Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Decision and Order Granting a Waiver to ASKO Appliances Inc. From the Department of Energy Residential Clothes Dryer Test Procedure

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Decision and Order.

SUMMARY:

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of the decision and order (Case No. CD-008) that grants to ASKO Appliances Inc. (ASKO) a waiver from the DOE clothes dryer test procedure. The waiver pertains to the models of condensing residential clothes dryer specified in ASKO's petition. Condensing clothes dryers cannot be tested using the currently applicable DOE test procedure. Under today's decision and order, ASKO shall not be required to test and rate its specified models of residential condensing clothes dryer pursuant to the current test procedure.

DATES:

This Decision and Order is effective August 29, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mail Stop EE-2J, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-0371. Email: Bryan.Berringer@ee.doe.gov.

Mr. James Silvestro, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, Mail Stop GC-71, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0103. Telephone: (202) 286-4224. Email: James.Silvestro@hq.doe.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), § 430.27(l), DOE gives notice of the issuance of its decision and order as set forth below. The decision and order grants ASKO a waiver from the applicable residential clothes dryer test procedure at 10 CFR part 430 subpart B, appendix D, for the three models of condensing clothes dryer specified it its petition.

DOE notes that it has promulgated a final test procedure for clothes dryers that provides a mechanism for testing condensing clothes dryers. (76 FR 972, Jan. 6, 2011). Use of this test procedure will be required on the compliance date of any amended standards for clothes dryers. DOE has also published a direct final rule establishing amended standards for clothes dryers, which establishes standards for condensing clothes dryers. (76 FR 22454, April 21, 2011). Absent adverse comment that the Secretary determines may provide a reasonable basis for withdrawal of the direct final rule, DOE has proposed that the standards would become effective on January 1, 2015. (76 FR 26656, May 9, 2011). Use of the final test procedure would also be required on that date.

Decision and Order

In the Matter of: ASKO Appliances Inc. (Case No. CD-008).

Background

Title III, Part B of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), Pub. L. 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309, as codified) established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles, a program covering most major household appliances, which includes the residential clothes washers that are the focus of this notice. Part B includes definitions, test procedures, labeling provisions, energy conservation standards, and the authority to require information and reports from manufacturers. Further, Part B authorizes the Secretary of Energy to prescribe test procedures that are reasonably designed to produce results which measure energy efficiency, energy use, or estimated operating costs, and that are not unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) The current test procedure for clothes dryers is contained in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D.

DOE's regulations contain provisions allowing a person to seek a waiver from the test procedure requirements for covered consumer products if at least one of the following conditions is met: (1) The petitioner's basic model contains one or more design characteristics that prevent testing according to the prescribed test procedure, or (2) when the prescribed test procedures may evaluate the basic model in a manner so unrepresentative of its true energy consumption characteristics as to provide materially inaccurate comparative data. (10 CFR 430.27(a)(1)) Petitioners must include in their petition any alternate test procedures known to the petitioner to evaluate the basic model in a manner representative of its energy consumption characteristics. (10 CFR 430.27(b)(1)(iii))

The Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (the Assistant Secretary) may grant a waiver subject to conditions, including adherence to alternate test procedures. (10 CFR 430.27(l)) Waivers remain in effect pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 430.27(m).

On June 19, 2013, ASKO filed a petition for waiver from the test procedures applicable to its T744C, T754C, and T794C product models of condensing clothes dryer. The applicable test procedure is contained in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D—Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of Clothes Dryers. ASKO seeks a waiver from the applicable test procedure for its T744C, T754C, and T794C product models because, ASKO asserts, design characteristics of these models prevent testing according to the currently prescribed test procedure, as described in greater detail in the following paragraph.

In support of its petition, ASKO claims that the current clothes dryer test procedure applies only to vented clothes dryers because the test procedure requires the use of an exhaust restrictor on the exhaust port of the clothes dryer during testing. Because condenser clothes dryers operate by blowing air through the wet clothes, condensing the water vapor in the airstream, and pumping the collected water into either a drain line or an in-unit container, these products do not use an exhaust port like a vented dryer does. ASKO plans to market a condensing clothes dryer for situations in which a conventional vented clothes dryer cannot be used, such as high-rise apartments and condominiums, where construction and building design do not permit the use of external venting.

Assertions and Determinations

ASKO's Petition for Waiver

On June 19, 2013, ASKO filed a petition for waiver from the test procedure applicable to residential clothes dryers set forth in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D for particular models of condensing clothes dryer. On July 10, 2013, DOE published ASKO's petition for waiver and granted ASKO an interim waiver from the current test procedure. (78 FR 41387) DOE did not receive any comments on the AKSO petition. DOE previously granted BSH a waiver from test procedures for two similar condenser clothes dryer models. (76 FR 33271, June 8, 2011) DOE also granted waivers for the same type of clothes dryer to LG Electronics (73 FR 66641, Nov. 10, 2008), Whirlpool Corporation (74 FR 66334, Dec. 15, 2009), General Electric (75 FR 13122, Mar. 18, 2010), and Miele Appliance, Inc. (60 FR 9330, Feb. 17, 1995; 76 FR 17637, Mar. 30, 2011). ASKO claims that its condenser clothes dryers cannot be tested pursuant to the current test procedure and requests that the same waiver granted to other manufacturers be granted for ASKO's T744C, T754C, and T794C models.

Therefore, for the reasons discussed above, and in light of the previous waivers to other manufacturers, DOE grants ASKO's petition for waiver from testing of its T744C, T754C, and T794C condenser clothes dryers.

Consultations With Other Agencies

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

Conclusion

After careful consideration of all the material that was submitted by ASKO and consultation with the FTC staff, it is ordered that:

(1) The petition for waiver submitted by ASKO Appliances Inc. (Case No. CD-008) is hereby granted as set forth in the paragraphs below.

(2) ASKO shall not be required to test or rate its T744C, T754C, and T794C condensing clothes dryer models on the basis of the test procedures at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D.

(3) This waiver shall remain in effect from the date this decision and order consistent with the provisions of 10 CFR 430.27(m).

(4) This waiver is issued on the condition that the statements, representations, and documentary materials provided by the petitioner are valid. DOE may revoke or modify this waiver at any time if it determines the factual basis underlying the petition for waiver is incorrect.

(5) This waiver applies to only those models specifically set out in ASKO's petition. ASKO may submit a new or amended petition for waiver and request for grant of interim waiver, as appropriate, for additional models of clothes dryers for which it seeks a waiver from the DOE test procedure. Grant of this petition for waiver also does not release a petitioner from any applicable certification requirements set forth at 10 CFR Part 429.