE also requires that the component manufacturer certify the compliance of the components it manufactures, prior to distribution in commerce. 81 FR at 95778 (December 28, 2016). A walk-in component manufacturer must comply with the applicable energy conservation standards based on the date the component is produced. For example, beginning on June 5, 2017 walk-in door manufacturers must produce doors that comply with the applicable energy consumption standard. Imported components must comply with the applicable energy conservation standards based on the date of importation. A manufacturer of a complete walk-in (i.e., part 2 of the definition of a manufacturer of a walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer) is the entity that manufactures, produces, assembles or imports a walk-in cooler or freezer (i.e., an enclosed storage space meeting the E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations definition of a walk-in cooler or freezer). This includes ‘‘installers’’ of complete walk-ins. DOE explained that while it does not require manufacturers of complete walk-ins to submit certification reports for the complete walk-in itself, a manufacturer of a complete walk-in must ensure that each walk-in it manufactures meets the various statutory and regulatory standards. That is, a manufacturer of a complete walk-in is required to use components that comply with the applicable standards and to ensure the final product fulfills the statutory design requirements. See the test procedure final rule for additional discussion on how a manufacturer of a complete walkin demonstrates compliance. 81 FR at 95781 (December 28, 2016). DOE explained several ways a manufacturer of a complete walk-in could assemble a compliant walk-in. The manufacturer of a complete walk-in could make one or more of the components (e.g., a walk-in door), test it, and certify it as the component manufacturer. In this instance the manufacturer of the complete walk-in is also the component manufacturer, and the component must meet the relevant energy conservation standard based on the date the component is produced. Alternatively, the manufacturer of the complete walk-in could use an uncertified component and accept responsibility for its compliance. In this scenario, the date of installation is the date of manufacture. For example, if walk-in is assembled with a door designed for non-walk-in applications, then the door becomes a walk-in component on the walk-in assembly date, and must meet the relevant energy conservation standard based on the date of assembly. Lastly, the manufacturer of the complete walk-in could use a certified component with a label that meets DOE’s requirements, as it is not the manufacturer of the component, and bear no responsibility for the testing and certification of the component. In this case, the component must meet the relevant energy conservation standard based on the date the certified component was manufactured. As long as a manufacturer of a complete walkin (e.g., installers) uses compliant, certified components that are labeled in accordance with DOE’s requirements, then it can assemble a complete walkin using those components after the effective date of new or amended standards. For example, an installer may use walk-in doors manufactured prior to June 5, 2017 to assemble a walk-in after the compliance date as long as the door was certified as compliant with the VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 standards in effect on the date the door was produced. IV. Methodology and Discussion of Related Comments This section addresses the analyses DOE has performed for this rulemaking with regard to the considered WICF refrigeration systems. Separate subsections address each component of DOE’s analyses. DOE used several analytical tools to estimate the impact of the standards considered in this document. The first tool is a spreadsheet that calculates the LCC savings and PBP of potential amended or new energy conservation standards. The national impacts analysis uses a second spreadsheet set that provides shipments projections and calculates national energy savings and net present value of total consumer costs and savings expected to result from potential energy conservation standards. DOE uses the third spreadsheet tool, the Government Regulatory Impact Model (‘‘GRIM’’), to assess manufacturer impacts of potential standards. These three spreadsheet tools are available on the DOE website for this rulemaking at www1.eere.energy.gov/ buildings/appliance_standards/ rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/30. Additionally, DOE used output from the latest version of the Annual Energy Outlook 2016 (‘‘AEO2106’’) from the Energy Information Administration (‘‘EIA’’) for the emissions and utility impact analyses. A. General Rulemaking Issues During the September 29, 2016 NOPR public meeting, and in subsequent written comments, stakeholders provided input regarding general issues pertinent to the rulemaking, including the trial standard levels, the rulemaking timeline, and other subjects. These issues are discussed in this section. 1. Proposed Standard Levels DOE proposed to adopt TSL 3 as the energy conservation standard for the equipment under consideration in this rulemaking. DOE’s NOPR analysis showed that this level is both technologically feasible and economically justified. 81 FR at 63021 (September 13, 2016). TSL 3 represents the maximum technologically feasible level and corresponds to the energy conservation standard level that the Working Group unanimously recommended that DOE adopt. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016, Term Sheet: Recommendation #5 (December 15, 2015), No. 56 at pp. 2–3). The CA IOUs and ASAP et al. supported the proposed standard levels PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 31823 DOE presented in the NOPR. (CA IOUs, No. 80, at pp. 1–2; ASAP et al., No. 84, at p. 1) Lennox supported the provisions laid out in the ASRAC Term Sheet, including the recommended standards levels contained therein, which were the result of a negotiated rulemaking. It also commented on the NOPR’s consumer impact results, noting that while most equipment classes have positive or minimal negative consumer impacts, for certain equipment classes, the consumer impact is negative for a ‘‘large percentage of consumers.’’ (Lennox, No. 89 at p. 7) For example, Lennox noted that 42 percent of consumers had a net cost impact for low temperature unit coolers (UC.L) attached to low temperature multiplex condensing systems (MC.L). Lennox clarified that it does not generally support energy conservation standards that result in such a large portion of consumers experiencing a net cost impact. (Lennox, No. 89 at pp. 6–7) In general, DOE seeks to avoid adopting standards resulting in large numbers of consumers experiencing net costs. DOE notes that Lennox supports the proposed standard levels, with which WICF Working Group negotiators (including Lennox) had agreed, as documented in the ASRAC Working Group Term Sheet. For the reasons discussed later in this document, DOE is adopting the same standard levels that it proposed as the energy conservation standard for the equipment under consideration in this final rule. See section VI for further discussion on the TSLs, economic justification and energy savings. Eric Andrews agreed that the economic analysis supported the regulation on the basis of the purchase of new equipment, but expressed concern regarding the up-front cost that the consumer would incur to update existing equipment to the standard level. He commented that ‘‘a credit’’ should be made available to defray such costs. He observed further that the market for used equipment was not addressed in the analysis. (Andrews, No. 76 at p. 1) The comment seems to be made based on the assumption that all installed equipment must be upgraded to the standard level. In response, DOE notes that the adopted standard levels will apply only to new equipment manufactured after the compliance date of the standard. See section III.F for additional discussion regarding the compliance date. E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31824 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 2. Test Procedure a. Process Cooling sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Background EPCA defines a walk-in as ‘‘an enclosed storage space,’’ that can be walked into, which has a total area of less than 3,000 square feet, but does not include products designed and marketed exclusively for medical, scientific, or research purposes. (42 U.S.C. 6311(20)) The use of the term ‘‘storage space’’ in the definition raises questions about which refrigerated spaces would qualify as a ‘‘storage space’’ and thereby comprise equipment subject to the walk-in standards. DOE has discussed the scope of this definition throughout its rulemakings to develop test procedures and energy conservation standards for walk-ins— most recently, the August 2016 TP NOPR addressed whether the scope extends to process cooling equipment such as blast chillers and blast freezers that can be walked into. 81 FR at 54934– 54936 (August 17, 2016). In the August 2016 TP NOPR, DOE described the background leading to the proposal of a definition for walk-in process cooling refrigeration equipment. 81 FR at 54934 (August 17, 2016). As described in that document, interested parties requested that DOE clarify the applicability of standards to this equipment as part of the initial standards rulemaking that DOE conducted for developing walk-in performance-based standards. The discussions in that prior rulemaking led DOE to conclude in the June 2014 final rule that equipment used solely for process cooling would not be required to meet the walk-in standards, but that products used for ‘‘both process and storage’’ applications could not categorically be excluded from coverage. 79 FR at 32068 (June 3, 2014). The August 2016 TP NOPR noted also the October 2014 meeting to clarify aspects of the test procedure, during which DOE again stated that blast chillers and blast freezers did not fall within the scope of the energy conservation standards established for walk-ins in the June 2014 final rule. However, DOE acknowledged at the time that it did not have a definition for ‘‘process cooling’’ in the context of walk-ins. (Docket No. EERE–2011–BT–TP–0024, Heatcraft and DOE, Public Meeting Transcript (October 22, 2014), No. 117 at pp. 23, 61–63) The question of process cooling arose again during the Walk-in Working Group meetings, during which meeting participants asked DOE to add definitions to clarify the meaning of process cooling (See Docket No. EERE– VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 2015–BT–STD–0016: Manufacturersubmitted material, No. 6 at p. 2; Lennox, Public Meeting Transcript (August 27, 2015), No. 15 at pp. 96–97; AHRI, Public Meeting Transcript (December 15, 2015), No. 60 at pp. 141– 142; and Term Sheet, No. 56, Recommendation #7) The August 2016 TP NOPR explained that DOE considered process cooling more carefully in light of the Working Group’s request to develop clarifying definitions and concluded that its initial statements in the June 2014 final rule that blast chillers and blast freezers are not walk-ins were in error. DOE observed that, although the EPCA definition refers to a walk-in as an ‘‘enclosed storage space’’, there is no clarity regarding the meaning of ‘‘storage’’ or the minimum duration for an item to remain in an enclosure to be considered in ‘‘storage’’. Hence, DOE now believes that these categories of equipment, referred to as ‘‘process cooling equipment’’ do fall under the EPCA definition for walk-ins and are subject to standards. 81 FR at 54934 (August 17, 2016). The August 2016 TP NOPR went on to discuss DOE’s proposal for defining a walk-in process cooling refrigeration system. DOE specifically developed this proposal, acknowledging the different energy use characteristics of process cooling refrigeration systems as well as their different equipment attributes (as compared to other walk-in refrigeration systems), to exclude such equipment from being subject to walk-in refrigeration system performance standards. (Because DOE now regards process cooling systems as ‘‘walk-in coolers or freezers,’’ they will be subject to the statutory design requirements.) DOE proposed defining a ‘‘walk-in process cooling refrigeration system’’ as ‘‘a refrigeration system that is used exclusively for cooling food or other substances from one temperature to another.’’ 81 FR at 54936 (August 17, 2016). The proposed definition specified that a process cooling refrigeration system must either be (1) distributed in commerce with an enclosure consisting of panels and door(s) such that the assembled product has a refrigerating capacity of at least 100 Btu/h per cubic foot of enclosed internal volume or (2) a unit cooler having an evaporator coil that is at least four-and-one-half (4.5) feet in height and whose height is at least one-andone-half (1.5) times the width. This proposed definition would cover process cooling systems that are distributed in commerce as part of a complete assembly, process cooling unit coolers that are distributed separately PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 from the enclosure, and refrigeration systems that include unit coolers meeting the process cooling definition. 81 FR at 54954 (August 17, 2016). DOE noted in the August 2016 TP NOPR that it proposed to consider process cooling refrigerated insulated enclosures to be walk-ins that are subject to the prescriptive statutory requirements for walk-ins. DOE also notes that its discussion and proposals focused on process cooling refrigeration systems rather than the panels and doors that make up the insulated enclosure. Hence, DOE intended the exclusions associated with the proposals to apply only to refrigeration systems that meet the process cooling definition, and that the exclusions would be associated with walk-in refrigeration system performance standards. Id. at 54934–54936. DOE also provided a table in the test procedure NOPR public meeting presentation to clarify its interpretation of the applicability of walk-in standards to different components of process cooling equipment. (Docket No. EERE–2016– BT–TP–0030, Public Meeting Presentation, No. 3 at p. 30) This table indicated that the proposed exclusion for process cooling refrigeration systems would apply to, among other things, dedicated condensing units that are exclusively distributed in commerce with unit coolers meeting the unit cooler portion of the process cooling definition. DOE noted in the test procedure final rule that this exclusion was not explicit in the proposed definition and was clarifying it to explicitly include such dedicated condensing units in the definition. 81 FR at 95768 (December 28, 2016). Importance of Coverage for Process Cooling Equipment DOE explained in the August 2016 TP NOPR the reasons it believed that walkin process cooling equipment should be considered to be covered under the walk-in definition. See 81 FR at 54934– 54936 (August 17, 2016). In the test procedure final rule, DOE ultimately concluded that this equipment should be covered as walk-in equipment. 81 FR at 95771 (December, 28, 2016). In DOE’s view, covering this equipment as a class of walk-ins is important in furthering DOE’s goals for reducing and limiting energy use because this equipment represents a growing sector of the refrigeration industry. Process cooling equipment emerged on the market relatively recently in 1990 to serve a range of food sales and service applications. (Master-Bilt Blast Chillers, No. 25 at pp. 2, 3, 10) The global blast chiller market is expected to grow by an E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations estimated 4.62% per year from 2016– 2020 and North America is expected to remain a dominant portion of this market.20 This growth is the expected result of increased demand in the food service industry (e.g., restaurants, bakeries, catering) and meat processing industry and growth in the frozen food market.21 Hence, DOE believes that there will be a robust market for process cooling equipment to serve this growing market need, and that there is a large potential growth in energy use associated with this market. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Process Cooling Equipment Status as Walk-In Equipment Many commenters argued in response to the August 2016 TP NOPR that process cooling equipment does not fall under the walk-in definition. Several of these comments argued that food is not ‘‘stored’’ in this equipment and/or the temperature within it is not ‘‘held’’ at a given temperature for storage purposes. AHRI, Manitowoc, KeepRite, Rheem, and Hussmann stated that process refrigeration systems are not used for storage and therefore do not satisfy the statutory definition for a walk-in as an ‘‘enclosed storage space.’’ (Docket No. EERE–2016–BT–TP–0030; AHRI, No. 11 at p. 5; Manitowoc, No. 10 at p. 3; KeepRite, No. 17 at p. 2; Rheem, No. 18 at p. 3; Hussmann, No. 20 at p. 4) Similarly, Zero Zone argued that the purpose of process refrigeration systems conflicts with the dictionary definition of ‘‘storage.’’ (Docket No. EERE–2016– BT–TP–0030, Zero Zone, No. 15 at p. 1) American Panel also explained that product could be dehydrated and damaged if left in the process cooling equipment for an extended period of time. In its view, this fact should disqualify process cooling equipment from being considered as storage space—one of the key elements of the walk-in definition. (Docket No. EERE– 2016–BT–TP–0030, American Panel, No. 7 at p. 1) AHRI added that the Term Sheet included the recommendation that DOE define process cooling for the purpose of clarifying that process cooling equipment are not included in the scope of WICFs. (Docket No. EERE– 2016–BT–TP–0030, AHRI, No. 11 at p. 5) 20 Infinity Research Limited (Technavio), Global Commercial Blast Chillers Market 2016–2020; Published November 2016; Accessed November 2016 at www.technavio.com/report/globalmiscellaneous-global-commercial-blast-chillersmarket-2016-2020. 21 Hexa Research, Frozen Food Market Analysis By Product (Ready Meals, Meat, Seafood, Fruits & Vegetables, Potatoes, Soup) And Segment Forecasts To 2020; Published November 2014; Accessed November 2016 at www.hexaresearch.com/ research-report/frozen-food-industry/. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 Commenters reiterated many of these statements in response to the September 2016 NOPR. Hussmann, Zero Zone, Manitowoc, Rheem, and AHRI argued that process cooling refrigeration systems do not fit the EPCA definition of a WICF ‘‘enclosed storage space.’’ (42 U.S.C. 6311 (20)). Manitowoc, Rheem, and AHRI also stated that the inclusion of these equipment was not discussed in the ASRAC negotiations and requested that process cooling refrigeration systems be removed from the scope of the WICF test procedure and be specifically excluded from the WICF energy conservation standard and the EPCA prescriptive requirements. (Hussmann, No. 83 at p. 2; Zero Zone, No. 88 at p. 1; Manitowoc, No. 82 at pp. 1–2; Rheem, No. 91 at p. 2; AHRI, No. 90 at p. 2) Conversely, the CA IOUs supported classifying process cooling equipment as WICF equipment, which would require the refrigeration systems, panels, and doors of process cooling equipment to meet the prescriptive standards set by EISA 2007. Further, they supported applying the June 2014 final rule WICF standards and the proposed standards to process cooling panels, doors, and dedicated condensing units not sold as part of a ‘‘matched pair’’ with a unit cooler. (CA IOUs, No. 80 at p. 2) (The R-value requirements for panels and doors are carry-overs from EISA 2007.) EPCA defines ‘‘walk-in cooler’’ and ‘‘walk-in freezer’’ as an enclosed storage space refrigerated to temperatures, respectively, above, and at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit that can be walked into, and has a total chilled storage area of less than 3,000 square feet. (42 U.S.C. 6311(20)(A)) While EPCA does not define the component terms ‘‘storage’’ or ‘‘can be walked into’’ used in the walk-in definition, it does expressly exclude certain equipment from the definition (i.e. equipment designed and marketed exclusively for medical, scientific, or research purposes). (42 U.S.C. 6311(20)(B)) Commenters appear to be arguing that a unit must hold contents for some minimum time-period to meet the ‘‘storage’’ element of the definition but offered no suggested time period for DOE to consider in applying this definition. The statutory definition of ‘‘walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer’’ does not indicate a specific timing requirement or provide further information about when the use of a space constitutes storage. Further, although dictionary definitions of ‘‘storage’’ indicate that the contents be kept for some period of time, no specific PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 31825 period is provided.22 As noted in the August 2016 TP NOPR, the Working Group recommended that DOE define ‘‘storage space’’—which suggests that the term is ambiguous. 81 FR at 54934 (August 17, 2016). DOE acknowledges that the role of a process cooler or freezer is to chill food rapidly (to approach the temperature of the cooler or freezer, respectively), and one could interpret ‘‘storage space’’ to mean a space the primary purpose of which is storage. However, that understanding of ‘‘storage space’’ would be incongruous in the context of walk-in coolers and freezers. The purpose of such equipment is not simply storage per se, like a warehouse; it is storage at cold temperatures. Storage at cold temperatures necessarily encompasses chilling the items to be stored until they reach the temperature of the storage space, because items are rarely at exactly the storage temperature when they arrive to a walk-in cooler or freezer. A process cooler or freezer chills items more quickly than many walk-ins, but DOE regards that difference as being a difference in degree, not a fundamental difference in kind that makes a process cooler ‘‘chilling’’ equipment and not ‘‘storage’’ equipment. DOE notes that Recommendation #7 from WICF Term Sheet (which contains the only mention of process cooling in the Term Sheet) recommended that DOE add ‘‘WICF specific definitions for process cooling, preparation room refrigeration, and storage space.’’ (Term Sheet, No. 56 at p. 3) This recommendation does not state that these categories of equipment are excluded from the scope of WICFs. In fact, a comment received in response to the initial 2013 notice of proposed rulemaking for energy conservation standards stated that process cooling equipment would appear to fall within the walk-in definition. (Docket No. EERE–2008–BT–STD–0015, Hussmann, No. 93 at pp. 2, 8–9) In re-examining that comment, along with other information and materials since the publication of the June 2014 final rule, DOE has reconsidered its prior views on process cooling equipment. As noted in the August 2016 TP NOPR, contents are placed in process 22 ‘‘Storage: 1. The act of storing; state or fact of being stored. 2. capacity or space for storing. 3. a place, as a room or building, for storing. 4. Computers. memory (def 11). 5. the price charged for storing goods.’’ en.oxforddictionaries.com/ definition/storage. ‘‘Storage: 1a: Space or a place for storing b: An amount stored c: Memory; 2a: The act of storing: The state of being stored; especially: The safekeeping of goods in a depository (as a warehouse) b: The price charged for keeping goods in a storehouse.’’ www.merriam-webster.com/ dictionary/storage. E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 31826 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations cooling equipment for at least a brief period of time to reduce their temperature. 81 FR at 54934 (August 17, 2016). When asked during the public meeting how long the products remain in a process cooling system when they are being cooled, American Panel noted that, although the Food and Drug Administration and NSF International have recommended maximum processing times, there is no industryspecified minimum or maximum processing duration for blast chillers or blast freezers. (Docket No. EERE–2016– BT–TP–0030, American Panel, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 23 at p. 48) DOE notes that the 2013 FDA Food Code requires that food starting at 135 °F be cooled to 70 °F within 2 hours and to 41 °F within 6 hours (FDA 2013 Food Code, Chapter 3, Section 501.14(A)), while NSF requires that rapid pulldown refrigerators and freezers be able to reduce food temperature from 135 °F to 40 °F in 4-hours. (NSF/ANSI 7–2009, section 10.5.1) These time periods differ significantly and are substantially longer than the 90-minute pulldown times discussed in the June 2014 final rule. (79 FR at 32068 (June 3, 2014)). This observation underscores American Panel’s statement that there is no standard maximum processing time. Also, while DOE recognizes that product may remain in process cooling equipment for a short period of time, this fact alone does not necessarily clarify that the equipment cannot be considered to have a storage function. The period of time a product can be held in a cooler or freezer without sustaining some damage can be expected to vary product by product, depending on a variety of factors including, whether the product is chilled or frozen, its packaging when inserted into the equipment (e.g., what type and size container it is in, whether or not it is covered, etc.), moisture content, size of the individual food pieces, and other factors. Commenters did not provide any indication of how long food products can remain in process cooling equipment after completion of cooldown before they must be removed to avoid damage— hence, making it difficult to draw clear distinctions between residence time in this equipment and lengths of time that would be associated with ‘‘storage.’’ Absent a definitive time-period to delineate the use of space as storage space, DOE considered the design and operation of process cooling equipment with other equipment falling within the WICF definition. DOE considers that design and operation are reflective of the function of equipment (i.e., whether VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 it constitutes storage space) because these two elements are necessary components in determining the function or purpose of a given type of equipment. Manitowoc and AHRI argued in response to the August 2016 TP NOPR that the panels and doors used by process cooling systems are not the same as those used in other WICF systems and therefore the WICF prescriptive requirements should not apply. (Docket No. EERE–2016–BT–TP– 0030, Manitowoc, No. 10 at p. 3; AHRI, No. 11 at p. 5) Manitowoc and AHRI did not clarify how the panels and doors are different, and provided no indication that process coolers needed specific utility features that would justify the use of different efficiency levels or be the basis for relief from the performance requirements that are already in place. DOE notes that this discussion of panels and doors did not provide any clarity as to whether process cooling equipment provides any storage function. In the context of blast chillers, American Panel noted that while the panels and doors for this equipment were similar to those used in other walk-ins, the refrigeration systems used in blast chillers are designed and used very differently from walk-ins—a fact that, in its view, necessitated that these (and similar process cooling equipment) be treated separately from walk-ins. (Docket No. EERE–2016–BT–TP–0030, American Panel, No. 7 at p. 1) American Panel did not clarify how the refrigeration systems are designed differently, in spite of DOE’s request for data or information on the qualities, characteristics, or features specific to the refrigeration system that would cause a process refrigeration system to be unable to meet a walk-in refrigeration system standard. See 81 FR at 54950 (August 17, 2016). American Panel, however, asserted that blast chillers and shock freezers differ from walk-ins in that they have an on/off switch, they do not reach a stable condition until the pulldown cycle ends, either automatically or manually, and they rely on the user to stop and restart the cycle. (Docket No. EERE– 2016–BT–TP–0030, American Panel, No. 7 at p. 1) In its view, all of these features differed from the operation of walk-ins, which typically operate continuously and independent of user action, being connected to power at all times. DOE notes that this description of refrigeration equipment operation also applies to other walk-in systems. The walk-in refrigeration system is sized so that its capacity is greater than the walkin box load. Equation 1, for example, in AHRI 1250–2009, indicates that the box load for a walk-in is 70 percent of the PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 net refrigeration system capacity at the design temperature for conditions outside the box. Hence, a walk-in refrigeration system does not achieve steady state operation—it relies on a thermostat to shut the system off at the desired internal temperature (e.g., 35 °F for a walk-in cooler) as the refrigeration system is pulling down temperature to what would be a lower steady-state temperature. As American Panel indicated, a process cooling system does not reach stable operation until the pulldown cycle has ended and an automatic control may end the cycle to transition the system from the pulldown cycle into stable operation. This ending of the pulldown with an automatic control is the same as a walk-in system’s pulldown cycle ending by a thermostat. Hence, in DOE’s view, American Panel’s observations do not provide a clear distinction between process cooling and other walk-in equipment since the fundamental operational characteristics remain the same. American Panel also contended that, because a blast chiller’s operation changes continuously and the equipment exhibits no stable operating condition, it cannot be tested to a rated AWEF and a test procedure cannot be applied. (Docket No. EERE–2016–BT– TP–0030, American Panel, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 23 at pp. 46–47, 56, 78) American Panel added that, if the test procedure were to be updated to include blast chiller performance testing, the food industry would support using NSF’s testing methods for rapid pulldown refrigeration as a starting point. (Docket No. EERE–2016–BT–TP– 0030, American Panel, No. 07 at p. 2) DOE notes first that a performancebased test procedure requiring steady state operation is not necessary for process cooling refrigeration systems, because equipment meeting the definition is excluded from the walk-in refrigeration system performance standards,23 and, hence, a method for measuring AWEF for such equipment is not needed. However, DOE notes also that a blast chiller refrigeration system appears to have no steady operating condition because its capacity is so much larger per insulated box internal volume than for other walk-ins. Once the products have been pulled down to the specified temperature, the walls of the box do not transmit sufficient load to prevent the internal box temperature from dropping further—i.e. the box does 23 DOE notes that this exclusion does not apply to condensing units distributed in commerce individually, because, as discussed elsewhere in this section, they are indistinguishable from other walk-in refrigeration systems. E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations not absorb enough heat to prevent its interior from becoming colder. If the same refrigeration system were serving a much larger box, the internal temperature may very well stabilize to a steady-state operating temperature. Conducting a test to determine the system’s AWEF would require testing the equipment with a test chamber whose indoor-room conditioning system has enough heating capacity to balance the refrigeration system’s cooling capacity. Hence, the difference between a process cooling refrigeration system and other walk-in refrigeration systems is a function of the magnitude of capacity, rather than any fundamental difference in the operation of the equipment. While the magnitude of capacity is relevant to how quickly a unit lowers the temperature of its contents, and may be instructive as to the duration of storage, it does not inform the fundamental consideration of whether a unit provides any storage. Process cooling equipment such as blast chillers and blast freezers, despite any asserted differences, have several characteristics in common with more conventional walk-ins that make them capable of serving the function of refrigerated product storage. These characteristics include having an insulated enclosure made of insulated panels and a door (or doors) sufficiently large that the enclosure can be walked into, and being cooled with a refrigeration system consisting of a dedicated condensing unit and a refrigerant evaporator that operates using forced convection heat transfer (i.e., enhanced by air movement created by a fan). The panels and doors are fabricated with a sheet metal exterior shell around insulation that serves as a thermal barrier. The panels and/or door may also have a multi-pane window to allow viewing of the interior of the enclosure from the outside. The doors have hinges or another mechanism to allow opening for access to the enclosure interior, with a latching mechanism to ensure positive closure when shut. The refrigeration system can operate to cool the enclosure to refrigerated temperatures. Product can be placed in the refrigerated enclosure. If the product is not already at the temperature of the internal refrigerated space, the product’s temperature will drop, approaching the temperature of the interior, due to transfer of heat to the air within the enclosure; otherwise the product temperature remains at the average internal temperature until removed from the enclosure. As discussed above, while some of the details of the design of such systems VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 differ from other walk-ins, these equipment generally resemble all walkins and are capable of serving the function of refrigerated product storage. AHRI, Manitowoc, and Rheem also asserted that process cooling equipment is inconsistent with the term ‘‘walk-in’’ because a person cannot walk into a process cooling enclosure during operation. (Docket No. EERE–2016–BT– TP–0030, AHRI, No. 11 at p. 5; Manitowoc, No. 10 at p. 3; Rheem, No. 18 at p. 3) However, DOE notes that the walk-in definition does not specify when the equipment can be walked into—it simply states that the equipment must be one ‘‘that can be walked into.’’ (42 U.S.C. 6311(20)(A)) In interpreting the ‘‘walk-in cooler and freezer’’ definition, DOE also considered the terms in the context of EPCA’s WICF provisions as a whole. EPCA establishes a number of prescriptive requirements for WICFs. (42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(1)) While not dispositive, none of the prescriptive requirements conflicts with including process cooling equipment as a class of walk-in. Additionally, Congress has already spoken to the groups of equipment that are excluded from the walk-in definition by listing specific equipment (i.e., ones designed and marketed exclusively for medical, scientific, or research purposes) that would be walk-ins. (42 U.S.C. 6311(20)(B)) Process cooling equipment is not part of this listing, which suggests that Congress did not contemplate that this equipment would be excluded from being treated as a class of walk-in equipment. In consideration of these factors, DOE has determined that process cooling equipment falls within the EPCA definition of ‘‘walk-in cooler’’ and ‘‘walk-in freezer.’’ While products may not be able to be stored in process cooling equipment on a long-term basis, products are still stored in process cooling equipment at least for the duration they are cooled. If Congress had intended to limit the application of the walk-in definition to include only long-term storage, it could have done so when crafting the final language of the statute. Congress, in fact, did not limit what comprises storage space. Moreover, when comparing the design and function of process cooling equipment with other WICFs, DOE was unable to determine a distinction with regard to storage. AHRI, Manitowoc, KeepRite, Rheem, and Hussmann argued that including process cooling equipment in the definitions of walk-in cooler and walkin freezer would be inconsistent with DOE’s proposed definition for PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 31827 refrigerated storage space, ‘‘as space held at refrigerated temperatures’’ since process cooling equipment does not hold a specific temperature but changes the temperature of the contents. (Docket No. EERE–2016–BT–TP–0030, AHRI, No. 11 at p. 5; Manitowoc, No. 10 at p. 3; KeepRite, No. 17 at p. 2; Rheem, No. 18 at p. 3; Hussmann, No. 20 at p. 4) DOE notes that comments submitted by Bally describe process cooling equipment as operating at ‘‘cold temperatures (min. of 5 °F)’’ and having ‘‘doors [that] must stay condensate free while the air temperature is at 5 °F.’’ (Docket No. EERE–2016–BT–TP–0030, Bally, No. 22 at p. 1) These descriptions suggest control of temperature within the blast chiller is held at the minimum 5 °F—in other words, the interior is held at a temperature near 5 °F. This fact suggests that process cooling equipment can (and do) hold temperatures, contrary to the comments. Nevertheless, DOE notes that the proposed definition for refrigerated storage space as ‘‘space held at refrigerated temperatures’’ does not require that the temperature be held at a discrete constant value—instead, it only requires that the space is held at a temperature consistent with ‘‘refrigerated,’’ i.e., ‘‘held at a temperature at or below 55 °F’’. The spaces within blast chillers and freezers are held below 55 °F and, thus are consistent with the definition of ‘‘refrigerated storage space.’’ NAFEM also weighed in on this issue generally, arguing that blast chillers should not be considered within the scope of the walk-in definition because there is no appropriate test procedure for blast chillers. (Docket No. EERE– 2016–BT–TP–0030, NAFEM, No. 14 at p. 1) However, EPCA’s walk-in definition does not stipulate that its scope extends only to equipment for which there is a test procedure. In fact, EPCA mandated prescriptive standards for walk-ins that took effect (on January 1, 2009, see 42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(1)) before DOE finalized a test procedure on April 15, 2011 for measuring a given unit’s energy efficiency. 76 FR 21580. Similarly, in response to American Panel’s comment that a process cooling refrigeration system is not a walk-in because it cannot be rated with an AWEF, satisfaction of the separate statutory prescriptive requirements specified in the statute (e.g. use of certain componentry, satisfaction of certain thermal insulation thresholds for doors and panels, and installation of devices to minimize infiltration) have no direct bearing on the AWEF value of a given refrigeration system. Hence, the question of whether a given walk-in E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 31828 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations refrigeration system can be rated with this metric has no bearing on whether the equipment is a walk-in. Manitowoc, Rheem, and AHRI also noted that an ASHRAE Special Project Committee (‘‘SPC’’) has been formed to draft a relevant testing standard titled, ‘‘Method of Testing for (Rating) Small Commercial Blast Chillers, Chiller/ Freezers, and Freezers.’’ They argued that in light of this work, it is premature to define process cooling systems while this new industry standard is still under development. (Docket No. EERE–2016– BT–TP–0030, Manitowoc, No. 10 at p. 3; Rheem, No. 18 at p. 3; AHRI, No. 11 at p. 5) DOE notes that the WICF Working Group, which included Manitowoc and Rheem, requested that DOE develop a definition for process cooling. Before the finalization of the WICF Term Sheet on December 15, 2015, DOE was not aware of any announcement from ASHRAE SPC regarding the start of its work. Nevertheless, the SPC has not finished its work, and the commenters did not provide any indication of what equipment definitions the SPC is considering. Accordingly, DOE has finalized its definition in the manner proposed, based on the industry input provided. DOE may consider revising its ‘‘process cooling’’ definition if necessary once the ASHRAE rating method for blast chillers, chiller/ freezers, and freezers is complete. Finally, DOE notes that the CA IOUs supported treating process cooling as a subset category of WICF equipment. Further, they supported requiring process cooling panels, doors, and dedicated condensing units not sold as part of a ‘‘matched-pair with a unit cooler’’ to meet the June 2014 final rule WICF standards and the proposed standards under consideration. (Docket No. EERE–2016–BT–TP–0030, CA IOUs, No. 21 at p. 2) As described in the August 2016 TP NOPR, DOE concluded that while process cooling enclosures that resemble walk-ins are within the scope of walk-ins, it proposed to exclude some of the refrigeration systems of these process cooler walk-ins from the performance-based standards established and in development for WICF refrigeration systems. 81 FR at 54934–54937 (August 17, 2016). For the reasons described earlier, DOE has not revised its proposed approach after review of the comments, and believes that its definition, as adopted in the December 2016 TP final rule, satisfies the recommendations of the Working Group Term Sheet. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 Distinguishing Characteristics of Process Cooling Refrigeration Systems DOE received few comments regarding the distinguishing characteristics proposed for process cooling refrigeration systems. In fact, only one of the commenters mentioned any characteristic of the refrigeration system condensing unit of a process cooling system that might distinguish it from the equipment serving other walkins—Bally commented that the condensing units are not unique to blast chillers, except with respect to extra receiver capacity. (Docket No. EERE– 2016–BT–TP–0030, Bally, No. 22 at p. 1) However, DOE would not consider a larger receiver to be a sufficient difference to distinguish these condensing units since using a larger receiver would not affect steady state energy use as measured by the test procedure, since the receiver itself does not consume energy and does not contribute significantly to the heat transfer function of the condenser. Furthermore, there is a range of refrigerant receiver capacities used in walk-in refrigeration systems and it is not clear that there is an appropriate receiver capacity threshold that would indicate that a condensing unit is used for process cooling rather than for other walk-in functions—neither Bally nor other commenters suggested such a threshold value. Consequently, DOE would not consider a larger receiver to distinguish process cooling condensing units. Absent any other clear distinguishing feature, DOE must conclude that the condensing units used for process cooling are no different than those used for other walk-ins. Lennox recommended that the evaporator coil height, width, and depth be defined on a diagram accompanying the proposed definition to prevent a misinterpretation of the dimensions. (Docket No. EERE–2016–BT–TP–0030, Lennox, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 23 at p. 40) Lennox provided a diagram to illustrate this in its written comments (Docket No. EERE–2016–BT–TP–0030, Lennox, No. 13 at p. 8) In reviewing this diagram, DOE agreed that the dimensions shown in the provided diagram are consistent with the proposed definition’s intent and agrees that a diagram would be useful to clarify the applicable dimensions. Accordingly, the test procedure final rule incorporates a diagram based on the one submitted by Lennox to clarify the process cooling definition. 81 FR at 95772 (December 28, 2016). With respect to blast freezers, Bally noted that some of these equipment use horizontally-oriented evaporator units PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 and some non-process cooling refrigeration systems chill their contents using a circular pattern. In its view, because of the absence of any standard orientation or chilling pattern for process cooling and non-process cooling refrigeration systems, these design characteristics are not useful for differentiating process refrigeration systems. (Docket No. EERE–2016–BT– TP–0030, Bally, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 23 at pp. 41–42) DOE notes that a horizontally-oriented evaporator that is not part of a unit cooler as defined would not be subject to the unit cooler standards, nor would it, as a matched pair with a dedicated condensing unit, be subject to the dedicated condensing unit standards. In order to clarify the extension of this exclusion to matched pairs including such evaporators, DOE has modified the process cooling refrigeration system definition to explicitly list dedicated condensing units that are distributed in commerce exclusively with evaporators that are not unit coolers. 81 FR at 95772 (December 28, 2016). Alternatively, Bally suggested that airflow rate may be a good characteristic for differentiating process refrigeration systems from other walk-in refrigeration systems. (Docket No. EERE–2016–BT– TP–0030, Bally, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 23 at p. 44) American Panel expressed concern with the use of a cooling capacity per enclosed volume rating to differentiate process cooling equipment because the equipment may be used to process different quantities or densities of product at different times— a condition which may prevent a given blast chiller from satisfying a definition based on cooling capacity per enclosed volume. (Docket No. EERE–2016–BT– TP–0030, American Panel, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 23 at pp. 38–39) DOE had considered airflow rate or air velocity to distinguish process cooling evaporators, noting that evaporator fan power, velocity, or air flow of a unit cooler could be atypically high for a number of reasons, including the use of inefficient fans or motors, long air ‘‘throw’’ distance, and other factors. (See 81 FR at 54936 (August 17, 2016)) For example, DOE’s investigation of evaporator fan horsepower showed that the horsepower for process cooling evaporator fans, although generally higher than for other walk-in evaporators, is not always higher than all such other walk-in evaporators—a potential overlapping fact that lessens the value of using horsepower as a clear distinguishing characteristic. Hence, DOE concluded that there would be too much overlap with other WICF unit E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations coolers on the basis of these parameters. DOE notes that Bally’s submission did not provide sufficient information or data that would support the use of a specific air flow rate on which DOE could rely that would serve as the basis for distinguishing process coolers from other walk-in refrigeration systems. With respect to American Panel’s concerns, DOE notes that its comments provided no alternative value of cooling load per volume for DOE to consider that would enable one to readily distinguish process cooling refrigeration systems from non-process cooling refrigeration systems. While American Panel seems to suggest that the capacity of the refrigeration system would depend on the load inserted into a process cooler, DOE disagrees, because the capacity cited in the proposed definition is the refrigeration system’s net capacity when determined in a manner consistent with the prescribed walk-in test conditions—this capacity depends on the refrigeration system characteristics, not on how much product is being cooled. Specifically, when testing a condensing unit alone, the test calls for maintaining certain operating conditions (see, e.g., tables 11 through 14 of AHRI 1250–2009, which specify air and refrigerant entering conditions and refrigerant exiting subcooling condition, but nothing about the quantity of product being cooled). No commenters provided specific suggestions regarding the appropriateness of the proposed 100 Btu/h per cubic foot, i.e., what lower value would be more appropriate. Additionally, commenters provided no other suggestions regarding more appropriate distinguishing characteristics to use for process cooling refrigeration systems, and none provided specific quantified values for recommended parameters to use in the definition. Hence, DOE is largely adopting the approach contained in its proposed definition. However, to address the comments regarding the inconsistency of the ‘‘storage’’ aspect of walk-ins with the pulldown of product temperature in process cooling equipment, DOE will modify the definition to identify refrigeration systems that are ‘‘capable of rapidly cooling food or other substances’’ rather than systems that are ‘‘used exclusively’’ for this purpose. Also, in order to clarify that the enclosure that uses these refrigeration systems is insulated, DOE will insert ‘‘insulated’’ before the word ‘‘enclosure’’ in the definition. KPS raised concern regarding the precision of the process cooling definition, indicating that ‘‘blast VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 chillers’’ and ‘‘blast freezers’’ are used by customers and manufacturers to describe a range of product types. (Docket No. EERE–2016–BT–TP–0030, KPS, No. 8 at p. 1) KPS did not, however, elaborate on what other types of equipment should be addressed (or excluded) by DOE’s proposed definition. DOE is aware, for example, of blast chillers and freezers that are smaller than walk-ins and that might be considered ‘‘reach-in process cooling equipment,’’ i.e., process cooling equipment which the user reaches into rather than walks into to insert or remove product. This terminology is consistent with the term ‘‘reach-in’’ used with commercial refrigeration equipment (see, e.g., Double Door Refrigerator, No. 93) However, DOE is not concerned that such equipment would be confused with walk-in process cooling equipment, because such reachin equipment cannot be walked into. Impact on Refrigeration System Energy Conservation Standards As discussed above, process cooling refrigeration systems generally are not subject to the energy conservation system standards that are the subject of this final rule notice. DOE explicitly established the process cooling refrigeration system definition in acknowledgement that the energy use of these systems may not be adequately represented by the AWEF metric used to represent the efficiency of other walk-in refrigeration systems. Consequently, this equipment has little bearing on the analysis conducted for this rulemaking or the efficiency levels considered as potential standard levels. Nevertheless, walk-in process cooling equipment is subject to other standards, notably the EPCA prescriptive design standards and the standards for panels and doors as prescribed by the June 2014 final rule. b. Preparation Room Refrigeration Systems Hussmann, Zero Zone, Manitowoc, Rheem, and AHRI argued that preparation room refrigeration systems do not fit the EPCA definition of a WICF ‘‘enclosed storage space.’’ (42 U.S.C. 6311 (20)). Manitowoc, Rheem, and AHRI also stated that the inclusion of these equipment was not discussed in the ASRAC negotiations and requested that preparation room refrigeration systems be removed from the scope of the WICF test procedure and be specifically excluded from the WICF energy conservation standard and the EPCA prescriptive requirements. (Hussmann, No. 83 at p. 2; Zero Zone, No. 88 at p. 1 Manitowoc, No. 82 at pp. 1–2; Rheem, No. 91 at p. 2; AHRI, No. PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 31829 90 at p. 2) Stakeholders expressed similar comments in response to the August 2016 TP NOPR. DOE responded to these comments in the December 2016 TP final rule, providing extensive discussion supporting its position, and concluding that preparation room refrigeration systems are indistinguishable from other walk-in refrigeration systems, and hence are subject to the walk-in refrigeration system energy conservation standards. 81 FR at 95773–95774 (December 28, 2016). c. Single-Package Dedicated System The CA IOUs agreed that AHRI 1250– 2009 is an appropriate test procedure for ‘‘packaged dedicated systems’’ and suggested the term ‘‘packaged dedicated system’’ be changed to ‘‘single-package dedicated system’’ or ‘‘self-contained units,’’ in order to improve clarity and align regulatory and industry language. (CA IOUs, No. 80 at pp. 2–3) Conversely, Manitowoc, Rheem, and AHRI argued that packaged dedicated units be excluded from the scope of the WICF test procedure and specifically excluded from EPCA’s prescriptive design requirements and energy conservation standards because their proposed inclusion was neither discussed in the ASRAC negotiations nor a part of the Term Sheet approved by the Working Group. (Manitowoc, No. 82 at pp. 1–2; Rheem, No. 91 at p. 2; AHRI, No. 90 at p. 2) DOE notes that section 2.1 of AHRI 1250–2009 states that the scope of this testing standard ‘‘applies to mechanical refrigeration equipment consisting of an integrated single package refrigeration unit [emphasis added], or separate unit cooler and condensing unit sections, where the condensing section can be located either outdoor or indoor.’’ AHRI 1250–2009, section 2.1. DOE agreed that the suggested use of the term ‘‘single-package dedicated refrigeration system’’ would provide further clarity, indicating much more precisely what this equipment is, and is consistent with the approach used for air-conditioning units. DOE adopted the suggested term from the CA–IOUs in its December 2016 TP final rule. 81 FR at 95764 (December 28, 2016). DOE notes that the definition for ‘‘refrigeration system’’ was established in the context of walk-ins to include ‘‘(1) A packaged dedicated system where the unit cooler and condensing unit are integrated into a single piece of equipment’’ in its April 15, 2011 final rule establishing test procedures for WICFs. 73 FR at 21605. In DOE’s view, packaged systems are walk-in refrigeration systems and are subject to E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31830 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations the applicable prescriptive standards established by Congress through EISA 2007 along with the performance standards that DOE prescribes for these systems.24 DOE notes that this view is not restricted to DOE, as two manufacturers confirmed that a singlepackage refrigeration system is a type of dedicated condensing system on two occasions during the Working Group meetings. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT– STD–0016; Lennox, Public Meeting Transcript (October 16, 2015), No. 63 at pp. 249–251; Rheem, Public Meeting Transcript (December 3, 2015), No. 57 at p. 157). Also, DOE notes that the Term Sheet included no indication that these systems are excluded. (Term Sheet, No. 56) Thus, DOE disagrees that these systems are not considered to be WICF refrigeration systems subject to WICF standards, including the prescriptive standards mandated by EPCA. d. Hot Gas Defrost sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Lennox agreed with the removal of the hot gas defrost credit from the test procedure, and recommended that, as a replacement for this removal, that DOE adopt an approach where hot gas defrost models would be assigned the AWEF value of an equivalent electric defrost model. Lennox defined an equivalent electric defrost model as one within +/ ¥ 10% of the net capacity of the rated hot gas model. If an equivalent electric defrost model is not available, Lennox recommended that an AEDM could be used to determine a hot gas model’s AWEF rating. (Lennox, No. 89 at pp. 5–6) DOE also received numerous comments regarding the treatment of hot gas defrost units in response to the test procedure NOPR, several of which recommended similar or identical approaches. DOE discussed these comments and responded to them in the test procedure final rule, establishing an approach that includes testing such units as if they are electric defrost units, using standardized energy and defrost thermal load contributions in the AWEF calculations. 81 FR at 95774–95777 (December 28, 2016). 24 With respect to these prescriptive requirements, DOE notes that the relevant statutory provision does not indicate that the promulgation of performance standards supplants those standards that Congress already mandated through its enactment of EISA 2007. Accordingly, because there is no explicit authority in this instance for DOE to override a statutorily-prescribed standard, the initial design requirements established by Congress continue to apply. See 42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(1)–(5) (detailing prescriptive design requirements for certain walk-in components and the process by which DOE must prescribe separate walk-in performance-based standards). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 e. High-Temperature Freezers Lennox requested that DOE allow manufacturers to publish application ratings of medium temperature condensing units to cover the high temperature freezer application range (room temperature of 10 °F to 32 °F) and allow sale for that use. Due to the limitations of low-GWP refrigerants approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (‘‘EPA’s’’) Significant New Alternatives Policy (‘‘SNAP’’), Lennox noted that only medium temperature condensing units are able to operate in this range and thus preventing manufacturers from selling these units for this application would violate EPCA’s mandate that a new standard shall not result in the unavailability of any product type, features, sizes, capacities and volumes (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(4)). Further, it suggested that such a limitation would lessen ‘‘the utility or performance’’ of this equipment (as contemplated under 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(IV)) because in today’s marketplace, manufacturers publish application data for medium temperature condensing units covering this application range. Lennox also argued that creating a new equipment class or allowing test procedure waivers for these cases will add to manufacturer burden (i.e., additional testing, certification, and marketing costs) without passing any benefit along to customers or improving energy efficiency performance. Finally, Lennox provided test data for 12 medium temperature and 11 low temperature condensing units showing that the medium temperature units actually achieve a higher AWEF value than the low temperature units when operating at the 10 °F test condition. In its view, allowing manufacturers to market and sell their medium temperature units for this application range may actually result in better energy efficiency performance. (Lennox, No. 89 at pp. 2–5) As explained in the test procedure final rule, DOE requires that equipment that is distributed in commerce consistent with the definitions for multiple equipment classes must be certified for all such classes. 81 FR 95791 (December 28, 2016). Lennox’s assertions regarding the potential lessening of utility or performance or the unavailability of any product type, features, sizes, capacities and volumes are undercut by the available data, which show that all of the equipment performance projections—including those provided in Lennox’s comments— exceed the minimum AWEF standard proposed by DOE by a large margin (i.e., PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 have a higher energy efficiency performance than the proposed standard). (Lennox, No. 89 at p. 4) Hence, the proposed (and final) standard’s stringency will not make these equipment unavailable or reduce their utility. 3. Rulemaking Timeline DOE issued the test procedure final rule on December 2, 2016. DOE issued the energy conservation standard NOPR on August 30, 2016 and published it on September 13, 2016. 81 FR 62980. The comment period for the energy conservation standard NOPR closed on November 14, 2016. AHRI, Hussmann and Zero Zone commented on DOE’s timeline in conducting concurrent test procedure and energy conservation standard rulemakings. (Docket No. EERE–2015– BT–STD–0016, AHRI, No. 90, at pp. 2– 3; Hussmann, No. 83, at p. 2; Zero Zone, No. 88, at p. 1) Hussmann stated that overlapping NOPRs and comment review periods are not adequate. Zero Zone suggested that DOE should not finalize energy conservation standard levels until the test procedure is finalized. AHRI expressed concern that the concurrent rulemakings present a challenge to stakeholders commenting on both proposals. AHRI indicated its view that DOE’s proposal is different from the Working Group Term Sheet. Further, AHRI reiterated its requests that DOE’s test procedure should exclude ‘‘packaged units,’’ ‘‘process refrigeration systems’’ and ‘‘preparation room refrigeration systems’’ and amend the proposed standards to specifically exclude these equipment from coverage under those standards. As described in Section II.A, the negotiated rulemaking that led to the Term Sheet setting out the standards that DOE is adopting in this final rule also produced recommendations (with ASRAC’s approval) that DOE modify its test procedure for walk-in refrigeration systems. The test procedure changes at issue specifically address the Term Sheet recommendations, i.e., that DOE amend the test procedure to clarify the scope of equipment classes covered by the regulations, (Term Sheet Recommendations #1 and #7, No. 56 at pp. 1–3), and remove from the test procedure any test methods associated with technology options deemed by the Working Group to be inappropriate for consideration under the standards rulemaking (Term Sheet Recommendations #2, #3, and #4, No. 56 at p. 2). DOE issued a pre-publication version of the test procedure NOPR on July 29, 2016 and immediately made it available for stakeholder review, thus E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations giving an extended period for consideration of the test procedure clarifications and simplifications. DOE amended the test procedure consistent with its understanding of the approach agreed upon by the various parties who participated in the negotiated rulemaking. DOE notes that the test procedure NOPR proposed no changes to the test methods used to determine equipment efficiency levels, other than the amendments made, consistent with the Term Sheet, of removing the test provisions for hot gas defrost, and requiring the demonstration of compliance without the use of adaptive defrost or on-cycle evaporator fans. In light of these facts, in DOE’s view, stakeholders had sufficient notice and information regarding these specific aspects related to the test procedure. No additional time was needed to consider these aspects of the proposed amendments beyond that which DOE already provided during its negotiated rulemaking meetings and the proposal itself. DOE notes also that comments were received in response to the energy conservation standard NOPR, and that some of these addressed interaction between the energy conservation standard and the test procedure, thus indicating that commenters had time to voice concerns regarding such interactions. Further, DOE notes that none of the comments recommended that the proposed standard levels should be changed if the final test procedure were as proposed in the test procedure NOPR. As mentioned above, there were no proposed changes to the test methods other than those recommended by the Working Group— hence, since there is no measurement change, there is no basis for consideration of any standards adjustment associated with measurement change. Finally the test method of the final rule is identical to that of the NOPR, so stakeholder comments made on the basis of the proposed test procedure would have been equally relevant on the basis of the finalized test procedure.25 Additionally, commenters indicated that it was the inclusion of what they claim to be additional equipment categories in the scope of the standards that, in their view, goes beyond the 25 The test procedure final rule did modify the approach for testing hot gas defrost systems to make the test for such units consistent with tests for electric defrost units. However, this change is consistent with the Term Sheet removal of hot gas defrost as a design option and simply puts hot gas and electric defrost units on the same footing. See additional discussion in section IV.A.2.d. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 agreements reached during the ASRAC negotiations and presented a timing challenge with the rulemakings because the test procedure proposals affecting scope would have a direct bearing on stakeholders’ consideration of the standard levels (see, e.g., AHRI, No. 90 at pp. 2, 3). Commenters specifically mentioned single-package dedicated refrigeration systems, preparation room refrigeration systems, and process cooling refrigeration systems as categories that were added to the scope of coverage by the test procedure rulemaking, thus creating the need for more time for consideration of the standard levels. (Id.) In response, DOE does not agree that more time was needed for consideration of the standard levels because DOE does not believe that the test procedure NOPR or final rule extended the regulatory scope of the proposed refrigeration system standards to new equipment, as suggested by AHRI and other manufacturers. First, there is no record indicating that single-package dedicated refrigeration systems were not included as part of the Working Group discussions. The inclusion of this equipment category was confirmed on two occasions during the Working Group meetings by manufacturer representatives (Docket No. EERE– 2015–BT–STD–0016; Lennox, Public Meeting Transcript (October 16, 2015), No. 63 at pp. 249–251; Rheem, Public Meeting Transcript (December 3, 2015), No. 57 at p. 157) There was no subsequent discussion to exclude single-package dedicated systems and the Term Sheet does not indicate any such exclusion. DOE clarified at least as far back as the June 2014 energy conservation standard final rule that these systems are subject to the refrigeration system standards. 79 FR at 32068 (June 3, 2014). Hence, stakeholders have had ample time to consider the Term Sheet’s recommended standard levels with respect to all of the equipment classes at issue, including single-package dedicated refrigeration systems. Second, regarding preparation room refrigeration systems, DOE addressed this issue in the December 2016 TP final rule, providing extensive discussion supporting its position, and concluding that preparation room refrigeration systems are indistinguishable from other walk-in refrigeration systems, and hence are subject to the walk-in refrigeration system energy conservation standards. 81 FR at 95773–95774 (December 28, 2016). There has been no evidence brought forth to indicate that such systems are anything other than walk-in refrigeration systems. DOE’s test PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 31831 procedure notice specifically requested information that would distinguish these systems from other walk-in refrigeration systems. 81 FR at 54937 (August 17, 2016). Stakeholder responses provided many comments indicating that preparation rooms do not fit the definition of a walk-in (see, e.g., Docket No. EERE–2016–BT–TP–0030, AHRI, No. 11 at p. 4), and commented that DOE’s proposed definition did not adequately provide a basis for distinction (see, e.g., Docket No. EERE– 2016–BT–TP–0030, Lennox, No. 13 at pp. 8–9), but provided no information that could be used to distinguish these systems. Hence, DOE concludes that these refrigeration systems are indeed walk-in refrigeration systems. As such, in DOE’s view, there should not have been any expectation that they would not be subject to the standard levels being discussed by the Working Group. DOE notes that there was no discussion at any time during the Working Group meetings suggesting that preparation room refrigeration systems would be excluded from the walk-in definition, and the Term Sheet does not indicate this possibility. DOE notes also that the possible exclusion of preparation room refrigeration systems from the walk-in refrigeration system standards has been discussed at least since the publication of the 2014 energy conservation standard final rule (see, e.g., 79 FR at 32068 (June 3, 2014)), but DOE has at no time provided indication that they would be excluded. Hence, in DOE’s view, stakeholders had sufficient notice that these refrigeration systems would be considered within the context of the Term Sheet’s recommended standards well in advance of DOE’s issuance of the energy conservation standard NOPR on August 30, 2016. Third, regarding process cooling refrigeration systems, DOE’s test procedure rulemaking defined process cooling refrigeration systems for the purpose of excluding them from having to satisfy the refrigeration system standards established by this final rule. The only exception to this exclusion is a dedicated condensing unit that would be used in a process cooling application that is not distributed in commerce with a process cooling unit cooler or evaporator or a process cooling walk-in enclosure. There has been no evidence presented that these condensing units are any different from other walk-in refrigeration system condensing units with respect to energy use characteristics, so distribution in commerce of such a condensing unit individually is not clearly for process cooling applications and could be for E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31832 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 any walk-in application. DOE’s test procedure notice specifically requested information that would distinguish these condensing units from other walkin condensing units. 81 FR at 54936 (August 17, 2016). Stakeholder responses provided many comments indicating that process cooling equipment does not fit the definition of a walk-in (see, e.g., Docket No. EERE– 2016–BT–TP–0030, AHRI, No. 11 at p. 5), but provided no information that could be used to distinguish these systems. In fact, one comment suggested that process cooling condensing units do not differ from other walk-in condensing units except in that they may have a larger refrigerant receiver. (Docket No. EERE–2016–BT–TP–0030, Bally, No. 22 at p. 1) Such a difference would not affect energy use as measured using the dedicated condensing unit test procedure because neither the receiver nor the refrigerant in it consume energy. Hence, while most process cooling refrigeration system equipment would be excluded from the standards, process cooling condensing units that are distributed in commerce individually (without a unit cooler or process cooling enclosure) would have no more challenge meeting the recommended Working Group standard levels than any other walk-in condensing unit. Hence, in DOE’s view, further consideration regarding the proposed standard levels for such equipment, particularly when they are generally being excluded from the walk-in standards, is unnecessary. As indicated, DOE concludes that commenters had adequate information at an early stage in the process regarding both the test method changes adopted in the test procedure rulemaking and the intended scope of coverage, and thus had sufficient time to consider the energy conservation standard proposals. Hence, DOE has not extended the time period for comments, nor delayed finalization of the rulemaking. 4. ASRAC Working Group Representation Eric Andrews, an owner of an ice cream franchise, commented that this rulemaking has little input from the consumers, observing that the ASRAC Working Group members and attendees primarily represent organizations involved in repair and manufacturing. (Andrews, No. 76 at p. 1) Prior to the Working Group meetings, on August 5, 2015, DOE published a notice of intent to establish a Working Group for Certain Equipment Classes of Refrigeration Systems of Walk-in Coolers and Freezers to Negotiate a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Energy Conservation Standards. 80 FR VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 46521. DOE notes that the agenda for the WICF Working Group meetings included as key issues (a) proposed energy conservation standards for six classes of refrigeration systems and (b) potential impacts on installers. See id. at 46523. These issues focused on refrigeration systems and installers. The Working Group consisted of 12 representatives of parties having a defined stake in the outcome of the proposed standards and one DOE representative, including six representatives of WICF refrigeration system manufacturers (Traulsen, Lennox, Hussmann, Manitowoc, Rheem, and Emerson). In addition, a representative of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America represented walk-in installers. Other members other than DOE represented efficiency advocacy groups and utilities. (Docket EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016, Term Sheet, No. 56 at p. 4) Hence, DOE believes that the representation was appropriate for the scope of the Working Group meetings. DOE published a notice of proposed rulemaking on September 13, 2016 and immediately made it available for public review. 81 FR 62979. A public meeting to discuss DOE’s proposal was held on September 29, 2016. DOE notes all of the Working Group meetings and the NOPR public meeting were open to the public and were also broadcast via webinar. DOE believes that stakeholders, including consumers had ample opportunities to provide inputs to this rulemaking. B. Market and Technology Assessment DOE develops information in the market and technology assessment that provides an overall picture of the market for the products concerned, including the purpose of the products, the industry structure, manufacturers, market characteristics, and technologies used in the products. This activity includes both quantitative and qualitative assessments, based primarily on publicly-available information. The subjects addressed in the market and technology assessment for this rulemaking include (1) a determination of the scope of the rulemaking and product classes, (2) manufacturers and industry structure, (3) existing efficiency programs, (4) shipments information, (5) market and industry trends, and (6) technologies or design options that could improve the energy efficiency of WICF refrigeration systems under consideration. The key findings of DOE’s market assessment are summarized below. See chapter 3 of the final rule TSD for further discussion of the market and technology assessment. PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 1. Scope of Coverage and Product Classes As discussed in section II.B, this final rule covers energy conservation standards for covered walk-in refrigeration systems to replace the six standards vacated by the Fifth Circuit. These vacated standards relate to (1) the two energy conservation standards applicable to unit coolers (formerly called multiplex condensing systems) operating at medium and low temperatures and (2) the four energy conservation standards applicable to dedicated condensing refrigeration systems operating at low temperatures. As noted earlier, the remaining standards for walk-ins already promulgated by DOE remain in place. In the June 2014 final rule, DOE divided refrigeration systems into classes based on their treatment under the test procedure with respect to condensing unit configuration. 79 FR at 32069–32070 (June 3, 2014). In the May 2014 test procedure final rule, DOE adopted test methods to address walkin refrigeration system components distributed individually—i.e., unit coolers or condensing units sold alone can be tested and certified to the applicable standards as individual components. DOE also provided manufacturers the option of testing and certifying any matched pair that includes a condensing unit and a unit cooler. 79 FR at 27391 (May 13, 2013). Dedicated condensing units certified alone and as matched pairs are subject to standards as part of the dedicated condensing unit equipment class, while unit coolers certified alone fall in the unit cooler class (previously identified as the ‘‘multiplex condensing’’ class). As discussed in the September 2016 NOPR, DOE expects that the majority of refrigeration equipment certified within the dedicated condensing class will consist of condensing units sold alone, while a much smaller number of systems certified within this class will be tested as matched pairs under DOE’s test procedure. 81 FR at 62993 (September 13, 2016). In the December 2016 TP final rule, DOE adopted the term ‘‘unit cooler’’ to refer to the class of equipment previously identified as ‘‘multiplex condensing’’ refrigeration systems. 81 FR at 95766–95767 (December 28, 2016). All unit coolers sold alone will be treated for certification purposes as belonging to the unit cooler class. For this rulemaking, DOE’s analysis evaluated the energy use of unit coolers installed in both dedicated condensing and multiplex condensing applications. E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations This analysis is discussed in sections IV.D.1 and IV.F. In the June 2014 final rule, DOE established an AWEF standard for lowtemperature multiplex condensing systems (unit coolers) that did not vary with capacity. This standard was subsequently vacated through the controlling court order from the Fifth Circuit. Based on further comment and analysis conducted during the negotiated rulemaking to examine potential energy conservation standards for this class of equipment, DOE proposed different standard levels for different capacities of low-temperature unit coolers in the September 2016 NOPR. The proposal brought the total number of standards up to seven which would replace the six standards that were vacated. DOE received comments in support of the proposed standard levels for low-temperature unit coolers. (CA IOUs, No. 80, at p. 1–2). Hence, in light of the analysis conducted and the supporting comments received, this final rule separates low-temperature unit coolers into two classes based on capacity range. The December 2016 TP final rule addressed the coverage of process cooling walk-ins and their components under DOE’s regulations and established a definition for process cooling to distinguish this equipment from other walk-ins. 81 FR at 95767–95773 (December 28, 2016). As discussed in the test procedure final rule, process cooling walk-ins are within the scope of the definition of walk-ins, making them subject to the prescriptive statutory requirements already established by Congress. See 42 U.S.C. 6313(f). In addition, their panels and doors are subject to the component-based performance standards established by the June 2014 final rule. See 42 U.S.C. 6313(f) and 10 CFR 431.306. However, a process cooling refrigeration system may or may not be subject to the refrigeration system standards— including those established today— depending on the circumstances. DOE has defined a process cooling refrigeration system as a refrigeration system that either (1) is distributed in commerce with an enclosure such that the ratio of refrigeration system capacity per internal enclosure volume is at least 100 Btu/h per cubic foot, indicating that the refrigeration system has ample capacity to reduce the temperature of products inserted into the enclosure in addition to keeping the temperature of the enclosure at refrigerated temperature, i.e., below 55 °F, or (2) is a unit cooler with certain dimensional characteristics observed only for process cooling unit coolers. 81 FR at 95801 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 (December 28, 2016). In this final rule, DOE is also clarifying at 10 CFR 431.306(e) that the refrigeration system standards do not apply to equipment that meets the process cooling definition. This exclusion applies to both the refrigeration system standards adopted in this rule and the refrigeration system standards adopted in the June 2014 final rule that were not subsequently vacated. Because of the specific aspects of the process cooling definition and the exclusion that DOE is providing for refrigeration systems used in process cooling applications, the refrigeration system standards do not apply to (a) refrigeration systems sold as part of a complete package, including the insulated enclosure, and refrigeration systems for which the capacity per volume meets the process cooling definition, (b) dedicated condensing systems sold as a matchedpair in which the unit cooler meets the requirements of the process cooling definition, and (c) unit coolers that meet the requirements of the process cooling definition. As discussed in the test procedure notice, condensing units distributed in commerce without unit coolers or insulated enclosures are subject to the standards, even if sold for process cooling applications. 2. Technology Options In the technology assessment for the June 2014 final rule, DOE identified 15 technology options to improve the efficiency of WICF refrigeration systems, as measured by the DOE test procedure (see Docket EERE–2008–BT–STD–0015, Final Rule Technical Support Document, No. 0131, Section 3.3 pp. 3– 24 to 3–33): • Energy storage systems • Refrigeration system override • Automatic evaporator fan shut-off • Improved evaporator and condenser fan blades • Improved evaporator and condenser coils • Evaporator fan control • Ambient sub-cooling • Higher-efficiency fan motors • Higher-efficiency compressors • Liquid suction heat exchanger • Defrost controls • Hot gas defrost • Floating head pressure • Condenser fan control • Economizer cooling Weiss indicated that energy saving cycles/set points offset and anti-sweat heater controls technologies are not included in this analysis. (Weiss, No. 85, at p. 2) DOE notes the test procedure to determine AWEF involves measurement of performance (capacity PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 31833 and power input) when operating with walk-in box temperature at 35 °F for coolers and ¥10 °F for freezers. Hence the savings of set point offsets would not be measured by the test procedure and cannot be considered in the analysis. Anti-sweat heater control also is not accounted for in the test procedure and hence cannot be considered in the analysis. DOE continued to consider these 15 options in formulating the WICF refrigeration system standards detailed in this final rule. DOE did not receive any comments regarding the selected technologies listed in this section. See chapter 3 of the TSD for further details on the technologies DOE considered. C. Screening Analysis DOE uses the following four screening criteria to determine which technology options are suitable for further consideration in an energy conservation standards rulemaking: (1) Technological feasibility. Technologies that are not incorporated in commercial products or in working prototypes will not be considered further. (2) Practicability to manufacture, install, and service. If it is determined that mass production and reliable installation and servicing of a technology in commercial products could not be achieved on the scale necessary to serve the relevant market at the time of the projected compliance date of the standard, then that technology will not be considered further. (3) Impacts on product utility or product availability. If it is determined that a technology would have significant adverse impact on the utility of the product to significant subgroups of consumers or would result in the unavailability of any covered product type with performance characteristics (including reliability), features, sizes, capacities, and volumes that are substantially the same as products generally available in the United States at the time, it will not be considered further. (4) Adverse impacts on health or safety. If it is determined that a technology would have significant adverse impacts on health or safety, it will not be considered further. 10 CFR part 430, subpart C, appendix A, 4(a)(4) and 5(b) In sum, if DOE determines that a technology, or a combination of technologies, fails to meet one or more of the above four criteria, it will be excluded from further consideration in the engineering analysis. The reasons E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31834 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations for eliminating any technology are discussed below. 1. Technologies Having No Effect on Rated Energy Consumption In the June 2014 final rule, DOE determined that the following technologies do not affect measured energy efficiency (see Docket EERE– 2008–BT–STD–0015, Final Rule Technical Support Document, No. 0131, Section 4.2 pp. 4–3 to 4–4): • Liquid suction heat exchanger • Refrigeration system override • Economizer cooling • Automatic evaporator fan shut-off Weiss commented on these technologies. Its comments about the use of a liquid suction heat exchanger (‘‘not a lot of applications’’) and automatic evaporator fan shut-off (‘‘not much savings’’) appear to be in line with DOE’s decision exclude them from the analysis. Weiss noted that refrigeration system override should be considered if shifting set points is included as part of this technology. Weiss also suggested that economizer cooling can save energy but requires use of humidity measurement. (Weiss, No. 85 at p. 2). In response, DOE clarifies that these technologies were screened out because they do not affect the rated efficiency as measured by the test procedure. DOE has not received any further evidence that these technologies should be considered and has not included them in the analysis. As discussed in section III.B, DOE modified the method for testing systems with hot gas defrost in a separate rulemaking that eliminated the credit assigned to hot gas defrost systems when calculating a unit’s energy efficiency under the prior test procedure. In the final version of the test procedure that DOE recently adopted, the AWEF of a refrigeration system with hot gas defrost is determined as if it were equipped with electric defrost. 81 FR at 95774–95777 (December 28, 2016). Thus, DOE has dropped hot gas defrost from further consideration in its analysis. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 2. Adaptive Defrost and On-Cycle Variable-Speed Evaporator Fans Consistent with the recommendations made during the Working Group negotiations, DOE established a regulatory approach in the December 2016 TP final rule to address adaptive defrost and on-cycle variable-speed fans in which these features would not be active during testing to demonstrate compliance with the applicable standards, but that the features could be active during testing to support VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 representations of their benefit, such as when advertising equipment performance in product literature. (See Term Sheet at EERE–2015–BT–STD– 0016, No. 56, recommendation #4 and 81 FR at 95777 (December 28, 2016)). Weiss commented that many field tests show an energy savings of 15 to 20 percent with adaptive defrost controls but that evaporator fan controls do not yield much savings. (Weiss, No. 85, at p. 2) DOE agrees that there may be the potential for savings with adaptive defrost control but reiterates that a test procedure to properly account for its savings and a suitable regulatory definition for the technology has not been developed and could not be agreed upon by the WICF Working Group. Hence, DOE continues to decline to consider these technology options in its standards analysis for this rule. 3. Screened-Out Technologies In the June 2014 final rule, DOE screened out the following technologies from consideration (see Docket EERE– 2008–BT–STD–0015, Final Rule Technical Support Document, No. 0131, Section 4.3, pp 4–4 to 4–6): • Energy storage systems (technological feasibility) • High efficiency evaporator fan motors (technological feasibility) • 3-phase motors (impacts on equipment utility) • Improved evaporator coils (impacts on equipment utility) Weiss indicated that energy storage systems are an old technology, which DOE interprets as support for its decision to screen out this technology. (Weiss, No. 85, at p. 2) DOE has not received any new evidence that would weigh in favor of including these screened-out technologies. Consequently, these technologies have not been considered in the analysis supporting this final rule. Chapter 4 of the final rule TSD contains further discussion of the screening of these technologies. The implications of screening out these technologies on the analysis and the selected standard levels depend on each particular technology. The test procedure does not take into consideration the benefits of energy storage systems, so screening this technology did not affect the analysis. A manufacturer could adopt the technology, which potentially could save energy in field use, but equipment using it would not have an improved AWEF. Evaporator fans using higherefficiency motors than the electronically commutated motors required by the prescriptive standards could possibly be PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 sourced by manufacturers in the future, but DOE was not able to identify any such motor technology—if such technology were readily available and considered in the analysis, the final unit cooler efficiency levels set by this rule may have been incrementally higher, assuming designs using such motors would have been cost-effective. If utility concerns regarding improved or larger evaporator coils were not addressed by screening out this technology, the final unit cooler efficiency levels set by this rule may have been incrementally higher, assuming designs using such evaporators would have been costeffective. A manufacturer could potentially sell unit coolers with such improved evaporators and achieve higher AWEF levels, but at the risk of the utility concerns discussed in the TSD, e.g. reduced humidity control and/ or potential defrost issues. 4. Remaining Technologies Through a review of each technology, DOE concludes that all of the remaining technologies listed in section IV.B.2 satisfy all four screening criteria and that their benefits can be measured using the DOE test procedure. In summary, DOE chose the following technology options to be examined further as design options in DOE’s analysis: • Higher efficiency compressors • Improved condenser coil • Higher efficiency condenser fan motors • Improved condenser and evaporator fan blades • Ambient sub-cooling • Off-cycle evaporator fan control • Variable speed condenser fan control • Floating head pressure Weiss submitted a list of notes regarding each of the remaining technologies. (Weiss, No. 85, at p. 2) Specifically, Weiss requested that DOE provide details on the analyses of higher efficiency compressors and improved condenser coil technologies. DOE notes that the detailed description and analysis details of these two technologies can be found in section 3.3.5, 3.3.10, 5.5.8.1 and 5.5.8.2 of the final rule TSD. Weiss also suggested that using higher efficiency condenser fan motors would result in improvement with an electronically commutated (‘‘EC’’) motor. DOE noted that use of an EC motor was considered as a potential design option in its supporting analysis—see TSD at section 5.5.8.3. Weiss also commented regarding the benefits and costs of improved condenser and evaporator fan blades, variable speed condenser fan control E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 and floating head pressure. DOE notes that the cost and efficiency relationship is reflected in DOE’s engineering analysis and the results are provided in Appendix 5A of the TSD. Weiss also indicated that ambient sub-cooling technology is not used in WICF equipment. DOE notes such technology is available in the market for various air conditioning and refrigeration applications. DOE did not receive any supported reasons for screening out such technology during the rulemaking for June 2014 final rule or the Working Group meetings. DOE’s analysis has shown that using ambient sub-cooling technology incrementally improves the efficiency of WICF refrigeration systems. Weiss commented that the off-cycle evaporator fan control technology does not make sense for EC motors and claimed that they have high inrush current, thus suggesting that they should be screened out. In response, DOE points to the Working Group consensus regarding consideration of this design option and the fact that the Working Group members provided no information suggesting issues associated with inrush current or related concerns. DOE also notes that this technology is currently available on the market for walk-in unit coolers which use these motors. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT– STD–0016, Trenton TLP Product Data and Installation, No. 92 at p. 22) Hence, DOE has not removed any of these technologies from consideration in the analysis. DOE determined that these technology options are technologically feasible because they are being used or have previously been used in commercially-available products or working prototypes. DOE also finds that all of the remaining technology options meet the other screening criteria (i.e., practicable to manufacture, install, and service, and they do not result in adverse impacts on consumer utility, product availability, health, or safety). For additional details, see chapter 4 of the final rule TSD. D. Engineering Analysis In the engineering analysis, DOE establishes the relationship between the manufacturer production cost (‘‘MPC’’) and improved WICF refrigeration system efficiency. This relationship serves as the basis for cost-benefit calculations for individual consumers, manufacturers, and the Nation. DOE typically structures the engineering analysis using one of three approaches: (1) Design option, (2) efficiency level, or (3) reverse engineering (or cost assessment). The design-option approach involves adding the estimated VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 cost and associated efficiency of various efficiency-improving design changes to the baseline product to model different levels of efficiency. The efficiency-level approach uses estimates of costs and efficiencies of products available on the market at distinct efficiency levels to develop the cost-efficiency relationship. The reverse-engineering approach involves testing products for efficiency and determining cost from a manufacturing cost model based on detailed bills of material (‘‘BOM’’) derived from reverse engineering representative equipment. The efficiency ranges from that of the leastefficient WICF refrigeration system sold today (i.e., the baseline) to the maximum technologically feasible efficiency level. At each efficiency level examined, DOE determines the MPC; this relationship is referred to as a costefficiency curve. DOE conducted the engineering analysis for the June 2014 final rule using a design-option approach. 79 FR at 32072 (June 3, 2014). DOE received no comments suggesting that it use one of the alternative engineering analysis approaches. Consequently, DOE used a designoption approach in the analysis supporting the September 2016 NOPR and this final rule. However, as discussed in the September 2016 NOPR, DOE made several changes to its engineering analysis based on discussions and information provided during the Working Group negotiation meetings. These changes are described in detail in chapter 5 of the final rule TSD and summarized in the following sections. DOE did not receive any comments regarding the engineering analysis details as presented in the September 2016 NOPR and chapter 5 of the NOPR TSD. Consequently, DOE did not modify its engineering analysis for this final rule. DOE did, however, adjust its condenser capacity calculation for dedicated condensing units, as discussed in section IV.D.6.d. Details of the engineering analysis are available in chapter 5 of the final rule TSD. 1. Component-Based Analysis In the June 2014 final rule, DOE’s analysis for dedicated condensing systems was based on matched-pair systems, and its analysis for unit coolers (the ‘‘multiplex’’ class) was based on field installation in multiplex applications. See Docket EERE–2008– BT–STD–0015, Final Rule Technical Support Document, No. 0131, Section 5.5.3, pp 5–20 to 5–28; see also October 15, 2015 Public Meeting Presentation, slide 8, available in Docket No. EERE– 2015–BT–STD–0016, No. 26, at p. 8. PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 31835 However, as discussed in section IV.B.1, most refrigeration system components are sold individually (not as matched pairs) and most unit coolers are installed in dedicated condensing applications. Hence, the analysis conducted for this final rule, as developed initially during the WICF Working Group meetings, was based on individual components (dedicated condensing units tested, certified, and sold alone, and unit coolers also tested, certified, and sold alone). The analysis also considered (within the context of unit coolers) both dedicated condensing and multiplex condensing applications. 2. Refrigerants The analysis for the June 2014 final rule assumed that the refrigerant R– 404A would be used in all new refrigeration equipment meeting the standard. 79 FR at 32074 (June 3, 2014). On July 20, 2015, EPA published a final rule under the SNAP program prohibiting the use of R–404A in certain retail food refrigeration applications. See 80 FR 42870 (‘‘July 2015 EPA SNAP Rule’’). Under the rule, R–404A can no longer be used in new supermarket refrigeration systems (starting on January 1, 2017), new remote condensing units (starting on January 1, 2018), and certain stand-alone retail refrigeration units (starting on either January 1, 2019 or January 1, 2020 depending on the type of system). See 40 CFR part 82, Appendix U to Subpart G (listing unacceptable refrigerant substitutes). EPA explained that most commercial walk-in coolers and freezers would fall within the end-use category of either supermarket systems or remote condensing units and would be subject to the rule. 80 FR at 42902 (July 20, 2015). Given that manufacturers would not be allowed to use R–404A in WICF refrigeration systems when the WICF standards would take effect, the WICF Working Group recommended that DOE conduct its analysis using R–407A, an alternative refrigerant that will be acceptable for use in all of the considered WICF refrigeration systems under the July 2015 EPA SNAP rule. ((Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD– 0016, various parties, Public Meeting Transcript (September 30, 2015), No. 67 at pp. 34–39)) Zero Zone supported DOE’s proposal of using R–407A in the analysis. Zero Zone also expressed concern that R–407A might not be allowed in future EPA rulemakings and suggested that DOE develop a plan for revising the regulation if R–407A is delisted in the future. (Zero Zone, No. 88, at p. 1) In response to the comments suggesting analysis based on R–407A, E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 31836 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations DOE revised its analysis using performance information for R–407A compressors, R–407A refrigerant properties, and to account for the temperature glide of R–407A,26 as discussed in the following sections. In response to Zero Zone’s concern regarding potential future delisting of R–407A, DOE does not believe that there is sufficient specific, actionable data presented at this juncture to warrant a change in its analysis and assumptions regarding the refrigerants used in walk-in cooler and freezer applications. As of now, there is inadequate publicly-available data on the design, construction, and operation of equipment featuring alternative refrigerants to facilitate the level of analysis of equipment performance which would be needed for standard setting purposes. DOE is aware that many low-GWP refrigerants other than R–407A are being introduced to the market, and wishes to ensure that this rule is consistent with the phase-down of HFCs proposed by the United States under the Montreal Protocol. DOE continues to welcome comments on experience within the industry with the use of low-GWP alternative refrigerants. However, there are currently no mandatory initiatives such as refrigerant phase-outs driving a change beyond R407A. Absent such action, DOE will continue to conduct its analysis based on R–407A, which the Working Group strongly supported. DOE clarifies that it will continue to consider WICF models meeting the definition of walk-in coolers and freezers to be part of their applicable covered equipment class, regardless of the refrigerant that the equipment uses. If a manufacturer believes that its design is subjected to undue hardship by regulations, the manufacturer may petition DOE’s Office of Hearing and Appeals (‘‘OHA’’) for exception relief or exemption from the standard pursuant to OHA’s authority under section 504 of the DOE Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7194), as implemented at subpart B of 10 CFR part 1003. OHA has the authority to grant such relief on a case-by-case basis if it determines that a manufacturer has demonstrated that meeting the standard would cause hardship, inequity, or unfair distribution of burdens. 26 ‘‘Temperature glide’’ for a refrigerant refers to the increase in temperature at a fixed pressure as liquid refrigerant vaporizes during its conversion from saturated liquid to saturated vapor. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 3. As-Tested Versus FieldRepresentative Performance Analysis DOE conducted an intermediate analysis to bridge the gap between the engineering analysis and the downstream analyses to predict aspects of field performance that would not be measured by the test procedure. DOE refers to this intermediate analysis as the ‘‘field-representative analysis’’ to distinguish it from the normal ‘‘astested’’ engineering analysis, which represents performance according to the test procedure. DOE conducted the field representative analysis for this rulemaking using a modified version of the engineering calculations in order to facilitate the energy use analysis that is conducted to determine annual energy use of the equipment when installed. Specific differences between DOE’s astested and in-field performance modeling used in the analysis are discussed in section IV.D.6 and in further detail in chapter 5 of the TSD. DOE provided outputs from the fieldrepresentative analysis for use in the energy use analysis for four equipment installation scenarios: (1) A new unit cooler and a new condensing unit that are installed together in the field; (2) a new unit cooler that is installed with a multiplex system; (3) a new unit cooler that is installed with an existing condensing unit in the field; and (4) a new condensing unit that is installed with an existing unit cooler in the field. Scenarios 1 through 3 apply to the evaluation of unit coolers, while scenarios 1 and 4 apply to the evaluation of condensing units. The scenarios analyzed in the downstream analysis are described in section IV.F. In analyzing medium-temperature unit coolers installed with new mediumtemperature condensing units, DOE modeled the condensing units as operating with R–407A and meeting the standard for dedicated condensing, medium -temperature systems established in the June 2014 final rule, which remains in effect. CoilPod, a company that manufactures certain HVAC-related cleaning tools, commented that energy use in the field can be increased significantly if condenser coils are not cleaned on a regular basis, and provided data for four coil-cleaning scenarios. The data provided are for a double-door merchandiser, a ‘‘larger’’ double-door refrigerator, a single-door freezer, and a double-glass-door refrigerator, and constitute daily energy savings from 46 to 50 percent after cleaning. (‘‘COILPOD Energy Savings Data’’, No. 77 at p. 1) While data contained only limited details, DOE assumes that these PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 examples are for self-contained commercial refrigeration equipment (‘‘CRE’’), because the submitted information addresses equipment such as ‘‘double-door merchandiser’’, ‘‘double door fridge’’, and ‘‘single door freezer’’, common terminology for selfcontained CRE, as illustrated in selfcontained CRE marketing information (see, e.g., ‘‘Double Door Merchandiser’’, No. 92; ‘‘Double Door Refrigerator’’, No. 93; ‘‘Single Door Freezer’’, No. 94). DOE also notes that none of CoilPod’s information mentions that any of the identified equipment were walk-ins. There is no information to indicate whether the condensers for these units are mounted on top or beneath the equipment cabinets, nor any other information regarding accessibility of the condensers for cleaning. DOE does not consider this information to be an adequate average representation of the additional energy use that could be associated with self-contained commercial refrigeration equipment, since it represents only four examples and there is no information to indicate that the data is part of a larger survey that properly represents average impacts of this issue for all such equipment. Further, DOE expects that the impact of neglecting to clean condenser coils will affect different types of equipment differently, and the attention to coil cleaning may be greater for walk-in systems than for self-contained equipment (see e.g., ‘‘Commercial Refrigeration Maintenance’’, No. 95, which suggests a greater need for maintenance of walk-ins than other commercial refrigeration), so that the impact on walk-in refrigeration systems may for several reasons be very different than for self-contained refrigerators and freezers. (With the lack of data on walkin maintenance practices, however, only speculation is possible.) At this point DOE does not have sufficient information quantifying the potential field impact of dirty condenser coils for walk-in refrigeration systems, nor for any other factors that might degrade performance, and has not included any degradation factor in its calculations of field energy use. DOE did not receive any other comments on the NOPR analysis scenarios or other aspects of its fieldrepresentative analysis, and hence has not changed these aspects of its analysis. Details of these four scenarios are also provided in chapter 5 of the TSD. 4. Representative Equipment for Analysis In the analysis for the June 2014 final rule, DOE analyzed within each E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations equipment class a range of representative WICF refrigeration systems representing different capacities, compressor types, and evaporator fin spacing. Based on WICF Working Group meeting discussions, DOE simplified the range of these parameters in its analysis for this rulemaking, analyzing fewer compressor options and fewer fin spacing options, but modifying the selection of representative capacities. DOE presented its list of representative equipment in Table IV–1 of the September 2016 NOPR. 81 at 62998. DOE did not receive comments 31837 regarding the chosen representative equipment and hence used the same selections in its final rule analysis. The selections are shown in Table IV–1 below, which is identical to the table in the September 2016 NOPR. TABLE IV–1—DETAILS OF REPRESENTATIVE EQUIPMENT ANALYZED Sizes analyzed (Nominal Btu/h) Equipment class DC.L.I, < 6,500 Btu/h .................................................. DC.L.I, ≥ 6,500 Btu/h .................................................. DC.L.O, < 6,500 Btu/h ................................................ DC.L.O, ≥ 6,500 Btu/h ................................................. UC.M ........................................................................... UC.L, < 15,500 Btu/h .................................................. UC.L, ≥ 15,500 Btu/h .................................................. 6,000 9,000 25,000* 54,000 6,000 9,000 25,000* 54,000 72,000 4,000 9,000 24,000 4,000 9,000 18,000 40,000 Compressor types analyzed Scroll .......................................................................... Scroll .......................................................................... Scroll, Semi-hermetic ................................................. Semi-hermetic ............................................................ Scroll .......................................................................... Scroll .......................................................................... Scroll, Semi-hermetic ................................................. Semi-hermetic ............................................................ Semi-hermetic ............................................................ N/A ............................................................................. N/A ............................................................................. N/A ............................................................................. N/A ............................................................................. N/A ............................................................................. N/A ............................................................................. N/A ............................................................................. Unit cooler fins per inch N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 6 6 6 4 4 4 4 *Indicates a representative capacity that was not analyzed in the June 2014 final rule analysis. All other listed representative nominal capacities had also been analyzed in the June 2014 final rule. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 5. Manufacturer Production Cost and Manufacturer Sales Price DOE developed a manufacturing cost model to estimate the MPCs of the considered WICF refrigeration systems at each efficiency level from the baseline through max-tech for the representative capacities considered for each equipment class. The manufacturing cost model is a spreadsheet that estimates the dollar cost of manufacturing the considered WICF refrigeration systems based on the price of materials, the average labor rates associated with fabrication and assembly, and the cost of overhead and depreciation associated with the conversion processes used by manufacturers. To estimate these various cost components, DOE conducted manufacturer interviews and collected information on labor rates, tooling costs, raw material prices, and other factors. DOE estimated the costs of raw materials based on the most recent 5-year price averages available. To support its analyses, which were presented and discussed during the WICF Working Group meeting, DOE conducted new physical and virtual teardowns 27 of WICF equipment to 27 A virtual teardown uses the results from a physical teardown of a specific model and details obtained from product literature for a second model VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 ensure that its cost model was representative of the current market. These new teardowns were in addition those conducted in support of the June 2014 final rule. See chapter 5 of the TSD for a more detailed explanation of how DOE gathered data for cost modeling. In order to calculate manufacturer sales price (‘‘MSP’’), DOE used the same average manufacturer markup of 35 percent for WICF refrigeration systems in its analysis as used in the June 2014 final rule, and also the same methodology for calculating shipping costs. In the September 2016 NOPR, DOE sought comment regarding the method it used for estimating equipment manufacturing costs in its analysis. 81 FR at 62999 (September 13, 2016). DOE did not receive any comments regarding this issue and has used the same cost estimation methodology for this final rule. Chapter 5 of the final rule TSD provides details and assumptions of the cost model. 6. Component and System Efficiency Model For each representative capacity within each equipment class covered in this rulemaking (see section IV.D.4), DOE selected a particular model of unit in order to develop manufacturing cost estimates for the second model. PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 cooler or condensing unit, as applicable, to represent the class at that capacity. DOE used a spreadsheet-based analysis tool to predict the performance of each representative unit for the range of efficiency levels considered in the analysis, similar to the method used in the June 2014 final rule. However, DOE made many revisions to its engineering analysis. For example, as discussed in section IV.D.1, the analysis prepared during the WICF Working Group meetings and used to support the September 2016 NOPR was based on individual components and did not analyze matched-pair dedicated condensing units. Also, as discussed in section IV.D.3, DOE developed field representative calculations in addition to as-tested calculations to evaluate the performance of systems as installed. The following sections summarize additional changes to DOE’s engineering spreadsheet analysis as compared with the June 2014 final rule analysis. a. Unit Coolers (Formerly Termed the ‘‘Multiplex Condensing’’ Class) DOE’s analysis of unit cooler test performance is based on the ‘‘parallel rack system’’ method of AHRI 1250– 2009 (see section 7.9 of AHRI 1250– 2009) for calculating unit cooler AWEF, which uses a prescribed multiplex system Energy Efficiency Ratio (‘‘EER’’) to calculate compressor energy use E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31838 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 based on unit cooler gross capacity, and also accounts for the energy use of the evaporator fan motor and, for lowtemperature units, energy use associated with defrost.28 These aspects of the analysis have not changed since the June 2014 final rule analysis. See Docket EERE–2008–BT–STD–0015, Final Rule Technical Support Document, No. 0131, Section 5.5.3, pp 5–20 to 5–27. DOE did, however, make a number of changes in response to input received during the WICF Working Group meetings. First, DOE developed an analytical framework to represent field performance of unit coolers used in multiplex condensing applications using a system EER for R–407A developed during the WICF Working Group meeting discussions. (This change was made to account for the refrigerant shift brought about by the EPA SNAP rule.) Second, DOE adjusted its calculation of unit cooler net capacity using a correlation relating net capacity and nominal capacity developed based on test data. (This change was made to reflect test data obtained and reviewed primarily after publication of the June 2014 final rule.) Third, DOE revised the input assumption for refrigerant suction dew point. (This change was made to establish consistent input assumptions across the analyses conducted for the different classes associated with pressure drop in the suction line.) DOE received no comments on these aspects of the analysis in response to the September 2016 NOPR and has not changed them for this final rule. b. Condensing Units/Dedicated Condensing Class DOE made several changes to its prior analysis of dedicated condensing refrigeration systems. As mentioned in section IV.D.1, the analysis developed during the WICF Working Group meetings was based on condensing units tested and sold individually, i.e., not as part of matched pairs including unit coolers. The as-tested analysis uses the nominal values for unit cooler fan and defrost energy use as prescribed in the DOE test procedure (as finalized in 10 CFR part 431, subpart R, appendix C, section 3.4.2.2 in the recent test procedure rulemaking, 81 FR at 95806 (December 28, 2016)). To analyze equipment using R–407A refrigerant, DOE used compressor coefficients for compressors operating with this refrigerant, and made changes in the analysis to account for the refrigerant’s temperature glide. The revised analysis 28 Gross capacity differs from net capacity in that it includes the evaporator fan heat. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 also assumed, in calculating refrigeration capacity for a condensing unit, that: (1) Pressure drop in the suction line is equivalent to a 2 °F reduction in dew point temperature;29 (2) unit cooler exit superheat 30 is 6 °F for low-temperature unit coolers and 10 °F for medium-temperature unit coolers; and (3) the refrigerant temperature entering the condensing unit is 5 °F for low-temperature unit coolers and 41 °F for medium-temperature unit coolers. For the as-tested analysis, DOE assumed that there is no temperature drop in the liquid line after it exits from the condensing unit. The liquid line subcooling is assumed to be 8 °F in the field-representative analysis. As described in section IV.D.4, for the 25,000 Btu/h representative capacity DOE considered both scroll and semihermetic compressors. DOE aggregated the analyses for the two compressors to create a single cost-efficiency curve for this representative capacity. See chapter 5 of the TSD for a more detailed explanation of how DOE aggregated the cost-efficiency curves for the compressor types. DOE received no comments on these aspects of the analysis in response to the NOPR and has not changed them for this final rule. c. Field-Representative Paired Dedicated Condensing Systems As discussed in section IV.D.1, DOE based its as-tested engineering analysis for dedicated condensing systems on an evaluation of condensing units tested individually. DOE conducted a separate field-representative analysis that accounts for system operation when installed, which necessarily includes the performance of both the condensing unit and the unit cooler with which it is paired. The assumptions for this fieldrepresentative analysis differ in several ways from those of the as-tested analysis, including the refrigerant cooling in the liquid line, refrigerant pressure in the unit cooler (represented by unit cooler exit dew point), and unit cooler fan and defrost power. See chapter 5 of the TSD for more details of how DOE adjusted these assumption for field-representative analysis. DOE received no comments on these aspects of the analysis in response to the NOPR 29 Compressor performance is generally provided by compressor vendors as a function of pressure levels represented as dew point temperatures—dew point is the temperature of saturated vapor refrigerant, at which any reduction refrigerant enthalpy would result in condensation of refrigerant as dew. 30 Superheat of refrigerant vapor is equal to the actual temperature of the refrigerant minus the dew point associated with its pressure. PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 and has not changed them for this final rule. d. Analysis Adjustment As part of its final rule analysis, DOE adjusted its equipment performance calculations for condensing units to more fully account for the performance of the high-glide refrigerant R–407A. This methodology was discussed by the Working Group, but the analysis calculations were rerun for the final rule. Specifically, this adjustment affected the calculation of refrigerant enthalpy at the condenser exit, and resulted in an increase in the calculated refrigeration system net capacity for analyses involving dedicated condensing units. The adjustment led to a 0.1 to 0.11 Btu/W-h increase in the AWEF calculated for analyzed DC.L.O and DC.L.I dedicated condensing unit classes and increases in the capacity calculated for dedicated condensing systems in the field-representative analysis. The AWEF values reported in Table IV–2 in section IV.D.10 reflect this adjustment. DOE believes this approach is in-line with the methodology discussed in the Working Group, which recommended that the analysis be based on the use of R–407C refrigerant. 7. Baseline Specifications Because there have not been any previous performance-based standards for the considered WICF refrigeration systems, there is no established baseline efficiency level for this equipment. DOE developed baseline specifications for the representative units in its analysis, described in section IV.D.4, by examining current manufacturer literature to determine which characteristics represented baseline equipment. DOE assumed that all baseline refrigeration systems comply with the current prescriptive standards in EPCA—namely, that each system satisfies the requirements that (1) evaporator fan motors of under 1 hp and less than 460 volts are electronically commutated motors (brushless direct current motors) and (2) walk-in condenser fan motors of under 1 hp are permanent split capacitor motors. (See section II.B for further details on current WICF standards.) Readers interested in more detailed baseline specifications for the analyzed representative systems should refer to chapter 5 of the TSD. DOE did not receive any comments regarding its baselines in response to the September 2016 NOPR. 8. Design Options Section IV.C.4 lists technologies that passed the screening analysis and that DOE examined further as potential E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations design options. DOE updated the analysis for several of these design options based on information received during the WICF Working Group meetings. DOE maintained its efficiency calculation assumptions in the June 2014 final rule analysis for improved condenser blades, evaporator fan blades and off-cycle evaporator fan control. The following sections summarize the revised treatment of specific design options as compared with the June 2014 final rule analysis. All design options are discussed in more detail in chapter 5 of the TSD. DOE did not receive comments about these analysis changes in response to the September 2016 NOPR and did not make any additional changes for the final rule analysis. a. Higher Efficiency Compressors sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 In the June 2014 final rule analysis, DOE considered efficiency improvements associated with variablespeed compressors. DOE removed this option from consideration in the September 2016 NOPR analysis. 81 FR at 63003 (September 13, 2016). As discussed in section IV.D.1, DOE’s analysis for the dedicated condensing unit classes was updated to reflect the testing and rating of condensing units alone rather than as part of matched pairs. The current test procedure does not include a method for assessing variable-capacity systems using the condenser-alone rating method. Hence, DOE did not consider variable-speed compressors as a design option in its analysis. This approach does not preclude manufacturers from designing and selling systems with multiplecapacity or variable-capacity compressors, but they would have to be tested and certified as matched-pair systems. DOE may consider this design option in a future rulemaking when the test procedure is modified to allow the testing of multiple-capacity or variablecapacity condensing units individually rather than as part of matched pairs. This test procedure change was part of the set of recommendations made by the WICF Working Group. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016, Term Sheet: Recommendation #6 (December 15, 2015), No. 56 at p. 3) b. Improved Condenser Coil In its supporting analysis for the June 2014 final rule, DOE considered a design option for an improved condenser coil with more face area and heat transfer capacity than a baseline coil. DOE assumed that the coil would be sized to lower the condensing temperature by 10 °F based on DOE testing, input received from manufacturers during interviews, and analysis. Consequently, the analysis used a reduced power input and an increased cooling capacity for the compressor. See the June 2014 final rule TSD, chapter 5, pages 5–44 and 5–45 (Docket No. EERE–2008–BT–STD–0015, No. 0131). DOE revised its analysis for this design option during the WICF Working Group meetings based on input from the negotiating parties. This input included specific condensing unit performance and design details for DOE to consider as part of its analysis. DOE considered a new design approach that would result in a 5-degree condensing temperature reduction. Based in part on the data submitted by manufacturers on condenser coil sizing, (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016, Lennox, No. 30), DOE estimated that following this approach would require a 33 percent increase in airflow and 50 percent increase in total heat transfer area over the baseline. DOE incorporated the revised cost and energy characteristics of this option into the analysis. The assumptions associated with the improved condenser coil for both DC.L.I and DC.L.O analyses are discussed in more detail in section 5.5.8.2 of the TSD. c. Floating Head Pressure Floating head pressure is a type of refrigeration system control for outdoor condensing units that uses a lower condensing pressure set-point than conventional head pressure control, thus lowering the condensing pressure and improving compressor efficiency at low ambient temperatures. In its June 2014 final rule analysis, DOE analyzed two modes of operation for this option: floating head pressure with a standard thermostatic expansion valve (‘‘TXV’’), and floating head pressure with an electronic expansion valve (‘‘EEV’’)— the latter option allows for an even 31839 lower condensing pressure set-point compared to systems that do not use an EEV and was considered in the June 2014 final rule’s analysis only for scroll compressors. See Docket EERE–2008– BT–STD–0015, Final Rule Technical Support Document, No. 0131, Section 5.5.6.10 pp. 5–52 to 5–53. In revising its current analysis in response to input received during the WICF Working Group meetings, DOE extended consideration of the second step in condensing pressure reduction to semihermetic compressors. DOE’s modeling also more closely optimized the interaction among design options at the highest efficiency levels (i.e., increasing the minimum head pressure from 125 psi to 135 psi at the lowest ambient temperature). The details of floating head pressure design option are discussed in more detail in section 5.5.8.8 of the final rule TSD. 9. Cost-Efficiency Curves After determining the cost and energy savings attributed to each design option, DOE evaluates the design options in terms of their manufacturing costeffectiveness: That is, the gain in astested AWEF that a manufacturer would obtain for implementing the design option on their equipment, versus the cost for using that option. For each representative unit listed in section IV.D.4, DOE calculates performance as measured using the test procedure efficiency metric, AWEF, and the manufacturing production cost (i.e., MPC). When using a design-option analysis, DOE calculates these values first for the baseline efficiency and then for more-efficient designs that add design options in the order from the most cost-effective to the least costeffective. The outcome of this design option ordering is called a ‘‘costefficiency curve’’ consisting of a set of manufacturing costs and AWEFs for each consecutive design option added in order of most to least cost-effective. Table IV–2 and Table IV–3 show the AWEFs calculated in this manner. Additional detail is provided in Appendix 5A of the TSD, including graphs of the cost-efficiency curves and correlation of the design option groups considered with their corresponding AWEF levels. TABLE IV–2—ENGINEERING ANALYSIS OUTPUT: CALCULATED AWEFS FOR DC CLASSES Representative unit As-Tested AWEF with each Design Option (DO) added * Nominal Btu/h Compressor type DC.L.I, < 6,500 Btu/h. VerDate Sep<11>2014 6,000 Scroll ........... 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 Base-line DO 1 DO 2 DO 3 DO 4 DO 5 DO 6 DO ........... ................ EC ........... CD2 ......... CB2 ......... ................. ................. ................. AWEF ...... Equipment class 1.91 1.97 ......... 2.3 ........... 2.31 ......... ................. ................. ................. PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 DO 7 31840 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE IV–2—ENGINEERING ANALYSIS OUTPUT: CALCULATED AWEFS FOR DC CLASSES—Continued Representative unit As-Tested AWEF with each Design Option (DO) added * Equipment class DC.L.I, ≥ 6,500 Btu/h. Nominal Btu/h 9,000 25,000 ** 54,000 Compressor type Scroll ........... Scroll, Semihermetic. Semi-hermetic. Base-line DO 1 DO 2 DO 3 DO 4 DO 5 DO 6 DO ........... ................ EC ........... CD2 ......... CB2 ......... ................. ................. ................. AWEF ...... DO ........... 2.09 ................ 2.14 ......... EC ........... 2.48 ......... CD2 ......... 2.49 ......... CB2 ......... ................. ................. ................. ................. ................. ................. AWEF ...... DO ........... 2.02 ................ 2.06 ......... EC ........... 2.4 ........... CD2 ......... 2.41 ......... CB2 ......... ................. ................. ................. ................. DO 7 ................. ................. DC.L.O, < 6,500 Btu/h. 6,000 Scroll ........... AWEF ...... DO ........... 2.35 ................ 2.42 ......... FHP ......... 2.68 ......... EC ........... 2.69 ......... CB2 ......... ................. FHPEV .... ................. VSCF ...... ................. CD2 ......... ASC DC.L.O, ≥ 6,500 Btu/h. 9,000 Scroll ........... AWEF ...... DO ........... 2.22 ................ 2.57 ......... FHP ......... 2.66 ......... EC ........... 2.67 ......... FHPEV .... 2.87 ......... CB2 ......... 3 .............. VSCF ...... 3.09 ......... CD2 ......... 3.12 ASC AWEF ...... DO ........... 2.41 ................ 2.81 ......... FHP ......... 2.89 ......... EC ........... 3.12 ......... FHPEV .... 3.13 ......... VSCF ...... 3.18 ......... CB2 ......... 3.28 ......... ASC ......... 3.3 CD2 AWEF ...... DO ........... 2.31 ................ 2.7 ........... FHP ......... 2.77 ......... FHPEV .... 2.98 ......... EC ........... 3.05 ......... VSCF ...... 3.05 ......... ASC ......... 3.08 ......... CB2 ......... 3.16 CD2 AWEF ...... DO ........... 2.6 ................ 2.92 ......... FHP ......... 3.07 ......... FHPEV .... 3.16 ......... EC ........... 3.24 ......... VSCF ...... 3.27 ......... ASC ......... 3.27 ......... CB2 ......... 3.29 CD2 AWEF ...... 2.59 2.9 ........... 3.08 ......... 3.16 ......... 3.25 ......... 3.28 ......... 3.28 ......... 3.29 25,000 ** Scroll, Semihermetic. 54,000 Semi-hermetic. 72,000 Semi-hermetic. * Design option abbreviations are as follows: ASC = Ambient sub-cooling; CB2 = Improved condenser fan blades; CD2 = Improved condenser coil; EC = Electronically commutated condenser fan motors; FHP = Floating head pressure; FHPEV = Floating head pressure with electronic expansion valve; VSCF = Variable speed condenser fans. ** As discussed in section IV.D.6.b, DOE aggregated the separate results for scroll and semi-hermetic compressors and created a single aggregated cost-efficiency curve in the engineering analysis for the 25,000 Btu/h nominal capacity. TABLE IV–3—ENGINEERING ANALYSIS OUTPUT: CALCULATED AWEFS FOR UC CLASSES Representative unit Equipment class As-tested AWEF with each design option (DO) added * Nominal Btu/h UC.M ..................................................... 4,000 9,000 24,000 UC.L, < 15,500 Btu/h ............................ 4,000 9,000 UC.L, ≥ 15,500 Btu/h ............................ 18,000 40,000 Baseline DO .................. AWEF ............. DO .................. AWEF ............. DO .................. AWEF ............. DO .................. AWEF ............. DO .................. AWEF ............. DO .................. AWEF ............. DO .................. AWEF ............. DO 1 DO 2 ........................ 6.45 ........................ 7.46 ........................ 8.57 ........................ 3.43 ........................ 3.75 ........................ 3.94 ........................ 4.06 MEF ................ 7.75 ................ MEF ................ 8.74 ................ MEF ................ 9.74 ................ EB2 ................. 3.47 ................ MEF ................ 3.86 ................ MEF ................ 4.05 ................ MEF ................ 4.20 ................ EB2 ................. 7.91 ................ EB2 ................. 8.89 ................ VEF ................ 10.64 .............. MEF ................ 3.58 ................ EB2 ................. 3.88 ................ EB2 ................. 4.08 ................ EB2 ................. 4.23 ................ DO 3 VEF 9.02 VEF 9.92 EB2 10.75 VEF 3.66 VEF 3.95 VEF 4.15 VEF 4.32 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 * Design option abbreviations are as follows: EB2 = Improved evaporator fan blades; MEF = Modulating evaporator fans during compressor offcycle; VEF = Variable speed evaporator fans during compressor off cycle. 10. Engineering Efficiency Levels DOE selects efficiency levels for each equipment class. These levels form the basis of the potential standard levels that DOE considers in its analysis. As discussed above, DOE conducted a design-option-based engineering analysis for this rulemaking, in which AWEFs were calculated for specific designs incorporating groups of design options. However, these design-optionbased AWEFs vary as a function of representative capacity due to multiple factors and are not generally suitable as the basis for standard levels. Hence, DOE selected engineering efficiency VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 levels (‘‘ELs’’) for each class that provide suitable candidate levels for consideration. The efficiency levels do not exactly match the calculated AWEFs at each representative capacity, but the candidate efficiency levels are meant to provide overall representation of the range of efficiencies calculated for the individual representative capacities. The selected efficiency levels for the equipment classes analyzed for this document are shown in Table IV–4 below. DOE divided the dedicated condensing classes into the same two classes initially considered in the June 2014 final Rule, except that the classes PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 proposed and presented here are split based on the calculated net capacity rather than the 9,000 Btu/h nominal capacity used in the June 2014 final Rule. For the medium-temperature and low-temperature unit cooler classes, where the initial analysis had a single class covering the entire capacity range, DOE proposed in the NOPR two classes for low-temperature unit coolers and one for medium-temperature (81 FR at 63006)—this approach has not changed for the final rule. The maximum technologically feasible level is represented by EL 3 for all classes. DOE represented the E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31841 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations efficiency levels by either a single AWEF or an equation for the AWEF as a function of the net capacity. The efficiency levels for each class are formulated such that they divide the gap in efficiency between the baseline and the maximum technologically feasible achieved by any representative system in the class, rounded down to the nearest 0.05 Btu per watt-hour (‘‘Btu/Wh’’) to account for uncertainty in the analysis. efficiency level into approximately equal intervals. The baseline level is generally represented by the lowest AWEF achieved by any representative system in the class, while the maximum technologically feasible level is represented by the highest AWEF TABLE IV–4—ENGINEERING EFFICIENCY LEVELS FOR EACH EQUIPMENT CLASS* AWEF Equipment class Baseline Dedicated Condensing System—Low, Indoor with a Net Capacity (q_net) of: < 6,500 Btu/h ..................................................... ≥ 6,500 Btu/h ..................................................... Dedicated Condensing System—Low, Outdoor with a Net Capacity (q_net) of: < 6,500 Btu/h ..................................................... ≥ 6,500 Btu/h ..................................................... Unit Cooler—Medium All ....................................................................... Unit Cooler—Low with a Net Capacity (q_net) of: < 15,500 Btu/h ................................................... ≥ 15,500 Btu/h ................................................... EL 1 EL 2 EL 3 5.030 × 10¥5 × q_net + 1.59. 1.92 ................................. 6.384 × 10¥5 × q_net + 1.67. 2.08 ................................. 7.737 × 10¥5 × q_net + 1.74. 2.24 ................................. 9.091 × 10¥5 × q_net + 1.81. 2.40. 3.905 × 10¥5 × q_net + 1.97. 2.22 ................................. 4.778 × 10¥5 × q_net + 2.22. 2.53 ................................. 5.650 × 10¥5 × q_net + 2.47. 2.84 ................................. 6.522 × 10¥5 × q_net + 2.73. 3.15. 6.45 ................................. 7.3 ................................... 8.15 ................................. 9. 2.499 × 10¥5 × q_net + 3.36. 3.75 ................................. 2.191 × 10¥5 × q_net + 3.54. 3.88 ................................. 1.883 × 10¥5 × q_net + 3.73. 4.02 ................................. 1.575 × 10¥5 × q_net + 3.91. 4.15. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 * Where q_net is net capacity as determined and certified pursuant to 10 CFR 431.304 DOE did not receive comments regarding the considered efficiency levels in response to the September 2016 NOPR and notes that the efficiency levels selected in this final rule remain the same as the efficiency levels presented in the NOPR. In the NOPR, DOE discussed two cases where the AWEFs for the maximum-technology EL 3 exceeds the maximum AWEF values as calculated in the design-option engineering analysis. 81 FR at 63006 (September 13, 2016). The first of these cases involved lower-capacity, low-temperature unit coolers. As discussed in the NOPR (81 FR at 63006–63007), DOE believes that the selected EL 3 is technologically feasible given the uncertainty in the analysis, and the fact that the industry negotiating parties explicitly agreed to a standard at this level during Working Group meetings. (See Docket No. EERE– 2015–BT–STD–0016, AHRI, Public Meeting Transcript (December 15, 2015), No. 60 at pp. 229–230) DOE received no comments in response to the September 2016 NOPR objecting to this proposed efficiency level. The second case involved indoor and outdoor dedicated condensing units at representative nominal capacity of 25,000 Btu/h. As discussed in the NOPR, the AWEF associated with EL 3 for these classes can be achieved for this capacity using semi-hermetic compressors. 81 FR at 63006–63007 (September 13, 2016). DOE also notes that with its now-adjusted dedicated condensing unit analysis described in VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 section IV.D.6.d, the analysis demonstrates that the EL 3 AWEF is achievable with scroll compressors for the 25,000 Btu/h nominal capacity. As noted earlier, the AWEFs calculated in the design-option-based analysis vary as a function of representative capacity due to multiple factors and are not generally suitable as the basis for standard levels, and the selected engineering ELs for each class provide suitable candidate levels for consideration. The efficiency levels do not exactly match the calculated AWEFs at each representative capacity, but are instead meant to provide an overall representation of the range of efficiencies calculated for the individual representative capacities. While AWEF values calculated in the NOPR analysis for the 25,000 Btu/h dedicated condensing classes did not attain the TSL 3 AWEF, the values are consistent with TSL 3 in the current analysis, which DOE believes to be more appropriate for this max-tech TSL. Consequently, in DOE’s view, the analysis for this second case shows that the adjusted analysis results in a more appropriate alignment of the engineering analysis with the selected ELs. E. Markups Analysis The markups analysis develops appropriate markups (e.g., retailer markups, distributor markups, contractor markups) in the distribution chain and sales taxes to convert the MSP estimates derived in the PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 engineering analysis to consumer prices, which are then used in the LCC and PBP analysis and in the manufacturer impact analysis. At each step in the distribution channel, companies mark up the price of equipment to cover business costs and profit margin. For this final rule, DOE retained the distribution channels that were used in the NOPR—(1) direct to customer sales, through national accounts or contractors; (2) refrigeration wholesalers to consumers; and (3) OEMs to consumers. The OEM channel primarily represents manufacturers of WICF refrigeration systems who may also install and sell entire WICF refrigeration units. For each of the channels, DOE developed separate markups for baseline equipment (baseline markups) and the incremental cost of moreefficient equipment (incremental markups). Incremental markups are coefficients that relate the change in the MSP of higher-efficiency models to the change in the retailer sales price. DOE relied on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (‘‘HARDI’’) industry trade group, and RSMeans 31 to estimate average baseline and incremental markups Chapter 6 of the final rule TSD provides details on DOE’s development of markups for the considered WICF refrigeration systems. 31 R.S. Means Company, Inc. RSMeans Mechanical Cost Data. 33rd edition. 2015. Kingston, MA. E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 31842 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations F. Energy Use Analysis The purpose of the energy use analysis is to determine the annual energy consumption of the considered WICF refrigeration systems at different efficiencies in representative U.S. installations, and to assess the energy savings potential of increased WICF refrigeration system efficiency. The energy use analysis estimates the range of energy use of the considered WICF refrigeration systems in the field (i.e., as they are actually used by consumers). The energy use analysis provides the basis for other analyses DOE performed, particularly assessments of the energy savings and the savings in consumer operating costs that could result from adopting amended or new standards. The estimates for the annual energy consumption of each analyzed representative refrigeration system (see section IV.D.4) were derived assuming that (1) the refrigeration system is sized such that it follows a specific daily duty cycle for a given number of hours per day at full-rated capacity and (2) the refrigeration system produces no additional refrigeration effect for the remaining period of the 24-hour cycle. These assumptions are consistent with the present industry practice for sizing refrigeration systems. This methodology assumes that the refrigeration system is correctly paired with an envelope that generates a load profile such that the rated hourly capacity of the paired refrigeration system, operated for the given number of run hours per day, produces sufficient refrigeration to meet the daily refrigeration load of the envelope with a safety margin to meet contingency situations. Thus, the annual energy consumption estimates for the refrigeration system depend on the methodology adopted for sizing, the implied assumptions and the extent of oversizing. The WICF equipment run-time hours that DOE used broadly follow the load profile assumptions of the industry test procedure for refrigeration systems— AHRI 1250–2009. As noted earlier, that protocol was incorporated into DOE’s test procedure. 76 FR 33631 (June 9, 2011). For the NOPR analysis, DOE used a nominal run-time of 16 hours per day for coolers and 18 hours per day for freezers over a 24-hour period to calculate the capacity of a ‘‘perfectly’’sized refrigeration system at specified reference ambient temperatures of 95 °F and 90 °F for refrigeration systems with outdoor and indoor condensing units, respectively. (Docket No. EERE–2015– BT–STD–0016, various parties, Public Meeting Transcript (October 1, 2015), No. 68 at p. 9) Nominal run-time hours VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 for coolers and freezers were adjusted to account for equipment over-sizing safety margin and capacity mismatch factors. They were further adjusted to account for the change in net capacity from increased efficiency projected to occur in the standards case. Additionally, in the case of outdoor condensing equipment, run-time hours were further adjusted based on the typical variations in ambient temperatures for each of the 9 Census Divisions, not the single point 95 °F reference temperature specified in AHRI–1250–2009. For indoor condensing equipment, DOE estimated run-time hours in the no-new-standards, and standards cases based on the steady-state design point ambient temperature of 90 °F specified in AHRI– 1250–2009. DOE notes that indoor condensing equipment may be subject to ambient temperatures that are higher, or lower than the design point temperature of 90 °F. To the extent that this occurs, it would be expected to result in some increasing or lowering of consumer opening costs savings in relation to changes in indoor ambient temperature from the results presented in section V.B.1.a. The WICF equipment run-time hours that DOE used broadly follow the load profile assumptions of the industry test procedure for refrigeration systems—AHRI 1250– 2009—which is incorporated into DOE’s test procedure. See 10 CFR 431.303 and 431.304. As in the NOPR analysis, DOE maintained its use of nominal run-times of 16 hours per day for coolers and 18 hours per day for freezers over a 24-hour period to calculate the capacity of a ‘‘perfectly’’-sized refrigeration system at specified reference ambient temperatures of 95 °F and 90 °F for refrigeration systems with outdoor and indoor condensing units, respectively. See generally, Docket No. EERE–2015– BT–STD–0016, DOE, Public Meeting Transcript (October 1, 2015), No. 68 at pp. 9–13) Nominal run-time hours for coolers and freezers were adjusted to account for equipment over-sizing safety margin and capacity mismatch factors. They were further adjusted to account for the change in net capacity from increased efficiency projected to occur in the standards case, and, in the case of outdoor equipment, variations in ambient temperature. The energy use calculation is discussed in greater detail in chapter 7 of the TSD. 1. Oversize Factors During the Working Group negotiations, Rheem indicated that the typical and widespread industry practice for sizing the refrigeration system is to calculate the daily heat load on the basis of a 24-hour cycle and PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 divide by 16 hours of run-time for coolers and 18 hours of run-time for freezers. In the field, WICF refrigeration systems are sized to account for a ‘‘worst case scenario’’ need for refrigeration to prevent food spoilage, and as such are oversized by a safety margin. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT– STD–0016, Rheem, Public Meeting Transcript (October 1, 2015), No. 68 at pp. 12, 14) Based on discussions with purchasers of WICF refrigeration systems, DOE found that it is customary in the industry to add a 10 percent safety margin to the aggregate 24-hour load, resulting in 10 percent oversizing of the refrigeration system. The use of this 10 percent oversizing of the refrigeration system was presented to the Working Group and accepted without objection and incorporated into the analyses for the NOPR and the final rule. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD– 0016, various parties, Public Meeting Transcript (October 1, 2015), No. 68 at pp. 8–16) Further, DOE recognized that an exact match for the calculated refrigeration system capacity may not be available for the refrigeration systems available in the market because most refrigeration systems are produced in discrete capacities. To account for this situation, DOE used the same approach as in the June 2014 final rule. Namely, DOE applied a capacity mismatch factor of 10 percent to capture the inability to perfectly match the calculated WICF capacity with the capacity available in the market. This approach was presented to the Working Group and accepted without objection and incorporated into both the NOPR final rule analyses. (Docket No. EERE–2015– BT–STD–0016, various parties, Public Meeting Transcript (October 1, 2015), No. 68 at pp. 8, 18) The combined safety margin factor and capacity mismatch factor result in a total oversizing factor of 1.2. With the oversize factor applied, the run-time of the refrigeration system is reduced to 13.3 hours per day for coolers and 15 hours per day for freezers at full design point capacity. These calculations are described in detail in chapter 7 of the final rule TSD. 2. Net Capacity Adjustment Factors In this final rule, as in the NOPR and June 2014 final rule, DOE assumed that the heat loads to which WICF refrigeration systems are connected remain constant in the no-newstandards and standards cases. To account for changes in the net capacity of more efficient designs in the standard cases, DOE adjusted the run-time hours E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations as part of its supporting analyses. See 81 FR at 63008; 79 FR at 32083. 3. Temperature Adjustment Factors In this final rule, as in the NOPR and June 2014 final rule, DOE assumed that indoor WICF refrigeration systems are operated at a steady-state with an ambient temperature of 90 °F. See 81 FR at 63008; 79 FR at 32083. For these equipment classes, the run-time hours are only adjusted by the change in steady-state capacity as efficiency increases. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT– STD–0016, various parties, Public Meeting Transcript (October 1, 2015), No. 68 at p. 23) In this final rule, as in the NOPR, DOE assumed outdoor WICF refrigeration system run-times to be a function of external ambient temperature. 81 FR at 63008 (September 13, 2016). DOE adjusted the run-time hours for outdoor WICF refrigeration systems to account for the dependence of the steady-state capacity on external ambient temperature. External ambient temperatures were determined as regional histograms of annual weighted hourly temperatures. For these equipment, the run-time hours are adjusted by the fraction of heat load that would be removed at each temperature bin of the regional histogram. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016, various parties, Public Meeting Transcript (October 1, 2015), No. 68 at pp. 33–35) These adjusted run-times were presented to the Working Group in detail for indoor and outdoor dedicated condensing equipment classes. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016, various parties, Public Meeting Transcript (November 20, 2015), No. 66 at pp. 111– 119) After reviewing DOE’s run-time estimates, the CA IOUs, confirmed the reasonableness of DOE’s estimates. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016, CA IOUs, Public Meeting Transcript (November 4, 2015), No. 65 at p. 190) Chapter 7 of the final rule TSD provides details on DOE’s energy use analysis for the considered WICF refrigeration systems. G. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analysis DOE conducted LCC and PBP analyses to evaluate the economic impacts on individual consumers of potential energy conservation standards for the considered WICF refrigeration systems. The effect of energy conservation standards on individual consumers usually involves a reduction in operating cost and an increase in purchase cost. DOE used the following two metrics to measure consumer impacts: • The LCC (life-cycle cost) is the total consumer expense of an appliance or equipment over the life of that equipment, consisting of total installed cost (manufacturer selling price, distribution chain markups, sales tax, and installation costs) plus operating costs (expenses for energy use, maintenance, and repair). To compute the operating costs, DOE discounts future operating costs to the time of purchase and sums them over the lifetime of the equipment. • The payback period is the estimated amount of time (in years) it takes consumers to recover the increased purchase cost (including installation) of more-efficient equipment through lower operating costs. DOE calculates the PBP by dividing the change in purchase cost at higher efficiency levels by the change in annual operating cost for the year that amended or new standards are assumed to take effect. For any given efficiency level, DOE measures the change in LCC relative to the LCC in the no-new-standards case, which reflects the estimated efficiency distribution of the considered equipment in the absence of new or amended energy conservation standards. In contrast, the PBP for a given efficiency level is measured relative to the baseline equipment. For each considered efficiency level in each equipment class, DOE calculated the LCC and PBP for a nationally representative set of WICF refrigeration systems. DOE used shipments data submitted by AHRI to develop its sample. (Docket No. EERE– 2015–BT–STD–0016, DOE, Public Meeting Transcript (November 3, 2015), No. 64 at pp. 150) The sample weights how the various WICF refrigeration system types and capacities are distributed over different commercial sub-sectors, geographic regions, and configurations of how the equipment is 31843 sold (either as a separate unit cooler, a separate condensing unit, or as a combined unit cooler and condensing unit pair matched at the time of installation). For each of these WICF refrigeration systems, DOE determined the energy consumption and the appropriate electricity price, enabling DOE to capture variations in WICF refrigeration system energy consumption and energy pricing. Inputs to the calculation of total installed cost include the cost of the equipment—which includes MSPs, manufacturer markups, retailer and distributor markups, and sales taxes— and installation costs. Inputs to the calculation of operating expenses include annual energy consumption, energy prices and price projections, repair and maintenance costs, equipment lifetimes, and discount rates. DOE created distributions of values for equipment lifetime, discount rates, and sales taxes, with probabilities attached to each value, to account for their uncertainty and variability. The computer model DOE uses to calculate the LCC and PBP relies on a Monte Carlo simulation to incorporate uncertainty and variability into the analysis. The Monte Carlo simulations randomly sample input values from the probability distributions and WICF consumer sample. The model calculated the LCC and PBP for equipment at each efficiency level for 5,000 consumers per simulation run. DOE calculated the LCC and PBP for all consumers of the considered WICF refrigeration systems as if each consumer were to purchase new equipment in the expected first full year of required compliance with the standards. As discussed in section III.F, DOE currently anticipates a compliance date in early 2020 for the WICF refrigeration systems under consideration. Table IV–5 summarizes the approach and data DOE used to derive inputs to the LCC and PBP calculations. The subsections that follow provide further discussion. Details of the spreadsheet model, and of all the inputs to the LCC and PBP analyses, are contained in chapter 8 of the final rule TSD and its appendices. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 TABLE IV–5—SUMMARY OF INPUTS AND METHODS FOR THE LCC AND PBP ANALYSIS* Inputs Source/method Equipment Cost ...................................................................................... Derived by multiplying MSPs by retailer markups and sales tax, as appropriate. Used historical data to derive a price scaling index to forecast equipment costs. Baseline installation cost determined with data from RS Means. Assumed no change with efficiency level. Installation Costs .................................................................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31844 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE IV–5—SUMMARY OF INPUTS AND METHODS FOR THE LCC AND PBP ANALYSIS*—Continued Inputs Source/method Annual Energy Use ................................................................................ The total annual energy use multiplied by the hours per year. Average number of hours based on field data. Variability: Based on the stakeholder submitted data. Electricity: Average and marginal prices derived from EIA and Edison Electric Institute (‘‘EEI’’) data. Based on AEO2016 No-CPP case price projections. Assumed no change with efficiency level. Assumed average lifetime of 12 years. Approach involves identifying all possible debt or asset classes that might be used to purchase WICFs. Primary data source was the Damodaran Online. 2020. Energy Prices ......................................................................................... Energy Price Trends ............................................................................... Repair and Maintenance Costs .............................................................. Product Lifetime ...................................................................................... Discount Rates ....................................................................................... Compliance Date .................................................................................... * References for the data sources mentioned in this table are provided in the sections following the table or in chapter 8 of the final rule TSD. 1. System Boundaries As discussed in section IV.D.6, participants during the Working Group meetings stated that the vast majority of WICF refrigeration equipment are sold as stand-alone components and installed either as a complete system in the field (field-paired) or as replacement components—i.e., to replace either the unit cooler (‘‘UC-only’’) or condensing unit (‘‘CU-only’’). AHRI provided data to the Working Group indicating that over 90 percent of these WICF refrigeration equipment components are sold as stand-alone equipment with the remaining sold as manufacturer matched pairs (Docket No. EERE–2015– BT–STD–0016, AHRI, No. 29). These data stand in contrast to the June 2014 final rule, where DOE assumed in its analysis that all equipment was sold as manufacturer-matched pairs. Further, section III.B of this document DOE’s May 2014 test procedure update that specified that in instances where a complete walk-in refrigeration system consists of a unit cooler and condensing unit sourced from separate manufacturers, each manufacturer is responsible for ensuring the compliance of its respective units. See 79 FR at 27391. Based on the current market situation, the LCC analysis separately estimates the costs and benefits for equipment under the following system configuration scenarios: field-paired systems,32 condensing unit-only,33 and unit cooler only.34 b. Condensing Unit-Only Under the condensing unit-only system configuration, DOE assumes that the condensing unit is purchased as a stand-alone piece of equipment and installed with a pre-existing baseline unit cooler. Condensing unit-only results were estimated for lowtemperature, dedicated condensing equipment classes only, which includes DC.L.O and DC.L.I equipment classes. Under the field-paired system configuration, DOE assumes that the unit cooler and condensing unit are purchased as stand-alone pieces of equipment and paired together in the field. Field-paired results were estimated for dedicated condensing, c. Unit Cooler Only Under the unit cooler-only system configuration, DOE assumes that the unit cooler is purchased as a standalone piece of equipment and installed with a pre-existing baseline condensing unit. Unit cooler-only results were estimated for all low-temperature condensing equipment classes (DC.L.O, DC.L.I, and UC.L). For the mediumtemperature unit coolers belonging to the UC.M equipment class, DOE estimated the impact of unit cooler design options on multiplex applications (referred to as UC.M in the tables) and on applications where the unit cooler is installed with a pre- 32 Paired dedicated systems are described in section IV.D.6.c. 33 Condensing units are described in section IV.D.6.b. a. Field-Paired sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 low-temperature equipment classes only, which include dedicated condensing, low-temperature outdoor (DC.L.O) and dedicated condensing, low-temperature indoor (DC.L.I) equipment classes. Mediumtemperature dedicated condensing equipment classes were not analyzed as field-paired equipment because these condensing units fall outside the scope of this final rule’s analysis. (These units are already addressed by the June 2014 final rule.) Also, unit coolers used in multiplex condensing applications were not analyzed as field-paired equipment because the scope of these equipment classes only covers the unit cooler portion of the walk-in system. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 existing medium -temperature dedicated condensing unit. For the mediumtemperature dedicated applications, DOE assumed that the condensing unit meets the standards adopted in the June 2014 final rule. In the tables contained in this document, the installations with a pre-existing medium-temperature dedicated condensing unit are referred to as UC.M–DC.M.I application and UC.M–DC.M.O applications. As discussed in section III.B, DOE established a rating method for individually sold walk-in refrigeration system components. Unit coolers sold alone are tested and rated using the AWEF calculation procedure for a walkin unit cooler matched to a parallel rack system (see section 7.9 of AHRI 1250– 2009). Similarly, condensing units sold alone are tested and rated with the dedicated condensing system test. DOE reflected this approach by aggregating unit cooler-only results within the lowand medium-temperature unit cooler equipment classes. The low-temperature unit cooler equipment class (UC.L) is an aggregation of results of all unit coolers attached to DC.L.O, DC.L.I, and lowtemperature multiplex condensing systems. The medium-temperature unit cooler equipment class (UC.M) is an aggregation of results of all unit coolers in all application types. d. System Boundary and Equipment Class Weights Within each equipment class, DOE examined several different nominal capacities (see section IV.D.4). The lifecycle costs and benefits for each of these capacities was weighted in the results for each equipment class shown in section V based on the respective market share of each equipment class and capacity in the customer sample mentioned above. The system boundaries and customer sample 34 Unit E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM coolers are described in section IV.D.6.a. 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations weights (based on share of total sales of 31845 the considered WICF refrigeration equipment) are shown in Table IV–6. TABLE IV–6—SYSTEM BOUNDARIES AND CUSTOMER SAMPLE WEIGHTS Equipment class application Reported as equipment class DC.L.I .............................................. DC.L.I .............................................. DC.L.I .............................................. DC.L.I .............................................. DC.L.O ............................................ DC.L.O ............................................ DC.L.O ............................................ DC.L.O ............................................ DC.L.O ............................................ DC.L.I .............................................. DC.L.I .............................................. DC.L.I .............................................. DC.L.I .............................................. DC.L.O ............................................ DC.L.O ............................................ DC.L.O ............................................ DC.L.O ............................................ DC.L.O ............................................ DC.L.I .............................................. DC.L.I .............................................. DC.L.I .............................................. DC.L.I .............................................. DC.L.O ............................................ DC.L.O ............................................ DC.L.O ............................................ DC.L.O ............................................ DC.L.O ............................................ UC.M—DC.M.I ................................ UC.M—DC.M.I ................................ UC.M—DC.M.O .............................. UC.M—DC.M.O .............................. MC.L ............................................... MC.L ............................................... MC.L ............................................... MC.L ............................................... MC.M .............................................. MC.M .............................................. MC.M .............................................. DC.L.I ............................................. DC.L.I ............................................. DC.L.I ............................................. DC.L.I ............................................. DC.L.O ........................................... DC.L.O ........................................... DC.L.O ........................................... DC.L.O ........................................... DC.L.O ........................................... DC.L.I ............................................. DC.L.I ............................................. DC.L.I ............................................. DC.L.I ............................................. DC.L.O ........................................... DC.L.O ........................................... DC.L.O ........................................... DC.L.O ........................................... DC.L.O ........................................... UC.L ............................................... UC.L ............................................... UC.L ............................................... UC.L ............................................... UC.L ............................................... UC.L ............................................... UC.L ............................................... UC.L ............................................... UC.L ............................................... UC.M .............................................. UC.M .............................................. UC.M .............................................. UC.M .............................................. UC.L ............................................... UC.L ............................................... UC.L ............................................... UC.L ............................................... UC.M .............................................. UC.M .............................................. UC.M .............................................. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 2. Equipment Cost To calculate consumer equipment costs, DOE multiplied the MPCs developed in the engineering analysis by the markups described earlier (along with sales taxes). DOE used different markups for baseline equipment and higher-efficiency equipment because DOE applies an incremental markup to the increase in MSP associated with higher-efficiency equipment. To develop an equipment price trend for WICFs, DOE derived an inflationadjusted index of the producer price index (‘‘PPI’’) for commercial refrigerators and related equipment from 1978 to 2014.35 These data, which represent the closest approximation to the refrigeration equipment at issue in this rule, indicate no clear trend, showing increases and decreases over 35 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Producer Price Index Industry Data, Series: PCU3334153334153. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 Capacity (kBtu/h) System boundary 6 9 25 54 6 9 25 54 72 6 9 25 54 6 9 25 54 72 6 9 25 54 6 9 25 54 72 9 24 9 24 4 9 18 40 4 9 24 CU-Only ......................................... CU-Only ......................................... CU-Only ......................................... CU-Only ......................................... CU-Only ......................................... CU-Only ......................................... CU-Only ......................................... CU-Only ......................................... CU-Only ......................................... Field-Paired .................................... Field-Paired .................................... Field-Paired .................................... Field-Paired .................................... Field-Paired .................................... Field-Paired .................................... Field-Paired .................................... Field-Paired .................................... Field-Paired .................................... UC-Only ......................................... UC-Only ......................................... UC-Only ......................................... UC-Only ......................................... UC-Only ......................................... UC-Only ......................................... UC-Only ......................................... UC-Only ......................................... UC-Only ......................................... UC-Only ......................................... UC-Only ......................................... UC-Only ......................................... UC-Only ......................................... UC-Only ......................................... UC-Only ......................................... UC-Only ......................................... UC-Only ......................................... UC-Only ......................................... UC-Only ......................................... UC-Only ......................................... time. Because the observed data do not provide a firm basis for projecting future price trends for WICF refrigeration equipment, DOE used a constant price assumption as the default trend to project future WICF refrigeration system prices. Thus, prices projected for the LCC and PBP analysis are equal to the 2015 values for each efficiency level in each equipment class. 3. Installation Cost Installation cost includes labor, overhead, and any miscellaneous materials and parts needed to install the equipment. DOE used data from RS Means Mechanical Cost Data 2015 36 to estimate the baseline installation cost for WICF refrigeration systems. Installation costs associated with hot gas defrost design options for lowtemperature dedicated condensing and 36 Reed Construction Data, RSMeans Mechanical Cost Data 2015 Book, 2015. PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 Weight (%) 1.2 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.6 1.1 0.4 0.1 0.1 5.4 2.0 0.6 0.2 2.9 5.1 1.7 0.3 0.4 1.2 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.6 1.1 0.4 0.1 0.1 15.5 4.6 24.0 11.7 0.8 3.0 2.0 0.7 1.4 7.9 2.0 multiplex condensing equipment were discussed at length during the Working Group meetings. (Docket No. EERE– 2015–BT–STD–0016, various parties, Public Meeting Transcript (October 1, 2015), No. 68 at p. 54; Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016, various parties, Public Meeting Transcript (October 15, 2015), No. 62 at pp. 36–37, 49–50, 187) However, the Working Group recommended that DOE remove from the test procedure the method for calculating the energy use and thermal load associated with hot gas defrost (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016, Term Sheet: Recommendation #3 (December 15, 2015), No. 56 at p. 2) This method did not require any testing of defrost, using instead a calculation that includes standardized values associated with both electricity use and thermal load associated with hot gas defrost—the method gave a significantly E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31846 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 better AWEF rating for a refrigeration system with hot gas defrost than for systems with electric defrost, in effect representing a ‘‘credit’’ for this feature. The credit recognized the reduced electrical usage but, in the absence of a means to account for the energy consumption stemming from the use of the hot gas defrost system itself, industry representatives argued that, in their view, the credit did not provide a completely accurate picture with respect to energy consumption. Consequently, in light of these concerns, in addition to making the corresponding changes to the test procedure, DOE also removed hot gas defrost as a design option from its standards analysis, as discussed in section VI.B.2. For this final rule, as in the NOPR, DOE maintained that while installation costs may increase with equipment capacity, they are not affected by an increase in efficiency and were therefore not considered. See 81 FR at 63009, 63011. Installation costs are discussed in detail in chapter 8 of the final rule TSD. 4. Annual Energy Use DOE typically considers the impact of a rebound effect in its energy use calculation. A rebound effect occurs when users operate higher efficiency equipment more frequently and/or for longer durations, thus offsetting estimated energy savings. DOE did not incorporate a rebound factor for WICF refrigeration equipment because it is operated 24 hours a day, and therefore there is limited potential for a rebound effect. Additionally, DOE requested comment from the Working Group if there was any evidence contradicting DOE’s assumption to not incorporate a rebound factor, (Docket No. EERE– 2015–BT–STD–0016, DOE, Public Meeting Transcript (November 20, 2015), No. 66 at pp. 92) to which Hussmann responded that DOE’s assumption was reasonable. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016, Hussmann, Public Meeting Transcript (November 20, 2015), No. 66 at pp. 92) Further, ASAP and Lennox responded in agreement with DOE’s assumption to not incorporate a rebound factor in its NOPR. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT– STD–0016, ASAP, Public Meeting Transcript (September 29, 2016), No. 79 at p. 23; Docket No. EERE–2015–BT– STD–0016, Lennox No. 89 at p. 7) In light of these comments, DOE maintained the same assumptions on rebound effect in this final rule. For each sampled WICF refrigeration system, DOE determined the energy consumption at different efficiency levels using the approach described in section IV.D.10. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 5. Energy Pricing and Projections DOE derived regional marginal nonresidential (i.e., commercial and industrial) electricity prices using data from EIA’s Form EIA–861 database (based on the agency’s ‘‘Annual Electric Power Industry Report’’),37 EEI Typical Bills and Average Rates Reports,38 and information from utility tariffs for each of nine (9) geographic U.S. Census Divisions.39 Electricity tariffs for nonresidential consumers generally incorporate demand charges. The presence of demand charges means that two consumers with the same monthly electricity consumption may have very different bills, depending on their peak demand. DOE maintained its approach from the NOPR analysis for the final rule, and derived marginal electricity prices to estimate the impact of demand charges for consumers of WICF refrigeration systems. The methodology used to calculate the marginal electricity rates can be found in appendix 8A of the final rule TSD. To estimate energy prices in future years, DOE multiplied the average and marginal regional electricity prices by the forecast of annual change in national-average commercial electricity pricing in the Reference case described on p.E–8 in AEO 2016,40 which has an end year of 2040. To estimate price trends after 2040, DOE used the average annual rate of change in prices from 2020 to 2040. 6. Maintenance and Repair Costs Repair costs are associated with repairing or replacing equipment components that have failed in an 37 Available at: www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/ page/eia861.html. 38 Edison Electric Institute. Typical Bills and Average Rates Report. Winter 2014 published April 2014, Summer 2014 published October 2014: Washington, D.C. (Last accessed June 2, 2015.) www.eei.org/resourcesandmedia/products/Pages/ Products.aspx. 39 U.S. Census Bureau, Census Divisions and Census Regions www.census.gov/geo/reference/gtc/ gtc_census_divreg.html (Last accessed February 2, 2016) 40 EIA. Annual Energy Outlook 2016 with Projections to 2040. Washington, DC. Available at www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/. The standards finalized in this rulemaking will take effect a few years prior to the 2022 commencement of the Clean Power Plan compliance requirements. As DOE has not modeled the effect of CPP during the 30 year analysis period of this rulemaking, there is some uncertainty as to the magnitude and overall effect of the energy efficiency standards. These energy efficiency standards are expected to put downward pressure on energy prices relative to the projections in the AEO 2016 case that incorporates the CPP. Consequently, DOE used the electricity price projections found in the AEO 2016 No-CPP case as these electricity price projections are expected to be lower, yielding more conservative estimates for consumer savings due to the energy efficiency standards. PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 appliance. Industry participants from the Working Group indicated that maintenance and repair costs do not change with increased WICF refrigeration system efficiency. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016, various parties, Public Meeting Transcript (October 15, 2015), No. 62 at pp. 38, 53) As in the NOPR, DOE did not include these costs in the final rule. 7. Equipment Lifetime For this analysis, DOE continued to use an estimated average lifetime of 10.5 years for the WICF refrigeration systems examined in this rulemaking, with a minimum and maximum of 2 and 25 years, respectively, used in the June 2014 final rule. 79 FR at 32086 (June 3, 2014). DOE reflects the uncertainty of equipment lifetimes in the LCC analysis for equipment components by using probability distributions. DOE presented this assumption at the NOPR public meeting and invited comment. DOE received no comments on its estimated WICF refrigeration system lifetimes. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016, DOE, Public Meeting Presentation (September 29, 2016), No. 78 at p. 29) 8. Discount Rates In calculating the LCC, DOE applies discount rates to estimate the present value of future operating costs to the consumers of WICF refrigeration systems. DOE derived the discount rates for both the NOPR and final rule analyses by estimating the average cost of capital for a large number of companies similar to those that would likely to purchase WICF refrigeration systems. This approach resulted in a distribution of potential consumer discount rates from which DOE sampled in the LCC analysis. Most companies use both debt and equity capital to fund investments, so their cost of capital is the weighted average of the cost to the company of equity and debt financing. DOE estimated the cost of equity financing by using the Capital Asset Pricing Model (‘‘CAPM’’).41 The CAPM assumes that the cost of equity is proportional to the amount of systematic risk associated with a company. Data for deriving the cost of equity and debt financing primarily came from Damodaran Online, which is a widely used source of information about company debt and equity financing for most types of firms.42 41 Harris, R.S. Applying the Capital Asset Pricing Model. UVA–F–1456. Available at SSRN: https:// ssrn.com/abstract=909893. 42 Damodaran Online, The Data Page: Cost of Capital by Industry Sector, (2004–2013) (Available at: https://pages.stern.nyu.edu/∼adamodar/). E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations More details regarding DOE’s estimates of consumer discount rates are provided in chapter 8 of the final rule TSD. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 9. Energy Efficiency Distribution in the No-New-Standards Case To accurately estimate the share of consumers that would be affected by a potential energy conservation standard at a particular efficiency level, DOE’s LCC analysis considered the projected distribution (market shares) of equipment efficiencies under the nonew-standards case (i.e., the case without amended or new energy conservation standards). In the case of WICF refrigeration systems, DOE was unable to find usable data on the distribution of efficiencies in the market, nor was information offered by participants during the Working Group meetings. For this analysis, DOE continued to assume, as it did for the NOPR analysis, that 100 percent of WICF refrigeration equipment is at the baseline efficiency level in the no-newstandards case. (Docket No. EERE– 2015–BT–STD–0016, DOE, Public Meeting (October 1, 2015), No. 068 at pp. 53–54) DOE presented this assumption at the NOPR public meeting and invited comment. DOE received no comments on its efficiency distribution assumption in the no-new-standards case. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD– 0016, DOE, Public Meeting Presentation (September 29, 2016), No. 78 at p. 29) 10. Payback Period (PBP) Analysis The PBP is the amount of time it takes the consumer to recover the additional installed cost of more-efficient products, compared to baseline products, through energy cost savings. PBPs are expressed in years and those that exceed the life of the product mean that the increased total installed cost is not recovered in reduced operating expenses. The inputs to the PBP calculation for each efficiency level are the change in total installed cost of the product and the change in the first-year annual operating expenditures relative to the baseline. The PBP calculation uses the same inputs as the LCC analysis, except that discount rates are not needed because the calculation is based only on the first-year annual operating expenditures. As noted above, EPCA, as amended, establishes a rebuttable presumption that a standard is economically justified if the Secretary finds that the additional cost to the consumer of purchasing a product complying with an energy conservation standard level will be less than three times the value of the first year’s energy savings resulting from the VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 standard, as calculated under the applicable test procedure. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(iii) and 6316(a)) For each considered efficiency level, DOE determined the value of the first year’s energy savings by calculating the energy savings in accordance with the applicable DOE test procedure, and multiplying those savings by the average energy price projection for the year in which compliance with the standards would be required. H. Shipments Analysis DOE uses forecasts of annual equipment shipments to calculate the national impacts of the energy conservation standards on energy use, NPV, and future manufacturer cashflows.43 The shipments model takes an accounting approach, tracking the vintage of units in the stock and market shares of each equipment class. The model uses equipment shipments as inputs to estimate the age distribution of in-service equipment stocks for all years. The age distribution of in-service equipment stocks is a key input to calculations of both the NES and NPV, because operating costs for any year depend on the age distribution of the stock. In DOE’s shipments model, shipments of the considered WICF refrigeration systems are driven by new purchases and stock replacements due to failures. Equipment failure rates are related to equipment lifetimes described in section IV.G.7. New equipment purchases are driven by growth in commercial floor space. DOE initialized its stock and shipments model based on shipments data provided by stakeholders during the Working Group meetings. These data showed that for low-temperature, dedicated condensing equipment classes, 5 percent of shipments are manufacturer-matched condensing units and unit coolers, and the remaining 95 percent is sold as individual condensing units or unit coolers that installers then match in the field. (Docket No. EERE– 2015–BT–STD–0016, various parties, Public Meeting Transcript (November 3, 2015), No. 64 at p. 120; Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016, various parties, Public Meeting Transcript (November 20, 2015), No. 66 at pp. 83– 84) For medium and low-temperature unit coolers, 82 percent are paired with dedicated condensing systems, and the remaining 18 percent are paired with 43 DOE uses data on manufacturer shipments as a proxy for national sales, as aggregate data on sales are not readily available for DOE to examine. In general, one would expect a close correspondence between shipments and sales in light of their direct relationship with each other. PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 31847 multiplex systems; 70 percent of unit coolers are medium-temperature, and 30 percent are low-temperature. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016, various parties, Public Meeting Transcript (November 4, 2015), No. 65 at p. 117) As with the NOPR and the June 2014 final rule, DOE assumed in this analysis that shipments of new equipment would increase over time at the same rate of growth as commercial floor space projected in AEO 2016. As presented to the Working Group, DOE took this approach because data on historic trends in market shares of WICF equipment classes and capacities were lacking. Because of this limitation, DOE assumed that the share of shipments for each equipment class and capacity would remain constant over time. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016, Public Meeting Presentation (November 20, 2015), No. 42, at p. 24) DOE recognizes that an increase in equipment price resulting from energy conservation standards may affect enduser decisions regarding whether to purchase new WICF equipment. However, DOE has not found any information in existing literature, or provided by stakeholders, that indicates that there is a price elasticity for WICFs. As in the June 2014 final rule, NOPR, and as presented at the NOPR public meeting, similar to other commercial refrigeration equipment, DOE assumed that WICF equipment is a necessity for food safety, storage and business operations. Because of this assumption, DOE concluded that the demand for WICF equipment is inelastic and assumed an elasticity of zero for this analysis.44 (79 FR 32050; 81 FR 62979; Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016, Public Meeting Presentation (November 20, 2015), No. 42, at pp. 27–38) DOE did not receive any comments suggesting that there should be a price elasticity for the considered WICF equipment applied to its previous analysis—either in response to the proposal or during the Working Group negotiations. I. National Impact Analysis The NIA assesses the national energy savings (‘‘NES’’) and the national net present value (‘‘NPV’’) from a national perspective of total consumer costs and savings that would be expected to result from new or amended standards at specific efficiency levels.45 (‘‘Consumer’’ in this context refers to consumers of the product being regulated.) DOE calculates the NES and 44 See: Zero Zone, Inc., et al., v. United States Department of Energy, et al., 832 F.3d 654 (7th Cir. 2016). 45 The NIA accounts for impacts in the 50 states and U.S. territories. E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31848 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations NPV for the potential standard levels considered based on projections of annual product shipments, along with the annual energy consumption and total installed cost data from the energy use and LCC analyses.46 For the present analysis, DOE projected the energy savings, operating cost savings, product costs, and NPV of consumer benefits over the lifetime of WICF refrigeration systems sold from 2020 through 2049. DOE evaluates the impacts of standards by comparing a case without such standards with standards-case projections. The no-new-standards case characterizes energy use and consumer costs for each equipment class in the absence of energy conservation standards. For this projection, DOE considers historical trends in efficiency and various forces that are likely to affect the mix of efficiencies over time. DOE compares the no-new-standards case with projections characterizing the market for each equipment class if DOE adopted new or amended standards at specific energy efficiency levels (i.e., the TSLs or standards cases) for that class. For the standards cases, DOE considers how a given standard would likely affect the market shares of equipment with efficiencies greater than the standard. DOE uses a spreadsheet model to calculate the energy savings and the national consumer costs and savings from each TSL. Interested parties can review DOE’s analyses by changing various input quantities within the spreadsheet. The NIA spreadsheet model uses typical values (as opposed to probability distributions) as inputs. Table IV–7 summarizes the inputs and methods DOE used for the NIA analysis for the final rule. Discussion of these inputs and methods follows the table. See chapter 10 of the final rule TSD for further details. TABLE IV–7—SUMMARY OF INPUTS AND METHODS FOR THE NATIONAL IMPACT ANALYSIS Inputs Method Shipments .......................................................................... Compliance Date of Standard ............................................ Efficiency Trends ................................................................ Annual Energy Consumption per Unit ............................... Total Installed Cost per Unit .............................................. Annual shipments from shipments model. 2020 No-new-standards case: none. Standards cases: none. Annual weighted-average values are a function of energy use at each TSL. Does not change with efficiency level. Incorporates projection of future equipment prices based on historical data. Annual weighted-average values as a function of the annual energy consumption per unit and energy prices. Annual values do not change with efficiency level. AEO2016 no-CPP case price forecasts (to 2040) and extrapolation through 2050. Site-to-Primary: A time-series conversion factor based on AEO 2016. FFC: Utilizes data and projections published in AEO 2016. Three and seven percent. 2016. Annual Energy Cost per Unit ............................................. Repair and Maintenance Cost per Unit ............................. Energy Prices ..................................................................... Energy Site-to-Primary and FFC Conversion .................... Discount Rate ..................................................................... Present Year ...................................................................... sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 1. Equipment Efficiency Trends For the standards cases, DOE used a ‘‘roll-up’’ scenario to establish the shipment-weighted efficiency for the year that standards are assumed to become effective (2020). In this scenario, the market of products in the no-new-standards case that do not meet the standard under consideration would ‘‘roll up’’ to meet the new standard level, and the market share of products above the standard would remain unchanged. Because data on trends in efficiency for the considered WICF refrigeration systems are lacking, DOE took a conservative approach and assumed that no change in efficiency would occur over the shipments projection period in the no-new-standards case. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016, various parties, Public Meeting Transcript (November 20, 2015), No. 66 at pp. 83– 84) 2. National Energy Savings The NES analysis involves a comparison of national energy 46 For the NIA, DOE adjusts the installed cost data from the LCC analysis to exclude sales tax, which is a transfer. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 consumption of the considered products between each potential standards case (TSL) and the case with no new or amended energy conservation standards. DOE calculated the national energy consumption by multiplying the number of units (stock) of each product (by vintage or age) by the unit energy consumption (also by vintage). DOE calculated annual NES based on the difference in national energy consumption for the no-new-standards case and for each higher efficiency standard case. DOE estimated energy consumption and savings based on site energy and converted the electricity consumption and savings to primary energy (i.e., the energy consumed by power plants to generate site electricity) using annual conversion factors derived from AEO 2016. Cumulative energy savings are the sum of the NES for each year over the timeframe of the analysis. In 2011, in response to the recommendations of a committee on ‘‘Point-of-Use and Full-Fuel-Cycle Measurement Approaches to Energy Efficiency Standards’’ appointed by the National Academy of Sciences, DOE announced its intention to use full-fuelcycle (‘‘FFC’’) measures of energy use and greenhouse gas and other emissions in the national impact analyses and emissions analyses included in future energy conservation standards rulemakings. 76 FR 51281 (August 18, 2011). After evaluating the approaches discussed in that document, DOE published a statement of amended policy in which DOE explained its determination that EIA’s National Energy Modeling System (‘‘NEMS’’) is the most appropriate tool for its FFC analysis and its intention to use NEMS for that purpose. 77 FR 49701 (August 17, 2012). NEMS is a public domain, multi-sector, partial equilibrium model of the U.S. energy sector 47 that EIA uses to prepare its Annual Energy Outlook. The FFC factors incorporate losses in production and delivery in the case of natural gas (including fugitive emissions) and additional energy used to produce and deliver the various fuels used by power plants. The approach used for deriving FFC measures of 47 For more information on NEMS, refer to The National Energy Modeling System: An Overview 2009, DOE/EIA–0581(2009), October 2009. Available at www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/index.cfm. PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations energy use and emissions is described in appendix 10A of the final rule TSD. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 3. Net Present Value Analysis The inputs for determining the NPV of the total costs and benefits experienced by consumers are (1) total annual installed cost, (2) total annual operating costs (energy costs and repair and maintenance costs), and (3) a discount factor to calculate the present value of costs and savings. DOE calculates net savings each year as the difference between the no-newstandards case and each standards case in terms of total savings in operating costs versus total increases in installed costs. DOE calculates operating cost savings over the lifetime of each product shipped during the projection period. As discussed in section IV.F.1 of this final rule, DOE used a constant price trend for WICF refrigeration systems. DOE applied the same trend to forecast prices for each equipment class at each considered efficiency level. DOE’s projection of equipment prices is discussed in appendix 10B of the final rule TSD. To evaluate the effect of uncertainty regarding the price trend estimates, DOE investigated the impact of different equipment price forecasts on the consumer NPV for the considered TSLs for the considered WICF refrigeration systems. In addition to the default price trend, DOE considered one equipment price sensitivity case in which prices increase and one in which prices decrease. The derivation of these price trends and the results of the sensitivity cases are described in appendix 10B of the final rule TSD. The operating cost savings are energy cost savings, which are calculated using the estimated energy savings in each year and the projected price of the appropriate form of energy. To estimate energy prices in future years, DOE multiplied the average regional energy prices by a projection of annual national-average commercial energy price changes consistent with the cases described on page E–8 in AEO 2016,48 48 U.S. Department of Energy–Energy Information Administration. Annual Energy Outlook 2016 with Projections to 2040. Washington, DC. Available at www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/. The standards finalized in this rulemaking will take effect a few years prior to the 2022 commencement of the Clean Power Plan compliance requirements. As DOE has not modeled the effect of CPP during the 30 year analysis period of this rulemaking, there is some uncertainty as to the magnitude and overall effect of the energy efficiency standards. These energy efficiency standards are expected to put downward pressure on energy prices relative to the projections in the AEO 2016 case that incorporates the CPP. Consequently, DOE used the electricity price projections found in the AEO 2016 No-CPP case as these electricity price projections are expected to be VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 which has an end year of 2040. To estimate price trends after 2040, DOE used the average annual rate of change in prices from 2020 through 2040. As part of the NIA, DOE also analyzed scenarios that used inputs from variants of the AEO 2016 case that have lower and higher economic growth. Those cases have lower and higher energy price trends and the NIA results based on these cases are presented in appendix 10B of the final rule TSD. In calculating the NPV, DOE multiplies the net savings in future years by a discount factor to determine their present value. For this final rule, DOE estimated the NPV of consumer benefits using both a 3-percent and a 7percent real discount rate. DOE uses these discount rates in accordance with guidance provided by the Office of Management and Budget (‘‘OMB’’) to Federal agencies on the development of regulatory analysis.49 The discount rates for the determination of NPV are in contrast to the discount rates used in the LCC analysis, which are designed to reflect a consumer’s perspective. The 7percent real value is an estimate of the average before-tax rate of return to private capital in the U.S. economy. The 3-percent real value represents the ‘‘social rate of time preference,’’ which is the rate at which society discounts future consumption flows to their present value. J. Consumer Subgroup Analysis In analyzing the potential impact of the new or amended standards on commercial consumers, DOE evaluates the impact on identifiable groups (i.e., subgroups) of consumers that may be disproportionately affected. Small businesses typically face a higher cost of capital, which could make it more likely that they would be disadvantaged by a requirement to purchase higher efficiency equipment. DOE estimated the impacts on the small business customer subgroup using the LCC model. To account for a higher cost of capital, the discount rate was increased by applying a small firm premium to the cost of capital.50 In addition, electricity prices associated with different types of small businesses were used in the subgroup analysis.51 lower, yielding more conservative estimates for consumer savings due to the energy efficiency standards projections in the AEO 2016 CPP case. 49 United States Office of Management and Budget. Circular A–4: Regulatory Analysis. September 17, 2003. Section E. Available at www.whitehouse.gov/omb/memoranda/m03– 21.html. 50 See chapter 8 of the final TSD for a more detailed discussion of discount rates. 51 Small businesses tend to face higher electricity prices than the average WICF users. PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 31849 Apart from these changes, all other inputs for the subgroup analysis are the same as those in the LCC analysis. Details of the data used for the subgroup analysis and results are presented in chapter 11 of the final rule TSD. K. Manufacturer Impact Analysis 1. Definition of Manufacturer A manufacturer of a walk-in is any person who: (1) Manufactures a component of a walk-in cooler or walkin freezer that affects energy consumption, including, but not limited to, refrigeration, doors, lights, windows, or walls; or (2) manufactures or assembles the complete walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer. 10 CFR 431.302. DOE requires a manufacturer of a walk-in component to certify the compliance of the components it manufactures. This document establishes energy conservation standards for seven classes of refrigeration equipment that are components of complete walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. DOE provides a qualitative and quantitative analysis on the potential impacts of the adopted rule on the affected WICF refrigeration manufacturers. The results are presented in section V.B.2. This document does not set new or amended energy conservation standards in terms of the performance of the complete walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer and does not create new burdens on manufacturers who assemble the complete walk-in cooler or freezer. DOE provides a qualitative review of the potential impacts on those manufacturers that assemble complete walk-ins in section V.B.2.e. 2. Overview DOE performed an MIA to estimate the financial impacts of energy conservation standards on manufacturers of the seven WICF refrigeration system equipment classes being analyzed. The MIA also has qualitative aspects and seeks to determine how energy conservation standards might affect competition, production capacity, and overall cumulative regulatory burden for manufacturers. Finally, the MIA serves to identify any disproportionate impacts on manufacturer subgroups, including small business manufacturers. The quantitative part of the MIA primarily relies on the Government Regulatory Impact Model (i.e., GRIM), an industry cash-flow model with inputs specific to this rulemaking. The key GRIM inputs include data on the industry cost structure, unit production costs, equipment shipments, manufacturer markups, and investments E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 31850 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations in R&D and manufacturing capital required to produce compliant equipment. The key GRIM outputs are the INPV, which is the sum of industry annual cash-flows over the analysis period, discounted using the industryweighted average cost of capital, and the impact to domestic manufacturing employment. The model uses standard accounting principles to estimate the impacts of more-stringent energy conservation standards on a given industry by comparing changes in INPV between a no-new-standards case and the various trial standards cases (TSLs). To capture the uncertainty relating to manufacturer pricing strategy following the adoption of standards, the GRIM estimates a range of possible impacts under two markup scenarios. DOE notes that the INPV estimated by the GRIM is reflective of industry value derived from the seven equipment classes being analyzed. The model does not capture the revenue from equipment falling outside the scope of this rulemaking. The qualitative part of the MIA addresses manufacturer characteristics and market trends. Specifically, the MIA considers such factors as a potential standard’s impact on manufacturing capacity, competition within the industry, and the cumulative impact of other Federal regulations. The complete MIA is outlined in chapter 12 of the final rule TSD. DOE conducted the MIA for this rulemaking in three phases. In phase 1, DOE prepared an industry characterization based on the market and technology assessment and publicly available information. In Phase 2 of the MIA, DOE prepared an industry cashflow analysis to quantify the impacts of an energy conservation standard on manufacturers of WICF refrigeration systems. In general, more-stringent energy conservation standards can affect manufacturer cash-flow in three distinct ways: (1) By creating a need for increased investment; (2) by raising production costs per unit; and (3) by altering revenue due to higher per-unit prices and possible changes in sales volumes. In Phase 3 of the MIA, DOE used information from the Working Group negotiations to update key inputs to GRIM to better reflect the industry. Updates include changes to the engineering inputs and shipments model. As part of Phase 3, DOE also evaluated subgroups of manufacturers that may be disproportionately impacted by the adopted standards or that may not be accurately represented by the average cost assumptions used to develop the industry cash-flow analysis. Such manufacturer subgroups may VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 include small business manufacturers, low-volume manufacturers, niche players, and/or manufacturers exhibiting a cost structure that largely differs from the industry average. DOE identified one manufacturer subgroup for which average cost assumptions may not hold: Small businesses. To identify small businesses for this analysis, DOE applied the size standards published by the Small Business Administration (‘‘SBA’’) to determine whether a company is considered a small business. (65 FR 30840, 30848 (May 15, 2000), as amended at 65 FR 53533, 53544 (September 5, 2000); and codified at 13 CFR part 121.) To be categorized as a small business manufacturer of WICF refrigeration systems under North American Industry Classification System (‘‘NAICS’’) code 333415 (‘‘Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing’’), a WICF refrigeration systems manufacturer and its affiliates may employ a maximum of 1,250 employees. The 1,250-employee threshold includes all employees in a business’ parent company and any other subsidiaries. Using this classification in conjunction with a search of industry databases and the SBA member directory, DOE identified three manufacturers of WICF refrigeration systems that qualify as small businesses. The WICF refrigeration systems manufacturer subgroup analysis for the seven analyzed equipment classes is discussed in greater detail in chapter 12 of the final rule TSD and in section VI.B of this document. 3. Government Regulatory Impact Model and Key Inputs DOE uses the GRIM to quantify the changes in cash-flows over time due to new or amended energy conservation standards. These changes in cash-flows result in either a higher or lower INPV for the standards case compared to the no-new standards case. The GRIM analysis uses a standard annual cashflow analysis that incorporates MPCs, manufacturer markups, shipments, and industry financial information as inputs. It then models changes in MPCs, investments, and manufacturer margins that may result from analyzed energy conservation standards. The GRIM uses these inputs to calculate a series of annual cash-flows beginning with the reference year of the analysis, 2016, and continuing to 2049. Annual cash-flows are discounted to the reference year using a discount rate of 10.2 percent. DOE then computes INPV by summing the stream of discounted annual cashflows during the analysis period. The PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 GRIM analysis focuses on manufacturer impacts with respect to the seven covered refrigeration equipment classes. The major GRIM inputs are described in detail in the following sections. a. Manufacturer Production Costs Manufacturing higher-efficiency equipment is typically more expensive than manufacturing baseline equipment due to the use of more complex and expensive components. The increases in the MPCs of the analyzed equipment can affect the revenues, gross margins, and cash-flow of the industry, making these equipment costs key inputs for the GRIM and the MIA. In the MIA, DOE used the MPCs and shipping costs calculated in the engineering analysis, as described in section IV.D and further detailed in chapter 5 of this final rule TSD. DOE used information from its teardown analysis, described in section IV.D.5 to disaggregate the MPCs into material, labor, and overhead costs. To calculate the MPCs for equipment above the baseline, DOE added incremental material, labor, overhead costs from the engineering cost-efficiency curves to the baseline MPCs. These cost breakdowns and equipment markups were validated with manufacturers during manufacturer interviews conducted for the June 2014 final rule and further revised based on additional feedback from the Working Group. b. Shipment Scenarios The GRIM estimates manufacturer revenues based on total unit shipment forecasts and the distribution of shipments by equipment class. For the no-new standards case analysis, the GRIM uses the NIA shipment forecasts from 2016, the base year for the MIA analysis, to 2049, the final year of the analysis period. For the standards case shipment forecast, the GRIM uses the NIA standards case shipment forecasts. The NIA assumes zero elasticity in demand. With no elasticity, the total number of shipments per year in the standards case is equal to the total shipments per year in the no-new standards case. DOE assumed that equipment efficiencies in the no-new standards case that did not meet the standard under consideration would ‘‘roll up’’ to meet the new standard in the compliance year. Section IV.G and in chapter 9 of the TSD provide further details about the shipment scenarios. c. Capital and Product Conversion Costs New energy conservation standards will cause manufacturers to incur conversion costs to bring their production facilities and equipment E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations designs into compliance. For the MIA, DOE classified these conversion costs into two major groups: (1) Product conversion costs and (2) capital conversion costs. Product conversion costs are investments in research, development, testing, marketing, and other non-capitalized costs necessary to make equipment designs comply with a new or amended energy conservation standard. Capital conversion costs are investments in property, plant, and equipment necessary to adapt or change existing production facilities such that new equipment designs can be fabricated and assembled. To evaluate the level of conversion costs the industry would likely incur to comply with energy conservation standards, DOE used the data gathered in support of the June 2014 final rule. 79 FR at 32091 (June 3, 2014). The supporting data relied on manufacturer comments and information derived from the equipment teardown analysis and engineering model. DOE also incorporated feedback received during the ASRAC negotiations, which included updated conversion costs to better reflect changes in the test procedure, design options and design option ordering, the dollar year, and the competitive landscape for walk-in 31851 refrigeration systems. Finally, DOE incorporated analysis from the WICF test procedure final rule to estimate the costs associated with testing and labeling. In general, the analysis assumes that all conversion-related investments occur between the year of publication of the final rule and the year by which manufacturers must comply with a new or amended standard. The investment figures used in the GRIM can be found in Table IV–8 of this document. For additional information on the estimated product conversion and capital conversion costs, see chapter 12 of the final rule TSD. TABLE IV–8—INDUSTRY PRODUCT AND CAPITAL CONVERSION COSTS PER TRIAL STANDARD LEVEL Trial standard level 1 Product Conversion Costs (2015$ MM) ...................................................................................... Capital Conversion Costs (2015$ MM) ....................................................................................... Capital conversion costs are driven by investments related to larger condenser coils. DOE estimated that four manufacturers produce their own condenser coils, which requires an estimated total investment of $1.0 million per manufacturer. The remainder of the capital conversion costs is attributed to the ambient subcooling design option. DOE’s engineering analysis suggests that many efficiency levels can be reached through the incorporation of more efficient components. Many of these changes are component swaps that do not require extensive R&D or redesign. DOE estimated product conversion costs of $20,000 per manufacturer per equipment class for component swaps. For improved evaporator fan blades, additional R&D effort may be required to account for proper airflow within the cabinet and across the heat exchanger. DOE estimates product conversion costs to be $50,000 per manufacturer per equipment class. Chapter 12 of the final rule TSD provides further details on the methodology that was used to estimate conversion costs. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 d. Testing and Labeling Costs In the test procedure final rule, DOE added a labeling requirement for WICF refrigeration systems. 81 FR at 95803 (December 28, 2016). As part of that rule’s analysis, DOE accounted for the burdens manufacturers would incur to update their marketing materials in the product conversion cost estimates. Marketing materials include literature, VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 data sheets, selection software, sales training, and compliance documentation. In the test procedure final rule, DOE estimated that manufacturers would incur product conversion costs of $50,000 per manufacturer to update marketing materials for WICF refrigeration systems. Based on a total of ten manufacturers, DOE included industry labeling costs of $0.5 million in product conversion costs for all TSLs. DOE also included testing costs that manufacturers would incur as a result of the test procedure for WICF refrigeration systems. DOE allows manufacturers to use alternative efficiency determination methods (‘‘AEDMs’’) to determine representative values of efficiency. AEDMs must be validated with tested performance of at least two distinct basic models for each equipment classes. See 10 CFR 429.70. DOE estimates that testing costs are $7,500 per basic model. Using this estimate, the cost to validate AEDMs for seven equipment classes totals $105,000 per manufacturer. In addition, DOE included the costs to run AEDMs. Based on DOE’s Compliance Certification Management System (‘‘CCMS’’) Web site, refrigeration manufacturers have up to 100 WICF refrigeration models. DOE estimates it takes an estimated 3 hours per model for a mechanical engineer to run an AEDM model. Using an average hourly wage for a mechanical engineer in 2015 of $42.40,52 the costs to run PO 00000 52 www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes172141.htm. Frm 00045 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 2 3.0 0.3 3 6.0 1.1 14.0 4.7 AEDMs are $12,720 per manufacturer. In summary, testing costs are estimated to be $1.2 million, and labeling costs are $0.5 million for the WICF refrigeration industry. e. Manufacturer Markup Scenarios As discussed above, MSPs include direct manufacturing production costs (i.e., labor, material, and overhead estimated in DOE’s MPCs) and all nonproduction costs (i.e., SG&A, R&D, and interest), along with profit. To calculate the MSPs in the GRIM, DOE applied manufacturer markups to the MPCs estimated in the engineering analysis and then added the cost of shipping. Modifying these manufacturer markups in the standards case yields different sets of impacts on manufacturers. For the MIA, DOE modeled two standardscase manufacturer markup scenarios to represent the uncertainty regarding the potential impacts on prices and profitability for manufacturers following the implementation of new or amended energy conservation standards: (1) A preservation of gross margin percentage markup scenario and (2) a preservation of operating profit markup scenario. These scenarios lead to different manufacturer markup values that, when applied to the inputted MPCs, result in varying revenue and cash-flow impacts. These manufacturer markup scenarios were presented during the NOPR public meeting and DOE received no additional comment on them. (Public Meeting Transcript (September 29, 2016), No. 79 at pp. 40–41) DOE further notes that these markup scenarios are consistent E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 31852 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations with the scenarios modeled in the June 2014 final rule for walk-ins. Under the preservation of gross margin percentage scenario, DOE applied a single uniform ‘‘gross margin percentage’’ markup across all efficiency levels. As production costs increase with efficiency, this scenario implies that the absolute dollar markup will increase as well. Based on publiclyavailable financial information for walkin manufacturers, submitted comments, and information obtained during manufacturer interviews from the June 2014 final rule, DOE assumed the nonproduction cost markup—which includes SG&A expenses, R&D expenses, interest, and profit—to be 1.35. The manufacturer markup of 1.35 was presented during the NOPR public meeting and DOE received no additional comments. Public Meeting Transcript (September 29, 2016), No. 79 at pp. 40– 41) Manufacturers have indicated that it would be optimistic for DOE to assume that, as manufacturer production costs increase in response to an energy conservation standard, manufacturers would be able to maintain the same gross margin percentage markup. Therefore, DOE assumes that this scenario represents a high bound to industry profitability under an energy conservation standard. The preservation of operating profit markup scenario assumes that manufacturers are able to maintain only the no-new standards case total operating profit in absolute dollars in the standards cases, despite higher equipment costs and investment. The no-new standards case total operating profit is derived from marking up the cost of goods sold for each equipment by the preservation of gross margin markup. In the standards cases for the preservation of operating profit markup scenario, DOE adjusted the WICF manufacturer markups in the GRIM at each TSL to yield approximately the same earnings before interest and taxes in the standards cases in the year after the compliance date of the adopted WICF refrigeration system standards as in the no-new standards case. Under this scenario, while manufacturers are not able to yield additional operating profit from higher production costs and the investments that are required to comply with the adopted WICF refrigeration system energy conservation standards, they are able to maintain the same operating profit in the standards case that was earned in the no-new standards case. 4. Discussion of Comments As part of the court settlement reached in Lennox Int’l v. Dep’t of VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 Energy, DOE agreed to consider any comments regarding any potential impacts of the standards on installers and to consider and substantively address any potential impacts of the standards on installers in its MIA. See Lennox Int’l v. Dep’t of Energy, Case No. 14–60535, Joint Settlement Motion (filed July 29, 2015) (5th Cir.). During the Working Group meetings, walk-in installers were represented by ACCA. As part of DOE’s attempt to consider and address any potential installer impacts, the NOPR specifically sought comment on any conversion costs and stranded assets that walk-in installers might incur. See 81 FR at 63033 and 63048–63049 (detailing specific issues on which DOE sought input regarding potential installer-related impacts to the proposed rule). Stakeholders raised one issue related to installers and the possibility of stranded assets. AHRI and Rheem noted that installers of complete walk-ins may have stranded assets if they are required to use components that are compliant at the time of the complete walk-in assembly. AHRI added that compliant components may not be available to installers until the compliance date of the new standards, leading to equipment availability constraints. (AHRI No. 90 at p. 3; Rheem No. 91 at p. 3) DOE addresses this comment and clarifies the compliance date for manufacturers of complete walk-ins in section III.F. L. Emissions Analysis The emissions analysis consists of two components. The first component estimates the effect of potential energy conservation standards on power sector and site (where applicable) combustion emissions of CO2, NOX, SO2, and Hg. The second component estimates the impacts of potential standards on emissions of two additional greenhouse gases, CH4 and N2O, as well as the reductions to emissions of all species due to ‘‘upstream’’ activities in the fuel production chain. These upstream activities comprise extraction, processing, and transporting fuels to the site of combustion. The associated emissions are referred to as upstream emissions. The analysis of power sector emissions uses marginal emissions factors that were derived from data in AEO 2016, as described in section IV.N. Details of the methodology are described in the appendices to chapters 13 and 15 of the final rule TSD. Combustion emissions of CH4 and N2O are estimated using emissions intensity factors published by the EPA— PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 GHG Emissions Factors Hub.53 The FFC upstream emissions are estimated based on the methodology described in chapter 15 of the final rule TSD. The upstream emissions include both emissions from fuel combustion during extraction, processing, and transportation of fuel, and ‘‘fugitive’’ emissions (direct leakage to the atmosphere) of CH4 and CO2. The emissions intensity factors are expressed in terms of physical units per MWh or MMBtu of site energy savings. Total emissions reductions are estimated using the energy savings calculated in the national impact analysis. For CH4 and N2O, DOE calculated emissions reduction in tons and also in terms of units of CO2-equivalent (CO2eq). Emissions of CH4 and N2O are often converted to CO2eq by multiplying each ton of gas by the gas’ global warming potential (‘‘GWP’’) over a 100year time horizon. Based on the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,54 DOE used GWP values of 28 for CH4 and 265 for N2O. The AEO incorporates the projected impacts of existing air quality regulations on emissions. AEO 2016 generally represents current legislation and environmental regulations, including recent government actions, for which implementing regulations were available as of February 29, 2016. DOE’s estimation of impacts accounts for the presence of the emissions control programs discussed in the following paragraphs. SO2 emissions from affected electric generating units (‘‘EGUs’’) are subject to nationwide and regional emissions capand-trade programs. Title IV of the Clean Air Act sets an annual emissions cap on SO2 for affected EGUs in the 48 contiguous States and the District of Columbia (DC). (42 U.S.C. 7651 et seq.) SO2 emissions from 28 eastern States and DC were also limited under the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR). 70 FR 25162 (May 12, 2005). CAIR created an allowance-based trading program that operates along with the Title IV program. In 2008, CAIR was remanded 53 Available at: www2.epa.gov/climateleadership/ center-corporate-climate-leadership-ghg-emissionfactors-hub. 54 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Anthropogenic and Natural Radiative Forcing. In Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Chapter 8. 2013. Stocker, T.F., D. Qin, G.-K. Plattner, M. Tignor, S.K. Allen, J. Boschung, A. Nauels, Y. Xia, V. Bex, and P.M. Midgley, Editors. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA. E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 to EPA by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, but it remained in effect.55 In 2011, EPA issued a replacement for CAIR, the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (‘‘CSAPR’’). 76 FR 48208 (August 8, 2011). On August 21, 2012, the D.C. Circuit issued a decision to vacate CSAPR,56 and the court ordered EPA to continue administering CAIR. On April 29, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the judgment of the D.C. Circuit and remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with the Supreme Court’s opinion.57 On October 23, 2014, the D.C. Circuit lifted the stay of CSAPR 58 Pursuant to this action, CSAPR went into effect (and CAIR ceased to be in effect) as of January 1, 2015.59 AEO 2016 incorporates implementation of CSAPR. The attainment of emissions caps is typically flexible among EGUs and is enforced through the use of emissions allowances and tradable permits. Under existing EPA regulations, any excess SO2 emissions allowances resulting from the lower electricity demand caused by the adoption of an efficiency standard could be used to permit offsetting increases in SO2 emissions by any regulated EGU. In past years, DOE recognized that there was uncertainty about the effects of efficiency standards on SO2 emissions covered by the existing cap-and-trade system, but it concluded that negligible reductions in power sector SO2 emissions would occur as a result of standards. Beginning in 2016, however, SO2 emissions will fall as a result of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (‘‘MATS’’) for power plants. 77 FR 9304 (February 16, 2012). In the MATS final rule, EPA established a standard for hydrogen chloride as a surrogate for acid gas hazardous air pollutants (‘‘HAP’’), and also established a 55 See North Carolina v. EPA, 531 F.3d 896 (D.C. Cir. 2008), modified on rehearing, 550 F.3d 1176 (D.C. Cir. 2008). 56 See EME Homer City Generation, L.P. v. EPA, 696 F.3d 7 (D.C. Cir. 2012). 57 See EPA v. EME Homer City Generation, L.P. 134 S. Ct. 1584 (U.S. 2014). The Supreme Court held in part that EPA’s methodology for quantifying emissions that must be eliminated in certain States due to their impacts in other downwind States was based on a permissible, workable, and equitable interpretation of the Clean Air Act provision that provides statutory authority for CSAPRIL. 58 See EME Homer City Generation, L.P. v. EPA, Order (D.C. Cir. filed October 23, 2014) (No. 11– 1302). 59 On July 28, 2015, the D.C. Circuit issued its opinion regarding the remaining issues raised with respect to CSAPR that were remanded by the Supreme Court. The D.C. Circuit largely upheld CSAPR but remanded to EPA without vacatur certain States’ emission budgets for reconsideration. EME Homer City Generation, LP v. EPA, 795 F.3d 118 (D.C. Cir. 2015). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 standard for SO2 (a non-HAP acid gas) as an alternative equivalent surrogate standard for acid gas HAP. The same controls are used to reduce HAP and non-HAP acid gas; thus, SO2 emissions will be reduced as a result of the control technologies installed on coal-fired power plants to comply with the MATS requirements for acid gas. AEO 2016 assumes that, in order to continue operating, coal plants must have either flue gas desulfurization or dry sorbent injection systems installed by 2016. Both technologies, which are used to reduce acid gas emissions, also reduce SO2 emissions. Under the MATS, emissions will be far below the cap established by CAIR, so it is unlikely that excess SO2 emissions allowances resulting from the lower electricity demand would be needed or used to permit offsetting increases in SO2 emissions by any regulated EGU.60 Therefore, DOE believes that energy conservation standards that decrease electricity generation will generally reduce SO2 emissions in 2016 and beyond. CSAPR established a cap on NOX emissions in 28 eastern States and the District of Columbia. Energy conservation standards are expected to have little effect on NOX emissions in those States covered by CSAPR because excess NOX emissions allowances resulting from the lower electricity demand could be used to permit offsetting increases in NOX emissions from other facilities. However, standards would be expected to reduce NOX emissions in the States not affected by the caps, so DOE estimated NOX emissions reductions from the standards considered in this final rule for these States. 60 DOE notes that on June 29, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the EPA erred when the agency concluded that cost did not need to be considered in the finding that regulation of hazardous air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired electric utility steam generating units (EGUs) is appropriate and necessary under section 112 of the Clean Air Act (‘‘CAA’’). Michigan v. EPA, 135 S. Ct. 2699 (2015). The Supreme Court did not vacate the MATS rule, and DOE has tentatively determined that the Court’s decision on the MATS rule does not change the assumptions regarding the impact of energy conservation standards on SO2 emissions. Further, the Court’s decision does not change the impact of the energy conservation standards on mercury emissions. The EPA, in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s direction, has now considered cost in evaluating whether it is appropriate and necessary to regulate coal- and oilfired EGUs under the CAA. EPA concluded in its final supplemental finding that a consideration of cost does not alter the EPA’s previous determination that regulation of hazardous air pollutants, including mercury, from coal- and oilfired EGUs, is appropriate and necessary. 79 FR 24420 (April 25, 2016). The MATS rule remains in effect, but litigation is pending in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals over EPA’s final supplemental finding MATS rule. PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 31853 The MATS limit mercury emissions from power plants, but they do not include emissions caps and, as such, DOE’s energy conservation standards would likely reduce Hg emissions. DOE estimated mercury emissions reduction using emissions factors based on AEO 2016, which incorporates the MATS. The AEO2016 Reference case (and some other cases) assumes implementation of the Clean Power Plan (CPP), which is the EPA program to regulate CO2 emissions at existing fossilfired electric power plants.61 DOE used the AEO2016 No-CPP case as a basis for developing emissions factors for the electric power sector to be consistent with its use of the No-CPP case in the NIA.62 M. Monetizing Carbon Dioxide and Other Emissions Impacts As part of the development of this rule, DOE considered the estimated monetary benefits from the reduced emissions of CO2, CH4, N2O and NOX that are expected to result from each of the TSLs considered. In order to make this calculation analogous to the calculation of the NPV of consumer benefit, DOE considered the reduced emissions expected to result over the lifetime of products shipped in the projection period for each TSL. This section summarizes the basis for the values used for monetizing the emissions benefits and presents the values considered in this final rule. 1. Social Cost of Carbon The SC–CO2 is an estimate of the monetized damages associated with an incremental increase in carbon emissions in a given year. It is intended to include (but is not limited to) climate-change-related changes in net agricultural productivity, human health, property damages from increased flood risk, and the value of ecosystem services. Estimates of the SC–CO2 are provided in dollars per metric ton of CO2. A domestic SC–CO2 value is meant 61 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ‘‘Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units’’ (Washington, DC: October 23, 2015). https:// www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/10/23/201522842/carbon-pollution-emission-guidelines-forexisting-stationary-sources-electric-utilitygenerating. 62 As DOE has not modeled the effect of CPP during the 30 year analysis period of this rulemaking, there is some uncertainty as to the magnitude and overall effect of the energy efficiency standards. With respect to estimated CO2 and NOX emissions reductions and their associated monetized benefits, if implemented the CPP would result in an overall decrease in CO2 emissions from electric generating units (EGUs), and would thus likely reduce some of the estimated CO2 reductions associated with this rulemaking. E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31854 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations to reflect the value of damages in the United States resulting from a unit change in CO2 emissions, while a global SC–CO2 value is meant to reflect the value of damages worldwide. Under section 1(b)(6) of Executive Order 12866, ‘‘Regulatory Planning and Review,’’ 58 FR 51735 (October 4, 1993), agencies must, to the extent permitted by law, ‘‘assess both the costs and the benefits of the intended regulation and, recognizing that some costs and benefits are difficult to quantify, propose or adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned determination that the benefits of the intended regulation justify its costs.’’ The purpose of the SC–CO2 estimates presented here is to allow agencies to incorporate the monetized social benefits of reducing CO2 emissions into cost-benefit analyses of regulatory actions. The estimates are presented with an acknowledgement of the many uncertainties involved and with a clear understanding that they should be updated over time to reflect increasing knowledge of the science and economics of climate impacts. As part of the interagency process that developed these SC–CO2 estimates, technical experts from numerous agencies met on a regular basis to consider public comments, explore the technical literature in relevant fields, and discuss key model inputs and assumptions. The main objective of this process was to develop a range of SC– CO2 values using a defensible set of input assumptions grounded in the existing scientific and economic literatures. In this way, key uncertainties and model differences transparently and consistently inform the range of SC–CO2 estimates used in the rulemaking process. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 a. Monetizing Carbon Dioxide Emissions When attempting to assess the incremental economic impacts of CO2 emissions, the analyst faces a number of challenges. A report from the National Research Council 63 points out that any assessment will suffer from uncertainty, speculation, and lack of information about (1) future emissions of GHGs, (2) the effects of past and future emissions on the climate system, (3) the impact of changes in climate on the physical and biological environment, and (4) the translation of these environmental impacts into economic damages. As a result, any effort to quantify and monetize the harms associated with climate change will raise questions of 63 National Research Council. Hidden Costs of Energy: Unpriced Consequences of Energy Production and Use. 2009. National Academies Press: Washington, DC. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 science, economics, and ethics and should be viewed as provisional. Despite the limits of both quantification and monetization, SC– CO2 estimates can be useful in estimating the social benefits of reducing CO2 emissions. Although any numerical estimate of the benefits of reducing carbon dioxide emissions is subject to some uncertainty, that does not relieve DOE of its obligation to attempt to factor those benefits into its cost-benefit analysis. Moreover, the interagency working group (IWG) SC– CO2 estimates are well supported by the existing scientific and economic literature. As a result, DOE has relied on the IWG SC–CO2 estimates in quantifying the social benefits of reducing CO2 emissions. DOE estimates the benefits from reduced (or costs from increased) emissions in any future year by multiplying the change in emissions in that year by the SC–CO2 values appropriate for that year. The NPV of the benefits can then be calculated by multiplying each of these future benefits by an appropriate discount factor and summing across all affected years. It is important to emphasize that the current SC–CO2 values reflect the IWG’s best assessment, based on current data, of the societal effect of CO2 emissions. The IWG is committed to updating these estimates as the science and economic understanding of climate change and its impacts on society improves over time. In the meantime, the interagency group will continue to explore the issues raised by this analysis and consider public comments as part of the ongoing interagency process. As background on the genesis of the IWG estimates, in 2009, an interagency process was initiated to offer a preliminary assessment of how best to quantify the benefits from reducing carbon dioxide emissions. To ensure consistency in how benefits are evaluated across Federal agencies, the Administration sought to develop a transparent and defensible method, specifically designed for the rulemaking process, to quantify avoided climate change damages from reduced CO2 emissions. The interagency group did not undertake any original analysis. Instead, it combined SC–CO2 estimates from the existing literature to use as interim values until a more comprehensive analysis could be conducted. The outcome of the preliminary assessment by the interagency group was a set of five interim values that represented the first sustained interagency effort within the U.S. government to develop an SC–CO2 estimate for use in regulatory analysis. The results of this preliminary effort PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 were presented in several proposed and final rules issued by DOE and other agencies. b. Current Approach and Key Assumptions After the release of the interim values, the IWG reconvened on a regular basis to generate improved SC–CO2 estimates. Specially, the IWG considered public comments and further explored the technical literature in relevant fields. It relied on three integrated assessment models commonly used to estimate the SC–CO2: The FUND, DICE, and PAGE models. These models are frequently cited in the peer-reviewed literature and were used in the last assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Each model was given equal weight in the SC–CO2 values that were developed. Each model takes a slightly different approach to model how changes in emissions result in changes in economic damages. A key objective of the interagency process was to enable a consistent exploration of the three models, while respecting the different approaches to quantifying damages taken by the key modelers in the field. An extensive review of the literature was conducted to select three sets of input parameters for these models: Climate sensitivity, socio-economic and emissions trajectories, and discount rates. A probability distribution for climate sensitivity was specified as an input into all three models. In addition, the IWG used a range of scenarios for the socio-economic parameters and a range of values for the discount rate. All other model features were left unchanged, relying on the model developers’ best estimates and judgments. In 2010, the IWG selected four sets of SC–CO2 values for use in regulatory analyses. Three sets of values are based on the average SC–CO2 from the three integrated assessment models, at discount rates of 2.5, 3, and 5 percent. The fourth set, which represents the 95th percentile SC–CO2 estimate across all three models at a 3-percent discount rate, was included to represent higherthan-expected impacts from climate change further out in the tails of the SC– CO2 distribution. The values grow in real terms over time. Additionally, the IWG determined that a range of values from 7 percent to 23 percent should be used to adjust the global SC–CO2 to calculate domestic effects,64 although 64 It is recognized that this calculation for domestic values is approximate, provisional, and highly speculative. There is no a priori reason why domestic benefits should be a constant fraction of net global damages over time. E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations preference is given to consideration of the global benefits of reducing CO2 31855 emissions. Table IV–9 presents the values in the 2010 IWG report.65 TABLE IV–9—ANNUAL SC–CO2 VALUES FROM 2010 IWG REPORT [2007$ Per metric ton CO2] Discount rate and statistic Year 3% 2.5% 3% Average 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 5% Average Average 95th percentile ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. In 2013 the IWG released an update (which was revised in July 2015) that contained SC–CO2 values that were generated using the most recent versions of the three integrated assessment models that have been published in the peer-reviewed literature.66 DOE used these values for this final rule. Table IV– 4.7 5.7 6.8 8.2 9.7 11.2 12.7 14.2 15.7 10 shows the four sets of SC–CO2 estimates from the 2013 interagency update (revised July 2015) in 5-year increments from 2010 through 2050. The full set of annual SC–CO2 estimates from 2010 through 2050 is reported in appendix 14A of the final rule TSD. The central value that emerges is the average 21.4 23.8 26.3 29.6 32.8 36.0 39.2 42.1 44.9 35.1 38.4 41.7 45.9 50.0 54.2 58.4 61.7 65.0 64.9 72.8 80.7 90.4 100.0 109.7 119.3 127.8 136.2 SC–CO2 across models at the 3-percent discount rate. However, for purposes of capturing the uncertainties involved in regulatory impact analysis, the IWG emphasizes the importance of including all four sets of SC–CO2 values. TABLE IV–10—ANNUAL SC–CO2 VALUES FROM 2013 IWG UPDATE (REVISED JULY 2015) [2007$ Per metric ton CO2] Discount rate and statistic Year ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. 3% 2.5% 3% Average 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 5% Average Average 95th percentile 10 11 12 14 16 18 21 23 26 31 36 42 46 50 55 60 64 69 50 56 62 68 73 78 84 89 95 86 105 123 138 152 168 183 197 212 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 It is important to recognize that a number of key uncertainties remain, and that current SC–CO2 estimates should be treated as provisional and revisable because they will evolve with improved scientific and economic understanding. The interagency group also recognizes that the existing models are imperfect and incomplete. The National Research Council report mentioned previously points out that there is tension between the goal of producing quantified estimates of the economic damages from an incremental ton of carbon and the limits of existing efforts to model these effects. There are a number of analytical challenges that are being addressed by the research community, including research programs housed in many of the Federal agencies participating in the interagency process to estimate the SC– CO2. The interagency group intends to periodically review and reconsider those estimates to reflect increasing knowledge of the science and economics of climate impacts, as well as improvements in modeling.67 DOE converted the values from the 2013 interagency report (revised July 2015) to 2015$ using the implicit price deflator for gross domestic product (GDP) from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. For each of the four sets of 65 United States Government–Interagency Working Group on Social Cost of Carbon. Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis Under Executive Order 12866. February 2010. www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/ inforeg/for-agencies/Social-Cost-of-Carbon-forRIA.pdf. 66 United States Government–Interagency Working Group on Social Cost of Carbon. Technical Support Document: Technical Update of the Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis Under Executive Order 12866. May 2013. Revised July 2015. www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/ omb/inforeg/scc-tsd-final-july-2015.pdf. 67 In November 2013, OMB announced a new opportunity for public comment on the interagency technical support document underlying the revised SCC estimates. 78 FR 70586. (November 26, 2013). In July 2015 OMB published a detailed summary and formal response to the many comments that were received: This is available at www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/07/02/estimatingbenefits-carbon-dioxide-emissions-reductions. It also stated its intention to seek independent expert advice on opportunities to improve the estimates, including many of the approaches suggested by commenters. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 31856 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations SC–CO2 cases, the values for emissions in 2020 are $13.5, $47.4, $69.9, and $139 per metric ton avoided (values expressed in 2015$). DOE derived values after 2050 based on the trend in 2010–2050 in each of the four cases in the interagency update. DOE multiplied the CO2 emissions reduction estimated for each year by the SC–CO2 value for that year in each of the four cases. To calculate a present value of the stream of monetary values, DOE discounted the values in each of the four cases using the specific discount rate that had been used to obtain the SC–CO2 values in each case. DOE received several comments on the development of and the use of the SC–CO2 values in its analyses. A group of trade associations led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce objected to DOE’s continued use of the SC–CO2 SCC in the cost-benefit analysis and stated that the SC–CO2 SCC calculation should not be used in any rulemaking until it undergoes a more rigorous notice, review, and comment process. (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, No. 86 at p. 4) The Cato Institute stated that the current SC–CO2 SCC estimates are discordant with the best scientific literature on the equilibrium climate sensitivity and the fertilization effect of carbon dioxide, and are based upon the output of integrated assessment models that have little utility because of their great uncertainties. The Cato Institute stated that until the SC–CO2 SCC values are corrected, the SC–CO2 SCC should be barred from use in this and all other Federal rulemakings. (Cato Institute, No. 87 at pp. 1–2) In contrast, the Joint Advocates stated that only a partial accounting of the costs of climate change (those most easily monetized) can be provided, which inevitably involves incorporating elements of uncertainty. The Joint Advocates commented that accounting for the economic harms caused by climate change is a critical component of sound benefit-cost analyses of regulations that directly or indirectly limit greenhouse gases. The Joint Advocates stated that several Executive Orders direct Federal agencies to consider non-economic costs and benefits, such as environmental and public health impacts. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016, Joint Advocates, No. 81 at p. 2–3) Furthermore, the Joint Advocates argued that without an SC–CO2 SCC estimate, regulators would by default be using a value of zero for the benefits of reducing carbon pollution, thereby implying that carbon pollution has no costs. The Joint Advocates stated that it would be arbitrary for a Federal agency to weigh VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 the societal benefits and costs of a rule with significant carbon pollution effects but to assign no value at all to the considerable benefits of reducing carbon pollution. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT– STD–0016, Joint Advocates, No. 81 at p. 3) The Joint Advocates stated that assessment and use of the IAMs in developing the SC–CO2 SCC values has been transparent. The Joint Advocates further noted that repeated opportunities for public comment demonstrate that the IWG’s SC–CO2 SCC estimates were developed and are being used transparently. (Docket No. EERE– 2015–BT–STD–0016, Joint Advocates, No. 81 at p. 4) The Joint Advocates stated that (1) the IAMs used reflect the best available, peer-reviewed science to quantify the benefits of carbon emission reductions; (2) uncertainty is not a valid reason for rejecting the SC–CO2 SCC analysis, and (3) the IWG was rigorous in addressing uncertainty inherent in estimating the economic cost of pollution. (Joint Advocates, No. 81 at pp. 5, 17–18, 18–19) The Joint Advocates added that the increase in the SC–CO2 SCC estimate in the 2013 update reflects the growing scientific and economic research on the risks and costs of climate change, but is still very likely an underestimate of the SC–CO2 SCC. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD– 0016, Joint Advocates, No. 81 at p. 4) In response to the comments on the SC–CO2 SCC, in conducting the interagency process that developed the SC–CO2 SCC values, technical experts from numerous agencies met on a regular basis to consider public comments, explore the technical literature in relevant fields, and discuss key model inputs and assumptions. Key uncertainties and model differences transparently and consistently inform the range of SC–CO2 SCC estimates. These uncertainties and model differences are discussed in the IWG’s reports, as are the major assumptions. Specifically, uncertainties in the assumptions regarding climate sensitivity, as well as other model inputs such as economic growth and emissions trajectories, are discussed and the reasons for the specific input assumptions chosen are explained. However, the three integrated assessment models used to estimate the SC–CO2 are frequently cited in the peerreviewed literature and were used in the last assessment of the IPCC. In addition, new versions of the models that were used in 2013 to estimate revised SC– CO2 values were published in the peerreviewed literature. The GAO report mentioned by IECA noted that the working group’s processes and methods PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 used consensus-based decision making, relied on existing academic literature and models, and took steps to disclose limitations and incorporate new information.68 Although uncertainties remain, the revised SC–CO2 values are based on the best available scientific information on the impacts of climate change. The current estimates of the SC–CO2 have been developed over many years, using the best science available, and with input from the public.69 DOE notes that not using SC– CO2 estimates because of uncertainty would be tantamount to assuming that the benefits of reduced carbon emissions are zero, which is inappropriate. Furthermore, the commenters have not offered alternative estimates of the SC–CO2 that they believe are more accurate. The Cato Institute also stated that the SC–CO2 approach is at odds with existing OMB guidelines for preparing regulatory analyses. (Cato Institute, No. 87 at p. 1) OMB Circular A–4 provides two suggested discount rates for use in regulatory analysis: 3-percent and 7percent. Circular A–4 states that the 3percent discount rate is appropriate for ‘‘regulation [that] primarily and directly affects private consumption (e.g., through higher consumer prices for goods and services).’’ The interagency working group that developed the SC– CO2 values for use by Federal agencies examined the economics literature and concluded that the consumption rate of interest is the correct concept to use in evaluating the net social costs of a marginal change in CO2 emissions, as the impacts of climate change are measured in consumption-equivalent units in the three models used to estimate the SC–CO2. The interagency working group chose to use three discount rates to span a plausible range of constant discount rates: 2.5, 3, and 5 percent per year. The central value, 3 percent, is consistent with estimates provided in the economics literature and OMB’s Circular A–4 guidance for the consumption rate of interest. Regarding the use of global SC–CO2 values, DOE’s analysis estimates both 68 www.gao.gov/products/GAO-14-663. (Last accessed September 22, 2016) 69 In November 2013, OMB announced a new opportunity for public comment on the interagency technical support document underlying the revised SC–CO2 estimates. In July 2015, OMB published a detailed summary and formal response to the many comments that were received. See www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/07/02/estimatingbenefits-carbon-dioxide-emissions-reductions. OMB also stated its intention to seek independent expert advice on opportunities to improve the estimates, including many of the approaches suggested by commenters. E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations global and domestic benefits of CO2 emissions reductions. Following the recommendation of the IWG, DOE places more focus on a global measure of SC–CO2. The climate change problem is highly unusual in at least two respects. First, it involves a global externality: Emissions of most greenhouse gases contribute to damages around the world even when they are emitted in the United States. Consequently, to address the global nature of the problem, the SC–CO2 must incorporate the full (global) damages caused by domestic GHG emissions. Second, climate change presents a problem that the United States alone cannot solve. Even if the United States were to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to zero, that step would be far from enough to avoid substantial climate change. Other countries would also need to take action to reduce emissions if significant changes in the global climate are to be avoided. Emphasizing the need for a global solution to a global problem, the United States has been actively involved in seeking international agreements to reduce emissions and in encouraging other nations, including emerging major economies, to take significant steps to reduce emissions. When these considerations are taken as a whole, the interagency group concluded that a global measure of the benefits from reducing U.S. emissions is preferable. DOE’s approach is supported by the requirement to weigh the need for national energy conservation, as one of the main reasons for national energy conservation is to contribute to efforts to mitigate the effects of global climate change. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 2. Social Cost of Methane and Nitrous Oxide The Joint Advocates stated that EPA and other agencies have begun using a methodology developed to specifically measure the social cost of methane in recent proposed rulemakings, and recommended that DOE should use the social cost of methane metric to more accurately reflect the true benefits of energy conservation standards. They stated that the methodology in the study used to develop the social cost of methane provides reasonable estimates that reflect updated evidence and provide consistency with the VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 Government’s accepted methodology for estimating the SC–CO2. (Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016, Joint Advocates, No. 81 at pp. 19–20) While carbon dioxide is the most prevalent greenhouse gas emitted into the atmosphere, other GHGs are also important contributors. These include methane and nitrous oxide. Global warming potential values (‘‘GWPs’’) are often used to convert emissions of nonCO2 GHGs to CO2-equivalents to facilitate comparison of policies and inventories involving different GHGs. While GWPs allow for some useful comparisons across gases on a physical basis, using the social cost of carbon to value the damages associated with changes in CO2-equivalent emissions is not optimal. This is because non-CO2 GHGs differ not just in their potential to absorb infrared radiation over a given time frame, but also in the temporal pathway of their impact on radiative forcing, which is relevant for estimating their social cost but not reflected in the GWP. Physical impacts other than temperature change also vary across gases in ways that are not captured by GWP. In light of these limitations and the paucity of peer-reviewed estimates of the social cost of non-CO2 gases in the literature, the 2010 SC–CO2 Technical Support Document did not include an estimate of the social cost of non-CO2 GHGs and did not endorse the use of GWP to approximate the value of nonCO2 emission changes in regulatory analysis. Instead, the IWG noted that more work was needed to link non-CO2 GHG emission changes to economic impacts. Since that time, new estimates of the social cost of non-CO2 GHG emissions have been developed in the scientific literature, and a recent study by Marten et al. (2015) provided the first set of published estimates for the social cost of CH4 and N2O emissions that are consistent with the methodology and modeling assumptions underlying the IWG SC–CO2 estimates.70 Specifically, Marten et al. used the same set of three integrated assessment models, five socioeconomic and emissions scenarios, 70 Marten, A.L., Kopits, E.A., Griffiths, C.W., Newbold, S.C., and A. Wolverton. 2015. Incremental CH4 and N2O Mitigation Benefits Consistent with the U.S. Government’s SC–CO2 Estimates. Climate Policy. 15(2): 272SC–298 (published online, 2014). PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 31857 equilibrium climate sensitivity distribution, three constant discount rates, and the aggregation approach used by the IWG to develop the SC–CO2 estimates. An addendum to the IWG’s Technical Support Document on Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis under Executive Order 12866 summarizes the Marten et al. methodology and presents the SC–CH4 and SC–N2O estimates from that study as a way for agencies to incorporate the social benefits of reducing CH4 and N2O emissions into benefit-cost analyses of regulatory actions that have small, or ‘‘marginal,’’ impacts on cumulative global emissions.71 The methodology and estimates described in the addendum have undergone multiple stages of peer review and their use in regulatory analysis has been subject to public comment. The estimates are presented with an acknowledgement of the limitations and uncertainties involved and with a clear understanding that they should be updated over time to reflect increasing knowledge of the science and economics of climate impacts, just as the IWG has committed to do for the SC–CO2. The OMB has determined that the use of the Marten et al. estimates in regulatory analysis is consistent with the requirements of OMB’s Information Quality Guidelines Bulletin for Peer Review and OMB Circular ASC–4. The SC–CH4 and SC–N2O estimates are presented in Table IV–11. Following the same approach as with the SC–CO2, values for 2010, 2020, 2030, 2040, and 2050 are calculated by combining all outputs from all scenarios and models for a given discount rate. Values for the years in between are calculated using linear interpolation. The full set of annual SC–CH4 and SC–N2O estimates between 2010 and 2050 is reported in appendix 14SC–A of the final rule TSD. DOE derived values after 2050 based on the trend in 2010SC–2050 in each of the four cases in the IWG addendum. 71 United States Government—Interagency Working Group on Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases. Addendum to Technical Support Document on Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis under Executive Order 12866: Application of the Methodology to Estimate the Social Cost of Methane and the Social Cost of Nitrous Oxide. August 2016. www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/ files/omb/inforeg/august_2016_sc_ch4_sc_n2o_ addendum_final_8_26_16.pdf. E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31858 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE IV–11—ANNUAL SC–CH4 AND SC–N2O ESTIMATES FROM 2016 IWG ADDENDUM [2007$ per metric ton] SC–CH4 SC–N2O Discount rate and statistic Discount rate and statistic Year 5% ......................................................................... ......................................................................... ......................................................................... ......................................................................... ......................................................................... ......................................................................... ......................................................................... ......................................................................... ......................................................................... DOE multiplied the CH4 and N2O emissions reduction estimated for each year by the SC–CH4 and SC–N2O estimates for that year in each of the four cases. To calculate a present value of the stream of monetary values, DOE discounted the values in each of the four cases using the specific discount rate that had been used to obtain the SC–CH4 and SC–N2O estimates in each case. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 3. Social Cost of Other Air Pollutants As noted previously, DOE estimated how the considered energy conservation standards would reduce site NOX emissions nationwide and decrease power sector NOX emissions in those 22 States not affected by CSAPRIL DOE estimated the monetized value of NOX emissions reductions from electricity generation using benefit per ton estimates from the Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Clean Power Plan Final Rule, published in August 2015 by EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.72 The report includes high and low values for NOX (as PM2.5) for 2020, 2025, and 2030 using discount rates of 3 percent and 7 percent; these values are presented in appendix 14B of the final rule TSD. DOE primarily relied on the low estimates to be conservative.73 The 72 Available at www.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan/ clean-power-plan-final-rule-regulatory-impactanalysis. See Tables 4A–3, 4A–4, and 4A–5 in the report. The U.S. Supreme Court has stayed the rule implementing the Clean Power Plan until the current litigation against it concludes. Chamber of Commerce, et al. v. EPA, et al., Order in Pending Case, 577 U.S. ___ (2016), 136 S.Ct. 999.). However, the benefit-per-ton estimates established in the Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Clean Power Plan are based on scientific studies that remain valid irrespective of the legal status of the Clean Power Plan. 73 For the monetized NO benefits associated X with PM2.5, the related benefits are primarily based on an estimate of premature mortality derived from VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 2.5% 3% 5% 3% 2.5% 3% Average 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 3% Average Average 95th percentile Average Average Average 95th percentile 370 450 540 650 760 900 1,000 1,200 1,300 870 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800 2,000 2,300 2,500 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800 2,000 2,300 2,600 2,800 3,100 3,400 4,000 4,700 5,500 6,300 7,400 8,400 9,500 11,000 12,000 13,000 15,000 17,000 19,000 21,000 23,000 25,000 27,000 18,000 20,000 22,000 24,000 27,000 29,000 32,000 34,000 37,000 2,400 2,800 3,200 3,700 4,200 4,900 5,500 6,100 6,700 national average low values for 2020 (in 2015$) are $3,187/ton at 3-percent discount rate and $2,869/ton at 7percent discount rate. DOE developed values specific to the sector for WICF refrigeration systems using a method described in appendix 14B of the final rule TSD. For this analysis DOE used linear interpolation to define values for the years between 2020 and 2025 and between 2025 and 2030; for years beyond 2030 the value is held constant. DOE estimated the monetized value of NOX emissions reductions from gas WICF refrigeration systems using benefit per ton estimates from the EPA’s ‘‘Technical Support Document Estimating the Benefit per Ton of Reducing PM2.5 Precursors from 17 Sectors.’’ 74 Although none of the sectors refers specifically to residential and commercial buildings, DOE believes that the sector called ‘‘Area sources’’ would be a reasonable proxy for residential and commercial buildings. ‘‘Area sources’’ represents all emission sources for which states do not have exact (point) locations in their emissions inventories. Since exact locations would tend to be associated with larger sources, ‘‘area sources’’ would be fairly representative of small dispersed sources like homes and businesses. The EPA Technical Support Document provides high and low estimates for 2016, 2020, 2025, and 2030 at 3- and 7-percent discount rates. As the ACS study (Krewski et al. 2009), which is the lower of the two EPA central tendencies. Using the lower value is more conservative when making the policy decision concerning whether a particular standard level is economically justified. If the benefit-per-ton estimates were based on the Six Cities study (Lepuele et al. 2012), the values would be nearly two-and-a-half times larger. (See chapter 14 of the final rule TSD for citations for the studies mentioned above.) 74 www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-10/ documents/sourceapportionmentbpttsd.pdf. PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 31,000 35,000 39,000 44,000 49,000 55,000 60,000 66,000 72,000 with the benefit per ton estimates for NOX emissions reductions from electricity generation, DOE primarily relied on the low estimates to be conservative. DOE multiplied the emissions reduction (in tons) in each year by the associated $/ton values, and then discounted each series using discount rates of 3 percent and 7 percent as appropriate. DOE is evaluating appropriate monetization of reduction in other emissions in energy conservation standards rulemakings. DOE has not included monetization of those emissions in the current analysis but notes that it would not expect the inclusion of such values to change its analysis or conclusions with respect to the adopted standards. N. Utility Impact Analysis The utility impact analysis estimates several effects on the electric power generation industry that would result from the adoption of new or amended energy conservation standards. The utility impact analysis estimates the changes in installed electrical capacity and generation that would result for each TSL. The analysis is based on published output from the NEMS associated with AEO 2016. NEMS produces the AEO Reference case, as well as a number of side cases that estimate the economy-wide impacts of changes to energy supply and demand. For the current analysis, impacts are quantified by comparing the levels of electricity sector generation, installed capacity, fuel consumption and emissions consistent with the projections described on page E–8 of AEO 2016 and various side cases. Details of the methodology are provided E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations in the appendices to chapters 13 and 15 of the final rule TSD. The output of this analysis is a set of time-dependent coefficients that capture the change in electricity generation, primary fuel consumption, installed capacity and power sector emissions due to a unit reduction in demand for a given end use. These coefficients are multiplied by the stream of electricity savings calculated in the NIA to provide estimates of selected utility impacts of potential new or amended energy conservation standards. O. Employment Impact Analysis DOE considers employment impacts in the domestic economy as one factor in selecting a standard. Employment impacts from new or amended energy conservation standards include both direct and indirect impacts. Direct employment impacts are any changes in the number of employees of manufacturers of the products subject to standards, their suppliers, and related service firms. The MIA addresses those impacts. Indirect employment impacts are changes in national employment that occur due to the shift in expenditures and capital investment caused by the purchase and operation of more-efficient appliances. Indirect employment impacts from standards consist of the net jobs created or eliminated in the national economy, other than in the manufacturing sector being regulated, caused by (1) reduced spending by consumers on energy, (2) reduced spending on new energy supply by the utility industry, (3) increased consumer spending on the products to which the new standards apply and other goods and services, and (4) the effects of those three factors throughout the economy. One method for assessing the possible effects on the demand for labor of such shifts in economic activity is to compare sector employment statistics developed by the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (‘‘BLS’’). BLS regularly publishes its estimates of the number of jobs per million dollars of economic activity in different sectors of the economy, as well as the jobs created elsewhere in the economy by this same economic activity. Data from BLS indicate that expenditures in the utility sector generally create fewer jobs (both directly and indirectly) than expenditures in other sectors of the economy.75 There are many reasons for these differences, including wage differences and the fact that the utility sector is more capital-intensive and less labor-intensive than other sectors. Energy conservation standards have the effect of reducing consumer utility bills. Because reduced consumer expenditures for energy likely lead to increased expenditures in other sectors of the economy, the general effect of efficiency standards is to shift economic activity from a less labor-intensive sector (i.e., the utility sector) to more labor-intensive sectors (e.g., the retail and service sectors). Thus, the BLS data suggest that net national employment may increase due to shifts in economic activity resulting from energy conservation standards. DOE estimated indirect national employment impacts for the standard levels considered in this final rule using an input/output model of the U.S. economy called Impact of Sector Energy Technologies version 4 (‘‘ImSET’’).76 ImSET is a special-purpose version of the ‘‘U.S. Benchmark National InputOutput’’ (I–O) model, which was designed to estimate the national employment and income effects of energy-saving technologies. The ImSET software includes a computer-based I–O model having structural coefficients that characterize economic flows among 187 sectors most relevant to industrial, commercial, and residential building energy use. DOE notes that ImSET is not a general equilibrium forecasting model, and understands the uncertainties involved in projecting employment impacts, especially changes in the later years of the analysis. Because ImSET does not incorporate price changes, the employment effects predicted by ImSET may over-estimate actual job impacts over the long run for this rule. 31859 Therefore, DOE used ImSET only to generate results for near-term timeframes (2020), where these uncertainties are reduced. For more details on the employment impact analysis, see chapter 16 of the final rule TSD. V. Analytical Results and Conclusions The following section addresses the results from DOE’s analyses with respect to the considered energy conservation standards for the considered WICF refrigeration systems. It addresses the TSLs examined by DOE, the projected impacts of each of these levels if adopted as energy conservation standards for the considered WICF refrigeration systems, and the standards levels that DOE is adopting in this final rule. Additional details regarding DOE’s analyses are contained in the final rule TSD supporting this document. A. Trial Standard Levels DOE analyzed the benefits and burdens of three TSLs for the considered WICF refrigeration systems. These TSLs were developed by combining specific efficiency levels for each of the equipment classes analyzed by DOE. (Efficiency levels for each class are described in section IV.D.10.) DOE presents the results for the TSLs in this document, while the results for all efficiency levels that DOE analyzed are in the final rule TSD. TSL 3 represents the maximum technologically feasible level. It is also the energy conservation standard level that the Working Group unanimously recommended that DOE adopt. (Term Sheet at EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016– 0056, recommendation #5). TSLs 1 and 2 are direct representations of efficiency levels 1 and 2. These efficiency levels for each class were formulated to divide the gap in efficiency between the baseline and the maximum technologically feasible efficiency level into approximately equal intervals. Table IV–1 shows the mapping of minimum AWEF values for each equipment class and nominal capacity to each TSL. TABLE V–1—MAPPING OF AWEF TO TRIAL STANDARD LEVELS sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Equipment component Condensing Unit ................................................... 75 See U.S. Department of Commerce—Bureau of Economic Analysis. Regional Multipliers: A User Handbook for the Regional Input-Output Modeling System (RIMS II). 1997. U.S. Government Printing VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 Nominal capacity Btu/hr Equipment class DC.L.I ........................... Frm 00053 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 1 6000 9000 25000 Office: Washington, DC. Available at www.bea.gov/ scb/pdf/regional/perinc/meth/rims2.pdf. 76 Livingston, O.V., S.R. Bender, M.J. Scott, and R.W. Schultz. ImSET 4.0: Impact of Sector Energy PO 00000 Trial standard level 2 1.91 2.09 2.06 3 1.97 2.14 2.40 2.30 2.48 2.40 Technologies Model Description and User’s Guide. 2015. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory: Richland, WA. PNNL–24563. E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31860 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE V–1—MAPPING OF AWEF TO TRIAL STANDARD LEVELS—Continued Equipment component Nominal capacity Btu/hr Equipment class UC.M ............................ UC.L ............................. B. Economic Justification and Energy Savings 1. Economic Impacts on Individual Consumers DOE analyzed the economic impacts on consumers of the considered WICF refrigeration systems by looking at what the effects of the standards at each TSL would be on the LCC and PBP. DOE also examined the impacts of potential standards on consumer subgroups. These analyses are discussed below. a. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period In general, higher-efficiency equipment affects consumers in two ways: (1) Purchase prices for the equipment increase and (2) equipment 1 2 54000 6000 9000 25000 54000 72000 4000 9000 24000 4000 9000 18000 40000 DC.L.O .......................... Unit Cooler ............................................................ Trial standard level annual operating costs decrease. Inputs used for calculating the LCC and PBP include total installed costs (i.e., equipment price plus installation costs), and operating costs (i.e., annual energy use, energy prices, energy price trends, repair costs, and maintenance costs). The LCC calculation also uses product lifetime and a discount rate. Chapter 8 of the final rule TSD provides detailed information on the LCC and PBP analyses. The LCC results are the shipmentweighted average of results for each equipment class over system capacity using the weights for each shown in Table IV–6. The results for each TSL were approximated by analyzing the 2.35 2.57 2.41 2.70 2.60 2.59 7.30 7.30 7.30 3.61 3.69 3.88 3.88 3 2.35 2.67 2.81 2.77 2.92 2.90 8.15 8.15 8.15 3.78 3.85 4.02 4.02 2.42 3.00 3.13 3.16 3.16 3.16 9.00 9.00 9.00 3.95 4.01 4.15 4.15 equipment class and nominal capacity combinations with the closest AWEF rating shown in Table V–1 that was analyzed in the engineering analysis. See chapter 8 of the TSD for more detailed LCC results. Table V–2 through Table V–20 show the LCC and PBP results for the TSLs considered for each equipment class. In the first of each pair of tables, the simple payback is measured relative to baseline equipment. In the second table, the impacts are measured relative to the efficiency distribution in the no-newstandards case in the compliance year (see section IV.G.1 of this document). Consumers for whom the LCC increases at a given TSL experience a net cost. TABLE V–2—AVERAGE LCC AND PBP RESULTS BY TRIAL STANDARD LEVEL FOR INDOOR DEDICATED CONDENSING UNITS, LOW-TEMPERATURE [DC.L.I, condensing unit only] Average costs (2015$) TSL EL First year’s operating cost Installed cost ............................... 1 ............................ 2 ............................ 3 ............................ 0 1 2 3 ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ $3,727 3,729 3,788 4,006 Lifetime operating cost $2,149 2,146 2,093 1,955 $18,320 18,320 18,019 16,689 Simple payback (years) LCC $20,900 20,873 20,513 19,628 Average lifetime (years) 0.0 0.0 1.0 1.5 10.6 10.6 10.6 10.6 Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the baseline (EL 0) equipment. TABLE V–3—AVERAGE LCC SAVINGS RELATIVE TO THE NO-NEW-STANDARDS CASE FOR INDOOR DEDICATED CONDENSING UNITS, LOW-TEMPERATURE sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 [DC.L.I, condensing unit only] Life-cycle cost savings TSL EL 1 .............................................................................. 2 .............................................................................. 1 ............................................................................. 2 ............................................................................. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 Average LCC savings * (2015$) E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM $26 387 10JYR2 Percent of consumers that experience net cost 0 0 31861 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE V–3—AVERAGE LCC SAVINGS RELATIVE TO THE NO-NEW-STANDARDS CASE FOR INDOOR DEDICATED CONDENSING UNITS, LOW-TEMPERATURE—Continued [DC.L.I, condensing unit only] Life-cycle cost savings TSL EL 3 .............................................................................. 3 ............................................................................. Percent of consumers that experience net cost Average LCC savings * (2015$) 1,272 0 * The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers. TABLE V–4—AVERAGE LCC AND PBP RESULTS BY TRIAL STANDARD LEVEL FOR OUTDOOR DEDICATED CONDENSING UNITS, LOW-TEMPERATURE [DC.L.O, condensing unit only] Average costs (2015$) TSL EL First year’s operating cost Installed cost ............................... 1 ............................ 2 ............................ 3 ............................ 0 1 2 3 ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ $4,508 4,533 4,585 4,914 Lifetime operating cost $2,630 2,534 2,359 2,226 $22,368 21,655 20,105 19,003 Simple payback (years) LCC $25,587 24,834 23,490 22,748 Average lifetime (years) 0.0 0.1 0.4 1.2 10.5 10.5 10.5 10.5 Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the baseline (EL 0) equipment. TABLE V–5—AVERAGE LCC SAVINGS RELATIVE TO THE NO-NEW-STANDARDS CASE FOR OUTDOOR DEDICATED CONDENSING UNITS, LOW-TEMPERATURE [DC.L.O, Condensing Unit Only] Life-cycle cost savings TSL EL 1 .............................................................................. 2 .............................................................................. 3 .............................................................................. 1 ............................................................................. 2 ............................................................................. 3 ............................................................................. Percent of consumers that experience net cost Average LCC savings * (2015$) $753 2,097 2,839 0 0 0 * The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers. TABLE V–6—AVERAGE LCC AND PBP RESULTS BY TRIAL STANDARD LEVEL FOR INDOOR PAIRED DEDICATED CONDENSING SYSTEMS, LOW-TEMPERATURE [DC.L.I, field-paired] Average costs (2015$) TSL EL sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Installed cost ............................... 1 ............................ 2 ............................ 3 ............................ 0 1 2 3 ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ $6,012 6,015 6,078 6,318 First year’s operating cost Lifetime operating cost $2,147 2,142 2,087 1,938 $15,938 15,929 15,665 16,316 LCC $23,294 23,257 22,877 21,922 Simple payback (years) Average lifetime (years) 0.0 0.1 1.0 1.5 10.6 10.6 10.6 10.6 Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the baseline (EL 0) equipment. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31862 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE V–7—AVERAGE LCC SAVINGS RELATIVE TO THE NO-NEW-STANDARDS CASE FOR INDOOR PAIRED DEDICATED CONDENSING SYSTEMS, INDOOR CONDENSING UNITS [DC.L.I, field-paired] Life-cycle cost savings TSL EL 1 .............................................................................. 2 .............................................................................. 3 .............................................................................. 1 ............................................................................. 2 ............................................................................. 3 ............................................................................. Percent of consumers that experience net cost Average LCC savings* (2015$) $63 442 1,397 0 0 0 * The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers. TABLE V–8—AVERAGE LCC AND PBP RESULTS BY TRIAL STANDARD LEVEL FOR OUTDOOR PAIRED DEDICATED CONDENSING SYSTEMS, LOW-TEMPERATURE [DC.L.O, field-paired] Average costs (2015$) TSL EL First year’s operating cost Installed cost ............................... 1 ............................ 2 ............................ 3 ............................ 0 1 2 3 ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ $7,304 7,331 7,412 7,830 Lifetime operating cost $2,631 2,530 2,330 2,155 $19,136 18,811 15,688 22,020 Simple payback (years) LCC $28,435 27,652 26,128 25,140 Average lifetime (years) 0.0 0.2 0.5 1.4 10.5 10.5 10.5 10.5 Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the baseline (EL 0) equipment. TABLE V–9—AVERAGE LCC SAVINGS RELATIVE TO THE NO-NEW-STANDARDS CASE FOR OUTDOOR PAIRED DEDICATED CONDENSING SYSTEMS, OUTDOOR CONDENSING UNITS [DC.L.O, field-paired] Life-cycle cost savings TSL EL 1 .............................................................................. 2 .............................................................................. 3 .............................................................................. 1 ............................................................................. 2 ............................................................................. 3 ............................................................................. Percent of consumers that experience net cost Average LCC savings* (2015$) $783 2,307 3,294 0 0 0 * The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers. TABLE V–10—AVERAGE LCC AND PBP RESULTS BY TRIAL STANDARD LEVEL FOR LOW-TEMPERATURE UNIT COOLERS, ATTACHED TO DEDICATED CONDENSING INDOOR CONDENSING UNITS [DC.L.I, unit cooler only] Average costs (2015$) TSL EL sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Installed cost ............................... 1 ............................ 2 ............................ 3 ............................ 0 1 2 3 ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ $2,283 2,317 2,379 2,433 First year’s operating cost Lifetime operating cost $2,147 2,134 2,122 2,113 $18,347 18,269 18,162 18,062 LCC $19,468 19,396 19,361 19,347 Simple payback (years) Average lifetime (years) 0.0 1.7 3.6 4.8 10.5 10.5 10.5 10.5 Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the baseline (EL 0) equipment. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31863 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE V–11—AVERAGE LCC SAVINGS RELATIVE TO THE NO-NEW-STANDARDS CASE FOR LOW-TEMPERATURE UNIT COOLERS, ATTACHED TO DEDICATED CONDENSING INDOOR CONDENSING UNITS [DC.L.I, unit cooler only] Life-cycle cost savings TSL EL 1 .............................................................................. 2 .............................................................................. 3 .............................................................................. 1 ............................................................................. 2 ............................................................................. 3 ............................................................................. Percent of consumers that experience net cost Average LCC savings * (2015$) $86 121 135 2 6 15 * The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers. TABLE V–12—AVERAGE LCC AND PBP RESULTS BY TRIAL STANDARD LEVEL FOR LOW-TEMPERATURE UNIT COOLERS, ATTACHED TO DEDICATED CONDENSING OUTDOOR CONDENSING UNITS [DC.L.O, unit cooler only] Average costs (2015$) TSL EL First year’s operating cost Installed cost ............................... 1 ............................ 2 ............................ 3 ............................ 0 1 2 3 ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ $2,795 2,809 2,856 2,969 Lifetime operating cost $2,630 2,624 2,604 2,572 $22,308 22,268 22,151 21,876 Simple payback (years) LCC $23,816 23,782 23,673 23,529 Average lifetime (years) 0.0 0.6 2.4 4.5 10.4 10.4 10.4 10.4 Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the baseline (EL 0) equipment. TABLE V–13—AVERAGE LCC SAVINGS RELATIVE TO THE NO-NEW-STANDARDS CASE FOR LOW-TEMPERATURE UNIT COOLERS, ATTACHED TO DEDICATED CONDENSING OUTDOOR CONDENSING UNITS [DC.L.O, unit cooler only] Life-cycle cost savings TSL EL 1 .............................................................................. 2 .............................................................................. 3 .............................................................................. 1 ............................................................................. 2 ............................................................................. 3 ............................................................................. Percent of consumers that experience net cost Average LCC savings * (2015$) $35 144 288 0 3 15 * The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers. TABLE V–14—AVERAGE LCC AND PBP RESULTS BY TRIAL STANDARD LEVEL FOR MEDIUM-TEMPERATURE UNIT COOLERS, ATTACHED TO DEDICATED CONDENSING INDOOR CONDENSING UNITS [DC.M.I, unit cooler only] Average costs (2015$) TSL EL sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Installed cost ............................... 1 ............................ 2 ............................ 3 ............................ 0 1 2 3 ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ $2,187 2,187 2,218 2,227 First year’s operating cost Lifetime operating cost $1,183 1,183 1,170 1,167 $10,010 10,010 9,901 9,875 LCC $11,583 11,583 11,511 11,497 Simple payback (years) Average lifetime (years) 0.0 0.0 1.8 1.9 10.5 10.5 10.5 10.5 Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the baseline (EL 0) equipment. Note: DOE is examining the impacts of unit coolers (UC.M and UC.L) combined with medium-temperature dedicated condensing equipment (DC.M.I and DC.M.O), but DOE is not considering establishing standards for the latter equipment, as they are covered by the June 2014 final rule standards that were not vacated by the Fifth Circuit order. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31864 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE V–15—AVERAGE LCC SAVINGS RELATIVE TO THE NO-NEW-STANDARDS CASE FOR MEDIUM-TEMPERATURE UNIT COOLERS, ATTACHED TO DEDICATED CONDENSING INDOOR CONDENSING UNITS [DC.M.I, unit cooler only] Life-cycle cost savings TSL EL 1 .............................................................................. 2 .............................................................................. 3 .............................................................................. 1 ............................................................................. 2 ............................................................................. 3 ............................................................................. Percent of consumers that experience net cost Average LCC savings * (2015$) $0 72 87 0 1 1 * The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers. Note: DOE is examining the impacts of unit coolers (UC.M and UC.L) combined with medium-temperature dedicated condensing equipment (DC.M.I and DC.M.O), but DOE is not considering establishing standards for the latter equipment, as they are covered by the June 2014 final rule standards that were not vacated by the Fifth Circuit order. TABLE V–16—AVERAGE LCC AND PBP RESULTS BY TRIAL STANDARD LEVEL FOR MEDIUM-TEMPERATURE UNIT COOLERS, ATTACHED TO DEDICATED CONDENSING OUTDOOR CONDENSING UNITS [DC.M.O, unit cooler only] Average costs (2015$) TSL EL First year’s operating cost Installed cost ............................... 1 ............................ 2 ............................ 3 ............................ 0 1 2 3 ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ $2,294 2,294 2,320 2,329 Lifetime operating cost $956 956 942 940 Simple payback (years) LCC $8,070 8,070 7,956 7,937 $9,912 9,912 9,833 9,823 Average lifetime (years) 0.0 0.0 1.4 1.5 10.6 10.6 10.6 10.6 Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the baseline (EL 0) equipment. Note: DOE is examining the impacts of unit coolers (UC.M and UC.L) combined with medium-temperature dedicated condensing equipment (DC.M.I and DC.M.O), but DOE is not considering establishing standards for the latter equipment, as they are covered by the June 2014 final rule standards that were not vacated by the Fifth Circuit order. TABLE V–17—AVERAGE LCC SAVINGS RELATIVE TO THE NO-NEW-STANDARDS CASE FOR MEDIUM-TEMPERATURE UNIT COOLERS, ATTACHED TO DEDICATED CONDENSING OUTDOOR CONDENSING UNITS [DC.M.O, unit cooler only] Life-cycle cost savings TSL EL 1 .............................................................................. 2 .............................................................................. 3 .............................................................................. 1 ............................................................................. 2 ............................................................................. 3 ............................................................................. Percent of consumers that experience net cost Average LCC savings * (2015$) $0 79 89 0 0 1 * The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers. Note: DOE is examining the impacts of unit coolers (UC.M and UC.L) combined with medium-temperature dedicated condensing equipment (DC.M.I and DC.M.O), but DOE is not considering establishing standards for the latter equipment, as they are covered by the June 2014 final rule standards that were not vacated by the Fifth Circuit order. TABLE V–18—AVERAGE LCC AND PBP RESULTS BY TRIAL STANDARD LEVEL FOR UNIT COOLERS, LOW-TEMPERATURE, ATTACHED TO LOW-TEMPERATURE MULTIPLEX CONDENSING UNITS sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 [MC.L, unit cooler only] Average costs 2015$ TSL EL Installed cost ............................... 1 ............................ 2 ............................ VerDate Sep<11>2014 0 ............................ 1 ............................ 2 ............................ 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 $2,850 2,856 2,898 PO 00000 Frm 00058 First year’s operating cost Lifetime operating cost $2,131 2,130 2,113 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 $18,831 18,820 18,670 LCC $20,492 20,488 20,390 E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Simple payback (years) Average lifetime (years) 0.0 0.6 2.8 10.6 10.6 10.6 31865 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE V–18—AVERAGE LCC AND PBP RESULTS BY TRIAL STANDARD LEVEL FOR UNIT COOLERS, LOW-TEMPERATURE, ATTACHED TO LOW-TEMPERATURE MULTIPLEX CONDENSING UNITS—Continued [MC.L, unit cooler only] Average costs 2015$ TSL EL First year’s operating cost Installed cost 3 ............................ 3 ............................ 3,115 Lifetime operating cost 2,090 Simple payback (years) LCC 18,468 20,418 Average lifetime (years) 7.6 10.6 Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the baseline (EL 0) equipment. TABLE V–19—AVERAGE LCC SAVINGS RELATIVE TO THE NO-NEW-STANDARDS CASE FOR UNIT COOLERS, LOWTEMPERATURE ATTACHED TO LOW-TEMPERATURE MULTIPLEX CONDENSING UNITS [MC.L, unit cooler only] Life-cycle cost savings TSL EL 1 .............................................................................. 2 .............................................................................. 3 .............................................................................. 1 ............................................................................. 2 ............................................................................. 3 ............................................................................. Percent of consumers that experience net cost Average LCC savings * (2015$) $4 101 74 2 9 49 * The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers. TABLE V–20—AVERAGE LCC AND PBP RESULTS BY TRIAL STANDARD LEVEL FOR UNIT COOLERS, MEDIUMTEMPERATURE, ATTACHED TO MEDIUM-TEMPERATURE MULTIPLEX CONDENSING UNITS [MC.M, unit cooler only] Average costs (2015$) TSL EL First year’s operating cost Installed cost ............................... 1 ............................ 2 ............................ 3 ............................ 0 1 2 3 ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ $2,020 2,026 2,056 2,076 Lifetime operating cost $675 674 662 659 Simple payback (years) LCC $5,928 5,918 5,813 5,789 $7,592 7,588 7,520 7,517 Average lifetime (years) 0.0 0.6 2.4 3.0 10.5 10.5 10.5 10.5 Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the baseline (EL 0) equipment. TABLE V–21—AVERAGE LCC SAVINGS RELATIVE TO THE NO-NEW-STANDARDS CASE FOR UNIT COOLERS, MEDIUMTEMPERATURE, ATTACHED TO MEDIUM-TEMPERATURE MULTIPLEX CONDENSING UNITS [MC.M, unit cooler only] Life-cycle cost savings TSL EL 1 .............................................................................. 2 .............................................................................. 3 .............................................................................. 1 ............................................................................. 2 ............................................................................. 3 ............................................................................. Percent of consumers that experience net cost Average LCC savings * (2015$) $4 72 75 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 * The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers. b. Consumer Subgroup Analysis In the consumer subgroup analysis, DOE estimated the impact of the considered TSLs on small businesses. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 Table V–22 compares the average LCC savings and PBP at each efficiency level for the small business consumer subgroup, along with the average LCC savings for the entire sample. In most PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 cases, the average LCC savings and PBP for the small business subgroup at the considered efficiency levels are not substantially different from the average for all businesses. The small business E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 1 2 8 31866 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations subgroup is the subgroup of consumers most likely to be affected by this final rule. Small businesses are likely to AND experience higher electricity prices, and experience higher costs of capital than the average for all businesses. Chapter 11 of the final rule TSD presents the complete LCC and PBP results for the small business subgroup. TABLE V–22—COMPARISON OF LCC SAVINGS PBP FOR SMALL BUSINESSES CONSUMER SUBGROUP AND ALL CONSUMERS Equipment class—application (design path) LCC savings (2015$) Consumer subgroup TSL 1 DC.L.I—C-Only * ............................................. DC.L.O—CU-Only * ......................................... DC.L.I—F–P ** ................................................ DC.L.O—F–P ** ............................................... DC.L.I—UC-Only † .......................................... DC.L.O—UC-Only † ........................................ UC.M—DC.M.I ................................................ UC.M—DC.M.O .............................................. UC.L—MC.L .................................................... UC.M—MC.M .................................................. National Average ............................................ Small Businesses ........................................... National Average ............................................ Small Businesses ........................................... National Average ............................................ Small Businesses ........................................... National Average ............................................ Small Businesses ........................................... National Average ............................................ Small Businesses ........................................... National Average ............................................ Small Businesses ........................................... National Average ............................................ Small Businesses ........................................... National Average ............................................ Small Businesses ........................................... National Average ............................................ Small Businesses ........................................... National Average ............................................ Small Businesses ........................................... TSL 2 TSL 3 $26 25 753 698 63 58 783 733 86 78 35 32 0 0 0 0 4 NA 4 NA $387 359 2,097 1,960 442 410 2,307 2,164 121 107 144 131 72 67 79 73 101 NA 72 NA $1,272 1,179 2,839 2,628 1,397 1,293 3,294 3,060 135 116 288 259 87 81 89 82 74 NA 75 NA 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 1.7 1.7 0.6 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 NA 0.6 NA 1.0 1.0 0.4 0.4 1.0 1.0 0.5 0.5 3.6 3.6 2.4 2.3 1.8 0.0 1.4 0.0 2.8 NA 2.4 NA 1.5 1.4 1.2 1.2 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.4 4.8 4.8 4.5 4.5 1.9 1.8 1.5 1.3 7.6 NA 3.0 NA Consumer Simple PBP (years) DC.L.I—CS-Only * ........................................... DC.L.O—CS-Only * ......................................... DC.L.I—F–P ** ................................................ DC.L.O—F–P ** ............................................... DC.L.I—UC-Only † .......................................... DC.L.O—UC-Only † ........................................ UC.M—DC.M.I ................................................ UC.M—DC.M.O .............................................. UC.L—MC.L .................................................... UC.M—MC.M .................................................. National Average ............................................ Small Businesses ........................................... National Average ............................................ Small Businesses ........................................... National Average ............................................ Small Businesses ........................................... National Average ............................................ Small Businesses ........................................... National Average ............................................ Small Businesses ........................................... National Average ............................................ Small Businesses ........................................... National Average ............................................ Small Businesses ........................................... National Average ............................................ Small Businesses ........................................... National Average ............................................ Small Businesses ........................................... National Average ............................................ Small Businesses ........................................... sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 ‘‘NA’’ indicates that these equipment classes are not commonly purchased by small businesses. Note: DOE is examining the impacts of unit coolers (UC.M and UC.L) combined with medium-temperature dedicated condensing equipment (DC.M.I and DC.M.O), but DOE is not considering establishing standards for the latter equipment, as they are covered by the June 2014 final rule standards that were not vacated by the Fifth Circuit order. * Condensing Unit Only (CU-Only): condensing unit-only. This analysis evaluates standard levels applied to a condensing unit for a scenario in which a new condensing unit is installed to replace a failed condensing unit, but the existing unit cooler is not replaced. See section IV.G.1.b for more details. ** Field-Paired (FP): field-paired unit cooler and condensing unit. This analysis evaluates a scenario in which both a new condensing unit and a new unit cooler are installed. See section IV.G.1.a for more details. † Unit Cooler Only (UC-Only): unit cooler only. This analysis evaluates standard levels applied to a unit cooler for a scenario in which a new unit cooler is installed to replace a failed unit cooler, but the existing condensing unit (or multiplex system) is not replaced. See section IV.G.1.c for more details. c. Rebuttable Presumption Payback As discussed in section III.E.2, EPCA establishes a rebuttable presumption that an energy conservation standard is economically justified if the increased purchase cost for the equipment at issue VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 meets the standard is less than three times the value of the first-year energy savings resulting from the standard. In calculating a rebuttable presumption payback period for each of the considered TSLs, DOE used discrete PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 values, and, as required by EPCA, based the energy use calculation on the DOE test procedures for the considered WICF refrigeration systems. In contrast, the PBPs presented in section V.B.1.a were calculated using distributions that E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations reflect the range of energy use in the field that is likely seen by consumers of the WICF refrigeration systems. Table V–23 presents the rebuttablepresumption payback periods for the considered TSLs for WICF refrigeration systems. These results show that, in most cases, the projected payback period will be three years or less for each of the different equipment classes with respect to each TSL examined. While DOE examined the rebuttablepresumption criterion, it also considered whether the standard levels considered for this rule are economically justified through a more detailed analysis of the economic impacts of those levels, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i) and 6316(a), that 31867 considers the full range of impacts to the consumer, manufacturer, Nation, and environment. The results of that analysis serve as the basis for DOE to definitively evaluate the economic justification for a potential standard level, thereby supporting or rebutting the results of any preliminary determination of economic justification. TABLE V–23—REBUTTABLE PAYBACK PERIOD (YEARS) FOR WICF REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS Trial standard level Equipment class (Design Path) 1 DC.L.I (CU-Only) * ....................................................................................................................... DC.L.O (CU-Only) * ...................................................................................................................... DC.L.I (FP) ** ............................................................................................................................... DC.L.O (FP) ** ............................................................................................................................. DC.L.I (UC-Only) † ....................................................................................................................... DC.L.O (UC-Only) † ..................................................................................................................... UC.M–DC.M.I ............................................................................................................................... UC.M–DC.M.O ............................................................................................................................. UC.L–MC.L .................................................................................................................................. UC.M–MC.M ................................................................................................................................ 2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 1.7 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.6 3 1.0 0.4 1.0 0.5 3.6 2.4 0.0 0.0 2.8 2.4 1.5 1.2 1.5 1.4 4.8 4.5 1.8 1.4 7.6 3.0 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Note: DOE is examining the impacts of unit coolers (UC.M and UC.L) combined with medium-temperature dedicated condensing equipment (DC.M.I and DC.M.O), but DOE is not considering establishing standards for the latter equipment, as they are covered by the June 2014 final rule standards that were not vacated by the Fifth Circuit order. * CU-Only: Condensing unit-only. This analysis evaluates standard levels applied to a condensing unit distributed in commerce without a designated companion unit cooler for a scenario in which a new condensing unit is installed to replace a failed condensing unit, but the existing unit cooler is not replaced. See section IV.G.1.b for more details. ** FP: Field-paired unit cooler and condensing unit. This analysis evaluates standard levels applied to a condensing unit distributed in commerce without a designated companion unit cooler for a scenario in which both a new condensing unit and a new unit cooler are installed. See section IV.G.1.a for more details. † UC-Only: Unit cooler only. This analysis evaluates standard levels applied to a unit cooler distributed in commerce without a designated companion condensing unit, either dedicated or multiplex, for a scenario in which a new unit cooler is installed to replace a failed unit cooler, but the existing condensing unit is not replaced. See section IV.G.1.c for more details. 2. Economic Impacts on Manufacturers DOE performed an MIA to estimate the impact of the energy conservation standards on manufacturers of the seven WICF refrigeration system equipment classes being analyzed. The section below describes the expected impacts on manufacturers at each considered TSL. Chapter 12 of the final rule TSD explains the analysis in further detail. Industry Cash Flow Analysis Results Table V–24 and Table V–25 depict the financial impacts on manufacturers of the seven WICF refrigeration equipment classes being analyzed. The financial impacts on these manufacturers are represented by changes in INPV. The impact of energy efficiency standards were analyzed under two manufacturer markup scenarios: (1) The preservation of gross margin percentage and (2) the preservation of operating profit. As discussed in section IV.J.3.d, DOE considered the preservation of gross margin percentage scenario by applying a uniform ‘‘gross margin percentage’’ markup across all efficiency levels. As production cost increases with efficiency, this scenario implies that the absolute dollar markup will VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 increase. DOE assumed a manufacturer markup of 1.35 for WICF refrigeration systems. This manufacturer markup is consistent with the one DOE assumed in the engineering analysis and the nonew-standards case of the GRIM. WICF refrigeration manufacturers indicated that it is optimistic to assume that as their production costs increase in response to an efficiency standard, they would be able to maintain the same gross margin percentage markup. Therefore, DOE assumes that this scenario represents a high bound to industry profitability under an energyconservation standard. It also represents a lower bound to expected consumer payback periods and end-user life cycle cost savings calculated in the NIA, since an upper bound to industry profitability is also the scenario in which the highest possible costs are being passed on to the end user. The preservation of operating profit scenario reflects WICF refrigeration manufacturer concerns about their inability to maintain their margins as manufacturing production costs increase to reach more-stringent efficiency levels. In this scenario, while PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 WICF refrigeration manufacturers make the necessary investments required to convert their facilities to produce new standards-compliant equipment, operating profit does not change in absolute dollars and decreases as a percentage of revenue. Each of the modeled scenarios results in a unique set of cash-flows and corresponding industry values at each TSL. In the following discussion, the INPV results refer to the difference in industry value between the no-newstandards case and each standards case resulting from the sum of discounted cash-flows from 2016 (the base year) through 2049 (the end of the analysis period). To provide perspective on the short-run cash-flow impact, DOE includes in the discussion of the results a comparison of free cash-flow between the no-new-standards case and the standards case at each TSL in the year before new standards take effect. Table V–24 and Table V–25 show the MIA results for each TSL using the markup scenarios described above for the seven WICF refrigeration system equipment classes being analyzed. E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31868 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE V–24—MANUFACTURER IMPACT ANALYSIS FOR WICF REFRIGERATION MANUFACTURERS UNDER THE PRESERVATION OF GROSS MARGIN MARKUP SCENARIO No-newstandards case Units INPV ..................................................................................... Change in INPV ($) ............................................................. Change in INPV (%) ............................................................ Product Conversion Costs ................................................... Capital Conversion Costs .................................................... Total Investment Required ................................................... 2015$ MM 2015$ MM % 2015$ MM 2015$ MM 2015$ MM Trial standard level 1 97.9 ........................ ........................ 1.7 ........................ 1.7 2 97.1 (0.7) (0.8) 3.0 0.3 3.3 3 96.4 (1.5) (1.5) 6.0 1.1 7.1 91.7 (6.1) (6.3) 14.0 4.7 18.7 TABLE V–25—MANUFACTURER IMPACT ANALYSIS FOR WICF REFRIGERATION MANUFACTURERS UNDER THE PRESERVATION OF OPERATING PROFIT MARKUP SCENARIO No-newstandards case Units sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 INPV ..................................................................................... Change in INPV ($) ............................................................. Change in INPV (%) ............................................................ Product Conversion Costs ................................................... Capital Conversion Costs .................................................... Total Investment Required ................................................... As explained in section IV.J.3.d, DOE modeled the upfront testing and labeling costs in both the no-newstandards case and the standards cases. These costs total $1.7 million for the industry. At TSL 1, DOE estimates impacts on INPV range from ¥$1.2 million to ¥$0.7 million, resulting in a change in INPV of ¥1.2 percent to ¥0.8 percent, respectively. At TSL 1, industry free cash-flow is expected to decrease by approximately 7.4 percent to $7.0 million, compared to the no-new standards case value of $7.5 million in 2019, the year leading up to the expected standards compliance date. DOE expects WICF refrigeration manufacturers to incur approximately $3.0 million in product conversion costs for redesign, testing and labeling. DOE estimates that WICF refrigeration manufacturers will incur $0.3 million in capital conversion costs associated with TSL 1. At TSL 1, the shipment-weighted average MPC increases by approximately 0.6 percent across all WICF refrigeration systems relative to the no-new standards case MPC in 2020, the expected year of compliance. In the preservation of gross margin markup scenario, WICF refrigeration manufacturers are able to fully pass on this slight cost increase to consumers. The increase in MSP is outweighed by the $3.3 million in conversion costs that WICF refrigeration manufacturers would incur, which causes a slight negative change in INPV at TSL 1 under the VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 2015$ MM 2015$ MM % 2015$ MM 2015$ MM 2015$ MM Frm 00062 Fmt 4701 1 97.9 ........................ ........................ 1.7 ........................ 1.7 preservation of gross margin markup scenario. Under the preservation of operating profit markup scenario, WICF refrigeration manufacturers earn the same operating profit as would be earned in the no-new standards case, but manufacturers do not earn additional profit from their investments. In this scenario, the 0.6 percent shipment-weighted average MPC increase results in a reduction in manufacturer markup after the compliance year. This reduction in manufacturer markup and the $3.3 million in conversion costs incurred by WICF refrigeration manufacturers cause a negative change in INPV at TSL 1 under the preservation of operating profit markup scenario. At TSL 2, DOE estimates impacts on INPV range from ¥$4.4 million to ¥$1.5 million, resulting in a change in INPV of ¥4.5 percent to ¥1.5 percent. At TSL 2, industry free cash-flow is expected to decrease by approximately 24.7 percent to $5.7 million, compared to the no-new standards case value of $7.5 million in 2019, the year leading up to the expected standards compliance date. DOE expects WICF refrigeration systems to incur approximately $6.0 million in product conversion costs for redesign, testing and labeling. DOE estimates WICF refrigeration manufacturers will incur $1.1 million in capital conversion costs associated with TSL 2 to invest in tooling necessary to update condensing system production PO 00000 Trial standard level Sfmt 4700 2 96.6 (1.2) (1.2) 3.0 0.3 3.3 3 93.4 (4.4) (4.5) 6.0 1.1 7.1 83.6 (14.3) (14.6) 14.0 4.7 18.7 equipment for models that do not meet the required efficiency levels. At TSL 2, the shipment-weighted average MPC increases by approximately 3.5 percent for all WICF refrigeration systems relative to the nonew standards case MPC in 2020, the expected year of compliance. In the preservation of gross margin markup scenario, manufacturers are able to fully pass on this cost increase to consumers. The increase in MSP is outweighed by $7.1 million in conversion costs that WICF refrigeration manufacturers would incur, which causes a 1.5 percent drop in INPV at TSL 2. Under the preservation of operating profit markup scenario, WICF refrigeration manufacturers earn the same per-unit operating profit as would be earned in the no-new standards case. This scenario results in a reduction in manufacturer markup after the compliance year. This reduction in manufacturer markup and the $7.1 million in conversion costs incurred by WICF refrigeration manufacturers cause a negative change in INPV at TSL 2 under the preservation of operating profit markup scenario. At the max-tech level (TSL 3), DOE estimates impacts on INPV range from ¥$14.3 million to ¥$6.1 million, or a change in INPV of ¥14.6 percent to ¥6.3 percent. At TSL 3, industry free cash-flow is expected to decrease by approximately 79.5 percent to $1.5 million, compared to the no-new standards case value of $7.5 million in 2019, the year immediately prior to the E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations year of compliance for the new standards. DOE expects manufacturers of WICF refrigeration systems to incur approximately $14.0 million in product conversion costs for redesign, testing and labeling. DOE estimates manufacturers will incur $4.7 million in capital conversion costs associated with TSL 3 to invest in tooling and machinery necessary to update condensing system production equipment for models that do not meet the required efficiency levels. At TSL 3, the shipment-weighted average MPC increases by approximately 9.8 percent for all WICF refrigeration systems relative to the nonew standards case MPC in 2020, the expected year of compliance. In the preservation of gross margin markup scenario, manufacturers are able to fully pass on this cost increase to consumers. The increase in MSP is outweighed by $18.7 million in conversion costs that WICF refrigeration manufacturers would incur, which causes a negative change in INPV at TSL 3 under the preservation of gross margin markup scenario. Under the preservation of operating profit markup scenario, WICF refrigeration manufacturers earn the same operating profit as would be earned in the no-new standards case, but they do not earn additional profit from their investments. In this scenario, the 9.8 percent shipment-weighted average MPC increase results in a reduction in manufacturer markup after the compliance year. This reduction in manufacturer markup and $18.7 million in conversion costs incurred cause a negative change in INPV at TSL 3 under the preservation of operating profit markup scenario. a. Impacts on Direct Employment To quantitatively assess the impacts of energy conservation standards on WICF refrigeration manufacturer employment, DOE used the GRIM to estimate the domestic labor expenditures and number of employees in the no-new-standards case and at each TSL. DOE used statistical data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2014 Annual Survey of Manufacturers (‘‘ASM’’) and the results of the engineering analysis to calculate industry-wide labor expenditures and domestic employment levels. Labor expenditures related to equipment manufacturing depend on the labor intensity of the equipment, the sales volume, and an assumption that wages remain fixed in real terms over time. The total labor expenditures in each year are calculated by multiplying the MPCs by the labor percentage of MPCs. The total labor expenditures in the GRIM were then converted to domestic production employment levels by dividing production labor expenditures by the annual payment per production worker (production worker hours multiplied by the labor rate found in the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2014 ASM). The estimates of production workers in this section cover workers, including line supervisors, who are directly involved in fabricating and assembling equipment within the OEM facility. Workers performing services that are closely associated with production operations, such as materials handling tasks using forklifts, are also included as production labor. DOE’s production worker estimates only account for workers who manufacture the seven equipment classes covered by this rulemaking. For example, a production 31869 line worker producing a dedicated condensing medium-temperature WICF refrigeration unit would not be included in the estimate of the production workers since dedicated condensing medium-temperature units are not covered in this rule. DOE calculated the direct employment associated with the seven analyzed equipment classes by multiplying the number of production workers by the ratio of total employment to production workers reported in the 2014 ASM. Using the GRIM, DOE estimates in the absence of new energy conservation standards, there would be 154 employees associated with the seven analyzed walk-in refrigeration system equipment classes in 2020. Of these workers, 112 are production workers and 42 are non-production workers. The employment impacts shown in Table V– 26 represent the potential direct employment changes that could result following the compliance date for the seven WICF refrigeration equipment classes addressed in this rule. The upper end of the results in the table contains estimates regarding the maximum increase in direct employment after the implementation of new energy conservation standards. The table’s results are based on the assumption that WICF refrigeration manufacturers would continue to produce the same scope of covered equipment within the United States. The lower end of the range represents the maximum decrease in the total number of U.S. production workers if production moved to lower labor-cost countries. Additional detail on the analysis of direct employment can be found in chapter 12 of the TSD. TABLE V–26—DIRECT EMPLOYMENT FOR THE SEVEN REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT CLASSES IN 2020 No-standards case sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Production Workers in 2020 (without changes in production locations) ......... Direct Employment in 2020 ............................................................................. Potential Changes in Direct Employment in 2020 ........................................... The direct employment impacts shown are independent of the employment impacts from the broader U.S. economy, which are documented in the Employment Impact Analysis found in chapter 13 of the TSD. b. Impacts on Manufacturing Capacity DOE did not identify any significant capacity constraints for the design options being evaluated for this rulemaking. For most WICF refrigeration VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 112 154 ........................ manufacturers, the walk-in market makes up a relatively small percentage of their overall revenues. Additionally, most of the design options being evaluated are available as equipment options today. As a result, DOE does not anticipate that the industry will likely experience any capacity constraints directly resulting from any of the energy conservation standards considered by DOE in this rulemaking. PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 Trial standard level 1 2 113 155 (112)—1 116 159 (112)—5 3 123 169 (112)—15 c. Impacts on Subgroups of Manufacturers As discussed in section IV.J.2, using average cost assumptions to develop an industry cash-flow estimate may not be adequate for assessing differential impacts among manufacturer subgroups. Small manufacturers, niche equipment manufacturers, and manufacturers exhibiting a cost structure substantially different from the E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31870 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations industry average could be affected disproportionately. DOE used the results of the industry characterization performed in the market and technology assessment to group manufacturers exhibiting similar characteristics. Consequently, DOE analyzed small manufacturers as a sub-group for the final rule’s analysis. Further details about the industry characterization can be found in section 0 and in chapter 3 of the final rule TSD. DOE evaluated the impact of new energy conservation standards on small manufacturers, particularly those defined as ‘‘small businesses’’ by the SBA. The SBA defines a ‘‘small business’’ as having 1,250 employees or less for NAICS 333415, ‘‘AirConditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing.’’ Using this definition, DOE identified three refrigeration system manufacturers. DOE describes the differential impacts on these small businesses in section VI.B of this document. d. Cumulative Regulatory Burden One aspect of assessing manufacturer burden involves looking at the cumulative impact of multiple DOE standards and the regulatory actions of other Federal agencies and States that affect the manufacturers of a covered product. DOE believes that a standard level is not economically justified if it contributes to an unacceptable cumulative regulatory burden. While any one regulation may not impose a significant burden on manufacturers, the combined effects of several existing or impending regulations may have serious consequences for some manufacturers, groups of manufacturers, or an entire industry. Multiple regulations affecting the same manufacturer can strain profits and lead companies to abandon product lines or markets with lower expected future returns than competing products. For these reasons, DOE conducts an analysis of cumulative regulatory burden as part of its rulemakings pertaining to appliance efficiency. In addition to these energy conservation standards for WICF refrigeration systems, DOE identified other regulations that affect one or more WICF refrigeration system manufacturers and will take effect three years before or after the estimated 2020 compliance year, which is the time frame 2017 to 2023. While all of these regulations may not apply to each individual WICF refrigeration system manufacturer, a given manufacturer may be subject to one or more of these listed regulations depending on its particular product/equipment portfolio. DOE summarizes these regulations in Table V–27. Also, included in the table are Federal regulations that have compliance dates beyond the three years before or after the compliance date. Chapter 12 of the final rule TSD includes the full details of the cumulative regulatory burden. TABLE V–27—OTHER DOE REGULATIONS POTENTIALLY AFFECTING WICF REFRIGERATION SYSTEM MANUFACTURERS Number of manufacturers * Federal energy conservation standard Number of manufacturers affected by this WICF refrigeration rule ** 54 5 2017 $184.0 Million (2012$) ............. 1.5. 63 10 2017 33.6 Million (2012$) ................. 2.6. 16 1 2018 $25.1 Million (2013$) ............... 2.3. 12 2 2018 $520.8 Million (2014$) ............. 4.9. 45 14 1 2 2019 2019 2.3. 1.7–5.1. 25 25 38 36 39 1 1 3 1 1 2019 2019 2019 2021 2015 $27.5 Million (2014$) ............... $7.5 Million (2014$) to $22.2 Million (2014$). $29.8 Million (2014) ................. $52.5 Million (2014) ................. $40.6 Million (2013$) ............... $2.5 Million (2014$) ................. 17.5 (2009$) ............................. 3.0. 4.5. 1.6. Less than 1. 4.9. 45 4 2015 $18.0 (2009$) ........................... Less than 1. 243 12 30 1 1 1 2016 2016 2018 $43.4 (2012$) ........................... $43.1 (2011$) ........................... $19.5 (2013$) ........................... 2.3. Less than 1. Less than 1. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Commercial Refrigeration Equipment 79 FR 17725 (March 28, 2014). Non-vacated Walk-in Cooler and Walk-in Freezer Components 79 FR 32050 (June 3, 2014). Automatic Commercial Icemakers 80 FR 4646 (January 28, 2015). Small, Large, and Very Large Commercial Package Air Conditioning and Heating Equipment 81 FR 2420 (January 15, 2016). Commercial Packaged Boilers 81 FR 15836 (June 9, 2016) .... Commercial Warm Air Furnaces 81 FR 2420 (January 15, 2016). Commercial Water Heaters 81 FR 34440 (March 31, 2016) ..... Dehumidifiers 81 FR 38338 (June 13, 2016) ............................. Furnace Fans 79 FR 38129 (July 3, 2014) ................................ Residential Boiler 81 FR 2320 (January 15, 2016) .................... Direct Heating Equipment and Residential Water Heaters 75 FR 20112 (April 16, 2010) +. Residential Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps 76 FR 37408 (June 27, 2011) +. External Power Supplies 79 FR 7846 (February 10, 2014) + .... Microwave Ovens 78 FR 36316 (June 17, 2013) + .................... Battery Chargers 81 FR 38266 (June 13, 2016) + ..................... Approx. standards year Industry conversion costs millions $ Industry conversion costs/product revenue *** (%) * This column presents the total number of manufacturers identified in the energy conservation standard rule contributing to cumulative regulatory burden. ** This column presents the number of manufacturers producing WICF refrigeration systems that are also listed as manufacturers in the energy conservation standard contributing to cumulative regulatory burden. *** This column presents conversion costs as a percentage of cumulative revenue for the industry during the conversion period. The conversion period is the timeframe over which manufacturers must make conversion costs investments and lasts from the announcement year of the final rule to the standards year of the final rule. This period typically ranges from 3 to 5 years, depending on the energy conservation standard. The revenues figure includes revenue from just the covered product related to the individual row. + Consistent with Chapter 12 of the TSD, DOE has assessed whether this rule will have significant impacts on manufacturers that are also subject to significant impacts from other EPCA rules with compliance dates within three years of this rule’s compliance date. However, DOE recognizes that a manufacturer incurs costs during some period before a compliance date as it prepares to comply, such as by revising product designs and manufacturing processes, testing products, and preparing certifications. As such, to illustrate a broader set of rules that may also create additional burden on manufacturers, DOE has expanded the timeframe of potential regulatory overlap to include other EPCA rules with compliance dates that fall within six years of compliance date of this rule. Note that this list of rules does not indicate that DOE considers any one particular rule to contribute significantly to cumulative impact. DOE has chosen to broaden its list of rules in order to provide additional information about its rulemaking activities. This final rule establishes energy conservation standards for seven WICF refrigeration system equipment classes. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 The thirteen other standards established in the June 2014 final rule (that is, the four standards applicable to dedicated PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 condensing refrigeration systems operating at medium temperatures; three standards applicable to panels; E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 and six standards applicable to doors) were not vacated and remain subject to the June 5, 2017 compliance date prescribed by the June 2014 final rule.77 DOE anticipates that ten manufacturers who would be subject to this final rule would also be subject to certain of the non-vacated standards, namely the refrigeration system standards applicable to dedicated condensing refrigeration systems operating at medium temperatures. Three of these manufacturers also produce panels and non-display doors, and would be subject to those nonvacated standards as well. DOE discusses these and other requirements and includes the full details of the cumulative regulatory burden analysis in chapter 12 of the final rule TSD. DOE will continue to evaluate its approach to assessing cumulative regulatory burden for use in future rulemakings to ensure that it is effectively capturing the overlapping impacts of its regulations. DOE plans to seek public comment on the approaches it has used here (i.e., both the 3 and 6 year timeframes from the compliance date) in order to better understand at what point in the compliance cycle manufacturers most experience the effects of cumulative and overlapping burden from the regulation of multiple product classes. e. Impact on Manufacturers of Complete Walk-Ins A manufacturer of a complete walk-in is the entity that assembles the complete walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer. In some cases, this may be an ‘‘installer.’’ Walk-in manufacturers have been subject to regulation since 2009, when EPCA’s statutorily-prescriptive standards for walk-in coolers and freezers went into effect. 42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(1) EPCA required that all completed walk-ins must: have automatic door closers; have strip doors, spring hinged doors, or other method of minimizing infiltration when doors are open; and for all interior lights, use light sources with an efficacy of 40 lumens per watt or more. Furthermore, for walkins that use an evaporator fan motor with a rating of under 1 hp and less than 460 volts, that fan motor must be either a three-phase motor or an electronically commutated motor. Also, walk-in freezers with transparent reach-in doors 77 See www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/02/ f29/Enforcement%20Policy%20Statement%20%20WICF%2002-01-16.pdf (outlining DOE’s enforcement discretion policy to not seek civil penalties or injunctive relief concerning certain violations of the WICF refrigeration systems standards established in the June 2014 rule that were not vacated). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 must have triple-pane glass with either heat-reflective treated glass or gas fill for doors and windows. 42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(1) Due to existing regulations, manufacturers of complete walk-ins have a responsibility to use components that comply with the applicable standards and to ensure the final assembled equipment satisfies the already statutorily-prescribed design requirements enacted by Congress. To aid manufacturers in meeting these responsibilities, DOE has established labeling requirements as part of a separate final rule amending the walkin test procedure. 81 FR at 95782–95789 (December 28, 2016). As part of that rule, permanent nameplates must include information about the manufacturer or brand, and indicate that the component is suitable for walk-in use. In DOE’s view, such a requirement will help reduce the burden on manufacturers of complete walk-ins, relative to the existing compliance regime, by allowing them to more easily identify and select compliant WICF components for assembly. DOE notes that this final rule does not establish requirements that specify performance requirements for the complete walk-in. Manufacturers of complete walk-ins, including installers (i.e., the parties that assemble the complete walk-in) have no paperwork or certification requirements as a result of this rule when using certified walk-in components. DOE was unable to identify installer conversion costs that would be likely to occur as a direct result of the standard since these costs are borne by component manufacturers. Installers will not have stranded assets, as they will be able to install certified components purchased before the compliance date. DOE finds the burdens on manufacturers of complete walk-ins to be de minimis. Manufacturers of complete walk-in have an existing obligation to ensure components comply with prescriptive requirements in EPCA. 42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(1) Based on today’s standard, that process would be simplified, as installers would be able to identify compliant components based on a required label. Companies that are both manufacturers of walk-in components and manufacturers of complete walk-ins must comply with standards for WICF components established in the June 2014 final rule for panels, doors, and medium-temperature dedicated condensing refrigeration systems. They would also need to comply with the standards for low-temperature dedicated condensing refrigeration systems and unit coolers established in this rule. Additionally, DOE notes that these PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 31871 entities are already responsible for complying with the statutorilyprescribed design standards for complete walk-ins. As part of the court settlement reached in Lennox Int’l v. Dep’t of Energy, DOE agreed to consider any comments regarding any potential impacts of the standards on installers and to consider and substantively address any potential impacts of the standards on installers in its MIA. See Lennox Int’l v. Dep’t of Energy, Case No. 14–60535, Joint Settlement Motion (filed July 29, 2015) (5th Cir.). During the Working Group meetings, walk-in installers were represented by ACCA. As part of DOE’s attempt to consider and address any potential installer impacts, the NOPR specifically sought comment on any conversion costs and stranded assets that walk-in installers might incur. See 81 FR at 63033 and 63048–63049 (detailing specific issues on which DOE sought input regarding potential installer-related impacts to the proposed rule). Stakeholders raised one issue related to installers and the possibility of stranded assets. AHRI and Rheem noted that installers of complete walk-ins may have stranded assets if they are required to use components that are compliant at the time of the complete walk-in assembly. AHRI added that compliant components may not be available to installers until the compliance date of the new standards, leading to equipment availability constraints. (AHRI No. 90 at p. 3; Rheem No. 91 at p. 3) DOE addresses this comment and clarifies the compliance date for manufacturers of complete walk-ins in section III.F. 3. National Impact Analysis This section presents DOE’s estimates of the national energy savings and the NPV of consumer benefits that would result from each of the TSLs considered as potential amended standards. a. Significance of Energy Savings To estimate the energy savings attributable to potential standards for the considered WICF refrigeration systems, DOE compared their energy consumption under the no-newstandards case to their anticipated energy consumption under each TSL. The savings are measured over the entire lifetime of equipment purchased in the 30-year period that begins in the year of anticipated compliance with the amended standards (2020–2049). Table V–28 presents DOE’s projections of the national energy savings for each TSL considered for the considered WICF E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31872 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations refrigeration systems. The savings were calculated using the approach described in section IV.H of this document. TABLE V–28—CUMULATIVE NATIONAL ENERGY SAVINGS FOR WICF REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; 30 YEARS OF SHIPMENTS [2020–2049] Trial standard level 1 2 3 Quads Primary energy ............................................................................................................................ FFC energy .................................................................................................................................. OMB Circular A–4 78 requires agencies to present analytical results, including separate schedules of the monetized benefits and costs that show the type and timing of benefits and costs. Circular A–4 also directs agencies to consider the variability of key elements underlying the estimates of benefits and costs. For this rulemaking, DOE undertook a sensitivity analysis using 9 years, rather than 30 years, of equipment shipments. The choice of a 9-year period is a proxy for the timeline in EPCA for the review of certain energy conservation standards and potential revision of and compliance with such revised standards.79 The review timeframe established in EPCA is generally not synchronized with the product lifetime, product manufacturing cycles, or other factors specific to WICF refrigeration systems. Thus, such results 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.5 0.8 0.9 are presented for informational purposes only and are not indicative of any change in DOE’s analytical methodology. The NES sensitivity analysis results based on a 9-year analytical period are presented in Table V–29. The impacts are counted over the lifetime of the considered WICF refrigeration systems purchased in 2020–2028. TABLE V–29—CUMULATIVE NATIONAL ENERGY SAVINGS FOR WICF REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; 9 YEARS OF SHIPMENTS [2020–2028] Trial standard level 1 2 3 Quads Primary energy ............................................................................................................................ FFC energy .................................................................................................................................. b. Net Present Value of Consumer Costs and Benefits DOE estimated the cumulative NPV of the total costs and savings for consumers that would result from the TSLs examined for the WICF refrigeration systems addressed in this final rule. In accordance with OMB’s guidelines on regulatory analysis,80 DOE calculated NPV using both a 7- 0.03 0.03 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 percent and a 3-percent real discount rate. Table V–30 shows the consumer NPV results with impacts counted over the lifetime of products purchased in 2020–2049. TABLE V–30—CUMULATIVE NET PRESENT VALUE OF CONSUMER BENEFITS FOR WICF REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS SHIPPED IN 2020–2049 Trial standard level Discount rate 1 2 3 Billion 2015$ 3 percent ...................................................................................................................................... 7 percent ...................................................................................................................................... 0.5 0.2 2.0 0.9 3.2 1.4 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 The NPV results based on the aforementioned 9-year analytical period are presented in Table V–31. The impacts are counted over the lifetime of products purchased in 2020–2028. As mentioned previously, such results are presented for informational purposes only and are not indicative of any 78 U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Circular A–4: Regulatory Analysis. September 17, 2003. www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars_a004_a4/. 79 Section 325(m) of EPCA requires DOE to review its standards at least once every 6 years, and requires, for certain products, a 3-year period after any new standard is promulgated before compliance is required, except that in no case may any new standards be required within 6 years of the compliance date of the previous standards. While adding a 6-year review to the 3-year compliance period adds up to 9 years, DOE notes that it may undertake reviews at any time within the 6 year period and that the 3-year compliance date may yield to the 6-year backstop. A 9-year analysis period may not be appropriate given the variability that occurs in the timing of standards reviews and the fact that for some products, the compliance period is 5 years rather than 3 years. 80 U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Circular A–4: Regulatory Analysis. September 17, 2003. www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars_a004_a4/. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 31873 change in DOE’s analytical methodology or decision criteria. TABLE V–31 CUMULATIVE NET PRESENT VALUE OF CONSUMER BENEFITS FOR WICF REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; NINE YEARS OF SHIPMENTS [2020–2028] Trial standard level Discount rate 1 2 3 Billion 2015$ 3 percent ...................................................................................................................................... 7 percent ...................................................................................................................................... The above results reflect the use of a constant trend to estimate the change in price for the considered WICF refrigeration systems over the analysis period (see section IV.H.1). DOE also conducted a sensitivity analysis that considered one scenario with an increasing price trend and one scenario with a decreasing price trend. The results of these alternative cases are presented in appendix 10B of the final rule TSD. c. Indirect Impacts on Employment sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 DOE expects that amended energy conservation standards for WICF refrigeration systems will reduce energy expenditures for consumers of those products, with the resulting net savings being redirected to other forms of economic activity. These expected shifts in spending and economic activity could affect the demand for labor. As described in section IV.N of this document, DOE used an input/output model of the U.S. economy to estimate indirect employment impacts of the TSLs that DOE considered. DOE understands that there are uncertainties involved in projecting employment impacts, especially changes in the later years of the analysis. Therefore, DOE generated results for near-term timeframes (2020–2025), where these uncertainties are reduced. The results suggest that the adopted standards are likely to have a negligible impact on the net demand for labor in the economy. The net change in jobs is so small that it would be imperceptible in national labor statistics and might be offset by other, unanticipated effects on employment. Chapter 16 of the final rule TSD presents detailed results VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 regarding anticipated indirect employment impacts. 4. Impact on Utility or Performance of Products DOE tentatively concluded in the NOPR that the standards adopted in this final rule will not lessen the utility or performance of the WICF refrigeration systems under consideration in this rulemaking, based on testing conducted in support of the engineering analysis, and requested comment on this issue. 81 FR at 63035. DOE did not receive any comments suggesting that the selected standard levels would impact utility or performance and DOE notes that manufacturers of these equipment categories currently offer equipment that employ the various design options that would be needed to meet the adopted standards. 5. Impact of Any Lessening of Competition DOE considered any lessening of competition that would be likely to result from new or amended standards. As discussed in section III.E.1.e, the Attorney General of the United States must assess a proposed rule to determine the impact, if any, of any lessening of competition likely to result from the proposed standard and to transmit such determination in writing to the Secretary within 60 days of the publication of a proposed rule, together with an analysis of the nature and extent of the impact. To assist the Attorney General in making this determination, DOE provided the Department of Justice (‘‘DOJ’’) with copies of the final rule and the TSD for review. In its assessment letter responding to DOE, DOJ concluded that, PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.2 1.5 0.9 based on the information currently available, it does not believe that the proposed energy conservation standards for WICF refrigeration systems are likely to have a significant adverse impact on competition. DOE is publishing the Attorney General’s assessment at the end of this final rule. 6. Need of the Nation To Conserve Energy Enhanced energy efficiency, where economically justified, improves the Nation’s energy security, strengthens the economy, and reduces the environmental impacts (costs) of energy production. Reduced electricity demand due to energy conservation standards is also likely to reduce the cost of maintaining the reliability of the electricity system, particularly during peak-load periods. As a measure of this reduced demand, chapter 15 in the final rule TSD presents the estimated reduction in generating capacity, relative to the no-new-standards case, for the TSLs that DOE considered in this rulemaking. Energy conservation resulting from potential energy conservation standards for the considered WICF refrigeration systems is expected to yield environmental benefits in the form of reduced emissions of certain air pollutants and greenhouse gases. Table V–32 provides DOE’s estimate of cumulative emissions reductions expected to result from the TSLs considered in this rulemaking. The emissions were calculated using the multipliers discussed in section IV.H.2. DOE reports annual emissions reductions for each TSL in chapter 13 of the final rule TSD. E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31874 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE V–32—CUMULATIVE EMISSIONS REDUCTION FOR WICF REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS SHIPPED IN 2020–2049 Trial standard level 1 2 3 Power Sector Emissions CO2 (million metric tons) ............................................................................................................. SO2 (thousand tons) .................................................................................................................... NOX (thousand tons) ................................................................................................................... Hg (tons) ...................................................................................................................................... CH4 (thousand tons) .................................................................................................................... N2O (thousand tons) .................................................................................................................... 6.0 4.9 3.2 0.0 0.6 0.1 25.4 21.0 13.8 0.1 2.7 0.4 43.5 35.9 23.6 0.1 4.6 0.7 0.3 0.0 4.8 0.0001 29.4 0.00 1.4 0.2 20.2 0.0003 125 0.01 2.4 0.3 34.7 0.0006 214 0.02 6.3 5.0 8.0 0.0 30.0 0.1 26.8 21.1 34.0 0.1 127 0.4 45.8 36.2 58.2 0.1 218 0.7 Upstream Emissions CO2 (million metric tons) ............................................................................................................. SO2 (thousand tons) .................................................................................................................... NOX (thousand tons) ................................................................................................................... Hg (tons) ...................................................................................................................................... CH4 (thousand tons) .................................................................................................................... N2O (thousand tons) .................................................................................................................... Total FFC Emissions CO2 (million metric tons) ............................................................................................................. SO2 (thousand tons) .................................................................................................................... NOX (thousand tons) ................................................................................................................... Hg (tons) ...................................................................................................................................... CH4 (thousand tons) .................................................................................................................... N2O (thousand tons) .................................................................................................................... Negative values refer to an increase in emissions. As part of the analysis for this rule, DOE estimated monetary benefits likely to result from the projected reductions of CO2 emissions for each of the considered TSLs analyzed in this rulemaking. As discussed in section IV.L of this document, DOE used the most recent values for the SC–CO2 developed by the interagency working group. The four sets of SC–CO2 values correspond to the average values from distributions that use a 5-percent discount rate, a 3-percent discount rate, a 2.5-percent discount rate, and the 95th-percentile values from a distribution that uses a 3-percent discount rate. The actual SC–CO2 values used for emissions in each year are presented in appendix 14A of the final rule TSD. Table V–33 presents the global value of the CO2 emissions reduction at each TSL. DOE calculated domestic values as a range from 7 percent to 23 percent of the global values; these results are presented in chapter 14 of the final rule TSD. TABLE V–33—PRESENT VALUE OF CO2 EMISSIONS REDUCTION FOR WICF REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS SHIPPED IN 2020–2049 SC-CO2 case TSL 5% discount rate, average 3% discount rate, average 2.5% discount rate, average 3% discount rate, 95th percentile Million 2015$ sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 1 ....................................................................................................................... 2 ....................................................................................................................... 3 ....................................................................................................................... As discussed in section IV.L.2, DOE estimated monetary benefits likely to result from the reduced emissions of methane and N2O that DOE estimated for each of the considered TSLs for VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 44.7 190 325 WICF refrigeration systems. DOE used the recent values for the SC–CH4 and SC–N2O developed by the interagency working group. Table V–34 presents the value of the CH4 emissions reduction at PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 204 867 1484 324 1376 2355 623 2643 4525 each TSL, and Table V–35 presents the value of the N2O emissions reduction at each TSL. E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31875 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE V–34—PRESENT VALUE OF METHANE EMISSIONS REDUCTION FOR WICF REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS SHIPPED IN 2020–2049 SC-CH4 case TSL 5% discount rate, average 3% discount rate, average 2.5% discount rate, average 3% discount rate, 95th percentile Million 2015$ 1 ....................................................................................................... 2 ....................................................................................................... 3 ....................................................................................................... 9.5 40.3 69.0 30.1 128 218 42.6 181 309 80.2 340 582 TABLE V–35—PRESENT VALUE OF NITROUS OXIDE EMISSIONS REDUCTION FOR WICF REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS SHIPPED IN 2020–2049 SC-N2O case TSL 5% discount rate, average 3% discount rate, average 2.5% discount rate, average 3% discount rate, 95th percentile Million 2015$ 1 ....................................................................................................................... 2 ....................................................................................................................... 3 ....................................................................................................................... DOE is well aware that scientific and economic knowledge about the contribution of CO2 and other GHG emissions to changes in the future global climate and the potential resulting damages to the world economy continues to evolve rapidly. Thus, any value placed on reduced GHG emissions in this rulemaking is subject to change. DOE, together with other Federal agencies, will continue to review various methodologies for estimating the monetary value of reductions in CO2 and other GHG emissions. This ongoing review will consider the comments on this subject that are part of the public 0.2 1.0 1.8 record for this and other rulemakings, as well as other methodological assumptions and issues. Consistent with DOE’s legal obligations, and taking into account the uncertainty involved with this particular issue, DOE has included in this rule the most recent values resulting from the interagency review process. DOE notes, however, that the adopted standards would be economically justified even without inclusion of the monetized benefits accruing from reduced GHG emissions. DOE also estimated the monetary value of the economic benefits associated with NOX emissions 1.0 4.4 7.5 1.6 6.9 11.9 2.8 11.7 20.0 reductions anticipated to result from the considered TSLs for WICF refrigeration systems. The dollar-per-ton values that DOE used are discussed in section IV.L of this document. Table V–36 presents the present value for NOX emissions reduction for each TSL calculated using 7-percent and 3percent discount rates. This table presents results that use the low benefitper-ton values, which reflect DOE’s primary estimate. Results that reflect the range of NOX benefit-per-ton values are presented in Table V–36. TABLE V–36—PRESENT VALUE OF NOX EMISSIONS REDUCTION FOR WICF REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS SHIPPED IN 2020–2049 * 3% discount rate TSL 7% discount rate Million 2015$ 1 ............................................................................................................................................................................... 2 ............................................................................................................................................................................... 3 ............................................................................................................................................................................... 14.3 60.4 103 5.8 24.8 42.4 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 * Results are based on the low benefit-per-ton values. 7. Other Factors The Secretary of Energy, in determining whether a standard is economically justified, may consider any other factors that the Secretary deems to be relevant. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(VII) and 6316(a)) No VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 other factors were considered in this analysis. C. Summary of National Economic Impacts the potential economic benefits resulting from reduced GHG and NOX emissions to the NPV of consumer savings calculated for each TSL considered in this rulemaking. Table V–37 presents the NPV values that result from adding the estimates of PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31876 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE V–37—CONSUMER NPV COMBINED WITH PRESENT VALUE OF BENEFITS FROM EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS Consumer NPV and low NOX values at 3% discount rate added with: TSL GHG 5% discount rate, average case GHG 3% discount rate, average case GHG 2.5% discount rate, average case GHG 3% Discount Rate, 95th percentile case Billion 2015$ 1 ....................................................... 2 ....................................................... 3 ....................................................... 0.6 2.3 3.7 0.7 3.1 5.0 0.9 3.6 6.0 1.2 5.1 8.4 Consumer NPV and Low NOX Values at 7% Discount Rate Added with: TSL GHG 5% discount rate, average case GHG 3% discount rate, average case GHG 3% discount rate, average case GHG 3% discount rate, 95th percentile case Billion 2015$ 1 ....................................................... 2 ....................................................... 3 ....................................................... 0.3 1.1 1.8 0.5 1.9 3.1 0.6 2.5 4.1 0.9 3.9 6.5 Note: The GHG benefits include the estimated benefits for reductions in CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions using the four sets of SC–CO2, SC– CH4, and SC–N2O values developed by the interagency working group. The national operating cost savings are domestic U.S. monetary savings that occur as a result of purchasing the considered WICF refrigeration equipment, and are measured for the lifetime of products shipped in 2020– 2049. The benefits associated with reduced GHG emissions achieved as a result of the adopted standards are also calculated based on the lifetime of WICF refrigeration systems shipped in 2020– 2049. However, the GHG reduction is a benefit that accrues globally. Because CO2 emissions have a very long residence time in the atmosphere, the SC–CO2 values for future emissions reflect climate-related impacts that continue through 2300. D. Conclusion When considering new or amended energy conservation standards, the standards that DOE adopts for walk-ins must be designed to achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that the Secretary determines is technologically feasible and economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(A) and 6316(a)) In determining whether a standard is economically justified, the Secretary must determine whether the benefits of the standard exceed its burdens by, to the greatest extent practicable, considering the seven statutory factors discussed previously. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i) and 6316(a)) The new or amended standard must also result in significant conservation of energy. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)(B) and 6316(a)). For this final rule, DOE considered the impacts of standards for the considered WICF refrigeration systems at each TSL, beginning with the maximum technologically feasible level, to determine whether that level was economically justified. Where the maxtech level was not justified, DOE then considered the next most efficient level and undertook the same evaluation until it reached the highest efficiency level that is both technologically feasible and economically justified and saves a significant amount of energy. To aid the reader as DOE discusses the benefits and/or burdens of each TSL, tables in this section present a summary of the results of DOE’s quantitative analysis for each TSL. In addition to the quantitative results presented in the tables, DOE also considers other burdens and benefits that affect economic justification. These include the impacts on identifiable subgroups of consumers who may be disproportionately affected by a national standard and impacts on employment. 1. Benefits and Burdens of TSLs Considered for WICF Refrigeration System Standards Table V–38 and Table V–39 summarize the quantitative impacts estimated for each TSL for the considered WICF refrigeration systems. The national impacts are measured over the lifetime of WICF refrigeration systems purchased in the 30-year period that begins in the anticipated year of compliance with amended standards (2020–2049). The energy savings, emissions reductions, and value of emissions reductions refer to full-fuelcycle results. The efficiency levels contained in each TSL are described in section V.A of this document. TABLE V–38—SUMMARY OF ANALYTICAL RESULTS FOR WICF REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS TSLS: NATIONAL IMPACTS Category TSL 1 TSL 2 TSL 3 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Cumulative FFC National Energy Savings (quads) Quads ...................................................................................................... 0.1 ............................. 0.5 ............................. 0.9 NPV of Consumer Costs and Benefits (billion 2015$) 3% discount rate ...................................................................................... 7% discount rate ...................................................................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4701 0.5 ............................. 0.2 ............................. Sfmt 4700 2.0 ............................. 0.9 ............................. E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 3.2 1.4 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 31877 TABLE V–38—SUMMARY OF ANALYTICAL RESULTS FOR WICF REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS TSLS: NATIONAL IMPACTS— Continued Category TSL 1 TSL 2 TSL 3 Cumulative FFC Emissions Reduction CO2 (million metric tons) ......................................................................... SO2 (thousand tons) ................................................................................ NOX (thousand tons) ............................................................................... Hg (tons) .................................................................................................. CH4 (thousand tons) ................................................................................ N2O (thousand tons) ................................................................................ 6.3 ............................. 5.0 ............................. 8.0 ............................. 0.02 ........................... 30.0 ........................... 0.1 ............................. 26.8 ........................... 21.1 ........................... 34.0 ........................... 0.07 ........................... 127 ............................ 0.4 ............................. 45.8 36.2 58.2 0.12 218 0.7 0.2 to 2.6 ................... 0.0 to 0.3 ................... 0.001 to 0.012 ........... 60 .............................. 25 .............................. 0.3 to 4.5 0.1 to 0.6 0.002 to 0.020 103 42 Value of Emissions Reduction CO2 (Billion 2015$) * ................................................................................ CH4 (billion 2015$) .................................................................................. N2O (million 2015$) ................................................................................. NOX—3% discount rate (million 2015$) .................................................. NOX—7% discount rate (million 2015$) .................................................. 0.0 to 0.6 ................... 0.0 to 0.1 ................... 0.000 to 0.003 ........... 14 .............................. 6 ................................ Parentheses indicate negative (¥) values. * Range of the economic value of CO2 reductions is based on estimates of the global benefit of reduced CO2 emissions. TABLE V–39—SUMMARY OF ANALYTICAL RESULTS FOR WICF REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT TSLS: MANUFACTURER AND CONSUMER IMPACTS ‡ Category TSL 1 * TSL 2 * TSL 3 * Manufacturer Impacts Industry NPV (2015$ million) (No-new-standards case INPV = 97.9) ...................... Industry NPV (% change) .......................................................................................... 96.6–97.1 (1.2)–(0.8) 93.4–96.4 (4.5)–(1.5) 83.6–91.7 (14.6)–(6.3) 26 753 63 783 86 35 0 0 4 4 107 387 2,097 442 2,307 121 144 72 79 101 72 393 1,272 2,839 1,397 3,294 135 288 87 89 74 75 615 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 1.7 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.6 0.2 1.0 0.4 1.0 0.5 3.6 2.4 0.0 1.4 2.8 2.4 1.2 1.5 1.2 1.5 1.4 4.8 4.5 1.8 1.5 7.6 3.0 2.2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 6 3 1 0 9 2 0 0 0 0 15 15 1 1 49 8 Consumer Average LCC Savings (2015$) DC.L.I (CU-Only) * ..................................................................................................... DC.L.O (CU-Only) ...................................................................................................... DC.L.I (Field-Paired) ** .............................................................................................. DC.L.O (Field-Paired) ................................................................................................ DC.L.I (UC-Only) † ..................................................................................................... DC.L.O (UC-Only) ...................................................................................................... UC.M—DC.M.I ........................................................................................................... UC.M—DC.M.O ......................................................................................................... UC.L—MC.L (UC-Only) ............................................................................................. UC.M—MC.M (UC-Only) ........................................................................................... Shipment-Weighted Average ..................................................................................... Consumer Simple PBP (years) DC.L.I (CU-Only) * ..................................................................................................... DC.L.O (CU-Only) * .................................................................................................... DC.L.I (Field -Paired) ** ............................................................................................. DC.L.O (FP) ** ........................................................................................................... DC.L.I (UC-Only) † ..................................................................................................... DC.L.O (UC-Only) † ................................................................................................... UC.M—DC.M.I ........................................................................................................... UC.M—DC.M.O ......................................................................................................... UC.L—MC.L (UC-Only) ............................................................................................. UC.M—MC.M (UC-Only) ........................................................................................... Shipment-Weighted Average ..................................................................................... sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 % of Consumers that Experience Net Cost DC.L.I (CU-Only) * ..................................................................................................... DC.L.O (CU-Only) * .................................................................................................... DC.L.I (FP) ** ............................................................................................................. DC.L.O (FP) ** ........................................................................................................... DC.L.I (UC-Only) † ..................................................................................................... DC.L.O (UC-Only) † ................................................................................................... UC.M—DC.M.I ........................................................................................................... UC.M—DC.M.O ......................................................................................................... UC.L—MC.L (UC-Only) ............................................................................................. UC.M—MC.M (UC-Only) ........................................................................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31878 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE V–39—SUMMARY OF ANALYTICAL RESULTS FOR WICF REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT TSLS:—Continued MANUFACTURER AND CONSUMER IMPACTS ‡ Category TSL 1 * Shipment-Weighted Average ..................................................................................... TSL 2 * 0 TSL 3 * 1 5 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Parentheses indicate negative (¥) values. Weighted results are by shares of each product class in total projected shipments in 2020. * CU-Only: Condensing unit-only. This analysis evaluates standard levels applied to a condensing unit distributed in commerce without a designated companion unit cooler for a scenario in which a new condensing unit is installed to replace a failed condensing unit, but the existing unit cooler is not replaced. See section IV.G.1.b for more details. ** FP: Field-paired unit cooler and condensing unit. This analysis evaluates standard levels applied to a condensing unit distributed in commerce without a designated companion unit cooler for a scenario in which both a new condensing unit and a new unit cooler are installed. See section IV.G.1.a for more details. † UC-Only: Unit cooler only. This analysis evaluates standard levels applied to a unit cooler distributed in commerce without a designated companion condensing unit, either dedicated or multiplex, for a scenario in which a new unit cooler is installed to replace a failed unit cooler, but the existing condensing unit is not replaced. See section IV.G.1.c for more details. ‡ For this NOPR, DOE is examining the impacts of unit coolers (UC.M and UC.L) combined with medium—temperature dedicated condensing equipment (DC.M.I and DC.M.O), but DOE is not considering establishing standards for the latter equipment, as they are covered by the June 2014 final rule standards that were not vacated by the Fifth Circuit order. DOE first considered TSL 3, which represents the max-tech efficiency levels. TSL 3 would save an estimated 0.85 quads of energy, an amount DOE considers significant. Under TSL 3, the NPV of consumer benefit would be $1.4 billion using a discount rate of 7 percent, and $3.2 billion using a discount rate of 3 percent. The cumulative emissions reductions at TSL 3 are 48.5 Mt of CO2, 36.2 thousand tons of SO2, 58.2 thousand tons of NOX, 0.12 ton of Hg, 218 thousand tons of CH4, and 0.7 thousand tons of N2O. The estimated monetary value of the GHG emissions reduction at TSL 3 ranges from $325 million to $4,525 million for CO2, from $69 million to $582 million for CH4, and from $1.8 million to $20 million for N2O. The estimated monetary value of the NOX emissions reduction at TSL 3 is $42 million using a 7-percent discount rate and $103 million using a 3-percent discount rate. At TSL 3, the average LCC impact for low-temperature dedicated condensing units is a savings of $1,272 for DC.L.I, $2,839 for DC.L.O for the condensing unit-only; $1,397 for DC.L.I , $3,294 for DC.L.O for field-paired equipment. The average LCC impact for low-temperature unit coolers (UC.L) is a savings of $135 and $288 when connected to indoor and outdoor low-temperature dedicated condensing units, respectively, and $74 when connected to low-temperature multiplex condensing equipment. The average LCC impact for mediumtemperature unit coolers (UC.M) is a savings of $87 and $89 when connected to indoor and outdoor mediumtemperature dedicated condensing units, respectively, and $75 when connected to medium-temperature multiplex condensing equipment. The simple payback period impact for lowtemperature dedicated condensing units is 1.5 years for DC.L.I and, 1.2 years for VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 DC.L.O for the condensing unit-only; 1.5 years for DC.L.I and, 1.4 years for DC.L.O for field-paired equipment. The simple payback period for lowtemperature unit coolers (UC.L) is 4.8 years and 4.5 years when connected to indoor and outdoor low-temperature dedicated condensing units, respectively, and 7.6 years when connected to low-temperature multiplex condensing equipment. The simple payback period for medium-temperature unit coolers (UC.M) is 1.9 years and 1.5 years when connected to indoor and outdoor medium-temperature dedicated condensing units, respectively, and 3.0 years when connected to mediumtemperature multiplex condensing equipment. The fraction of consumers experiencing a net LCC cost is zero percent for DC.L.I and DC.L.O for condensing unit-only; and zero percent for DC.L.I, and DC.L.O for field-paired equipment. The fraction of consumers experiencing a net LCC cost for lowtemperature unit coolers (UC.L) is 15 percent when connected to indoor and outdoor low-temperature dedicated condensing units, respectively, and 49 percent when connected to lowtemperature multiplex condensing equipment. The fraction of consumers experiencing a net LCC cost for medium-temperature unit coolers (UC.M) is 1 percent when connected to indoor and outdoor mediumtemperature dedicated condensing units, and 8 percent when connected to medium-temperature multiplex condensing equipment. At TSL 3, the projected change in INPV ranges from a decrease of $14.3 million to a decrease of $6.1 million, which corresponds to decreases of 14.6 percent and 6.3 percent, respectively. In addition, the adopted TSL 3 standards are consistent with the unanimous recommendations submitted PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 by the Working Group and approved by the ASRAC. (See: Term Sheet at EERE– 2015–BT–STD–0016–0056, recommendation #5) DOE has encouraged the negotiation of standard levels, in accordance with the FACA and the NRA, as a means for interested parties, representing diverse points of view, to analyze and recommend energy conservation standards to DOE. Such negotiations may often expedite the rulemaking process. In addition, standard levels recommended through a negotiation may increase the likelihood for regulatory compliance, while decreasing the risk of litigation. After considering the analysis and weighing the benefits and burdens, the Secretary has concluded that at TSL 3 for the considered WICF refrigeration systems, the benefits of energy savings, positive NPV of consumer benefits, emission reductions, the estimated monetary value of the emissions reductions, and positive average LCC savings would collectively outweigh the negative impacts on some consumers and on manufacturers. As noted earlier, DOE’s analysis of this level is independent of any benefits that may accrue from the reduction of GHG and NOX projected to occur with this level. Accordingly, the Secretary has concluded that TSL 3 would offer the maximum improvement in efficiency that is both technologically feasible and economically justified. The Secretary has also concluded that TSL3 would result in the significant conservation of energy. Therefore, based on the above considerations, DOE is adopting the energy conservation standards for WICF refrigeration systems at TSL 3. These adopted energy conservation standards for the considered WICF refrigeration systems, which are expressed as AWEF, are shown in Table V–40. E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31879 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE V–40—ADOPTED ENERGY CONSERVATION STANDARDS FOR WICF REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS Capacity (Cnet*) (Btu/h) Equipment class Unit Coolers—Low-Temperature ................................................................................... Unit Coolers—Medium-Temperature ............................................................................. Dedicated Condensing System—Low-Temperature, Outdoor ...................................... Dedicated Condensing System—Low-Temperature, Indoor ......................................... Minimum AWEF (Btu/W-h) <15,500 ................... ≥15,500 ................... All ............................ <6,500 ..................... ≥6,500 ..................... <6,500 ..................... ≥6,500 ..................... 1.575 * 10¥5 * qnet + 3.91 4.15 9.00 6.522 * 10¥5 * qnet + 2.73 3.15 9.091 * 10¥5 * qnet + 1.81 2.40 * Where qnet is net capacity as determined and certified pursuant 10 CFR 431.304. 2. Annualized Benefits and Costs of the Adopted Standards The benefits and costs of the adopted standards can also be expressed in terms of annualized values. The annualized net benefit is (1) the annualized national economic value (expressed in 2015$) of the benefits from operating walk-in refrigeration systems that meet the adopted standards (consisting primarily of operating cost savings from using less energy), minus increases in equipment purchase costs, and (2) the annualized monetary value of the benefits of GHG and NOX emission reductions. Table V–41 shows the annualized values for the considered WICF refrigeration systems under TSL 3, expressed in 2015$. The results under the primary estimate are as follows. Using a 7-percent discount rate for benefits and costs other than GHG reductions (for which DOE used average social costs with a 3-percent discount rate),81 the estimated cost of the adopted standards for the considered WICF refrigeration systems is $34 million per year in increased equipment costs, while the estimated annual benefits are $169 million in reduced equipment operating costs, $95 million in GHG reductions, and $4.2 million in reduced NOX emissions. In this case, the net benefit amounts to $234 million per year. Using a 3-percent discount rate for all benefits and costs, the estimated cost of the adopted standards for the considered WICF refrigeration systems is $36 million per year in increased equipment costs, while the estimated annual benefits are $213 million in reduced operating costs, $95 million in CO2 GHG reductions, and $5.8 million in reduced NOX emissions. In this case, the net benefit amounts to $279 million per year. TABLE V–41—SELECTED CATEGORIES OF ANNUALIZED BENEFITS AND COSTS OF ADOPTED STANDARDS (TSL 3) FOR WICF REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS Discount rate (percent) Low-netbenefits estimate Primary estimate High-netbenefits estimate Million 2015$/year Benefits Consumer Operating Cost Savings ....................................... GHG Reduction (using avg. social costs at 5% discount rate) **. GHG Reduction (using avg. social costs at 3% discount rate) **. GHG Reduction (using avg. social costs at 2.5% discount rate) **. GHG Reduction (using 95th percentile social costs at 3% discount rate) **. NOX Reduction † ................................................................... Total Benefits †† .................................................................... 7 ................................ 3 ................................ 5 ................................ 169.3 .................. 213.4 .................. 29.8 .................... 158.4 .................. 196.9 .................. 27.2 .................... 183.0. 233.9. 32.4. 3 ................................ 95.3 .................... 86.7 .................... 104.0. 2.5 ............................. 137.7 .................. 125.1 .................. 150.4. 3 ................................ 285.8 .................. 259.8 .................. 311.9. 7 3 7 7 3 3 4.2 ...................... 5.8 ...................... 203 to 459 .......... 269 ..................... 249 to 505 .......... 314 ..................... 3.9 ...................... 5.3 ...................... 190 to 422 .......... 249 ..................... 229 to 462 .......... 289 ..................... 10.1. 14.3. 225 to 505. 297. 281 to 560. 352. 34 ....................... 36 ....................... 36 ....................... 38 ....................... 33. 34. 169 to 425 .......... 234 ..................... 154 to 386 .......... 213 ..................... 192 to 472. 264. ................................ ................................ plus GHG range ..... ................................ plus GHG range ..... ................................ Costs sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Consumer Incremental Equipment Costs ............................. 7 ................................ 3 ................................ Net Benefits Total †† .................................................................................. 7 plus GHG range ..... 7 ................................ 81 DOE used average social costs with a 3-percent discount rate these values are considered as the ‘‘central’’ estimates by the interagency group. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31880 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations TABLE V–41—SELECTED CATEGORIES OF ANNUALIZED BENEFITS AND COSTS OF ADOPTED STANDARDS (TSL 3) FOR WICF REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS—Continued Discount rate (percent) Low-netbenefits estimate Primary estimate High-netbenefits estimate Million 2015$/year 3 plus GHG range ..... 3 ................................ 213 to 469 .......... 279 ..................... 192 to 424 .......... 251 ..................... 247 to 526. 318. * This table presents the annualized costs and benefits associated with the considered WICF refrigeration systems shipped in 2020–2049. These results include benefits to consumers which accrue after 2049 from the WICF refrigeration systems purchased from 2020–2049. The incremental installed costs include incremental equipment cost as well as installation costs. The results account for the incremental variable and fixed costs incurred by manufacturers due to the adopted standards, some of which may be incurred in preparation for the rule. The GHG reduction benefits are global benefits due to actions that occur nationally. The Primary, Low Net Benefits, and High Net Benefits Estimates utilize projections of energy prices and real GDP from the AEO2016 No-CPP case, a Low Economic Growth case, and a High Economic Growth case, respectively. In addition, incremental product costs reflect constant prices in the Primary Estimate, a low decline rate in the Low Benefits Estimate, and a high decline rate in the High Benefits Estimate. The methods used to derive projected price trends are explained in section IV.G. Note that the Benefits and Costs may not sum to the Net Benefits due to rounding. The equipment price projection is described in section IV.G.2 of this document and chapter 8 of the final rule technical support document (TSD). In addition, DOE used estimates for equipment efficiency distribution in its analysis based on national data supplied by industry. Purchases of higher efficiency equipment are a result of many different factors unique to each consumer including boiler heating loads, installation costs, site environmental consideration, and others. For each consumer, all other factors being the same, it would be anticipated that higher efficiency purchases in the baseline would correlate positively with higher energy prices. To the extent that this occurs, it would be expected to result in some lowering of the consumer operating cost savings from those calculated in this rule. ** The interagency group selected four sets of SC-CO2 SC-CH4, and SC-N2O values for use in regulatory analyses. Three sets of values are based on the average social costs from the integrated assessment models, at discount rates of 5 percent, 3 percent, and 2.5 percent. The fourth set, which represents the 95th percentile of the social cost distributions calculated using a 3-percent discount rate, is included to represent higher-than-expected impacts from climate change further out in the tails of the social cost distributions. The social cost values are emission year specific. See section IV.L for more details. † DOE estimated the monetized value of NOX emissions reductions associated with electricity savings using benefit per ton estimates from the Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Clean Power Plan Final Rule, published in August 2015 by EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. (Available at www.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan/clean-power-plan-final-rule-regulatory-impact-analysis.) See section IV.M.3 for further discussion. For the Primary Estimate and Low Net Benefits Estimate, DOE used national benefit-per-ton estimates for NOX emitted from the Electric Generating Unit sector based on an estimate of premature mortality derived from the ACS study (Krewski et al. 2009). For the High Net Benefits Estimate, the benefit-per-ton estimates were based on the Six Cities study (Lepuele et al. 2011); these are nearly two-and-a-half times larger than those from the ACS study. †† Total Benefits for both the 3-percent and 7-percent cases are presented using the average social costs with 3-percent discount rate. In the rows labeled ‘‘7% plus GHG range’’ and ‘‘3% plus GHG range,’’ the operating cost and NOX benefits are calculated using the labeled discount rate, and those values are added to the full range of social cost values. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 VI. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review A. Review Under Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 Section 1(b)(1) of Executive Order 12866, ‘‘Regulatory Planning and Review,’’ 58 FR 51735 (October 4, 1993), requires each agency to identify the problem that it intends to address, including, where applicable, the failures of private markets or public institutions that warrant new agency action, as well as to assess the significance of that problem. The problems that the adopted standards for WICF refrigeration systems are intended to address are as follows: (1) Insufficient information and the high costs of gathering and analyzing relevant information leads some consumers to miss opportunities to make cost-effective investments in energy efficiency. (2) In some cases the benefits of more efficient equipment are not realized due to misaligned incentives between purchasers and users. An example of such a case is when the equipment purchase decision is made by a building contractor or building owner who does not pay the energy costs. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 (3) There are external benefits resulting from improved energy efficiency of products or equipment that are not captured by the users of such equipment. These benefits include externalities related to public health, environmental protection and national energy security that are not reflected in energy prices, such as reduced emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases that impact human health and global warming. DOE attempts to qualify some of the external benefits through use of social cost of carbon values. The Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (‘‘OIRA’’) in the OMB has determined that the regulatory action in this document is a significant regulatory action under section (3)(f) of Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, pursuant to section 6(a)(3)(B) of the Order, DOE has provided to OIRA: (i) The text of the draft regulatory action, together with a reasonably detailed description of the need for the regulatory action and an explanation of how the regulatory action will meet that need; and (ii) an assessment of the potential costs and benefits of the regulatory action, PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 including an explanation of the manner in which the regulatory action is consistent with a statutory mandate. DOE has included these documents in the rulemaking record. In addition, the Administrator of OIRA has determined that the regulatory action is an ‘‘economically’’ significant regulatory action under section (3)(f)(1) of Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, pursuant to section 6(a)(3)(C) of the Order, DOE has provided to OIRA an assessment, including the underlying analysis, of benefits and costs anticipated from the regulatory action, together with, to the extent feasible, a quantification of those costs; and an assessment, including the underlying analysis, of costs and benefits of potentially effective and reasonably feasible alternatives to the planned regulation, and an explanation why the planned regulatory action is preferable to the identified potential alternatives. These assessments can be found in the technical support document for this rulemaking. DOE has also reviewed this regulation pursuant to Executive Order 13563, issued on January 18, 2011. 76 FR 3281, January 21, 2011. E.O. 13563 is E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 supplemental to and explicitly reaffirms the principles, structures, and definitions governing regulatory review established in Executive Order 12866. To the extent permitted by law, agencies are required by Executive Order 13563 to (1) propose or adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned determination that its benefits justify its costs (recognizing that some benefits and costs are difficult to quantify); (2) tailor regulations to impose the least burden on society, consistent with obtaining regulatory objectives, taking into account, among other things, and to the extent practicable, the costs of cumulative regulations; (3) select, in choosing among alternative regulatory approaches, those approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety, and other advantages; distributive impacts; and equity); (4) to the extent feasible, specify performance objectives, rather than specifying the behavior or manner of compliance that regulated entities must adopt; and (5) identify and assess available alternatives to direct regulation, including providing economic incentives to encourage the desired behavior, such as user fees or marketable permits, or providing information upon which choices can be made by the public. DOE emphasizes as well that Executive Order 13563 requires agencies to use the best available techniques to quantify anticipated present and future benefits and costs as accurately as possible. In its guidance, OIRA has emphasized that such techniques may include identifying changing future compliance costs that might result from technological innovation or anticipated behavioral changes. For the reasons stated in the preamble, DOE believes that this final rule is consistent with these principles, including the requirement that, to the extent permitted by law, benefits justify costs. B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires preparation of an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (‘‘IRFA’’) and a final regulatory flexibility analysis (‘‘FRFA’’) for any rule that by law must be proposed for public comment, unless the agency certifies that the rule, if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. As required by Executive Order 13272, ‘‘Proper Consideration of Small Entities in Agency Rulemaking,’’ 67 FR 53461 (August 16, 2002), DOE published procedures and policies on VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 February 19, 2003, to ensure that the potential impacts of its rules on small entities are properly considered during the rulemaking process. 68 FR 7990. DOE has made its procedures and policies available on the Office of the General Counsel’s Web site (https:// energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel). DOE has prepared the following FRFA for the products that are the subject of this rulemaking. A manufacturer of a walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer is any person who: (1) Manufactures a component of a walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer (collectively, ‘‘walk-ins’’ or ‘‘WICFs’’) that affects energy consumption, including, but not limited to, refrigeration, doors, lights, windows, or walls; or (2) manufactures or assembles the complete walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer. 10 CFR 431.302. DOE considers manufacturers of refrigeration components (WICF refrigeration manufacturers) and assemblers of the complete walk-in (installers) separately for this Regulatory Flexibility Review. This document sets energy conservation standard for seven equipment classes of WICF refrigeration systems. Manufacturers of WICF refrigeration systems are responsible for ensuring the compliance of the components to the new standard. WICF refrigeration manufacturers are required to certify to DOE that the components they manufacture or import comply with the applicable standards. DOE used the SBA’s small business size standards to determine whether any small WICF refrigeration system manufacturers would be subject to the requirements of the rule. See 13 CFR part 121. WICF refrigeration manufacturing is classified under NAICS 333415, ‘‘Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing.’’ The SBA sets a threshold of 1,250 employees or less for an entity to be considered as a small business for this category. This document does not include new or amended energy conservation standards that are measured in terms of the performance of the complete walkin cooler or freezer. Manufacturers (which may be on-site installers) assemble certified components that have been previously tested and rated, such as panels, doors, and refrigeration systems, to complete the walk-in onsite. However, they are not required to certify compliance of their installations to DOE for energy conservation standards. Installers of complete walkins are categorized under NAICS 238220, which covers ‘‘refrigeration contractors.’’ SBA has set a revenue PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 31881 threshold of $15 million or less for an entity to be considered small for this category. However, given the lack of publicly available revenue information for walk-in assemblers and installers, DOE chose to use a threshold of 1,250 employees or less to be small in order to be consistent with the threshold for WICF component manufacturers. Based on these thresholds, DOE presents the following FRFA analysis: 1. Need for, and Objectives of, the Rule Title III, Part C of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as amended (‘‘EPCA’’) (codified at 42 U.S.C. 6291–6309) established the Energy Conservation Program for Certain Industrial Equipment, which covers certain industrial equipment, including the walk-in refrigeration systems addressed in this rulemaking— low-temperature dedicated condensing systems and low- and mediumtemperature unit coolers. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(G)) EPCA established prescriptive standards for these equipment, see 42 U.S.C. 6313(f), and required DOE to establish performancebased standards for walk-ins that achieve the maximum improvement in energy that the Secretary determines is technologically feasible and economically justified. See 42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(4) As noted elsewhere in this document, DOE published and codified a final rule that requires walk-in manufacturers to meet certain performance-based energy conservation standards starting on June 5, 2017. See 10 CFR 431.306(e). Those standards applied to the main components of a walk-in: Refrigeration systems, panels, and doors.82 Also as discussed earlier in this document, a legal challenge was filed in this matter, which resulted in a settlement agreement and court order in which the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated six refrigeration system standards—(1) the two energy conservation standards applicable to multiplex condensing refrigeration systems (re-named unit coolers for purposes of this rule) operating at medium and low temperatures and (2) the four energy conservation standards applicable to dedicated condensing refrigeration systems operating at low temperatures. This final rule, which was the result of a months-long negotiated 82 Although DOE had considered alternative performance-based standards for panels in a NOPR published September 11, 2013 (78 FR 55782, 55784), the June 2014 final rule did not deviate from the panel standards prescribed by EPCA. (see 42 U.S.C. 6313(f) and 79 FR at 32051 (June 3, 2016)) Hence, the compliance date for the panel standards was January 1, 2009. E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31882 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations rulemaking arising from the settlement agreement, is consistent with the Term Sheet developed as part of that negotiated rulemaking and adopts the agreed-upon standards contained in that Term Sheet for the seven classes of refrigeration systems. This rule also examines any potential impacts on walk-in installers. 2. Significant Issues Raised in Response to the IRFA DOE did not receive written comments that specifically addressed impacts on small businesses or were provided in response to the IRFA. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 3. Description on Estimated Number of Small Entities Regulated During its market survey, DOE used available public information to identify small WICF refrigeration manufacturers. DOE’s research involved industry trade association membership directories (including those maintained by AHRI 1A83 and NAFEM 1A84), public databases (e.g. the SBA Database 85), individual company websites, market research tools (e.g., Dun and Bradstreet reports 1A86 and Hoovers reports 1A87) to create a list of companies that manufacture or sell equipment covered by this rulemaking. DOE also asked stakeholders and industry representatives if they were aware of any other small WICF refrigeration manufacturers during manufacturer interviews conducted for the June 2014 final rule and at DOE public meetings. DOE reviewed publicly-available data and contacted companies on its list, as necessary, to determine whether they met the SBA’s definition of a small business manufacturer of WICF refrigeration systems. DOE screened out companies that do not offer equipment covered by this rulemaking, do not meet the definition of a ‘‘small business,’’ or are foreign-owned. DOE identified ten WICF refrigeration manufacturers that produce equipment for one or more of the equipment classes analyzed in this final rule. All ten are domestic companies. Three of the ten WICF refrigeration manufacturers are small businesses based on the 1,250 person threshold for NAICS 333415. DOE was unable to identify any company that operated exclusively as a manufacturer of complete walk-ins. All businesses that were manufacturers of 83 See www.ahridirectory.org/ahriDirectory/ pages/home.aspx. 84 See www.nafem.org/find-members/ MemberDirectory.aspx. 85 See https://dsbs.sba.gov/dsbs/search/dsp_ dsbs.cfm. 86 See www.dnb.com/. 87 See www.hoovers.com/. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 complete walk-ins offered their services as part of a broader range of products and service capabilities. All small business manufacturers of complete walk-ins that DOE identified were onsite installers that also offered HVAC installation or commercial refrigeration equipment installation services. DOE relied on U.S. Census data for NAICS code 238300. The NAICS code aggregates information for ‘‘plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors,’’ which includes ‘‘refrigeration contractors’’. According to the 2012 U.S. Census ‘‘Industry Snapshot’’ for NAICS 238220, there were approximately 87,000 plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractor establishments in the United States.88 Based on detailed breakdowns provided in the 2007 U.S. Census, DOE was able to disaggregate the 87,000 business by contractor type.89 In examining these businesses, 35% were exclusively plumbing, sprinkler installation, or steam and piping fitting contractors and were unlikely to provide walk-in installation services. Of the remaining 65% of establishments, DOE estimated that 3,400 to 14,100 provide offer walk-in installation services. U.S. Census data from 2012 showed that less than 1% of plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contracting companies have more than 500 or more employees. While the U.S. Census data show that average revenue per establishment is approximately $1.7 million, the data provide no indication of what the revenue distribution or the median revenue in the industry might be. Assuming that the plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning employment data are representative of those found with walk-in installer employment numbers, the vast majority of installers are small businesses based on a 1,250-person threshold. 4. Description and Estimate of Compliance Requirements, Including Differences in Cost, if Any, for Different Groups of Small Entities DOE identified three small WICF refrigeration businesses that manufacture WICF refrigeration equipment addressed by this rule. One small business focuses on large warehouse refrigeration systems, which 88 U.S. Census Bureau. Industry Snapshot thedataweb.rm.census.gov/TheDataWeb_ HotReport2/econsnapshot/2012/ snapshot.hrml?NAICS=238220 (Last accessed July 2016). 89 U.S. Census Bureau. Industry Statistics Portal www.census.gov/econ/isp/ sampler.php?naicscode=238220&naicslevel=6# (Last accessed August 2016). PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 are outside the scope of this rulemaking. However, this company offers small capacity units that can be sold to the walk-in market as well. The second small business specializes in building evaporators and unit coolers for a range of refrigeration applications, including the walk-in market. Further, based on manufacturer interviews conducted for the June 2014 final rule, DOE determined that the WICF refrigeration system revenue for this company is small compared to its total revenue. The third small business offers a wide range of equipment, including cooling towers, industrial refrigeration equipment, and water treatment systems. This company has a limited portfolio of unit coolers, which is a small portion of its offerings. Conversion costs are the primary driver of negative impacts on WICF refrigeration manufacturers. While there will be record keeping expenses associated with certification and compliance requirements, DOE expects the cost to be small relative to the investments necessary to determine which equipment are compliant, redesign non-compliant equipment, purchase and install new manufacturing line equipment, and update marketing materials. These conversion costs are described in section IV.J.C of this document. Since no market share information for small WICF refrigeration manufacturers is publicly-available, DOE relied on company revenue data for the small and large businesses as proxies for market share. For companies that are diversified conglomerates, DOE used revenue figures from the corporate business unit that produced walk-in refrigeration systems. At the adopted standard level, DOE estimates total conversion costs for an average small manufacturer to be $0.69 million per year over the three-year conversion period. Using revenue figures from Hoovers.com, DOE estimates that conversion costs are 1.0 percent of total small business revenue over the three-year conversion period. DOE estimates that there are approximately 3,400 to 14,100 walk-in installers and 99% of them are small businesses. Installers of complete walkins have been subject to regulation since 2009, when EPCA’s prescriptive standards for walk-ins went into effect. EPCA required that all completed walkins must: Have automatic door closers; have strip doors, spring hinged doors, or other method of minimizing infiltration when doors are open; for all interior lights, use light sources with an efficacy of 40 lumens per watt or more; contain wall, ceiling, and door insulation of at least R–25 for coolers and R–32 for E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 freezers; contain floor insulation of at least R–28 for freezers; and use doors that have certain features; and use certain types of motors in components of the refrigeration system. This rule does not add energy conservation standards that would measure the performance of the complete walk-in. Manufacturers who strictly assemble or install complete walk-ins do not certify compliance to DOE. DOE was unable to identify installer conversion costs that would be likely to occur as a direct result of the adopted standard since these costs are borne by component manufacturers. DOE was unable to identify any potential stranded assets since installers will be able to continue installing completed walk-ins using certified components meeting prior applicable requirements that are purchased before the compliance date of this rule. Installers may continue using components that complied with prior applicable requirements after the compliance date for this final rule is reached. The burden of this rule on installers is de minimis. 5. Significant Alternatives to the Rule The discussion in the previous section analyzes impacts on small businesses that would result from the adopted standards, represented by TSL 3. In reviewing alternatives to the adopted standards, DOE examined energy conservation standards set at lower efficiency levels. While TSL 1 and TSL 2 would reduce the impacts on small business manufacturers, it would come at the expense of a reduction in energy savings and NPV benefits to the consumer. TSL 1 achieves 89 percent lower energy savings and 86 percent lower NPV benefits to the consumer compared to the energy savings at TSL 3. TSL 2 achieves 44 percent lower energy savings and 36 percent lower NPV benefit to the consumer compared to the energy savings at TSL 3. DOE believes that establishing standards at TSL 3 balances the benefits of the energy savings at TSL 3 with the potential burdens placed on WICF refrigeration systems manufacturers, including small business manufacturers. Accordingly, DOE is not adopting one of the other TSLs considered in the analysis, or the other policy alternatives examined as part of the regulatory impact analysis and included in chapter 12 of the final rule TSD. Additional compliance flexibilities may be available through other means. EPCA provides that a manufacturer whose annual gross revenue from all of its operations does not exceed $8 million may apply for an exemption VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 31883 from all or part of an energy conservation standard for a period not longer than 24 months after the effective date of a final rule establishing the standard. Additionally, section 504 of the Department of Energy Organization Act, 42 U.S.C. 7194, provides authority for the Secretary to adjust a rule issued under EPCA in order to prevent ‘‘special hardship, inequity, or unfair distribution of burdens’’ that may be imposed on that manufacturer as a result of such rule. Manufacturers should refer to 10 CFR part 430, subpart E, and part 1003 for additional details. rule fits within this category of actions because it is a rulemaking that establishes energy conservation standards for consumer products or industrial equipment, and for which none of the exceptions identified in CX B5.1(b) apply. Therefore, DOE has made a CX determination for this rulemaking, and DOE does not need to prepare an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement for this rule. DOE’s CX determination for this rule is available at https:// energy.gov/nepa/categorical-exclusion-c x-determinations-cx. C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act Manufacturers of WICF refrigeration systems must certify to DOE that their products comply with any applicable energy conservation standards. In certifying compliance, manufacturers must test their products according to the DOE test procedures for WICF refrigeration systems, including any amendments adopted for those test procedures. DOE has established regulations for the certification and recordkeeping requirements for all covered consumer products and commercial equipment, including WICF refrigeration systems. 76 FR 12422 (March 7, 2011); 80 FR 5099 (January 30, 2015). The collection-of-information requirement for the certification and recordkeeping is subject to review and approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act (‘‘PRA’’). This requirement has been approved by OMB under OMB control number 1910–1400. Public reporting burden for the certification is estimated to average 30 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. E. Review Under Executive Order 13132 Executive Order 13132, ‘‘Federalism,’’ 64 FR 43255 (August 10, 1999), imposes certain requirements on Federal agencies formulating and implementing policies or regulations that preempt State law or that have Federalism implications. The Executive Order requires agencies to examine the constitutional and statutory authority supporting any action that would limit the policymaking discretion of the States and to carefully assess the necessity for such actions. The Executive Order also requires agencies to have an accountable process to ensure meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the development of regulatory policies that have Federalism implications. On March 14, 2000, DOE published a statement of policy describing the intergovernmental consultation process it will follow in the development of such regulations. 65 FR 13735. DOE has examined this rule and has determined that it would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. EPCA governs and prescribes Federal preemption of State regulations as to energy conservation for the products that are the subject of this final rule. States can petition DOE for exemption from such preemption to the extent, and based on criteria, set forth in EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6297) Therefore, no further action is required by Executive Order 13132. D. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (‘‘NEPA’’) of 1969, DOE has determined that the rule fits within the category of actions included in Categorical Exclusion (‘‘CX’’) B5.1 and otherwise meets the requirements for application of a CX. (See 10 CFR part 1021, App. B, B5.1(b); 1021.410(b) and App. B, B(1)–(5).) The PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 F. Review Under Executive Order 12988 With respect to the review of existing regulations and the promulgation of new regulations, section 3(a) of Executive Order 12988, ‘‘Civil Justice Reform,’’ imposes on Federal agencies the general duty to adhere to the following requirements: (1) Eliminate drafting errors and ambiguity, (2) write regulations to minimize litigation, (3) E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31884 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 provide a clear legal standard for affected conduct rather than a general standard, and (4) promote simplification and burden reduction. 61 FR 4729 (February 7, 1996). Regarding the review required by section 3(a), section 3(b) of Executive Order 12988 specifically requires that Executive agencies make every reasonable effort to ensure that the regulation (1) clearly specifies the preemptive effect, if any, (2) clearly specifies any effect on existing Federal law or regulation, (3) provides a clear legal standard for affected conduct while promoting simplification and burden reduction, (4) specifies the retroactive effect, if any, (5) adequately defines key terms, and (6) addresses other important issues affecting clarity and general draftsmanship under any guidelines issued by the Attorney General. Section 3(c) of Executive Order 12988 requires Executive agencies to review regulations in light of applicable standards in section 3(a) and section 3(b) to determine whether they are met or it is unreasonable to meet one or more of them. DOE has completed the required review and determined that, to the extent permitted by law, this final rule meets the relevant standards of Executive Order 12988. G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (‘‘UMRA’’) requires each Federal agency to assess the effects of Federal regulatory actions on State, local, and Tribal governments and the private sector. Pub. L. 104–4, sec. 201 (codified at 2 U.S.C. 1531). For a regulatory action likely to result in a rule that may cause the expenditure by State, local, and Tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100 million or more in any one year (adjusted annually for inflation), section 202 of UMRA requires a Federal agency to publish a written statement that estimates the resulting costs, benefits, and other effects on the national economy. (2 U.S.C. 1532(a), (b)) The UMRA also requires a Federal agency to develop an effective process to permit timely input by elected officers of State, local, and Tribal governments on a ‘‘significant intergovernmental mandate,’’ and requires an agency plan for giving notice and opportunity for timely input to potentially affected small governments before establishing any requirements that might significantly or uniquely affect them. On March 18, 1997, DOE published a statement of policy on its process for intergovernmental consultation under UMRA. 62 FR 12820. DOE’s policy statement is also available at https:// VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 energy.gov/sites/prod/files/gcprod/ documents/umra_97.pdf. DOE has concluded that this final rule may require expenditures of $100 million or more in any one year by the private sector. Such expenditures may include (1) investment in research and development and in capital expenditures by WICF refrigeration systems manufacturers in the years between the final rule and the compliance date for the new standards and (2) incremental additional expenditures by consumers to purchase higher-efficiency WICF refrigeration systems, starting on the compliance date for the applicable standard. Section 202 of UMRA authorizes a Federal agency to respond to the content requirements of UMRA in any other statement or analysis that accompanies the final rule. (2 U.S.C. 1532(c)) The content requirements of section 202(b) of UMRA relevant to a private sector mandate substantially overlap the economic analysis requirements that apply under section 325(o) of EPCA and Executive Order 12866. The SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document and the TSD for this final rule respond to those requirements. Under section 205 of UMRA, the Department is obligated to identify and consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives before promulgating a rule for which a written statement under section 202 is required. (2 U.S.C. 1535(a)) DOE is required to select from those alternatives the most cost-effective and least burdensome alternative that achieves the objectives of the rule unless DOE publishes an explanation for doing otherwise, or the selection of such an alternative is inconsistent with law. As required by 42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(4), this final rule establishes energy conservation standards for WICF refrigeration systems that are designed to achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that DOE has determined to be both technologically feasible and economically justified, as required by 6295(o)(2)(A), 6295(o)(3)(B), and 6316(a). A full discussion of the alternatives considered by DOE is presented in chapter 17 of the TSD for this final rule. H. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 1999 Section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 1999 (Pub. L. 105–277) requires Federal agencies to issue a Family Policymaking Assessment for any rule that may affect family well-being. This rule would not have any impact on the PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 autonomy or integrity of the family as an institution. Accordingly, DOE has concluded that it is not necessary to prepare a Family Policymaking Assessment. I. Review Under Executive Order 12630 Pursuant to Executive Order 12630, ‘‘Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights,’’ 53 FR 8859 (March 18, 1988), DOE has determined that this rule would not result in any takings that might require compensation under the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. J. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001 Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001 (44 U.S.C. 3516, note) provides for Federal agencies to review most disseminations of information to the public under information quality guidelines established by each agency pursuant to general guidelines issued by OMB. OMB’s guidelines were published at 67 FR 8452 (February 22, 2002), and DOE’s guidelines were published at 67 FR 62446 (October 7, 2002). DOE has reviewed this final rule under the OMB and DOE guidelines and has concluded that it is consistent with applicable policies in those guidelines. K. Review Under Executive Order 13211 Executive Order 13211, ‘‘Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use,’’ 66 FR 28355 (May 22, 2001), requires Federal agencies to prepare and submit to OIRA at OMB, a Statement of Energy Effects for any significant energy action. A ‘‘significant energy action’’ is defined as any action by an agency that promulgates or is expected to lead to promulgation of a final rule, and that (1) is a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, or any successor order; and (2) is likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy, or (3) is designated by the Administrator of OIRA as a significant energy action. For any significant energy action, the agency must give a detailed statement of any adverse effects on energy supply, distribution, or use should the proposal be implemented, and of reasonable alternatives to the action and their expected benefits on energy supply, distribution, and use. DOE has concluded that this regulatory action, which sets forth energy conservation standards for certain classes of WICF refrigeration systems, is not a significant energy E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations action because the standards are not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy, nor has it been designated as such by the Administrator at OIRA. Accordingly, DOE has not prepared a Statement of Energy Effects on this final rule. L. Information Quality On December 16, 2004, OMB, in consultation with the Office of Science and Technology Policy, issued its Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review (the Bulletin). 70 FR 2664 (January 14, 2005). The Bulletin establishes that certain scientific information shall be peer reviewed by qualified specialists before it is disseminated by the Federal Government, including influential scientific information related to agency regulatory actions. The purpose of the Bulletin is to enhance the quality and credibility of the Government’s scientific information. Under the Bulletin, the energy conservation standards rulemaking analyses are ‘‘influential scientific information,’’ which the Bulletin defines as ‘‘scientific information the agency reasonably can determine will have, or does have, a clear and substantial impact on important public policies or private sector decisions.’’ Id. at FR 2667. In response to OMB’s Bulletin, DOE conducted formal peer reviews of the energy conservation standards development process and the analyses that are typically used and prepared a report describing that peer review.90 Generation of this report involved a rigorous, formal, and documented evaluation using objective criteria and qualified and independent reviewers to make a judgment as to the technical/ scientific/business merit, the actual or anticipated results, and the productivity and management effectiveness of programs and/or projects. DOE has determined that the peer-reviewed analytical process continues to reflect current practice, and the Department followed that process for developing energy conservation standards in the case of the present rulemaking. M. Congressional Notification 31885 Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Small businesses. Issued in Washington, DC, on June 27, 2017. Steven Chalk, Acting Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, DOE amends part 431 of chapter II, of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as set forth below: PART 431—ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT 1. The authority citation for part 431 continues to read as follows: ■ As required by 5 U.S.C. 801, DOE will report to Congress on the promulgation of this rule prior to its effective date. The report will state that it has been determined that the rule is a ‘‘major rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291–6317; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note. VII. Approval of the Office of the Secretary * The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this final rule. List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 431 Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business information, Energy conservation, 2. In § 431.306, revise paragraph (e) to read as follows: ■ § 431.306 Energy conservation standards and their effective dates. * * * * (e) Walk-in cooler refrigeration systems. All walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer refrigeration systems manufactured starting on the dates listed in the table, except for walk-in process cooling refrigeration systems (as defined in § 431.302), must satisfy the following standards: Compliance date: equipment manufactured starting on . . . Equipment class Minimum AWEF (Btu/W-h)* Dedicated Condensing System—Medium, Indoor ............................................... Dedicated Condensing System—Medium, Outdoor ............................................ Dedicated Condensing System—Low, Indoor with a Net Capacity (qnet) of: < 6,500 Btu/h ................................................................................................ ≥ 6,500 Btu/h ................................................................................................. Dedicated Condensing System—Low, Outdoor with a Net Capacity (qnet) of: < 6,500 Btu/h ................................................................................................ ≥ 6,500 Btu/h ................................................................................................. Unit Cooler—Medium ........................................................................................... Unit Cooler—Low with a Net Capacity (qnet) of: < 15,500 Btu/h .............................................................................................. ≥ 15,500 Btu/h ............................................................................................... 5.61 ....................................................... 7.60. June 5, 2017. 9.091 × 10 ¥5 × qnet + 1.81 .................. 2.40. July 10, 2020. 6.522 × 10¥5 × qnet + 2.73. 3.15. 9.00. 1.575 × 10 ¥5 × qnet + 3.91. 4.15. * Where qnet is net capacity as determined in accordance with § 431.304 and certified in accordance with 10 CFR part 429. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 Appendix [The following letter from the Department of Justice will not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations.] U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division Renata B. Hesse Acting Assistant Attorney General Main Justice Building 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., 90 The 2007 ‘‘Energy Conservation Standards Rulemaking Peer Review Report’’ is available at the VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 Washington, DC 20530-0001 (202) 514–2401 I (202) 616–2645 (Fax). November 10, 2016 Daniel Cohen, Esq. Assistant General Counsel for Legislation Regulation and Energy Efficiency U.S. Department of Energy Washington, DC 20585 Re: Docket No. EERE–2015–BT–STD–0016 Dear Assistant General Counsel Cohen: I am responding to your September 14, 2016 letter seeking the views of the Attorney General about the potential impact on competition of proposed energy conservation standards for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. Your request was submitted under Section 325(o)(2)(B)(i)(V) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (EPCA), 42 U.S.C. § 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(V), which requires the Attorney General to make a following website: https://energy.gov/eere/buildings/ downloads/energy-conservation-standardsrulemaking-peer-review-report-0. PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2 31886 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES2 determination of the impact of any lessening of competition that is likely to result from the imposition of proposed energy conservation standards. The Attorney General’s responsibility for responding to requests from other departments about the effect of a program on competition has been delegated to the Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division in 28 CFR § 0.40(g). In conducting its analysis, the Antitrust Division examines whether a proposed standard may lessen competition, for example, by substantially limiting consumer choice or increasing industry concentration. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jul 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 A lessening of competition could result in higher prices to manufacturers and consumers. We have reviewed the proposed standards contained in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (81 Fed. Reg. 62980, Sept. 13, 2016), and the related technical support document. We also monitored the public meeting held on the proposed standards on September 29, 2016; reviewed supplementary information submitted to the Attorney General by the Department of Energy and public comments submitted in connection PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 9990 with this proceeding; and conducted interviews with industry participants. Based on the information currently available, we do not believe that the proposed energy conservation standards for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers are likely to have a significant adverse effect on competition. Sincerely, Renata B. Hesse Acting Assistant Attorney General [FR Doc. 2017–14079 Filed 7–7–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P E:\FR\FM\10JYR2.SGM 10JYR2

Agencies

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 130 (Monday, July 10, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31808-31886]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-14079]

[[Page 31807]]

Vol. 82

Monday,

No. 130

July 10, 2017

Part II

Department of Energy

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10 CFR Part 431

Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-In
Cooler and Freezer Refrigeration Systems; Final Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 82 , No. 130 / Monday, July 10, 2017 / Rules
and Regulations

[[Page 31808]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 431

[Docket Number EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016]
RIN 1904-AD59

Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for
Walk-In Cooler and Freezer Refrigeration Systems

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (``EPCA''), as
amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer
products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including
walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. This final rule details a series
of energy conservation standards pertaining to certain discrete classes
of refrigeration systems used in this equipment. These standards, which
are consistent with recommendations presented by a working group that
included refrigeration system manufacturers, installers, and energy
efficiency advocates, have been determined to result in the significant
conservation of energy and achieve the maximum improvement in energy
efficiency that is technologically feasible and economically justified.

DATES: The effective date of this rule is September 8, 2017. Compliance
with the standards established for WICF refrigeration systems in this
final rule is required on and after July 10, 2020.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this rulemaking, which includes Federal
Register notices, public meeting attendee lists and transcripts,
comments, and other supporting documents/materials, is available for
review at www.regulations.gov. All documents in the docket are listed
in the www.regulations.gov index. However, not all documents listed in
the index may be publicly available, such as information that is exempt
from public disclosure.
The docket web page can be found at www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/standards.aspx?productid=56. The docket web page
contains simple instructions on how to access all documents, including
public comments, in the docket.
For further information on how to review the docket, contact the
Appliance and Equipment Standards Program staff at (202) 586-6636 or by
email: WICF2015STD0016@ee.doe.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ashley Armstrong, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Office, EE-5B,
1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone:
(202) 586-6590. Email: walk-in_coolers_and_walk-in_freezers@ee.doe.gov.
Michael Kido, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General
Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-
0121. Telephone: (202) 586-8145. Email: michael.kido@hq.doe.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Synopsis of the Final Rule
A. Benefits and Costs to Consumers
B. Impact on Manufacturers
C. National Benefits and Costs
D. Conclusion
II. Introduction
A. Authority
B. Background
III. General Discussion
A. Equipment Classes and Scope of Coverage
B. Test Procedure
C. Technological Feasibility
1. General
2. Maximum Technologically Feasible Levels
D. Energy Savings
1. Determination of Savings
2. Significance of Savings
E. Economic Justification
1. Specific Criteria
a. Economic Impact on Manufacturers and Consumers
b. Savings in Operating Costs Compared to Increase in Price (LCC
and PBP)
c. Energy Savings
d. Lessening of Utility or Performance of Products
e. Impact of Any Lessening of Competition
f. Need for National Energy Conservation
g. Other Factors
2. Rebuttable Presumption
F. Compliance Date of Standards
IV. Methodology and Discussion of Related Comments
A. General Rulemaking Issues
1. Proposed Standard Levels
2. Test Procedure
a. Process Cooling
b. Preparation Room Refrigeration Systems
c. Single-Package Dedicated System
d. Hot Gas Defrost
e. High-Temperature Freezers
3. Rulemaking Timeline
4. ASRAC Working Group Representation
B. Market and Technology Assessment
1. Scope of Coverage and Product Classes
2. Technology Options
C. Screening Analysis
1. Technologies Having No Effect on Rated Energy Consumption
2. Adaptive Defrost and On-Cycle Variable-Speed Evaporator Fans
3. Screened-Out Technologies
4. Remaining Technologies
D. Engineering Analysis
1. Component-Based Analysis
2. Refrigerants
3. As-Tested Versus Field-Representative Performance Analysis
4. Representative Equipment for Analysis
5. Manufacturer Production Cost and Manufacturer Sales Price
6. Component and System Efficiency Model
a. Unit Coolers (Formerly Termed the ``Multiplex Condensing''
Class)
b. Condensing Units/Dedicated Condensing Class
c. Field-Representative Paired Dedicated Condensing Systems
d. Analysis Adjustment
7. Baseline Specifications
8. Design Options
a. Higher Efficiency Compressors
b. Improved Condenser Coil
c. Floating Head Pressure
9. Cost-Efficiency Curves
10. Engineering Efficiency Levels
E. Markups Analysis
F. Energy Use Analysis
1. Oversize Factors
2. Net Capacity Adjustment Factors
3. Temperature Adjustment Factors
G. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analysis
1. System Boundaries
a. Field-Paired
b. Condensing Unit-Only
c. Unit Cooler Only
d. System Boundary and Equipment Class Weights
2. Equipment Cost
3. Installation Cost
4. Annual Energy Use
5. Energy Pricing and Projections
6. Maintenance and Repair Costs
7. Equipment Lifetime
8. Discount Rates
9. Energy Efficiency Distribution in the No-New-Standards Case
10. Payback Period (PBP) Analysis
H. Shipments Analysis
I. National Impact Analysis
1. Equipment Efficiency Trends
2. National Energy Savings
3. Net Present Value Analysis
J. Consumer Subgroup Analysis
K. Manufacturer Impact Analysis
1. Definition of Manufacturer
2. Overview
3. Government Regulatory Impact Model and Key Inputs
a. Manufacturer Production Costs
b. Shipment Scenarios
c. Capital and Product Conversion Costs
d. Testing and Labeling Costs
e. Manufacturer Markup Scenarios
4. Discussion of Comments
L. Emissions Analysis
M. Monetizing Carbon Dioxide and Other Emissions Impacts
1. Social Cost of Carbon
a. Monetizing Carbon Dioxide Emissions
b. Current Approach and Key Assumptions
2. Social Cost of Methane and Nitrous Oxide
3. Social Cost of Other Air Pollutants
N. Utility Impact Analysis

[[Page 31809]]

O. Employment Impact Analysis
V. Analytical Results and Conclusions
A. Trial Standard Levels
B. Economic Justification and Energy Savings
1. Economic Impacts on Individual Consumers
a. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period
b. Consumer Subgroup Analysis
c. Rebuttable Presumption Payback
2. Economic Impacts on Manufacturers
a. Impacts on Direct Employment
b. Impacts on Manufacturing Capacity
c. Impacts on Subgroups of Manufacturers
d. Cumulative Regulatory Burden
e. Impact on Manufacturers of Complete Walk-Ins
3. National Impact Analysis
a. Significance of Energy Savings
b. Net Present Value of Consumer Costs and Benefits
c. Indirect Impacts on Employment
4. Impact on Utility or Performance of Products
5. Impact of Any Lessening of Competition
6. Need of the Nation To Conserve Energy
7. Other Factors
C. Summary of National Economic Impacts
D. Conclusion
1. Benefits and Burdens of TSLs Considered for WICF
Refrigeration System Standards
2. Annualized Benefits and Costs of the Adopted Standards
VI. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
A. Review Under Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
1. Need for, and Objectives of, the Rule
2. Significant Issues Raised in Response to the IRFA
3. Description on Estimated Number of Small Entities Regulated
4. Description and Estimate of Compliance Requirements,
Including Differences in Cost, if Any, for Different Groups of Small
Entities
5. Significant Alternatives to the Rule
C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act
D. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
E. Review Under Executive Order 13132
F. Review Under Executive Order 12988
G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
H. Review Under the Treasury and General Government
Appropriations Act, 1999
I. Review Under Executive Order 12630
J. Review Under the Treasury and General Government
Appropriations Act, 2001
K. Review Under Executive Order 13211
L. Information Quality
M. Congressional Notification
VII. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

I. Synopsis of the Final Rule

Title III, Part C \1\ of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of
1975 (``EPCA'' or, in context, ``the Act''), Public Law 94-163 (42
U.S.C. 6291-6309, as codified), established the Energy Conservation
Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles.\2\ The Act, and
its numerous amendments, reaches a variety of products and equipment
that the Department of Energy (``DOE'') must treat as covered products
and equipment (and thus that are subject to regulation). Among the
types of covered equipment that DOE must regulate are walk-in coolers
and walk-in freezers (collectively, ``WICFs'' or ``walk-ins'').
Included within this regulatory scope are the refrigeration systems
used in this equipment, such as low-temperature dedicated condensing
systems and both medium- and low-temperature unit coolers,\3\ the
subjects of this rulemaking.
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\1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code,
Part B was redesignated Part A and Part C as Part A-1.
\2\ All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute
as amended through the Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015,
Public Law 114-11 (April 30, 2015).
\3\ In previous proceedings, most notably the June 2014 final
rule, DOE used the terminology ``multiplex condensing'' (abbreviated
``MC'') to refer to the class of equipment represented by a unit
cooler, which for purposes of testing and certification is rated as
though it would be connected to a multiplex condensing system. In a
separate test procedure rulemaking, DOE has changed the terminology
to better reflect the equipment itself, which consists of a unit
cooler sold without a condensing unit, and which can ultimately be
used in either a multiplex condensing or dedicated condensing
application. Accordingly, in this document, DOE has changed the
class name from ``multiplex condensing'' to ``unit cooler'' and the
class abbreviation from ``MC'' to ``UC.''
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Pursuant to EPCA, any new or amended energy conservation standard
must be designed to achieve the maximum improvement in energy
efficiency that DOE determines is technologically feasible and
economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(4)(A)) Furthermore, the new
or amended standard must result in significant conservation of energy.
(42 U.S.C. 6316(a) and 6295(o)(3)(B))
In accordance with these and other statutory provisions discussed
in this document, DOE is adopting energy conservation standards for the
following classes of WICF refrigeration systems: Low-temperature
dedicated condensing refrigeration systems and both medium- and low-
temperature unit coolers. These standards that will be in addition to
the standards that DOE has already promulgated for medium-temperature
dedicated condensing refrigeration systems. See 10 CFR 431.306(e) as
amended by 80 FR 69837 (November 12, 2015). The adopted standards,
which are expressed in terms of an annual walk-in energy factor
(``AWEF''), are shown in Table I-1. AWEF is an annualized refrigeration
efficiency metric that expresses the ratio of the heat load that a
system can reject (in Btus) to the energy required to reject that load
(in watt-hours). These standards apply to all applicable WICF
refrigeration systems listed in Table I-1 and manufactured in, or
imported into, the United States starting on the compliance date
specified at the beginning of this document and in the regulatory text
that follows this discussion.

Table I-1--Energy Conservation Standards for WICF Refrigeration Systems
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment class Minimum AWEF (Btu/W-h) *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dedicated Condensing System--
Low, Indoor with a Net
Capacity (qnet) of:
<6,500 Btu/h............... 9.091 x 10-\5\ x qnet + 1.81.
>=6,500 Btu/h.............. 2.40.
Dedicated Condensing System--
Low, Outdoor with a Net
Capacity (qnet) of:
<6,500 Btu/h............... 6.522 x 10-\5\ x qnet + 2.73.
>=6,500 Btu/h.............. 3.15.
Unit Cooler--Medium............ 9.00.
Unit Cooler--Low with a Net
Capacity (qnet) of:
<15,500 Btu/h.............. 1.575 x 10-\5\ x qnet + 3.91.
>=15,500 Btu/h............. 4.15.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Where qnet is net capacity as determined in accordance with 10 CFR
431.304 and certified in accordance with 10 CFR part 429.

[[Page 31810]]

In various places in this document, DOE will use the following
acronyms to denote the equipment classes of walk-in refrigeration
systems that are subject to this rulemaking:

--DC.L.I. (dedicated condensing, low-temperature, indoor unit)
--DC.L.O (dedicated condensing, low-temperature, outdoor unit)
--UC.L. (unit cooler, low-temperature)
--UC.M. (unit cooler, medium-temperature)

For reference, DOE will use the following acronyms to denote the
two equipment classes of walk-in refrigeration systems which are not
subject to this rulemaking but for which standards were established in
the previous WICF rulemaking:
--DC.M.I (dedicated condensing, medium-temperature, indoor unit)
--DC.M.O (dedicated condensing, medium-temperature, outdoor unit)

A. Benefits and Costs to Consumers

Table I-2 presents DOE's evaluation of the economic impacts of the
adopted standards on consumers of the considered WICF refrigeration
systems (i.e., medium- and low-temperature unit coolers and dedicated
condensing low-temperature systems), as measured by the average life-
cycle cost (``LCC'') savings and the simple payback period
(``PBP'').\4\ DOE's analysis demonstrates that the projected average
LCC savings are positive for all considered equipment classes, and the
projected PBP is less than the average lifetime of the considered WICF
refrigeration systems, which is estimated to be 11 years (see section
IV.F).
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\4\ The average LCC savings are measured relative to the
efficiency distribution in the no-new-standards case, which depicts
the market in the compliance year in the absence of standards (see
section IV.F.9). The simple PBP, which is designed to compare
specific efficiency levels, is measured relative to baseline
equipment (see section IV.CD.7)

Table I-2--Impacts of Adopted Energy Conservation Standards on Consumers of WICF Refrigeration Systems
[TSL 3]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average life-
cycle cost Simple payback
Equipment class Application Design path savings period (years)
(2015$)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DC.L.I............................ Dedicated, Indoor.... Condensing Unit Only 1,272 1.5
*.
Dedicated, Indoor.... Field--Paired **..... 1,397 1.5
Dedicated, Indoor.... Unit Cooler Only 135 4.8
[dagger].
DC.L.O............................ Dedicated, Outdoor... Condensing Unit Only. 2,839 1.2
Dedicated, Outdoor... Field--Paired........ 3,294 1.4
Dedicated, Outdoor... Unit Cooler Only..... 288 4.5
UC.L.............................. Multiplex............ Unit Cooler Only..... $74 7.6
UC.M.............................. Dedicated, Indoor.... Unit Cooler Only..... 89 1.4
UC.M.............................. Dedicated, Outdoor... Unit Cooler Only..... 87 1.8
UC.M.............................. Multiplex............ Unit Cooler Only..... 75 3.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: DOE separately considers the impacts of unit cooler standards when the unit cooler is combined in an
application with dedicated condensing equipment versus multiplex condensing equipment. In addition to low-
temperatures unit coolers and dedicated condensing equipment DOE is examining the impacts of unit coolers that
are combined with medium-temperature dedicated condensing equipment (DC.M.I and DC.M.O). DOE is not
establishing standards for the latter, as they are covered by the June 2014 final rule and were not vacated by
the Fifth Circuit order discussed below.
* Condensing Unit Only (CU-Only): This analysis evaluates standard levels applied to a condensing unit for a
scenario in which a new condensing unit is installed to replace a failed condensing unit, but the existing
baseline unit cooler is not replaced. See section IV.G.1.b for more details.
** Field-Paired (FP): This analysis evaluates a scenario in which both a new condensing unit and a new unit
cooler are installed as paired equipment in the field. See section IV.G.1.a for more details.
[dagger] Unit Cooler Only (UC-Only): This analysis evaluates standard levels applied to a unit cooler for a
scenario in which a new unit cooler is installed to replace a failed unit cooler, but the existing baseline
condensing unit (or multiplex system) is not replaced. See section IV.G.1.c for more details.

DOE's analysis of the impacts of the adopted standards on consumers
is described in section IV.F of this document.

B. Impact on Manufacturers

The industry net present value (``INPV'') is the sum of the
discounted cash flows to the industry from the base year through the
end of the analysis period (2016-2049). Using a real discount rate of
10.2 percent, DOE estimates that the INPV for manufacturers of WICF
refrigeration systems in the case without amended standards is $97.9
million in 2015$. Under the adopted standards, DOE expects the change
in INPV to range from -14.6 percent to -6.3 percent, which is
approximately -$14.3 million to -$6.1 million. In order to bring
products into compliance with standards, DOE expects the industry to
incur total conversion costs of $18.7 million.
DOE's analysis of the impacts of the adopted standards on
manufacturers is described in section IV.J and section V.B.2 of this
document.

C. National Benefits and Costs ⁵
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\5\ All monetary values in this document are expressed in 2015
dollars and, where appropriate, are discounted to 2016 unless
explicitly stated otherwise.
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DOE's analyses indicate that the adopted energy conservation
standards for the considered WICF refrigeration systems would save a
significant amount of energy. Relative to the case without adopting the
standards, the lifetime energy savings for the considered WICF
refrigeration systems purchased in the 30-year period that begins in
the anticipated year of compliance with the standards (2020-2049),
amount to 0.9 quadrillion British thermal units (``Btu''), or quads.\6\
This represents a savings of 24 percent relative to the energy use of
these

[[Page 31811]]

products in the case without standards (referred to as the ``no-new-
standards case'').
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\6\ The quantity refers to full-fuel-cycle (``FFC'') energy
savings. FFC energy savings includes the energy consumed in
extracting, processing, and transporting primary fuels (i.e., coal,
natural gas, petroleum fuels), and, thus, presents a more complete
picture of the impacts of energy efficiency standards. For more
information on the FFC metric, see section IV.H.1.
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The cumulative net present value (``NPV'') of total consumer
benefits of the standards for the considered WICF refrigeration systems
ranges from $1.4 billion (at a 7-percent discount rate) to $3.2 billion
(at a 3-percent discount rate). This NPV expresses the estimated total
value of future operating-cost savings minus the estimated increased
equipment costs for the considered WICF refrigeration systems purchased
in 2020-2049.
In addition, the adopted standards for the considered WICF
refrigeration systems are projected to yield significant environmental
benefits. DOE estimates that the standards will result in cumulative
emission reductions (over the same period as for energy savings) of 46
million metric tons (Mt) \7\ of carbon dioxide (CO2), 36
thousand tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2), 58 tons of nitrogen
oxides (NOX), 218 thousand tons of methane (CH4),
0.7 thousand tons of nitrous oxide (N2O), and 0.1 tons of
mercury (Hg).\8\ The estimated cumulative reduction in CO2
emissions through 2030 amounts to 7.4 Mt, which is equivalent to the
emissions resulting from the annual electricity use of more than 783
thousand homes.
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\7\ A metric ton is equivalent to 1.1 short tons. Results for
emissions other than CO2 are presented in short tons.
\8\ DOE calculated emissions reductions relative to the no-new-
standards-case, which reflects key assumptions in the Annual Energy
Outlook 2016 (AEO2016). AEO2016 represents current federal and state
legislation and final implementation of regulations as of the end of
February 2016. See section IV.L fur further discussion of AEO2016
assumptions that effect air pollutant emissions.
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The value of the CO2 reduction is calculated using a
range of values per metric ton (t) of CO2 (otherwise known
as the ``social cost of CO2,'' or ``SC-CO2'')
developed by a Federal interagency working group.\9\ The derivation of
the SC-CO2 values is discussed in section IV.M.1. Using discount rates
appropriate for each set of SC-CO2 values, DOE estimates
that the present value of the CO2 emissions reduction is
between $0.3 billion and $4.5 billion, with a value of $1.5 billion
using the central SC-CO2 case represented by $47.4/metric
ton (t) in 2020.
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\9\ United States Government--Interagency Working Group on
Social Cost of Carbon. Technical Support Document: Technical Update
of the Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis Under
Executive Order 12866. May 2013. Revised July 2015.
www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/inforeg/scc-tsd-final-july-2015.pdf.
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DOE also calculated the value of the reduction in emissions of
methane and nitrous oxide, using values for the social cost of methane
(``SC-CH4'') and the social cost of nitrous oxide (``SC-
N2O'') recently developed by the interagency working
group.\10\ See section IV.L.2 for a description of the methodology and
the values used for DOE's analysis. The estimated present value of the
methane emissions reduction is between $0.1 billion and $0.6 billion,
with a value of $0.2 billion using the central SC-CH4 case,
and the estimated present value of the SC-N2O emissions
reduction is between $0.002 billion and $0.02 billion, with a value of
$0.01 billion using the central SC-N2O case. In this rule,
DOE uses the term ``greenhouse gases'' (``GHGs'') to refer to carbon
dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
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\10\ United States Government--Interagency Working Group on
Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases. Addendum to Technical Support
Document on Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis
under Executive Order 12866: Application of the Methodology to
Estimate the Social Cost of Methane and the Social Cost of Nitrous
Oxide. August 2016. www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/inforeg/august_2016_sc_ch4_sc_n2o_addendum_final_8_26_16.pdf.
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DOE also estimates the present value of the NOX
emissions reduction to be $0.10 billion using a 7-percent discount
rate, and $0.04 billion using a 3-percent discount rate.\11\ DOE is
still investigating appropriate valuation of the reduction in other
emissions, and therefore did not include any such values for those
emissions in the analysis for this final rule. Because the inclusion of
such values would only increase the already positive net benefit of the
new standards, however, it would not affect the outcome of this
rulemaking.
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\11\ DOE estimated the monetized value of NOX
emissions reductions associated with electricity savings using
benefit per ton estimates from the Regulatory Impact Analysis for
the Clean Power Plan Final Rule, published in August 2015 by EPA's
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. Available at
www.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan/clean-power-plan-final-rule-regulatory-impact-analysis. See section IV.L.3 for further discussion. The U.S.
Supreme Court has stayed the rule implementing the Clean Power Plan
until the current litigation against it concludes. Chamber of
Commerce, et al. v. EPA, et al., Order in Pending Case, 577 U.S. _ ,
136 S.Ct. 999_ (2016). However, the benefit-per-ton estimates
established in the Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Clean Power
Plan are based on scientific studies that remain valid irrespective
of the legal status of the Clean Power Plan. To be conservative, DOE
is primarily using a lower national benefit-per-ton estimate for
NOX emitted from the Electricity Generating Unit sector
based on an estimate of premature mortality derived from the ACS
study (Krewski et al. 2009). If the benefit-per-ton estimates were
based on the Six Cities study (Lepuele et al. 2011), the values
would be nearly two-and-a-half times larger.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table I-3 summarizes the economic benefits and costs expected to
result from the adopted standards for the considered WICF refrigeration
systems.

Table I-3--Selected Categories of Economic Benefits and Costs of Adopted
Energy Conservation Standards for the Considered WICF Refrigeration
Systems
[TSL 3] *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Present value Discount rate
Category (billion 2015$) (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Operating Cost Savings... 1.7 7
3.8 3
GHG Reduction (using avg. social 0.4 5
costs at 5% discount rate) **....
GHG Reduction (using avg. social 1.7 3
costs at 3% discount rate) **....
GHG Reduction (using avg. social 2.7 2.5
costs at 2.5% discount rate) **..
GHG Reduction (using 95th 5.1 3
percentile social costs at 3%
discount rate) **................
NOX Reduction [dagger]............ 0.0 7
0.1 3
Total Benefits [Dagger]........... 3.5 7
5.6 3
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 31812]]

Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Incremental Installed 0.3 7
Costs............................ 0.6 3
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Net Benefits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Including GHG and NOX Reduction 3.1 7
Monetized Value [Dagger]......... 5.0 3
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* This table presents the costs and benefits associated with considered
WICF refrigeration systems shipped in 2020-2049. These results include
benefits to consumers which accrue after 2049 from the products
shipped in 2020-2049. The incremental installed costs include
incremental equipment cost as well as installation costs. The costs
account for the incremental variable and fixed costs incurred by
manufacturers due to the adopted standards, some of which may be
incurred in preparation for the rule. The GHG reduction benefits are
global benefits due to actions that occur domestically.
** The interagency group selected four sets of SC-CO2, SC-CH4, and SC-
N2O values for use in regulatory analyses. Three sets of values are
based on the average social costs from the integrated assessment
models, at discount rates of 5 percent, 3 percent, and 2.5 percent.
The fourth set, which represents the 95th percentile of the social
cost distributions calculated using a 3-percent discount rate, is
included to represent higher-than-expected impacts from climate change
further out in the tails of the social cost distributions. The social
cost values are emission year specific. See section IV.L.1 for more
details.
[dagger] DOE estimated the monetized value of NOX emissions reductions
associated with electricity savings using benefit per ton estimates
from the Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Clean Power Plan Final
Rule, published in August 2015 by EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning
and Standards. (Available at www.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan/clean-power-plan-final-rule-regulatory-impact-analysis.) See section IV.M.3 for
further discussion. To be conservative, DOE is primarily using a
national benefit-per-ton estimate for NOX emitted from the electricity
generation sector based on an estimate of premature mortality derived
from the ACS study (Krewski et al. 2009). If the benefit-per-ton
estimates were based on the Six Cities study (Lepuele et al. 2011),
the values would be nearly two-and-a-half times larger.
[Dagger] Total Benefits for both the 3-percent and 7-percent cases are
presented using the average social costs with 3-percent discount rate.

The benefits and costs of the adopted standards, for the considered
WICF refrigeration systems sold in 2020-2049, can also be expressed in
terms of annualized values. The monetary values for the total
annualized net benefits are (1) the reduced consumer operating costs,
minus (2) the increases in product purchase prices and installation
costs, plus (3) the value of the benefits of GHG and NOX
emission reductions, all annualized.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\12\ To convert the time-series of costs and benefits into
annualized values, DOE calculated a present value in 2016, the year
used for discounting the NPV of total consumer costs and savings.
For the benefits, DOE calculated a present value associated with
each year's shipments in the year in which the shipments occur
(e.g., 2020 or 2030), and then discounted the present value from
each year to 2016. The calculation uses discount rates of 3 and 7
percent for all costs and benefits except for the value of GHG
reductions, for which DOE used case-specific discount rates, as
shown in Table I-3. Using the present value, DOE then calculated the
fixed annual payment over a 30-year period, starting in the
compliance year, that yields the same present value.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The national operating cost savings are domestic private U.S.
consumer monetary savings that occur as a result of purchasing the
covered products and are measured for the lifetime of the considered
WICF refrigeration systems shipped in 2020-2049. The benefits
associated with reduced GHG emissions achieved as a result of the
adopted standards are also calculated based on the lifetime of WICF
refrigeration systems shipped in 2020-2049. Because CO2
emissions have a very long residence time in the atmosphere, the SC-
CO2 values for CO2 emissions in future years
reflect impacts that continue through 2300. The CO2
reduction is a benefit that accrues globally. DOE maintains that
consideration of global benefits is appropriate because of the global
nature of the climate change problem.
Estimates of annualized benefits and costs of the adopted standards
are shown in Table I-4. The results under the primary estimate are as
follows. Using a 7-percent discount rate for benefits and costs other
than GHG reductions (for which DOE used average social costs with a 3-
percent discount rate),\13\ the estimated cost of the adopted standards
for the considered WICF refrigeration systems is $34 million per year
in increased equipment costs, while the estimated annual benefits are
$169 million in reduced equipment operating costs, $95 million in GHG
reductions, and $4.2 million in reduced NOX emissions. In
this case, the net benefit amounts to $234 million per year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\13\ DOE used average social costs with a 3-percent discount
rate because these values are considered as the ``central''
estimates by the interagency group.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Using a 3-percent discount rate for all benefits and costs, the
estimated cost of the adopted standards for the considered WICF
refrigeration systems is $36 million per year in increased equipment
costs, while the estimated annual benefits are $213 million in reduced
equipment operating costs, $95 million in GHG reductions, and $5.8
million in reduced NOX emissions. In this case, the net
benefit amounts to $279 million per year.

[[Page 31813]]

Table I-4--Selected Categories of Annualized Benefits and Costs of Adopted Standards (TSL 3) for Considered WICF Refrigeration Systems
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discount rate (percent) Primary estimate Low-net-benefits estimate High-net-benefits estimate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Million 2015$/year
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Operating Cost Savings... 7............................... 169.3..................... 158.4..................... 183.0.
3............................... 213.4..................... 196.9..................... 233.9.
GHG Reduction (using avg. social 5............................... 29.8...................... 27.2...................... 32.4.
costs at 5% discount rate) **.
GHG Reduction (using avg. social 3............................... 95.3...................... 86.7...................... 104.0.
costs at 3% discount rate) **.
GHG Reduction (using avg. social 2.5............................. 137.7..................... 125.1..................... 150.4.
costs at 2.5% discount rate) **.
GHG Reduction (using 95th 3............................... 285.8..................... 259.8..................... 311.9.
percentile social costs at 3%
discount rate) **.
NOX Reduction [dagger]............ 7............................... 4.2....................... 3.9....................... 10.1.
3............................... 5.8....................... 5.3....................... 14.3.
Total Benefits [dagger][dagger]... 7 plus GHG range................ 203 to 459................ 190 to 422................ 225 to 505.
7............................... 269....................... 249....................... 297.
3 plus GHG range................ 249 to 505................ 229 to 462................ 281 to 560.
3............................... 314....................... 289....................... 352.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Incremental Equipment 7............................... 34........................ 36........................ 33.
Costs. 3............................... 36........................ 38........................ 34.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Benefits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total [dagger][dagger]............ 7 plus GHG range................ 169 to 425................ 154 to 386................ 192 to 472.
7............................... 234....................... 213....................... 264.
3 plus GHG range................ 213 to 469................ 192 to 424................ 247 to 526.
3............................... 279....................... 251....................... 318.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* This table presents the annualized costs and benefits associated with the considered WICF refrigeration systems shipped in 2020-2049. These results
include benefits to consumers which accrue after 2049 from the WICF refrigeration systems purchased from 2020-2049. The incremental installed costs
include incremental equipment cost as well as installation costs. The results account for the incremental variable and fixed costs incurred by
manufacturers due to the adopted standards, some of which may be incurred in preparation for the rule. The GHG reduction benefits are global benefits
due to actions that occur nationally. The Primary, Low Net Benefits, and High Net Benefits Estimates utilize projections of energy prices and real GDP
from the AEO2016 No-CPP case, a Low Economic Growth case, and a High Economic Growth case, respectively. In addition, incremental product costs
reflect constant prices in the Primary Estimate, a low decline rate in the Low Benefits Estimate, and a high decline rate in the High Benefits
Estimate. The methods used to derive projected price trends are explained in section IV.G. Note that the Benefits and Costs may not sum to the Net
Benefits due to rounding. The equipment price projection is described in section IV.G.2 of this document and chapter 8 of the final rule technical
support document (TSD). In addition, DOE used estimates for equipment efficiency distribution in its analysis based on national data supplied by
industry. Purchases of higher efficiency equipment are a result of many different factors unique to each consumer including boiler heating loads,
installation costs, site environmental consideration, and others. For each consumer, all other factors being the same, it would be anticipated that
higher efficiency purchases in the baseline would correlate positively with higher energy prices. To the extent that this occurs, it would be expected
to result in some lowering of the consumer operating cost savings from those calculated in this rule.
** The interagency group selected four sets of SC-CO2 SC-CH4, and SC-N2O values for use in regulatory analyses. Three sets of values are based on the
average social costs from the integrated assessment models, at discount rates of 5 percent, 3 percent, and 2.5 percent. The fourth set, which
represents the 95th percentile of the social cost distributions calculated using a 3-percent discount rate, is included to represent higher-than-
expected impacts from climate change further out in the tails of the social cost distributions. The social cost values are emission year specific. See
section IV.L for more details.
[dagger] DOE estimated the monetized value of NOX emissions reductions associated with electricity savings using benefit per ton estimates from the
Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Clean Power Plan Final Rule, published in August 2015 by EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.
(Available at www.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan/clean-power-plan-final-rule-regulatory-impact-analysis.) See section IV.M.3 for further discussion. For the
Primary Estimate and Low Net Benefits Estimate, DOE used national benefit-per-ton estimates for NOX emitted from the Electric Generating Unit sector
based on an estimate of premature mortality derived from the ACS study (Krewski et al. 2009). For the High Net Benefits Estimate, the benefit-per-ton
estimates were based on the Six Cities study (Lepuele et al. 2011); these are nearly two-and-a-half times larger than those from the ACS study.
[dagger][dagger] Total Benefits for both the 3-percent and 7-percent cases are presented using the average social costs with 3-percent discount rate. In
the rows labeled ``7% plus GHG range'' and ``3% plus GHG range,'' the operating cost and NOX benefits are calculated using the labeled discount rate,
and those values are added to the full range of social cost values.

D. Conclusion

Based on the analyses culminating in this final rule, DOE found the
benefits to the Nation of the standards (energy savings, consumer LCC
savings, positive NPV of consumer benefit, and emission reductions)
outweigh the burdens (loss of INPV and LCC increases for some users of
these products). DOE has concluded that the standards in this final
rule represent the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is
technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result
in significant conservation of energy.

II. Introduction

The following section briefly discusses the statutory authority
underlying this final rule, as well as

[[Page 31814]]

some of the relevant historical background related to the establishment
of standards for WICF refrigeration systems.

A. Authority

Title III, Part C of EPCA, as amended, includes the refrigeration
systems used in walk-ins that are the subject of this rulemaking. (42
U.S.C. 6291-6309) EPCA, as amended, prescribed certain prescriptive
energy conservation standards for these equipment (42 U.S.C. 6313(f)),
and directs DOE to conduct future rulemakings to establish performance-
based energy conservation standards and to later determine whether
those standards should be amended. (42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(4)(A), (5)) Under
42 U.S.C. 6295(m), which applies to walk-ins through 42 U.S.C. 6316(a),
the agency must periodically review its already established energy
conservation standards for a covered product no later than 6 years from
the issuance of a final rule establishing or amending a standard for a
covered product.
Pursuant to EPCA, DOE's energy conservation program for covered
products consists essentially of four parts: (1) Testing, (2) labeling,
(3) the establishment of Federal energy conservation standards, and (4)
certification and enforcement procedures. Subject to certain criteria
and conditions, DOE is required to develop test procedures to measure
the energy efficiency, energy use, or estimated annual operating cost
of each covered product. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)(A) and (r) and 6316(a))
Manufacturers of covered equipment must use the prescribed DOE test
procedure as the basis for certifying to DOE that their equipment
complies with the applicable energy conservation standards adopted
under EPCA and when making representations to the public regarding the
energy use or efficiency of that equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6314(d), 6295(s)
and 6316(a)) Similarly, DOE must use these test procedures to determine
whether the equipment complies with standards adopted pursuant to EPCA.
(42 U.S.C. 6295(s) and 6316(a)) The DOE test procedures for WICF
refrigeration systems appear at title 10 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (``CFR'') Sec. [thinsp]431.304.
DOE has recently published a final rule (``December 2016 TP final
rule'') amending the test procedures applicable to the equipment
classes addressed in this final rule, 81 FR 95758 (December 28, 2016).
The standards established in this rulemaking were evaluated using those
concurrently amended test procedures. While DOE typically finalizes its
test procedures for a given regulated product or equipment prior to
proposing new or amended energy conservation standards for that product
or equipment, see 10 CFR part 430, subpart C, Appendix A, sec. 7(c)
(``Procedures, Interpretations and Policies for Consideration of New or
Revised Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Products'' or
``Process Rule''), DOE did not do so in this instance. As part of the
negotiated rulemaking that led to the Term Sheet setting out the
standards that DOE is adopting, Working Group members recommended (with
ASRAC's approval) that DOE modify its test procedure for walk-in
refrigeration systems. The test procedure changes at issue clarify the
scope of equipment classes covered by the regulations, modify the test
procedure to ensure that it avoids measuring efficiency benefits for
technology options deemed by the Working Group to be inappropriate for
consideration under the standards rulemaking, and simplify the
structure of the current test procedure as presented in the CFR.
Separate from the changes affecting the test procedure itself, DOE's
test procedure rule also finalized an approach establishing labeling
requirements to mitigate the regulatory burden on installers of walk-
ins. Specifically, the test procedure explained that walk-in installers
are not required to submit certification reports for the complete walk-
in. Additionally, an installer that uses certified components with
labels that meets DOE's requirements bears no responsibility for the
testing and certification of those walk-in components. The installer is
permitted to rely upon the representations of the manufacturer of a
WICF component to ensure compliance of the component; if those
representations turn out to be false, the component manufacturer is
responsible. See Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030.
In DOE's view, all of these amendments to the test procedure rule
have been consistent with the approach agreed upon by the various
parties who participated in the negotiated rulemaking. On July 29,
2016, well before the publication of the energy conservation standard
NOPR on September 13, 2016 (81 FR 62979), DOE publicly issued a pre-
publication version of the test procedure NOPR, which immediately made
it available for all members of the public, including participating
stakeholders, to review. As a result, all members of the Working Group
and other interested parties had an ample opportunity to review the
proposed procedure and evaluate the proposed WICF energy conservation
standards against the backdrop of the proposed test procedures, which
are consistent with the final test procedures. Thus, DOE concludes that
publishing a final version of the test procedure rule--which adopts the
limited changes to method for measuring a refrigeration system's AWEF
that were proposed in the NOPR--prior to the publication of the
standards proposal was not necessary. Accordingly, consistent with
section 14 of the Process Rule, DOE has concluded that its deviation
from the Process Rule is appropriate here.
DOE must follow specific statutory criteria for prescribing new or
amended standards for covered products, including WICF refrigeration
systems. Any new or amended standard for a covered product must be
designed to achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that
the Secretary of Energy determines is technologically feasible and
economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(A)-(3)(B) and 6316(a))
Furthermore, DOE may not adopt any standard that would not result in
the significant conservation of energy. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3) and
6316(a)) Moreover, DOE may not prescribe a standard (1) for certain
equipment, including WICF refrigeration systems, if no test procedure
has been established for the product, or (2) if DOE determines by rule
that the standard is not technologically feasible or economically
justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)(A)-(B) and 6316(a)) In deciding
whether a standard is economically justified, DOE must determine
whether the benefits of the standard exceed its burdens. (42 U.S.C.
6295(o)(2)(B)(i) and 6316(a)) DOE must make this determination after
proposing the standard and receiving comments on it, and by
considering, to the greatest extent practicable, the following seven
statutory factors:
(1) The economic impact of the standard on manufacturers and
consumers of the equipment subject to the standard;
(2) The savings in operating costs throughout the estimated average
life of the covered equipment in the type (or class) compared to any
increase in the price, initial charges, or maintenance expenses for the
covered equipment that are likely to result from the standard;
(3) The total projected amount of energy (or as applicable, water)
savings likely to result directly from the standard;
(4) Any lessening of the utility or the performance of the covered
equipment likely to result from the standard;
(5) The impact of any lessening of competition, as determined in
writing

[[Page 31815]]

by the Attorney General, that is likely to result from the standard;
(6) The need for national energy and water conservation; and
(7) Other factors the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) considers
relevant. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(I)-(VII) and 6316(a))
Further, EPCA, as codified, establishes a rebuttable presumption
that a standard is economically justified if the Secretary finds that
the additional cost to the consumer of purchasing equipment complying
with an energy conservation standard level will be less than three
times the value of the energy savings during the first year that the
consumer will receive as a result of the standard, as calculated under
the applicable test procedure.\14\ (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(iii) and
6316(a))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\14\ This is equivalent to stating that the rebuttable
presumption of a standard is justified if the simple payback to the
consumer, as calculated under the applicable test procedures, of the
purchased equipment is equal to, or less than 3 years.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

EPCA, as codified, also contains what is known as an ``anti-
backsliding'' provision, which prevents the Secretary from prescribing
any amended standard that either increases the maximum allowable energy
use or decreases the minimum required energy efficiency of covered
equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(1) and 6316(a)) Also, the Secretary may
not prescribe an amended or new standard if interested persons have
established by a preponderance of the evidence that the standard is
likely to result in the unavailability in the United States in any
covered equipment type (or class) of performance characteristics
(including reliability), features, sizes, capacities, and volumes that
are substantially the same as those generally available in the United
States. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(4) and 6316(a))
Additionally, EPCA specifies requirements when promulgating an
energy conservation standard for covered equipment that has two or more
subcategories. DOE must specify a different standard level for a type
or class of equipment that has the same function or intended use if DOE
determines that products within such group (A) consume a different kind
of energy from that consumed by other covered equipment within such
type (or class); or (B) have a capacity or other performance-related
feature which other equipment within such type (or class) do not have
and such feature justifies a higher or lower standard. (42 U.S.C.
6295(q)(1) and 6316(a)) In determining whether a performance-related
feature justifies a different standard for a group of equipment, DOE
must consider such factors as the utility to the consumer of such a
feature and other factors DOE deems appropriate. Id. Any rule
prescribing such a standard must include an explanation of the basis on
which such higher or lower level was established. (42 U.S.C. 6295(q)(2)
and 6316(a))
Federal energy conservation requirements generally supersede State
laws or regulations concerning energy conservation testing, labeling,
and standards. (42 U.S.C. 6297(a) through (c) and 6316(a)) DOE may,
however, grant waivers of Federal preemption for particular State laws
or regulations, in accordance with the procedures and other provisions
set forth under 42 U.S.C. 6297(d) and 6316(a).
Finally, pursuant to the amendments contained in the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (``EISA 2007''), Public Law 110-
140, any final rule for new or amended energy conservation standards
promulgated after July 1, 2010, is required to address standby mode and
off mode energy use. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(3)) Specifically, when DOE
adopts a standard for a covered product after that date, it must, if
justified by the criteria for adoption of standards under EPCA (42
U.S.C. 6295(o)), incorporate standby mode and off mode energy use into
a single standard, or, if that is not feasible, adopt a separate
standard for such energy use for that equipment. (42 U.S.C.
6295(gg)(3)(A)-(B)) In the case of WICFs, DOE is continuing to apply
this approach to provide analytical consistency when evaluating energy
conservation standards for this equipment. See generally, 42 U.S.C.
6316(a).

B. Background

A walk-in is an enclosed storage space refrigerated to temperatures
above, and at or below, respectively, 32 [deg]F that can be walked into
and has a total chilled storage area of less than 3,000 square feet.
(42 U.S.C. 6311(20)) By definition, equipment designed and marketed
exclusively for medical, scientific, or research purposes are excluded.
See id.
EPCA also provides prescriptive standards for walk-ins manufactured
starting on January 1, 2009. First, walk-ins must have automatic door
closers that firmly close all walk-in doors that have been closed to
within 1 inch of full closure, for all doors narrower than 3 feet 9
inches and shorter than 7 feet and must also have strip doors, spring
hinged doors, or other methods of minimizing infiltration when doors
are open. Additionally, they must also contain wall, ceiling, and door
insulation of at least R-25 for coolers and R-32 for freezers,
excluding glazed portions of doors and structural members, and floor
insulation of at least R-28 for freezers. Walk-in evaporator fan motors
of under 1 horsepower (``hp'') and less than 460 volts must be
electronically commutated motors (brushless direct current motors) or
three-phase motors, and walk-in condenser fan motors of under 1
horsepower must use permanent split capacitor motors, electronically
commutated motors, or three-phase motors. Interior light sources must
have an efficacy of 40 lumens per watt or more, including any ballast
losses; less-efficacious lights may only be used in conjunction with a
timer or device that turns off the lights within 15 minutes of when the
walk-in is unoccupied. See 42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(1).
Second, walk-ins have requirements related to electronically
commutated motors used in them. See 42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(2)).
Specifically, in those walk-ins that use an evaporator fan motor with a
rating of under 1 hp and less than 460 volts, that motor must be either
a three-phase motor or an electronically commutated motor unless DOE
determined prior to January 1, 2009 that electronically commutated
motors are available from only one manufacturer. (42 U.S.C.
6313(f)(2)(A)) Consistent with this requirement, DOE eventually
determined that more than one manufacturer offered these motors for
sale, which effectively made electronically commutated motors a
required design standard for use with evaporative fan motors rated at
under 1 hp and under 460 volts. DOE documented this determination in
the rulemaking docket as docket ID EERE-2008-BT-STD-0015-0072. This
document can be found at www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EERE-
2008-BT-STD-0015-0072. Additionally, DOE may permit the use of other
types of motors as evaporative fan motors--if DOE determines that, on
average, those other motor types use no more energy in evaporative fan
applications than electronically commutated motors. (42 U.S.C.
6313(f)(2)(B)) DOE is unaware of any other motors that would offer
performance levels comparable to the electronically commutated motors
required by Congress. Accordingly, all evaporator motors rated at under
1 hp and under 460 volts must be electronically commutated motors or
three-phase motors.
Third, EPCA requires that walk-in freezers with transparent reach-
in doors must have triple-pane glass with either heat-reflective
treated glass or gas fill for doors and windows. Cooler doors must have
either double-pane glass with

[[Page 31816]]

treated glass and gas fill or triple-pane glass with treated glass or
gas fill. (42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(3)(A)-(B)) For walk-ins with transparent
reach-in doors, EISA 2007 also prescribed specific anti-sweat heater-
related requirements: Walk-ins without anti-sweat heater controls must
have a heater power draw of no more than 7.1 or 3.0 watts per square
foot of door opening for freezers and coolers, respectively. Walk-ins
with anti-sweat heater controls must either have a heater power draw of
no more than 7.1 or 3.0 watts per square foot of door opening for
freezers and coolers, respectively, or the anti-sweat heater controls
must reduce the energy use of the heater in a quantity corresponding to
the relative humidity of the air outside the door or to the
condensation on the inner glass pane. See 42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(3)(C)-(D).
EPCA also directed the Secretary to issue performance-based
standards for walk-ins that would apply to equipment manufactured three
(3) years after the final rule is published, or five (5) years if the
Secretary determines by rule that a 3-year period is inadequate. (42
U.S.C. 6313(f)(4)) In a final rule published on June 3, 2014 (June 2014
final rule), DOE prescribed performance-based standards for walk-ins
manufactured on or after June 5, 2017. 79 FR 32050. These standards
applied to a walk-in's main components: Refrigeration systems, panels,
and doors. The standards were expressed in terms of AWEF for the walk-
in refrigeration systems, R-value for walk-in panels, and maximum
energy consumption for walk-in doors. The standards are shown in Table
II-1 and Table II-2.

Table II-1--Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-In Cooler and Walk-In Freezer Refrigeration Systems Set Forth
in 2014 Rule
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class descriptor Class Standard level min. AWEF (Btu/W-h) *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dedicated Condensing, Medium-- DC.M.I, <9,000...................... 5.61
Temperature, Indoor System,
<9,000 Btu/h Capacity.
Dedicated Condensing, Medium-- DC.M.I, >=9,000..................... 5.61
Temperature, Indoor System,
>=9,000 Btu/h Capacity.
Dedicated Condensing, Medium-- DC.M.O, <9,000...................... 7.60
Temperature, Outdoor System,
<9,000 Btu/h Capacity.
Dedicated Condensing, Medium-- DC.M.O, >=9,000..................... 7.60
Temperature, Outdoor System,
>=9,000 Btu/h Capacity.
Dedicated Condensing, Low- DC.L.I, <9,000...................... 5.93 x 10-5 x Q + 2.33
Temperature, Indoor System,
<9,000 Btu/h Capacity.
Dedicated Condensing, Low- DC.L.I, >=9,000..................... 3.10
Temperature, Indoor System,
>=9,000 Btu/h Capacity.
Dedicated Condensing, Low- DC.L.O, <9,000...................... 2.30 x 10-4 x Q + 2.73
Temperature, Outdoor System,
<9,000 Btu/h Capacity.
Dedicated Condensing, Low- DC.L.O, >=9,000..................... 4.79
Temperature, Outdoor System,
>=9,000 Btu/h Capacity.
Multiplex Condensing, Medium-- MC.M................................ 10.89
Temperature **.
Multiplex Condensing, Low- MC.L................................ 6.57
Temperature **.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* These standards were expressed in terms of Q, which represents the system gross capacity as calculated in AHRI
1250.
** DOE used this terminology to refer to these equipment classes in the June 2014 final rule. In this rule, DOE
has changed ``multiplex condensing'' to ``unit cooler'' and the abbreviation ``MC'' to ``UC,'' consistent with
the separate test procedure rulemaking conducted by DOE.

Table II-2--Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-In Cooler and Walk-In Freezer Panels and Doors Set Forth in
2014 Rule
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class descriptor Class Standard level
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Panels Min. R-value
(h-ft2-[deg]F/Btu)
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Structural Panel, Medium-Temperature... SP.M......................... 25
Structural Panel, Low-Temperature...... SP.L......................... 32
Floor Panel, Low-Temperature........... FP.L......................... 28
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-display doors Max. energy consumption
(kWh/day) [dagger]
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Passage Door, Medium-Temperature....... PD.M......................... 0.05 x And + 1.7
Passage Door, Low-Temperature.......... PD.L......................... 0.14 x And + 4.8
Freight Door, Medium-Temperature....... FD.M......................... 0.04 x And + 1.9
Freight Door, Low-Temperature.......... FD.L......................... 0.12 x And + 5.6
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Display doors Max. energy consumption
(kWh/day) [dagger][dagger]
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Display Door, Medium-Temperature....... DD.M......................... 0.04 x Add + 0.41
Display Door, Low-Temperature.......... DD.L......................... 0.15 x Add + 0.29
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[dagger] And represents the surface area of the non-display door.
[dagger][dagger] Add represents the surface area of the display door.

[[Page 31817]]

After publication of the June 2014 final Rule, the Air-
Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (``AHRI'') and Lennox
International, Inc. (``Lennox'') (a manufacturer of WICF refrigeration
systems) filed petitions for review of DOE's final rule and DOE's
subsequent denial of a petition for reconsideration of the rule with
the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Lennox Int'l
v. Dep't of Energy, Case No. 14-60535 (5th Cir.). Other WICF
refrigeration system manufacturers--Rheem Manufacturing Co., Heat
Transfer Products Group (a subsidiary of Rheem Manufacturing Co.), and
Hussmann Corp.--along with the Air Conditioning Contractors of America
(``ACCA'') (a trade association representing contractors who install
WICF refrigeration systems) intervened on the petitioners' behalf. The
Natural Resources Defense Council (``NRDC''), the American Council for
an Energy-Efficient Economy, and the Texas Ratepayers' Organization to
Save Energy intervened on behalf of DOE. As a result of this
litigation, a settlement agreement was reached to address, among other
things, six of the refrigeration system standards--each of which is
addressed in this document.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\15\ The ``six'' standards established in the 2014 final rule
and vacated by the Fifth Circuit court order have become ``seven''
standards due to the split of one of the equipment classes based on
capacity. Specifically, the ``multiplex condensing, low-
temperature'' class (see 79 FR 32050, 32124 (June 3, 2014)) has
become two classes of ``unit cooler, low-temperature,'', one with
capacity (qnet) less than 15,500 Btu/h, and the other
with capacity greater or equal to 15,500 Btu/h (see Table I-1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

A controlling court order from the Fifth Circuit, which was issued
on August 10, 2015, vacated those six standards. These vacated
standards related to (1) the two energy conservation standards
applicable to multiplex condensing refrigeration systems (re-named as
``unit coolers'' for purposes of this rule) operating at medium and low
temperatures and (2) the four energy conservation standards applicable
to dedicated condensing refrigeration systems operating at low
temperatures. See 79 FR at 32124 (June 3, 2014). The thirteen other
standards established in the June 2014 final rule and shown in Table
II-1 and Table II-2 (that is, the four standards applicable to
dedicated condensing refrigeration systems operating at medium
temperatures; the three standards applicable to panels; and the six
standards applicable to doors) were not vacated and remain subject to
the June 5, 2017 compliance date prescribed by the June 2014 final
rule.\16\ To help clarify the applicability of these standards, DOE is
also modifying the organization of its regulations to specify the
compliance date of these existing standards and the standards finalized
in this rule. To aid in readability, DOE is replacing the existing
table at 10 CFR 431.306(e) with a new table that incorporates both the
refrigeration system standards established in this rule and the
existing refrigeration system standards and clarifies the compliance
dates for both sets of standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\16\ DOE has issued an enforcement policy with respect to
dedicated condensing refrigeration systems operating at medium
temperatures. See www.energy.gov/gc/downloads/walk-coolerwalk-freezer-refrigeration-systems-enforcement-policy.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In addition, DOE notes that the existing standard for all
capacities of dedicated condensing, medium-temperature, indoor
refrigeration systems requires that these equipment classes meet a
minimum AWEF of 5.61 Btu/W-h. Likewise, all capacities of dedicated
condensing, medium-temperature, outdoor refrigeration systems must meet
a minimum AWEF of 7.60 Btu/W-h. Rather than listing multiple ranges of
capacity for both indoor and outdoor classes, DOE has modified the
organization of these standards by grouping these classes into two line
items, each showing the standard for the relevant full capacity range.
After the Fifth Circuit issued its order, DOE established a working
group to negotiate energy conservation standards to replace the six
vacated standards. Specifically, on August 5, 2015, DOE published a
notice of intent to establish a WICF Working Group. 80 FR 46521. The
Working Group was established under the Appliance Standards and
Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (``ASRAC'') in accordance with
the Federal Advisory Committee Act (``FACA'') and the Negotiated
Rulemaking Act (``NRA''). (5 U.S.C. App. 2; 5 U.S.C. 561-570, Pub. L.
104-320.) The purpose of the Working Group was to discuss and, if
possible, reach consensus on standard levels for the energy efficiency
of the affected classes of WICF refrigeration systems. The Working
Group was to consist of representatives of parties having a defined
stake in the outcome of the standards, and the group would consult as
appropriate with a range of experts on technical issues.
Ultimately, the Working Group consisted of 12 members and one DOE
representative (see Table II-3). (See Appendix A, List of Members and
Affiliates, Negotiated Rulemaking Working Group Ground Rules, Docket
No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, No. 5 at p. 5.) The Working Group met in-
person during 13 days of meetings held August 27, September 11,
September 30, October 1, October 15, October 16, November 3, November
4, November 20, December 3, December 4, December 14, and December 15,
2015.

Table II-3--ASRAC Walk-In Coolers and Freezers Working Group Members and
Affiliations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Affiliation Abbreviation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ashley Armstrong............ U.S. Department of DOE.
Energy.
Lane Burt................... Natural Resources NRDC.
Defense Council.
Mary Dane................... Traulsen............ Traulsen.
Cyril Fowble................ Lennox Lennox.
International, Inc.
(Heatcraft).
Sean Gouw................... California Investor- CA IOUs.
Owned Utilities.
Andrew Haala................ Hussmann Corp....... Hussmann.
Armin Hauer................. ebm-papst, Inc...... ebm-papst.
John Koon................... Manitowoc Company... Manitowoc.
Joanna Mauer................ Appliance Standards ASAP.
Awareness Project.
Charlie McCrudden........... Air Conditioning ACCA.
Contractors of
America.
Louis Starr................. Northwest Energy NEEA.
Efficiency Alliance.
Michael Straub.............. Rheem Manufacturing Rheem.
(Heat Transfer
Products Group).
Wayne Warner................ Emerson Climate Emerson.
Technologies.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 31818]]

All of the meetings were open to the public and were also broadcast
via webinar. Several people who were not members of the Working Group
attended the meetings and were given the opportunity to comment on the
proceedings. Non-Working Group meeting attendees are listed in Table
II-4.

Table II-4--Other ASRAC Walk-In Coolers and Freezers Meeting Attendees
and Affiliations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Attendee Affiliation Abbreviation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Akash Bhatia................ Tecumseh Products Tecumseh.
Company.
Bryan Eisenhower............ VaCom Technologies.. VaCom.
Dean Groff.................. Danfoss............. Danfoss.
Brian Lamberty.............. Unknown............. Brian Lamberty.
Michael Layne............... Turbo Air........... Turbo Air.
Jon McHugh.................. McHugh Energy....... McHugh Energy.
Yonghui (Frank) Xu.......... National Coil National Coil.
Company.
Vince Zolli................. Keeprite Keeprite.
Refrigeration.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

To facilitate the negotiations, DOE provided analytical support,
including detailed analyses and presentations. These materials are
available in the relevant rulemaking docket (www.regulations.gov/#!docketBrowser;rpp=25;po=0;D=EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016). The analyses and
presentations, developed with direct input from the Working Group
members, included preliminary versions of many of the analyses
discussed in this final rule, including a market and technology
assessment; screening analysis; engineering analysis; energy use
analysis; markups analysis; life cycle cost and payback period
analysis; shipments analysis; and national impact analysis.
On December 15, 2015, the Working Group reached consensus on, among
other things, a series of energy conservation standards to replace
those that were vacated as a result of the litigation. The Working
Group assembled its recommendations into a single term sheet (See
Docket EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, No. 52) that was presented to, and
approved by the ASRAC on December 18, 2015. DOE considered the approved
term sheet, along with other comments received during the negotiated
rulemaking process, in developing energy conservation standards in this
document. DOE published a notice of proposed rulemaking on September
13, 2016. (September 2016 NOPR) 81 FR 62979. A public meeting to
discuss DOE's proposal was held on September 29, 2016.

III. General Discussion

DOE developed this rule after considering oral and written
comments, data, and information from interested parties that represent
a variety of interests. DOE received comments from a number of
different entities. A list of these entities is included in Table III-
1. The following discussion addresses issues raised by these
commenters.

Table III-1--Interested Parties Who Commented on the WICF NOPR
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comment No. (docket
Name Acronym Type reference)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air-Conditioning, Heating, and AHRI.................... Trade Association....... 90
Refrigeration Institute.
Appliance Standards Awareness Project. ASAP.................... Energy Efficiency * 79
Advocates.
Appliance Standards Awareness Project, ASAP, NRDC and NEEA Energy Efficiency 84
Natural Resources Defense Council, (ASAP et al.). Advocates.
and Northwest Energy Efficiency
Alliance.
California Investor Owned Utilities... CA IOUs................. Utility Association..... 80
Cato Institute........................ Cato.................... Think Tank.............. 87
CoilPod LLC........................... CoilPod................. Component/Material 77
Supplier.
Eric Andrews.......................... Andrews................. Individual.............. 76
Hussmann Corporation.................. Hussmann................ Manufacturer............ 83
Environmental Defense Fund, Institute Joint Advocates......... Energy Efficiency 81
for Policy Integrity at New York Advocates.
University School of Law, Natural
Resources Defense Council, and Union
of Concerned Scientists.
Lennox International Inc. and Lennox.................. Manufacturer............ 89
Heatcraft Refrigeration Products, LLC.
Manitowoc Foodservice, Inc............ Manitowoc............... Manufacturer............ 82
Rheem Manufacturing Company and Heat Rheem................... Manufacturer............ 91
Transfer Products Group, LLC.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American USCC et al.............. Business Federation..... 86
Chemistry Council, American Coke and
Coal Chemicals Institute, American
Forest & Paper Association, American
Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers,
American Petroleum Institute, Brick
Industry Association, Council of
Industrial Boiler Owners, National
Association of Manufacturers,
National Lime Association, National
Mining Association, National Oilseed
Processors Association, and the
Portland Cement Association.
Weiss Instruments, Inc................ Weiss................... Component/Material 85
Supplier.

[[Page 31819]]

Zero Zone............................. Zero Zone............... Manufacturer............ 88
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Comment number 79 indicates the party commented during the public meeting.

A. Equipment Classes and Scope of Coverage

When evaluating and establishing energy conservation standards, DOE
divides covered equipment into equipment classes by the type of energy
used, capacity, or other performance-related features that would
justify different standards. In determining whether a performance-
related feature would justify applying a different standard, DOE must
consider such factors as the utility of the feature to the consumer and
other factors DOE determines are appropriate. (42 U.S.C. 6295(q) and
6316(a))
As previously noted in section II.B, a court order vacated the
portions of the June 2014 final rule relating to multiplex condensing
refrigeration systems (i.e., unit coolers) operating at medium and low
temperatures and dedicated condensing refrigeration systems operating
at low temperatures. Therefore, this rulemaking focuses on standards
related to these refrigeration system classes. More information
relating to the scope of coverage is described in section IV.B.1 of
this final rule.

B. Test Procedure

EPCA sets forth generally applicable criteria and procedures for
DOE''s adoption and amendment of test procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6293 and
6314) Manufacturers must use the test procedures prescribed under these
provisions to certify compliance with the applicable energy
conservation standards and to quantify the efficiency of their covered
product or equipment.
EPCA, as modified by EISA 2007, required DOE to develop a
performance-based test procedure to measure the energy use of walk-in
coolers and walk-in freezers. (42 U.S.C. 6213(a)(9)(B)(i)) On April 15,
2011, DOE published test procedures for the principal components that
make up a walk-in: The panels, doors, and refrigeration systems. DOE
took this component-based testing approach based on a significant body
of feedback from interested parties that requiring a single test
procedure for an entire walk-in would be impractical because most walk-
ins are assembled on-site with components from different manufacturers.
76 FR 21580, 21582 (April 15, 2011).
DOE's current energy conservation standards for WICF refrigeration
systems are expressed in terms of AWEF (see 10 CFR 431.304(c)(10)).
AWEF is an annualized refrigeration efficiency metric that expresses
the ratio of the heat load that a system can reject (in Btus) to the
energy required to reject that load (in watt-hours). The existing DOE
test procedure for determining the AWEF of walk-in refrigeration
systems is located at 10 CFR part 431, subpart R. The current DOE test
procedure for walk-in refrigeration systems was originally established
by an April 15, 2011 final rule, which incorporates by reference the
Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (``AHRI'')
Standard 1250-2009, 2009 Standard for Performance Rating of Walk-In
Coolers and Freezers. 76 FR 21580, 21605-21612.
On May 13, 2014, DOE updated its test procedures for WICFs in a
final rule published in the Federal Register (May 2014 test procedure
final rule). 79 FR 27388. That rule allowed WICF refrigeration system
manufacturers to use an alternative efficiency determination method
(``AEDM'') to rate and certify their basic models by using the
projected energy efficiency level derived from these simulation models
in lieu of testing. It also adopted testing methods to enable an
original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to readily test and rate its unit
cooler or condensing unit individually rather than as part of matched
pairs. Under this approach, a manufacturer who distributes a unit
cooler as a separate component must rate that unit cooler as though it
were to be connected to a multiplex system. The unit cooler must comply
with any applicable unit cooler standard that DOE may establish.
Similarly, a manufacturer distributing a condensing unit as a separate
component must use fixed values for the suction (inlet) conditions and
certain nominal values for unit cooler fan and defrost energy, in lieu
of actual unit cooler test data, when calculating AWEF. (10 CFR
431.304(c)(12)(ii))
DOE notes that, although that final rule established the approach
for rating individual components of dedicated condensing systems, it
still allowed for matched-pair ratings of these systems. This approach
addressed the testing of dedicated condensing systems with multiple
capacity stages and/or variable-capacity, since the current test
procedure of AHRI 1250-2009 does not have a provision for testing
individual condensing units with such features. An OEM would have to
use matched-pair testing to rate multiple- or variable-capacity
systems, but can choose matched-pair or individual-component rating for
single-capacity dedicated condensing systems.
The May 2014 test procedure final rule also introduced several
clarifications and additions to the AHRI test procedure for WICF
refrigeration systems. These changes can be found in 10 CFR 431.304.
The Working Group, in addition to making recommendations regarding
standards, also recommended that DOE consider making certain amendments
to the test procedure to support the recommended replacement
refrigeration system standards. See Term Sheet at EERE-2015-BT-STD-
0016, No. 56, recommendation #6 and #7. Consistent with these test
procedure-related recommendations, DOE published a test procedure
notice of proposed rulemaking on August 17, 2016 (``August 2016 TP
NOPR''). 81 FR 54926. A public meeting was held on September 12, 2016.
DOE published a test procedure final rule on December 28, 2016. 81 FR
95758. All documents and information pertaining to the test procedure
rulemaking can be found in docket EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030. The standard
levels discussed in this document were evaluated using that revised
test procedure.

C. Technological Feasibility

1. General
In each energy conservation standards rulemaking, DOE conducts a
screening analysis based on information gathered on all current
technology options and prototype designs that could improve the
efficiency of the products or equipment that are the subject of the
rulemaking. As the first step in such an analysis, DOE develops a list
of technology options for consideration in consultation with
manufacturers, design engineers, and other interested parties.

[[Page 31820]]

DOE then determines which of those means for improving efficiency are
technologically feasible. DOE considers technologies incorporated in
commercially available products or in working prototypes to be
technologically feasible. 10 CFR part 430, subpart C, appendix A,
section 4(a)(4)(i)
After DOE has determined that particular technology options are
technologically feasible, it further evaluates each technology option
in light of the following additional screening criteria: (1)
Practicability to manufacture, install, and service; (2) adverse
impacts on product utility or availability; and (3) adverse impacts on
health or safety. 10 CFR part 430, subpart C, appendix A, section
4(a)(4)(ii)-(iv) Additionally, it is DOE policy not to include in its
analysis any proprietary technology that is a unique pathway to
achieving a certain efficiency level. Section IV.C of this document
discusses the results of the screening analysis for WICF refrigeration
systems, particularly the designs DOE considered, those it screened
out, and those forming the basis of the standards considered in this
rulemaking. For further details on the screening analysis for this
rulemaking, see chapter 4 of the final rule technical support document
(``TSD'').
2. Maximum Technologically Feasible Levels
When DOE adopts a standard for a type or class of covered product,
it must determine the maximum improvement in energy efficiency or
maximum reduction in energy use that is technologically feasible for
such product. (42 U.S.C. 6295(p)(1) and 6316(a)) Accordingly, in the
engineering analysis, DOE determined the maximum technologically
feasible (``max-tech'') improvements in energy efficiency for WICF
refrigeration systems using the design parameters for the most
efficient products available on the market or in working prototypes.
The max-tech levels that DOE determined for this rulemaking are
described in section IV.D.10 of this final rule and in chapter 5 of the
final rule TSD.

D. Energy Savings

1. Determination of Savings
For each trial standard level (``TSL''), DOE projected energy
savings from application of the TSL to covered WICF refrigeration
systems purchased in the 30-year period that begins in the year of
compliance with the standards (2020-2049).\17\ The savings are measured
over the entire lifetime of considered WICF refrigeration systems
purchased in the 30-year analysis period. DOE quantified the energy
savings attributable to each TSL as the difference in energy
consumption between each standards case and the no-new-standards case.
The no-new-standards case represents a projection of energy consumption
that reflects how the market for the equipment at issue would likely
evolve in the absence of energy conservation standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\17\ DOE also presents a sensitivity analysis that considers
impacts for products shipped in a 9-year period.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

DOE used its national impact analysis (``NIA'') spreadsheet models
to estimate national energy savings (``NES'') from potential standards
for considered WICF refrigeration systems at issue. The NIA spreadsheet
model (described in section IV.H of this document) calculates energy
savings in terms of site energy, which is the energy directly consumed
by equipment at the locations where they are used. For electricity, DOE
reports national energy savings in terms of primary energy savings,
which is the savings in the energy that is used to generate and
transmit the site electricity. For natural gas, the primary energy
savings are considered to be equal to the site energy savings. DOE also
calculates NES in terms of full-fuel-cycle (``FFC'') energy savings.
The FFC metric includes the energy consumed in extracting, processing,
and transporting primary fuels (i.e., coal, natural gas, petroleum
fuels), and thus presents a more complete picture of the impacts of
energy conservation standards.\18\ DOE's approach is based on the
calculation of an FFC multiplier for each of the energy types used by
covered products or equipment. For more information on FFC energy
savings, see section IV.I.2 of this document.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\18\ The FFC metric is discussed in DOE's statement of policy
and notice of policy amendment. 76 FR 51282 (August. 18, 2011), as
amended at 77 FR 49701 (August. 17, 2012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Significance of Savings
To adopt any new or amended standards for a covered equipment, DOE
must determine that such action would result in significant energy
savings. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)(B) and 6316(a)) Although the term
``significant'' is not defined in the Act, the U.S. Court of Appeals
for the District of Columbia Circuit in Natural Resources Defense
Council v. Herrington, 768 F.2d 1355, 1373 (D.C. Cir. 1985), indicated
that Congress intended ``significant'' energy savings in the context of
EPCA to be savings that are not ``genuinely trivial.'' The energy
savings for all the TSLs considered in this rulemaking, including the
adopted standards, are nontrivial, and, therefore, DOE considers them
``significant'' within the meaning of section 325 of EPCA (i.e., 42
U.S.C. 6295).

E. Economic Justification

1. Specific Criteria
As noted above, EPCA provides seven factors to be evaluated in
determining whether a potential energy conservation standard is
economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(I)(VII) and
6316(a)) The following sections discuss how DOE has addressed each of
those seven factors in this rulemaking.
a. Economic Impact on Manufacturers and Consumers
In determining the impacts of potential amended standards on
manufacturers, DOE conducts a manufacturer impact analysis (``MIA''),
as discussed in section IV.J. DOE first uses an annual cash-flow
approach to determine the quantitative impacts. This step includes both
a short-term assessment--based on the cost and capital requirements
during the period between when a regulation is issued and when entities
must comply with the regulation--and a long-term assessment over a 30-
year period. The industry-wide impacts analyzed include (1) industry
net present value (``INPV''), which values the industry on the basis of
expected future cash flows; (2) cash flows by year; (3) changes in
revenue and income; and (4) other measures of impact, as appropriate.
Second, DOE analyzes and reports the impacts on different types of
manufacturers, including impacts on small manufacturers. Third, DOE
considers the impact of standards on domestic manufacturer employment
and manufacturing capacity, as well as the potential for standards to
result in plant closures and loss of capital investment. Finally, DOE
takes into account cumulative impacts of various DOE regulations and
other regulatory requirements on manufacturers.
For individual consumers, measures of economic impact include the
changes in LCC and the PBP associated with new or amended standards.
These measures are discussed further in the following section. For
consumers in the aggregate, DOE also calculates the national net
present value of the economic impacts applicable to a particular
rulemaking. DOE also evaluates the LCC impacts of potential standards
on identifiable subgroups of consumers that may be

[[Page 31821]]

affected disproportionately by a national standard.
b. Savings in Operating Costs Compared to Increase in Price (LCC and
PBP)
EPCA requires DOE to consider the savings in operating costs
throughout the estimated average life of the covered product in the
type (or class) compared to any increase in the price of, or in the
initial charges for, or maintenance expenses of, the covered product
that are likely to result from a standard. (42 U.S.C.
6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(II) and 6316(a)) DOE conducts this comparison in its
LCC and PBP analysis.
The LCC is the sum of the purchase price of a product (including
its installation) and the operating cost (including energy,
maintenance, and repair expenditures) discounted over the lifetime of
the product. The LCC analysis requires a variety of inputs, such as
product prices, product energy consumption, energy prices, maintenance
and repair costs, product lifetime, and discount rates appropriate for
consumers. To account for uncertainty and variability in specific
inputs, such as product lifetime and discount rate, DOE uses a
distribution of values, with probabilities attached to each value.
The PBP is the estimated amount of time (in years) it takes
consumers to recover the increased purchase cost (including
installation) of a more-efficient product through lower operating
costs. DOE calculates the PBP by dividing the change in purchase cost
due to a more-stringent standard by the change in annual operating cost
for the year that standards are assumed to take effect.
For its LCC and PBP analysis, DOE assumes that consumers will
purchase the covered products in the first year of compliance with new
or amended standards. The LCC savings for the considered efficiency
levels are calculated relative to the case that reflects projected
market trends in the absence of new or amended standards. DOE's LCC and
PBP analysis is discussed in further detail in section IV.F.
c. Energy Savings
Although significant conservation of energy is a separate statutory
requirement for adopting an energy conservation standard, EPCA requires
DOE, in determining the economic justification of a standard, to
consider the total projected energy savings that are expected to result
directly from the standard. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(III) and
6316(a)) As discussed in section IV.H, DOE uses the NIA spreadsheet
models to project national energy savings.
d. Lessening of Utility or Performance of Products
In establishing equipment classes, and in evaluating design options
and the impact of potential standard levels, DOE evaluates potential
standards that would not lessen the utility or performance of the
considered equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(IV) and 6316(a))
Based on data available to DOE, the standards adopted in this document
would not reduce the utility or performance of the equipment under
consideration in this rulemaking.
e. Impact of Any Lessening of Competition
EPCA directs DOE to consider the impact of any lessening of
competition, as determined in writing by the Attorney General, that is
likely to result from a standard. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(V) and
6316(a)) It also directs the Attorney General to determine the impact,
if any, of any lessening of competition likely to result from a
standard and to transmit such determination to the Secretary within 60
days of the publication of a proposed rule, together with an analysis
of the nature and extent of the impact. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(ii)
and 6316(a)) To assist the Department of Justice (``DOJ'') in making
such a determination, DOE transmitted copies of its proposed rule and
the NOPR TSD to the Attorney General for review, with a request that
the DOJ provide its determination on this issue. In its assessment
letter responding to DOE, DOJ concluded that the proposed energy
conservation standards for WICF refrigeration systems are unlikely to
have a significant adverse impact on competition. DOE is publishing the
Attorney General's assessment at the end of this final rule.
f. Need for National Energy Conservation
DOE also considers the need for national energy and water
conservation (as applicable) in determining whether a new or amended
standard is economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(VI) and
6316(a)) The energy savings from the adopted standards are likely to
provide improvements to the security and reliability of the Nation's
energy system. Reductions in the demand for electricity also may result
in reduced costs for maintaining the reliability of the Nation's
electricity system. DOE conducts a utility impact analysis to estimate
how standards may affect the Nation's needed power generation capacity,
as discussed in section IV.M.
DOE maintains that environmental and public health benefits
associated with the more efficient use of energy are important to take
into account when considering the need for national energy
conservation. The adopted standards are likely to result in
environmental benefits in the form of reduced emissions of air
pollutants and GHGs associated with energy production and use. DOE
conducts an emissions analysis to estimate how potential standards may
affect these emissions, as discussed in section IV.K; the estimated
emissions impacts are reported in section V.B.6 of this document. DOE
also estimates the economic value of emissions reductions resulting
from the considered TSLs, as discussed in section IV.L.
g. Other Factors
In determining whether an energy conservation standard is
economically justified, DOE may consider any other factors that the
Secretary deems to be relevant. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(VII) and
6316(a)) To the extent DOE identifies any relevant information
regarding economic justification that does not fit into the other
categories described above, DOE could consider such information under
``other factors.''
2. Rebuttable Presumption
As set forth in 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(iii) ) (and as applied to
WICFs through 42 U.S.C. 6316(a)), EPCA creates a rebuttable presumption
that an energy conservation standard is economically justified if the
additional cost to the consumer of a product that meets the standard is
less than three times the value of the first year's energy savings
resulting from the standard, as calculated under the applicable DOE
test procedure. DOE's LCC and PBP analyses generate values used to
calculate the effect potential energy conservation standards would have
on the payback period for consumers. These analyses include, but are
not limited to, the 3-year payback period contemplated under the
rebuttable-presumption test. In addition, DOE routinely conducts an
economic analysis that considers the full range of impacts to
consumers, manufacturers, the Nation, and the environment, as required
under 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i), which is applied to WICFs through 42
U.S.C. 6316(a). The results of this analysis serve as the basis for
DOE's evaluation of the economic justification for a potential standard
level (thereby supporting or rebutting the results of any preliminary

[[Page 31822]]

determination of economic justification). The rebuttable presumption
payback calculation is discussed in section IV.F of this final rule.

F. Compliance Date of Standards

Under EPCA, performance-based standards for WICFs, including the
initial establishment of those standards, have a statutorily prescribed
lead time starting on the applicable final rule's publication date and
ending three (3) years later. Starting on that later date, WICF
manufacturers must comply with the relevant energy conservation
standards. See 42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(4)-(5). DOE may extend the lead time
to as long as five (5) years if the Secretary determines, by rule, that
the default 3-year period is inadequate. (See id.)
As discussed in section III.B, DOE developed test procedures for
the principal components that make up walk-ins: The panels, doors, and
refrigeration systems. DOE developed test procedures for walk-in
refrigeration systems that express their efficiency in terms of AWEF.
76 FR 21580 (April 15, 2011). The June 2014 final rule established
DOE's energy conservation standards for walk-in refrigeration systems
based on AWEF--these standards, established for low-temperature and
medium-temperature dedicated condensing refrigeration systems and for
low-temperature and medium-temperature unit coolers (then called
multiplex condensing systems), had a compliance date of June 5, 2017.
79 FR at 32124 (June 3, 2014). As discussed in section II.B, the
standards for several of these categories of refrigeration systems were
vacated. However, the standards for medium-temperature dedicated
condensing systems remain in place, and their compliance date remains
as June 5, 2017.
In the September 2016 NOPR, DOE projected that that this final rule
would publish in the second half of 2016, and that it would hence
establish a compliance date in the second half of 2019 for the new
refrigeration system standards that DOE is adopting--DOE did not
anticipate extending the standards lead time beyond three years. 81 FR
at 62992 (Sept. 13, 2016).
DOE updated its enforcement policy for walk-in refrigeration
systems on February 1, 2016, indicating that it would not exercise its
enforcement authority in regard to energy conservation standards
associated with medium-temperature dedicated condensing refrigeration
systems for any such equipment manufactured prior to January 1,
2020.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\19\ https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/02/f29/Enforcement%20Policy%20Statement%20-%20WICF%2002-01-16.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Manitowoc, Hussmann, Lennox, Rheem, and AHRI requested that
manufacturers not be required to submit certification reports for WICF
equipment covered in this rule and medium-temperature dedicated
condensing classes until the projected January 2020 enforcement date.
They argued that requiring manufacturers to certify refrigeration
systems covered by the June 2014 final Rule on June 5, 2017, despite
the fact that enforcement would not occur until 2020, would confuse
customers and place unneeded burden on manufacturers. Zero Zone also
argued that requiring certification before enforcement begins will
cause confusion for manufacturers and customers and will not allow the
Department to verify the certification data. (Manitowoc, No. 82 at p.
1; Hussmann, No. 83 at p. 1; Lennox, No. 89 at p. 6; Rheem, No. 91 at
pp. 1-2; AHRI, No. 90 at pp. 1-2; Zero Zone, No. 88 at p. 1)
As discussed in the test procedure final rule, DOE has not changed
the date for certifying the compliance of equipment covered by the June
2014 standards that have not been vacated, i.e., those applicable to
doors and medium-temperature dedicated condensing refrigeration
systems. 81 FR at 95759-95760 (December 28, 2016). The compliance date
for the WICF equipment covered in this rule, i.e., classes of low-
temperature dedicated condensing refrigeration systems and all classes
of unit coolers, is three years from today's date.
Weiss asked for clarification regarding how DOE's proposal would
address the installation of walk-ins by local contractors who buy
components from wholesalers and assemble the walk-in on-site. (Weiss,
No. 85 at p. 1).
Lennox commented there is ambiguity whether refrigeration system
components assembled into a complete walk-in must be compliant on the
date of manufacture of the refrigeration component or when the final
WICF is actually assembled. Lennox noted that component manufacturers
would need to leave time to sell components in inventory in advance of
a compliance deadline, but WICF installers would also need to leave
time both to purchase WICF components and install such components in
advance of the compliance deadline. Lennox stated that additional
burden is placed on WICF component manufacturers to compress timelines
by several months or more if assemblers of complete walk-ins are
required to use WICF components that are compliant at the time of
assembly. (Lennox No. 89 at pp. 7-8) AHRI and Rheem also commented that
additional burden is placed on component manufacturers as a result of a
shortened compliance period if the requirement remains for installers
to use components that are compliant at the time of the complete walk-
in assembly. (AHRI No. 90 at p. 3; Rheem No. 91 at p. 3)
Lennox, AHRI and Rheem requested that DOE allow an unlimited sell
through period for components manufactured prior to the compliance date
of the amended standard. AHRI stated that most products subject to
energy conservation standards have unlimited sell through periods for
products manufactured before the effective date of an amended standard.
Id.
As discussed in the test procedure final rule, a manufacturer of a
walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer is any person who: (1) Manufactures a
component of a walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer that affects energy
consumption, including, but not limited to, refrigeration, doors,
lights, windows, or walls; or (2) manufactures or assembles the
complete walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer. 10 CFR 431.302.
A manufacturer of a walk-in component (i.e., part 1 of the
definition of a manufacturer of a walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer) is
the entity that manufactures, produces, assembles or imports a walk-in
panel, door or refrigeration system. The component manufacturer is
responsible for ensuring the compliance of the component(s) it
manufactures. DOE also requires that the component manufacturer certify
the compliance of the components it manufactures, prior to distribution
in commerce. 81 FR at 95778 (December 28, 2016). A walk-in component
manufacturer must comply with the applicable energy conservation
standards based on the date the component is produced. For example,
beginning on June 5, 2017 walk-in door manufacturers must produce doors
that comply with the applicable energy consumption standard. Imported
components must comply with the applicable energy conservation
standards based on the date of importation.
A manufacturer of a complete walk-in (i.e., part 2 of the
definition of a manufacturer of a walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer) is
the entity that manufactures, produces, assembles or imports a walk-in
cooler or freezer (i.e., an enclosed storage space meeting the

[[Page 31823]]

definition of a walk-in cooler or freezer). This includes
``installers'' of complete walk-ins. DOE explained that while it does
not require manufacturers of complete walk-ins to submit certification
reports for the complete walk-in itself, a manufacturer of a complete
walk-in must ensure that each walk-in it manufactures meets the various
statutory and regulatory standards. That is, a manufacturer of a
complete walk-in is required to use components that comply with the
applicable standards and to ensure the final product fulfills the
statutory design requirements. See the test procedure final rule for
additional discussion on how a manufacturer of a complete walk-in
demonstrates compliance. 81 FR at 95781 (December 28, 2016).
DOE explained several ways a manufacturer of a complete walk-in
could assemble a compliant walk-in. The manufacturer of a complete
walk-in could make one or more of the components (e.g., a walk-in
door), test it, and certify it as the component manufacturer. In this
instance the manufacturer of the complete walk-in is also the component
manufacturer, and the component must meet the relevant energy
conservation standard based on the date the component is produced.
Alternatively, the manufacturer of the complete walk-in could use
an uncertified component and accept responsibility for its compliance.
In this scenario, the date of installation is the date of manufacture.
For example, if walk-in is assembled with a door designed for non-walk-
in applications, then the door becomes a walk-in component on the walk-
in assembly date, and must meet the relevant energy conservation
standard based on the date of assembly.
Lastly, the manufacturer of the complete walk-in could use a
certified component with a label that meets DOE's requirements, as it
is not the manufacturer of the component, and bear no responsibility
for the testing and certification of the component. In this case, the
component must meet the relevant energy conservation standard based on
the date the certified component was manufactured. As long as a
manufacturer of a complete walk-in (e.g., installers) uses compliant,
certified components that are labeled in accordance with DOE's
requirements, then it can assemble a complete walk-in using those
components after the effective date of new or amended standards. For
example, an installer may use walk-in doors manufactured prior to June
5, 2017 to assemble a walk-in after the compliance date as long as the
door was certified as compliant with the standards in effect on the
date the door was produced.

IV. Methodology and Discussion of Related Comments

This section addresses the analyses DOE has performed for this
rulemaking with regard to the considered WICF refrigeration systems.
Separate subsections address each component of DOE's analyses.
DOE used several analytical tools to estimate the impact of the
standards considered in this document. The first tool is a spreadsheet
that calculates the LCC savings and PBP of potential amended or new
energy conservation standards. The national impacts analysis uses a
second spreadsheet set that provides shipments projections and
calculates national energy savings and net present value of total
consumer costs and savings expected to result from potential energy
conservation standards. DOE uses the third spreadsheet tool, the
Government Regulatory Impact Model (``GRIM''), to assess manufacturer
impacts of potential standards. These three spreadsheet tools are
available on the DOE website for this rulemaking at
www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/rulemaking.aspx/ruleid/30. Additionally, DOE used output from the latest version of the
Annual Energy Outlook 2016 (``AEO2106'') from the Energy Information
Administration (``EIA'') for the emissions and utility impact analyses.

A. General Rulemaking Issues

During the September 29, 2016 NOPR public meeting, and in
subsequent written comments, stakeholders provided input regarding
general issues pertinent to the rulemaking, including the trial
standard levels, the rulemaking timeline, and other subjects. These
issues are discussed in this section.
1. Proposed Standard Levels
DOE proposed to adopt TSL 3 as the energy conservation standard for
the equipment under consideration in this rulemaking. DOE's NOPR
analysis showed that this level is both technologically feasible and
economically justified. 81 FR at 63021 (September 13, 2016). TSL 3
represents the maximum technologically feasible level and corresponds
to the energy conservation standard level that the Working Group
unanimously recommended that DOE adopt. (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-
0016, Term Sheet: Recommendation #5 (December 15, 2015), No. 56 at pp.
2-3).
The CA IOUs and ASAP et al. supported the proposed standard levels
DOE presented in the NOPR. (CA IOUs, No. 80, at pp. 1-2; ASAP et al.,
No. 84, at p. 1)
Lennox supported the provisions laid out in the ASRAC Term Sheet,
including the recommended standards levels contained therein, which
were the result of a negotiated rulemaking. It also commented on the
NOPR's consumer impact results, noting that while most equipment
classes have positive or minimal negative consumer impacts, for certain
equipment classes, the consumer impact is negative for a ``large
percentage of consumers.'' (Lennox, No. 89 at p. 7) For example, Lennox
noted that 42 percent of consumers had a net cost impact for low
temperature unit coolers (UC.L) attached to low temperature multiplex
condensing systems (MC.L). Lennox clarified that it does not generally
support energy conservation standards that result in such a large
portion of consumers experiencing a net cost impact. (Lennox, No. 89 at
pp. 6-7)
In general, DOE seeks to avoid adopting standards resulting in
large numbers of consumers experiencing net costs. DOE notes that
Lennox supports the proposed standard levels, with which WICF Working
Group negotiators (including Lennox) had agreed, as documented in the
ASRAC Working Group Term Sheet. For the reasons discussed later in this
document, DOE is adopting the same standard levels that it proposed as
the energy conservation standard for the equipment under consideration
in this final rule. See section VI for further discussion on the TSLs,
economic justification and energy savings.
Eric Andrews agreed that the economic analysis supported the
regulation on the basis of the purchase of new equipment, but expressed
concern regarding the up-front cost that the consumer would incur to
update existing equipment to the standard level. He commented that ``a
credit'' should be made available to defray such costs. He observed
further that the market for used equipment was not addressed in the
analysis. (Andrews, No. 76 at p. 1) The comment seems to be made based
on the assumption that all installed equipment must be upgraded to the
standard level. In response, DOE notes that the adopted standard levels
will apply only to new equipment manufactured after the compliance date
of the standard. See section III.F for additional discussion regarding
the compliance date.

[[Page 31824]]

2. Test Procedure
a. Process Cooling
Background
EPCA defines a walk-in as ``an enclosed storage space,'' that can
be walked into, which has a total area of less than 3,000 square feet,
but does not include products designed and marketed exclusively for
medical, scientific, or research purposes. (42 U.S.C. 6311(20)) The use
of the term ``storage space'' in the definition raises questions about
which refrigerated spaces would qualify as a ``storage space'' and
thereby comprise equipment subject to the walk-in standards. DOE has
discussed the scope of this definition throughout its rulemakings to
develop test procedures and energy conservation standards for walk-
ins--most recently, the August 2016 TP NOPR addressed whether the scope
extends to process cooling equipment such as blast chillers and blast
freezers that can be walked into. 81 FR at 54934-54936 (August 17,
2016).
In the August 2016 TP NOPR, DOE described the background leading to
the proposal of a definition for walk-in process cooling refrigeration
equipment. 81 FR at 54934 (August 17, 2016). As described in that
document, interested parties requested that DOE clarify the
applicability of standards to this equipment as part of the initial
standards rulemaking that DOE conducted for developing walk-in
performance-based standards. The discussions in that prior rulemaking
led DOE to conclude in the June 2014 final rule that equipment used
solely for process cooling would not be required to meet the walk-in
standards, but that products used for ``both process and storage''
applications could not categorically be excluded from coverage. 79 FR
at 32068 (June 3, 2014). The August 2016 TP NOPR noted also the October
2014 meeting to clarify aspects of the test procedure, during which DOE
again stated that blast chillers and blast freezers did not fall within
the scope of the energy conservation standards established for walk-ins
in the June 2014 final rule. However, DOE acknowledged at the time that
it did not have a definition for ``process cooling'' in the context of
walk-ins. (Docket No. EERE-2011-BT-TP-0024, Heatcraft and DOE, Public
Meeting Transcript (October 22, 2014), No. 117 at pp. 23, 61-63) The
question of process cooling arose again during the Walk-in Working
Group meetings, during which meeting participants asked DOE to add
definitions to clarify the meaning of process cooling (See Docket No.
EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016: Manufacturer-submitted material, No. 6 at p. 2;
Lennox, Public Meeting Transcript (August 27, 2015), No. 15 at pp. 96-
97; AHRI, Public Meeting Transcript (December 15, 2015), No. 60 at pp.
141-142; and Term Sheet, No. 56, Recommendation #7)
The August 2016 TP NOPR explained that DOE considered process
cooling more carefully in light of the Working Group's request to
develop clarifying definitions and concluded that its initial
statements in the June 2014 final rule that blast chillers and blast
freezers are not walk-ins were in error. DOE observed that, although
the EPCA definition refers to a walk-in as an ``enclosed storage
space'', there is no clarity regarding the meaning of ``storage'' or
the minimum duration for an item to remain in an enclosure to be
considered in ``storage''. Hence, DOE now believes that these
categories of equipment, referred to as ``process cooling equipment''
do fall under the EPCA definition for walk-ins and are subject to
standards. 81 FR at 54934 (August 17, 2016).
The August 2016 TP NOPR went on to discuss DOE's proposal for
defining a walk-in process cooling refrigeration system. DOE
specifically developed this proposal, acknowledging the different
energy use characteristics of process cooling refrigeration systems as
well as their different equipment attributes (as compared to other
walk-in refrigeration systems), to exclude such equipment from being
subject to walk-in refrigeration system performance standards. (Because
DOE now regards process cooling systems as ``walk-in coolers or
freezers,'' they will be subject to the statutory design requirements.)
DOE proposed defining a ``walk-in process cooling refrigeration
system'' as ``a refrigeration system that is used exclusively for
cooling food or other substances from one temperature to another.'' 81
FR at 54936 (August 17, 2016). The proposed definition specified that a
process cooling refrigeration system must either be (1) distributed in
commerce with an enclosure consisting of panels and door(s) such that
the assembled product has a refrigerating capacity of at least 100 Btu/
h per cubic foot of enclosed internal volume or (2) a unit cooler
having an evaporator coil that is at least four-and-one-half (4.5) feet
in height and whose height is at least one-and-one-half (1.5) times the
width. This proposed definition would cover process cooling systems
that are distributed in commerce as part of a complete assembly,
process cooling unit coolers that are distributed separately from the
enclosure, and refrigeration systems that include unit coolers meeting
the process cooling definition. 81 FR at 54954 (August 17, 2016).
DOE noted in the August 2016 TP NOPR that it proposed to consider
process cooling refrigerated insulated enclosures to be walk-ins that
are subject to the prescriptive statutory requirements for walk-ins.
DOE also notes that its discussion and proposals focused on process
cooling refrigeration systems rather than the panels and doors that
make up the insulated enclosure. Hence, DOE intended the exclusions
associated with the proposals to apply only to refrigeration systems
that meet the process cooling definition, and that the exclusions would
be associated with walk-in refrigeration system performance standards.
Id. at 54934-54936. DOE also provided a table in the test procedure
NOPR public meeting presentation to clarify its interpretation of the
applicability of walk-in standards to different components of process
cooling equipment. (Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, Public Meeting
Presentation, No. 3 at p. 30) This table indicated that the proposed
exclusion for process cooling refrigeration systems would apply to,
among other things, dedicated condensing units that are exclusively
distributed in commerce with unit coolers meeting the unit cooler
portion of the process cooling definition. DOE noted in the test
procedure final rule that this exclusion was not explicit in the
proposed definition and was clarifying it to explicitly include such
dedicated condensing units in the definition. 81 FR at 95768 (December
28, 2016).
Importance of Coverage for Process Cooling Equipment
DOE explained in the August 2016 TP NOPR the reasons it believed
that walk-in process cooling equipment should be considered to be
covered under the walk-in definition. See 81 FR at 54934-54936 (August
17, 2016). In the test procedure final rule, DOE ultimately concluded
that this equipment should be covered as walk-in equipment. 81 FR at
95771 (December, 28, 2016). In DOE's view, covering this equipment as a
class of walk-ins is important in furthering DOE's goals for reducing
and limiting energy use because this equipment represents a growing
sector of the refrigeration industry. Process cooling equipment emerged
on the market relatively recently in 1990 to serve a range of food
sales and service applications. (Master-Bilt Blast Chillers, No. 25 at
pp. 2, 3, 10) The global blast chiller market is expected to grow by an

[[Page 31825]]

estimated 4.62% per year from 2016-2020 and North America is expected
to remain a dominant portion of this market.\20\ This growth is the
expected result of increased demand in the food service industry (e.g.,
restaurants, bakeries, catering) and meat processing industry and
growth in the frozen food market.\21\ Hence, DOE believes that there
will be a robust market for process cooling equipment to serve this
growing market need, and that there is a large potential growth in
energy use associated with this market.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\20\ Infinity Research Limited (Technavio), Global Commercial
Blast Chillers Market 2016-2020; Published November 2016; Accessed
November 2016 at www.technavio.com/report/global-miscellaneous-global-commercial-blast-chillers-market-2016-2020.
\21\ Hexa Research, Frozen Food Market Analysis By Product
(Ready Meals, Meat, Seafood, Fruits & Vegetables, Potatoes, Soup)
And Segment Forecasts To 2020; Published November 2014; Accessed
November 2016 at www.hexaresearch.com/research-report/frozen-food-industry/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Process Cooling Equipment Status as Walk-In Equipment
Many commenters argued in response to the August 2016 TP NOPR that
process cooling equipment does not fall under the walk-in definition.
Several of these comments argued that food is not ``stored'' in this
equipment and/or the temperature within it is not ``held'' at a given
temperature for storage purposes. AHRI, Manitowoc, KeepRite, Rheem, and
Hussmann stated that process refrigeration systems are not used for
storage and therefore do not satisfy the statutory definition for a
walk-in as an ``enclosed storage space.'' (Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-
0030; AHRI, No. 11 at p. 5; Manitowoc, No. 10 at p. 3; KeepRite, No. 17
at p. 2; Rheem, No. 18 at p. 3; Hussmann, No. 20 at p. 4) Similarly,
Zero Zone argued that the purpose of process refrigeration systems
conflicts with the dictionary definition of ``storage.'' (Docket No.
EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, Zero Zone, No. 15 at p. 1) American Panel also
explained that product could be dehydrated and damaged if left in the
process cooling equipment for an extended period of time. In its view,
this fact should disqualify process cooling equipment from being
considered as storage space--one of the key elements of the walk-in
definition. (Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, American Panel, No. 7 at
p. 1) AHRI added that the Term Sheet included the recommendation that
DOE define process cooling for the purpose of clarifying that process
cooling equipment are not included in the scope of WICFs. (Docket No.
EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, AHRI, No. 11 at p. 5)
Commenters reiterated many of these statements in response to the
September 2016 NOPR. Hussmann, Zero Zone, Manitowoc, Rheem, and AHRI
argued that process cooling refrigeration systems do not fit the EPCA
definition of a WICF ``enclosed storage space.'' (42 U.S.C. 6311 (20)).
Manitowoc, Rheem, and AHRI also stated that the inclusion of these
equipment was not discussed in the ASRAC negotiations and requested
that process cooling refrigeration systems be removed from the scope of
the WICF test procedure and be specifically excluded from the WICF
energy conservation standard and the EPCA prescriptive requirements.
(Hussmann, No. 83 at p. 2; Zero Zone, No. 88 at p. 1; Manitowoc, No. 82
at pp. 1-2; Rheem, No. 91 at p. 2; AHRI, No. 90 at p. 2)
Conversely, the CA IOUs supported classifying process cooling
equipment as WICF equipment, which would require the refrigeration
systems, panels, and doors of process cooling equipment to meet the
prescriptive standards set by EISA 2007. Further, they supported
applying the June 2014 final rule WICF standards and the proposed
standards to process cooling panels, doors, and dedicated condensing
units not sold as part of a ``matched pair'' with a unit cooler. (CA
IOUs, No. 80 at p. 2) (The R-value requirements for panels and doors
are carry-overs from EISA 2007.)
EPCA defines ``walk-in cooler'' and ``walk-in freezer'' as an
enclosed storage space refrigerated to temperatures, respectively,
above, and at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit that can be walked into,
and has a total chilled storage area of less than 3,000 square feet.
(42 U.S.C. 6311(20)(A)) While EPCA does not define the component terms
``storage'' or ``can be walked into'' used in the walk-in definition,
it does expressly exclude certain equipment from the definition (i.e.
equipment designed and marketed exclusively for medical, scientific, or
research purposes). (42 U.S.C. 6311(20)(B))
Commenters appear to be arguing that a unit must hold contents for
some minimum time-period to meet the ``storage'' element of the
definition but offered no suggested time period for DOE to consider in
applying this definition. The statutory definition of ``walk-in cooler
and walk-in freezer'' does not indicate a specific timing requirement
or provide further information about when the use of a space
constitutes storage. Further, although dictionary definitions of
``storage'' indicate that the contents be kept for some period of time,
no specific period is provided.\22\ As noted in the August 2016 TP
NOPR, the Working Group recommended that DOE define ``storage space''--
which suggests that the term is ambiguous. 81 FR at 54934 (August 17,
2016). DOE acknowledges that the role of a process cooler or freezer is
to chill food rapidly (to approach the temperature of the cooler or
freezer, respectively), and one could interpret ``storage space'' to
mean a space the primary purpose of which is storage. However, that
understanding of ``storage space'' would be incongruous in the context
of walk-in coolers and freezers. The purpose of such equipment is not
simply storage per se, like a warehouse; it is storage at cold
temperatures. Storage at cold temperatures necessarily encompasses
chilling the items to be stored until they reach the temperature of the
storage space, because items are rarely at exactly the storage
temperature when they arrive to a walk-in cooler or freezer. A process
cooler or freezer chills items more quickly than many walk-ins, but DOE
regards that difference as being a difference in degree, not a
fundamental difference in kind that makes a process cooler ``chilling''
equipment and not ``storage'' equipment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\22\ ``Storage: 1. The act of storing; state or fact of being
stored. 2. capacity or space for storing. 3. a place, as a room or
building, for storing. 4. Computers. memory (def 11). 5. the price
charged for storing goods.'' en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/storage. ``Storage: 1a: Space or a place for storing b: An amount
stored c: Memory; 2a: The act of storing: The state of being stored;
especially: The safekeeping of goods in a depository (as a
warehouse) b: The price charged for keeping goods in a storehouse.''
www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/storage.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

DOE notes that Recommendation #7 from WICF Term Sheet (which
contains the only mention of process cooling in the Term Sheet)
recommended that DOE add ``WICF specific definitions for process
cooling, preparation room refrigeration, and storage space.'' (Term
Sheet, No. 56 at p. 3) This recommendation does not state that these
categories of equipment are excluded from the scope of WICFs. In fact,
a comment received in response to the initial 2013 notice of proposed
rulemaking for energy conservation standards stated that process
cooling equipment would appear to fall within the walk-in definition.
(Docket No. EERE-2008-BT-STD-0015, Hussmann, No. 93 at pp. 2, 8-9) In
re-examining that comment, along with other information and materials
since the publication of the June 2014 final rule, DOE has reconsidered
its prior views on process cooling equipment.
As noted in the August 2016 TP NOPR, contents are placed in process

[[Page 31826]]

cooling equipment for at least a brief period of time to reduce their
temperature. 81 FR at 54934 (August 17, 2016). When asked during the
public meeting how long the products remain in a process cooling system
when they are being cooled, American Panel noted that, although the
Food and Drug Administration and NSF International have recommended
maximum processing times, there is no industry-specified minimum or
maximum processing duration for blast chillers or blast freezers.
(Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, American Panel, Public Meeting
Transcript, No. 23 at p. 48) DOE notes that the 2013 FDA Food Code
requires that food starting at 135 [deg]F be cooled to 70 [deg]F within
2 hours and to 41 [deg]F within 6 hours (FDA 2013 Food Code, Chapter 3,
Section 501.14(A)), while NSF requires that rapid pulldown
refrigerators and freezers be able to reduce food temperature from 135
[deg]F to 40 [deg]F in 4-hours. (NSF/ANSI 7-2009, section 10.5.1) These
time periods differ significantly and are substantially longer than the
90-minute pulldown times discussed in the June 2014 final rule. (79 FR
at 32068 (June 3, 2014)). This observation underscores American Panel's
statement that there is no standard maximum processing time. Also,
while DOE recognizes that product may remain in process cooling
equipment for a short period of time, this fact alone does not
necessarily clarify that the equipment cannot be considered to have a
storage function. The period of time a product can be held in a cooler
or freezer without sustaining some damage can be expected to vary
product by product, depending on a variety of factors including,
whether the product is chilled or frozen, its packaging when inserted
into the equipment (e.g., what type and size container it is in,
whether or not it is covered, etc.), moisture content, size of the
individual food pieces, and other factors. Commenters did not provide
any indication of how long food products can remain in process cooling
equipment after completion of cooldown before they must be removed to
avoid damage--hence, making it difficult to draw clear distinctions
between residence time in this equipment and lengths of time that would
be associated with ``storage.''
Absent a definitive time-period to delineate the use of space as
storage space, DOE considered the design and operation of process
cooling equipment with other equipment falling within the WICF
definition. DOE considers that design and operation are reflective of
the function of equipment (i.e., whether it constitutes storage space)
because these two elements are necessary components in determining the
function or purpose of a given type of equipment.
Manitowoc and AHRI argued in response to the August 2016 TP NOPR
that the panels and doors used by process cooling systems are not the
same as those used in other WICF systems and therefore the WICF
prescriptive requirements should not apply. (Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-
TP-0030, Manitowoc, No. 10 at p. 3; AHRI, No. 11 at p. 5) Manitowoc and
AHRI did not clarify how the panels and doors are different, and
provided no indication that process coolers needed specific utility
features that would justify the use of different efficiency levels or
be the basis for relief from the performance requirements that are
already in place. DOE notes that this discussion of panels and doors
did not provide any clarity as to whether process cooling equipment
provides any storage function.
In the context of blast chillers, American Panel noted that while
the panels and doors for this equipment were similar to those used in
other walk-ins, the refrigeration systems used in blast chillers are
designed and used very differently from walk-ins--a fact that, in its
view, necessitated that these (and similar process cooling equipment)
be treated separately from walk-ins. (Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030,
American Panel, No. 7 at p. 1) American Panel did not clarify how the
refrigeration systems are designed differently, in spite of DOE's
request for data or information on the qualities, characteristics, or
features specific to the refrigeration system that would cause a
process refrigeration system to be unable to meet a walk-in
refrigeration system standard. See 81 FR at 54950 (August 17, 2016).
American Panel, however, asserted that blast chillers and shock
freezers differ from walk-ins in that they have an on/off switch, they
do not reach a stable condition until the pulldown cycle ends, either
automatically or manually, and they rely on the user to stop and
restart the cycle. (Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, American Panel,
No. 7 at p. 1) In its view, all of these features differed from the
operation of walk-ins, which typically operate continuously and
independent of user action, being connected to power at all times. DOE
notes that this description of refrigeration equipment operation also
applies to other walk-in systems. The walk-in refrigeration system is
sized so that its capacity is greater than the walk-in box load.
Equation 1, for example, in AHRI 1250-2009, indicates that the box load
for a walk-in is 70 percent of the net refrigeration system capacity at
the design temperature for conditions outside the box. Hence, a walk-in
refrigeration system does not achieve steady state operation--it relies
on a thermostat to shut the system off at the desired internal
temperature (e.g., 35 [deg]F for a walk-in cooler) as the refrigeration
system is pulling down temperature to what would be a lower steady-
state temperature. As American Panel indicated, a process cooling
system does not reach stable operation until the pulldown cycle has
ended and an automatic control may end the cycle to transition the
system from the pulldown cycle into stable operation. This ending of
the pulldown with an automatic control is the same as a walk-in
system's pulldown cycle ending by a thermostat. Hence, in DOE's view,
American Panel's observations do not provide a clear distinction
between process cooling and other walk-in equipment since the
fundamental operational characteristics remain the same.
American Panel also contended that, because a blast chiller's
operation changes continuously and the equipment exhibits no stable
operating condition, it cannot be tested to a rated AWEF and a test
procedure cannot be applied. (Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, American
Panel, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 23 at pp. 46-47, 56, 78) American
Panel added that, if the test procedure were to be updated to include
blast chiller performance testing, the food industry would support
using NSF's testing methods for rapid pulldown refrigeration as a
starting point. (Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, American Panel, No.
07 at p. 2) DOE notes first that a performance-based test procedure
requiring steady state operation is not necessary for process cooling
refrigeration systems, because equipment meeting the definition is
excluded from the walk-in refrigeration system performance
standards,\23\ and, hence, a method for measuring AWEF for such
equipment is not needed. However, DOE notes also that a blast chiller
refrigeration system appears to have no steady operating condition
because its capacity is so much larger per insulated box internal
volume than for other walk-ins. Once the products have been pulled down
to the specified temperature, the walls of the box do not transmit
sufficient load to prevent the internal box temperature from dropping
further--i.e. the box does

[[Page 31827]]

not absorb enough heat to prevent its interior from becoming colder. If
the same refrigeration system were serving a much larger box, the
internal temperature may very well stabilize to a steady-state
operating temperature. Conducting a test to determine the system's AWEF
would require testing the equipment with a test chamber whose indoor-
room conditioning system has enough heating capacity to balance the
refrigeration system's cooling capacity. Hence, the difference between
a process cooling refrigeration system and other walk-in refrigeration
systems is a function of the magnitude of capacity, rather than any
fundamental difference in the operation of the equipment. While the
magnitude of capacity is relevant to how quickly a unit lowers the
temperature of its contents, and may be instructive as to the duration
of storage, it does not inform the fundamental consideration of whether
a unit provides any storage.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\23\ DOE notes that this exclusion does not apply to condensing
units distributed in commerce individually, because, as discussed
elsewhere in this section, they are indistinguishable from other
walk-in refrigeration systems.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Process cooling equipment such as blast chillers and blast
freezers, despite any asserted differences, have several
characteristics in common with more conventional walk-ins that make
them capable of serving the function of refrigerated product storage.
These characteristics include having an insulated enclosure made of
insulated panels and a door (or doors) sufficiently large that the
enclosure can be walked into, and being cooled with a refrigeration
system consisting of a dedicated condensing unit and a refrigerant
evaporator that operates using forced convection heat transfer (i.e.,
enhanced by air movement created by a fan). The panels and doors are
fabricated with a sheet metal exterior shell around insulation that
serves as a thermal barrier. The panels and/or door may also have a
multi-pane window to allow viewing of the interior of the enclosure
from the outside. The doors have hinges or another mechanism to allow
opening for access to the enclosure interior, with a latching mechanism
to ensure positive closure when shut. The refrigeration system can
operate to cool the enclosure to refrigerated temperatures. Product can
be placed in the refrigerated enclosure. If the product is not already
at the temperature of the internal refrigerated space, the product's
temperature will drop, approaching the temperature of the interior, due
to transfer of heat to the air within the enclosure; otherwise the
product temperature remains at the average internal temperature until
removed from the enclosure. As discussed above, while some of the
details of the design of such systems differ from other walk-ins, these
equipment generally resemble all walk-ins and are capable of serving
the function of refrigerated product storage.
AHRI, Manitowoc, and Rheem also asserted that process cooling
equipment is inconsistent with the term ``walk-in'' because a person
cannot walk into a process cooling enclosure during operation. (Docket
No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, AHRI, No. 11 at p. 5; Manitowoc, No. 10 at p.
3; Rheem, No. 18 at p. 3) However, DOE notes that the walk-in
definition does not specify when the equipment can be walked into--it
simply states that the equipment must be one ``that can be walked
into.'' (42 U.S.C. 6311(20)(A))
In interpreting the ``walk-in cooler and freezer'' definition, DOE
also considered the terms in the context of EPCA's WICF provisions as a
whole. EPCA establishes a number of prescriptive requirements for
WICFs. (42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(1)) While not dispositive, none of the
prescriptive requirements conflicts with including process cooling
equipment as a class of walk-in. Additionally, Congress has already
spoken to the groups of equipment that are excluded from the walk-in
definition by listing specific equipment (i.e., ones designed and
marketed exclusively for medical, scientific, or research purposes)
that would be walk-ins. (42 U.S.C. 6311(20)(B)) Process cooling
equipment is not part of this listing, which suggests that Congress did
not contemplate that this equipment would be excluded from being
treated as a class of walk-in equipment.
In consideration of these factors, DOE has determined that process
cooling equipment falls within the EPCA definition of ``walk-in
cooler'' and ``walk-in freezer.'' While products may not be able to be
stored in process cooling equipment on a long-term basis, products are
still stored in process cooling equipment at least for the duration
they are cooled. If Congress had intended to limit the application of
the walk-in definition to include only long-term storage, it could have
done so when crafting the final language of the statute. Congress, in
fact, did not limit what comprises storage space. Moreover, when
comparing the design and function of process cooling equipment with
other WICFs, DOE was unable to determine a distinction with regard to
storage.
AHRI, Manitowoc, KeepRite, Rheem, and Hussmann argued that
including process cooling equipment in the definitions of walk-in
cooler and walk-in freezer would be inconsistent with DOE's proposed
definition for refrigerated storage space, ``as space held at
refrigerated temperatures'' since process cooling equipment does not
hold a specific temperature but changes the temperature of the
contents. (Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, AHRI, No. 11 at p. 5;
Manitowoc, No. 10 at p. 3; KeepRite, No. 17 at p. 2; Rheem, No. 18 at
p. 3; Hussmann, No. 20 at p. 4) DOE notes that comments submitted by
Bally describe process cooling equipment as operating at ``cold
temperatures (min. of 5 [deg]F)'' and having ``doors [that] must stay
condensate free while the air temperature is at 5 [deg]F.'' (Docket No.
EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, Bally, No. 22 at p. 1) These descriptions suggest
control of temperature within the blast chiller is held at the minimum
5 [deg]F--in other words, the interior is held at a temperature near 5
[deg]F. This fact suggests that process cooling equipment can (and do)
hold temperatures, contrary to the comments. Nevertheless, DOE notes
that the proposed definition for refrigerated storage space as ``space
held at refrigerated temperatures'' does not require that the
temperature be held at a discrete constant value--instead, it only
requires that the space is held at a temperature consistent with
``refrigerated,'' i.e., ``held at a temperature at or below 55
[deg]F''. The spaces within blast chillers and freezers are held below
55 [deg]F and, thus are consistent with the definition of
``refrigerated storage space.''
NAFEM also weighed in on this issue generally, arguing that blast
chillers should not be considered within the scope of the walk-in
definition because there is no appropriate test procedure for blast
chillers. (Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, NAFEM, No. 14 at p. 1)
However, EPCA's walk-in definition does not stipulate that its scope
extends only to equipment for which there is a test procedure. In fact,
EPCA mandated prescriptive standards for walk-ins that took effect (on
January 1, 2009, see 42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(1)) before DOE finalized a test
procedure on April 15, 2011 for measuring a given unit's energy
efficiency. 76 FR 21580. Similarly, in response to American Panel's
comment that a process cooling refrigeration system is not a walk-in
because it cannot be rated with an AWEF, satisfaction of the separate
statutory prescriptive requirements specified in the statute (e.g. use
of certain componentry, satisfaction of certain thermal insulation
thresholds for doors and panels, and installation of devices to
minimize infiltration) have no direct bearing on the AWEF value of a
given refrigeration system. Hence, the question of whether a given
walk-in

[[Page 31828]]

refrigeration system can be rated with this metric has no bearing on
whether the equipment is a walk-in.
Manitowoc, Rheem, and AHRI also noted that an ASHRAE Special
Project Committee (``SPC'') has been formed to draft a relevant testing
standard titled, ``Method of Testing for (Rating) Small Commercial
Blast Chillers, Chiller/Freezers, and Freezers.'' They argued that in
light of this work, it is premature to define process cooling systems
while this new industry standard is still under development. (Docket
No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, Manitowoc, No. 10 at p. 3; Rheem, No. 18 at
p. 3; AHRI, No. 11 at p. 5) DOE notes that the WICF Working Group,
which included Manitowoc and Rheem, requested that DOE develop a
definition for process cooling. Before the finalization of the WICF
Term Sheet on December 15, 2015, DOE was not aware of any announcement
from ASHRAE SPC regarding the start of its work. Nevertheless, the SPC
has not finished its work, and the commenters did not provide any
indication of what equipment definitions the SPC is considering.
Accordingly, DOE has finalized its definition in the manner proposed,
based on the industry input provided. DOE may consider revising its
``process cooling'' definition if necessary once the ASHRAE rating
method for blast chillers, chiller/freezers, and freezers is complete.
Finally, DOE notes that the CA IOUs supported treating process
cooling as a subset category of WICF equipment. Further, they supported
requiring process cooling panels, doors, and dedicated condensing units
not sold as part of a ``matched-pair with a unit cooler'' to meet the
June 2014 final rule WICF standards and the proposed standards under
consideration. (Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, CA IOUs, No. 21 at p.
2)
As described in the August 2016 TP NOPR, DOE concluded that while
process cooling enclosures that resemble walk-ins are within the scope
of walk-ins, it proposed to exclude some of the refrigeration systems
of these process cooler walk-ins from the performance-based standards
established and in development for WICF refrigeration systems. 81 FR at
54934-54937 (August 17, 2016). For the reasons described earlier, DOE
has not revised its proposed approach after review of the comments, and
believes that its definition, as adopted in the December 2016 TP final
rule, satisfies the recommendations of the Working Group Term Sheet.
Distinguishing Characteristics of Process Cooling Refrigeration Systems
DOE received few comments regarding the distinguishing
characteristics proposed for process cooling refrigeration systems. In
fact, only one of the commenters mentioned any characteristic of the
refrigeration system condensing unit of a process cooling system that
might distinguish it from the equipment serving other walk-ins--Bally
commented that the condensing units are not unique to blast chillers,
except with respect to extra receiver capacity. (Docket No. EERE-2016-
BT-TP-0030, Bally, No. 22 at p. 1) However, DOE would not consider a
larger receiver to be a sufficient difference to distinguish these
condensing units since using a larger receiver would not affect steady
state energy use as measured by the test procedure, since the receiver
itself does not consume energy and does not contribute significantly to
the heat transfer function of the condenser. Furthermore, there is a
range of refrigerant receiver capacities used in walk-in refrigeration
systems and it is not clear that there is an appropriate receiver
capacity threshold that would indicate that a condensing unit is used
for process cooling rather than for other walk-in functions--neither
Bally nor other commenters suggested such a threshold value.
Consequently, DOE would not consider a larger receiver to distinguish
process cooling condensing units. Absent any other clear distinguishing
feature, DOE must conclude that the condensing units used for process
cooling are no different than those used for other walk-ins.
Lennox recommended that the evaporator coil height, width, and
depth be defined on a diagram accompanying the proposed definition to
prevent a misinterpretation of the dimensions. (Docket No. EERE-2016-
BT-TP-0030, Lennox, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 23 at p. 40) Lennox
provided a diagram to illustrate this in its written comments (Docket
No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, Lennox, No. 13 at p. 8) In reviewing this
diagram, DOE agreed that the dimensions shown in the provided diagram
are consistent with the proposed definition's intent and agrees that a
diagram would be useful to clarify the applicable dimensions.
Accordingly, the test procedure final rule incorporates a diagram based
on the one submitted by Lennox to clarify the process cooling
definition. 81 FR at 95772 (December 28, 2016).
With respect to blast freezers, Bally noted that some of these
equipment use horizontally-oriented evaporator units and some non-
process cooling refrigeration systems chill their contents using a
circular pattern. In its view, because of the absence of any standard
orientation or chilling pattern for process cooling and non-process
cooling refrigeration systems, these design characteristics are not
useful for differentiating process refrigeration systems. (Docket No.
EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, Bally, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 23 at pp.
41-42) DOE notes that a horizontally-oriented evaporator that is not
part of a unit cooler as defined would not be subject to the unit
cooler standards, nor would it, as a matched pair with a dedicated
condensing unit, be subject to the dedicated condensing unit standards.
In order to clarify the extension of this exclusion to matched pairs
including such evaporators, DOE has modified the process cooling
refrigeration system definition to explicitly list dedicated condensing
units that are distributed in commerce exclusively with evaporators
that are not unit coolers. 81 FR at 95772 (December 28, 2016).
Alternatively, Bally suggested that airflow rate may be a good
characteristic for differentiating process refrigeration systems from
other walk-in refrigeration systems. (Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030,
Bally, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 23 at p. 44) American Panel
expressed concern with the use of a cooling capacity per enclosed
volume rating to differentiate process cooling equipment because the
equipment may be used to process different quantities or densities of
product at different times--a condition which may prevent a given blast
chiller from satisfying a definition based on cooling capacity per
enclosed volume. (Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, American Panel,
Public Meeting Transcript, No. 23 at pp. 38-39) DOE had considered
airflow rate or air velocity to distinguish process cooling
evaporators, noting that evaporator fan power, velocity, or air flow of
a unit cooler could be atypically high for a number of reasons,
including the use of inefficient fans or motors, long air ``throw''
distance, and other factors. (See 81 FR at 54936 (August 17, 2016)) For
example, DOE's investigation of evaporator fan horsepower showed that
the horsepower for process cooling evaporator fans, although generally
higher than for other walk-in evaporators, is not always higher than
all such other walk-in evaporators--a potential overlapping fact that
lessens the value of using horsepower as a clear distinguishing
characteristic. Hence, DOE concluded that there would be too much
overlap with other WICF unit

[[Page 31829]]

coolers on the basis of these parameters. DOE notes that Bally's
submission did not provide sufficient information or data that would
support the use of a specific air flow rate on which DOE could rely
that would serve as the basis for distinguishing process coolers from
other walk-in refrigeration systems. With respect to American Panel's
concerns, DOE notes that its comments provided no alternative value of
cooling load per volume for DOE to consider that would enable one to
readily distinguish process cooling refrigeration systems from non-
process cooling refrigeration systems. While American Panel seems to
suggest that the capacity of the refrigeration system would depend on
the load inserted into a process cooler, DOE disagrees, because the
capacity cited in the proposed definition is the refrigeration system's
net capacity when determined in a manner consistent with the prescribed
walk-in test conditions--this capacity depends on the refrigeration
system characteristics, not on how much product is being cooled.
Specifically, when testing a condensing unit alone, the test calls for
maintaining certain operating conditions (see, e.g., tables 11 through
14 of AHRI 1250-2009, which specify air and refrigerant entering
conditions and refrigerant exiting subcooling condition, but nothing
about the quantity of product being cooled). No commenters provided
specific suggestions regarding the appropriateness of the proposed 100
Btu/h per cubic foot, i.e., what lower value would be more appropriate.
Additionally, commenters provided no other suggestions regarding more
appropriate distinguishing characteristics to use for process cooling
refrigeration systems, and none provided specific quantified values for
recommended parameters to use in the definition. Hence, DOE is largely
adopting the approach contained in its proposed definition.
However, to address the comments regarding the inconsistency of the
``storage'' aspect of walk-ins with the pulldown of product temperature
in process cooling equipment, DOE will modify the definition to
identify refrigeration systems that are ``capable of rapidly cooling
food or other substances'' rather than systems that are ``used
exclusively'' for this purpose. Also, in order to clarify that the
enclosure that uses these refrigeration systems is insulated, DOE will
insert ``insulated'' before the word ``enclosure'' in the definition.
KPS raised concern regarding the precision of the process cooling
definition, indicating that ``blast chillers'' and ``blast freezers''
are used by customers and manufacturers to describe a range of product
types. (Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, KPS, No. 8 at p. 1) KPS did
not, however, elaborate on what other types of equipment should be
addressed (or excluded) by DOE's proposed definition. DOE is aware, for
example, of blast chillers and freezers that are smaller than walk-ins
and that might be considered ``reach-in process cooling equipment,''
i.e., process cooling equipment which the user reaches into rather than
walks into to insert or remove product. This terminology is consistent
with the term ``reach-in'' used with commercial refrigeration equipment
(see, e.g., Double Door Refrigerator, No. 93) However, DOE is not
concerned that such equipment would be confused with walk-in process
cooling equipment, because such reach-in equipment cannot be walked
into.
Impact on Refrigeration System Energy Conservation Standards
As discussed above, process cooling refrigeration systems generally
are not subject to the energy conservation system standards that are
the subject of this final rule notice. DOE explicitly established the
process cooling refrigeration system definition in acknowledgement that
the energy use of these systems may not be adequately represented by
the AWEF metric used to represent the efficiency of other walk-in
refrigeration systems. Consequently, this equipment has little bearing
on the analysis conducted for this rulemaking or the efficiency levels
considered as potential standard levels. Nevertheless, walk-in process
cooling equipment is subject to other standards, notably the EPCA
prescriptive design standards and the standards for panels and doors as
prescribed by the June 2014 final rule.
b. Preparation Room Refrigeration Systems
Hussmann, Zero Zone, Manitowoc, Rheem, and AHRI argued that
preparation room refrigeration systems do not fit the EPCA definition
of a WICF ``enclosed storage space.'' (42 U.S.C. 6311 (20)). Manitowoc,
Rheem, and AHRI also stated that the inclusion of these equipment was
not discussed in the ASRAC negotiations and requested that preparation
room refrigeration systems be removed from the scope of the WICF test
procedure and be specifically excluded from the WICF energy
conservation standard and the EPCA prescriptive requirements.
(Hussmann, No. 83 at p. 2; Zero Zone, No. 88 at p. 1 Manitowoc, No. 82
at pp. 1-2; Rheem, No. 91 at p. 2; AHRI, No. 90 at p. 2) Stakeholders
expressed similar comments in response to the August 2016 TP NOPR. DOE
responded to these comments in the December 2016 TP final rule,
providing extensive discussion supporting its position, and concluding
that preparation room refrigeration systems are indistinguishable from
other walk-in refrigeration systems, and hence are subject to the walk-
in refrigeration system energy conservation standards. 81 FR at 95773-
95774 (December 28, 2016).
c. Single-Package Dedicated System
The CA IOUs agreed that AHRI 1250-2009 is an appropriate test
procedure for ``packaged dedicated systems'' and suggested the term
``packaged dedicated system'' be changed to ``single-package dedicated
system'' or ``self-contained units,'' in order to improve clarity and
align regulatory and industry language. (CA IOUs, No. 80 at pp. 2-3)
Conversely, Manitowoc, Rheem, and AHRI argued that packaged
dedicated units be excluded from the scope of the WICF test procedure
and specifically excluded from EPCA's prescriptive design requirements
and energy conservation standards because their proposed inclusion was
neither discussed in the ASRAC negotiations nor a part of the Term
Sheet approved by the Working Group. (Manitowoc, No. 82 at pp. 1-2;
Rheem, No. 91 at p. 2; AHRI, No. 90 at p. 2)
DOE notes that section 2.1 of AHRI 1250-2009 states that the scope
of this testing standard ``applies to mechanical refrigeration
equipment consisting of an integrated single package refrigeration unit
[emphasis added], or separate unit cooler and condensing unit sections,
where the condensing section can be located either outdoor or indoor.''
AHRI 1250-2009, section 2.1.
DOE agreed that the suggested use of the term ``single-package
dedicated refrigeration system'' would provide further clarity,
indicating much more precisely what this equipment is, and is
consistent with the approach used for air-conditioning units. DOE
adopted the suggested term from the CA-IOUs in its December 2016 TP
final rule. 81 FR at 95764 (December 28, 2016).
DOE notes that the definition for ``refrigeration system'' was
established in the context of walk-ins to include ``(1) A packaged
dedicated system where the unit cooler and condensing unit are
integrated into a single piece of equipment'' in its April 15, 2011
final rule establishing test procedures for WICFs. 73 FR at 21605. In
DOE's view, packaged systems are walk-in refrigeration systems and are
subject to

[[Page 31830]]

the applicable prescriptive standards established by Congress through
EISA 2007 along with the performance standards that DOE prescribes for
these systems.\24\ DOE notes that this view is not restricted to DOE,
as two manufacturers confirmed that a single-package refrigeration
system is a type of dedicated condensing system on two occasions during
the Working Group meetings. (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016; Lennox,
Public Meeting Transcript (October 16, 2015), No. 63 at pp. 249-251;
Rheem, Public Meeting Transcript (December 3, 2015), No. 57 at p. 157).
Also, DOE notes that the Term Sheet included no indication that these
systems are excluded. (Term Sheet, No. 56) Thus, DOE disagrees that
these systems are not considered to be WICF refrigeration systems
subject to WICF standards, including the prescriptive standards
mandated by EPCA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\24\ With respect to these prescriptive requirements, DOE notes
that the relevant statutory provision does not indicate that the
promulgation of performance standards supplants those standards that
Congress already mandated through its enactment of EISA 2007.
Accordingly, because there is no explicit authority in this instance
for DOE to override a statutorily-prescribed standard, the initial
design requirements established by Congress continue to apply. See
42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(1)-(5) (detailing prescriptive design requirements
for certain walk-in components and the process by which DOE must
prescribe separate walk-in performance-based standards).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

d. Hot Gas Defrost
Lennox agreed with the removal of the hot gas defrost credit from
the test procedure, and recommended that, as a replacement for this
removal, that DOE adopt an approach where hot gas defrost models would
be assigned the AWEF value of an equivalent electric defrost model.
Lennox defined an equivalent electric defrost model as one within +/-
10% of the net capacity of the rated hot gas model. If an equivalent
electric defrost model is not available, Lennox recommended that an
AEDM could be used to determine a hot gas model's AWEF rating. (Lennox,
No. 89 at pp. 5-6) DOE also received numerous comments regarding the
treatment of hot gas defrost units in response to the test procedure
NOPR, several of which recommended similar or identical approaches. DOE
discussed these comments and responded to them in the test procedure
final rule, establishing an approach that includes testing such units
as if they are electric defrost units, using standardized energy and
defrost thermal load contributions in the AWEF calculations. 81 FR at
95774-95777 (December 28, 2016).
e. High-Temperature Freezers
Lennox requested that DOE allow manufacturers to publish
application ratings of medium temperature condensing units to cover the
high temperature freezer application range (room temperature of 10
[deg]F to 32 [deg]F) and allow sale for that use. Due to the
limitations of low-GWP refrigerants approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's (``EPA's'') Significant New Alternatives Policy
(``SNAP''), Lennox noted that only medium temperature condensing units
are able to operate in this range and thus preventing manufacturers
from selling these units for this application would violate EPCA's
mandate that a new standard shall not result in the unavailability of
any product type, features, sizes, capacities and volumes (42 U.S.C.
6295(o)(4)). Further, it suggested that such a limitation would lessen
``the utility or performance'' of this equipment (as contemplated under
42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(IV)) because in today's marketplace,
manufacturers publish application data for medium temperature
condensing units covering this application range. Lennox also argued
that creating a new equipment class or allowing test procedure waivers
for these cases will add to manufacturer burden (i.e., additional
testing, certification, and marketing costs) without passing any
benefit along to customers or improving energy efficiency performance.
Finally, Lennox provided test data for 12 medium temperature and 11 low
temperature condensing units showing that the medium temperature units
actually achieve a higher AWEF value than the low temperature units
when operating at the 10 [deg]F test condition. In its view, allowing
manufacturers to market and sell their medium temperature units for
this application range may actually result in better energy efficiency
performance. (Lennox, No. 89 at pp. 2-5)
As explained in the test procedure final rule, DOE requires that
equipment that is distributed in commerce consistent with the
definitions for multiple equipment classes must be certified for all
such classes. 81 FR 95791 (December 28, 2016). Lennox's assertions
regarding the potential lessening of utility or performance or the
unavailability of any product type, features, sizes, capacities and
volumes are undercut by the available data, which show that all of the
equipment performance projections--including those provided in Lennox's
comments--exceed the minimum AWEF standard proposed by DOE by a large
margin (i.e., have a higher energy efficiency performance than the
proposed standard). (Lennox, No. 89 at p. 4) Hence, the proposed (and
final) standard's stringency will not make these equipment unavailable
or reduce their utility.
3. Rulemaking Timeline
DOE issued the test procedure final rule on December 2, 2016. DOE
issued the energy conservation standard NOPR on August 30, 2016 and
published it on September 13, 2016. 81 FR 62980. The comment period for
the energy conservation standard NOPR closed on November 14, 2016.
AHRI, Hussmann and Zero Zone commented on DOE's timeline in
conducting concurrent test procedure and energy conservation standard
rulemakings. (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, AHRI, No. 90, at pp. 2-
3; Hussmann, No. 83, at p. 2; Zero Zone, No. 88, at p. 1) Hussmann
stated that overlapping NOPRs and comment review periods are not
adequate. Zero Zone suggested that DOE should not finalize energy
conservation standard levels until the test procedure is finalized.
AHRI expressed concern that the concurrent rulemakings present a
challenge to stakeholders commenting on both proposals. AHRI indicated
its view that DOE's proposal is different from the Working Group Term
Sheet. Further, AHRI reiterated its requests that DOE's test procedure
should exclude ``packaged units,'' ``process refrigeration systems''
and ``preparation room refrigeration systems'' and amend the proposed
standards to specifically exclude these equipment from coverage under
those standards.
As described in Section II.A, the negotiated rulemaking that led to
the Term Sheet setting out the standards that DOE is adopting in this
final rule also produced recommendations (with ASRAC's approval) that
DOE modify its test procedure for walk-in refrigeration systems. The
test procedure changes at issue specifically address the Term Sheet
recommendations, i.e., that DOE amend the test procedure to clarify the
scope of equipment classes covered by the regulations, (Term Sheet
Recommendations #1 and #7, No. 56 at pp. 1-3), and remove from the test
procedure any test methods associated with technology options deemed by
the Working Group to be inappropriate for consideration under the
standards rulemaking (Term Sheet Recommendations #2, #3, and #4, No. 56
at p. 2). DOE issued a pre-publication version of the test procedure
NOPR on July 29, 2016 and immediately made it available for stakeholder
review, thus

[[Page 31831]]

giving an extended period for consideration of the test procedure
clarifications and simplifications. DOE amended the test procedure
consistent with its understanding of the approach agreed upon by the
various parties who participated in the negotiated rulemaking.
DOE notes that the test procedure NOPR proposed no changes to the
test methods used to determine equipment efficiency levels, other than
the amendments made, consistent with the Term Sheet, of removing the
test provisions for hot gas defrost, and requiring the demonstration of
compliance without the use of adaptive defrost or on-cycle evaporator
fans. In light of these facts, in DOE's view, stakeholders had
sufficient notice and information regarding these specific aspects
related to the test procedure. No additional time was needed to
consider these aspects of the proposed amendments beyond that which DOE
already provided during its negotiated rulemaking meetings and the
proposal itself.
DOE notes also that comments were received in response to the
energy conservation standard NOPR, and that some of these addressed
interaction between the energy conservation standard and the test
procedure, thus indicating that commenters had time to voice concerns
regarding such interactions. Further, DOE notes that none of the
comments recommended that the proposed standard levels should be
changed if the final test procedure were as proposed in the test
procedure NOPR. As mentioned above, there were no proposed changes to
the test methods other than those recommended by the Working Group--
hence, since there is no measurement change, there is no basis for
consideration of any standards adjustment associated with measurement
change. Finally the test method of the final rule is identical to that
of the NOPR, so stakeholder comments made on the basis of the proposed
test procedure would have been equally relevant on the basis of the
finalized test procedure.\25\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\25\ The test procedure final rule did modify the approach for
testing hot gas defrost systems to make the test for such units
consistent with tests for electric defrost units. However, this
change is consistent with the Term Sheet removal of hot gas defrost
as a design option and simply puts hot gas and electric defrost
units on the same footing. See additional discussion in section
IV.A.2.d.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additionally, commenters indicated that it was the inclusion of
what they claim to be additional equipment categories in the scope of
the standards that, in their view, goes beyond the agreements reached
during the ASRAC negotiations and presented a timing challenge with the
rulemakings because the test procedure proposals affecting scope would
have a direct bearing on stakeholders' consideration of the standard
levels (see, e.g., AHRI, No. 90 at pp. 2, 3). Commenters specifically
mentioned single-package dedicated refrigeration systems, preparation
room refrigeration systems, and process cooling refrigeration systems
as categories that were added to the scope of coverage by the test
procedure rulemaking, thus creating the need for more time for
consideration of the standard levels. (Id.)
In response, DOE does not agree that more time was needed for
consideration of the standard levels because DOE does not believe that
the test procedure NOPR or final rule extended the regulatory scope of
the proposed refrigeration system standards to new equipment, as
suggested by AHRI and other manufacturers. First, there is no record
indicating that single-package dedicated refrigeration systems were not
included as part of the Working Group discussions. The inclusion of
this equipment category was confirmed on two occasions during the
Working Group meetings by manufacturer representatives (Docket No.
EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016; Lennox, Public Meeting Transcript (October 16,
2015), No. 63 at pp. 249-251; Rheem, Public Meeting Transcript
(December 3, 2015), No. 57 at p. 157) There was no subsequent
discussion to exclude single-package dedicated systems and the Term
Sheet does not indicate any such exclusion. DOE clarified at least as
far back as the June 2014 energy conservation standard final rule that
these systems are subject to the refrigeration system standards. 79 FR
at 32068 (June 3, 2014). Hence, stakeholders have had ample time to
consider the Term Sheet's recommended standard levels with respect to
all of the equipment classes at issue, including single-package
dedicated refrigeration systems.
Second, regarding preparation room refrigeration systems, DOE
addressed this issue in the December 2016 TP final rule, providing
extensive discussion supporting its position, and concluding that
preparation room refrigeration systems are indistinguishable from other
walk-in refrigeration systems, and hence are subject to the walk-in
refrigeration system energy conservation standards. 81 FR at 95773-
95774 (December 28, 2016). There has been no evidence brought forth to
indicate that such systems are anything other than walk-in
refrigeration systems. DOE's test procedure notice specifically
requested information that would distinguish these systems from other
walk-in refrigeration systems. 81 FR at 54937 (August 17, 2016).
Stakeholder responses provided many comments indicating that
preparation rooms do not fit the definition of a walk-in (see, e.g.,
Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, AHRI, No. 11 at p. 4), and commented
that DOE's proposed definition did not adequately provide a basis for
distinction (see, e.g., Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, Lennox, No. 13
at pp. 8-9), but provided no information that could be used to
distinguish these systems. Hence, DOE concludes that these
refrigeration systems are indeed walk-in refrigeration systems. As
such, in DOE's view, there should not have been any expectation that
they would not be subject to the standard levels being discussed by the
Working Group. DOE notes that there was no discussion at any time
during the Working Group meetings suggesting that preparation room
refrigeration systems would be excluded from the walk-in definition,
and the Term Sheet does not indicate this possibility. DOE notes also
that the possible exclusion of preparation room refrigeration systems
from the walk-in refrigeration system standards has been discussed at
least since the publication of the 2014 energy conservation standard
final rule (see, e.g., 79 FR at 32068 (June 3, 2014)), but DOE has at
no time provided indication that they would be excluded. Hence, in
DOE's view, stakeholders had sufficient notice that these refrigeration
systems would be considered within the context of the Term Sheet's
recommended standards well in advance of DOE's issuance of the energy
conservation standard NOPR on August 30, 2016.
Third, regarding process cooling refrigeration systems, DOE's test
procedure rulemaking defined process cooling refrigeration systems for
the purpose of excluding them from having to satisfy the refrigeration
system standards established by this final rule. The only exception to
this exclusion is a dedicated condensing unit that would be used in a
process cooling application that is not distributed in commerce with a
process cooling unit cooler or evaporator or a process cooling walk-in
enclosure. There has been no evidence presented that these condensing
units are any different from other walk-in refrigeration system
condensing units with respect to energy use characteristics, so
distribution in commerce of such a condensing unit individually is not
clearly for process cooling applications and could be for

[[Page 31832]]

any walk-in application. DOE's test procedure notice specifically
requested information that would distinguish these condensing units
from other walk-in condensing units. 81 FR at 54936 (August 17, 2016).
Stakeholder responses provided many comments indicating that process
cooling equipment does not fit the definition of a walk-in (see, e.g.,
Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, AHRI, No. 11 at p. 5), but provided no
information that could be used to distinguish these systems. In fact,
one comment suggested that process cooling condensing units do not
differ from other walk-in condensing units except in that they may have
a larger refrigerant receiver. (Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030, Bally,
No. 22 at p. 1) Such a difference would not affect energy use as
measured using the dedicated condensing unit test procedure because
neither the receiver nor the refrigerant in it consume energy. Hence,
while most process cooling refrigeration system equipment would be
excluded from the standards, process cooling condensing units that are
distributed in commerce individually (without a unit cooler or process
cooling enclosure) would have no more challenge meeting the recommended
Working Group standard levels than any other walk-in condensing unit.
Hence, in DOE's view, further consideration regarding the proposed
standard levels for such equipment, particularly when they are
generally being excluded from the walk-in standards, is unnecessary.
As indicated, DOE concludes that commenters had adequate
information at an early stage in the process regarding both the test
method changes adopted in the test procedure rulemaking and the
intended scope of coverage, and thus had sufficient time to consider
the energy conservation standard proposals. Hence, DOE has not extended
the time period for comments, nor delayed finalization of the
rulemaking.
4. ASRAC Working Group Representation
Eric Andrews, an owner of an ice cream franchise, commented that
this rulemaking has little input from the consumers, observing that the
ASRAC Working Group members and attendees primarily represent
organizations involved in repair and manufacturing. (Andrews, No. 76 at
p. 1)
Prior to the Working Group meetings, on August 5, 2015, DOE
published a notice of intent to establish a Working Group for Certain
Equipment Classes of Refrigeration Systems of Walk-in Coolers and
Freezers to Negotiate a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Energy
Conservation Standards. 80 FR 46521. DOE notes that the agenda for the
WICF Working Group meetings included as key issues (a) proposed energy
conservation standards for six classes of refrigeration systems and (b)
potential impacts on installers. See id. at 46523. These issues focused
on refrigeration systems and installers. The Working Group consisted of
12 representatives of parties having a defined stake in the outcome of
the proposed standards and one DOE representative, including six
representatives of WICF refrigeration system manufacturers (Traulsen,
Lennox, Hussmann, Manitowoc, Rheem, and Emerson). In addition, a
representative of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America
represented walk-in installers. Other members other than DOE
represented efficiency advocacy groups and utilities. (Docket EERE-
2015-BT-STD-0016, Term Sheet, No. 56 at p. 4) Hence, DOE believes that
the representation was appropriate for the scope of the Working Group
meetings. DOE published a notice of proposed rulemaking on September
13, 2016 and immediately made it available for public review. 81 FR
62979. A public meeting to discuss DOE's proposal was held on September
29, 2016. DOE notes all of the Working Group meetings and the NOPR
public meeting were open to the public and were also broadcast via
webinar. DOE believes that stakeholders, including consumers had ample
opportunities to provide inputs to this rulemaking.

B. Market and Technology Assessment

DOE develops information in the market and technology assessment
that provides an overall picture of the market for the products
concerned, including the purpose of the products, the industry
structure, manufacturers, market characteristics, and technologies used
in the products. This activity includes both quantitative and
qualitative assessments, based primarily on publicly-available
information. The subjects addressed in the market and technology
assessment for this rulemaking include (1) a determination of the scope
of the rulemaking and product classes, (2) manufacturers and industry
structure, (3) existing efficiency programs, (4) shipments information,
(5) market and industry trends, and (6) technologies or design options
that could improve the energy efficiency of WICF refrigeration systems
under consideration. The key findings of DOE's market assessment are
summarized below. See chapter 3 of the final rule TSD for further
discussion of the market and technology assessment.
1. Scope of Coverage and Product Classes
As discussed in section II.B, this final rule covers energy
conservation standards for covered walk-in refrigeration systems to
replace the six standards vacated by the Fifth Circuit. These vacated
standards relate to (1) the two energy conservation standards
applicable to unit coolers (formerly called multiplex condensing
systems) operating at medium and low temperatures and (2) the four
energy conservation standards applicable to dedicated condensing
refrigeration systems operating at low temperatures. As noted earlier,
the remaining standards for walk-ins already promulgated by DOE remain
in place.
In the June 2014 final rule, DOE divided refrigeration systems into
classes based on their treatment under the test procedure with respect
to condensing unit configuration. 79 FR at 32069-32070 (June 3, 2014).
In the May 2014 test procedure final rule, DOE adopted test methods to
address walk-in refrigeration system components distributed
individually--i.e., unit coolers or condensing units sold alone can be
tested and certified to the applicable standards as individual
components. DOE also provided manufacturers the option of testing and
certifying any matched pair that includes a condensing unit and a unit
cooler. 79 FR at 27391 (May 13, 2013). Dedicated condensing units
certified alone and as matched pairs are subject to standards as part
of the dedicated condensing unit equipment class, while unit coolers
certified alone fall in the unit cooler class (previously identified as
the ``multiplex condensing'' class).
As discussed in the September 2016 NOPR, DOE expects that the
majority of refrigeration equipment certified within the dedicated
condensing class will consist of condensing units sold alone, while a
much smaller number of systems certified within this class will be
tested as matched pairs under DOE's test procedure. 81 FR at 62993
(September 13, 2016).
In the December 2016 TP final rule, DOE adopted the term ``unit
cooler'' to refer to the class of equipment previously identified as
``multiplex condensing'' refrigeration systems. 81 FR at 95766-95767
(December 28, 2016). All unit coolers sold alone will be treated for
certification purposes as belonging to the unit cooler class. For this
rulemaking, DOE's analysis evaluated the energy use of unit coolers
installed in both dedicated condensing and multiplex condensing
applications.

[[Page 31833]]

This analysis is discussed in sections IV.D.1 and IV.F.
In the June 2014 final rule, DOE established an AWEF standard for
low-temperature multiplex condensing systems (unit coolers) that did
not vary with capacity. This standard was subsequently vacated through
the controlling court order from the Fifth Circuit. Based on further
comment and analysis conducted during the negotiated rulemaking to
examine potential energy conservation standards for this class of
equipment, DOE proposed different standard levels for different
capacities of low-temperature unit coolers in the September 2016 NOPR.
The proposal brought the total number of standards up to seven which
would replace the six standards that were vacated. DOE received
comments in support of the proposed standard levels for low-temperature
unit coolers. (CA IOUs, No. 80, at p. 1-2). Hence, in light of the
analysis conducted and the supporting comments received, this final
rule separates low-temperature unit coolers into two classes based on
capacity range.
The December 2016 TP final rule addressed the coverage of process
cooling walk-ins and their components under DOE's regulations and
established a definition for process cooling to distinguish this
equipment from other walk-ins. 81 FR at 95767-95773 (December 28,
2016). As discussed in the test procedure final rule, process cooling
walk-ins are within the scope of the definition of walk-ins, making
them subject to the prescriptive statutory requirements already
established by Congress. See 42 U.S.C. 6313(f). In addition, their
panels and doors are subject to the component-based performance
standards established by the June 2014 final rule. See 42 U.S.C.
6313(f) and 10 CFR 431.306. However, a process cooling refrigeration
system may or may not be subject to the refrigeration system
standards--including those established today--depending on the
circumstances.
DOE has defined a process cooling refrigeration system as a
refrigeration system that either (1) is distributed in commerce with an
enclosure such that the ratio of refrigeration system capacity per
internal enclosure volume is at least 100 Btu/h per cubic foot,
indicating that the refrigeration system has ample capacity to reduce
the temperature of products inserted into the enclosure in addition to
keeping the temperature of the enclosure at refrigerated temperature,
i.e., below 55 [deg]F, or (2) is a unit cooler with certain dimensional
characteristics observed only for process cooling unit coolers. 81 FR
at 95801 (December 28, 2016). In this final rule, DOE is also
clarifying at 10 CFR 431.306(e) that the refrigeration system standards
do not apply to equipment that meets the process cooling definition.
This exclusion applies to both the refrigeration system standards
adopted in this rule and the refrigeration system standards adopted in
the June 2014 final rule that were not subsequently vacated. Because of
the specific aspects of the process cooling definition and the
exclusion that DOE is providing for refrigeration systems used in
process cooling applications, the refrigeration system standards do not
apply to (a) refrigeration systems sold as part of a complete package,
including the insulated enclosure, and refrigeration systems for which
the capacity per volume meets the process cooling definition, (b)
dedicated condensing systems sold as a matched-pair in which the unit
cooler meets the requirements of the process cooling definition, and
(c) unit coolers that meet the requirements of the process cooling
definition. As discussed in the test procedure notice, condensing units
distributed in commerce without unit coolers or insulated enclosures
are subject to the standards, even if sold for process cooling
applications.
2. Technology Options
In the technology assessment for the June 2014 final rule, DOE
identified 15 technology options to improve the efficiency of WICF
refrigeration systems, as measured by the DOE test procedure (see
Docket EERE-2008-BT-STD-0015, Final Rule Technical Support Document,
No. 0131, Section 3.3 pp. 3-24 to 3-33):

Energy storage systems
Refrigeration system override
Automatic evaporator fan shut-off
Improved evaporator and condenser fan blades
Improved evaporator and condenser coils
Evaporator fan control
Ambient sub-cooling
Higher-efficiency fan motors
Higher-efficiency compressors
Liquid suction heat exchanger
Defrost controls
Hot gas defrost
Floating head pressure
Condenser fan control
Economizer cooling

Weiss indicated that energy saving cycles/set points offset and
anti-sweat heater controls technologies are not included in this
analysis. (Weiss, No. 85, at p. 2) DOE notes the test procedure to
determine AWEF involves measurement of performance (capacity and power
input) when operating with walk-in box temperature at 35 [deg]F for
coolers and -10 [deg]F for freezers. Hence the savings of set point
offsets would not be measured by the test procedure and cannot be
considered in the analysis. Anti-sweat heater control also is not
accounted for in the test procedure and hence cannot be considered in
the analysis.
DOE continued to consider these 15 options in formulating the WICF
refrigeration system standards detailed in this final rule. DOE did not
receive any comments regarding the selected technologies listed in this
section. See chapter 3 of the TSD for further details on the
technologies DOE considered.

C. Screening Analysis

DOE uses the following four screening criteria to determine which
technology options are suitable for further consideration in an energy
conservation standards rulemaking:
(1) Technological feasibility. Technologies that are not
incorporated in commercial products or in working prototypes will not
be considered further.
(2) Practicability to manufacture, install, and service. If it is
determined that mass production and reliable installation and servicing
of a technology in commercial products could not be achieved on the
scale necessary to serve the relevant market at the time of the
projected compliance date of the standard, then that technology will
not be considered further.
(3) Impacts on product utility or product availability. If it is
determined that a technology would have significant adverse impact on
the utility of the product to significant subgroups of consumers or
would result in the unavailability of any covered product type with
performance characteristics (including reliability), features, sizes,
capacities, and volumes that are substantially the same as products
generally available in the United States at the time, it will not be
considered further.
(4) Adverse impacts on health or safety. If it is determined that a
technology would have significant adverse impacts on health or safety,
it will not be considered further. 10 CFR part 430, subpart C, appendix
A, 4(a)(4) and 5(b)
In sum, if DOE determines that a technology, or a combination of
technologies, fails to meet one or more of the above four criteria, it
will be excluded from further consideration in the engineering
analysis. The reasons

[[Page 31834]]

for eliminating any technology are discussed below.
1. Technologies Having No Effect on Rated Energy Consumption
In the June 2014 final rule, DOE determined that the following
technologies do not affect measured energy efficiency (see Docket EERE-
2008-BT-STD-0015, Final Rule Technical Support Document, No. 0131,
Section 4.2 pp. 4-3 to 4-4):

Liquid suction heat exchanger
Refrigeration system override
Economizer cooling
Automatic evaporator fan shut-off

Weiss commented on these technologies. Its comments about the use
of a liquid suction heat exchanger (``not a lot of applications'') and
automatic evaporator fan shut-off (``not much savings'') appear to be
in line with DOE's decision exclude them from the analysis. Weiss noted
that refrigeration system override should be considered if shifting set
points is included as part of this technology. Weiss also suggested
that economizer cooling can save energy but requires use of humidity
measurement. (Weiss, No. 85 at p. 2). In response, DOE clarifies that
these technologies were screened out because they do not affect the
rated efficiency as measured by the test procedure. DOE has not
received any further evidence that these technologies should be
considered and has not included them in the analysis.
As discussed in section III.B, DOE modified the method for testing
systems with hot gas defrost in a separate rulemaking that eliminated
the credit assigned to hot gas defrost systems when calculating a
unit's energy efficiency under the prior test procedure. In the final
version of the test procedure that DOE recently adopted, the AWEF of a
refrigeration system with hot gas defrost is determined as if it were
equipped with electric defrost. 81 FR at 95774-95777 (December 28,
2016). Thus, DOE has dropped hot gas defrost from further consideration
in its analysis.
2. Adaptive Defrost and On-Cycle Variable-Speed Evaporator Fans
Consistent with the recommendations made during the Working Group
negotiations, DOE established a regulatory approach in the December
2016 TP final rule to address adaptive defrost and on-cycle variable-
speed fans in which these features would not be active during testing
to demonstrate compliance with the applicable standards, but that the
features could be active during testing to support representations of
their benefit, such as when advertising equipment performance in
product literature. (See Term Sheet at EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, No. 56,
recommendation #4 and 81 FR at 95777 (December 28, 2016)). Weiss
commented that many field tests show an energy savings of 15 to 20
percent with adaptive defrost controls but that evaporator fan controls
do not yield much savings. (Weiss, No. 85, at p. 2) DOE agrees that
there may be the potential for savings with adaptive defrost control
but reiterates that a test procedure to properly account for its
savings and a suitable regulatory definition for the technology has not
been developed and could not be agreed upon by the WICF Working Group.
Hence, DOE continues to decline to consider these technology options in
its standards analysis for this rule.
3. Screened-Out Technologies
In the June 2014 final rule, DOE screened out the following
technologies from consideration (see Docket EERE-2008-BT-STD-0015,
Final Rule Technical Support Document, No. 0131, Section 4.3, pp 4-4 to
4-6):

Energy storage systems (technological feasibility)
High efficiency evaporator fan motors (technological
feasibility)
3-phase motors (impacts on equipment utility)
Improved evaporator coils (impacts on equipment utility)

Weiss indicated that energy storage systems are an old technology,
which DOE interprets as support for its decision to screen out this
technology. (Weiss, No. 85, at p. 2) DOE has not received any new
evidence that would weigh in favor of including these screened-out
technologies. Consequently, these technologies have not been considered
in the analysis supporting this final rule. Chapter 4 of the final rule
TSD contains further discussion of the screening of these technologies.
The implications of screening out these technologies on the
analysis and the selected standard levels depend on each particular
technology. The test procedure does not take into consideration the
benefits of energy storage systems, so screening this technology did
not affect the analysis. A manufacturer could adopt the technology,
which potentially could save energy in field use, but equipment using
it would not have an improved AWEF. Evaporator fans using higher-
efficiency motors than the electronically commutated motors required by
the prescriptive standards could possibly be sourced by manufacturers
in the future, but DOE was not able to identify any such motor
technology--if such technology were readily available and considered in
the analysis, the final unit cooler efficiency levels set by this rule
may have been incrementally higher, assuming designs using such motors
would have been cost-effective. If utility concerns regarding improved
or larger evaporator coils were not addressed by screening out this
technology, the final unit cooler efficiency levels set by this rule
may have been incrementally higher, assuming designs using such
evaporators would have been cost-effective. A manufacturer could
potentially sell unit coolers with such improved evaporators and
achieve higher AWEF levels, but at the risk of the utility concerns
discussed in the TSD, e.g. reduced humidity control and/or potential
defrost issues.
4. Remaining Technologies
Through a review of each technology, DOE concludes that all of the
remaining technologies listed in section IV.B.2 satisfy all four
screening criteria and that their benefits can be measured using the
DOE test procedure. In summary, DOE chose the following technology
options to be examined further as design options in DOE's analysis:

Higher efficiency compressors
Improved condenser coil
Higher efficiency condenser fan motors
Improved condenser and evaporator fan blades
Ambient sub-cooling
Off-cycle evaporator fan control
Variable speed condenser fan control
Floating head pressure

Weiss submitted a list of notes regarding each of the remaining
technologies. (Weiss, No. 85, at p. 2) Specifically, Weiss requested
that DOE provide details on the analyses of higher efficiency
compressors and improved condenser coil technologies. DOE notes that
the detailed description and analysis details of these two technologies
can be found in section 3.3.5, 3.3.10, 5.5.8.1 and 5.5.8.2 of the final
rule TSD. Weiss also suggested that using higher efficiency condenser
fan motors would result in improvement with an electronically
commutated (``EC'') motor. DOE noted that use of an EC motor was
considered as a potential design option in its supporting analysis--see
TSD at section 5.5.8.3. Weiss also commented regarding the benefits and
costs of improved condenser and evaporator fan blades, variable speed
condenser fan control

[[Page 31835]]

and floating head pressure. DOE notes that the cost and efficiency
relationship is reflected in DOE's engineering analysis and the results
are provided in Appendix 5A of the TSD. Weiss also indicated that
ambient sub-cooling technology is not used in WICF equipment. DOE notes
such technology is available in the market for various air conditioning
and refrigeration applications. DOE did not receive any supported
reasons for screening out such technology during the rulemaking for
June 2014 final rule or the Working Group meetings. DOE's analysis has
shown that using ambient sub-cooling technology incrementally improves
the efficiency of WICF refrigeration systems. Weiss commented that the
off-cycle evaporator fan control technology does not make sense for EC
motors and claimed that they have high inrush current, thus suggesting
that they should be screened out. In response, DOE points to the
Working Group consensus regarding consideration of this design option
and the fact that the Working Group members provided no information
suggesting issues associated with inrush current or related concerns.
DOE also notes that this technology is currently available on the
market for walk-in unit coolers which use these motors. (Docket No.
EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, Trenton TLP Product Data and Installation, No.
92 at p. 22) Hence, DOE has not removed any of these technologies from
consideration in the analysis.
DOE determined that these technology options are technologically
feasible because they are being used or have previously been used in
commercially-available products or working prototypes. DOE also finds
that all of the remaining technology options meet the other screening
criteria (i.e., practicable to manufacture, install, and service, and
they do not result in adverse impacts on consumer utility, product
availability, health, or safety). For additional details, see chapter 4
of the final rule TSD.

D. Engineering Analysis

In the engineering analysis, DOE establishes the relationship
between the manufacturer production cost (``MPC'') and improved WICF
refrigeration system efficiency. This relationship serves as the basis
for cost-benefit calculations for individual consumers, manufacturers,
and the Nation. DOE typically structures the engineering analysis using
one of three approaches: (1) Design option, (2) efficiency level, or
(3) reverse engineering (or cost assessment). The design-option
approach involves adding the estimated cost and associated efficiency
of various efficiency-improving design changes to the baseline product
to model different levels of efficiency. The efficiency-level approach
uses estimates of costs and efficiencies of products available on the
market at distinct efficiency levels to develop the cost-efficiency
relationship. The reverse-engineering approach involves testing
products for efficiency and determining cost from a manufacturing cost
model based on detailed bills of material (``BOM'') derived from
reverse engineering representative equipment. The efficiency ranges
from that of the least-efficient WICF refrigeration system sold today
(i.e., the baseline) to the maximum technologically feasible efficiency
level. At each efficiency level examined, DOE determines the MPC; this
relationship is referred to as a cost-efficiency curve. DOE conducted
the engineering analysis for the June 2014 final rule using a design-
option approach. 79 FR at 32072 (June 3, 2014). DOE received no
comments suggesting that it use one of the alternative engineering
analysis approaches. Consequently, DOE used a design-option approach in
the analysis supporting the September 2016 NOPR and this final rule.
However, as discussed in the September 2016 NOPR, DOE made several
changes to its engineering analysis based on discussions and
information provided during the Working Group negotiation meetings.
These changes are described in detail in chapter 5 of the final rule
TSD and summarized in the following sections. DOE did not receive any
comments regarding the engineering analysis details as presented in the
September 2016 NOPR and chapter 5 of the NOPR TSD. Consequently, DOE
did not modify its engineering analysis for this final rule. DOE did,
however, adjust its condenser capacity calculation for dedicated
condensing units, as discussed in section IV.D.6.d. Details of the
engineering analysis are available in chapter 5 of the final rule TSD.
1. Component-Based Analysis
In the June 2014 final rule, DOE's analysis for dedicated
condensing systems was based on matched-pair systems, and its analysis
for unit coolers (the ``multiplex'' class) was based on field
installation in multiplex applications. See Docket EERE-2008-BT-STD-
0015, Final Rule Technical Support Document, No. 0131, Section 5.5.3,
pp 5-20 to 5-28; see also October 15, 2015 Public Meeting Presentation,
slide 8, available in Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, No. 26, at p.
8. However, as discussed in section IV.B.1, most refrigeration system
components are sold individually (not as matched pairs) and most unit
coolers are installed in dedicated condensing applications. Hence, the
analysis conducted for this final rule, as developed initially during
the WICF Working Group meetings, was based on individual components
(dedicated condensing units tested, certified, and sold alone, and unit
coolers also tested, certified, and sold alone). The analysis also
considered (within the context of unit coolers) both dedicated
condensing and multiplex condensing applications.
2. Refrigerants
The analysis for the June 2014 final rule assumed that the
refrigerant R-404A would be used in all new refrigeration equipment
meeting the standard. 79 FR at 32074 (June 3, 2014). On July 20, 2015,
EPA published a final rule under the SNAP program prohibiting the use
of R-404A in certain retail food refrigeration applications. See 80 FR
42870 (``July 2015 EPA SNAP Rule''). Under the rule, R-404A can no
longer be used in new supermarket refrigeration systems (starting on
January 1, 2017), new remote condensing units (starting on January 1,
2018), and certain stand-alone retail refrigeration units (starting on
either January 1, 2019 or January 1, 2020 depending on the type of
system). See 40 CFR part 82, Appendix U to Subpart G (listing
unacceptable refrigerant substitutes). EPA explained that most
commercial walk-in coolers and freezers would fall within the end-use
category of either supermarket systems or remote condensing units and
would be subject to the rule. 80 FR at 42902 (July 20, 2015).
Given that manufacturers would not be allowed to use R-404A in WICF
refrigeration systems when the WICF standards would take effect, the
WICF Working Group recommended that DOE conduct its analysis using R-
407A, an alternative refrigerant that will be acceptable for use in all
of the considered WICF refrigeration systems under the July 2015 EPA
SNAP rule. ((Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, various parties, Public
Meeting Transcript (September 30, 2015), No. 67 at pp. 34-39)) Zero
Zone supported DOE's proposal of using R-407A in the analysis. Zero
Zone also expressed concern that R-407A might not be allowed in future
EPA rulemakings and suggested that DOE develop a plan for revising the
regulation if R-407A is delisted in the future. (Zero Zone, No. 88, at
p. 1) In response to the comments suggesting analysis based on R-407A,

[[Page 31836]]

DOE revised its analysis using performance information for R-407A
compressors, R-407A refrigerant properties, and to account for the
temperature glide of R-407A,\26\ as discussed in the following
sections.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\26\ ``Temperature glide'' for a refrigerant refers to the
increase in temperature at a fixed pressure as liquid refrigerant
vaporizes during its conversion from saturated liquid to saturated
vapor.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In response to Zero Zone's concern regarding potential future
delisting of R-407A, DOE does not believe that there is sufficient
specific, actionable data presented at this juncture to warrant a
change in its analysis and assumptions regarding the refrigerants used
in walk-in cooler and freezer applications. As of now, there is
inadequate publicly-available data on the design, construction, and
operation of equipment featuring alternative refrigerants to facilitate
the level of analysis of equipment performance which would be needed
for standard setting purposes. DOE is aware that many low-GWP
refrigerants other than R-407A are being introduced to the market, and
wishes to ensure that this rule is consistent with the phase-down of
HFCs proposed by the United States under the Montreal Protocol. DOE
continues to welcome comments on experience within the industry with
the use of low-GWP alternative refrigerants. However, there are
currently no mandatory initiatives such as refrigerant phase-outs
driving a change beyond R407A.
Absent such action, DOE will continue to conduct its analysis based
on R-407A, which the Working Group strongly supported. DOE clarifies
that it will continue to consider WICF models meeting the definition of
walk-in coolers and freezers to be part of their applicable covered
equipment class, regardless of the refrigerant that the equipment uses.
If a manufacturer believes that its design is subjected to undue
hardship by regulations, the manufacturer may petition DOE's Office of
Hearing and Appeals (``OHA'') for exception relief or exemption from
the standard pursuant to OHA's authority under section 504 of the DOE
Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7194), as implemented at subpart B of 10
CFR part 1003. OHA has the authority to grant such relief on a case-by-
case basis if it determines that a manufacturer has demonstrated that
meeting the standard would cause hardship, inequity, or unfair
distribution of burdens.
3. As-Tested Versus Field-Representative Performance Analysis
DOE conducted an intermediate analysis to bridge the gap between
the engineering analysis and the downstream analyses to predict aspects
of field performance that would not be measured by the test procedure.
DOE refers to this intermediate analysis as the ``field-representative
analysis'' to distinguish it from the normal ``as-tested'' engineering
analysis, which represents performance according to the test procedure.
DOE conducted the field representative analysis for this rulemaking
using a modified version of the engineering calculations in order to
facilitate the energy use analysis that is conducted to determine
annual energy use of the equipment when installed. Specific differences
between DOE's as-tested and in-field performance modeling used in the
analysis are discussed in section IV.D.6 and in further detail in
chapter 5 of the TSD.
DOE provided outputs from the field-representative analysis for use
in the energy use analysis for four equipment installation scenarios:
(1) A new unit cooler and a new condensing unit that are installed
together in the field; (2) a new unit cooler that is installed with a
multiplex system; (3) a new unit cooler that is installed with an
existing condensing unit in the field; and (4) a new condensing unit
that is installed with an existing unit cooler in the field. Scenarios
1 through 3 apply to the evaluation of unit coolers, while scenarios 1
and 4 apply to the evaluation of condensing units. The scenarios
analyzed in the downstream analysis are described in section IV.F. In
analyzing medium-temperature unit coolers installed with new medium-
temperature condensing units, DOE modeled the condensing units as
operating with R-407A and meeting the standard for dedicated
condensing, medium -temperature systems established in the June 2014
final rule, which remains in effect.
CoilPod, a company that manufactures certain HVAC-related cleaning
tools, commented that energy use in the field can be increased
significantly if condenser coils are not cleaned on a regular basis,
and provided data for four coil-cleaning scenarios. The data provided
are for a double-door merchandiser, a ``larger'' double-door
refrigerator, a single-door freezer, and a double-glass-door
refrigerator, and constitute daily energy savings from 46 to 50 percent
after cleaning. (``COILPOD Energy Savings Data'', No. 77 at p. 1) While
data contained only limited details, DOE assumes that these examples
are for self-contained commercial refrigeration equipment (``CRE''),
because the submitted information addresses equipment such as ``double-
door merchandiser'', ``double door fridge'', and ``single door
freezer'', common terminology for self-contained CRE, as illustrated in
self-contained CRE marketing information (see, e.g., ``Double Door
Merchandiser'', No. 92; ``Double Door Refrigerator'', No. 93; ``Single
Door Freezer'', No. 94). DOE also notes that none of CoilPod's
information mentions that any of the identified equipment were walk-
ins. There is no information to indicate whether the condensers for
these units are mounted on top or beneath the equipment cabinets, nor
any other information regarding accessibility of the condensers for
cleaning. DOE does not consider this information to be an adequate
average representation of the additional energy use that could be
associated with self-contained commercial refrigeration equipment,
since it represents only four examples and there is no information to
indicate that the data is part of a larger survey that properly
represents average impacts of this issue for all such equipment.
Further, DOE expects that the impact of neglecting to clean condenser
coils will affect different types of equipment differently, and the
attention to coil cleaning may be greater for walk-in systems than for
self-contained equipment (see e.g., ``Commercial Refrigeration
Maintenance'', No. 95, which suggests a greater need for maintenance of
walk-ins than other commercial refrigeration), so that the impact on
walk-in refrigeration systems may for several reasons be very different
than for self-contained refrigerators and freezers. (With the lack of
data on walk-in maintenance practices, however, only speculation is
possible.) At this point DOE does not have sufficient information
quantifying the potential field impact of dirty condenser coils for
walk-in refrigeration systems, nor for any other factors that might
degrade performance, and has not included any degradation factor in its
calculations of field energy use.
DOE did not receive any other comments on the NOPR analysis
scenarios or other aspects of its field-representative analysis, and
hence has not changed these aspects of its analysis. Details of these
four scenarios are also provided in chapter 5 of the TSD.
4. Representative Equipment for Analysis
In the analysis for the June 2014 final rule, DOE analyzed within
each

[[Page 31837]]

equipment class a range of representative WICF refrigeration systems
representing different capacities, compressor types, and evaporator fin
spacing. Based on WICF Working Group meeting discussions, DOE
simplified the range of these parameters in its analysis for this
rulemaking, analyzing fewer compressor options and fewer fin spacing
options, but modifying the selection of representative capacities. DOE
presented its list of representative equipment in Table IV-1 of the
September 2016 NOPR. 81 at 62998. DOE did not receive comments
regarding the chosen representative equipment and hence used the same
selections in its final rule analysis. The selections are shown in
Table IV-1 below, which is identical to the table in the September 2016
NOPR.

Table IV-1--Details of Representative Equipment Analyzed
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sizes analyzed Unit cooler
Equipment class (Nominal Btu/h) Compressor types analyzed fins per inch
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DC.L.I, < 6,500 Btu/h..................... 6,000 Scroll............................ N/A
DC.L.I, >= 6,500 Btu/h.................... 9,000 Scroll............................ N/A
25,000* Scroll, Semi-hermetic............. N/A
54,000 Semi-hermetic..................... N/A
DC.L.O, < 6,500 Btu/h..................... 6,000 Scroll............................ N/A
DC.L.O, >= 6,500 Btu/h.................... 9,000 Scroll............................ N/A
25,000* Scroll, Semi-hermetic............. N/A
54,000 Semi-hermetic..................... N/A
72,000 Semi-hermetic..................... N/A
UC.M...................................... 4,000 N/A............................... 6
9,000 N/A............................... 6
24,000 N/A............................... 6
UC.L, < 15,500 Btu/h...................... 4,000 N/A............................... 4
9,000 N/A............................... 4
UC.L, >= 15,500 Btu/h..................... 18,000 N/A............................... 4
40,000 N/A............................... 4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Indicates a representative capacity that was not analyzed in the June 2014 final rule analysis. All other
listed representative nominal capacities had also been analyzed in the June 2014 final rule.

5. Manufacturer Production Cost and Manufacturer Sales Price
DOE developed a manufacturing cost model to estimate the MPCs of
the considered WICF refrigeration systems at each efficiency level from
the baseline through max-tech for the representative capacities
considered for each equipment class. The manufacturing cost model is a
spreadsheet that estimates the dollar cost of manufacturing the
considered WICF refrigeration systems based on the price of materials,
the average labor rates associated with fabrication and assembly, and
the cost of overhead and depreciation associated with the conversion
processes used by manufacturers. To estimate these various cost
components, DOE conducted manufacturer interviews and collected
information on labor rates, tooling costs, raw material prices, and
other factors. DOE estimated the costs of raw materials based on the
most recent 5-year price averages available.
To support its analyses, which were presented and discussed during
the WICF Working Group meeting, DOE conducted new physical and virtual
teardowns \27\ of WICF equipment to ensure that its cost model was
representative of the current market. These new teardowns were in
addition those conducted in support of the June 2014 final rule. See
chapter 5 of the TSD for a more detailed explanation of how DOE
gathered data for cost modeling.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\27\ A virtual teardown uses the results from a physical
teardown of a specific model and details obtained from product
literature for a second model in order to develop manufacturing cost
estimates for the second model.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In order to calculate manufacturer sales price (``MSP''), DOE used
the same average manufacturer markup of 35 percent for WICF
refrigeration systems in its analysis as used in the June 2014 final
rule, and also the same methodology for calculating shipping costs.
In the September 2016 NOPR, DOE sought comment regarding the method
it used for estimating equipment manufacturing costs in its analysis.
81 FR at 62999 (September 13, 2016). DOE did not receive any comments
regarding this issue and has used the same cost estimation methodology
for this final rule. Chapter 5 of the final rule TSD provides details
and assumptions of the cost model.
6. Component and System Efficiency Model
For each representative capacity within each equipment class
covered in this rulemaking (see section IV.D.4), DOE selected a
particular model of unit cooler or condensing unit, as applicable, to
represent the class at that capacity. DOE used a spreadsheet-based
analysis tool to predict the performance of each representative unit
for the range of efficiency levels considered in the analysis, similar
to the method used in the June 2014 final rule. However, DOE made many
revisions to its engineering analysis. For example, as discussed in
section IV.D.1, the analysis prepared during the WICF Working Group
meetings and used to support the September 2016 NOPR was based on
individual components and did not analyze matched-pair dedicated
condensing units. Also, as discussed in section IV.D.3, DOE developed
field representative calculations in addition to as-tested calculations
to evaluate the performance of systems as installed. The following
sections summarize additional changes to DOE's engineering spreadsheet
analysis as compared with the June 2014 final rule analysis.
a. Unit Coolers (Formerly Termed the ``Multiplex Condensing'' Class)
DOE's analysis of unit cooler test performance is based on the
``parallel rack system'' method of AHRI 1250-2009 (see section 7.9 of
AHRI 1250-2009) for calculating unit cooler AWEF, which uses a
prescribed multiplex system Energy Efficiency Ratio (``EER'') to
calculate compressor energy use

[[Page 31838]]

based on unit cooler gross capacity, and also accounts for the energy
use of the evaporator fan motor and, for low-temperature units, energy
use associated with defrost.\28\ These aspects of the analysis have not
changed since the June 2014 final rule analysis. See Docket EERE-2008-
BT-STD-0015, Final Rule Technical Support Document, No. 0131, Section
5.5.3, pp 5-20 to 5-27. DOE did, however, make a number of changes in
response to input received during the WICF Working Group meetings.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\28\ Gross capacity differs from net capacity in that it
includes the evaporator fan heat.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

First, DOE developed an analytical framework to represent field
performance of unit coolers used in multiplex condensing applications
using a system EER for R-407A developed during the WICF Working Group
meeting discussions. (This change was made to account for the
refrigerant shift brought about by the EPA SNAP rule.) Second, DOE
adjusted its calculation of unit cooler net capacity using a
correlation relating net capacity and nominal capacity developed based
on test data. (This change was made to reflect test data obtained and
reviewed primarily after publication of the June 2014 final rule.)
Third, DOE revised the input assumption for refrigerant suction dew
point. (This change was made to establish consistent input assumptions
across the analyses conducted for the different classes associated with
pressure drop in the suction line.) DOE received no comments on these
aspects of the analysis in response to the September 2016 NOPR and has
not changed them for this final rule.
b. Condensing Units/Dedicated Condensing Class
DOE made several changes to its prior analysis of dedicated
condensing refrigeration systems. As mentioned in section IV.D.1, the
analysis developed during the WICF Working Group meetings was based on
condensing units tested and sold individually, i.e., not as part of
matched pairs including unit coolers. The as-tested analysis uses the
nominal values for unit cooler fan and defrost energy use as prescribed
in the DOE test procedure (as finalized in 10 CFR part 431, subpart R,
appendix C, section 3.4.2.2 in the recent test procedure rulemaking, 81
FR at 95806 (December 28, 2016)). To analyze equipment using R-407A
refrigerant, DOE used compressor coefficients for compressors operating
with this refrigerant, and made changes in the analysis to account for
the refrigerant's temperature glide. The revised analysis also assumed,
in calculating refrigeration capacity for a condensing unit, that: (1)
Pressure drop in the suction line is equivalent to a 2 [deg]F reduction
in dew point temperature;\29\ (2) unit cooler exit superheat \30\ is 6
[deg]F for low-temperature unit coolers and 10 [deg]F for medium-
temperature unit coolers; and (3) the refrigerant temperature entering
the condensing unit is 5 [deg]F for low-temperature unit coolers and 41
[deg]F for medium-temperature unit coolers. For the as-tested analysis,
DOE assumed that there is no temperature drop in the liquid line after
it exits from the condensing unit. The liquid line sub-cooling is
assumed to be 8 [deg]F in the field-representative analysis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\29\ Compressor performance is generally provided by compressor
vendors as a function of pressure levels represented as dew point
temperatures--dew point is the temperature of saturated vapor
refrigerant, at which any reduction refrigerant enthalpy would
result in condensation of refrigerant as dew.
\30\ Superheat of refrigerant vapor is equal to the actual
temperature of the refrigerant minus the dew point associated with
its pressure.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

As described in section IV.D.4, for the 25,000 Btu/h representative
capacity DOE considered both scroll and semi-hermetic compressors. DOE
aggregated the analyses for the two compressors to create a single
cost-efficiency curve for this representative capacity. See chapter 5
of the TSD for a more detailed explanation of how DOE aggregated the
cost-efficiency curves for the compressor types.
DOE received no comments on these aspects of the analysis in
response to the NOPR and has not changed them for this final rule.
c. Field-Representative Paired Dedicated Condensing Systems
As discussed in section IV.D.1, DOE based its as-tested engineering
analysis for dedicated condensing systems on an evaluation of
condensing units tested individually. DOE conducted a separate field-
representative analysis that accounts for system operation when
installed, which necessarily includes the performance of both the
condensing unit and the unit cooler with which it is paired. The
assumptions for this field-representative analysis differ in several
ways from those of the as-tested analysis, including the refrigerant
cooling in the liquid line, refrigerant pressure in the unit cooler
(represented by unit cooler exit dew point), and unit cooler fan and
defrost power. See chapter 5 of the TSD for more details of how DOE
adjusted these assumption for field-representative analysis. DOE
received no comments on these aspects of the analysis in response to
the NOPR and has not changed them for this final rule.
d. Analysis Adjustment
As part of its final rule analysis, DOE adjusted its equipment
performance calculations for condensing units to more fully account for
the performance of the high-glide refrigerant R-407A. This methodology
was discussed by the Working Group, but the analysis calculations were
rerun for the final rule. Specifically, this adjustment affected the
calculation of refrigerant enthalpy at the condenser exit, and resulted
in an increase in the calculated refrigeration system net capacity for
analyses involving dedicated condensing units. The adjustment led to a
0.1 to 0.11 Btu/W-h increase in the AWEF calculated for analyzed DC.L.O
and DC.L.I dedicated condensing unit classes and increases in the
capacity calculated for dedicated condensing systems in the field-
representative analysis. The AWEF values reported in Table IV-2 in
section IV.D.10 reflect this adjustment. DOE believes this approach is
in-line with the methodology discussed in the Working Group, which
recommended that the analysis be based on the use of R-407C
refrigerant.
7. Baseline Specifications
Because there have not been any previous performance-based
standards for the considered WICF refrigeration systems, there is no
established baseline efficiency level for this equipment. DOE developed
baseline specifications for the representative units in its analysis,
described in section IV.D.4, by examining current manufacturer
literature to determine which characteristics represented baseline
equipment. DOE assumed that all baseline refrigeration systems comply
with the current prescriptive standards in EPCA--namely, that each
system satisfies the requirements that (1) evaporator fan motors of
under 1 hp and less than 460 volts are electronically commutated motors
(brushless direct current motors) and (2) walk-in condenser fan motors
of under 1 hp are permanent split capacitor motors. (See section II.B
for further details on current WICF standards.) Readers interested in
more detailed baseline specifications for the analyzed representative
systems should refer to chapter 5 of the TSD. DOE did not receive any
comments regarding its baselines in response to the September 2016
NOPR.
8. Design Options
Section IV.C.4 lists technologies that passed the screening
analysis and that DOE examined further as potential

[[Page 31839]]

design options. DOE updated the analysis for several of these design
options based on information received during the WICF Working Group
meetings. DOE maintained its efficiency calculation assumptions in the
June 2014 final rule analysis for improved condenser blades, evaporator
fan blades and off-cycle evaporator fan control. The following sections
summarize the revised treatment of specific design options as compared
with the June 2014 final rule analysis. All design options are
discussed in more detail in chapter 5 of the TSD. DOE did not receive
comments about these analysis changes in response to the September 2016
NOPR and did not make any additional changes for the final rule
analysis.
a. Higher Efficiency Compressors
In the June 2014 final rule analysis, DOE considered efficiency
improvements associated with variable-speed compressors. DOE removed
this option from consideration in the September 2016 NOPR analysis. 81
FR at 63003 (September 13, 2016). As discussed in section IV.D.1, DOE's
analysis for the dedicated condensing unit classes was updated to
reflect the testing and rating of condensing units alone rather than as
part of matched pairs. The current test procedure does not include a
method for assessing variable-capacity systems using the condenser-
alone rating method. Hence, DOE did not consider variable-speed
compressors as a design option in its analysis. This approach does not
preclude manufacturers from designing and selling systems with
multiple-capacity or variable-capacity compressors, but they would have
to be tested and certified as matched-pair systems. DOE may consider
this design option in a future rulemaking when the test procedure is
modified to allow the testing of multiple-capacity or variable-capacity
condensing units individually rather than as part of matched pairs.
This test procedure change was part of the set of recommendations made
by the WICF Working Group. (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, Term
Sheet: Recommendation #6 (December 15, 2015), No. 56 at p. 3)
b. Improved Condenser Coil
In its supporting analysis for the June 2014 final rule, DOE
considered a design option for an improved condenser coil with more
face area and heat transfer capacity than a baseline coil. DOE assumed
that the coil would be sized to lower the condensing temperature by 10
[deg]F based on DOE testing, input received from manufacturers during
interviews, and analysis. Consequently, the analysis used a reduced
power input and an increased cooling capacity for the compressor. See
the June 2014 final rule TSD, chapter 5, pages 5-44 and 5-45 (Docket
No. EERE-2008-BT-STD-0015, No. 0131). DOE revised its analysis for this
design option during the WICF Working Group meetings based on input
from the negotiating parties. This input included specific condensing
unit performance and design details for DOE to consider as part of its
analysis. DOE considered a new design approach that would result in a
5-degree condensing temperature reduction. Based in part on the data
submitted by manufacturers on condenser coil sizing, (Docket No. EERE-
2015-BT-STD-0016, Lennox, No. 30), DOE estimated that following this
approach would require a 33 percent increase in airflow and 50 percent
increase in total heat transfer area over the baseline. DOE
incorporated the revised cost and energy characteristics of this option
into the analysis. The assumptions associated with the improved
condenser coil for both DC.L.I and DC.L.O analyses are discussed in
more detail in section 5.5.8.2 of the TSD.
c. Floating Head Pressure
Floating head pressure is a type of refrigeration system control
for outdoor condensing units that uses a lower condensing pressure set-
point than conventional head pressure control, thus lowering the
condensing pressure and improving compressor efficiency at low ambient
temperatures. In its June 2014 final rule analysis, DOE analyzed two
modes of operation for this option: floating head pressure with a
standard thermostatic expansion valve (``TXV''), and floating head
pressure with an electronic expansion valve (``EEV'')--the latter
option allows for an even lower condensing pressure set-point compared
to systems that do not use an EEV and was considered in the June 2014
final rule's analysis only for scroll compressors. See Docket EERE-
2008-BT-STD-0015, Final Rule Technical Support Document, No. 0131,
Section 5.5.6.10 pp. 5-52 to 5-53. In revising its current analysis in
response to input received during the WICF Working Group meetings, DOE
extended consideration of the second step in condensing pressure
reduction to semi-hermetic compressors. DOE's modeling also more
closely optimized the interaction among design options at the highest
efficiency levels (i.e., increasing the minimum head pressure from 125
psi to 135 psi at the lowest ambient temperature). The details of
floating head pressure design option are discussed in more detail in
section 5.5.8.8 of the final rule TSD.
9. Cost-Efficiency Curves
After determining the cost and energy savings attributed to each
design option, DOE evaluates the design options in terms of their
manufacturing cost-effectiveness: That is, the gain in as-tested AWEF
that a manufacturer would obtain for implementing the design option on
their equipment, versus the cost for using that option. For each
representative unit listed in section IV.D.4, DOE calculates
performance as measured using the test procedure efficiency metric,
AWEF, and the manufacturing production cost (i.e., MPC). When using a
design-option analysis, DOE calculates these values first for the
baseline efficiency and then for more-efficient designs that add design
options in the order from the most cost-effective to the least cost-
effective. The outcome of this design option ordering is called a
``cost-efficiency curve'' consisting of a set of manufacturing costs
and AWEFs for each consecutive design option added in order of most to
least cost-effective.
Table IV-2 and Table IV-3 show the AWEFs calculated in this manner.
Additional detail is provided in Appendix 5A of the TSD, including
graphs of the cost-efficiency curves and correlation of the design
option groups considered with their corresponding AWEF levels.

Table IV-2--Engineering Analysis Output: Calculated AWEFs for DC Classes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Representative unit As-Tested AWEF with each Design Option (DO) added *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nominal
Equipment class Btu/h Compressor type Base-line DO 1 DO 2 DO 3 DO 4 DO 5 DO 6 DO 7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DC.L.I, < 6,500 Btu/h.......... 6,000 Scroll............ DO................ ......... EC................ CD2............... CB2............... .................. .................. .................. .................
AWEF.............. 1.91 1.97.............. 2.3............... 2.31.............. .................. .................. .................. .................

[[Page 31840]]

DC.L.I, >= 6,500 Btu/h......... 9,000 Scroll............ DO................ ......... EC................ CD2............... CB2............... .................. .................. .................. .................
AWEF.............. 2.09 2.14.............. 2.48.............. 2.49.............. .................. .................. .................. .................
25,000 ** Scroll, Semi- DO................ ......... EC................ CD2............... CB2............... .................. .................. .................. .................
hermetic.
AWEF.............. 2.02 2.06.............. 2.4............... 2.41.............. .................. .................. .................. .................
54,000 Semi-hermetic..... DO................ ......... EC................ CD2............... CB2............... .................. .................. .................. .................
AWEF.............. 2.35 2.42.............. 2.68.............. 2.69.............. .................. .................. .................. .................
DC.L.O, < 6,500 Btu/h.......... 6,000 Scroll............ DO................ ......... FHP............... EC................ CB2............... FHPEV............. VSCF.............. CD2............... ASC
AWEF.............. 2.22 2.57.............. 2.66.............. 2.67.............. 2.87.............. 3................. 3.09.............. 3.12
DC.L.O, >= 6,500 Btu/h......... 9,000 Scroll............ DO................ ......... FHP............... EC................ FHPEV............. CB2............... VSCF.............. CD2............... ASC
AWEF.............. 2.41 2.81.............. 2.89.............. 3.12.............. 3.13.............. 3.18.............. 3.28.............. 3.3
25,000 ** Scroll, Semi- DO................ ......... FHP............... EC................ FHPEV............. VSCF.............. CB2............... ASC............... CD2
hermetic.
AWEF.............. 2.31 2.7............... 2.77.............. 2.98.............. 3.05.............. 3.05.............. 3.08.............. 3.16
54,000 Semi-hermetic..... DO................ ......... FHP............... FHPEV............. EC................ VSCF.............. ASC............... CB2............... CD2
AWEF.............. 2.6 2.92.............. 3.07.............. 3.16.............. 3.24.............. 3.27.............. 3.27.............. 3.29
72,000 Semi-hermetic..... DO................ ......... FHP............... FHPEV............. EC................ VSCF.............. ASC............... CB2............... CD2
AWEF.............. 2.59 2.9............... 3.08.............. 3.16.............. 3.25.............. 3.28.............. 3.28.............. 3.29
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Design option abbreviations are as follows: ASC = Ambient sub-cooling; CB2 = Improved condenser fan blades; CD2 = Improved condenser coil; EC = Electronically commutated condenser fan motors; FHP = Floating head pressure; FHPEV =
Floating head pressure with electronic expansion valve; VSCF = Variable speed condenser fans.
** As discussed in section IV.D.6.b, DOE aggregated the separate results for scroll and semi-hermetic compressors and created a single aggregated cost-efficiency curve in the engineering analysis for the 25,000 Btu/h nominal
capacity.

Table IV-3--Engineering Analysis Output: Calculated AWEFs for UC Classes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Representative unit As-tested AWEF with each design option (DO) added *
-------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment class Nominal Btu/h Baseline DO 1 DO 2 DO 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UC.M............................. 4,000 DO.................. .............. MEF................. EB2................. VEF
AWEF................ 6.45 7.75................ 7.91................ 9.02
9,000 DO.................. .............. MEF................. EB2................. VEF
AWEF................ 7.46 8.74................ 8.89................ 9.92
24,000 DO.................. .............. MEF................. VEF................. EB2
AWEF................ 8.57 9.74................ 10.64............... 10.75
UC.L, < 15,500 Btu/h............. 4,000 DO.................. .............. EB2................. MEF................. VEF
AWEF................ 3.43 3.47................ 3.58................ 3.66
9,000 DO.................. .............. MEF................. EB2................. VEF
AWEF................ 3.75 3.86................ 3.88................ 3.95
UC.L, >= 15,500 Btu/h............ 18,000 DO.................. .............. MEF................. EB2................. VEF
AWEF................ 3.94 4.05................ 4.08................ 4.15
40,000 DO.................. .............. MEF................. EB2................. VEF
AWEF................ 4.06 4.20................ 4.23................ 4.32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Design option abbreviations are as follows: EB2 = Improved evaporator fan blades; MEF = Modulating evaporator fans during compressor off-cycle; VEF =
Variable speed evaporator fans during compressor off cycle.

10. Engineering Efficiency Levels
DOE selects efficiency levels for each equipment class. These
levels form the basis of the potential standard levels that DOE
considers in its analysis. As discussed above, DOE conducted a design-
option-based engineering analysis for this rulemaking, in which AWEFs
were calculated for specific designs incorporating groups of design
options. However, these design-option-based AWEFs vary as a function of
representative capacity due to multiple factors and are not generally
suitable as the basis for standard levels. Hence, DOE selected
engineering efficiency levels (``ELs'') for each class that provide
suitable candidate levels for consideration. The efficiency levels do
not exactly match the calculated AWEFs at each representative capacity,
but the candidate efficiency levels are meant to provide overall
representation of the range of efficiencies calculated for the
individual representative capacities.
The selected efficiency levels for the equipment classes analyzed
for this document are shown in Table IV-4 below. DOE divided the
dedicated condensing classes into the same two classes initially
considered in the June 2014 final Rule, except that the classes
proposed and presented here are split based on the calculated net
capacity rather than the 9,000 Btu/h nominal capacity used in the June
2014 final Rule. For the medium-temperature and low-temperature unit
cooler classes, where the initial analysis had a single class covering
the entire capacity range, DOE proposed in the NOPR two classes for
low-temperature unit coolers and one for medium-temperature (81 FR at
63006)--this approach has not changed for the final rule.
The maximum technologically feasible level is represented by EL 3
for all classes. DOE represented the

[[Page 31841]]

efficiency levels by either a single AWEF or an equation for the AWEF
as a function of the net capacity. The efficiency levels for each class
are formulated such that they divide the gap in efficiency between the
baseline and the maximum technologically feasible efficiency level into
approximately equal intervals. The baseline level is generally
represented by the lowest AWEF achieved by any representative system in
the class, while the maximum technologically feasible level is
represented by the highest AWEF achieved by any representative system
in the class, rounded down to the nearest 0.05 Btu per watt-hour
(``Btu/W-h'') to account for uncertainty in the analysis.

Table IV-4--Engineering Efficiency Levels for Each Equipment Class*
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AWEF
Equipment class -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baseline EL 1 EL 2 EL 3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dedicated Condensing System--
Low, Indoor with a Net
Capacity (q_net) of:
< 6,500 Btu/h.............. 5.030 x 10-5 x 6.384 x 10-5 x 7.737 x 10-5 x 9.091 x 10-5 x
q_net + 1.59. q_net + 1.67. q_net + 1.74. q_net + 1.81.
>= 6,500 Btu/h............. 1.92.............. 2.08.............. 2.24.............. 2.40.............
Dedicated Condensing System--
Low, Outdoor with a Net
Capacity (q_net) of:
< 6,500 Btu/h.............. 3.905 x 10-5 x 4.778 x 10-5 x 5.650 x 10-5 x 6.522 x 10-5 x
q_net + 1.97. q_net + 2.22. q_net + 2.47. q_net + 2.73.
>= 6,500 Btu/h............. 2.22.............. 2.53.............. 2.84.............. 3.15.............
Unit Cooler--Medium
All........................ 6.45.............. 7.3............... 8.15.............. 9................
Unit Cooler--Low with a Net
Capacity (q_net) of:
< 15,500 Btu/h............. 2.499 x 10-5 x 2.191 x 10-5 x 1.883 x 10-5 x 1.575 x 10-5 x
q_net + 3.36. q_net + 3.54. q_net + 3.73. q_net + 3.91.
>= 15,500 Btu/h............ 3.75.............. 3.88.............. 4.02.............. 4.15.............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Where q_net is net capacity as determined and certified pursuant to 10 CFR 431.304

DOE did not receive comments regarding the considered efficiency
levels in response to the September 2016 NOPR and notes that the
efficiency levels selected in this final rule remain the same as the
efficiency levels presented in the NOPR. In the NOPR, DOE discussed two
cases where the AWEFs for the maximum-technology EL 3 exceeds the
maximum AWEF values as calculated in the design-option engineering
analysis. 81 FR at 63006 (September 13, 2016).
The first of these cases involved lower-capacity, low-temperature
unit coolers. As discussed in the NOPR (81 FR at 63006-63007), DOE
believes that the selected EL 3 is technologically feasible given the
uncertainty in the analysis, and the fact that the industry negotiating
parties explicitly agreed to a standard at this level during Working
Group meetings. (See Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, AHRI, Public
Meeting Transcript (December 15, 2015), No. 60 at pp. 229-230) DOE
received no comments in response to the September 2016 NOPR objecting
to this proposed efficiency level.
The second case involved indoor and outdoor dedicated condensing
units at representative nominal capacity of 25,000 Btu/h. As discussed
in the NOPR, the AWEF associated with EL 3 for these classes can be
achieved for this capacity using semi-hermetic compressors. 81 FR at
63006-63007 (September 13, 2016). DOE also notes that with its now-
adjusted dedicated condensing unit analysis described in section
IV.D.6.d, the analysis demonstrates that the EL 3 AWEF is achievable
with scroll compressors for the 25,000 Btu/h nominal capacity. As noted
earlier, the AWEFs calculated in the design-option-based analysis vary
as a function of representative capacity due to multiple factors and
are not generally suitable as the basis for standard levels, and the
selected engineering ELs for each class provide suitable candidate
levels for consideration. The efficiency levels do not exactly match
the calculated AWEFs at each representative capacity, but are instead
meant to provide an overall representation of the range of efficiencies
calculated for the individual representative capacities. While AWEF
values calculated in the NOPR analysis for the 25,000 Btu/h dedicated
condensing classes did not attain the TSL 3 AWEF, the values are
consistent with TSL 3 in the current analysis, which DOE believes to be
more appropriate for this max-tech TSL. Consequently, in DOE's view,
the analysis for this second case shows that the adjusted analysis
results in a more appropriate alignment of the engineering analysis
with the selected ELs.

E. Markups Analysis

The markups analysis develops appropriate markups (e.g., retailer
markups, distributor markups, contractor markups) in the distribution
chain and sales taxes to convert the MSP estimates derived in the
engineering analysis to consumer prices, which are then used in the LCC
and PBP analysis and in the manufacturer impact analysis. At each step
in the distribution channel, companies mark up the price of equipment
to cover business costs and profit margin.
For this final rule, DOE retained the distribution channels that
were used in the NOPR--(1) direct to customer sales, through national
accounts or contractors; (2) refrigeration wholesalers to consumers;
and (3) OEMs to consumers. The OEM channel primarily represents
manufacturers of WICF refrigeration systems who may also install and
sell entire WICF refrigeration units.
For each of the channels, DOE developed separate markups for
baseline equipment (baseline markups) and the incremental cost of more-
efficient equipment (incremental markups). Incremental markups are
coefficients that relate the change in the MSP of higher-efficiency
models to the change in the retailer sales price. DOE relied on data
from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Heating, Air-conditioning &
Refrigeration Distributors International (``HARDI'') industry trade
group, and RSMeans \31\ to estimate average baseline and incremental
markups
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\31\ R.S. Means Company, Inc. RSMeans Mechanical Cost Data. 33rd
edition. 2015. Kingston, MA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 6 of the final rule TSD provides details on DOE's
development of markups for the considered WICF refrigeration systems.

[[Page 31842]]

F. Energy Use Analysis

The purpose of the energy use analysis is to determine the annual
energy consumption of the considered WICF refrigeration systems at
different efficiencies in representative U.S. installations, and to
assess the energy savings potential of increased WICF refrigeration
system efficiency. The energy use analysis estimates the range of
energy use of the considered WICF refrigeration systems in the field
(i.e., as they are actually used by consumers). The energy use analysis
provides the basis for other analyses DOE performed, particularly
assessments of the energy savings and the savings in consumer operating
costs that could result from adopting amended or new standards.
The estimates for the annual energy consumption of each analyzed
representative refrigeration system (see section IV.D.4) were derived
assuming that (1) the refrigeration system is sized such that it
follows a specific daily duty cycle for a given number of hours per day
at full-rated capacity and (2) the refrigeration system produces no
additional refrigeration effect for the remaining period of the 24-hour
cycle. These assumptions are consistent with the present industry
practice for sizing refrigeration systems. This methodology assumes
that the refrigeration system is correctly paired with an envelope that
generates a load profile such that the rated hourly capacity of the
paired refrigeration system, operated for the given number of run hours
per day, produces sufficient refrigeration to meet the daily
refrigeration load of the envelope with a safety margin to meet
contingency situations. Thus, the annual energy consumption estimates
for the refrigeration system depend on the methodology adopted for
sizing, the implied assumptions and the extent of oversizing.
The WICF equipment run-time hours that DOE used broadly follow the
load profile assumptions of the industry test procedure for
refrigeration systems--AHRI 1250-2009. As noted earlier, that protocol
was incorporated into DOE's test procedure. 76 FR 33631 (June 9, 2011).
For the NOPR analysis, DOE used a nominal run-time of 16 hours per day
for coolers and 18 hours per day for freezers over a 24-hour period to
calculate the capacity of a ``perfectly''-sized refrigeration system at
specified reference ambient temperatures of 95 [deg]F and 90 [deg]F for
refrigeration systems with outdoor and indoor condensing units,
respectively. (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, various parties,
Public Meeting Transcript (October 1, 2015), No. 68 at p. 9) Nominal
run-time hours for coolers and freezers were adjusted to account for
equipment over-sizing safety margin and capacity mismatch factors. They
were further adjusted to account for the change in net capacity from
increased efficiency projected to occur in the standards case.
Additionally, in the case of outdoor condensing equipment, run-time
hours were further adjusted based on the typical variations in ambient
temperatures for each of the 9 Census Divisions, not the single point
95 [deg]F reference temperature specified in AHRI-1250-2009. For indoor
condensing equipment, DOE estimated run-time hours in the no-new-
standards, and standards cases based on the steady-state design point
ambient temperature of 90 [deg]F specified in AHRI-1250-2009. DOE notes
that indoor condensing equipment may be subject to ambient temperatures
that are higher, or lower than the design point temperature of 90
[deg]F. To the extent that this occurs, it would be expected to result
in some increasing or lowering of consumer opening costs savings in
relation to changes in indoor ambient temperature from the results
presented in section V.B.1.a. The WICF equipment run-time hours that
DOE used broadly follow the load profile assumptions of the industry
test procedure for refrigeration systems--AHRI 1250-2009--which is
incorporated into DOE's test procedure. See 10 CFR 431.303 and 431.304.
As in the NOPR analysis, DOE maintained its use of nominal run-times of
16 hours per day for coolers and 18 hours per day for freezers over a
24-hour period to calculate the capacity of a ``perfectly''-sized
refrigeration system at specified reference ambient temperatures of 95
[deg]F and 90 [deg]F for refrigeration systems with outdoor and indoor
condensing units, respectively. See generally, Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-
STD-0016, DOE, Public Meeting Transcript (October 1, 2015), No. 68 at
pp. 9-13) Nominal run-time hours for coolers and freezers were adjusted
to account for equipment over-sizing safety margin and capacity
mismatch factors. They were further adjusted to account for the change
in net capacity from increased efficiency projected to occur in the
standards case, and, in the case of outdoor equipment, variations in
ambient temperature. The energy use calculation is discussed in greater
detail in chapter 7 of the TSD.
1. Oversize Factors
During the Working Group negotiations, Rheem indicated that the
typical and widespread industry practice for sizing the refrigeration
system is to calculate the daily heat load on the basis of a 24-hour
cycle and divide by 16 hours of run-time for coolers and 18 hours of
run-time for freezers. In the field, WICF refrigeration systems are
sized to account for a ``worst case scenario'' need for refrigeration
to prevent food spoilage, and as such are oversized by a safety margin.
(Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, Rheem, Public Meeting Transcript
(October 1, 2015), No. 68 at pp. 12, 14) Based on discussions with
purchasers of WICF refrigeration systems, DOE found that it is
customary in the industry to add a 10 percent safety margin to the
aggregate 24-hour load, resulting in 10 percent oversizing of the
refrigeration system. The use of this 10 percent oversizing of the
refrigeration system was presented to the Working Group and accepted
without objection and incorporated into the analyses for the NOPR and
the final rule. (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, various parties,
Public Meeting Transcript (October 1, 2015), No. 68 at pp. 8-16)
Further, DOE recognized that an exact match for the calculated
refrigeration system capacity may not be available for the
refrigeration systems available in the market because most
refrigeration systems are produced in discrete capacities. To account
for this situation, DOE used the same approach as in the June 2014
final rule. Namely, DOE applied a capacity mismatch factor of 10
percent to capture the inability to perfectly match the calculated WICF
capacity with the capacity available in the market. This approach was
presented to the Working Group and accepted without objection and
incorporated into both the NOPR final rule analyses. (Docket No. EERE-
2015-BT-STD-0016, various parties, Public Meeting Transcript (October
1, 2015), No. 68 at pp. 8, 18)
The combined safety margin factor and capacity mismatch factor
result in a total oversizing factor of 1.2. With the oversize factor
applied, the run-time of the refrigeration system is reduced to 13.3
hours per day for coolers and 15 hours per day for freezers at full
design point capacity. These calculations are described in detail in
chapter 7 of the final rule TSD.
2. Net Capacity Adjustment Factors
In this final rule, as in the NOPR and June 2014 final rule, DOE
assumed that the heat loads to which WICF refrigeration systems are
connected remain constant in the no-new-standards and standards cases.
To account for changes in the net capacity of more efficient designs in
the standard cases, DOE adjusted the run-time hours

[[Page 31843]]

as part of its supporting analyses. See 81 FR at 63008; 79 FR at 32083.
3. Temperature Adjustment Factors
In this final rule, as in the NOPR and June 2014 final rule, DOE
assumed that indoor WICF refrigeration systems are operated at a
steady-state with an ambient temperature of 90 [deg]F. See 81 FR at
63008; 79 FR at 32083. For these equipment classes, the run-time hours
are only adjusted by the change in steady-state capacity as efficiency
increases. (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, various parties, Public
Meeting Transcript (October 1, 2015), No. 68 at p. 23)
In this final rule, as in the NOPR, DOE assumed outdoor WICF
refrigeration system run-times to be a function of external ambient
temperature. 81 FR at 63008 (September 13, 2016). DOE adjusted the run-
time hours for outdoor WICF refrigeration systems to account for the
dependence of the steady-state capacity on external ambient
temperature. External ambient temperatures were determined as regional
histograms of annual weighted hourly temperatures. For these equipment,
the run-time hours are adjusted by the fraction of heat load that would
be removed at each temperature bin of the regional histogram. (Docket
No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, various parties, Public Meeting Transcript
(October 1, 2015), No. 68 at pp. 33-35)
These adjusted run-times were presented to the Working Group in
detail for indoor and outdoor dedicated condensing equipment classes.
(Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, various parties, Public Meeting
Transcript (November 20, 2015), No. 66 at pp. 111-119) After reviewing
DOE's run-time estimates, the CA IOUs, confirmed the reasonableness of
DOE's estimates. (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, CA IOUs, Public
Meeting Transcript (November 4, 2015), No. 65 at p. 190)
Chapter 7 of the final rule TSD provides details on DOE's energy
use analysis for the considered WICF refrigeration systems.

G. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analysis

DOE conducted LCC and PBP analyses to evaluate the economic impacts
on individual consumers of potential energy conservation standards for
the considered WICF refrigeration systems. The effect of energy
conservation standards on individual consumers usually involves a
reduction in operating cost and an increase in purchase cost. DOE used
the following two metrics to measure consumer impacts:
The LCC (life-cycle cost) is the total consumer expense of
an appliance or equipment over the life of that equipment, consisting
of total installed cost (manufacturer selling price, distribution chain
markups, sales tax, and installation costs) plus operating costs
(expenses for energy use, maintenance, and repair). To compute the
operating costs, DOE discounts future operating costs to the time of
purchase and sums them over the lifetime of the equipment.
The payback period is the estimated amount of time (in
years) it takes consumers to recover the increased purchase cost
(including installation) of more-efficient equipment through lower
operating costs. DOE calculates the PBP by dividing the change in
purchase cost at higher efficiency levels by the change in annual
operating cost for the year that amended or new standards are assumed
to take effect.
For any given efficiency level, DOE measures the change in LCC
relative to the LCC in the no-new-standards case, which reflects the
estimated efficiency distribution of the considered equipment in the
absence of new or amended energy conservation standards. In contrast,
the PBP for a given efficiency level is measured relative to the
baseline equipment.
For each considered efficiency level in each equipment class, DOE
calculated the LCC and PBP for a nationally representative set of WICF
refrigeration systems. DOE used shipments data submitted by AHRI to
develop its sample. (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, DOE, Public
Meeting Transcript (November 3, 2015), No. 64 at pp. 150) The sample
weights how the various WICF refrigeration system types and capacities
are distributed over different commercial sub-sectors, geographic
regions, and configurations of how the equipment is sold (either as a
separate unit cooler, a separate condensing unit, or as a combined unit
cooler and condensing unit pair matched at the time of installation).
For each of these WICF refrigeration systems, DOE determined the energy
consumption and the appropriate electricity price, enabling DOE to
capture variations in WICF refrigeration system energy consumption and
energy pricing.
Inputs to the calculation of total installed cost include the cost
of the equipment--which includes MSPs, manufacturer markups, retailer
and distributor markups, and sales taxes--and installation costs.
Inputs to the calculation of operating expenses include annual energy
consumption, energy prices and price projections, repair and
maintenance costs, equipment lifetimes, and discount rates. DOE created
distributions of values for equipment lifetime, discount rates, and
sales taxes, with probabilities attached to each value, to account for
their uncertainty and variability.
The computer model DOE uses to calculate the LCC and PBP relies on
a Monte Carlo simulation to incorporate uncertainty and variability
into the analysis. The Monte Carlo simulations randomly sample input
values from the probability distributions and WICF consumer sample. The
model calculated the LCC and PBP for equipment at each efficiency level
for 5,000 consumers per simulation run.
DOE calculated the LCC and PBP for all consumers of the considered
WICF refrigeration systems as if each consumer were to purchase new
equipment in the expected first full year of required compliance with
the standards. As discussed in section III.F, DOE currently anticipates
a compliance date in early 2020 for the WICF refrigeration systems
under consideration.
Table IV-5 summarizes the approach and data DOE used to derive
inputs to the LCC and PBP calculations. The subsections that follow
provide further discussion. Details of the spreadsheet model, and of
all the inputs to the LCC and PBP analyses, are contained in chapter 8
of the final rule TSD and its appendices.

Table IV-5--Summary of Inputs and Methods for the LCC and PBP
Analysis\*\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inputs Source/method
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment Cost......................... Derived by multiplying MSPs by
retailer markups and sales
tax, as appropriate. Used
historical data to derive a
price scaling index to
forecast equipment costs.
Installation Costs..................... Baseline installation cost
determined with data from RS
Means. Assumed no change with
efficiency level.

[[Page 31844]]

Annual Energy Use...................... The total annual energy use
multiplied by the hours per
year. Average number of hours
based on field data.
Variability: Based on the
stakeholder submitted data.
Energy Prices.......................... Electricity: Average and
marginal prices derived from
EIA and Edison Electric
Institute (``EEI'') data.
Energy Price Trends.................... Based on AEO2016 No-CPP case
price projections.
Repair and Maintenance Costs........... Assumed no change with
efficiency level.
Product Lifetime....................... Assumed average lifetime of 12
years.
Discount Rates......................... Approach involves identifying
all possible debt or asset
classes that might be used to
purchase WICFs. Primary data
source was the Damodaran
Online.
Compliance Date........................ 2020.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* References for the data sources mentioned in this table are provided
in the sections following the table or in chapter 8 of the final rule
TSD.

1. System Boundaries
As discussed in section IV.D.6, participants during the Working
Group meetings stated that the vast majority of WICF refrigeration
equipment are sold as stand-alone components and installed either as a
complete system in the field (field-paired) or as replacement
components--i.e., to replace either the unit cooler (``UC-only'') or
condensing unit (``CU-only''). AHRI provided data to the Working Group
indicating that over 90 percent of these WICF refrigeration equipment
components are sold as stand-alone equipment with the remaining sold as
manufacturer matched pairs (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, AHRI, No.
29). These data stand in contrast to the June 2014 final rule, where
DOE assumed in its analysis that all equipment was sold as
manufacturer-matched pairs. Further, section III.B of this document
DOE's May 2014 test procedure update that specified that in instances
where a complete walk-in refrigeration system consists of a unit cooler
and condensing unit sourced from separate manufacturers, each
manufacturer is responsible for ensuring the compliance of its
respective units. See 79 FR at 27391. Based on the current market
situation, the LCC analysis separately estimates the costs and benefits
for equipment under the following system configuration scenarios:
field-paired systems,\32\ condensing unit-only,\33\ and unit cooler
only.\34\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\32\ Paired dedicated systems are described in section IV.D.6.c.
\33\ Condensing units are described in section IV.D.6.b.
\34\ Unit coolers are described in section IV.D.6.a.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

a. Field-Paired
Under the field-paired system configuration, DOE assumes that the
unit cooler and condensing unit are purchased as stand-alone pieces of
equipment and paired together in the field. Field-paired results were
estimated for dedicated condensing, low-temperature equipment classes
only, which include dedicated condensing, low-temperature outdoor
(DC.L.O) and dedicated condensing, low-temperature indoor (DC.L.I)
equipment classes. Medium-temperature dedicated condensing equipment
classes were not analyzed as field-paired equipment because these
condensing units fall outside the scope of this final rule's analysis.
(These units are already addressed by the June 2014 final rule.) Also,
unit coolers used in multiplex condensing applications were not
analyzed as field-paired equipment because the scope of these equipment
classes only covers the unit cooler portion of the walk-in system.
b. Condensing Unit-Only
Under the condensing unit-only system configuration, DOE assumes
that the condensing unit is purchased as a stand-alone piece of
equipment and installed with a pre-existing baseline unit cooler.
Condensing unit-only results were estimated for low-temperature,
dedicated condensing equipment classes only, which includes DC.L.O and
DC.L.I equipment classes.
c. Unit Cooler Only
Under the unit cooler-only system configuration, DOE assumes that
the unit cooler is purchased as a stand-alone piece of equipment and
installed with a pre-existing baseline condensing unit. Unit cooler-
only results were estimated for all low-temperature condensing
equipment classes (DC.L.O, DC.L.I, and UC.L). For the medium-
temperature unit coolers belonging to the UC.M equipment class, DOE
estimated the impact of unit cooler design options on multiplex
applications (referred to as UC.M in the tables) and on applications
where the unit cooler is installed with a pre-existing medium -
temperature dedicated condensing unit. For the medium-temperature
dedicated applications, DOE assumed that the condensing unit meets the
standards adopted in the June 2014 final rule. In the tables contained
in this document, the installations with a pre-existing medium-
temperature dedicated condensing unit are referred to as UC.M-DC.M.I
application and UC.M-DC.M.O applications.
As discussed in section III.B, DOE established a rating method for
individually sold walk-in refrigeration system components. Unit coolers
sold alone are tested and rated using the AWEF calculation procedure
for a walk-in unit cooler matched to a parallel rack system (see
section 7.9 of AHRI 1250-2009). Similarly, condensing units sold alone
are tested and rated with the dedicated condensing system test. DOE
reflected this approach by aggregating unit cooler-only results within
the low- and medium-temperature unit cooler equipment classes. The low-
temperature unit cooler equipment class (UC.L) is an aggregation of
results of all unit coolers attached to DC.L.O, DC.L.I, and low-
temperature multiplex condensing systems. The medium-temperature unit
cooler equipment class (UC.M) is an aggregation of results of all unit
coolers in all application types.
d. System Boundary and Equipment Class Weights
Within each equipment class, DOE examined several different nominal
capacities (see section IV.D.4). The life-cycle costs and benefits for
each of these capacities was weighted in the results for each equipment
class shown in section V based on the respective market share of each
equipment class and capacity in the customer sample mentioned above.
The system boundaries and customer sample

[[Page 31845]]

weights (based on share of total sales of the considered WICF
refrigeration equipment) are shown in Table IV-6.

Table IV-6--System Boundaries and Customer Sample Weights
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reported as Capacity
Equipment class application equipment class (kBtu/h) System boundary Weight (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DC.L.I............................ DC.L.I............... 6 CU-Only.............. 1.2
DC.L.I............................ DC.L.I............... 9 CU-Only.............. 0.4
DC.L.I............................ DC.L.I............... 25 CU-Only.............. 0.1
DC.L.I............................ DC.L.I............... 54 CU-Only.............. 0.0
DC.L.O............................ DC.L.O............... 6 CU-Only.............. 0.6
DC.L.O............................ DC.L.O............... 9 CU-Only.............. 1.1
DC.L.O............................ DC.L.O............... 25 CU-Only.............. 0.4
DC.L.O............................ DC.L.O............... 54 CU-Only.............. 0.1
DC.L.O............................ DC.L.O............... 72 CU-Only.............. 0.1
DC.L.I............................ DC.L.I............... 6 Field-Paired......... 5.4
DC.L.I............................ DC.L.I............... 9 Field-Paired......... 2.0
DC.L.I............................ DC.L.I............... 25 Field-Paired......... 0.6
DC.L.I............................ DC.L.I............... 54 Field-Paired......... 0.2
DC.L.O............................ DC.L.O............... 6 Field-Paired......... 2.9
DC.L.O............................ DC.L.O............... 9 Field-Paired......... 5.1
DC.L.O............................ DC.L.O............... 25 Field-Paired......... 1.7
DC.L.O............................ DC.L.O............... 54 Field-Paired......... 0.3
DC.L.O............................ DC.L.O............... 72 Field-Paired......... 0.4
DC.L.I............................ UC.L................. 6 UC-Only.............. 1.2
DC.L.I............................ UC.L................. 9 UC-Only.............. 0.4
DC.L.I............................ UC.L................. 25 UC-Only.............. 0.1
DC.L.I............................ UC.L................. 54 UC-Only.............. 0.0
DC.L.O............................ UC.L................. 6 UC-Only.............. 0.6
DC.L.O............................ UC.L................. 9 UC-Only.............. 1.1
DC.L.O............................ UC.L................. 25 UC-Only.............. 0.4
DC.L.O............................ UC.L................. 54 UC-Only.............. 0.1
DC.L.O............................ UC.L................. 72 UC-Only.............. 0.1
UC.M--DC.M.I...................... UC.M................. 9 UC-Only.............. 15.5
UC.M--DC.M.I...................... UC.M................. 24 UC-Only.............. 4.6
UC.M--DC.M.O...................... UC.M................. 9 UC-Only.............. 24.0
UC.M--DC.M.O...................... UC.M................. 24 UC-Only.............. 11.7
MC.L.............................. UC.L................. 4 UC-Only.............. 0.8
MC.L.............................. UC.L................. 9 UC-Only.............. 3.0
MC.L.............................. UC.L................. 18 UC-Only.............. 2.0
MC.L.............................. UC.L................. 40 UC-Only.............. 0.7
MC.M.............................. UC.M................. 4 UC-Only.............. 1.4
MC.M.............................. UC.M................. 9 UC-Only.............. 7.9
MC.M.............................. UC.M................. 24 UC-Only.............. 2.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Equipment Cost
To calculate consumer equipment costs, DOE multiplied the MPCs
developed in the engineering analysis by the markups described earlier
(along with sales taxes). DOE used different markups for baseline
equipment and higher-efficiency equipment because DOE applies an
incremental markup to the increase in MSP associated with higher-
efficiency equipment.
To develop an equipment price trend for WICFs, DOE derived an
inflation-adjusted index of the producer price index (``PPI'') for
commercial refrigerators and related equipment from 1978 to 2014.\35\
These data, which represent the closest approximation to the
refrigeration equipment at issue in this rule, indicate no clear trend,
showing increases and decreases over time. Because the observed data do
not provide a firm basis for projecting future price trends for WICF
refrigeration equipment, DOE used a constant price assumption as the
default trend to project future WICF refrigeration system prices. Thus,
prices projected for the LCC and PBP analysis are equal to the 2015
values for each efficiency level in each equipment class.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\35\ Bureau of Labor Statistics, Producer Price Index Industry
Data, Series: PCU3334153334153.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Installation Cost
Installation cost includes labor, overhead, and any miscellaneous
materials and parts needed to install the equipment. DOE used data from
RS Means Mechanical Cost Data 2015 \36\ to estimate the baseline
installation cost for WICF refrigeration systems. Installation costs
associated with hot gas defrost design options for low-temperature
dedicated condensing and multiplex condensing equipment were discussed
at length during the Working Group meetings. (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-
STD-0016, various parties, Public Meeting Transcript (October 1, 2015),
No. 68 at p. 54; Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, various parties,
Public Meeting Transcript (October 15, 2015), No. 62 at pp. 36-37, 49-
50, 187)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\36\ Reed Construction Data, RSMeans Mechanical Cost Data 2015
Book, 2015.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

However, the Working Group recommended that DOE remove from the
test procedure the method for calculating the energy use and thermal
load associated with hot gas defrost (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016,
Term Sheet: Recommendation #3 (December 15, 2015), No. 56 at p. 2) This
method did not require any testing of defrost, using instead a
calculation that includes standardized values associated with both
electricity use and thermal load associated with hot gas defrost--the
method gave a significantly

[[Page 31846]]

better AWEF rating for a refrigeration system with hot gas defrost than
for systems with electric defrost, in effect representing a ``credit''
for this feature. The credit recognized the reduced electrical usage
but, in the absence of a means to account for the energy consumption
stemming from the use of the hot gas defrost system itself, industry
representatives argued that, in their view, the credit did not provide
a completely accurate picture with respect to energy consumption.
Consequently, in light of these concerns, in addition to making the
corresponding changes to the test procedure, DOE also removed hot gas
defrost as a design option from its standards analysis, as discussed in
section VI.B.2. For this final rule, as in the NOPR, DOE maintained
that while installation costs may increase with equipment capacity,
they are not affected by an increase in efficiency and were therefore
not considered. See 81 FR at 63009, 63011. Installation costs are
discussed in detail in chapter 8 of the final rule TSD.
4. Annual Energy Use
DOE typically considers the impact of a rebound effect in its
energy use calculation. A rebound effect occurs when users operate
higher efficiency equipment more frequently and/or for longer
durations, thus offsetting estimated energy savings. DOE did not
incorporate a rebound factor for WICF refrigeration equipment because
it is operated 24 hours a day, and therefore there is limited potential
for a rebound effect. Additionally, DOE requested comment from the
Working Group if there was any evidence contradicting DOE's assumption
to not incorporate a rebound factor, (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016,
DOE, Public Meeting Transcript (November 20, 2015), No. 66 at pp. 92)
to which Hussmann responded that DOE's assumption was reasonable.
(Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, Hussmann, Public Meeting Transcript
(November 20, 2015), No. 66 at pp. 92) Further, ASAP and Lennox
responded in agreement with DOE's assumption to not incorporate a
rebound factor in its NOPR. (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, ASAP,
Public Meeting Transcript (September 29, 2016), No. 79 at p. 23; Docket
No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, Lennox No. 89 at p. 7) In light of these
comments, DOE maintained the same assumptions on rebound effect in this
final rule.
For each sampled WICF refrigeration system, DOE determined the
energy consumption at different efficiency levels using the approach
described in section IV.D.10.
5. Energy Pricing and Projections
DOE derived regional marginal non-residential (i.e., commercial and
industrial) electricity prices using data from EIA's Form EIA-861
database (based on the agency's ``Annual Electric Power Industry
Report''),\37\ EEI Typical Bills and Average Rates Reports,\38\ and
information from utility tariffs for each of nine (9) geographic U.S.
Census Divisions.\39\ Electricity tariffs for non-residential consumers
generally incorporate demand charges. The presence of demand charges
means that two consumers with the same monthly electricity consumption
may have very different bills, depending on their peak demand. DOE
maintained its approach from the NOPR analysis for the final rule, and
derived marginal electricity prices to estimate the impact of demand
charges for consumers of WICF refrigeration systems. The methodology
used to calculate the marginal electricity rates can be found in
appendix 8A of the final rule TSD.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\37\ Available at: www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/page/eia861.html.
\38\ Edison Electric Institute. Typical Bills and Average Rates
Report. Winter 2014 published April 2014, Summer 2014 published
October 2014: Washington, D.C. (Last accessed June 2, 2015.)
www.eei.org/resourcesandmedia/products/Pages/Products.aspx.
\39\ U.S. Census Bureau, Census Divisions and Census Regions
www.census.gov/geo/reference/gtc/gtc_census_divreg.html (Last
accessed February 2, 2016)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

To estimate energy prices in future years, DOE multiplied the
average and marginal regional electricity prices by the forecast of
annual change in national-average commercial electricity pricing in the
Reference case described on p.E-8 in AEO 2016,\40\ which has an end
year of 2040. To estimate price trends after 2040, DOE used the average
annual rate of change in prices from 2020 to 2040.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\40\ EIA. Annual Energy Outlook 2016 with Projections to 2040.
Washington, DC. Available at www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/. The
standards finalized in this rulemaking will take effect a few years
prior to the 2022 commencement of the Clean Power Plan compliance
requirements. As DOE has not modeled the effect of CPP during the 30
year analysis period of this rulemaking, there is some uncertainty
as to the magnitude and overall effect of the energy efficiency
standards. These energy efficiency standards are expected to put
downward pressure on energy prices relative to the projections in
the AEO 2016 case that incorporates the CPP. Consequently, DOE used
the electricity price projections found in the AEO 2016 No-CPP case
as these electricity price projections are expected to be lower,
yielding more conservative estimates for consumer savings due to the
energy efficiency standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. Maintenance and Repair Costs
Repair costs are associated with repairing or replacing equipment
components that have failed in an appliance. Industry participants from
the Working Group indicated that maintenance and repair costs do not
change with increased WICF refrigeration system efficiency. (Docket No.
EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, various parties, Public Meeting Transcript
(October 15, 2015), No. 62 at pp. 38, 53) As in the NOPR, DOE did not
include these costs in the final rule.
7. Equipment Lifetime
For this analysis, DOE continued to use an estimated average
lifetime of 10.5 years for the WICF refrigeration systems examined in
this rulemaking, with a minimum and maximum of 2 and 25 years,
respectively, used in the June 2014 final rule. 79 FR at 32086 (June 3,
2014). DOE reflects the uncertainty of equipment lifetimes in the LCC
analysis for equipment components by using probability distributions.
DOE presented this assumption at the NOPR public meeting and invited
comment. DOE received no comments on its estimated WICF refrigeration
system lifetimes. (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, DOE, Public
Meeting Presentation (September 29, 2016), No. 78 at p. 29)
8. Discount Rates
In calculating the LCC, DOE applies discount rates to estimate the
present value of future operating costs to the consumers of WICF
refrigeration systems. DOE derived the discount rates for both the NOPR
and final rule analyses by estimating the average cost of capital for a
large number of companies similar to those that would likely to
purchase WICF refrigeration systems. This approach resulted in a
distribution of potential consumer discount rates from which DOE
sampled in the LCC analysis. Most companies use both debt and equity
capital to fund investments, so their cost of capital is the weighted
average of the cost to the company of equity and debt financing.
DOE estimated the cost of equity financing by using the Capital
Asset Pricing Model (``CAPM'').\41\ The CAPM assumes that the cost of
equity is proportional to the amount of systematic risk associated with
a company. Data for deriving the cost of equity and debt financing
primarily came from Damodaran Online, which is a widely used source of
information about company debt and equity financing for most types of
firms.\42\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\41\ Harris, R.S. Applying the Capital Asset Pricing Model. UVA-
F-1456. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=909893.
\42\ Damodaran Online, The Data Page: Cost of Capital by
Industry Sector, (2004-2013) (Available at: https://
pages.stern.nyu.edu/~adamodar/).

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

[[Page 31847]]

More details regarding DOE's estimates of consumer discount rates
are provided in chapter 8 of the final rule TSD.
9. Energy Efficiency Distribution in the No-New-Standards Case
To accurately estimate the share of consumers that would be
affected by a potential energy conservation standard at a particular
efficiency level, DOE's LCC analysis considered the projected
distribution (market shares) of equipment efficiencies under the no-
new-standards case (i.e., the case without amended or new energy
conservation standards). In the case of WICF refrigeration systems, DOE
was unable to find usable data on the distribution of efficiencies in
the market, nor was information offered by participants during the
Working Group meetings. For this analysis, DOE continued to assume, as
it did for the NOPR analysis, that 100 percent of WICF refrigeration
equipment is at the baseline efficiency level in the no-new-standards
case. (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, DOE, Public Meeting (October
1, 2015), No. 068 at pp. 53-54) DOE presented this assumption at the
NOPR public meeting and invited comment. DOE received no comments on
its efficiency distribution assumption in the no-new-standards case.
(Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, DOE, Public Meeting Presentation
(September 29, 2016), No. 78 at p. 29)
10. Payback Period (PBP) Analysis
The PBP is the amount of time it takes the consumer to recover the
additional installed cost of more-efficient products, compared to
baseline products, through energy cost savings. PBPs are expressed in
years and those that exceed the life of the product mean that the
increased total installed cost is not recovered in reduced operating
expenses.
The inputs to the PBP calculation for each efficiency level are the
change in total installed cost of the product and the change in the
first-year annual operating expenditures relative to the baseline. The
PBP calculation uses the same inputs as the LCC analysis, except that
discount rates are not needed because the calculation is based only on
the first-year annual operating expenditures.
As noted above, EPCA, as amended, establishes a rebuttable
presumption that a standard is economically justified if the Secretary
finds that the additional cost to the consumer of purchasing a product
complying with an energy conservation standard level will be less than
three times the value of the first year's energy savings resulting from
the standard, as calculated under the applicable test procedure. (42
U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(iii) and 6316(a)) For each considered efficiency
level, DOE determined the value of the first year's energy savings by
calculating the energy savings in accordance with the applicable DOE
test procedure, and multiplying those savings by the average energy
price projection for the year in which compliance with the standards
would be required.

H. Shipments Analysis

DOE uses forecasts of annual equipment shipments to calculate the
national impacts of the energy conservation standards on energy use,
NPV, and future manufacturer cash-flows.\43\ The shipments model takes
an accounting approach, tracking the vintage of units in the stock and
market shares of each equipment class. The model uses equipment
shipments as inputs to estimate the age distribution of in-service
equipment stocks for all years. The age distribution of in-service
equipment stocks is a key input to calculations of both the NES and
NPV, because operating costs for any year depend on the age
distribution of the stock.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\43\ DOE uses data on manufacturer shipments as a proxy for
national sales, as aggregate data on sales are not readily available
for DOE to examine. In general, one would expect a close
correspondence between shipments and sales in light of their direct
relationship with each other.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In DOE's shipments model, shipments of the considered WICF
refrigeration systems are driven by new purchases and stock
replacements due to failures. Equipment failure rates are related to
equipment lifetimes described in section IV.G.7. New equipment
purchases are driven by growth in commercial floor space.
DOE initialized its stock and shipments model based on shipments
data provided by stakeholders during the Working Group meetings. These
data showed that for low-temperature, dedicated condensing equipment
classes, 5 percent of shipments are manufacturer-matched condensing
units and unit coolers, and the remaining 95 percent is sold as
individual condensing units or unit coolers that installers then match
in the field. (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, various parties,
Public Meeting Transcript (November 3, 2015), No. 64 at p. 120; Docket
No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, various parties, Public Meeting Transcript
(November 20, 2015), No. 66 at pp. 83-84) For medium and low-
temperature unit coolers, 82 percent are paired with dedicated
condensing systems, and the remaining 18 percent are paired with
multiplex systems; 70 percent of unit coolers are medium-temperature,
and 30 percent are low-temperature. (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016,
various parties, Public Meeting Transcript (November 4, 2015), No. 65
at p. 117)
As with the NOPR and the June 2014 final rule, DOE assumed in this
analysis that shipments of new equipment would increase over time at
the same rate of growth as commercial floor space projected in AEO
2016. As presented to the Working Group, DOE took this approach because
data on historic trends in market shares of WICF equipment classes and
capacities were lacking. Because of this limitation, DOE assumed that
the share of shipments for each equipment class and capacity would
remain constant over time. (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, Public
Meeting Presentation (November 20, 2015), No. 42, at p. 24)
DOE recognizes that an increase in equipment price resulting from
energy conservation standards may affect end-user decisions regarding
whether to purchase new WICF equipment. However, DOE has not found any
information in existing literature, or provided by stakeholders, that
indicates that there is a price elasticity for WICFs. As in the June
2014 final rule, NOPR, and as presented at the NOPR public meeting,
similar to other commercial refrigeration equipment, DOE assumed that
WICF equipment is a necessity for food safety, storage and business
operations. Because of this assumption, DOE concluded that the demand
for WICF equipment is inelastic and assumed an elasticity of zero for
this analysis.\44\ (79 FR 32050; 81 FR 62979; Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-
STD-0016, Public Meeting Presentation (November 20, 2015), No. 42, at
pp. 27-38) DOE did not receive any comments suggesting that there
should be a price elasticity for the considered WICF equipment applied
to its previous analysis--either in response to the proposal or during
the Working Group negotiations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\44\ See: Zero Zone, Inc., et al., v. United States Department
of Energy, et al., 832 F.3d 654 (7th Cir. 2016).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. National Impact Analysis

The NIA assesses the national energy savings (``NES'') and the
national net present value (``NPV'') from a national perspective of
total consumer costs and savings that would be expected to result from
new or amended standards at specific efficiency levels.\45\
(``Consumer'' in this context refers to consumers of the product being
regulated.) DOE calculates the NES and

[[Page 31848]]

NPV for the potential standard levels considered based on projections
of annual product shipments, along with the annual energy consumption
and total installed cost data from the energy use and LCC analyses.\46\
For the present analysis, DOE projected the energy savings, operating
cost savings, product costs, and NPV of consumer benefits over the
lifetime of WICF refrigeration systems sold from 2020 through 2049.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\45\ The NIA accounts for impacts in the 50 states and U.S.
territories.
\46\ For the NIA, DOE adjusts the installed cost data from the
LCC analysis to exclude sales tax, which is a transfer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

DOE evaluates the impacts of standards by comparing a case without
such standards with standards-case projections. The no-new-standards
case characterizes energy use and consumer costs for each equipment
class in the absence of energy conservation standards. For this
projection, DOE considers historical trends in efficiency and various
forces that are likely to affect the mix of efficiencies over time. DOE
compares the no-new-standards case with projections characterizing the
market for each equipment class if DOE adopted new or amended standards
at specific energy efficiency levels (i.e., the TSLs or standards
cases) for that class. For the standards cases, DOE considers how a
given standard would likely affect the market shares of equipment with
efficiencies greater than the standard.
DOE uses a spreadsheet model to calculate the energy savings and
the national consumer costs and savings from each TSL. Interested
parties can review DOE's analyses by changing various input quantities
within the spreadsheet. The NIA spreadsheet model uses typical values
(as opposed to probability distributions) as inputs.
Table IV-7 summarizes the inputs and methods DOE used for the NIA
analysis for the final rule. Discussion of these inputs and methods
follows the table. See chapter 10 of the final rule TSD for further
details.

Table IV-7--Summary of Inputs and Methods for the National Impact
Analysis
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inputs Method
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shipments......................... Annual shipments from shipments
model.
Compliance Date of Standard....... 2020
Efficiency Trends................. No-new-standards case: none.
Standards cases: none.
Annual Energy Consumption per Unit Annual weighted-average values are a
function of energy use at each TSL.
Total Installed Cost per Unit..... Does not change with efficiency
level. Incorporates projection of
future equipment prices based on
historical data.
Annual Energy Cost per Unit....... Annual weighted-average values as a
function of the annual energy
consumption per unit and energy
prices.
Repair and Maintenance Cost per Annual values do not change with
Unit. efficiency level.
Energy Prices..................... AEO2016 no-CPP case price forecasts
(to 2040) and extrapolation through
2050.
Energy Site-to-Primary and FFC Site-to-Primary: A time-series
Conversion. conversion factor based on AEO
2016. FFC: Utilizes data and
projections published in AEO 2016.
Discount Rate..................... Three and seven percent.
Present Year...................... 2016.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Equipment Efficiency Trends
For the standards cases, DOE used a ``roll-up'' scenario to
establish the shipment-weighted efficiency for the year that standards
are assumed to become effective (2020). In this scenario, the market of
products in the no-new-standards case that do not meet the standard
under consideration would ``roll up'' to meet the new standard level,
and the market share of products above the standard would remain
unchanged.
Because data on trends in efficiency for the considered WICF
refrigeration systems are lacking, DOE took a conservative approach and
assumed that no change in efficiency would occur over the shipments
projection period in the no-new-standards case. (Docket No. EERE-2015-
BT-STD-0016, various parties, Public Meeting Transcript (November 20,
2015), No. 66 at pp. 83-84)
2. National Energy Savings
The NES analysis involves a comparison of national energy
consumption of the considered products between each potential standards
case (TSL) and the case with no new or amended energy conservation
standards. DOE calculated the national energy consumption by
multiplying the number of units (stock) of each product (by vintage or
age) by the unit energy consumption (also by vintage). DOE calculated
annual NES based on the difference in national energy consumption for
the no-new-standards case and for each higher efficiency standard case.
DOE estimated energy consumption and savings based on site energy and
converted the electricity consumption and savings to primary energy
(i.e., the energy consumed by power plants to generate site
electricity) using annual conversion factors derived from AEO 2016.
Cumulative energy savings are the sum of the NES for each year over the
timeframe of the analysis.
In 2011, in response to the recommendations of a committee on
``Point-of-Use and Full-Fuel-Cycle Measurement Approaches to Energy
Efficiency Standards'' appointed by the National Academy of Sciences,
DOE announced its intention to use full-fuel-cycle (``FFC'') measures
of energy use and greenhouse gas and other emissions in the national
impact analyses and emissions analyses included in future energy
conservation standards rulemakings. 76 FR 51281 (August 18, 2011).
After evaluating the approaches discussed in that document, DOE
published a statement of amended policy in which DOE explained its
determination that EIA's National Energy Modeling System (``NEMS'') is
the most appropriate tool for its FFC analysis and its intention to use
NEMS for that purpose. 77 FR 49701 (August 17, 2012). NEMS is a public
domain, multi-sector, partial equilibrium model of the U.S. energy
sector \47\ that EIA uses to prepare its Annual Energy Outlook. The FFC
factors incorporate losses in production and delivery in the case of
natural gas (including fugitive emissions) and additional energy used
to produce and deliver the various fuels used by power plants. The
approach used for deriving FFC measures of

[[Page 31849]]

energy use and emissions is described in appendix 10A of the final rule
TSD.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\47\ For more information on NEMS, refer to The National Energy
Modeling System: An Overview 2009, DOE/EIA-0581(2009), October 2009.
Available at www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/index.cfm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Net Present Value Analysis
The inputs for determining the NPV of the total costs and benefits
experienced by consumers are (1) total annual installed cost, (2) total
annual operating costs (energy costs and repair and maintenance costs),
and (3) a discount factor to calculate the present value of costs and
savings. DOE calculates net savings each year as the difference between
the no-new-standards case and each standards case in terms of total
savings in operating costs versus total increases in installed costs.
DOE calculates operating cost savings over the lifetime of each product
shipped during the projection period.
As discussed in section IV.F.1 of this final rule, DOE used a
constant price trend for WICF refrigeration systems. DOE applied the
same trend to forecast prices for each equipment class at each
considered efficiency level. DOE's projection of equipment prices is
discussed in appendix 10B of the final rule TSD.
To evaluate the effect of uncertainty regarding the price trend
estimates, DOE investigated the impact of different equipment price
forecasts on the consumer NPV for the considered TSLs for the
considered WICF refrigeration systems. In addition to the default price
trend, DOE considered one equipment price sensitivity case in which
prices increase and one in which prices decrease. The derivation of
these price trends and the results of the sensitivity cases are
described in appendix 10B of the final rule TSD.
The operating cost savings are energy cost savings, which are
calculated using the estimated energy savings in each year and the
projected price of the appropriate form of energy. To estimate energy
prices in future years, DOE multiplied the average regional energy
prices by a projection of annual national-average commercial energy
price changes consistent with the cases described on page E-8 in AEO
2016,\48\ which has an end year of 2040. To estimate price trends after
2040, DOE used the average annual rate of change in prices from 2020
through 2040. As part of the NIA, DOE also analyzed scenarios that used
inputs from variants of the AEO 2016 case that have lower and higher
economic growth. Those cases have lower and higher energy price trends
and the NIA results based on these cases are presented in appendix 10B
of the final rule TSD.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\48\ U.S. Department of Energy-Energy Information
Administration. Annual Energy Outlook 2016 with Projections to 2040.
Washington, DC. Available at www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/. The
standards finalized in this rulemaking will take effect a few years
prior to the 2022 commencement of the Clean Power Plan compliance
requirements. As DOE has not modeled the effect of CPP during the 30
year analysis period of this rulemaking, there is some uncertainty
as to the magnitude and overall effect of the energy efficiency
standards. These energy efficiency standards are expected to put
downward pressure on energy prices relative to the projections in
the AEO 2016 case that incorporates the CPP. Consequently, DOE used
the electricity price projections found in the AEO 2016 No-CPP case
as these electricity price projections are expected to be lower,
yielding more conservative estimates for consumer savings due to the
energy efficiency standards projections in the AEO 2016 CPP case.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In calculating the NPV, DOE multiplies the net savings in future
years by a discount factor to determine their present value. For this
final rule, DOE estimated the NPV of consumer benefits using both a 3-
percent and a 7-percent real discount rate. DOE uses these discount
rates in accordance with guidance provided by the Office of Management
and Budget (``OMB'') to Federal agencies on the development of
regulatory analysis.\49\ The discount rates for the determination of
NPV are in contrast to the discount rates used in the LCC analysis,
which are designed to reflect a consumer's perspective. The 7-percent
real value is an estimate of the average before-tax rate of return to
private capital in the U.S. economy. The 3-percent real value
represents the ``social rate of time preference,'' which is the rate at
which society discounts future consumption flows to their present
value.
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\49\ United States Office of Management and Budget. Circular A-
4: Regulatory Analysis. September 17, 2003. Section E. Available at
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/memoranda/m03-21.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

J. Consumer Subgroup Analysis

In analyzing the potential impact of the new or amended standards
on commercial consumers, DOE evaluates the impact on identifiable
groups (i.e., subgroups) of consumers that may be disproportionately
affected. Small businesses typically face a higher cost of capital,
which could make it more likely that they would be disadvantaged by a
requirement to purchase higher efficiency equipment.
DOE estimated the impacts on the small business customer subgroup
using the LCC model. To account for a higher cost of capital, the
discount rate was increased by applying a small firm premium to the
cost of capital.\50\ In addition, electricity prices associated with
different types of small businesses were used in the subgroup
analysis.\51\ Apart from these changes, all other inputs for the
subgroup analysis are the same as those in the LCC analysis. Details of
the data used for the subgroup analysis and results are presented in
chapter 11 of the final rule TSD.
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\50\ See chapter 8 of the final TSD for a more detailed
discussion of discount rates.
\51\ Small businesses tend to face higher electricity prices
than the average WICF users.
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K. Manufacturer Impact Analysis

1. Definition of Manufacturer
A manufacturer of a walk-in is any person who: (1) Manufactures a
component of a walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer that affects energy
consumption, including, but not limited to, refrigeration, doors,
lights, windows, or walls; or (2) manufactures or assembles the
complete walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer. 10 CFR 431.302. DOE
requires a manufacturer of a walk-in component to certify the
compliance of the components it manufactures. This document establishes
energy conservation standards for seven classes of refrigeration
equipment that are components of complete walk-in coolers and walk-in
freezers. DOE provides a qualitative and quantitative analysis on the
potential impacts of the adopted rule on the affected WICF
refrigeration manufacturers. The results are presented in section
V.B.2. This document does not set new or amended energy conservation
standards in terms of the performance of the complete walk-in cooler or
walk-in freezer and does not create new burdens on manufacturers who
assemble the complete walk-in cooler or freezer. DOE provides a
qualitative review of the potential impacts on those manufacturers that
assemble complete walk-ins in section V.B.2.e.
2. Overview
DOE performed an MIA to estimate the financial impacts of energy
conservation standards on manufacturers of the seven WICF refrigeration
system equipment classes being analyzed. The MIA also has qualitative
aspects and seeks to determine how energy conservation standards might
affect competition, production capacity, and overall cumulative
regulatory burden for manufacturers. Finally, the MIA serves to
identify any disproportionate impacts on manufacturer subgroups,
including small business manufacturers.
The quantitative part of the MIA primarily relies on the Government
Regulatory Impact Model (i.e., GRIM), an industry cash-flow model with
inputs specific to this rulemaking. The key GRIM inputs include data on
the industry cost structure, unit production costs, equipment
shipments, manufacturer markups, and investments

[[Page 31850]]

in R&D and manufacturing capital required to produce compliant
equipment. The key GRIM outputs are the INPV, which is the sum of
industry annual cash-flows over the analysis period, discounted using
the industry-weighted average cost of capital, and the impact to
domestic manufacturing employment. The model uses standard accounting
principles to estimate the impacts of more-stringent energy
conservation standards on a given industry by comparing changes in INPV
between a no-new-standards case and the various trial standards cases
(TSLs). To capture the uncertainty relating to manufacturer pricing
strategy following the adoption of standards, the GRIM estimates a
range of possible impacts under two markup scenarios. DOE notes that
the INPV estimated by the GRIM is reflective of industry value derived
from the seven equipment classes being analyzed. The model does not
capture the revenue from equipment falling outside the scope of this
rulemaking.
The qualitative part of the MIA addresses manufacturer
characteristics and market trends. Specifically, the MIA considers such
factors as a potential standard's impact on manufacturing capacity,
competition within the industry, and the cumulative impact of other
Federal regulations. The complete MIA is outlined in chapter 12 of the
final rule TSD.
DOE conducted the MIA for this rulemaking in three phases. In phase
1, DOE prepared an industry characterization based on the market and
technology assessment and publicly available information. In Phase 2 of
the MIA, DOE prepared an industry cash-flow analysis to quantify the
impacts of an energy conservation standard on manufacturers of WICF
refrigeration systems. In general, more-stringent energy conservation
standards can affect manufacturer cash-flow in three distinct ways: (1)
By creating a need for increased investment; (2) by raising production
costs per unit; and (3) by altering revenue due to higher per-unit
prices and possible changes in sales volumes. In Phase 3 of the MIA,
DOE used information from the Working Group negotiations to update key
inputs to GRIM to better reflect the industry. Updates include changes
to the engineering inputs and shipments model.
As part of Phase 3, DOE also evaluated subgroups of manufacturers
that may be disproportionately impacted by the adopted standards or
that may not be accurately represented by the average cost assumptions
used to develop the industry cash-flow analysis. Such manufacturer
subgroups may include small business manufacturers, low-volume
manufacturers, niche players, and/or manufacturers exhibiting a cost
structure that largely differs from the industry average. DOE
identified one manufacturer subgroup for which average cost assumptions
may not hold: Small businesses.
To identify small businesses for this analysis, DOE applied the
size standards published by the Small Business Administration (``SBA'')
to determine whether a company is considered a small business. (65 FR
30840, 30848 (May 15, 2000), as amended at 65 FR 53533, 53544
(September 5, 2000); and codified at 13 CFR part 121.) To be
categorized as a small business manufacturer of WICF refrigeration
systems under North American Industry Classification System (``NAICS'')
code 333415 (``Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and
Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing''), a
WICF refrigeration systems manufacturer and its affiliates may employ a
maximum of 1,250 employees. The 1,250-employee threshold includes all
employees in a business' parent company and any other subsidiaries.
Using this classification in conjunction with a search of industry
databases and the SBA member directory, DOE identified three
manufacturers of WICF refrigeration systems that qualify as small
businesses.
The WICF refrigeration systems manufacturer subgroup analysis for
the seven analyzed equipment classes is discussed in greater detail in
chapter 12 of the final rule TSD and in section VI.B of this document.
3. Government Regulatory Impact Model and Key Inputs
DOE uses the GRIM to quantify the changes in cash-flows over time
due to new or amended energy conservation standards. These changes in
cash-flows result in either a higher or lower INPV for the standards
case compared to the no-new standards case. The GRIM analysis uses a
standard annual cash-flow analysis that incorporates MPCs, manufacturer
markups, shipments, and industry financial information as inputs. It
then models changes in MPCs, investments, and manufacturer margins that
may result from analyzed energy conservation standards. The GRIM uses
these inputs to calculate a series of annual cash-flows beginning with
the reference year of the analysis, 2016, and continuing to 2049.
Annual cash-flows are discounted to the reference year using a discount
rate of 10.2 percent. DOE then computes INPV by summing the stream of
discounted annual cash-flows during the analysis period. The GRIM
analysis focuses on manufacturer impacts with respect to the seven
covered refrigeration equipment classes. The major GRIM inputs are
described in detail in the following sections.
a. Manufacturer Production Costs
Manufacturing higher-efficiency equipment is typically more
expensive than manufacturing baseline equipment due to the use of more
complex and expensive components. The increases in the MPCs of the
analyzed equipment can affect the revenues, gross margins, and cash-
flow of the industry, making these equipment costs key inputs for the
GRIM and the MIA.
In the MIA, DOE used the MPCs and shipping costs calculated in the
engineering analysis, as described in section IV.D and further detailed
in chapter 5 of this final rule TSD. DOE used information from its
teardown analysis, described in section IV.D.5 to disaggregate the MPCs
into material, labor, and overhead costs. To calculate the MPCs for
equipment above the baseline, DOE added incremental material, labor,
overhead costs from the engineering cost-efficiency curves to the
baseline MPCs. These cost breakdowns and equipment markups were
validated with manufacturers during manufacturer interviews conducted
for the June 2014 final rule and further revised based on additional
feedback from the Working Group.
b. Shipment Scenarios
The GRIM estimates manufacturer revenues based on total unit
shipment forecasts and the distribution of shipments by equipment
class. For the no-new standards case analysis, the GRIM uses the NIA
shipment forecasts from 2016, the base year for the MIA analysis, to
2049, the final year of the analysis period. For the standards case
shipment forecast, the GRIM uses the NIA standards case shipment
forecasts. The NIA assumes zero elasticity in demand. With no
elasticity, the total number of shipments per year in the standards
case is equal to the total shipments per year in the no-new standards
case. DOE assumed that equipment efficiencies in the no-new standards
case that did not meet the standard under consideration would ``roll
up'' to meet the new standard in the compliance year. Section IV.G and
in chapter 9 of the TSD provide further details about the shipment
scenarios.
c. Capital and Product Conversion Costs
New energy conservation standards will cause manufacturers to incur
conversion costs to bring their production facilities and equipment

[[Page 31851]]

designs into compliance. For the MIA, DOE classified these conversion
costs into two major groups: (1) Product conversion costs and (2)
capital conversion costs. Product conversion costs are investments in
research, development, testing, marketing, and other non-capitalized
costs necessary to make equipment designs comply with a new or amended
energy conservation standard. Capital conversion costs are investments
in property, plant, and equipment necessary to adapt or change existing
production facilities such that new equipment designs can be fabricated
and assembled.
To evaluate the level of conversion costs the industry would likely
incur to comply with energy conservation standards, DOE used the data
gathered in support of the June 2014 final rule. 79 FR at 32091 (June
3, 2014). The supporting data relied on manufacturer comments and
information derived from the equipment teardown analysis and
engineering model. DOE also incorporated feedback received during the
ASRAC negotiations, which included updated conversion costs to better
reflect changes in the test procedure, design options and design option
ordering, the dollar year, and the competitive landscape for walk-in
refrigeration systems. Finally, DOE incorporated analysis from the WICF
test procedure final rule to estimate the costs associated with testing
and labeling.
In general, the analysis assumes that all conversion-related
investments occur between the year of publication of the final rule and
the year by which manufacturers must comply with a new or amended
standard. The investment figures used in the GRIM can be found in Table
IV-8 of this document. For additional information on the estimated
product conversion and capital conversion costs, see chapter 12 of the
final rule TSD.

Table IV-8--Industry Product and Capital Conversion Costs per Trial Standard Level
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trial standard level
-----------------------------------------------
1 2 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product Conversion Costs (2015$ MM)............................. 3.0 6.0 14.0
Capital Conversion Costs (2015$ MM)............................. 0.3 1.1 4.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Capital conversion costs are driven by investments related to
larger condenser coils. DOE estimated that four manufacturers produce
their own condenser coils, which requires an estimated total investment
of $1.0 million per manufacturer. The remainder of the capital
conversion costs is attributed to the ambient sub-cooling design
option.
DOE's engineering analysis suggests that many efficiency levels can
be reached through the incorporation of more efficient components. Many
of these changes are component swaps that do not require extensive R&D
or redesign. DOE estimated product conversion costs of $20,000 per
manufacturer per equipment class for component swaps. For improved
evaporator fan blades, additional R&D effort may be required to account
for proper airflow within the cabinet and across the heat exchanger.
DOE estimates product conversion costs to be $50,000 per manufacturer
per equipment class. Chapter 12 of the final rule TSD provides further
details on the methodology that was used to estimate conversion costs.
d. Testing and Labeling Costs
In the test procedure final rule, DOE added a labeling requirement
for WICF refrigeration systems. 81 FR at 95803 (December 28, 2016). As
part of that rule's analysis, DOE accounted for the burdens
manufacturers would incur to update their marketing materials in the
product conversion cost estimates. Marketing materials include
literature, data sheets, selection software, sales training, and
compliance documentation. In the test procedure final rule, DOE
estimated that manufacturers would incur product conversion costs of
$50,000 per manufacturer to update marketing materials for WICF
refrigeration systems. Based on a total of ten manufacturers, DOE
included industry labeling costs of $0.5 million in product conversion
costs for all TSLs.
DOE also included testing costs that manufacturers would incur as a
result of the test procedure for WICF refrigeration systems. DOE allows
manufacturers to use alternative efficiency determination methods
(``AEDMs'') to determine representative values of efficiency. AEDMs
must be validated with tested performance of at least two distinct
basic models for each equipment classes. See 10 CFR 429.70. DOE
estimates that testing costs are $7,500 per basic model. Using this
estimate, the cost to validate AEDMs for seven equipment classes totals
$105,000 per manufacturer.
In addition, DOE included the costs to run AEDMs. Based on DOE's
Compliance Certification Management System (``CCMS'') Web site,
refrigeration manufacturers have up to 100 WICF refrigeration models.
DOE estimates it takes an estimated 3 hours per model for a mechanical
engineer to run an AEDM model. Using an average hourly wage for a
mechanical engineer in 2015 of $42.40,\52\ the costs to run AEDMs are
$12,720 per manufacturer. In summary, testing costs are estimated to be
$1.2 million, and labeling costs are $0.5 million for the WICF
refrigeration industry.
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\52\ www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes172141.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

e. Manufacturer Markup Scenarios
As discussed above, MSPs include direct manufacturing production
costs (i.e., labor, material, and overhead estimated in DOE's MPCs) and
all non-production costs (i.e., SG&A, R&D, and interest), along with
profit. To calculate the MSPs in the GRIM, DOE applied manufacturer
markups to the MPCs estimated in the engineering analysis and then
added the cost of shipping. Modifying these manufacturer markups in the
standards case yields different sets of impacts on manufacturers. For
the MIA, DOE modeled two standards-case manufacturer markup scenarios
to represent the uncertainty regarding the potential impacts on prices
and profitability for manufacturers following the implementation of new
or amended energy conservation standards: (1) A preservation of gross
margin percentage markup scenario and (2) a preservation of operating
profit markup scenario. These scenarios lead to different manufacturer
markup values that, when applied to the inputted MPCs, result in
varying revenue and cash-flow impacts. These manufacturer markup
scenarios were presented during the NOPR public meeting and DOE
received no additional comment on them. (Public Meeting Transcript
(September 29, 2016), No. 79 at pp. 40-41) DOE further notes that these
markup scenarios are consistent

[[Page 31852]]

with the scenarios modeled in the June 2014 final rule for walk-ins.
Under the preservation of gross margin percentage scenario, DOE
applied a single uniform ``gross margin percentage'' markup across all
efficiency levels. As production costs increase with efficiency, this
scenario implies that the absolute dollar markup will increase as well.
Based on publicly-available financial information for walk-in
manufacturers, submitted comments, and information obtained during
manufacturer interviews from the June 2014 final rule, DOE assumed the
non-production cost markup--which includes SG&A expenses, R&D expenses,
interest, and profit--to be 1.35. The manufacturer markup of 1.35 was
presented during the NOPR public meeting and DOE received no additional
comments. Public Meeting Transcript (September 29, 2016), No. 79 at pp.
40-41) Manufacturers have indicated that it would be optimistic for DOE
to assume that, as manufacturer production costs increase in response
to an energy conservation standard, manufacturers would be able to
maintain the same gross margin percentage markup. Therefore, DOE
assumes that this scenario represents a high bound to industry
profitability under an energy conservation standard.
The preservation of operating profit markup scenario assumes that
manufacturers are able to maintain only the no-new standards case total
operating profit in absolute dollars in the standards cases, despite
higher equipment costs and investment. The no-new standards case total
operating profit is derived from marking up the cost of goods sold for
each equipment by the preservation of gross margin markup. In the
standards cases for the preservation of operating profit markup
scenario, DOE adjusted the WICF manufacturer markups in the GRIM at
each TSL to yield approximately the same earnings before interest and
taxes in the standards cases in the year after the compliance date of
the adopted WICF refrigeration system standards as in the no-new
standards case. Under this scenario, while manufacturers are not able
to yield additional operating profit from higher production costs and
the investments that are required to comply with the adopted WICF
refrigeration system energy conservation standards, they are able to
maintain the same operating profit in the standards case that was
earned in the no-new standards case.
4. Discussion of Comments
As part of the court settlement reached in Lennox Int'l v. Dep't of
Energy, DOE agreed to consider any comments regarding any potential
impacts of the standards on installers and to consider and
substantively address any potential impacts of the standards on
installers in its MIA. See Lennox Int'l v. Dep't of Energy, Case No.
14-60535, Joint Settlement Motion (filed July 29, 2015) (5th Cir.).
During the Working Group meetings, walk-in installers were represented
by ACCA. As part of DOE's attempt to consider and address any potential
installer impacts, the NOPR specifically sought comment on any
conversion costs and stranded assets that walk-in installers might
incur. See 81 FR at 63033 and 63048-63049 (detailing specific issues on
which DOE sought input regarding potential installer-related impacts to
the proposed rule).
Stakeholders raised one issue related to installers and the
possibility of stranded assets. AHRI and Rheem noted that installers of
complete walk-ins may have stranded assets if they are required to use
components that are compliant at the time of the complete walk-in
assembly. AHRI added that compliant components may not be available to
installers until the compliance date of the new standards, leading to
equipment availability constraints. (AHRI No. 90 at p. 3; Rheem No. 91
at p. 3)
DOE addresses this comment and clarifies the compliance date for
manufacturers of complete walk-ins in section III.F.

L. Emissions Analysis

The emissions analysis consists of two components. The first
component estimates the effect of potential energy conservation
standards on power sector and site (where applicable) combustion
emissions of CO2, NOX, SO2, and Hg.
The second component estimates the impacts of potential standards on
emissions of two additional greenhouse gases, CH4 and
N2O, as well as the reductions to emissions of all species
due to ``upstream'' activities in the fuel production chain. These
upstream activities comprise extraction, processing, and transporting
fuels to the site of combustion. The associated emissions are referred
to as upstream emissions.
The analysis of power sector emissions uses marginal emissions
factors that were derived from data in AEO 2016, as described in
section IV.N. Details of the methodology are described in the
appendices to chapters 13 and 15 of the final rule TSD.
Combustion emissions of CH4 and N2O are
estimated using emissions intensity factors published by the EPA--GHG
Emissions Factors Hub.\53\ The FFC upstream emissions are estimated
based on the methodology described in chapter 15 of the final rule TSD.
The upstream emissions include both emissions from fuel combustion
during extraction, processing, and transportation of fuel, and
``fugitive'' emissions (direct leakage to the atmosphere) of
CH4 and CO2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\53\ Available at: www2.epa.gov/climateleadership/center-corporate-climate-leadership-ghg-emission-factors-hub.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The emissions intensity factors are expressed in terms of physical
units per MWh or MMBtu of site energy savings. Total emissions
reductions are estimated using the energy savings calculated in the
national impact analysis.
For CH4 and N2O, DOE calculated emissions
reduction in tons and also in terms of units of CO2-
equivalent (CO2eq). Emissions of CH4 and
N2O are often converted to CO2eq by multiplying
each ton of gas by the gas' global warming potential (``GWP'') over a
100-year time horizon. Based on the Fifth Assessment Report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,\54\ DOE used GWP values of
28 for CH4 and 265 for N2O.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\54\ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Anthropogenic
and Natural Radiative Forcing. In Climate Change 2013: The Physical
Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth
Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Chapter 8. 2013. Stocker, T.F., D. Qin, G.-K. Plattner, M. Tignor,
S.K. Allen, J. Boschung, A. Nauels, Y. Xia, V. Bex, and P.M.
Midgley, Editors. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, United
Kingdom and New York, NY, USA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The AEO incorporates the projected impacts of existing air quality
regulations on emissions. AEO 2016 generally represents current
legislation and environmental regulations, including recent government
actions, for which implementing regulations were available as of
February 29, 2016. DOE's estimation of impacts accounts for the
presence of the emissions control programs discussed in the following
paragraphs.
SO2 emissions from affected electric generating units
(``EGUs'') are subject to nationwide and regional emissions cap-and-
trade programs. Title IV of the Clean Air Act sets an annual emissions
cap on SO2 for affected EGUs in the 48 contiguous States and
the District of Columbia (DC). (42 U.S.C. 7651 et seq.) SO2
emissions from 28 eastern States and DC were also limited under the
Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR). 70 FR 25162 (May 12, 2005). CAIR
created an allowance-based trading program that operates along with the
Title IV program. In 2008, CAIR was remanded

[[Page 31853]]

to EPA by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
Circuit, but it remained in effect.\55\ In 2011, EPA issued a
replacement for CAIR, the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (``CSAPR'').
76 FR 48208 (August 8, 2011). On August 21, 2012, the D.C. Circuit
issued a decision to vacate CSAPR,\56\ and the court ordered EPA to
continue administering CAIR. On April 29, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court
reversed the judgment of the D.C. Circuit and remanded the case for
further proceedings consistent with the Supreme Court's opinion.\57\ On
October 23, 2014, the D.C. Circuit lifted the stay of CSAPR \58\
Pursuant to this action, CSAPR went into effect (and CAIR ceased to be
in effect) as of January 1, 2015.\59\ AEO 2016 incorporates
implementation of CSAPR.
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\55\ See North Carolina v. EPA, 531 F.3d 896 (D.C. Cir. 2008),
modified on rehearing, 550 F.3d 1176 (D.C. Cir. 2008).
\56\ See EME Homer City Generation, L.P. v. EPA, 696 F.3d 7
(D.C. Cir. 2012).
\57\ See EPA v. EME Homer City Generation, L.P. 134 S. Ct. 1584
(U.S. 2014). The Supreme Court held in part that EPA's methodology
for quantifying emissions that must be eliminated in certain States
due to their impacts in other downwind States was based on a
permissible, workable, and equitable interpretation of the Clean Air
Act provision that provides statutory authority for CSAPRIL.
\58\ See EME Homer City Generation, L.P. v. EPA, Order (D.C.
Cir. filed October 23, 2014) (No. 11-1302).
\59\ On July 28, 2015, the D.C. Circuit issued its opinion
regarding the remaining issues raised with respect to CSAPR that
were remanded by the Supreme Court. The D.C. Circuit largely upheld
CSAPR but remanded to EPA without vacatur certain States' emission
budgets for reconsideration. EME Homer City Generation, LP v. EPA,
795 F.3d 118 (D.C. Cir. 2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The attainment of emissions caps is typically flexible among EGUs
and is enforced through the use of emissions allowances and tradable
permits. Under existing EPA regulations, any excess SO2
emissions allowances resulting from the lower electricity demand caused
by the adoption of an efficiency standard could be used to permit
offsetting increases in SO2 emissions by any regulated EGU.
In past years, DOE recognized that there was uncertainty about the
effects of efficiency standards on SO2 emissions covered by
the existing cap-and-trade system, but it concluded that negligible
reductions in power sector SO2 emissions would occur as a
result of standards.
Beginning in 2016, however, SO2 emissions will fall as a
result of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (``MATS'') for power
plants. 77 FR 9304 (February 16, 2012). In the MATS final rule, EPA
established a standard for hydrogen chloride as a surrogate for acid
gas hazardous air pollutants (``HAP''), and also established a standard
for SO2 (a non-HAP acid gas) as an alternative equivalent
surrogate standard for acid gas HAP. The same controls are used to
reduce HAP and non-HAP acid gas; thus, SO2 emissions will be
reduced as a result of the control technologies installed on coal-fired
power plants to comply with the MATS requirements for acid gas. AEO
2016 assumes that, in order to continue operating, coal plants must
have either flue gas desulfurization or dry sorbent injection systems
installed by 2016. Both technologies, which are used to reduce acid gas
emissions, also reduce SO2 emissions. Under the MATS,
emissions will be far below the cap established by CAIR, so it is
unlikely that excess SO2 emissions allowances resulting from
the lower electricity demand would be needed or used to permit
offsetting increases in SO2 emissions by any regulated
EGU.\60\ Therefore, DOE believes that energy conservation standards
that decrease electricity generation will generally reduce
SO2 emissions in 2016 and beyond.
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\60\ DOE notes that on June 29, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court
ruled that the EPA erred when the agency concluded that cost did not
need to be considered in the finding that regulation of hazardous
air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired electric utility steam
generating units (EGUs) is appropriate and necessary under section
112 of the Clean Air Act (``CAA''). Michigan v. EPA, 135 S. Ct. 2699
(2015). The Supreme Court did not vacate the MATS rule, and DOE has
tentatively determined that the Court's decision on the MATS rule
does not change the assumptions regarding the impact of energy
conservation standards on SO2 emissions. Further, the
Court's decision does not change the impact of the energy
conservation standards on mercury emissions. The EPA, in response to
the U.S. Supreme Court's direction, has now considered cost in
evaluating whether it is appropriate and necessary to regulate coal-
and oil-fired EGUs under the CAA. EPA concluded in its final
supplemental finding that a consideration of cost does not alter the
EPA's previous determination that regulation of hazardous air
pollutants, including mercury, from coal- and oil-fired EGUs, is
appropriate and necessary. 79 FR 24420 (April 25, 2016). The MATS
rule remains in effect, but litigation is pending in the D.C.
Circuit Court of Appeals over EPA's final supplemental finding MATS
rule.
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CSAPR established a cap on NOX emissions in 28 eastern
States and the District of Columbia. Energy conservation standards are
expected to have little effect on NOX emissions in those
States covered by CSAPR because excess NOX emissions
allowances resulting from the lower electricity demand could be used to
permit offsetting increases in NOX emissions from other
facilities. However, standards would be expected to reduce
NOX emissions in the States not affected by the caps, so DOE
estimated NOX emissions reductions from the standards
considered in this final rule for these States.
The MATS limit mercury emissions from power plants, but they do not
include emissions caps and, as such, DOE's energy conservation
standards would likely reduce Hg emissions. DOE estimated mercury
emissions reduction using emissions factors based on AEO 2016, which
incorporates the MATS.
The AEO2016 Reference case (and some other cases) assumes
implementation of the Clean Power Plan (CPP), which is the EPA program
to regulate CO2 emissions at existing fossil-fired electric
power plants.\61\ DOE used the AEO2016 No-CPP case as a basis for
developing emissions factors for the electric power sector to be
consistent with its use of the No-CPP case in the NIA.\62\
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\61\ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ``Carbon Pollution
Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric
Utility Generating Units'' (Washington, DC: October 23, 2015).
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/10/23/2015-22842/carbon-pollution-emission-guidelines-for-existing-stationary-sources-electric-utility-generating.
\62\ As DOE has not modeled the effect of CPP during the 30 year
analysis period of this rulemaking, there is some uncertainty as to
the magnitude and overall effect of the energy efficiency standards.
With respect to estimated CO2 and NOX
emissions reductions and their associated monetized benefits, if
implemented the CPP would result in an overall decrease in
CO2 emissions from electric generating units (EGUs), and
would thus likely reduce some of the estimated CO2
reductions associated with this rulemaking.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

M. Monetizing Carbon Dioxide and Other Emissions Impacts

As part of the development of this rule, DOE considered the
estimated monetary benefits from the reduced emissions of
CO2, CH4, N2O and NOX that
are expected to result from each of the TSLs considered. In order to
make this calculation analogous to the calculation of the NPV of
consumer benefit, DOE considered the reduced emissions expected to
result over the lifetime of products shipped in the projection period
for each TSL. This section summarizes the basis for the values used for
monetizing the emissions benefits and presents the values considered in
this final rule.
1. Social Cost of Carbon
The SC-CO2 is an estimate of the monetized damages
associated with an incremental increase in carbon emissions in a given
year. It is intended to include (but is not limited to) climate-change-
related changes in net agricultural productivity, human health,
property damages from increased flood risk, and the value of ecosystem
services. Estimates of the SC-CO2 are provided in dollars
per metric ton of CO2. A domestic SC-CO2 value is
meant

[[Page 31854]]

to reflect the value of damages in the United States resulting from a
unit change in CO2 emissions, while a global SC-
CO2 value is meant to reflect the value of damages
worldwide.
Under section 1(b)(6) of Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory
Planning and Review,'' 58 FR 51735 (October 4, 1993), agencies must, to
the extent permitted by law, ``assess both the costs and the benefits
of the intended regulation and, recognizing that some costs and
benefits are difficult to quantify, propose or adopt a regulation only
upon a reasoned determination that the benefits of the intended
regulation justify its costs.'' The purpose of the SC-CO2
estimates presented here is to allow agencies to incorporate the
monetized social benefits of reducing CO2 emissions into
cost-benefit analyses of regulatory actions. The estimates are
presented with an acknowledgement of the many uncertainties involved
and with a clear understanding that they should be updated over time to
reflect increasing knowledge of the science and economics of climate
impacts.
As part of the interagency process that developed these SC-
CO2 estimates, technical experts from numerous agencies met
on a regular basis to consider public comments, explore the technical
literature in relevant fields, and discuss key model inputs and
assumptions. The main objective of this process was to develop a range
of SC-CO2 values using a defensible set of input assumptions
grounded in the existing scientific and economic literatures. In this
way, key uncertainties and model differences transparently and
consistently inform the range of SC-CO2 estimates used in
the rulemaking process.
a. Monetizing Carbon Dioxide Emissions
When attempting to assess the incremental economic impacts of
CO2 emissions, the analyst faces a number of challenges. A
report from the National Research Council \63\ points out that any
assessment will suffer from uncertainty, speculation, and lack of
information about (1) future emissions of GHGs, (2) the effects of past
and future emissions on the climate system, (3) the impact of changes
in climate on the physical and biological environment, and (4) the
translation of these environmental impacts into economic damages. As a
result, any effort to quantify and monetize the harms associated with
climate change will raise questions of science, economics, and ethics
and should be viewed as provisional.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\63\ National Research Council. Hidden Costs of Energy: Unpriced
Consequences of Energy Production and Use. 2009. National Academies
Press: Washington, DC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Despite the limits of both quantification and monetization, SC-
CO2 estimates can be useful in estimating the social
benefits of reducing CO2 emissions. Although any numerical
estimate of the benefits of reducing carbon dioxide emissions is
subject to some uncertainty, that does not relieve DOE of its
obligation to attempt to factor those benefits into its cost-benefit
analysis. Moreover, the interagency working group (IWG) SC-
CO2 estimates are well supported by the existing scientific
and economic literature. As a result, DOE has relied on the IWG SC-
CO2 estimates in quantifying the social benefits of reducing
CO2 emissions. DOE estimates the benefits from reduced (or
costs from increased) emissions in any future year by multiplying the
change in emissions in that year by the SC-CO2 values
appropriate for that year. The NPV of the benefits can then be
calculated by multiplying each of these future benefits by an
appropriate discount factor and summing across all affected years.
It is important to emphasize that the current SC-CO2
values reflect the IWG's best assessment, based on current data, of the
societal effect of CO2 emissions. The IWG is committed to
updating these estimates as the science and economic understanding of
climate change and its impacts on society improves over time. In the
meantime, the interagency group will continue to explore the issues
raised by this analysis and consider public comments as part of the
ongoing interagency process.
As background on the genesis of the IWG estimates, in 2009, an
interagency process was initiated to offer a preliminary assessment of
how best to quantify the benefits from reducing carbon dioxide
emissions. To ensure consistency in how benefits are evaluated across
Federal agencies, the Administration sought to develop a transparent
and defensible method, specifically designed for the rulemaking
process, to quantify avoided climate change damages from reduced
CO2 emissions. The interagency group did not undertake any
original analysis. Instead, it combined SC-CO2 estimates
from the existing literature to use as interim values until a more
comprehensive analysis could be conducted. The outcome of the
preliminary assessment by the interagency group was a set of five
interim values that represented the first sustained interagency effort
within the U.S. government to develop an SC-CO2 estimate for
use in regulatory analysis. The results of this preliminary effort were
presented in several proposed and final rules issued by DOE and other
agencies.
b. Current Approach and Key Assumptions
After the release of the interim values, the IWG reconvened on a
regular basis to generate improved SC-CO2 estimates.
Specially, the IWG considered public comments and further explored the
technical literature in relevant fields. It relied on three integrated
assessment models commonly used to estimate the SC-CO2: The
FUND, DICE, and PAGE models. These models are frequently cited in the
peer-reviewed literature and were used in the last assessment of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Each model was given
equal weight in the SC-CO2 values that were developed.
Each model takes a slightly different approach to model how changes
in emissions result in changes in economic damages. A key objective of
the interagency process was to enable a consistent exploration of the
three models, while respecting the different approaches to quantifying
damages taken by the key modelers in the field. An extensive review of
the literature was conducted to select three sets of input parameters
for these models: Climate sensitivity, socio-economic and emissions
trajectories, and discount rates. A probability distribution for
climate sensitivity was specified as an input into all three models. In
addition, the IWG used a range of scenarios for the socio-economic
parameters and a range of values for the discount rate. All other model
features were left unchanged, relying on the model developers' best
estimates and judgments.
In 2010, the IWG selected four sets of SC-CO2 values for
use in regulatory analyses. Three sets of values are based on the
average SC-CO2 from the three integrated assessment models,
at discount rates of 2.5, 3, and 5 percent. The fourth set, which
represents the 95th percentile SC-CO2 estimate across all
three models at a 3-percent discount rate, was included to represent
higher-than-expected impacts from climate change further out in the
tails of the SC-CO2 distribution. The values grow in real
terms over time. Additionally, the IWG determined that a range of
values from 7 percent to 23 percent should be used to adjust the global
SC-CO2 to calculate domestic effects,\64\ although

[[Page 31855]]

preference is given to consideration of the global benefits of reducing
CO2 emissions. Table IV-9 presents the values in the 2010
IWG report.\65\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\64\ It is recognized that this calculation for domestic values
is approximate, provisional, and highly speculative. There is no a
priori reason why domestic benefits should be a constant fraction of
net global damages over time.
\65\ United States Government-Interagency Working Group on
Social Cost of Carbon. Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact
Analysis Under Executive Order 12866. February 2010.
www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/inforeg/for-agencies/Social-Cost-of-Carbon-for-RIA.pdf.

Table IV-9--Annual SC-CO2 Values From 2010 IWG Report
[2007$ Per metric ton CO2]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discount rate and statistic
---------------------------------------------------------------
5% 3% 2.5% 3%
Year ---------------------------------------------------------------
95th
Average Average Average percentile
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2010............................................ 4.7 21.4 35.1 64.9
2015............................................ 5.7 23.8 38.4 72.8
2020............................................ 6.8 26.3 41.7 80.7
2025............................................ 8.2 29.6 45.9 90.4
2030............................................ 9.7 32.8 50.0 100.0
2035............................................ 11.2 36.0 54.2 109.7
2040............................................ 12.7 39.2 58.4 119.3
2045............................................ 14.2 42.1 61.7 127.8
2050............................................ 15.7 44.9 65.0 136.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In 2013 the IWG released an update (which was revised in July 2015)
that contained SC-CO2 values that were generated using the
most recent versions of the three integrated assessment models that
have been published in the peer-reviewed literature.\66\ DOE used these
values for this final rule. Table IV-10 shows the four sets of SC-
CO2 estimates from the 2013 interagency update (revised July
2015) in 5-year increments from 2010 through 2050. The full set of
annual SC-CO2 estimates from 2010 through 2050 is reported
in appendix 14A of the final rule TSD. The central value that emerges
is the average SC-CO2 across models at the 3-percent
discount rate. However, for purposes of capturing the uncertainties
involved in regulatory impact analysis, the IWG emphasizes the
importance of including all four sets of SC-CO2 values.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\66\ United States Government-Interagency Working Group on
Social Cost of Carbon. Technical Support Document: Technical Update
of the Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis Under
Executive Order 12866. May 2013. Revised July 2015.
www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/inforeg/scc-tsd-final-july-2015.pdf.

Table IV-10--Annual SC-CO2 Values From 2013 IWG Update (Revised July 2015)
[2007$ Per metric ton CO2]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discount rate and statistic
---------------------------------------------------------------
5% 3% 2.5% 3%
Year ---------------------------------------------------------------
95th
Average Average Average percentile
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2010............................................ 10 31 50 86
2015............................................ 11 36 56 105
2020............................................ 12 42 62 123
2025............................................ 14 46 68 138
2030............................................ 16 50 73 152
2035............................................ 18 55 78 168
2040............................................ 21 60 84 183
2045............................................ 23 64 89 197
2050............................................ 26 69 95 212
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is important to recognize that a number of key uncertainties
remain, and that current SC-CO2 estimates should be treated
as provisional and revisable because they will evolve with improved
scientific and economic understanding. The interagency group also
recognizes that the existing models are imperfect and incomplete. The
National Research Council report mentioned previously points out that
there is tension between the goal of producing quantified estimates of
the economic damages from an incremental ton of carbon and the limits
of existing efforts to model these effects. There are a number of
analytical challenges that are being addressed by the research
community, including research programs housed in many of the Federal
agencies participating in the interagency process to estimate the SC-
CO2. The interagency group intends to periodically review
and reconsider those estimates to reflect increasing knowledge of the
science and economics of climate impacts, as well as improvements in
modeling.\67\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\67\ In November 2013, OMB announced a new opportunity for
public comment on the interagency technical support document
underlying the revised SCC estimates. 78 FR 70586. (November 26,
2013). In July 2015 OMB published a detailed summary and formal
response to the many comments that were received: This is available
at www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/07/02/estimating-benefits-carbon-dioxide-emissions-reductions. It also stated its intention to seek
independent expert advice on opportunities to improve the estimates,
including many of the approaches suggested by commenters.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

DOE converted the values from the 2013 interagency report (revised
July 2015) to 2015$ using the implicit price deflator for gross
domestic product (GDP) from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. For each
of the four sets of

[[Page 31856]]

SC-CO2 cases, the values for emissions in 2020 are $13.5,
$47.4, $69.9, and $139 per metric ton avoided (values expressed in
2015$). DOE derived values after 2050 based on the trend in 2010-2050
in each of the four cases in the interagency update.
DOE multiplied the CO2 emissions reduction estimated for
each year by the SC-CO2 value for that year in each of the
four cases. To calculate a present value of the stream of monetary
values, DOE discounted the values in each of the four cases using the
specific discount rate that had been used to obtain the SC-
CO2 values in each case.
DOE received several comments on the development of and the use of
the SC-CO2 values in its analyses. A group of trade
associations led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce objected to DOE's
continued use of the SC-CO2 SCC in the cost-benefit analysis
and stated that the SC-CO2 SCC calculation should not be
used in any rulemaking until it undergoes a more rigorous notice,
review, and comment process. (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, No. 86 at p. 4)
The Cato Institute stated that the current SC-CO2 SCC
estimates are discordant with the best scientific literature on the
equilibrium climate sensitivity and the fertilization effect of carbon
dioxide, and are based upon the output of integrated assessment models
that have little utility because of their great uncertainties. The Cato
Institute stated that until the SC-CO2 SCC values are
corrected, the SC-CO2 SCC should be barred from use in this
and all other Federal rulemakings. (Cato Institute, No. 87 at pp. 1-2)
In contrast, the Joint Advocates stated that only a partial
accounting of the costs of climate change (those most easily monetized)
can be provided, which inevitably involves incorporating elements of
uncertainty. The Joint Advocates commented that accounting for the
economic harms caused by climate change is a critical component of
sound benefit-cost analyses of regulations that directly or indirectly
limit greenhouse gases. The Joint Advocates stated that several
Executive Orders direct Federal agencies to consider non-economic costs
and benefits, such as environmental and public health impacts. (Docket
No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, Joint Advocates, No. 81 at p. 2-3)
Furthermore, the Joint Advocates argued that without an SC-
CO2 SCC estimate, regulators would by default be using a
value of zero for the benefits of reducing carbon pollution, thereby
implying that carbon pollution has no costs. The Joint Advocates stated
that it would be arbitrary for a Federal agency to weigh the societal
benefits and costs of a rule with significant carbon pollution effects
but to assign no value at all to the considerable benefits of reducing
carbon pollution. (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, Joint Advocates,
No. 81 at p. 3)
The Joint Advocates stated that assessment and use of the IAMs in
developing the SC-CO2 SCC values has been transparent. The
Joint Advocates further noted that repeated opportunities for public
comment demonstrate that the IWG's SC-CO2 SCC estimates were
developed and are being used transparently. (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-
STD-0016, Joint Advocates, No. 81 at p. 4) The Joint Advocates stated
that (1) the IAMs used reflect the best available, peer-reviewed
science to quantify the benefits of carbon emission reductions; (2)
uncertainty is not a valid reason for rejecting the SC-CO2
SCC analysis, and (3) the IWG was rigorous in addressing uncertainty
inherent in estimating the economic cost of pollution. (Joint
Advocates, No. 81 at pp. 5, 17-18, 18-19) The Joint Advocates added
that the increase in the SC-CO2 SCC estimate in the 2013
update reflects the growing scientific and economic research on the
risks and costs of climate change, but is still very likely an
underestimate of the SC-CO2 SCC. (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-
STD-0016, Joint Advocates, No. 81 at p. 4)
In response to the comments on the SC-CO2 SCC, in
conducting the interagency process that developed the SC-CO2
SCC values, technical experts from numerous agencies met on a regular
basis to consider public comments, explore the technical literature in
relevant fields, and discuss key model inputs and assumptions. Key
uncertainties and model differences transparently and consistently
inform the range of SC-CO2 SCC estimates. These
uncertainties and model differences are discussed in the IWG's reports,
as are the major assumptions. Specifically, uncertainties in the
assumptions regarding climate sensitivity, as well as other model
inputs such as economic growth and emissions trajectories, are
discussed and the reasons for the specific input assumptions chosen are
explained. However, the three integrated assessment models used to
estimate the SC-CO2 are frequently cited in the peer-
reviewed literature and were used in the last assessment of the IPCC.
In addition, new versions of the models that were used in 2013 to
estimate revised SC-CO2 values were published in the peer-
reviewed literature. The GAO report mentioned by IECA noted that the
working group's processes and methods used consensus-based decision
making, relied on existing academic literature and models, and took
steps to disclose limitations and incorporate new information.\68\
Although uncertainties remain, the revised SC-CO2 values are
based on the best available scientific information on the impacts of
climate change. The current estimates of the SC-CO2 have
been developed over many years, using the best science available, and
with input from the public.\69\ DOE notes that not using SC-
CO2 estimates because of uncertainty would be tantamount to
assuming that the benefits of reduced carbon emissions are zero, which
is inappropriate. Furthermore, the commenters have not offered
alternative estimates of the SC-CO2 that they believe are
more accurate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\68\ www.gao.gov/products/GAO-14-663. (Last accessed September
22, 2016)
\69\ In November 2013, OMB announced a new opportunity for
public comment on the interagency technical support document
underlying the revised SC-CO2 estimates. In July 2015,
OMB published a detailed summary and formal response to the many
comments that were received. See www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/07/02/estimating-benefits-carbon-dioxide-emissions-reductions. OMB also
stated its intention to seek independent expert advice on
opportunities to improve the estimates, including many of the
approaches suggested by commenters.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Cato Institute also stated that the SC-CO2 approach
is at odds with existing OMB guidelines for preparing regulatory
analyses. (Cato Institute, No. 87 at p. 1)
OMB Circular A-4 provides two suggested discount rates for use in
regulatory analysis: 3-percent and 7-percent. Circular A-4 states that
the 3-percent discount rate is appropriate for ``regulation [that]
primarily and directly affects private consumption (e.g., through
higher consumer prices for goods and services).'' The interagency
working group that developed the SC-CO2 values for use by
Federal agencies examined the economics literature and concluded that
the consumption rate of interest is the correct concept to use in
evaluating the net social costs of a marginal change in CO2
emissions, as the impacts of climate change are measured in
consumption-equivalent units in the three models used to estimate the
SC-CO2. The interagency working group chose to use three
discount rates to span a plausible range of constant discount rates:
2.5, 3, and 5 percent per year. The central value, 3 percent, is
consistent with estimates provided in the economics literature and
OMB's Circular A-4 guidance for the consumption rate of interest.
Regarding the use of global SC-CO2 values, DOE's
analysis estimates both

[[Page 31857]]

global and domestic benefits of CO2 emissions reductions.
Following the recommendation of the IWG, DOE places more focus on a
global measure of SC-CO2. The climate change problem is
highly unusual in at least two respects. First, it involves a global
externality: Emissions of most greenhouse gases contribute to damages
around the world even when they are emitted in the United States.
Consequently, to address the global nature of the problem, the SC-
CO2 must incorporate the full (global) damages caused by
domestic GHG emissions. Second, climate change presents a problem that
the United States alone cannot solve. Even if the United States were to
reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to zero, that step would be far
from enough to avoid substantial climate change. Other countries would
also need to take action to reduce emissions if significant changes in
the global climate are to be avoided. Emphasizing the need for a global
solution to a global problem, the United States has been actively
involved in seeking international agreements to reduce emissions and in
encouraging other nations, including emerging major economies, to take
significant steps to reduce emissions. When these considerations are
taken as a whole, the interagency group concluded that a global measure
of the benefits from reducing U.S. emissions is preferable. DOE's
approach is supported by the requirement to weigh the need for national
energy conservation, as one of the main reasons for national energy
conservation is to contribute to efforts to mitigate the effects of
global climate change.
2. Social Cost of Methane and Nitrous Oxide
The Joint Advocates stated that EPA and other agencies have begun
using a methodology developed to specifically measure the social cost
of methane in recent proposed rulemakings, and recommended that DOE
should use the social cost of methane metric to more accurately reflect
the true benefits of energy conservation standards. They stated that
the methodology in the study used to develop the social cost of methane
provides reasonable estimates that reflect updated evidence and provide
consistency with the Government's accepted methodology for estimating
the SC-CO2. (Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, Joint
Advocates, No. 81 at pp. 19-20)
While carbon dioxide is the most prevalent greenhouse gas emitted
into the atmosphere, other GHGs are also important contributors. These
include methane and nitrous oxide. Global warming potential values
(``GWPs'') are often used to convert emissions of non-CO2
GHGs to CO2-equivalents to facilitate comparison of policies
and inventories involving different GHGs. While GWPs allow for some
useful comparisons across gases on a physical basis, using the social
cost of carbon to value the damages associated with changes in
CO2-equivalent emissions is not optimal. This is because
non-CO2 GHGs differ not just in their potential to absorb
infrared radiation over a given time frame, but also in the temporal
pathway of their impact on radiative forcing, which is relevant for
estimating their social cost but not reflected in the GWP. Physical
impacts other than temperature change also vary across gases in ways
that are not captured by GWP.
In light of these limitations and the paucity of peer-reviewed
estimates of the social cost of non-CO2 gases in the
literature, the 2010 SC-CO2 Technical Support Document did
not include an estimate of the social cost of non-CO2 GHGs
and did not endorse the use of GWP to approximate the value of non-
CO2 emission changes in regulatory analysis. Instead, the
IWG noted that more work was needed to link non-CO2 GHG
emission changes to economic impacts.
Since that time, new estimates of the social cost of non-
CO2 GHG emissions have been developed in the scientific
literature, and a recent study by Marten et al. (2015) provided the
first set of published estimates for the social cost of CH4
and N2O emissions that are consistent with the methodology
and modeling assumptions underlying the IWG SC-CO2
estimates.\70\ Specifically, Marten et al. used the same set of three
integrated assessment models, five socioeconomic and emissions
scenarios, equilibrium climate sensitivity distribution, three constant
discount rates, and the aggregation approach used by the IWG to develop
the SC-CO2 estimates. An addendum to the IWG's Technical
Support Document on Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact
Analysis under Executive Order 12866 summarizes the Marten et al.
methodology and presents the SC-CH4 and SC-N2O
estimates from that study as a way for agencies to incorporate the
social benefits of reducing CH4 and N2O emissions
into benefit-cost analyses of regulatory actions that have small, or
``marginal,'' impacts on cumulative global emissions.\71\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\70\ Marten, A.L., Kopits, E.A., Griffiths, C.W., Newbold, S.C.,
and A. Wolverton. 2015. Incremental CH4 and
N2O Mitigation Benefits Consistent with the U.S.
Government's SC-CO2 Estimates. Climate Policy. 15(2):
272SC-298 (published online, 2014).
\71\ United States Government--Interagency Working Group on
Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases. Addendum to Technical Support
Document on Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis
under Executive Order 12866: Application of the Methodology to
Estimate the Social Cost of Methane and the Social Cost of Nitrous
Oxide. August 2016. www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/inforeg/august_2016_sc_ch4_sc_n2o_addendum_final_8_26_16.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The methodology and estimates described in the addendum have
undergone multiple stages of peer review and their use in regulatory
analysis has been subject to public comment. The estimates are
presented with an acknowledgement of the limitations and uncertainties
involved and with a clear understanding that they should be updated
over time to reflect increasing knowledge of the science and economics
of climate impacts, just as the IWG has committed to do for the SC-
CO2. The OMB has determined that the use of the Marten et
al. estimates in regulatory analysis is consistent with the
requirements of OMB's Information Quality Guidelines Bulletin for Peer
Review and OMB Circular ASC-4.
The SC-CH4 and SC-N2O estimates are presented
in Table IV-11. Following the same approach as with the SC-
CO2, values for 2010, 2020, 2030, 2040, and 2050 are
calculated by combining all outputs from all scenarios and models for a
given discount rate. Values for the years in between are calculated
using linear interpolation. The full set of annual SC-CH4
and SC-N2O estimates between 2010 and 2050 is reported in
appendix 14SC-A of the final rule TSD. DOE derived values after 2050
based on the trend in 2010SC-2050 in each of the four cases in the IWG
addendum.

[[Page 31858]]

Table IV-11--Annual SC-CH4 and SC-N2O Estimates From 2016 IWG Addendum
[2007$ per metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SC-CH4 SC-N2O
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discount rate and statistic Discount rate and statistic
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year 5% 3% 2.5% 3% 5% 3% 2.5% 3%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
95th 95th
Average Average Average percentile Average Average Average percentile
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2010............................................................... 370 870 1,200 2,400 3,400 12,000 18,000 31,000
2015............................................................... 450 1,000 1,400 2,800 4,000 13,000 20,000 35,000
2020............................................................... 540 1,200 1,600 3,200 4,700 15,000 22,000 39,000
2025............................................................... 650 1,400 1,800 3,700 5,500 17,000 24,000 44,000
2030............................................................... 760 1,600 2,000 4,200 6,300 19,000 27,000 49,000
2035............................................................... 900 1,800 2,300 4,900 7,400 21,000 29,000 55,000
2040............................................................... 1,000 2,000 2,600 5,500 8,400 23,000 32,000 60,000
2045............................................................... 1,200 2,300 2,800 6,100 9,500 25,000 34,000 66,000
2050............................................................... 1,300 2,500 3,100 6,700 11,000 27,000 37,000 72,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DOE multiplied the CH4 and N2O emissions
reduction estimated for each year by the SC-CH4 and SC-
N2O estimates for that year in each of the four cases. To
calculate a present value of the stream of monetary values, DOE
discounted the values in each of the four cases using the specific
discount rate that had been used to obtain the SC-CH4 and
SC-N2O estimates in each case.
3. Social Cost of Other Air Pollutants
As noted previously, DOE estimated how the considered energy
conservation standards would reduce site NOX emissions
nationwide and decrease power sector NOX emissions in those
22 States not affected by CSAPRIL
DOE estimated the monetized value of NOX emissions
reductions from electricity generation using benefit per ton estimates
from the Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Clean Power Plan Final
Rule, published in August 2015 by EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning
and Standards.\72\ The report includes high and low values for
NOX (as PM2.5) for 2020, 2025, and 2030 using
discount rates of 3 percent and 7 percent; these values are presented
in appendix 14B of the final rule TSD. DOE primarily relied on the low
estimates to be conservative.\73\ The national average low values for
2020 (in 2015$) are $3,187/ton at 3-percent discount rate and $2,869/
ton at 7-percent discount rate. DOE developed values specific to the
sector for WICF refrigeration systems using a method described in
appendix 14B of the final rule TSD. For this analysis DOE used linear
interpolation to define values for the years between 2020 and 2025 and
between 2025 and 2030; for years beyond 2030 the value is held
constant.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\72\ Available at www.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan/clean-power-plan-final-rule-regulatory-impact-analysis. See Tables 4A-3, 4A-4, and
4A-5 in the report. The U.S. Supreme Court has stayed the rule
implementing the Clean Power Plan until the current litigation
against it concludes. Chamber of Commerce, et al. v. EPA, et al.,
Order in Pending Case, 577 U.S. ___ (2016), 136 S.Ct. 999.).
However, the benefit-per-ton estimates established in the Regulatory
Impact Analysis for the Clean Power Plan are based on scientific
studies that remain valid irrespective of the legal status of the
Clean Power Plan.
\73\ For the monetized NOX benefits associated with
PM2.5, the related benefits are primarily based on an
estimate of premature mortality derived from the ACS study (Krewski
et al. 2009), which is the lower of the two EPA central tendencies.
Using the lower value is more conservative when making the policy
decision concerning whether a particular standard level is
economically justified. If the benefit-per-ton estimates were based
on the Six Cities study (Lepuele et al. 2012), the values would be
nearly two-and-a-half times larger. (See chapter 14 of the final
rule TSD for citations for the studies mentioned above.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

DOE estimated the monetized value of NOX emissions
reductions from gas WICF refrigeration systems using benefit per ton
estimates from the EPA's ``Technical Support Document Estimating the
Benefit per Ton of Reducing PM2.5 Precursors from 17
Sectors.'' \74\ Although none of the sectors refers specifically to
residential and commercial buildings, DOE believes that the sector
called ``Area sources'' would be a reasonable proxy for residential and
commercial buildings. ``Area sources'' represents all emission sources
for which states do not have exact (point) locations in their emissions
inventories. Since exact locations would tend to be associated with
larger sources, ``area sources'' would be fairly representative of
small dispersed sources like homes and businesses. The EPA Technical
Support Document provides high and low estimates for 2016, 2020, 2025,
and 2030 at 3- and 7-percent discount rates. As with the benefit per
ton estimates for NOX emissions reductions from electricity
generation, DOE primarily relied on the low estimates to be
conservative.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\74\ www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-10/documents/sourceapportionmentbpttsd.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

DOE multiplied the emissions reduction (in tons) in each year by
the associated $/ton values, and then discounted each series using
discount rates of 3 percent and 7 percent as appropriate.
DOE is evaluating appropriate monetization of reduction in other
emissions in energy conservation standards rulemakings. DOE has not
included monetization of those emissions in the current analysis but
notes that it would not expect the inclusion of such values to change
its analysis or conclusions with respect to the adopted standards.

N. Utility Impact Analysis

The utility impact analysis estimates several effects on the
electric power generation industry that would result from the adoption
of new or amended energy conservation standards. The utility impact
analysis estimates the changes in installed electrical capacity and
generation that would result for each TSL. The analysis is based on
published output from the NEMS associated with AEO 2016. NEMS produces
the AEO Reference case, as well as a number of side cases that estimate
the economy-wide impacts of changes to energy supply and demand. For
the current analysis, impacts are quantified by comparing the levels of
electricity sector generation, installed capacity, fuel consumption and
emissions consistent with the projections described on page E-8 of AEO
2016 and various side cases. Details of the methodology are provided

[[Page 31859]]

in the appendices to chapters 13 and 15 of the final rule TSD.
The output of this analysis is a set of time-dependent coefficients
that capture the change in electricity generation, primary fuel
consumption, installed capacity and power sector emissions due to a
unit reduction in demand for a given end use. These coefficients are
multiplied by the stream of electricity savings calculated in the NIA
to provide estimates of selected utility impacts of potential new or
amended energy conservation standards.

O. Employment Impact Analysis

DOE considers employment impacts in the domestic economy as one
factor in selecting a standard. Employment impacts from new or amended
energy conservation standards include both direct and indirect impacts.
Direct employment impacts are any changes in the number of employees of
manufacturers of the products subject to standards, their suppliers,
and related service firms. The MIA addresses those impacts. Indirect
employment impacts are changes in national employment that occur due to
the shift in expenditures and capital investment caused by the purchase
and operation of more-efficient appliances. Indirect employment impacts
from standards consist of the net jobs created or eliminated in the
national economy, other than in the manufacturing sector being
regulated, caused by (1) reduced spending by consumers on energy, (2)
reduced spending on new energy supply by the utility industry, (3)
increased consumer spending on the products to which the new standards
apply and other goods and services, and (4) the effects of those three
factors throughout the economy.
One method for assessing the possible effects on the demand for
labor of such shifts in economic activity is to compare sector
employment statistics developed by the Labor Department's Bureau of
Labor Statistics (``BLS''). BLS regularly publishes its estimates of
the number of jobs per million dollars of economic activity in
different sectors of the economy, as well as the jobs created elsewhere
in the economy by this same economic activity. Data from BLS indicate
that expenditures in the utility sector generally create fewer jobs
(both directly and indirectly) than expenditures in other sectors of
the economy.\75\ There are many reasons for these differences,
including wage differences and the fact that the utility sector is more
capital-intensive and less labor-intensive than other sectors. Energy
conservation standards have the effect of reducing consumer utility
bills. Because reduced consumer expenditures for energy likely lead to
increased expenditures in other sectors of the economy, the general
effect of efficiency standards is to shift economic activity from a
less labor-intensive sector (i.e., the utility sector) to more labor-
intensive sectors (e.g., the retail and service sectors). Thus, the BLS
data suggest that net national employment may increase due to shifts in
economic activity resulting from energy conservation standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\75\ See U.S. Department of Commerce--Bureau of Economic
Analysis. Regional Multipliers: A User Handbook for the Regional
Input-Output Modeling System (RIMS II). 1997. U.S. Government
Printing Office: Washington, DC. Available at www.bea.gov/scb/pdf/regional/perinc/meth/rims2.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

DOE estimated indirect national employment impacts for the standard
levels considered in this final rule using an input/output model of the
U.S. economy called Impact of Sector Energy Technologies version 4
(``ImSET'').\76\ ImSET is a special-purpose version of the ``U.S.
Benchmark National Input-Output'' (I-O) model, which was designed to
estimate the national employment and income effects of energy-saving
technologies. The ImSET software includes a computer-based I-O model
having structural coefficients that characterize economic flows among
187 sectors most relevant to industrial, commercial, and residential
building energy use.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\76\ Livingston, O.V., S.R. Bender, M.J. Scott, and R.W.
Schultz. ImSET 4.0: Impact of Sector Energy Technologies Model
Description and User's Guide. 2015. Pacific Northwest National
Laboratory: Richland, WA. PNNL-24563.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

DOE notes that ImSET is not a general equilibrium forecasting
model, and understands the uncertainties involved in projecting
employment impacts, especially changes in the later years of the
analysis. Because ImSET does not incorporate price changes, the
employment effects predicted by ImSET may over-estimate actual job
impacts over the long run for this rule. Therefore, DOE used ImSET only
to generate results for near-term timeframes (2020), where these
uncertainties are reduced. For more details on the employment impact
analysis, see chapter 16 of the final rule TSD.

V. Analytical Results and Conclusions

The following section addresses the results from DOE's analyses
with respect to the considered energy conservation standards for the
considered WICF refrigeration systems. It addresses the TSLs examined
by DOE, the projected impacts of each of these levels if adopted as
energy conservation standards for the considered WICF refrigeration
systems, and the standards levels that DOE is adopting in this final
rule. Additional details regarding DOE's analyses are contained in the
final rule TSD supporting this document.

A. Trial Standard Levels

DOE analyzed the benefits and burdens of three TSLs for the
considered WICF refrigeration systems. These TSLs were developed by
combining specific efficiency levels for each of the equipment classes
analyzed by DOE. (Efficiency levels for each class are described in
section IV.D.10.) DOE presents the results for the TSLs in this
document, while the results for all efficiency levels that DOE analyzed
are in the final rule TSD.
TSL 3 represents the maximum technologically feasible level. It is
also the energy conservation standard level that the Working Group
unanimously recommended that DOE adopt. (Term Sheet at EERE-2015-BT-
STD-0016-0056, recommendation #5). TSLs 1 and 2 are direct
representations of efficiency levels 1 and 2. These efficiency levels
for each class were formulated to divide the gap in efficiency between
the baseline and the maximum technologically feasible efficiency level
into approximately equal intervals. Table IV-1 shows the mapping of
minimum AWEF values for each equipment class and nominal capacity to
each TSL.

Table V-1--Mapping of AWEF to Trial Standard Levels
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nominal Trial standard level
Equipment component Equipment class capacity Btu/ -----------------------------------------------
hr 1 2 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Condensing Unit............... DC.L.I.......... 6000 1.91 1.97 2.30
9000 2.09 2.14 2.48
25000 2.06 2.40 2.40

[[Page 31860]]

54000 2.35 2.35 2.42
DC.L.O.......... 6000 2.57 2.67 3.00
9000 2.41 2.81 3.13
25000 2.70 2.77 3.16
54000 2.60 2.92 3.16
72000 2.59 2.90 3.16
Unit Cooler................... UC.M............ 4000 7.30 8.15 9.00
9000 7.30 8.15 9.00
24000 7.30 8.15 9.00
UC.L............ 4000 3.61 3.78 3.95
9000 3.69 3.85 4.01
18000 3.88 4.02 4.15
40000 3.88 4.02 4.15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Economic Justification and Energy Savings

1. Economic Impacts on Individual Consumers
DOE analyzed the economic impacts on consumers of the considered
WICF refrigeration systems by looking at what the effects of the
standards at each TSL would be on the LCC and PBP. DOE also examined
the impacts of potential standards on consumer subgroups. These
analyses are discussed below.
a. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period
In general, higher-efficiency equipment affects consumers in two
ways: (1) Purchase prices for the equipment increase and (2) equipment
annual operating costs decrease. Inputs used for calculating the LCC
and PBP include total installed costs (i.e., equipment price plus
installation costs), and operating costs (i.e., annual energy use,
energy prices, energy price trends, repair costs, and maintenance
costs). The LCC calculation also uses product lifetime and a discount
rate. Chapter 8 of the final rule TSD provides detailed information on
the LCC and PBP analyses.
The LCC results are the shipment-weighted average of results for
each equipment class over system capacity using the weights for each
shown in Table IV-6. The results for each TSL were approximated by
analyzing the equipment class and nominal capacity combinations with
the closest AWEF rating shown in Table V-1 that was analyzed in the
engineering analysis. See chapter 8 of the TSD for more detailed LCC
results.
Table V-2 through Table V-20 show the LCC and PBP results for the
TSLs considered for each equipment class. In the first of each pair of
tables, the simple payback is measured relative to baseline equipment.
In the second table, the impacts are measured relative to the
efficiency distribution in the no-new-standards case in the compliance
year (see section IV.G.1 of this document). Consumers for whom the LCC
increases at a given TSL experience a net cost.

Table V-2--Average LCC and PBP Results by Trial Standard Level for Indoor Dedicated Condensing Units, Low-Temperature
[DC.L.I, condensing unit only]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average costs (2015$)
---------------------------------------------------------------- Simple Average
TSL EL First year's Lifetime payback lifetime
Installed operating operating LCC (years) (years)
cost cost cost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0................... $3,727 $2,149 $18,320 $20,900 0.0 10.6
1................................. 1................... 3,729 2,146 18,320 20,873 0.0 10.6
2................................. 2................... 3,788 2,093 18,019 20,513 1.0 10.6
3................................. 3................... 4,006 1,955 16,689 19,628 1.5 10.6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the
baseline (EL 0) equipment.

Table V-3--Average LCC Savings Relative to the No-New-Standards Case for Indoor Dedicated Condensing Units, Low-
Temperature
[DC.L.I, condensing unit only]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life-cycle cost savings
-------------------------------------
Percent of
TSL EL Average LCC consumers that
savings * (2015$) experience net
cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................... 1............................ $26 0
2.......................................... 2............................ 387 0

[[Page 31861]]

3.......................................... 3............................ 1,272 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers.

Table V-4--Average LCC and PBP Results by Trial Standard Level for Outdoor Dedicated Condensing Units, Low-Temperature
[DC.L.O, condensing unit only]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average costs (2015$)
---------------------------------------------------------------- Simple Average
TSL EL First year's Lifetime payback lifetime
Installed operating operating LCC (years) (years)
cost cost cost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0................... $4,508 $2,630 $22,368 $25,587 0.0 10.5
1................................. 1................... 4,533 2,534 21,655 24,834 0.1 10.5
2................................. 2................... 4,585 2,359 20,105 23,490 0.4 10.5
3................................. 3................... 4,914 2,226 19,003 22,748 1.2 10.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the
baseline (EL 0) equipment.

Table V-5--Average LCC Savings Relative to the No-New-Standards Case for Outdoor Dedicated Condensing Units, Low-
Temperature
[DC.L.O, Condensing Unit Only]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life-cycle cost savings
-------------------------------------
Percent of
TSL EL Average LCC consumers that
savings * (2015$) experience net
cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................... 1............................ $753 0
2.......................................... 2............................ 2,097 0
3.......................................... 3............................ 2,839 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers.

Table V-6--Average LCC and PBP Results by Trial Standard Level for Indoor Paired Dedicated Condensing Systems, Low-Temperature
[DC.L.I, field-paired]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average costs (2015$)
---------------------------------------------------------------- Simple Average
TSL EL First year's Lifetime payback lifetime
Installed operating operating LCC (years) (years)
cost cost cost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0................... $6,012 $2,147 $15,938 $23,294 0.0 10.6
1................................. 1................... 6,015 2,142 15,929 23,257 0.1 10.6
2................................. 2................... 6,078 2,087 15,665 22,877 1.0 10.6
3................................. 3................... 6,318 1,938 16,316 21,922 1.5 10.6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the
baseline (EL 0) equipment.

[[Page 31862]]

Table V-7--Average LCC Savings Relative to the No-New-Standards Case for Indoor Paired Dedicated Condensing
Systems, Indoor Condensing Units
[DC.L.I, field-paired]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life-cycle cost savings
-------------------------------------
Percent of
TSL EL Average LCC consumers that
savings* (2015$) experience net
cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................... 1............................ $63 0
2.......................................... 2............................ 442 0
3.......................................... 3............................ 1,397 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers.

Table V-8--Average LCC and PBP Results by Trial Standard Level for Outdoor Paired Dedicated Condensing Systems, Low-Temperature
[DC.L.O, field-paired]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average costs (2015$)
---------------------------------------------------------------- Simple Average
TSL EL First year's Lifetime payback lifetime
Installed operating operating LCC (years) (years)
cost cost cost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0................... $7,304 $2,631 $19,136 $28,435 0.0 10.5
1................................. 1................... 7,331 2,530 18,811 27,652 0.2 10.5
2................................. 2................... 7,412 2,330 15,688 26,128 0.5 10.5
3................................. 3................... 7,830 2,155 22,020 25,140 1.4 10.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the
baseline (EL 0) equipment.

Table V-9--Average LCC Savings Relative to the No-New-Standards Case for Outdoor Paired Dedicated Condensing
Systems, Outdoor Condensing Units
[DC.L.O, field-paired]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life-cycle cost savings
-------------------------------------
Percent of
TSL EL Average LCC consumers that
savings* (2015$) experience net
cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................... 1............................ $783 0
2.......................................... 2............................ 2,307 0
3.......................................... 3............................ 3,294 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers.

Table V-10--Average LCC and PBP Results by Trial Standard Level for Low-Temperature Unit Coolers, Attached to Dedicated Condensing Indoor Condensing
Units
[DC.L.I, unit cooler only]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average costs (2015$)
---------------------------------------------------------------- Simple Average
TSL EL First year's Lifetime payback lifetime
Installed operating operating LCC (years) (years)
cost cost cost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0................... $2,283 $2,147 $18,347 $19,468 0.0 10.5
1................................. 1................... 2,317 2,134 18,269 19,396 1.7 10.5
2................................. 2................... 2,379 2,122 18,162 19,361 3.6 10.5
3................................. 3................... 2,433 2,113 18,062 19,347 4.8 10.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the
baseline (EL 0) equipment.

[[Page 31863]]

Table V-11--Average LCC Savings Relative to the No-New-Standards Case for Low-Temperature Unit Coolers, Attached
to Dedicated Condensing Indoor Condensing Units
[DC.L.I, unit cooler only]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life-cycle cost savings
-------------------------------------
Percent of
TSL EL Average LCC consumers that
savings * (2015$) experience net
cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................... 1............................ $86 2
2.......................................... 2............................ 121 6
3.......................................... 3............................ 135 15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers.

Table V-12--Average LCC and PBP Results by Trial Standard Level for Low-Temperature Unit Coolers, Attached to Dedicated Condensing Outdoor Condensing
Units
[DC.L.O, unit cooler only]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average costs (2015$)
---------------------------------------------------------------- Simple Average
TSL EL First year's Lifetime payback lifetime
Installed operating operating LCC (years) (years)
cost cost cost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0................... $2,795 $2,630 $22,308 $23,816 0.0 10.4
1................................. 1................... 2,809 2,624 22,268 23,782 0.6 10.4
2................................. 2................... 2,856 2,604 22,151 23,673 2.4 10.4
3................................. 3................... 2,969 2,572 21,876 23,529 4.5 10.4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the
baseline (EL 0) equipment.

Table V-13--Average LCC Savings Relative to the No-New-Standards Case for Low-Temperature Unit Coolers, Attached
to Dedicated Condensing Outdoor Condensing Units
[DC.L.O, unit cooler only]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life-cycle cost savings
-------------------------------------
Percent of
TSL EL Average LCC consumers that
savings * (2015$) experience net
cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................... 1............................ $35 0
2.......................................... 2............................ 144 3
3.......................................... 3............................ 288 15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers.

Table V-14--Average LCC and PBP Results by Trial Standard Level for Medium-Temperature Unit Coolers, Attached to Dedicated Condensing Indoor Condensing
Units
[DC.M.I, unit cooler only]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average costs (2015$)
---------------------------------------------------------------- Simple Average
TSL EL First year's Lifetime payback lifetime
Installed operating operating LCC (years) (years)
cost cost cost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0................... $2,187 $1,183 $10,010 $11,583 0.0 10.5
1................................. 1................... 2,187 1,183 10,010 11,583 0.0 10.5
2................................. 2................... 2,218 1,170 9,901 11,511 1.8 10.5
3................................. 3................... 2,227 1,167 9,875 11,497 1.9 10.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the
baseline (EL 0) equipment.
Note: DOE is examining the impacts of unit coolers (UC.M and UC.L) combined with medium-temperature dedicated condensing equipment (DC.M.I and DC.M.O),
but DOE is not considering establishing standards for the latter equipment, as they are covered by the June 2014 final rule standards that were not
vacated by the Fifth Circuit order.

[[Page 31864]]

Table V-15--Average LCC Savings Relative to the No-New-Standards Case for Medium-Temperature Unit Coolers,
Attached to Dedicated Condensing Indoor Condensing Units
[DC.M.I, unit cooler only]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life-cycle cost savings
-------------------------------------
Percent of
TSL EL Average LCC consumers that
savings * (2015$) experience net
cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................... 1............................ $0 0
2.......................................... 2............................ 72 1
3.......................................... 3............................ 87 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers.
Note: DOE is examining the impacts of unit coolers (UC.M and UC.L) combined with medium-temperature dedicated
condensing equipment (DC.M.I and DC.M.O), but DOE is not considering establishing standards for the latter
equipment, as they are covered by the June 2014 final rule standards that were not vacated by the Fifth
Circuit order.

Table V-16--Average LCC and PBP Results by Trial Standard Level for Medium-Temperature Unit Coolers, Attached to Dedicated Condensing Outdoor Condensing
Units
[DC.M.O, unit cooler only]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average costs (2015$)
---------------------------------------------------------------- Simple Average
TSL EL First year's Lifetime payback lifetime
Installed operating operating LCC (years) (years)
cost cost cost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0................... $2,294 $956 $8,070 $9,912 0.0 10.6
1................................. 1................... 2,294 956 8,070 9,912 0.0 10.6
2................................. 2................... 2,320 942 7,956 9,833 1.4 10.6
3................................. 3................... 2,329 940 7,937 9,823 1.5 10.6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the
baseline (EL 0) equipment.
Note: DOE is examining the impacts of unit coolers (UC.M and UC.L) combined with medium-temperature dedicated condensing equipment (DC.M.I and DC.M.O),
but DOE is not considering establishing standards for the latter equipment, as they are covered by the June 2014 final rule standards that were not
vacated by the Fifth Circuit order.

Table V-17--Average LCC Savings Relative to the No-New-Standards Case for Medium-Temperature Unit Coolers,
Attached to Dedicated Condensing Outdoor Condensing Units
[DC.M.O, unit cooler only]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life-cycle cost savings
-------------------------------------
Percent of
TSL EL Average LCC consumers that
savings * (2015$) experience net
cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................... 1............................ $0 0
2.......................................... 2............................ 79 0
3.......................................... 3............................ 89 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers.
Note: DOE is examining the impacts of unit coolers (UC.M and UC.L) combined with medium-temperature dedicated
condensing equipment (DC.M.I and DC.M.O), but DOE is not considering establishing standards for the latter
equipment, as they are covered by the June 2014 final rule standards that were not vacated by the Fifth
Circuit order.

Table V-18--Average LCC and PBP Results by Trial Standard Level for Unit Coolers, Low-Temperature, Attached to Low-Temperature Multiplex Condensing
Units
[MC.L, unit cooler only]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average costs 2015$
---------------------------------------------------------------- Simple Average
TSL EL First year's Lifetime payback lifetime
Installed operating operating LCC (years) (years)
cost cost cost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0................... $2,850 $2,131 $18,831 $20,492 0.0 10.6
1................................. 1................... 2,856 2,130 18,820 20,488 0.6 10.6
2................................. 2................... 2,898 2,113 18,670 20,390 2.8 10.6

[[Page 31865]]

3................................. 3................... 3,115 2,090 18,468 20,418 7.6 10.6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the
baseline (EL 0) equipment.

Table V-19--Average LCC Savings Relative to the No-New-Standards Case for Unit Coolers, Low-Temperature Attached
to Low-Temperature Multiplex Condensing Units
[MC.L, unit cooler only]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life-cycle cost savings
-------------------------------------
Percent of
TSL EL Average LCC consumers that
savings * (2015$) experience net
cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................... 1............................ $4 2
2.......................................... 2............................ 101 9
3.......................................... 3............................ 74 49
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers.

Table V-20--Average LCC and PBP Results by Trial Standard Level for Unit Coolers, Medium-Temperature, Attached to Medium-Temperature Multiplex
Condensing Units
[MC.M, unit cooler only]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average costs (2015$)
---------------------------------------------------------------- Simple Average
TSL EL First year's Lifetime payback lifetime
Installed operating operating LCC (years) (years)
cost cost cost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0................... $2,020 $675 $5,928 $7,592 0.0 10.5
1................................. 1................... 2,026 674 5,918 7,588 0.6 10.5
2................................. 2................... 2,056 662 5,813 7,520 2.4 10.5
3................................. 3................... 2,076 659 5,789 7,517 3.0 10.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the
baseline (EL 0) equipment.

Table V-21--Average LCC Savings Relative to the No-New-Standards Case for Unit Coolers, Medium-Temperature,
Attached to Medium-Temperature Multiplex Condensing Units
[MC.M, unit cooler only]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life-cycle cost savings
-------------------------------------
Percent of
TSL EL Average LCC consumers that
savings * (2015$) experience net
cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................... 1............................ $4 1
2.......................................... 2............................ 72 2
3.......................................... 3............................ 75 8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers.

b. Consumer Subgroup Analysis
In the consumer subgroup analysis, DOE estimated the impact of the
considered TSLs on small businesses.
Table V-22 compares the average LCC savings and PBP at each
efficiency level for the small business consumer subgroup, along with
the average LCC savings for the entire sample. In most cases, the
average LCC savings and PBP for the small business subgroup at the
considered efficiency levels are not substantially different from the
average for all businesses. The small business

[[Page 31866]]

subgroup is the subgroup of consumers most likely to be affected by
this final rule. Small businesses are likely to experience higher
electricity prices, and experience higher costs of capital than the
average for all businesses. Chapter 11 of the final rule TSD presents
the complete LCC and PBP results for the small business subgroup.

Table V-22--Comparison of LCC Savings
and PBP for Small Businesses Consumer Subgroup and All Consumers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LCC savings (2015$)
Equipment class--application Consumer subgroup -----------------------------------------------
(design path) TSL 1 TSL 2 TSL 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DC.L.I--C-Only *................... National Average........... $26 $387 $1,272
Small Businesses........... 25 359 1,179
DC.L.O--CU-Only *.................. National Average........... 753 2,097 2,839
Small Businesses........... 698 1,960 2,628
DC.L.I--F-P **..................... National Average........... 63 442 1,397
Small Businesses........... 58 410 1,293
DC.L.O--F-P **..................... National Average........... 783 2,307 3,294
Small Businesses........... 733 2,164 3,060
DC.L.I--UC-Only [dagger]........... National Average........... 86 121 135
Small Businesses........... 78 107 116
DC.L.O--UC-Only [dagger]........... National Average........... 35 144 288
Small Businesses........... 32 131 259
UC.M--DC.M.I....................... National Average........... 0 72 87
Small Businesses........... 0 67 81
UC.M--DC.M.O....................... National Average........... 0 79 89
Small Businesses........... 0 73 82
UC.L--MC.L......................... National Average........... 4 101 74
Small Businesses........... NA NA NA
UC.M--MC.M......................... National Average........... 4 72 75
Small Businesses........... NA NA NA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Simple PBP (years)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DC.L.I--CS-Only *.................. National Average........... 0.0 1.0 1.5
Small Businesses........... 0.0 1.0 1.4
DC.L.O--CS-Only *.................. National Average........... 0.1 0.4 1.2
Small Businesses........... 0.1 0.4 1.2
DC.L.I--F-P **..................... National Average........... 0.1 1.0 1.5
Small Businesses........... 0.1 1.0 1.5
DC.L.O--F-P **..................... National Average........... 0.2 0.5 1.4
Small Businesses........... 0.2 0.5 1.4
DC.L.I--UC-Only [dagger]........... National Average........... 1.7 3.6 4.8
Small Businesses........... 1.7 3.6 4.8
DC.L.O--UC-Only [dagger]........... National Average........... 0.6 2.4 4.5
Small Businesses........... 0.6 2.3 4.5
UC.M--DC.M.I....................... National Average........... 0.0 1.8 1.9
Small Businesses........... 0.0 0.0 1.8
UC.M--DC.M.O....................... National Average........... 0.0 1.4 1.5
Small Businesses........... 0.0 0.0 1.3
UC.L--MC.L......................... National Average........... 0.6 2.8 7.6
Small Businesses........... NA NA NA
UC.M--MC.M......................... National Average........... 0.6 2.4 3.0
Small Businesses........... NA NA NA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
``NA'' indicates that these equipment classes are not commonly purchased by small businesses.
Note: DOE is examining the impacts of unit coolers (UC.M and UC.L) combined with medium-temperature dedicated
condensing equipment (DC.M.I and DC.M.O), but DOE is not considering establishing standards for the latter
equipment, as they are covered by the June 2014 final rule standards that were not vacated by the Fifth
Circuit order.
* Condensing Unit Only (CU-Only): condensing unit-only. This analysis evaluates standard levels applied to a
condensing unit for a scenario in which a new condensing unit is installed to replace a failed condensing
unit, but the existing unit cooler is not replaced. See section IV.G.1.b for more details.
** Field-Paired (FP): field-paired unit cooler and condensing unit. This analysis evaluates a scenario in which
both a new condensing unit and a new unit cooler are installed. See section IV.G.1.a for more details.
[dagger] Unit Cooler Only (UC-Only): unit cooler only. This analysis evaluates standard levels applied to a unit
cooler for a scenario in which a new unit cooler is installed to replace a failed unit cooler, but the
existing condensing unit (or multiplex system) is not replaced. See section IV.G.1.c for more details.

c. Rebuttable Presumption Payback
As discussed in section III.E.2, EPCA establishes a rebuttable
presumption that an energy conservation standard is economically
justified if the increased purchase cost for the equipment at issue
meets the standard is less than three times the value of the first-year
energy savings resulting from the standard. In calculating a rebuttable
presumption payback period for each of the considered TSLs, DOE used
discrete values, and, as required by EPCA, based the energy use
calculation on the DOE test procedures for the considered WICF
refrigeration systems. In contrast, the PBPs presented in section
V.B.1.a were calculated using distributions that

[[Page 31867]]

reflect the range of energy use in the field that is likely seen by
consumers of the WICF refrigeration systems.
Table V-23 presents the rebuttable-presumption payback periods for
the considered TSLs for WICF refrigeration systems. These results show
that, in most cases, the projected payback period will be three years
or less for each of the different equipment classes with respect to
each TSL examined. While DOE examined the rebuttable-presumption
criterion, it also considered whether the standard levels considered
for this rule are economically justified through a more detailed
analysis of the economic impacts of those levels, pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
6295(o)(2)(B)(i) and 6316(a), that considers the full range of impacts
to the consumer, manufacturer, Nation, and environment. The results of
that analysis serve as the basis for DOE to definitively evaluate the
economic justification for a potential standard level, thereby
supporting or rebutting the results of any preliminary determination of
economic justification.

Table V-23--Rebuttable Payback Period (Years) for WICF Refrigeration Systems
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trial standard level
Equipment class (Design Path) -----------------------------------------------
1 2 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DC.L.I (CU-Only) *.............................................. 0.0 1.0 1.5
DC.L.O (CU-Only) *.............................................. 0.1 0.4 1.2
DC.L.I (FP) **.................................................. 0.1 1.0 1.5
DC.L.O (FP) **.................................................. 0.2 0.5 1.4
DC.L.I (UC-Only) [dagger]....................................... 1.7 3.6 4.8
DC.L.O (UC-Only) [dagger]....................................... 0.6 2.4 4.5
UC.M-DC.M.I..................................................... 0.0 0.0 1.8
UC.M-DC.M.O..................................................... 0.0 0.0 1.4
UC.L-MC.L....................................................... 0.6 2.8 7.6
UC.M-MC.M....................................................... 0.6 2.4 3.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: DOE is examining the impacts of unit coolers (UC.M and UC.L) combined with medium-temperature dedicated
condensing equipment (DC.M.I and DC.M.O), but DOE is not considering establishing standards for the latter
equipment, as they are covered by the June 2014 final rule standards that were not vacated by the Fifth
Circuit order.
* CU-Only: Condensing unit-only. This analysis evaluates standard levels applied to a condensing unit
distributed in commerce without a designated companion unit cooler for a scenario in which a new condensing
unit is installed to replace a failed condensing unit, but the existing unit cooler is not replaced. See
section IV.G.1.b for more details.
** FP: Field-paired unit cooler and condensing unit. This analysis evaluates standard levels applied to a
condensing unit distributed in commerce without a designated companion unit cooler for a scenario in which
both a new condensing unit and a new unit cooler are installed. See section IV.G.1.a for more details.
[dagger] UC-Only: Unit cooler only. This analysis evaluates standard levels applied to a unit cooler distributed
in commerce without a designated companion condensing unit, either dedicated or multiplex, for a scenario in
which a new unit cooler is installed to replace a failed unit cooler, but the existing condensing unit is not
replaced. See section IV.G.1.c for more details.

2. Economic Impacts on Manufacturers
DOE performed an MIA to estimate the impact of the energy
conservation standards on manufacturers of the seven WICF refrigeration
system equipment classes being analyzed. The section below describes
the expected impacts on manufacturers at each considered TSL. Chapter
12 of the final rule TSD explains the analysis in further detail.
Industry Cash Flow Analysis Results Table V-24 and Table V-25
depict the financial impacts on manufacturers of the seven WICF
refrigeration equipment classes being analyzed. The financial impacts
on these manufacturers are represented by changes in INPV.
The impact of energy efficiency standards were analyzed under two
manufacturer markup scenarios: (1) The preservation of gross margin
percentage and (2) the preservation of operating profit. As discussed
in section IV.J.3.d, DOE considered the preservation of gross margin
percentage scenario by applying a uniform ``gross margin percentage''
markup across all efficiency levels. As production cost increases with
efficiency, this scenario implies that the absolute dollar markup will
increase. DOE assumed a manufacturer markup of 1.35 for WICF
refrigeration systems. This manufacturer markup is consistent with the
one DOE assumed in the engineering analysis and the no-new-standards
case of the GRIM. WICF refrigeration manufacturers indicated that it is
optimistic to assume that as their production costs increase in
response to an efficiency standard, they would be able to maintain the
same gross margin percentage markup. Therefore, DOE assumes that this
scenario represents a high bound to industry profitability under an
energy-conservation standard. It also represents a lower bound to
expected consumer payback periods and end-user life cycle cost savings
calculated in the NIA, since an upper bound to industry profitability
is also the scenario in which the highest possible costs are being
passed on to the end user.
The preservation of operating profit scenario reflects WICF
refrigeration manufacturer concerns about their inability to maintain
their margins as manufacturing production costs increase to reach more-
stringent efficiency levels. In this scenario, while WICF refrigeration
manufacturers make the necessary investments required to convert their
facilities to produce new standards-compliant equipment, operating
profit does not change in absolute dollars and decreases as a
percentage of revenue.
Each of the modeled scenarios results in a unique set of cash-flows
and corresponding industry values at each TSL. In the following
discussion, the INPV results refer to the difference in industry value
between the no-new-standards case and each standards case resulting
from the sum of discounted cash-flows from 2016 (the base year) through
2049 (the end of the analysis period). To provide perspective on the
short-run cash-flow impact, DOE includes in the discussion of the
results a comparison of free cash-flow between the no-new-standards
case and the standards case at each TSL in the year before new
standards take effect.
Table V-24 and Table V-25 show the MIA results for each TSL using
the markup scenarios described above for the seven WICF refrigeration
system equipment classes being analyzed.

[[Page 31868]]

Table V-24--Manufacturer Impact Analysis for WICF Refrigeration Manufacturers Under the Preservation of Gross
Margin Markup Scenario
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trial standard level
Units No-new- -----------------------------------------------
standards case 1 2 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INPV............................ 2015$ MM 97.9 97.1 96.4 91.7
Change in INPV ($).............. 2015$ MM .............. (0.7) (1.5) (6.1)
Change in INPV (%).............. % .............. (0.8) (1.5) (6.3)
Product Conversion Costs........ 2015$ MM 1.7 3.0 6.0 14.0
Capital Conversion Costs........ 2015$ MM .............. 0.3 1.1 4.7
Total Investment Required....... 2015$ MM 1.7 3.3 7.1 18.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table V-25--Manufacturer Impact Analysis for WICF Refrigeration Manufacturers Under the Preservation of
Operating Profit Markup Scenario
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trial standard level
Units No-new- -----------------------------------------------
standards case 1 2 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INPV............................ 2015$ MM 97.9 96.6 93.4 83.6
Change in INPV ($).............. 2015$ MM .............. (1.2) (4.4) (14.3)
Change in INPV (%).............. % .............. (1.2) (4.5) (14.6)
Product Conversion Costs........ 2015$ MM 1.7 3.0 6.0 14.0
Capital Conversion Costs........ 2015$ MM .............. 0.3 1.1 4.7
Total Investment Required....... 2015$ MM 1.7 3.3 7.1 18.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As explained in section IV.J.3.d, DOE modeled the upfront testing
and labeling costs in both the no-new-standards case and the standards
cases. These costs total $1.7 million for the industry.
At TSL 1, DOE estimates impacts on INPV range from -$1.2 million to
-$0.7 million, resulting in a change in INPV of -1.2 percent to -0.8
percent, respectively. At TSL 1, industry free cash-flow is expected to
decrease by approximately 7.4 percent to $7.0 million, compared to the
no-new standards case value of $7.5 million in 2019, the year leading
up to the expected standards compliance date.
DOE expects WICF refrigeration manufacturers to incur approximately
$3.0 million in product conversion costs for redesign, testing and
labeling. DOE estimates that WICF refrigeration manufacturers will
incur $0.3 million in capital conversion costs associated with TSL 1.
At TSL 1, the shipment-weighted average MPC increases by
approximately 0.6 percent across all WICF refrigeration systems
relative to the no-new standards case MPC in 2020, the expected year of
compliance. In the preservation of gross margin markup scenario, WICF
refrigeration manufacturers are able to fully pass on this slight cost
increase to consumers. The increase in MSP is outweighed by the $3.3
million in conversion costs that WICF refrigeration manufacturers would
incur, which causes a slight negative change in INPV at TSL 1 under the
preservation of gross margin markup scenario.
Under the preservation of operating profit markup scenario, WICF
refrigeration manufacturers earn the same operating profit as would be
earned in the no-new standards case, but manufacturers do not earn
additional profit from their investments. In this scenario, the 0.6
percent shipment-weighted average MPC increase results in a reduction
in manufacturer markup after the compliance year. This reduction in
manufacturer markup and the $3.3 million in conversion costs incurred
by WICF refrigeration manufacturers cause a negative change in INPV at
TSL 1 under the preservation of operating profit markup scenario.
At TSL 2, DOE estimates impacts on INPV range from -$4.4 million to
-$1.5 million, resulting in a change in INPV of -4.5 percent to -1.5
percent. At TSL 2, industry free cash-flow is expected to decrease by
approximately 24.7 percent to $5.7 million, compared to the no-new
standards case value of $7.5 million in 2019, the year leading up to
the expected standards compliance date.
DOE expects WICF refrigeration systems to incur approximately $6.0
million in product conversion costs for redesign, testing and labeling.
DOE estimates WICF refrigeration manufacturers will incur $1.1 million
in capital conversion costs associated with TSL 2 to invest in tooling
necessary to update condensing system production equipment for models
that do not meet the required efficiency levels.
At TSL 2, the shipment-weighted average MPC increases by
approximately 3.5 percent for all WICF refrigeration systems relative
to the no-new standards case MPC in 2020, the expected year of
compliance. In the preservation of gross margin markup scenario,
manufacturers are able to fully pass on this cost increase to
consumers. The increase in MSP is outweighed by $7.1 million in
conversion costs that WICF refrigeration manufacturers would incur,
which causes a 1.5 percent drop in INPV at TSL 2.
Under the preservation of operating profit markup scenario, WICF
refrigeration manufacturers earn the same per-unit operating profit as
would be earned in the no-new standards case. This scenario results in
a reduction in manufacturer markup after the compliance year. This
reduction in manufacturer markup and the $7.1 million in conversion
costs incurred by WICF refrigeration manufacturers cause a negative
change in INPV at TSL 2 under the preservation of operating profit
markup scenario.
At the max-tech level (TSL 3), DOE estimates impacts on INPV range
from -$14.3 million to -$6.1 million, or a change in INPV of -14.6
percent to -6.3 percent. At TSL 3, industry free cash-flow is expected
to decrease by approximately 79.5 percent to $1.5 million, compared to
the no-new standards case value of $7.5 million in 2019, the year
immediately prior to the

[[Page 31869]]

year of compliance for the new standards.
DOE expects manufacturers of WICF refrigeration systems to incur
approximately $14.0 million in product conversion costs for redesign,
testing and labeling. DOE estimates manufacturers will incur $4.7
million in capital conversion costs associated with TSL 3 to invest in
tooling and machinery necessary to update condensing system production
equipment for models that do not meet the required efficiency levels.
At TSL 3, the shipment-weighted average MPC increases by
approximately 9.8 percent for all WICF refrigeration systems relative
to the no-new standards case MPC in 2020, the expected year of
compliance. In the preservation of gross margin markup scenario,
manufacturers are able to fully pass on this cost increase to
consumers. The increase in MSP is outweighed by $18.7 million in
conversion costs that WICF refrigeration manufacturers would incur,
which causes a negative change in INPV at TSL 3 under the preservation
of gross margin markup scenario.
Under the preservation of operating profit markup scenario, WICF
refrigeration manufacturers earn the same operating profit as would be
earned in the no-new standards case, but they do not earn additional
profit from their investments. In this scenario, the 9.8 percent
shipment-weighted average MPC increase results in a reduction in
manufacturer markup after the compliance year. This reduction in
manufacturer markup and $18.7 million in conversion costs incurred
cause a negative change in INPV at TSL 3 under the preservation of
operating profit markup scenario.
a. Impacts on Direct Employment
To quantitatively assess the impacts of energy conservation
standards on WICF refrigeration manufacturer employment, DOE used the
GRIM to estimate the domestic labor expenditures and number of
employees in the no-new-standards case and at each TSL. DOE used
statistical data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2014 Annual Survey of
Manufacturers (``ASM'') and the results of the engineering analysis to
calculate industry-wide labor expenditures and domestic employment
levels. Labor expenditures related to equipment manufacturing depend on
the labor intensity of the equipment, the sales volume, and an
assumption that wages remain fixed in real terms over time. The total
labor expenditures in each year are calculated by multiplying the MPCs
by the labor percentage of MPCs.
The total labor expenditures in the GRIM were then converted to
domestic production employment levels by dividing production labor
expenditures by the annual payment per production worker (production
worker hours multiplied by the labor rate found in the U.S. Census
Bureau's 2014 ASM). The estimates of production workers in this section
cover workers, including line supervisors, who are directly involved in
fabricating and assembling equipment within the OEM facility. Workers
performing services that are closely associated with production
operations, such as materials handling tasks using forklifts, are also
included as production labor. DOE's production worker estimates only
account for workers who manufacture the seven equipment classes covered
by this rulemaking. For example, a production line worker producing a
dedicated condensing medium-temperature WICF refrigeration unit would
not be included in the estimate of the production workers since
dedicated condensing medium-temperature units are not covered in this
rule.
DOE calculated the direct employment associated with the seven
analyzed equipment classes by multiplying the number of production
workers by the ratio of total employment to production workers reported
in the 2014 ASM.
Using the GRIM, DOE estimates in the absence of new energy
conservation standards, there would be 154 employees associated with
the seven analyzed walk-in refrigeration system equipment classes in
2020. Of these workers, 112 are production workers and 42 are non-
production workers. The employment impacts shown in Table V-26
represent the potential direct employment changes that could result
following the compliance date for the seven WICF refrigeration
equipment classes addressed in this rule. The upper end of the results
in the table contains estimates regarding the maximum increase in
direct employment after the implementation of new energy conservation
standards. The table's results are based on the assumption that WICF
refrigeration manufacturers would continue to produce the same scope of
covered equipment within the United States. The lower end of the range
represents the maximum decrease in the total number of U.S. production
workers if production moved to lower labor-cost countries. Additional
detail on the analysis of direct employment can be found in chapter 12
of the TSD.

Table V-26--Direct Employment for the Seven Refrigeration Equipment Classes in 2020
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trial standard level
No-standards -----------------------------------------------
case 1 2 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Production Workers in 2020 (without changes in 112 113 116 123
production locations)..........................
Direct Employment in 2020....................... 154 155 159 169
Potential Changes in Direct Employment in 2020.. .............. (112)--1 (112)--5 (112)--15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The direct employment impacts shown are independent of the
employment impacts from the broader U.S. economy, which are documented
in the Employment Impact Analysis found in chapter 13 of the TSD.
b. Impacts on Manufacturing Capacity
DOE did not identify any significant capacity constraints for the
design options being evaluated for this rulemaking. For most WICF
refrigeration manufacturers, the walk-in market makes up a relatively
small percentage of their overall revenues. Additionally, most of the
design options being evaluated are available as equipment options
today. As a result, DOE does not anticipate that the industry will
likely experience any capacity constraints directly resulting from any
of the energy conservation standards considered by DOE in this
rulemaking.
c. Impacts on Subgroups of Manufacturers
As discussed in section IV.J.2, using average cost assumptions to
develop an industry cash-flow estimate may not be adequate for
assessing differential impacts among manufacturer sub-groups. Small
manufacturers, niche equipment manufacturers, and manufacturers
exhibiting a cost structure substantially different from the

[[Page 31870]]

industry average could be affected disproportionately. DOE used the
results of the industry characterization performed in the market and
technology assessment to group manufacturers exhibiting similar
characteristics. Consequently, DOE analyzed small manufacturers as a
sub-group for the final rule's analysis. Further details about the
industry characterization can be found in section 0 and in chapter 3 of
the final rule TSD.
DOE evaluated the impact of new energy conservation standards on
small manufacturers, particularly those defined as ``small businesses''
by the SBA. The SBA defines a ``small business'' as having 1,250
employees or less for NAICS 333415, ``Air-Conditioning and Warm Air
Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment
Manufacturing.'' Using this definition, DOE identified three
refrigeration system manufacturers. DOE describes the differential
impacts on these small businesses in section VI.B of this document.
d. Cumulative Regulatory Burden
One aspect of assessing manufacturer burden involves looking at the
cumulative impact of multiple DOE standards and the regulatory actions
of other Federal agencies and States that affect the manufacturers of a
covered product. DOE believes that a standard level is not economically
justified if it contributes to an unacceptable cumulative regulatory
burden. While any one regulation may not impose a significant burden on
manufacturers, the combined effects of several existing or impending
regulations may have serious consequences for some manufacturers,
groups of manufacturers, or an entire industry. Multiple regulations
affecting the same manufacturer can strain profits and lead companies
to abandon product lines or markets with lower expected future returns
than competing products. For these reasons, DOE conducts an analysis of
cumulative regulatory burden as part of its rulemakings pertaining to
appliance efficiency.
In addition to these energy conservation standards for WICF
refrigeration systems, DOE identified other regulations that affect one
or more WICF refrigeration system manufacturers and will take effect
three years before or after the estimated 2020 compliance year, which
is the time frame 2017 to 2023. While all of these regulations may not
apply to each individual WICF refrigeration system manufacturer, a
given manufacturer may be subject to one or more of these listed
regulations depending on its particular product/equipment portfolio.
DOE summarizes these regulations in Table V-27. Also, included in the
table are Federal regulations that have compliance dates beyond the
three years before or after the compliance date. Chapter 12 of the
final rule TSD includes the full details of the cumulative regulatory
burden.

Table V-27--Other DOE Regulations Potentially Affecting WICF Refrigeration System Manufacturers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
manufacturers Industry
Federal energy conservation Number of affected by Approx. Industry conversion costs/
standard manufacturers * this WICF standards conversion product revenue
refrigeration year costs millions $ *** (%)
rule **
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial Refrigeration 54 5 2017 $184.0 Million 1.5.
Equipment 79 FR 17725 (March (2012$).
28, 2014).
Non-vacated Walk-in Cooler 63 10 2017 33.6 Million 2.6.
and Walk-in Freezer (2012$).
Components 79 FR 32050 (June
3, 2014).
Automatic Commercial 16 1 2018 $25.1 Million 2.3.
Icemakers 80 FR 4646 (2013$).
(January 28, 2015).
Small, Large, and Very Large 12 2 2018 $520.8 Million 4.9.
Commercial Package Air (2014$).
Conditioning and Heating
Equipment 81 FR 2420
(January 15, 2016).
Commercial Packaged Boilers 45 1 2019 $27.5 Million 2.3.
81 FR 15836 (June 9, 2016). (2014$).
Commercial Warm Air Furnaces 14 2 2019 $7.5 Million 1.7-5.1.
81 FR 2420 (January 15, (2014$) to
2016). $22.2 Million
(2014$).
Commercial Water Heaters 81 25 1 2019 $29.8 Million 3.0.
FR 34440 (March 31, 2016). (2014).
Dehumidifiers 81 FR 38338 25 1 2019 $52.5 Million 4.5.
(June 13, 2016). (2014).
Furnace Fans 79 FR 38129 38 3 2019 $40.6 Million 1.6.
(July 3, 2014). (2013$).
Residential Boiler 81 FR 2320 36 1 2021 $2.5 Million Less than 1.
(January 15, 2016). (2014$).
Direct Heating Equipment and 39 1 2015 17.5 (2009$).... 4.9.
Residential Water Heaters 75
FR 20112 (April 16, 2010)
\+\.
Residential Central Air 45 4 2015 $18.0 (2009$)... Less than 1.
Conditioners and Heat Pumps
76 FR 37408 (June 27, 2011)
\+\.
External Power Supplies 79 FR 243 1 2016 $43.4 (2012$)... 2.3.
7846 (February 10, 2014) \+\.
Microwave Ovens 78 FR 36316 12 1 2016 $43.1 (2011$)... Less than 1.
(June 17, 2013) \+\.
Battery Chargers 81 FR 38266 30 1 2018 $19.5 (2013$)... Less than 1.
(June 13, 2016) \+\.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* This column presents the total number of manufacturers identified in the energy conservation standard rule
contributing to cumulative regulatory burden.
** This column presents the number of manufacturers producing WICF refrigeration systems that are also listed as
manufacturers in the energy conservation standard contributing to cumulative regulatory burden.
*** This column presents conversion costs as a percentage of cumulative revenue for the industry during the
conversion period. The conversion period is the timeframe over which manufacturers must make conversion costs
investments and lasts from the announcement year of the final rule to the standards year of the final rule.
This period typically ranges from 3 to 5 years, depending on the energy conservation standard. The revenues
figure includes revenue from just the covered product related to the individual row.
+ Consistent with Chapter 12 of the TSD, DOE has assessed whether this rule will have significant impacts on
manufacturers that are also subject to significant impacts from other EPCA rules with compliance dates within
three years of this rule's compliance date. However, DOE recognizes that a manufacturer incurs costs during
some period before a compliance date as it prepares to comply, such as by revising product designs and
manufacturing processes, testing products, and preparing certifications. As such, to illustrate a broader set
of rules that may also create additional burden on manufacturers, DOE has expanded the timeframe of potential
regulatory overlap to include other EPCA rules with compliance dates that fall within six years of compliance
date of this rule. Note that this list of rules does not indicate that DOE considers any one particular rule
to contribute significantly to cumulative impact. DOE has chosen to broaden its list of rules in order to
provide additional information about its rulemaking activities.

This final rule establishes energy conservation standards for seven
WICF refrigeration system equipment classes. The thirteen other
standards established in the June 2014 final rule (that is, the four
standards applicable to dedicated condensing refrigeration systems
operating at medium temperatures; three standards applicable to panels;

[[Page 31871]]

and six standards applicable to doors) were not vacated and remain
subject to the June 5, 2017 compliance date prescribed by the June 2014
final rule.\77\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\77\ See www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/02/f29/Enforcement%20Policy%20Statement%20-%20WICF%2002-01-16.pdf
(outlining DOE's enforcement discretion policy to not seek civil
penalties or injunctive relief concerning certain violations of the
WICF refrigeration systems standards established in the June 2014
rule that were not vacated).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

DOE anticipates that ten manufacturers who would be subject to this
final rule would also be subject to certain of the non-vacated
standards, namely the refrigeration system standards applicable to
dedicated condensing refrigeration systems operating at medium
temperatures. Three of these manufacturers also produce panels and non-
display doors, and would be subject to those non-vacated standards as
well.
DOE discusses these and other requirements and includes the full
details of the cumulative regulatory burden analysis in chapter 12 of
the final rule TSD. DOE will continue to evaluate its approach to
assessing cumulative regulatory burden for use in future rulemakings to
ensure that it is effectively capturing the overlapping impacts of its
regulations. DOE plans to seek public comment on the approaches it has
used here (i.e., both the 3 and 6 year timeframes from the compliance
date) in order to better understand at what point in the compliance
cycle manufacturers most experience the effects of cumulative and
overlapping burden from the regulation of multiple product classes.
e. Impact on Manufacturers of Complete Walk-Ins
A manufacturer of a complete walk-in is the entity that assembles
the complete walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer. In some cases, this may
be an ``installer.'' Walk-in manufacturers have been subject to
regulation since 2009, when EPCA's statutorily-prescriptive standards
for walk-in coolers and freezers went into effect. 42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(1)
EPCA required that all completed walk-ins must: have automatic door
closers; have strip doors, spring hinged doors, or other method of
minimizing infiltration when doors are open; and for all interior
lights, use light sources with an efficacy of 40 lumens per watt or
more. Furthermore, for walk-ins that use an evaporator fan motor with a
rating of under 1 hp and less than 460 volts, that fan motor must be
either a three-phase motor or an electronically commutated motor. Also,
walk-in freezers with transparent reach-in doors must have triple-pane
glass with either heat-reflective treated glass or gas fill for doors
and windows. 42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(1)
Due to existing regulations, manufacturers of complete walk-ins
have a responsibility to use components that comply with the applicable
standards and to ensure the final assembled equipment satisfies the
already statutorily-prescribed design requirements enacted by Congress.
To aid manufacturers in meeting these responsibilities, DOE has
established labeling requirements as part of a separate final rule
amending the walk-in test procedure. 81 FR at 95782-95789 (December 28,
2016). As part of that rule, permanent nameplates must include
information about the manufacturer or brand, and indicate that the
component is suitable for walk-in use. In DOE's view, such a
requirement will help reduce the burden on manufacturers of complete
walk-ins, relative to the existing compliance regime, by allowing them
to more easily identify and select compliant WICF components for
assembly.
DOE notes that this final rule does not establish requirements that
specify performance requirements for the complete walk-in.
Manufacturers of complete walk-ins, including installers (i.e., the
parties that assemble the complete walk-in) have no paperwork or
certification requirements as a result of this rule when using
certified walk-in components. DOE was unable to identify installer
conversion costs that would be likely to occur as a direct result of
the standard since these costs are borne by component manufacturers.
Installers will not have stranded assets, as they will be able to
install certified components purchased before the compliance date. DOE
finds the burdens on manufacturers of complete walk-ins to be de
minimis. Manufacturers of complete walk-in have an existing obligation
to ensure components comply with prescriptive requirements in EPCA. 42
U.S.C. 6313(f)(1) Based on today's standard, that process would be
simplified, as installers would be able to identify compliant
components based on a required label.
Companies that are both manufacturers of walk-in components and
manufacturers of complete walk-ins must comply with standards for WICF
components established in the June 2014 final rule for panels, doors,
and medium-temperature dedicated condensing refrigeration systems. They
would also need to comply with the standards for low-temperature
dedicated condensing refrigeration systems and unit coolers established
in this rule. Additionally, DOE notes that these entities are already
responsible for complying with the statutorily-prescribed design
standards for complete walk-ins.
As part of the court settlement reached in Lennox Int'l v. Dep't of
Energy, DOE agreed to consider any comments regarding any potential
impacts of the standards on installers and to consider and
substantively address any potential impacts of the standards on
installers in its MIA. See Lennox Int'l v. Dep't of Energy, Case No.
14-60535, Joint Settlement Motion (filed July 29, 2015) (5th Cir.).
During the Working Group meetings, walk-in installers were represented
by ACCA. As part of DOE's attempt to consider and address any potential
installer impacts, the NOPR specifically sought comment on any
conversion costs and stranded assets that walk-in installers might
incur. See 81 FR at 63033 and 63048-63049 (detailing specific issues on
which DOE sought input regarding potential installer-related impacts to
the proposed rule).
Stakeholders raised one issue related to installers and the
possibility of stranded assets. AHRI and Rheem noted that installers of
complete walk-ins may have stranded assets if they are required to use
components that are compliant at the time of the complete walk-in
assembly. AHRI added that compliant components may not be available to
installers until the compliance date of the new standards, leading to
equipment availability constraints. (AHRI No. 90 at p. 3; Rheem No. 91
at p. 3)
DOE addresses this comment and clarifies the compliance date for
manufacturers of complete walk-ins in section III.F.
3. National Impact Analysis
This section presents DOE's estimates of the national energy
savings and the NPV of consumer benefits that would result from each of
the TSLs considered as potential amended standards.
a. Significance of Energy Savings
To estimate the energy savings attributable to potential standards
for the considered WICF refrigeration systems, DOE compared their
energy consumption under the no-new-standards case to their anticipated
energy consumption under each TSL. The savings are measured over the
entire lifetime of equipment purchased in the 30-year period that
begins in the year of anticipated compliance with the amended standards
(2020-2049). Table V-28 presents DOE's projections of the national
energy savings for each TSL considered for the considered WICF

[[Page 31872]]

refrigeration systems. The savings were calculated using the approach
described in section IV.H of this document.

Table V-28--Cumulative National Energy Savings for WICF Refrigeration Systems; 30 Years of Shipments
[2020-2049]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trial standard level
-----------------------------------------------
1 2 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quads
-----------------------------------------------
Primary energy.................................................. 0.1 0.5 0.8
FFC energy...................................................... 0.1 0.5 0.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OMB Circular A-4 \78\ requires agencies to present analytical
results, including separate schedules of the monetized benefits and
costs that show the type and timing of benefits and costs. Circular A-4
also directs agencies to consider the variability of key elements
underlying the estimates of benefits and costs. For this rulemaking,
DOE undertook a sensitivity analysis using 9 years, rather than 30
years, of equipment shipments. The choice of a 9-year period is a proxy
for the timeline in EPCA for the review of certain energy conservation
standards and potential revision of and compliance with such revised
standards.\79\ The review timeframe established in EPCA is generally
not synchronized with the product lifetime, product manufacturing
cycles, or other factors specific to WICF refrigeration systems. Thus,
such results are presented for informational purposes only and are not
indicative of any change in DOE's analytical methodology. The NES
sensitivity analysis results based on a 9-year analytical period are
presented in Table V-29. The impacts are counted over the lifetime of
the considered WICF refrigeration systems purchased in 2020-2028.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\78\ U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Circular A-4:
Regulatory Analysis. September 17, 2003. www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars_a004_a-4/.
\79\ Section 325(m) of EPCA requires DOE to review its standards
at least once every 6 years, and requires, for certain products, a
3-year period after any new standard is promulgated before
compliance is required, except that in no case may any new standards
be required within 6 years of the compliance date of the previous
standards. While adding a 6-year review to the 3-year compliance
period adds up to 9 years, DOE notes that it may undertake reviews
at any time within the 6 year period and that the 3-year compliance
date may yield to the 6-year backstop. A 9-year analysis period may
not be appropriate given the variability that occurs in the timing
of standards reviews and the fact that for some products, the
compliance period is 5 years rather than 3 years.

Table V-29--Cumulative National Energy Savings for WICF Refrigeration Systems; 9 Years of Shipments
[2020-2028]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trial standard level
-----------------------------------------------
1 2 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quads
-----------------------------------------------
Primary energy.................................................. 0.03 0.1 0.2
FFC energy...................................................... 0.03 0.1 0.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

b. Net Present Value of Consumer Costs and Benefits
DOE estimated the cumulative NPV of the total costs and savings for
consumers that would result from the TSLs examined for the WICF
refrigeration systems addressed in this final rule. In accordance with
OMB's guidelines on regulatory analysis,\80\ DOE calculated NPV using
both a 7-percent and a 3-percent real discount rate. Table V-30 shows
the consumer NPV results with impacts counted over the lifetime of
products purchased in 2020-2049.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\80\ U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Circular A-4:
Regulatory Analysis. September 17, 2003. www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars_a004_a-4/.

Table V-30--Cumulative Net Present Value of Consumer Benefits for WICF Refrigeration Systems Shipped in 2020-
2049
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trial standard level
Discount rate -----------------------------------------------
1 2 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Billion 2015$
-----------------------------------------------
3 percent....................................................... 0.5 2.0 3.2
7 percent....................................................... 0.2 0.9 1.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The NPV results based on the aforementioned 9-year analytical
period are presented in Table V-31. The impacts are counted over the
lifetime of products purchased in 2020-2028. As mentioned previously,
such results are presented for informational purposes only and are not
indicative of any

[[Page 31873]]

change in DOE's analytical methodology or decision criteria.

Table V-31 Cumulative Net Present Value of Consumer Benefits for WICF Refrigeration Systems; Nine Years of
Shipments
[2020-2028]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trial standard level
Discount rate -----------------------------------------------
1 2 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Billion 2015$
-----------------------------------------------
3 percent....................................................... 0.2 0.4 1.5
7 percent....................................................... 0.1 0.2 0.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The above results reflect the use of a constant trend to estimate
the change in price for the considered WICF refrigeration systems over
the analysis period (see section IV.H.1). DOE also conducted a
sensitivity analysis that considered one scenario with an increasing
price trend and one scenario with a decreasing price trend. The results
of these alternative cases are presented in appendix 10B of the final
rule TSD.
c. Indirect Impacts on Employment
DOE expects that amended energy conservation standards for WICF
refrigeration systems will reduce energy expenditures for consumers of
those products, with the resulting net savings being redirected to
other forms of economic activity. These expected shifts in spending and
economic activity could affect the demand for labor. As described in
section IV.N of this document, DOE used an input/output model of the
U.S. economy to estimate indirect employment impacts of the TSLs that
DOE considered. DOE understands that there are uncertainties involved
in projecting employment impacts, especially changes in the later years
of the analysis. Therefore, DOE generated results for near-term
timeframes (2020-2025), where these uncertainties are reduced.
The results suggest that the adopted standards are likely to have a
negligible impact on the net demand for labor in the economy. The net
change in jobs is so small that it would be imperceptible in national
labor statistics and might be offset by other, unanticipated effects on
employment. Chapter 16 of the final rule TSD presents detailed results
regarding anticipated indirect employment impacts.
4. Impact on Utility or Performance of Products
DOE tentatively concluded in the NOPR that the standards adopted in
this final rule will not lessen the utility or performance of the WICF
refrigeration systems under consideration in this rulemaking, based on
testing conducted in support of the engineering analysis, and requested
comment on this issue. 81 FR at 63035. DOE did not receive any comments
suggesting that the selected standard levels would impact utility or
performance and DOE notes that manufacturers of these equipment
categories currently offer equipment that employ the various design
options that would be needed to meet the adopted standards.
5. Impact of Any Lessening of Competition
DOE considered any lessening of competition that would be likely to
result from new or amended standards. As discussed in section
III.E.1.e, the Attorney General of the United States must assess a
proposed rule to determine the impact, if any, of any lessening of
competition likely to result from the proposed standard and to transmit
such determination in writing to the Secretary within 60 days of the
publication of a proposed rule, together with an analysis of the nature
and extent of the impact. To assist the Attorney General in making this
determination, DOE provided the Department of Justice (``DOJ'') with
copies of the final rule and the TSD for review. In its assessment
letter responding to DOE, DOJ concluded that, based on the information
currently available, it does not believe that the proposed energy
conservation standards for WICF refrigeration systems are likely to
have a significant adverse impact on competition. DOE is publishing the
Attorney General's assessment at the end of this final rule.
6. Need of the Nation To Conserve Energy
Enhanced energy efficiency, where economically justified, improves
the Nation's energy security, strengthens the economy, and reduces the
environmental impacts (costs) of energy production. Reduced electricity
demand due to energy conservation standards is also likely to reduce
the cost of maintaining the reliability of the electricity system,
particularly during peak-load periods. As a measure of this reduced
demand, chapter 15 in the final rule TSD presents the estimated
reduction in generating capacity, relative to the no-new-standards
case, for the TSLs that DOE considered in this rulemaking.
Energy conservation resulting from potential energy conservation
standards for the considered WICF refrigeration systems is expected to
yield environmental benefits in the form of reduced emissions of
certain air pollutants and greenhouse gases. Table V-32 provides DOE's
estimate of cumulative emissions reductions expected to result from the
TSLs considered in this rulemaking. The emissions were calculated using
the multipliers discussed in section IV.H.2. DOE reports annual
emissions reductions for each TSL in chapter 13 of the final rule TSD.

[[Page 31874]]

Table V-32--Cumulative Emissions Reduction for WICF Refrigeration Systems
Shipped in 2020-2049
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trial standard level
-----------------------------------------------
1 2 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Power Sector Emissions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CO2 (million metric tons)....................................... 6.0 25.4 43.5
SO2 (thousand tons)............................................. 4.9 21.0 35.9
NOX (thousand tons)............................................. 3.2 13.8 23.6
Hg (tons)....................................................... 0.0 0.1 0.1
CH4 (thousand tons)............................................. 0.6 2.7 4.6
N2O (thousand tons)............................................. 0.1 0.4 0.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upstream Emissions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CO2 (million metric tons)....................................... 0.3 1.4 2.4
SO2 (thousand tons)............................................. 0.0 0.2 0.3
NOX (thousand tons)............................................. 4.8 20.2 34.7
Hg (tons)....................................................... 0.0001 0.0003 0.0006
CH4 (thousand tons)............................................. 29.4 125 214
N2O (thousand tons)............................................. 0.00 0.01 0.02
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total FFC Emissions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CO2 (million metric tons)....................................... 6.3 26.8 45.8
SO2 (thousand tons)............................................. 5.0 21.1 36.2
NOX (thousand tons)............................................. 8.0 34.0 58.2
Hg (tons)....................................................... 0.0 0.1 0.1
CH4 (thousand tons)............................................. 30.0 127 218
N2O (thousand tons)............................................. 0.1 0.4 0.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Negative values refer to an increase in emissions.

As part of the analysis for this rule, DOE estimated monetary
benefits likely to result from the projected reductions of
CO2 emissions for each of the considered TSLs analyzed in
this rulemaking. As discussed in section IV.L of this document, DOE
used the most recent values for the SC-CO2 developed by the
interagency working group. The four sets of SC-CO2 values
correspond to the average values from distributions that use a 5-
percent discount rate, a 3-percent discount rate, a 2.5-percent
discount rate, and the 95th-percentile values from a distribution that
uses a 3-percent discount rate. The actual SC-CO2 values
used for emissions in each year are presented in appendix 14A of the
final rule TSD.
Table V-33 presents the global value of the CO2
emissions reduction at each TSL. DOE calculated domestic values as a
range from 7 percent to 23 percent of the global values; these results
are presented in chapter 14 of the final rule TSD.

Table V-33--Present Value of CO2 Emissions Reduction for WICF Refrigeration Systems
Shipped in 2020-2049
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SC-CO2 case
---------------------------------------------------------------
TSL 3% discount
5% discount 3% discount 2.5% discount rate, 95th
rate, average rate, average rate, average percentile
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Million 2015$
---------------------------------------------------------------
1............................................... 44.7 204 324 623
2............................................... 190 867 1376 2643
3............................................... 325 1484 2355 4525
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As discussed in section IV.L.2, DOE estimated monetary benefits
likely to result from the reduced emissions of methane and
N2O that DOE estimated for each of the considered TSLs for
WICF refrigeration systems. DOE used the recent values for the SC-
CH4 and SC-N2O developed by the interagency
working group. Table V-34 presents the value of the CH4
emissions reduction at each TSL, and Table V-35 presents the value of
the N2O emissions reduction at each TSL.

[[Page 31875]]

Table V-34--Present Value of Methane Emissions Reduction for WICF Refrigeration Systems Shipped in 2020-2049
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SC-CH4 case
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
TSL 3% discount
5% discount 3% discount 2.5% discount rate, 95th
rate, average rate, average rate, average percentile
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Million 2015$
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................... 9.5 30.1 42.6 80.2
2....................................... 40.3 128 181 340
3....................................... 69.0 218 309 582
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table V-35--Present Value of Nitrous Oxide Emissions Reduction for WICF Refrigeration Systems
Shipped in 2020-2049
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SC-N2O case
---------------------------------------------------------------
TSL 3% discount
5% discount 3% discount 2.5% discount rate, 95th
rate, average rate, average rate, average percentile
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Million 2015$
---------------------------------------------------------------
1............................................... 0.2 1.0 1.6 2.8
2............................................... 1.0 4.4 6.9 11.7
3............................................... 1.8 7.5 11.9 20.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DOE is well aware that scientific and economic knowledge about the
contribution of CO2 and other GHG emissions to changes in
the future global climate and the potential resulting damages to the
world economy continues to evolve rapidly. Thus, any value placed on
reduced GHG emissions in this rulemaking is subject to change. DOE,
together with other Federal agencies, will continue to review various
methodologies for estimating the monetary value of reductions in
CO2 and other GHG emissions. This ongoing review will
consider the comments on this subject that are part of the public
record for this and other rulemakings, as well as other methodological
assumptions and issues. Consistent with DOE's legal obligations, and
taking into account the uncertainty involved with this particular
issue, DOE has included in this rule the most recent values resulting
from the interagency review process. DOE notes, however, that the
adopted standards would be economically justified even without
inclusion of the monetized benefits accruing from reduced GHG
emissions.
DOE also estimated the monetary value of the economic benefits
associated with NOX emissions reductions anticipated to
result from the considered TSLs for WICF refrigeration systems. The
dollar-per-ton values that DOE used are discussed in section IV.L of
this document.
Table V-36 presents the present value for NOX emissions
reduction for each TSL calculated using 7-percent and 3-percent
discount rates. This table presents results that use the low benefit-
per-ton values, which reflect DOE's primary estimate. Results that
reflect the range of NOX benefit-per-ton values are
presented in Table V-36.

Table V-36--Present Value of NOX Emissions Reduction for WICF
Refrigeration Systems
Shipped in 2020-2049 \*\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3% discount 7% discount
TSL rate rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Million 2015$
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................... 14.3 5.8
2....................................... 60.4 24.8
3....................................... 103 42.4
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Results are based on the low benefit-per-ton values.

7. Other Factors
The Secretary of Energy, in determining whether a standard is
economically justified, may consider any other factors that the
Secretary deems to be relevant. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(VII) and
6316(a)) No other factors were considered in this analysis.

C. Summary of National Economic Impacts

Table V-37 presents the NPV values that result from adding the
estimates of the potential economic benefits resulting from reduced GHG
and NOX emissions to the NPV of consumer savings calculated
for each TSL considered in this rulemaking.

[[Page 31876]]

Table V-37--Consumer NPV Combined With Present Value of Benefits From Emissions Reductions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer NPV and low NOX values at 3% discount rate added with:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TSL GHG 5% discount rate, GHG 3% discount rate, GHG 2.5% discount GHG 3% Discount Rate,
average case average case rate, average case 95th percentile case
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Billion 2015$
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1................................................... 0.6 0.7 0.9 1.2
2................................................... 2.3 3.1 3.6 5.1
3................................................... 3.7 5.0 6.0 8.4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer NPV and Low NOX Values at 7% Discount Rate Added with:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TSL GHG 5% discount rate, GHG 3% discount rate, GHG 3% discount rate, GHG 3% discount rate,
average case average case average case 95th percentile case
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Billion 2015$
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1................................................... 0.3 0.5 0.6 0.9
2................................................... 1.1 1.9 2.5 3.9
3................................................... 1.8 3.1 4.1 6.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The GHG benefits include the estimated benefits for reductions in CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions using the four sets of SC-CO2, SC-CH4, and SC-N2O
values developed by the interagency working group.

The national operating cost savings are domestic U.S. monetary
savings that occur as a result of purchasing the considered WICF
refrigeration equipment, and are measured for the lifetime of products
shipped in 2020-2049. The benefits associated with reduced GHG
emissions achieved as a result of the adopted standards are also
calculated based on the lifetime of WICF refrigeration systems shipped
in 2020-2049. However, the GHG reduction is a benefit that accrues
globally. Because CO2 emissions have a very long residence
time in the atmosphere, the SC-CO2 values for future
emissions reflect climate-related impacts that continue through 2300.

D. Conclusion

When considering new or amended energy conservation standards, the
standards that DOE adopts for walk-ins must be designed to achieve the
maximum improvement in energy efficiency that the Secretary determines
is technologically feasible and economically justified. (42 U.S.C.
6295(o)(2)(A) and 6316(a)) In determining whether a standard is
economically justified, the Secretary must determine whether the
benefits of the standard exceed its burdens by, to the greatest extent
practicable, considering the seven statutory factors discussed
previously. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i) and 6316(a)) The new or amended
standard must also result in significant conservation of energy. (42
U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)(B) and 6316(a)).
For this final rule, DOE considered the impacts of standards for
the considered WICF refrigeration systems at each TSL, beginning with
the maximum technologically feasible level, to determine whether that
level was economically justified. Where the max-tech level was not
justified, DOE then considered the next most efficient level and
undertook the same evaluation until it reached the highest efficiency
level that is both technologically feasible and economically justified
and saves a significant amount of energy.
To aid the reader as DOE discusses the benefits and/or burdens of
each TSL, tables in this section present a summary of the results of
DOE's quantitative analysis for each TSL. In addition to the
quantitative results presented in the tables, DOE also considers other
burdens and benefits that affect economic justification. These include
the impacts on identifiable subgroups of consumers who may be
disproportionately affected by a national standard and impacts on
employment.
1. Benefits and Burdens of TSLs Considered for WICF Refrigeration
System Standards
Table V-38 and Table V-39 summarize the quantitative impacts
estimated for each TSL for the considered WICF refrigeration systems.
The national impacts are measured over the lifetime of WICF
refrigeration systems purchased in the 30-year period that begins in
the anticipated year of compliance with amended standards (2020-2049).
The energy savings, emissions reductions, and value of emissions
reductions refer to full-fuel-cycle results. The efficiency levels
contained in each TSL are described in section V.A of this document.

Table V-38--Summary of Analytical Results for WICF Refrigeration Systems TSLs: National Impacts
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category TSL 1 TSL 2 TSL 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cumulative FFC National Energy Savings (quads)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quads....................... 0.1....................... 0.5....................... 0.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPV of Consumer Costs and Benefits (billion 2015$)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3% discount rate............ 0.5....................... 2.0....................... 3.2
7% discount rate............ 0.2....................... 0.9....................... 1.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 31877]]

Cumulative FFC Emissions Reduction
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CO2 (million metric tons)... 6.3....................... 26.8...................... 45.8
SO2 (thousand tons)......... 5.0....................... 21.1...................... 36.2
NOX (thousand tons)......... 8.0....................... 34.0...................... 58.2
Hg (tons)................... 0.02...................... 0.07...................... 0.12
CH4 (thousand tons)......... 30.0...................... 127....................... 218
N2O (thousand tons)......... 0.1....................... 0.4....................... 0.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value of Emissions Reduction
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CO2 (Billion 2015$) *....... 0.0 to 0.6................ 0.2 to 2.6................ 0.3 to 4.5
CH4 (billion 2015$)......... 0.0 to 0.1................ 0.0 to 0.3................ 0.1 to 0.6
N2O (million 2015$)......... 0.000 to 0.003............ 0.001 to 0.012............ 0.002 to 0.020
NOX--3% discount rate 14........................ 60........................ 103
(million 2015$).
NOX--7% discount rate 6......................... 25........................ 42
(million 2015$).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parentheses indicate negative (-) values.
* Range of the economic value of CO2 reductions is based on estimates of the global benefit of reduced CO2
emissions.

Table V-39--Summary of Analytical Results for WICF Refrigeration Equipment TSLs:
Manufacturer and Consumer Impacts [Dagger]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category TSL 1 * TSL 2 * TSL 3 *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manufacturer Impacts
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry NPV (2015$ million) (No-new-standards case 96.6-97.1 93.4-96.4 83.6-91.7
INPV = 97.9)..........................................
Industry NPV (% change)................................ (1.2)-(0.8) (4.5)-(1.5) (14.6)-(6.3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Average LCC Savings (2015$)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DC.L.I (CU-Only) *..................................... 26 387 1,272
DC.L.O (CU-Only)....................................... 753 2,097 2,839
DC.L.I (Field-Paired) **............................... 63 442 1,397
DC.L.O (Field-Paired).................................. 783 2,307 3,294
DC.L.I (UC-Only) [dagger].............................. 86 121 135
DC.L.O (UC-Only)....................................... 35 144 288
UC.M--DC.M.I........................................... 0 72 87
UC.M--DC.M.O........................................... 0 79 89
UC.L--MC.L (UC-Only)................................... 4 101 74
UC.M--MC.M (UC-Only)................................... 4 72 75
Shipment-Weighted Average.............................. 107 393 615
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Simple PBP (years)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DC.L.I (CU-Only) *..................................... 0.0 1.0 1.5
DC.L.O (CU-Only) *..................................... 0.1 0.4 1.2
DC.L.I (Field -Paired) **.............................. 0.1 1.0 1.5
DC.L.O (FP) **......................................... 0.2 0.5 1.4
DC.L.I (UC-Only) [dagger].............................. 1.7 3.6 4.8
DC.L.O (UC-Only) [dagger].............................. 0.6 2.4 4.5
UC.M--DC.M.I........................................... 0.0 0.0 1.8
UC.M--DC.M.O........................................... 0.0 1.4 1.5
UC.L--MC.L (UC-Only)................................... 0.6 2.8 7.6
UC.M--MC.M (UC-Only)................................... 0.6 2.4 3.0
Shipment-Weighted Average.............................. 0.2 1.2 2.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
% of Consumers that Experience Net Cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DC.L.I (CU-Only) *..................................... 0 0 0
DC.L.O (CU-Only) *..................................... 0 0 0
DC.L.I (FP) **......................................... 0 0 0
DC.L.O (FP) **......................................... 0 0 0
DC.L.I (UC-Only) [dagger].............................. 2 6 15
DC.L.O (UC-Only) [dagger].............................. 0 3 15
UC.M--DC.M.I........................................... 0 1 1
UC.M--DC.M.O........................................... 0 0 1
UC.L--MC.L (UC-Only)................................... 2 9 49
UC.M--MC.M (UC-Only)................................... 1 2 8

[[Page 31878]]

Shipment-Weighted Average.............................. 0 1 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parentheses indicate negative (-) values. Weighted results are by shares of each product class in total
projected shipments in 2020.
* CU-Only: Condensing unit-only. This analysis evaluates standard levels applied to a condensing unit
distributed in commerce without a designated companion unit cooler for a scenario in which a new condensing
unit is installed to replace a failed condensing unit, but the existing unit cooler is not replaced. See
section IV.G.1.b for more details.
** FP: Field-paired unit cooler and condensing unit. This analysis evaluates standard levels applied to a
condensing unit distributed in commerce without a designated companion unit cooler for a scenario in which
both a new condensing unit and a new unit cooler are installed. See section IV.G.1.a for more details.
[dagger] UC-Only: Unit cooler only. This analysis evaluates standard levels applied to a unit cooler distributed
in commerce without a designated companion condensing unit, either dedicated or multiplex, for a scenario in
which a new unit cooler is installed to replace a failed unit cooler, but the existing condensing unit is not
replaced. See section IV.G.1.c for more details.
[Dagger] For this NOPR, DOE is examining the impacts of unit coolers (UC.M and UC.L) combined with medium--
temperature dedicated condensing equipment (DC.M.I and DC.M.O), but DOE is not considering establishing
standards for the latter equipment, as they are covered by the June 2014 final rule standards that were not
vacated by the Fifth Circuit order.

DOE first considered TSL 3, which represents the max-tech
efficiency levels. TSL 3 would save an estimated 0.85 quads of energy,
an amount DOE considers significant. Under TSL 3, the NPV of consumer
benefit would be $1.4 billion using a discount rate of 7 percent, and
$3.2 billion using a discount rate of 3 percent.
The cumulative emissions reductions at TSL 3 are 48.5 Mt of
CO2, 36.2 thousand tons of SO2, 58.2 thousand
tons of NOX, 0.12 ton of Hg, 218 thousand tons of
CH4, and 0.7 thousand tons of N2O. The estimated
monetary value of the GHG emissions reduction at TSL 3 ranges from $325
million to $4,525 million for CO2, from $69 million to $582
million for CH4, and from $1.8 million to $20 million for
N2O. The estimated monetary value of the NOX
emissions reduction at TSL 3 is $42 million using a 7-percent discount
rate and $103 million using a 3-percent discount rate.
At TSL 3, the average LCC impact for low-temperature dedicated
condensing units is a savings of $1,272 for DC.L.I, $2,839 for DC.L.O
for the condensing unit-only; $1,397 for DC.L.I , $3,294 for DC.L.O for
field-paired equipment. The average LCC impact for low-temperature unit
coolers (UC.L) is a savings of $135 and $288 when connected to indoor
and outdoor low-temperature dedicated condensing units, respectively,
and $74 when connected to low-temperature multiplex condensing
equipment. The average LCC impact for medium-temperature unit coolers
(UC.M) is a savings of $87 and $89 when connected to indoor and outdoor
medium-temperature dedicated condensing units, respectively, and $75
when connected to medium-temperature multiplex condensing equipment.
The simple payback period impact for low-temperature dedicated
condensing units is 1.5 years for DC.L.I and, 1.2 years for DC.L.O for
the condensing unit-only; 1.5 years for DC.L.I and, 1.4 years for
DC.L.O for field-paired equipment. The simple payback period for low-
temperature unit coolers (UC.L) is 4.8 years and 4.5 years when
connected to indoor and outdoor low-temperature dedicated condensing
units, respectively, and 7.6 years when connected to low-temperature
multiplex condensing equipment. The simple payback period for medium-
temperature unit coolers (UC.M) is 1.9 years and 1.5 years when
connected to indoor and outdoor medium-temperature dedicated condensing
units, respectively, and 3.0 years when connected to medium-temperature
multiplex condensing equipment. The fraction of consumers experiencing
a net LCC cost is zero percent for DC.L.I and DC.L.O for condensing
unit-only; and zero percent for DC.L.I, and DC.L.O for field-paired
equipment. The fraction of consumers experiencing a net LCC cost for
low-temperature unit coolers (UC.L) is 15 percent when connected to
indoor and outdoor low-temperature dedicated condensing units,
respectively, and 49 percent when connected to low-temperature
multiplex condensing equipment. The fraction of consumers experiencing
a net LCC cost for medium-temperature unit coolers (UC.M) is 1 percent
when connected to indoor and outdoor medium-temperature dedicated
condensing units, and 8 percent when connected to medium-temperature
multiplex condensing equipment. At TSL 3, the projected change in INPV
ranges from a decrease of $14.3 million to a decrease of $6.1 million,
which corresponds to decreases of 14.6 percent and 6.3 percent,
respectively.
In addition, the adopted TSL 3 standards are consistent with the
unanimous recommendations submitted by the Working Group and approved
by the ASRAC. (See: Term Sheet at EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016-0056,
recommendation #5) DOE has encouraged the negotiation of standard
levels, in accordance with the FACA and the NRA, as a means for
interested parties, representing diverse points of view, to analyze and
recommend energy conservation standards to DOE. Such negotiations may
often expedite the rulemaking process. In addition, standard levels
recommended through a negotiation may increase the likelihood for
regulatory compliance, while decreasing the risk of litigation.
After considering the analysis and weighing the benefits and
burdens, the Secretary has concluded that at TSL 3 for the considered
WICF refrigeration systems, the benefits of energy savings, positive
NPV of consumer benefits, emission reductions, the estimated monetary
value of the emissions reductions, and positive average LCC savings
would collectively outweigh the negative impacts on some consumers and
on manufacturers. As noted earlier, DOE's analysis of this level is
independent of any benefits that may accrue from the reduction
of GHG and NOX projected to occur with this
level. Accordingly, the Secretary has concluded that TSL 3 would offer
the maximum improvement in efficiency that is both technologically
feasible and economically justified. The Secretary has also concluded
that TSL3 would result in the significant conservation of energy.
Therefore, based on the above considerations, DOE is adopting the
energy conservation standards for WICF refrigeration systems at TSL 3.
These adopted energy conservation standards for the considered WICF
refrigeration systems, which are expressed as AWEF, are shown in Table
V-40.

[[Page 31879]]

Table V-40--Adopted Energy Conservation Standards for WICF Refrigeration Systems
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity (Cnet*) (Btu/
Equipment class h) Minimum AWEF (Btu/W-h)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit Coolers--Low-Temperature....... <15,500................ 1.575 * 10-\5\ * qnet + 3.91
>=15,500............... 4.15
Unit Coolers--Medium-Temperature.... All.................... 9.00
Dedicated Condensing System--Low- <6,500................. 6.522 * 10-\5\ * qnet + 2.73
Temperature, Outdoor. >=6,500................ 3.15
Dedicated Condensing System--Low- <6,500................. 9.091 * 10-\5\ * qnet + 1.81
Temperature, Indoor. >=6,500................ 2.40
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Where qnet is net capacity as determined and certified pursuant 10 CFR 431.304.

2. Annualized Benefits and Costs of the Adopted Standards
The benefits and costs of the adopted standards can also be
expressed in terms of annualized values. The annualized net benefit is
(1) the annualized national economic value (expressed in 2015$) of the
benefits from operating walk-in refrigeration systems that meet the
adopted standards (consisting primarily of operating cost savings from
using less energy), minus increases in equipment purchase costs, and
(2) the annualized monetary value of the benefits of GHG and
NOX emission reductions.
Table V-41 shows the annualized values for the considered WICF
refrigeration systems under TSL 3, expressed in 2015$. The results
under the primary estimate are as follows.
Using a 7-percent discount rate for benefits and costs other than
GHG reductions (for which DOE used average social costs with a 3-
percent discount rate),\81\ the estimated cost of the adopted standards
for the considered WICF refrigeration systems is $34 million per year
in increased equipment costs, while the estimated annual benefits are
$169 million in reduced equipment operating costs, $95 million in GHG
reductions, and $4.2 million in reduced NOX emissions. In
this case, the net benefit amounts to $234 million per year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\81\ DOE used average social costs with a 3-percent discount
rate these values are considered as the ``central'' estimates by the
interagency group.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Using a 3-percent discount rate for all benefits and costs, the
estimated cost of the adopted standards for the considered WICF
refrigeration systems is $36 million per year in increased equipment
costs, while the estimated annual benefits are $213 million in reduced
operating costs, $95 million in CO2 GHG reductions, and $5.8
million in reduced NOX emissions. In this case, the net
benefit amounts to $279 million per year.

Table V-41--Selected Categories of Annualized Benefits and Costs of Adopted Standards (TSL 3) for WICF Refrigeration Systems
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Low-net- benefits High-net- benefits
Discount rate (percent) Primary estimate estimate estimate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Million 2015$/year
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Operating Cost Savings... 7............................... 169.3..................... 158.4..................... 183.0.
3............................... 213.4..................... 196.9..................... 233.9.
GHG Reduction (using avg. social 5............................... 29.8...................... 27.2...................... 32.4.
costs at 5% discount rate) **.
GHG Reduction (using avg. social 3............................... 95.3...................... 86.7...................... 104.0.
costs at 3% discount rate) **.
GHG Reduction (using avg. social 2.5............................. 137.7..................... 125.1..................... 150.4.
costs at 2.5% discount rate) **.
GHG Reduction (using 95th 3............................... 285.8..................... 259.8..................... 311.9.
percentile social costs at 3%
discount rate) **.
NOX Reduction [dagger]............ 7............................... 4.2....................... 3.9....................... 10.1.
3............................... 5.8....................... 5.3....................... 14.3.
Total Benefits [dagger][dagger]... 7 plus GHG range................ 203 to 459................ 190 to 422................ 225 to 505.
7............................... 269....................... 249....................... 297.
3 plus GHG range................ 249 to 505................ 229 to 462................ 281 to 560.
3............................... 314....................... 289....................... 352.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Incremental Equipment 7............................... 34........................ 36........................ 33.
Costs. 3............................... 36........................ 38........................ 34.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Benefits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total [dagger][dagger]............ 7 plus GHG range................ 169 to 425................ 154 to 386................ 192 to 472.
7............................... 234....................... 213....................... 264.

[[Page 31880]]

3 plus GHG range................ 213 to 469................ 192 to 424................ 247 to 526.
3............................... 279....................... 251....................... 318.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* This table presents the annualized costs and benefits associated with the considered WICF refrigeration systems shipped in 2020-2049. These results
include benefits to consumers which accrue after 2049 from the WICF refrigeration systems purchased from 2020-2049. The incremental installed costs
include incremental equipment cost as well as installation costs. The results account for the incremental variable and fixed costs incurred by
manufacturers due to the adopted standards, some of which may be incurred in preparation for the rule. The GHG reduction benefits are global benefits
due to actions that occur nationally. The Primary, Low Net Benefits, and High Net Benefits Estimates utilize projections of energy prices and real GDP
from the AEO2016 No-CPP case, a Low Economic Growth case, and a High Economic Growth case, respectively. In addition, incremental product costs
reflect constant prices in the Primary Estimate, a low decline rate in the Low Benefits Estimate, and a high decline rate in the High Benefits
Estimate. The methods used to derive projected price trends are explained in section IV.G. Note that the Benefits and Costs may not sum to the Net
Benefits due to rounding. The equipment price projection is described in section IV.G.2 of this document and chapter 8 of the final rule technical
support document (TSD). In addition, DOE used estimates for equipment efficiency distribution in its analysis based on national data supplied by
industry. Purchases of higher efficiency equipment are a result of many different factors unique to each consumer including boiler heating loads,
installation costs, site environmental consideration, and others. For each consumer, all other factors being the same, it would be anticipated that
higher efficiency purchases in the baseline would correlate positively with higher energy prices. To the extent that this occurs, it would be expected
to result in some lowering of the consumer operating cost savings from those calculated in this rule.
** The interagency group selected four sets of SC-CO2 SC-CH4, and SC-N2O values for use in regulatory analyses. Three sets of values are based on the
average social costs from the integrated assessment models, at discount rates of 5 percent, 3 percent, and 2.5 percent. The fourth set, which
represents the 95th percentile of the social cost distributions calculated using a 3-percent discount rate, is included to represent higher-than-
expected impacts from climate change further out in the tails of the social cost distributions. The social cost values are emission year specific. See
section IV.L for more details.
[dagger] DOE estimated the monetized value of NOX emissions reductions associated with electricity savings using benefit per ton estimates from the
Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Clean Power Plan Final Rule, published in August 2015 by EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.
(Available at www.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan/clean-power-plan-final-rule-regulatory-impact-analysis.) See section IV.M.3 for further discussion. For the
Primary Estimate and Low Net Benefits Estimate, DOE used national benefit-per-ton estimates for NOX emitted from the Electric Generating Unit sector
based on an estimate of premature mortality derived from the ACS study (Krewski et al. 2009). For the High Net Benefits Estimate, the benefit-per-ton
estimates were based on the Six Cities study (Lepuele et al. 2011); these are nearly two-and-a-half times larger than those from the ACS study.
[dagger][dagger] Total Benefits for both the 3-percent and 7-percent cases are presented using the average social costs with 3-percent discount rate. In
the rows labeled ``7% plus GHG range'' and ``3% plus GHG range,'' the operating cost and NOX benefits are calculated using the labeled discount rate,
and those values are added to the full range of social cost values.

VI. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review

A. Review Under Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

Section 1(b)(1) of Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and
Review,'' 58 FR 51735 (October 4, 1993), requires each agency to
identify the problem that it intends to address, including, where
applicable, the failures of private markets or public institutions that
warrant new agency action, as well as to assess the significance of
that problem. The problems that the adopted standards for WICF
refrigeration systems are intended to address are as follows:
(1) Insufficient information and the high costs of gathering and
analyzing relevant information leads some consumers to miss
opportunities to make cost-effective investments in energy efficiency.
(2) In some cases the benefits of more efficient equipment are not
realized due to misaligned incentives between purchasers and users. An
example of such a case is when the equipment purchase decision is made
by a building contractor or building owner who does not pay the energy
costs.
(3) There are external benefits resulting from improved energy
efficiency of products or equipment that are not captured by the users
of such equipment. These benefits include externalities related to
public health, environmental protection and national energy security
that are not reflected in energy prices, such as reduced emissions of
air pollutants and greenhouse gases that impact human health and global
warming. DOE attempts to qualify some of the external benefits through
use of social cost of carbon values.
The Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs (``OIRA'') in the OMB has determined that the regulatory action
in this document is a significant regulatory action under section
(3)(f) of Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, pursuant to section
6(a)(3)(B) of the Order, DOE has provided to OIRA: (i) The text of the
draft regulatory action, together with a reasonably detailed
description of the need for the regulatory action and an explanation of
how the regulatory action will meet that need; and (ii) an assessment
of the potential costs and benefits of the regulatory action, including
an explanation of the manner in which the regulatory action is
consistent with a statutory mandate. DOE has included these documents
in the rulemaking record.
In addition, the Administrator of OIRA has determined that the
regulatory action is an ``economically'' significant regulatory action
under section (3)(f)(1) of Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, pursuant
to section 6(a)(3)(C) of the Order, DOE has provided to OIRA an
assessment, including the underlying analysis, of benefits and costs
anticipated from the regulatory action, together with, to the extent
feasible, a quantification of those costs; and an assessment, including
the underlying analysis, of costs and benefits of potentially effective
and reasonably feasible alternatives to the planned regulation, and an
explanation why the planned regulatory action is preferable to the
identified potential alternatives. These assessments can be found in
the technical support document for this rulemaking.
DOE has also reviewed this regulation pursuant to Executive Order
13563, issued on January 18, 2011. 76 FR 3281, January 21, 2011. E.O.
13563 is

[[Page 31881]]

supplemental to and explicitly reaffirms the principles, structures,
and definitions governing regulatory review established in Executive
Order 12866. To the extent permitted by law, agencies are required by
Executive Order 13563 to (1) propose or adopt a regulation only upon a
reasoned determination that its benefits justify its costs (recognizing
that some benefits and costs are difficult to quantify); (2) tailor
regulations to impose the least burden on society, consistent with
obtaining regulatory objectives, taking into account, among other
things, and to the extent practicable, the costs of cumulative
regulations; (3) select, in choosing among alternative regulatory
approaches, those approaches that maximize net benefits (including
potential economic, environmental, public health and safety, and other
advantages; distributive impacts; and equity); (4) to the extent
feasible, specify performance objectives, rather than specifying the
behavior or manner of compliance that regulated entities must adopt;
and (5) identify and assess available alternatives to direct
regulation, including providing economic incentives to encourage the
desired behavior, such as user fees or marketable permits, or providing
information upon which choices can be made by the public.
DOE emphasizes as well that Executive Order 13563 requires agencies
to use the best available techniques to quantify anticipated present
and future benefits and costs as accurately as possible. In its
guidance, OIRA has emphasized that such techniques may include
identifying changing future compliance costs that might result from
technological innovation or anticipated behavioral changes. For the
reasons stated in the preamble, DOE believes that this final rule is
consistent with these principles, including the requirement that, to
the extent permitted by law, benefits justify costs.

B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires
preparation of an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (``IRFA'')
and a final regulatory flexibility analysis (``FRFA'') for any rule
that by law must be proposed for public comment, unless the agency
certifies that the rule, if promulgated, will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. As required
by Executive Order 13272, ``Proper Consideration of Small Entities in
Agency Rulemaking,'' 67 FR 53461 (August 16, 2002), DOE published
procedures and policies on February 19, 2003, to ensure that the
potential impacts of its rules on small entities are properly
considered during the rulemaking process. 68 FR 7990. DOE has made its
procedures and policies available on the Office of the General
Counsel's Web site (https://energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel). DOE
has prepared the following FRFA for the products that are the subject
of this rulemaking.
A manufacturer of a walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer is any person
who: (1) Manufactures a component of a walk-in cooler or walk-in
freezer (collectively, ``walk-ins'' or ``WICFs'') that affects energy
consumption, including, but not limited to, refrigeration, doors,
lights, windows, or walls; or (2) manufactures or assembles the
complete walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer. 10 CFR 431.302. DOE
considers manufacturers of refrigeration components (WICF refrigeration
manufacturers) and assemblers of the complete walk-in (installers)
separately for this Regulatory Flexibility Review.
This document sets energy conservation standard for seven equipment
classes of WICF refrigeration systems. Manufacturers of WICF
refrigeration systems are responsible for ensuring the compliance of
the components to the new standard. WICF refrigeration manufacturers
are required to certify to DOE that the components they manufacture or
import comply with the applicable standards. DOE used the SBA's small
business size standards to determine whether any small WICF
refrigeration system manufacturers would be subject to the requirements
of the rule. See 13 CFR part 121. WICF refrigeration manufacturing is
classified under NAICS 333415, ``Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating
Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment
Manufacturing.'' The SBA sets a threshold of 1,250 employees or less
for an entity to be considered as a small business for this category.
This document does not include new or amended energy conservation
standards that are measured in terms of the performance of the complete
walk-in cooler or freezer. Manufacturers (which may be on-site
installers) assemble certified components that have been previously
tested and rated, such as panels, doors, and refrigeration systems, to
complete the walk-in on-site. However, they are not required to certify
compliance of their installations to DOE for energy conservation
standards. Installers of complete walk-ins are categorized under NAICS
238220, which covers ``refrigeration contractors.'' SBA has set a
revenue threshold of $15 million or less for an entity to be considered
small for this category. However, given the lack of publicly available
revenue information for walk-in assemblers and installers, DOE chose to
use a threshold of 1,250 employees or less to be small in order to be
consistent with the threshold for WICF component manufacturers. Based
on these thresholds, DOE presents the following FRFA analysis:
1. Need for, and Objectives of, the Rule
Title III, Part C of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of
1975, as amended (``EPCA'') (codified at 42 U.S.C. 6291-6309)
established the Energy Conservation Program for Certain Industrial
Equipment, which covers certain industrial equipment, including the
walk-in refrigeration systems addressed in this rulemaking--low-
temperature dedicated condensing systems and low- and medium-
temperature unit coolers. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(G)) EPCA established
prescriptive standards for these equipment, see 42 U.S.C. 6313(f), and
required DOE to establish performance-based standards for walk-ins that
achieve the maximum improvement in energy that the Secretary determines
is technologically feasible and economically justified. See 42 U.S.C.
6313(f)(4)
As noted elsewhere in this document, DOE published and codified a
final rule that requires walk-in manufacturers to meet certain
performance-based energy conservation standards starting on June 5,
2017. See 10 CFR 431.306(e). Those standards applied to the main
components of a walk-in: Refrigeration systems, panels, and doors.\82\
Also as discussed earlier in this document, a legal challenge was filed
in this matter, which resulted in a settlement agreement and court
order in which the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
vacated six refrigeration system standards--(1) the two energy
conservation standards applicable to multiplex condensing refrigeration
systems (re-named unit coolers for purposes of this rule) operating at
medium and low temperatures and (2) the four energy conservation
standards applicable to dedicated condensing refrigeration systems
operating at low temperatures. This final rule, which was the result of
a months-long negotiated

[[Page 31882]]

rulemaking arising from the settlement agreement, is consistent with
the Term Sheet developed as part of that negotiated rulemaking and
adopts the agreed-upon standards contained in that Term Sheet for the
seven classes of refrigeration systems. This rule also examines any
potential impacts on walk-in installers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\82\ Although DOE had considered alternative performance-based
standards for panels in a NOPR published September 11, 2013 (78 FR
55782, 55784), the June 2014 final rule did not deviate from the
panel standards prescribed by EPCA. (see 42 U.S.C. 6313(f) and 79 FR
at 32051 (June 3, 2016)) Hence, the compliance date for the panel
standards was January 1, 2009.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Significant Issues Raised in Response to the IRFA
DOE did not receive written comments that specifically addressed
impacts on small businesses or were provided in response to the IRFA.
3. Description on Estimated Number of Small Entities Regulated
During its market survey, DOE used available public information to
identify small WICF refrigeration manufacturers. DOE's research
involved industry trade association membership directories (including
those maintained by AHRI 1A\83\ and NAFEM 1A\84\), public databases
(e.g. the SBA Database \85\), individual company websites, market
research tools (e.g., Dun and Bradstreet reports 1A\86\ and Hoovers
reports 1A\87\) to create a list of companies that manufacture or sell
equipment covered by this rulemaking. DOE also asked stakeholders and
industry representatives if they were aware of any other small WICF
refrigeration manufacturers during manufacturer interviews conducted
for the June 2014 final rule and at DOE public meetings. DOE reviewed
publicly-available data and contacted companies on its list, as
necessary, to determine whether they met the SBA's definition of a
small business manufacturer of WICF refrigeration systems. DOE screened
out companies that do not offer equipment covered by this rulemaking,
do not meet the definition of a ``small business,'' or are foreign-
owned.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\83\ See www.ahridirectory.org/ahriDirectory/pages/home.aspx.
\84\ See www.nafem.org/find-members/MemberDirectory.aspx.
\85\ See https://dsbs.sba.gov/dsbs/search/dsp_dsbs.cfm.
\86\ See www.dnb.com/.
\87\ See www.hoovers.com/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

DOE identified ten WICF refrigeration manufacturers that produce
equipment for one or more of the equipment classes analyzed in this
final rule. All ten are domestic companies. Three of the ten WICF
refrigeration manufacturers are small businesses based on the 1,250
person threshold for NAICS 333415.
DOE was unable to identify any company that operated exclusively as
a manufacturer of complete walk-ins. All businesses that were
manufacturers of complete walk-ins offered their services as part of a
broader range of products and service capabilities. All small business
manufacturers of complete walk-ins that DOE identified were on-site
installers that also offered HVAC installation or commercial
refrigeration equipment installation services. DOE relied on U.S.
Census data for NAICS code 238300. The NAICS code aggregates
information for ``plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning
contractors,'' which includes ``refrigeration contractors''.
According to the 2012 U.S. Census ``Industry Snapshot'' for NAICS
238220, there were approximately 87,000 plumbing, heating, and air-
conditioning contractor establishments in the United States.\88\ Based
on detailed breakdowns provided in the 2007 U.S. Census, DOE was able
to disaggregate the 87,000 business by contractor type.\89\ In
examining these businesses, 35% were exclusively plumbing, sprinkler
installation, or steam and piping fitting contractors and were unlikely
to provide walk-in installation services. Of the remaining 65% of
establishments, DOE estimated that 3,400 to 14,100 provide offer walk-
in installation services.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\88\ U.S. Census Bureau. Industry Snapshot
thedataweb.rm.census.gov/TheDataWeb_HotReport2/econsnapshot/2012/snapshot.hrml?NAICS=238220 (Last accessed July 2016).
\89\ U.S. Census Bureau. Industry Statistics Portal
www.census.gov/econ/isp/sampler.php?naicscode=238220&naicslevel=6#
(Last accessed August 2016).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

U.S. Census data from 2012 showed that less than 1% of plumbing,
heating, and air-conditioning contracting companies have more than 500
or more employees. While the U.S. Census data show that average revenue
per establishment is approximately $1.7 million, the data provide no
indication of what the revenue distribution or the median revenue in
the industry might be. Assuming that the plumbing, heating, and air-
conditioning employment data are representative of those found with
walk-in installer employment numbers, the vast majority of installers
are small businesses based on a 1,250-person threshold.
4. Description and Estimate of Compliance Requirements, Including
Differences in Cost, if Any, for Different Groups of Small Entities
DOE identified three small WICF refrigeration businesses that
manufacture WICF refrigeration equipment addressed by this rule. One
small business focuses on large warehouse refrigeration systems, which
are outside the scope of this rulemaking. However, this company offers
small capacity units that can be sold to the walk-in market as well.
The second small business specializes in building evaporators and unit
coolers for a range of refrigeration applications, including the walk-
in market. Further, based on manufacturer interviews conducted for the
June 2014 final rule, DOE determined that the WICF refrigeration system
revenue for this company is small compared to its total revenue. The
third small business offers a wide range of equipment, including
cooling towers, industrial refrigeration equipment, and water treatment
systems. This company has a limited portfolio of unit coolers, which is
a small portion of its offerings.
Conversion costs are the primary driver of negative impacts on WICF
refrigeration manufacturers. While there will be record keeping
expenses associated with certification and compliance requirements, DOE
expects the cost to be small relative to the investments necessary to
determine which equipment are compliant, redesign non-compliant
equipment, purchase and install new manufacturing line equipment, and
update marketing materials. These conversion costs are described in
section IV.J.C of this document.
Since no market share information for small WICF refrigeration
manufacturers is publicly-available, DOE relied on company revenue data
for the small and large businesses as proxies for market share. For
companies that are diversified conglomerates, DOE used revenue figures
from the corporate business unit that produced walk-in refrigeration
systems.
At the adopted standard level, DOE estimates total conversion costs
for an average small manufacturer to be $0.69 million per year over the
three-year conversion period. Using revenue figures from Hoovers.com,
DOE estimates that conversion costs are 1.0 percent of total small
business revenue over the three-year conversion period.
DOE estimates that there are approximately 3,400 to 14,100 walk-in
installers and 99% of them are small businesses. Installers of complete
walk-ins have been subject to regulation since 2009, when EPCA's
prescriptive standards for walk-ins went into effect. EPCA required
that all completed walk-ins must: Have automatic door closers; have
strip doors, spring hinged doors, or other method of minimizing
infiltration when doors are open; for all interior lights, use light
sources with an efficacy of 40 lumens per watt or more; contain wall,
ceiling, and door insulation of at least R-25 for coolers and R-32 for

[[Page 31883]]

freezers; contain floor insulation of at least R-28 for freezers; and
use doors that have certain features; and use certain types of motors
in components of the refrigeration system.
This rule does not add energy conservation standards that would
measure the performance of the complete walk-in. Manufacturers who
strictly assemble or install complete walk-ins do not certify
compliance to DOE. DOE was unable to identify installer conversion
costs that would be likely to occur as a direct result of the adopted
standard since these costs are borne by component manufacturers. DOE
was unable to identify any potential stranded assets since installers
will be able to continue installing completed walk-ins using certified
components meeting prior applicable requirements that are purchased
before the compliance date of this rule. Installers may continue using
components that complied with prior applicable requirements after the
compliance date for this final rule is reached. The burden of this rule
on installers is de minimis.
5. Significant Alternatives to the Rule
The discussion in the previous section analyzes impacts on small
businesses that would result from the adopted standards, represented by
TSL 3. In reviewing alternatives to the adopted standards, DOE examined
energy conservation standards set at lower efficiency levels. While TSL
1 and TSL 2 would reduce the impacts on small business manufacturers,
it would come at the expense of a reduction in energy savings and NPV
benefits to the consumer. TSL 1 achieves 89 percent lower energy
savings and 86 percent lower NPV benefits to the consumer compared to
the energy savings at TSL 3. TSL 2 achieves 44 percent lower energy
savings and 36 percent lower NPV benefit to the consumer compared to
the energy savings at TSL 3.
DOE believes that establishing standards at TSL 3 balances the
benefits of the energy savings at TSL 3 with the potential burdens
placed on WICF refrigeration systems manufacturers, including small
business manufacturers. Accordingly, DOE is not adopting one of the
other TSLs considered in the analysis, or the other policy alternatives
examined as part of the regulatory impact analysis and included in
chapter 12 of the final rule TSD.
Additional compliance flexibilities may be available through other
means. EPCA provides that a manufacturer whose annual gross revenue
from all of its operations does not exceed $8 million may apply for an
exemption from all or part of an energy conservation standard for a
period not longer than 24 months after the effective date of a final
rule establishing the standard. Additionally, section 504 of the
Department of Energy Organization Act, 42 U.S.C. 7194, provides
authority for the Secretary to adjust a rule issued under EPCA in order
to prevent ``special hardship, inequity, or unfair distribution of
burdens'' that may be imposed on that manufacturer as a result of such
rule. Manufacturers should refer to 10 CFR part 430, subpart E, and
part 1003 for additional details.

C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act

Manufacturers of WICF refrigeration systems must certify to DOE
that their products comply with any applicable energy conservation
standards. In certifying compliance, manufacturers must test their
products according to the DOE test procedures for WICF refrigeration
systems, including any amendments adopted for those test procedures.
DOE has established regulations for the certification and recordkeeping
requirements for all covered consumer products and commercial
equipment, including WICF refrigeration systems. 76 FR 12422 (March 7,
2011); 80 FR 5099 (January 30, 2015). The collection-of-information
requirement for the certification and recordkeeping is subject to
review and approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act (``PRA'').
This requirement has been approved by OMB under OMB control number
1910-1400. Public reporting burden for the certification is estimated
to average 30 hours per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays
a currently valid OMB Control Number.

D. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (``NEPA'') of
1969, DOE has determined that the rule fits within the category of
actions included in Categorical Exclusion (``CX'') B5.1 and otherwise
meets the requirements for application of a CX. (See 10 CFR part 1021,
App. B, B5.1(b); 1021.410(b) and App. B, B(1)-(5).) The rule fits
within this category of actions because it is a rulemaking that
establishes energy conservation standards for consumer products or
industrial equipment, and for which none of the exceptions identified
in CX B5.1(b) apply. Therefore, DOE has made a CX determination for
this rulemaking, and DOE does not need to prepare an Environmental
Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement for this rule. DOE's CX
determination for this rule is available at https://energy.gov/nepa/categorical-exclusion-cx-determinations-cx.

E. Review Under Executive Order 13132

Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism,'' 64 FR 43255 (August 10,
1999), imposes certain requirements on Federal agencies formulating and
implementing policies or regulations that preempt State law or that
have Federalism implications. The Executive Order requires agencies to
examine the constitutional and statutory authority supporting any
action that would limit the policymaking discretion of the States and
to carefully assess the necessity for such actions. The Executive Order
also requires agencies to have an accountable process to ensure
meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the
development of regulatory policies that have Federalism implications.
On March 14, 2000, DOE published a statement of policy describing the
intergovernmental consultation process it will follow in the
development of such regulations. 65 FR 13735. DOE has examined this
rule and has determined that it would not have a substantial direct
effect on the States, on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government. EPCA governs
and prescribes Federal preemption of State regulations as to energy
conservation for the products that are the subject of this final rule.
States can petition DOE for exemption from such preemption to the
extent, and based on criteria, set forth in EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6297)
Therefore, no further action is required by Executive Order 13132.

F. Review Under Executive Order 12988

With respect to the review of existing regulations and the
promulgation of new regulations, section 3(a) of Executive Order 12988,
``Civil Justice Reform,'' imposes on Federal agencies the general duty
to adhere to the following requirements: (1) Eliminate drafting errors
and ambiguity, (2) write regulations to minimize litigation, (3)

[[Page 31884]]

provide a clear legal standard for affected conduct rather than a
general standard, and (4) promote simplification and burden reduction.
61 FR 4729 (February 7, 1996). Regarding the review required by section
3(a), section 3(b) of Executive Order 12988 specifically requires that
Executive agencies make every reasonable effort to ensure that the
regulation (1) clearly specifies the preemptive effect, if any, (2)
clearly specifies any effect on existing Federal law or regulation, (3)
provides a clear legal standard for affected conduct while promoting
simplification and burden reduction, (4) specifies the retroactive
effect, if any, (5) adequately defines key terms, and (6) addresses
other important issues affecting clarity and general draftsmanship
under any guidelines issued by the Attorney General. Section 3(c) of
Executive Order 12988 requires Executive agencies to review regulations
in light of applicable standards in section 3(a) and section 3(b) to
determine whether they are met or it is unreasonable to meet one or
more of them. DOE has completed the required review and determined
that, to the extent permitted by law, this final rule meets the
relevant standards of Executive Order 12988.

G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (``UMRA'')
requires each Federal agency to assess the effects of Federal
regulatory actions on State, local, and Tribal governments and the
private sector. Pub. L. 104-4, sec. 201 (codified at 2 U.S.C. 1531).
For a regulatory action likely to result in a rule that may cause the
expenditure by State, local, and Tribal governments, in the aggregate,
or by the private sector of $100 million or more in any one year
(adjusted annually for inflation), section 202 of UMRA requires a
Federal agency to publish a written statement that estimates the
resulting costs, benefits, and other effects on the national economy.
(2 U.S.C. 1532(a), (b)) The UMRA also requires a Federal agency to
develop an effective process to permit timely input by elected officers
of State, local, and Tribal governments on a ``significant
intergovernmental mandate,'' and requires an agency plan for giving
notice and opportunity for timely input to potentially affected small
governments before establishing any requirements that might
significantly or uniquely affect them. On March 18, 1997, DOE published
a statement of policy on its process for intergovernmental consultation
under UMRA. 62 FR 12820. DOE's policy statement is also available at
https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/gcprod/documents/umra_97.pdf.
DOE has concluded that this final rule may require expenditures of
$100 million or more in any one year by the private sector. Such
expenditures may include (1) investment in research and development and
in capital expenditures by WICF refrigeration systems manufacturers in
the years between the final rule and the compliance date for the new
standards and (2) incremental additional expenditures by consumers to
purchase higher-efficiency WICF refrigeration systems, starting on the
compliance date for the applicable standard.
Section 202 of UMRA authorizes a Federal agency to respond to the
content requirements of UMRA in any other statement or analysis that
accompanies the final rule. (2 U.S.C. 1532(c)) The content requirements
of section 202(b) of UMRA relevant to a private sector mandate
substantially overlap the economic analysis requirements that apply
under section 325(o) of EPCA and Executive Order 12866. The
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document and the TSD for this
final rule respond to those requirements.
Under section 205 of UMRA, the Department is obligated to identify
and consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives before
promulgating a rule for which a written statement under section 202 is
required. (2 U.S.C. 1535(a)) DOE is required to select from those
alternatives the most cost-effective and least burdensome alternative
that achieves the objectives of the rule unless DOE publishes an
explanation for doing otherwise, or the selection of such an
alternative is inconsistent with law. As required by 42 U.S.C.
6313(f)(4), this final rule establishes energy conservation standards
for WICF refrigeration systems that are designed to achieve the maximum
improvement in energy efficiency that DOE has determined to be both
technologically feasible and economically justified, as required by
6295(o)(2)(A), 6295(o)(3)(B), and 6316(a). A full discussion of the
alternatives considered by DOE is presented in chapter 17 of the TSD
for this final rule.

H. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act,
1999

Section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations
Act, 1999 (Pub. L. 105-277) requires Federal agencies to issue a Family
Policymaking Assessment for any rule that may affect family well-being.
This rule would not have any impact on the autonomy or integrity of the
family as an institution. Accordingly, DOE has concluded that it is not
necessary to prepare a Family Policymaking Assessment.

I. Review Under Executive Order 12630

Pursuant to Executive Order 12630, ``Governmental Actions and
Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights,'' 53 FR
8859 (March 18, 1988), DOE has determined that this rule would not
result in any takings that might require compensation under the Fifth
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

J. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act,
2001

Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations
Act, 2001 (44 U.S.C. 3516, note) provides for Federal agencies to
review most disseminations of information to the public under
information quality guidelines established by each agency pursuant to
general guidelines issued by OMB. OMB's guidelines were published at 67
FR 8452 (February 22, 2002), and DOE's guidelines were published at 67
FR 62446 (October 7, 2002). DOE has reviewed this final rule under the
OMB and DOE guidelines and has concluded that it is consistent with
applicable policies in those guidelines.

K. Review Under Executive Order 13211

Executive Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use,'' 66 FR 28355
(May 22, 2001), requires Federal agencies to prepare and submit to OIRA
at OMB, a Statement of Energy Effects for any significant energy
action. A ``significant energy action'' is defined as any action by an
agency that promulgates or is expected to lead to promulgation of a
final rule, and that (1) is a significant regulatory action under
Executive Order 12866, or any successor order; and (2) is likely to
have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use
of energy, or (3) is designated by the Administrator of OIRA as a
significant energy action. For any significant energy action, the
agency must give a detailed statement of any adverse effects on energy
supply, distribution, or use should the proposal be implemented, and of
reasonable alternatives to the action and their expected benefits on
energy supply, distribution, and use.
DOE has concluded that this regulatory action, which sets forth
energy conservation standards for certain classes of WICF refrigeration
systems, is not a significant energy

[[Page 31885]]

action because the standards are not likely to have a significant
adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy, nor has
it been designated as such by the Administrator at OIRA. Accordingly,
DOE has not prepared a Statement of Energy Effects on this final rule.

L. Information Quality

On December 16, 2004, OMB, in consultation with the Office of
Science and Technology Policy, issued its Final Information Quality
Bulletin for Peer Review (the Bulletin). 70 FR 2664 (January 14, 2005).
The Bulletin establishes that certain scientific information shall be
peer reviewed by qualified specialists before it is disseminated by the
Federal Government, including influential scientific information
related to agency regulatory actions. The purpose of the Bulletin is to
enhance the quality and credibility of the Government's scientific
information. Under the Bulletin, the energy conservation standards
rulemaking analyses are ``influential scientific information,'' which
the Bulletin defines as ``scientific information the agency reasonably
can determine will have, or does have, a clear and substantial impact
on important public policies or private sector decisions.'' Id. at FR
2667.
In response to OMB's Bulletin, DOE conducted formal peer reviews of
the energy conservation standards development process and the analyses
that are typically used and prepared a report describing that peer
review.\90\ Generation of this report involved a rigorous, formal, and
documented evaluation using objective criteria and qualified and
independent reviewers to make a judgment as to the technical/
scientific/business merit, the actual or anticipated results, and the
productivity and management effectiveness of programs and/or projects.
DOE has determined that the peer-reviewed analytical process continues
to reflect current practice, and the Department followed that process
for developing energy conservation standards in the case of the present
rulemaking.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\90\ The 2007 ``Energy Conservation Standards Rulemaking Peer
Review Report'' is available at the following website: https://energy.gov/eere/buildings/downloads/energy-conservation-standards-rulemaking-peer-review-report-0.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

M. Congressional Notification

As required by 5 U.S.C. 801, DOE will report to Congress on the
promulgation of this rule prior to its effective date. The report will
state that it has been determined that the rule is a ``major rule'' as
defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

VII. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this final
rule.

List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 431

Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business
information, Energy conservation, Incorporation by reference,
Intergovernmental relations, Small businesses.

Issued in Washington, DC, on June 27, 2017.
Steven Chalk,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

For the reasons set forth in the preamble, DOE amends part 431 of
chapter II, of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as set
forth below:

PART 431--ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL AND
INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT

0
1. The authority citation for part 431 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291-6317; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.

0
2. In Sec. 431.306, revise paragraph (e) to read as follows:

Sec. 431.306 Energy conservation standards and their effective dates.

* * * * *
(e) Walk-in cooler refrigeration systems. All walk-in cooler and
walk-in freezer refrigeration systems manufactured starting on the
dates listed in the table, except for walk-in process cooling
refrigeration systems (as defined in Sec. 431.302), must satisfy the
following standards:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compliance date: equipment manufactured
Equipment class Minimum AWEF (Btu/W-h)* starting on . . .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dedicated Condensing System--Medium, 5.61........................ June 5, 2017.
Indoor.
Dedicated Condensing System--Medium, 7.60........................
Outdoor.
Dedicated Condensing System--Low, Indoor
with a Net Capacity (qnet) of:
< 6,500 Btu/h........................ 9.091 x 10 -\5\ x qnet + July 10, 2020.
1.81.
>= 6,500 Btu/h....................... 2.40........................
Dedicated Condensing System--Low, Outdoor
with a Net Capacity (qnet) of:
< 6,500 Btu/h........................ 6.522 x 10-\5\ x qnet + 2.73
>= 6,500 Btu/h....................... 3.15........................
Unit Cooler--Medium...................... 9.00........................
Unit Cooler--Low with a Net Capacity
(qnet) of:
< 15,500 Btu/h....................... 1.575 x 10 -\5\ x qnet +
3.91.
>= 15,500 Btu/h...................... 4.15........................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Where qnet is net capacity as determined in accordance with Sec. 431.304 and certified in accordance with 10
CFR part 429.

Appendix

[The following letter from the Department of Justice will not appear
in the Code of Federal Regulations.]

U.S. Department of Justice
Antitrust Division
Renata B. Hesse
Acting Assistant Attorney General
Main Justice Building
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20530-0001
(202) 514-2401 I (202) 616-2645 (Fax).

November 10, 2016

Daniel Cohen, Esq.
Assistant General Counsel for Legislation
Regulation and Energy Efficiency
U.S. Department of Energy
Washington, DC 20585

Re: Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016

Dear Assistant General Counsel Cohen:
I am responding to your September 14, 2016 letter seeking the
views of the Attorney General about the potential impact on
competition of proposed energy conservation standards for walk-in
coolers and walk-in freezers.
Your request was submitted under Section 325(o)(2)(B)(i)(V) of
the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (EPCA), 42 U.S.C.
Sec. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(V), which requires the Attorney General to
make a

[[Page 31886]]

determination of the impact of any lessening of competition that is
likely to result from the imposition of proposed energy conservation
standards. The Attorney General's responsibility for responding to
requests from other departments about the effect of a program on
competition has been delegated to the Assistant Attorney General for
the Antitrust Division in 28 CFR Sec. 0.40(g).
In conducting its analysis, the Antitrust Division examines
whether a proposed standard may lessen competition, for example, by
substantially limiting consumer choice or increasing industry
concentration. A lessening of competition could result in higher
prices to manufacturers and consumers.
We have reviewed the proposed standards contained in the Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking (81 Fed. Reg. 62980, Sept. 13, 2016), and the
related technical support document. We also monitored the public
meeting held on the proposed standards on September 29, 2016;
reviewed supplementary information submitted to the Attorney General
by the Department of Energy and public comments submitted in
connection with this proceeding; and conducted interviews with
industry participants.
Based on the information currently available, we do not believe
that the proposed energy conservation standards for walk-in coolers
and walk-in freezers are likely to have a significant adverse effect
on competition.

Sincerely,
Renata B. Hesse
Acting Assistant Attorney General

[FR Doc. 2017-14079 Filed 7-7-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

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