[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 241 (Wednesday, December 16, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78208-78215]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31623]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
[Case No. CW-026]
Notice of Petition for Waiver of Whirlpool Corporation From the
Department of Energy Clothes Washer Test Procedure, and Grant of
Interim Waiver
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of petition for waiver, notice of grant of interim
waiver, and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt of a petition for waiver from
Whirlpool Corporation (Whirlpool) seeking an exemption from specified
portions of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure for
determining the energy consumption of residential clothes washers.
Whirlpool seeks to use an alternate test procedure to address
[[Page 78209]]
certain issues involved in testing certain specific basic clothes
washer models identified in its petition that container volumes between
6.0 cubic feet and 8.0 cubic feet that Whirlpool contends cannot be
accurately tested using the currently applicable DOE test procedure.
DOE solicits comments, data, and information concerning Whirlpool's
petition and its suggested alternate test procedure. This notice also
grants Whirlpool with an interim waiver from the residential clothes
washer test procedure, subject to use of the alternative test procedure
set forth in this notice.
DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, and information with respect to
the Whirlpool petition until January 15, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Case Number CW-026,
by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Email: [email protected] Include ``Case No.
CW-026'' in the subject line of the message.
Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy,
Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-5B/1000 Independence Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-2945. Please
submit one signed original paper copy.
Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 950 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Room
6094, Washington, DC 20024. Please submit one signed original paper
copy.
Docket: For access to the docket to review the background documents
relevant to this matter, you may visit the U.S. Department of Energy,
950 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Washington, DC, 20024; (202) 586-2945, between
9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. Available documents include the following items: (1) This
notice; (2) public comments received; (3) the petition for waiver and
application for interim waiver; and (4) prior DOE waivers and
rulemakings regarding similar clothes washer products. Please call Ms.
Brenda Edwards at the above telephone number for additional
information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mail Stop EE-5B, Forrestal
Building, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121.
Telephone: (202) 586-0371. Email: [email protected].
Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the
General Counsel, Mail Stop GC-33, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0103. Telephone: (202) 586-7796.
Email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background and Authority
Title III, Part B of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975
(EPCA), Public Law 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309, as codified),
established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other
Than Automobiles, a program covering most major household appliances,
which includes the 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)). Part C of Title III provides for a
similar energy efficiency program titled ``Certain Industrial
Equipment,'' which includes commercial clothes washers and other types
of commercial equipment.\1\ (42 U.S.C. 6311-6317) The test procedure
for automatic and semi-automatic clothes washers (both residential and
commercial) is contained in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J2.
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\1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code,
Parts B and C were re-designated Parts A and A-1, respectively.
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The regulations set forth in 10 CFR part 430.27 contain provisions
that enable a person to seek a waiver from the test procedure
requirements for covered products. DOE will grant a waiver if it is
determined either that the basic models for which the petition for
waiver was requested contains a design characteristics that prevents
testing of the basic model according to the prescribed test procedures,
or that prescribed test procedures evaluate the basic model in a manner
so unrepresentative of its true energy consumption characteristics as
to provide materially inaccurate comparative data. 10 CFR 430.27(f)(2).
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. DOE may grant the
waiver subject to conditions, including adherence to alternate test
procedures. 10 CFR 430.27(f)(2). Waivers remain in effect pursuant to
the provisions of 10 CFR 430.27(l).
The waiver process also allows the DOE to grant an interim waiver
from test procedure requirements to manufacturers that have petitioned
DOE for a waiver of such prescribed test procedures. 10 CFR
430.27(e)(2). Within one year of issuance of an interim waiver, DOE
will either: (i) Publish in the Federal Register a determination on the
petition for waiver; or (ii) publish in the Federal Register a new or
amended test procedure that addresses the issues presented in the
waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(h)(1). When DOE amends the test procedure to
address the issues presented in a waiver, the waiver will automatically
terminate on the date on which use of that test procedure is required
to demonstrate compliance. 10 CFR 430.27(h)(2).
II. Application for Interim Waiver and Petition for Waiver
On November 9, 2015, Whirlpool submitted a petition for waiver from
the DOE test procedure applicable to automatic and semi-automatic
clothes washers set forth in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J2.
Whirlpool requested the waiver because the mass of the test load used
in the procedure, which is based on the basket volume of the test unit,
is currently not defined for basket sizes greater than 6.0 cubic feet.
In its petition, Whirlpool seeks a waiver for the specified basic
models with capacities greater than 6.0 cubic feet. Table 5.1 of
Appendix J2 defines the test load sizes used in the test procedure as
linear functions of the basket volume. Whirlpool requests that DOE
grant a waiver for testing and rating based on a revised Table 5.1.
Whirlpool also requests an interim waiver from the existing DOE
test procedure. An interim waiver may be granted if it appears likely
that the petition for waiver will be granted, and/or if DOE determines
that it would be desirable for public policy reasons to grant immediate
relief pending a determination of the petition for waiver. See 10 CFR
430.27(e)(2).
DOE understands that absent an interim waiver, Whirlpool's products
cannot be tested and rated for energy consumption on a basis
representative of their true energy consumption characteristics. DOE
has reviewed the alternate procedure and concludes that it will allow
for the accurate measurement of the energy use of these products, while
alleviating the testing problems associated with Whirlpool's
implementation of clothes washer
[[Page 78210]]
containers larger than 6.0 cubic feet. Consequently, DOE has determined
that Whirlpool's petition for waiver will likely be granted.
Furthermore, as explained below, DOE has granted similar waivers to
Whirlpool and other manufacturers, and has determined that it is
desirable for public policy reasons to grant Whirlpool immediate relief
pending a determination of the petition for waiver.
DOE granted a waiver to Whirlpool for a similar request under
Decision and Order (75 FR 69653, Nov. 15, 2010) to allow for the
testing of clothes washers with container volumes between 3.8 cubic
feet and 6.0 cubic feet. In addition to the previous waiver granted to
Whirlpool, DOE granted waivers to LG (CW-016 (76 FR 11233, Mar. 1,
2011), CW-018 (76 FR 21879, Apr. 19, 2011), and CW-021 (76 FR 64330,
Oct. 18, 2011); General Electric (75 FR 76968, Dec. 10, 2010), Samsung
(76 FR 13169, Mar. 10, 2011); 76 FR 50207, Aug. 12, 2011), and
Electrolux (76 FR 11440, Mar. 2, 2011) to allow for the testing of
clothes washers with container volumes between 3.8 cubic feet and 6.0
cubic feet. DOE concludes it is likely that Whirlpool's petition for
waiver will be granted for the similar reasons stated in these past
waivers.
The current DOE test procedure specifies test load sizes only for
machines with capacities up to 6.0 cubic feet. (77 FR 13888, Mar. 7,
2012; the ``March 2012 Final Rule'') For the reasons set forth in DOE's
March 2012 Final Rule, DOE concludes that extending the linear
relationship between test load size and container capacity to larger
capacities is valid. In addition, testing a basic model with a capacity
larger than 6.0 cubic feet using the current procedure could evaluate
the basic model in a manner so unrepresentative of its true energy
consumption as to provide materially inaccurate comparative data. Based
on these considerations, and the waivers granted to LG, GE, Electrolux
and Samsung, as well as the previous waivers granted to Whirlpool for
similar requests, it appears likely that the petition for waiver will
be granted. As a result, DOE grants an interim waiver to Whirlpool for
the basic models of clothes washers with container volumes greater than
6.0 cubic feet specified in its petition for waiver. DOE also provides
for the use of an alternative test procedure extending the linear
relationship between test load size and container capacity, described
below.
Therefore, it is ordered that:
The application for interim waiver filed by Whirlpool is hereby
granted for the specified Whirlpool clothes washer basic models,
subject to the specifications and conditions below. Whirlpool shall be
required to test and rate the specified clothes washer products
according to the alternate test procedure as set forth in section III,
``Alternate Test Procedure.''
The interim waiver applies to the following basic residential model
groups: Basic Model V15EAg50(3B), Basic Model V15EBg50(3B), Basic Model
V15ECg50(3B).
DOE makes decisions on waivers and interim waivers for only those
models specifically set out in the petition, not future models that may
be manufactured by the petitioner. Whirlpool may request that DOE
extend the scope of a waiver or an interim waiver to include additional
basic models employing the same technology as the basic model(s) set
forth in the original petition consistent with 10 CFR 430.27(g). In
addition, granting of an interim waiver or waiver does not release a
petitioner from the certification requirements set forth at 10 CFR part
429. See also 10 CFR 430.27(a) and (i).
Further, this interim waiver is conditioned upon the presumed
validity of statements, representations, and documents provided by the
petitioner. DOE may rescind or modify a waiver or interim waiver at any
time upon a determination that the factual basis underlying the
petition for waiver or interim waiver is incorrect, or upon a
determination that the results from the alternate test procedure are
unrepresentative of the basic models' true energy consumption
characteristics. See 10 CFR 430.27(k).
III. Alternate Test Procedure
EPCA requires that manufacturers use DOE test procedures when
making representations about the energy consumption and energy
consumption costs of products covered by the statute. (42 U.S.C.
6293(c)) Consistent representations are important for manufacturers to
use in making representations about the energy efficiency of their
products and to demonstrate compliance with applicable DOE energy
conservation standards. Pursuant to its regulations applicable to
waivers and interim waivers from applicable test procedures at 10 CFR
430.27, DOE will consider setting an alternate test procedure for
Whirlpool in a subsequent Decision and Order.
The alternate procedure approved today is intended to allow
Whirlpool to make valid representations regarding its clothes washers
with basket capacities larger than provided for in the current test
procedure.
In the alternate test procedure described below, DOE has corrected
two errors in the proposed Whirlpool load size table:
For the 7.40-7.50 cubic foot capacity row, the maximum
load size should be 30.60 lbs rather than 30.50 lbs, and the
corresponding translation to kg should be 13.88 kg rather than 13.83
kg.
For the 6.50-6.60 and higher capacities, the average load
size was not calculated correctly. The average load size should be the
numerical average of the minimum and maximum load sizes. For each of
these, the corresponding translation to kg were updated.
During the period of the interim waiver granted in this notice,
Whirlpool shall test its clothes washer basic models according to the
provisions of 10 CFR part 430 subpart B, appendix J2, except that the
expanded Table 5.1 below shall be substituted for Table 5.1 of appendix
J2.
Table 5.1--Test Load Sizes
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Container volume Minimum load Maximum load Average load
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cu. ft. >= < liter >= < lb kg lb kg lb kg
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0-0.80.................................. 0-22.7 3.00 1.36 3.00 1.36 3.00 1.36
0.80-0.90............................... 22.7-25.5 3.00 1.36 3.50 1.59 3.25 1.47
0.90-1.00............................... 25.5-28.3 3.00 1.36 3.90 1.77 3.45 1.56
1.00-1.10............................... 28.3-31.1 3.00 1.36 4.30 1.95 3.65 1.66
1.10-1.20............................... 31.1-34.0 3.00 1.36 4.70 2.13 3.85 1.75
1.20-1.30............................... 34.0-36.8 3.00 1.36 5.10 2.31 4.05 1.84
1.30-1.40............................... 36.8-39.6 3.00 1.36 5.50 2.49 4.25 1.93
1.40-1.50............................... 39.6-42.5 3.00 1.36 5.90 2.68 4.45 2.02
[[Page 78211]]
1.50-1.60............................... 42.5-45.3 3.00 1.36 6.40 2.90 4.70 2.13
1.60-1.70............................... 45.3-48.1 3.00 1.36 6.80 3.08 4.90 2.22
1.70-1.80............................... 48.1-51.0 3.00 1.36 7.20 3.27 5.10 2.31
1.80-1.90............................... 51.0-53.8 3.00 1.36 7.60 3.45 5.30 2.40
1.90-2.00............................... 53.8-56.6 3.00 1.36 8.00 3.63 5.50 2.49
2.00-2.10............................... 56.6-59.5 3.00 1.36 8.40 3.81 5.70 2.59
2.10-2.20............................... 59.5-62.3 3.00 1.36 8.80 3.99 5.90 2.68
2.20-2.30............................... 62.3-65.1 3.00 1.36 9.20 4.17 6.10 2.77
2.30-2.40............................... 65.1-68.0 3.00 1.36 9.60 4.35 6.30 2.86
2.40-2.50............................... 68.0-70.8 3.00 1.36 10.00 4.54 6.50 2.95
2.50-2.60............................... 70.8-73.6 3.00 1.36 10.50 4.76 6.75 3.06
2.60-2.70............................... 73.6-76.5 3.00 1.36 10.90 4.94 6.95 3.15
2.70-2.80............................... 76.5-79.3 3.00 1.36 11.30 5.13 7.15 3.24
2.80-2.90............................... 79.3-82.1 3.00 1.36 11.70 5.31 7.35 3.33
2.90-3.00............................... 82.1-85.0 3.00 1.36 12.10 5.49 7.55 3.42
3.00-3.10............................... 85.0-87.8 3.00 1.36 12.50 5.67 7.75 3.52
3.10-3.20............................... 87.8-90.6 3.00 1.36 12.90 5.85 7.95 3.61
3.20-3.30............................... 90.6-93.4 3.00 1.36 13.30 6.03 8.15 3.70
3.30-3.40............................... 93.4-96.3 3.00 1.36 13.70 6.21 8.35 3.79
3.40-3.50............................... 96.3-99.1 3.00 1.36 14.10 6.40 8.55 3.88
3.50-3.60............................... 99.1-101.9 3.00 1.36 14.60 6.62 8.80 3.99
3.60-3.70............................... 101.9-104.8 3.00 1.36 15.00 6.80 9.00 4.08
3.70-3.80............................... 104.8-107.6 3.00 1.36 15.40 6.99 9.20 4.17
3.80-3.90............................... 107.6-110.4 3.00 1.36 15.80 7.16 9.40 4.26
3.90-4.00............................... 110.4-113.3 3.00 1.36 16.20 7.34 9.60 4.35
4.00-4.10............................... 113.3-116.1 3.00 1.36 16.60 7.53 9.80 4.45
4.10-4.20............................... 116.1-118.9 3.00 1.36 17.00 7.72 10.00 4.54
4.20-4.30............................... 118.9-121.8 3.00 1.36 17.40 7.90 10.20 4.63
4.30-4.40............................... 121.8-124.6 3.00 1.36 17.80 8.09 10.40 4.72
4.40-4.50............................... 124.6-127.4 3.00 1.36 18.20 8.27 10.60 4.82
4.50-4.60............................... 127.4-130.3 3.00 1.36 18.70 8.46 10.85 4.91
4.60-4.70............................... 130.3-133.1 3.00 1.36 19.10 8.65 11.05 5.00
4.70-4.80............................... 133.1-135.9 3.00 1.36 19.50 8.83 11.25 5.10
4.80-4.90............................... 135.9-138.8 3.00 1.36 19.90 9.02 11.45 5.19
4.90-5.00............................... 138.8-141.6 3.00 1.36 20.30 9.20 11.65 5.28
5.00-5.10............................... 141.6-144.4 3.00 1.36 20.70 9.39 11.85 5.38
5.10-5.20............................... 144.4-147.2 3.00 1.36 21.10 9.58 12.05 5.47
5.20-5.30............................... 147.2-150.1 3.00 1.36 21.50 9.76 12.25 5.56
5.30-5.40............................... 150.1-152.9 3.00 1.36 21.90 9.95 12.45 5.65
5.40-5.50............................... 152.9-155.7 3.00 1.36 22.30 10.13 12.65 5.75
5.50-5.60............................... 155.7-158.6 3.00 1.36 22.80 10.32 12.90 5.84
5.60-5.70............................... 158.6-161.4 3.00 1.36 23.20 10.51 13.10 5.93
5.70-5.80............................... 161.4-164.2 3.00 1.36 23.60 10.69 13.30 6.03
5.80-5.90............................... 164.2-167.1 3.00 1.36 24.00 10.88 13.50 6.12
5.90-6.00............................... 167.1-169.9 3.00 1.36 24.40 11.06 13.70 6.21
6.00-6.10............................... 169.9-172.7 3.00 1.36 24.80 11.25 13.90 6.30
6.10-6.20............................... 172.7-175.6 3.00 1.36 25.20 11.43 14.10 6.40
6.20-6.30............................... 175.6-178.4 3.00 1.36 25.60 11.61 14.30 6.49
6.30-6.40............................... 178.4-181.2 3.00 1.36 26.00 11.79 14.50 6.58
6.40-6.50............................... 181.2-184.1 3.00 1.36 26.40 11.97 14.70 6.67
6.50-6.60............................... 184.1-186.9 3.00 1.36 26.90 12.20 14.95 6.78
6.60-6.70............................... 186.9-189.7 3.00 1.36 27.30 12.38 15.15 6.87
6.70-6.80............................... 189.7-192.6 3.00 1.36 27.70 12.56 15.35 6.96
6.80-6.90............................... 192.6-195.4 3.00 1.36 28.10 12.75 15.55 7.05
6.90-7.00............................... 195.4-198.2 3.00 1.36 28.50 12.93 15.75 7.14
7.00-7.10............................... 198.2-201.0 3.00 1.36 28.90 13.11 15.95 7.23
7.10-7.20............................... 201.0-203.9 3.00 1.36 29.30 13.29 16.15 7.33
7.20-7.30............................... 203.9-206.7 3.00 1.36 29.70 13.47 16.35 7.42
7.30-7.40............................... 206.7-209.5 3.00 1.36 30.10 13.65 16.55 7.51
7.40-7.50............................... 209.5-212.4 3.00 1.36 30.60 13.88 16.80 7.62
7.50-7.60............................... 212.4-215.2 3.00 1.36 31.00 14.06 17.00 7.71
7.60-7.70............................... 215.2-218.0 3.00 1.36 31.40 14.24 17.20 7.80
7.70-7.80............................... 218.0-220.9 3.00 1.36 31.80 14.42 17.40 7.89
7.80-7.90............................... 220.9-223.7 3.00 1.36 32.20 14.61 17.60 7.98
7.90-8.00............................... 223.7-226.5 3.00 1.36 32.60 14.79 17.80 8.07
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[[Page 78212]]
IV. Summary and Request for Comments
Through this notice, DOE grants Whirlpool an interim waiver from
the specified portions of the test procedure applicable to certain
basic models of residential clothes washer with capacities larger than
6.0 cubic feet and announces receipt of Whirlpool's petition for waiver
from those same portions of the test procedure. DOE is publishing
Whirlpool's petition for waiver pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(b)(1)(iv).
The petition includes a suggested alternate test procedure to determine
the energy consumption of Whirlpool's specified basic models of
residential clothes washer with capacities larger than 6.0 cubic feet.
Whirlpool is required to follow this alternate procedure, as corrected
by DOE in Section III of this notice, as a condition of its interim
waiver, and DOE is considering including the corrected alternate
procedure in its subsequent Decision and Order.
DOE solicits comments from interested parties on all aspects of the
petition, including the suggested alternate test procedure and
calculation methodology. Pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(d), any person
submitting written comments to DOE must also send a copy of such
comments to the petitioner. The contact information for the petitioner
is Sean Southard, Senior Analyst, Regulatory Affairs, Whirlpool
Corporation, 2000 N. M63--MD 1604, Benton Harbor, MI 49022. All comment
submissions to DOE must include the Case Number CW-026 for this
proceeding. Submit electronic comments in Microsoft Word, Portable
Document Format (PDF), or text (American Standard Code for Information
Interchange (ASCII)) file format and avoid the use of special
characters or any form of encryption. Wherever possible, include the
electronic signature of the author. DOE does not accept telefacsimiles
(faxes).
Issued in Washington, DC, on December 9, 2015.
Kathleen Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
Whirlpool Corporation
ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER
2000 N. M63--MD 1604
BENTON HARBOR, MI 49022
269.923.7258
November 9, 2015
Via Email: [email protected]
Assistant Secretary for Conservation and Renewable Energy
U.S. Department of Energy
Building Technologies Program, Test Procedure Waiver
1000 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20585
[email protected]
Re: Petition for Waiver & Application for Interim Waiver Regarding
Measurement of Energy Consumption of Residential Clothes Washers, Using
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix J2
Whirlpool Corporation (``Whirlpool'') is submitting this Petition
for Waiver (``Waiver''), and Application for Interim Waiver (``Interim
Waiver''), pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27, regarding the Department of
Energy (``DOE'') Test Procedures for energy and water consumption of
clothes washers.
Whirlpool requests that DOE grant Whirlpool a Waiver and Interim
Waiver from certain parts of the DOE 10 CFR 430, Subpart B, Appendix J2
test procedure for determining residential clothes washer energy
consumption, and that DOE allow Whirlpool to test its clothes washers
pursuant to the modified Appendix J2 table submitted in this Petition.
The J2 test procedure does not allow for the testing of clothes washer
container volumes beyond 6.0 cubic feet, as indicated in Table 5.1 of
the Appendix J2 test procedure, and described in the Final Guidance for
``How are large-capacity clothes washers tested, rated, and
certified?'' issued by DOE on May 29, 2012. Without a DOE grant of a
Waiver and Interim Waiver, Whirlpool will not be able to introduce new,
innovative large capacity clothes washers to consumers demanding them
in the market.
Whirlpool submits that the proposed modified Appendix J2 table is
fully consistent with the approach used in previous (and currently
expired) clothes washer waiver petitions that extrapolated existing
container volumes and load sizes in a modified Table 5.1 in Appendix J1
to allow for the testing of clothes washers with container volumes
between 3.8 cubic feet and 6.0 cubic feet. These waivers were granted
on several occasions to multiple companies before the May 2012 Final
Guidance was issued by DOE to modify Table 5.1 in Appendix J1 to allow
for the testing of clothes washers between 3.8 cubic feet and 6.0 cubic
feet. Whirlpool now proposes to modify Table 5.1 in Appendix J2 to
accommodate the testing of clothes washers with measured capacities
between 6.0 cubic feet and 8.0 cubic feet. Whirlpool notes that this
request is consistent with DOE's authority to grant a Waiver. Whirlpool
further submits that it is within the DOE's authority to grant an
Interim Waiver to avoid economic hardship and competitive disadvantage
for Whirlpool.
1. Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation is the number one major appliance
manufacturer in the world, with approximately $20 billion in annual
sales, 100,000 employees and 70 manufacturing and technology research
centers throughout the world in 2014. The company markets Whirlpool,
KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, Jenn-Air,
Indesit and other major brand names in more than 170 countries.
Whirlpool's worldwide headquarters are located at 2000 North M-63,
Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA. Additional information about the company
can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com, or find us on Twitter at
@WhirlpoolCorp.
2. Basic Models Subject To The Waiver Request
This Petition For Waiver and Application For Interim Waiver is for
all basic models of residential clothes washers manufactured by
Whirlpool Corporation that have a measured Appendix J2 container volume
equal to or greater than 6.0 cubic feet and equal to or less than 8.0
cubic feet.
Specific Basic Models are:
Basic Model V15EAg50(3B)
Basic Model V15EBg50(3B)
Basic Model V15ECg50(3B)
3. Requested Waiver
Whirlpool requests approval to test the energy and water
consumption of the above residential clothes washers basic models using
the modified table found in Exhibit A for the Appendix J2 clothes
washer test procedure.
Market conditions, including strong consumer demand for large
capacity residential washers, have led Whirlpool to design clothes
washers with volumes greater than 6.0 cubic feet. DOE has recognized
this in the past when previous prevailing market conditions led
manufacturers to design residential washers beyond 3.8 cubic feet, and
DOE has granted multiple waivers to multiple manufacturers to
accommodate their request to modify Table 5.1 to allow for the testing
of these larger capacity washers between 3.8 cubic feet and 6.0 cubic
feet.
Whirlpool's proposed modified Table 5.1 is attached at Exhibit A.
This modified table extrapolates load sizes for washers with container
volumes between 6.0 cubic feet and 8.0 cubic feet, based on the linear
equations used in the existing Table 5.1 for load sizes used with
basket volumes up to 6.0 cubic feet. This is similar to the
[[Page 78213]]
approach that other manufacturers have used in previous waiver
petitions to extrapolate load sizes for container volumes between 3.8
cubic feet and 6.0 cubic feet, and modify Table 5.1 in Appendix J1.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ See Federal Register/Vol. 76, No. 246/79666-79669 and
Federal Register/Vol. 75, No. 219/69653-69655
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Regulatory Framework
DOE's regulations, found in 10 CFR part 430.27, provide that the
Assistant Secretary will grant a Petition to a manufacturer upon
``determin[ation] that the basic model for which the waiver was
requested contains a design characteristic which either prevents
testing of the basic model according to the prescribed test procedures,
or 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.''
Whirlpool believes that this Petition meets both conditions stated
above for when DOE will grant a Petition. First, Table 5.1 of Appendix
J2 defines test load sizes as linear functions of the container volume,
but the Table only lists basket volumes up to 6.0 cubic feet. As a
result, Whirlpool's new large capacity residential washer basic models
listed above cannot be currently tested to the prescribed test
procedure. Second, if Whirlpool were to test its large capacity
residential washers listed above to the current load sizes listed under
the container volume limit of 5.9-6.0 cubic foot, the results of that
energy and water test would be unrepresentative of the true energy
consumption characteristics of these new models by underestimating
their energy use.
5. Other Manufacturers With Similar Design Characteristics
To the best of our knowledge, Whirlpool is not aware of other
manufacturers offering residential clothes washers with a measured
container volume greater than or equal to 6.0 cubic feet.
6. Additional Justification For Interim Waiver Application
Granting of an Interim Waiver is justified in this case because:
(i) Whirlpool has provided strong evidence that demonstrates the
likelihood of the granting of the Petition for Waiver; (ii) Whirlpool
will suffer significant economic hardship and competitive disadvantage
if this Interim Waiver Application is not granted; and (iii) an Interim
Waiver is desirable for public policy reasons.
a. Strong Likelihood That Waiver Will Be Granted
Whirlpool has provided strong evidence that the Waiver should be
granted. A Petition for Waiver is appropriate because these large
capacity washers with measured container volumes above 6.0 cubic feet
contain a design characteristic (container volumes beyond those listed
in Table 5.1 of Appendix J2) that prevents testing of these models
according to the Appendix J2 test procedure. Also, using the existing
largest container volume listed in Table 5.1 of Appendix J2 (5.9-6.0
cubic feet), would provided a tested energy consumption characteristic
that is unrepresentative of the true energy consumption of the models.
Whirlpool has provided ample information in this Petition for
Waiver and Application for Interim Waiver explaining its rationale for
using the modified Table 5.1 found in Exhibit A. Whirlpool has
demonstrated that such a modified Table is consistent with past waiver
approaches that other manufacturers have taken to receive DOE waivers
for container volumes between 3.8 cubic feet and 6.0 cubic feet before
Table 5.1 in Appendix J1 was recently revised.
b. Economic Hardship & Competitive Disadvantage
In the absence of an Interim Waiver, Whirlpool will lack certainty
as to whether it can launch these large capacity washers into the
market. As mentioned before, Whirlpool predicts strong consumer demand
for these large capacity washers, and the inability to bring them to
market through denial of an Interim Waiver will cause economic hardship
and competitive disadvantage for Whirlpool.
There are long lead times and significant expenses associated with
the design and manufacture of residential clothes washers. Compliance
with federally mandated energy and water consumption standards is a
critical design factor for all of Whirlpool's washers. Any delay in
obtaining clarity on this issue will require Whirlpool to postpone key
decisions regarding its investments to build, launch, and market these
washers, and/or require Whirlpool to implement costly contingency
plans. In the event this Waiver request is not approved, Whirlpool
would not be able to move forward with the launch of these models,
which would be a multi-million dollar impact to the company,
potentially result in the loss of American jobs at our Clyde, OH
manufacturing facility, and put us at a competitive disadvantage to
competitors that market washers larger than any models we currently
offer.
Further, any denial for the Interim Waiver would not only impact
our large capacity washer models listed in this petition, it would also
impact the matching dryers that would be sold with these washers. The
washers and dryers are intended to be sold as a matching pair, with a
dryer capacity in the dryer that is optimized to be used with one of
our large capacity washers. If Whirlpool is not granted the Interim
Waiver, we would be forced to do two things: (i) postpone the launch of
these dryers until a waiver is granted for the matching large capacity
washers, or (ii) sell large capacity dryers in the market without a
matching washer. If we postpone the launch, this would be a significant
business disruption, resulting in a multi-million dollar impact to the
company and put American jobs at risk at our Marion, OH manufacturing
facility. If we sell these dryers in the market without their matching
washer, we would expect significantly lower sales of the dryer than we
would otherwise expect with the matching washer on the market. Most
dryers are sold with a matching washer, for various reasons, and many
consumers would not want to purchase a non-matching washer and this
dryer. There would also be unused capacity and potentially wasted
energy in the dryer, since its capacity is optimized to be used with
the large capacity matching washer.
c. An Interim Waiver is Desirable for Public Policy Reasons
It would be desirable for public policy reasons to grant immediate
relief by granting an Interim Waiver. It would immediately make
available to the public the largest capacity residential clothes
washers available on the market. For many consumers that purchase this
washer, this would mean more clothing items that can be washed in a
single load. For those consumers that maximize the clothes washer
capacity, this equates to fewer loads per year, which is less water and
energy use compared to the alternative of smaller and more frequent
loads.
Not granting the waiver would also potentially put U.S. jobs at our
manufacturing facilities in Clyde, OH and Marion, OH at risk, if
Whirlpool cannot launch these large capacity washers and dryers.
Whirlpool employs 3,000 people at the washer manufacturing facility in
Clyde, OH and
[[Page 78214]]
2,500 people at the dryer manufacturing facility in Marion, OH.
7. CERTIFICATION OF NOTICE TO OTHER MANUFACTURERS
Whirlpool Corporation is providing concurrent notice of this
Petition for Waiver & Application for Interim Waiver to the other known
manufacturers of residential clothes washers made or sold in the U.S.,
and to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. The cover
letters, including names and addresses of other known manufacturers and
the industry association, is included in Exhibit B.
8. CONCLUSION
Whirlpool respectfully submits that the DOE grant the above
Petition for Waiver and Interim Waiver. By granting this Waiver, DOE
will ensure that consumers will have access to new, innovative large
capacity residential washers and Whirlpool will avoid economic hardship
and competitive disadvantage.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and prompt response.
Sincerely,
Sean Southard
Senior Analyst, Regulatory Affairs
Whirlpool Corporation
Exhibit A: Modified Table 5.1--Test Load Sizes--10 CFR 430, Subpart B, Appendix J2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Container volume Minimum load Maximum load Average load
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
cu. ft. [gteqt] < liter [gteqt] < lb kg lb kg lb kg
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-0.80............................... 0-22.7 3.00 1.36 3.00 1.36 3.00 1.36
0.80-0.90............................ 22.7-25.5 3.00 1.36 3.50 1.59 3.25 1.47
0.90-1.00............................ 25.5-28.3 3.00 1.36 3.90 1.77 3.45 1.56
1.00-1.10............................ 28.3-31.1 3.00 1.36 4.30 1.95 3.65 1.66
1.10-1.20............................ 31.1-34.0 3.00 1.36 4.70 2.13 3.85 1.75
1.20-1.30............................ 34.0-36.8 3.00 1.36 5.10 2.31 4.05 1.84
1.30-1.40............................ 36.8-39.6 3.00 1.36 5.50 2.49 4.25 1.93
1.40-1.50............................ 39.6-42.5 3.00 1.36 5.90 2.68 4.45 2.02
1.50-1.60............................ 42.5-45.3 3.00 1.36 6.40 2.90 4.70 2.13
1.60-1.70............................ 45.3-48.1 3.00 1.36 6.80 3.08 4.90 2.22
1.70-1.80............................ 48.1-51.0 3.00 1.36 7.20 3.27 5.10 2.31
1.80-1.90............................ 51.0-53.8 3.00 1.36 7.60 3.45 5.30 2.40
1.90-2.00............................ 53.8-56.6 3.00 1.36 8.00 3.63 5.50 2.49
2.00-2.10............................ 56.6-59.5 3.00 1.36 8.40 3.81 5.70 2.59
2.10-2.20............................ 59.5-62.3 3.00 1.36 8.80 3.99 5.90 2.68
2.20-2.30............................ 62.3-65.1 3.00 1.36 9.20 4.17 6.10 2.77
2.30-2.40............................ 65.1-68.0 3.00 1.36 9.60 4.35 6.30 2.86
2.40-2.50............................ 68.0-70.8 3.00 1.36 10.00 4.54 6.50 2.95
2.50-2.60............................ 70.8-73.6 3.00 1.36 10.50 4.76 6.75 3.06
2.60-2.70............................ 73.6-76.5 3.00 1.36 10.90 4.94 6.95 3.15
2.70-2.80............................ 76.5-79.3 3.00 1.36 11.30 5.13 7.15 3.24
2.80-2.90............................ 79.3-82.1 3.00 1.36 11.70 5.31 7.35 3.33
2.90-3.00............................ 82.1-85.0 3.00 1.36 12.10 5.49 7.55 3.42
3.00-3.10............................ 85.0-87.8 3.00 1.36 12.50 5.67 7.75 3.52
3.10-3.20............................ 87.8-90.6 3.00 1.36 12.90 5.85 7.95 3.61
3.20-3.30............................ 90.6-93.4 3.00 1.36 13.30 6.03 8.15 3.70
3.30-3.40............................ 93.4-96.3 3.00 1.36 13.70 6.21 8.35 3.79
3.40-3.50............................ 96.3-99.1 3.00 1.36 14.10 6.40 8.55 3.88
3.50-3.60............................ 99.1-101.9 3.00 1.36 14.60 6.62 8.80 3.99
3.60-3.70............................ 101.9-104.8 3.00 1.36 15.00 6.80 9.00 4.08
3.70-3.80............................ 104.8-107.6 3.00 1.36 15.40 6.99 9.20 4.17
3.80-3.90............................ 107.6-110.4 3.00 1.36 15.80 7.16 9.40 4.26
3.90-4.00............................ 110.4-113.3 3.00 1.36 16.20 7.34 9.60 4.35
4.00-4.10............................ 113.3-116.1 3.00 1.36 16.60 7.53 9.80 4.45
4.10-4.20............................ 116.1-118.9 3.00 1.36 17.00 7.72 10.00 4.54
4.20-4.30............................ 118.9-121.8 3.00 1.36 17.40 7.90 10.20 4.63
4.30-4.40............................ 121.8-124.6 3.00 1.36 17.80 8.09 10.40 4.72
4.40-4.50............................ 124.6-127.4 3.00 1.36 18.20 8.27 10.60 4.82
4.50-4.60............................ 127.4-130.3 3.00 1.36 18.70 8.46 10.85 4.91
4.60-4.70............................ 130.3-133.1 3.00 1.36 19.10 8.65 11.05 5.00
4.70-4.80............................ 133.1-135.9 3.00 1.36 19.50 8.83 11.25 5.10
4.80-4.90............................ 135.9-138.8 3.00 1.36 19.90 9.02 11.45 5.19
4.90-5.00............................ 138.8-141.6 3.00 1.36 20.30 9.20 11.65 5.28
5.00-5.10............................ 141.6-144.4 3.00 1.36 20.70 9.39 11.85 5.38
5.10-5.20............................ 144.4-147.2 3.00 1.36 21.10 9.58 12.05 5.47
5.20-5.30............................ 147.2-150.1 3.00 1.36 21.50 9.76 12.25 5.56
5.30-5.40............................ 150.1-152.9 3.00 1.36 21.90 9.95 12.45 5.65
5.40-5.50............................ 152.9-155.7 3.00 1.36 22.30 10.13 12.65 5.75
5.50-5.60............................ 155.7-158.6 3.00 1.36 22.80 10.32 12.90 5.84
5.60-5.70............................ 158.6-161.4 3.00 1.36 23.20 10.51 13.10 5.93
5.70-5.80............................ 161.4-164.2 3.00 1.36 23.60 10.69 13.30 6.03
5.80-5.90............................ 164.2-167.1 3.00 1.36 24.00 10.88 13.50 6.12
5.90-6.00............................ 167.1-169.9 3.00 1.36 24.40 11.06 13.70 6.21
6.00-6.10............................ 169.9-172.7 3.00 1.36 24.80 11.25 13.90 6.30
6.10-6.20............................ 172.7-175.6 3.00 1.36 25.20 11.43 14.10 6.40
6.20-6.30............................ 175.6-178.4 3.00 1.36 25.60 11.61 14.30 6.49
[[Page 78215]]
6.30-6.40............................ 178.4-181.2 3.00 1.36 26.00 11.79 14.50 6.58
6.40-6.50............................ 181.2-184.1 3.00 1.36 26.40 11.97 14.70 6.67
6.50-6.60............................ 184.1-186.9 3.00 1.36 26.90 12.20 15.10 6.85
6.60-6.70............................ 186.9-189.7 3.00 1.36 27.30 12.38 15.30 6.94
6.70-6.80............................ 189.7-192.6 3.00 1.36 27.70 12.56 15.50 7.03
6.80-6.90............................ 192.6-195.4 3.00 1.36 28.10 12.75 15.70 7.12
6.90-7.00............................ 195.4-198.2 3.00 1.36 28.50 12.93 15.90 7.21
7.00-7.10............................ 198.2-201.0 3.00 1.36 28.90 13.11 16.10 7.30
7.10-7.20............................ 201.0-203.9 3.00 1.36 29.30 13.29 16.30 7.39
7.20-7.30............................ 203.9-206.7 3.00 1.36 29.70 13.47 16.50 7.48
7.30-7.40............................ 206.7-209.5 3.00 1.36 30.10 13.65 16.70 7.57
7.40-7.50............................ 209.5-212.4 3.00 1.36 30.50 13.83 16.90 7.67
7.50-7.60............................ 212.4-215.2 3.00 1.36 31.00 14.06 17.30 7.85
7.60-7.70............................ 215.2-218.0 3.00 1.36 31.40 14.24 17.50 7.94
7.70-7.80............................ 218.0-220.9 3.00 1.36 31.80 14.42 17.70 8.03
7.80-7.90............................ 220.9-223.7 3.00 1.36 32.20 14.61 17.90 8.12
7.90-8.00............................ 223.7-226.5 3.00 1.36 32.60 14.79 18.10 8.21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exhibit B: Notice to Manufacturers
November 9, 2015
Alliance Laundry Systems, LLC
Attn: Andrew Huerth
PO Box 990
Shepard Street Ripon, WI 54971
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Attn: Jennifer Cleary
1111 19th Street NW., Suite 402
Washington, DC 20036
Arcelik A.S.
Attn: Salih Zeki Bugay
125 W Tremont Ave #1134
Charlotte, NC 28203
Asko Appliances AB
Attn: Jonas Lidberg
Socerbruksgatan 3SE-531 40
Lidk[ouml]ping, Sweden
Avanti Products
10880 NW 30th Street
Miami, FL 33172
Bosch Home Appliances Corporation
Attn: Michelle Buranday
1901 Main St
Irvine, CA 92614
Danby Products, Inc.
PO Box 669
Findlay, OH 45839-0669
Electrolux Home Products
Attn: George Hawranko
10200 David Taylor Dr Rm TKY435
Charlotte, NC 28262
Fisher & Paykel Appliances Inc.
Attn: Laurence Mawhinney
695 Town Center Dr Ste 180
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
General Electric Company
Attn: Earl F. Jones
4000 Buechel Bank Road AP2-225
Louisville, KY 40225
Haier America
Attn: Michelangelo Troisi
1800 Valley Rd
Wayne, NJ 07470
LG Electronics USA, Inc.
Attn: John I. Taylor
2000 Millbrook Dr
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
Miele, Inc.
Attn: Steve Polinski
9 Independence Way
Princeton, NJ 08450
Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Attn: Doug Czerwonka
85 Challenger Rd
Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
Versonel
180 Earland Drive
Building #8
New Holland, PA 17557
Re: Petition for Waiver & Application for Interim Waiver Regarding
Measurement of Energy Consumption of Residential Clothes Washers, Using
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix J2
Dear Madam or Sir:
Whirlpool Corporation (``Whirlpool'') is submitting the enclosed
Petition for Waiver and Application for Interim Waiver (pursuant to 10
CFR 430.27) to the US Department of Energy (``DOE''), relating to the
Test Procedures for energy and water consumption of clothes washers.
This letter provides notice to other known manufacturers of similar
products. The DOE Assistant Secretary for Conservation and Renewable
Energy will receive and consider timely written comments on the
Petition for Waiver and Application for Interim Waiver. Any
manufacturer submitting written comments should provide a copy to
Whirlpool Corporation at the address shown below.
Whirlpool Corporation
Attn: Sean Southard
Senior Analyst, Regulatory Affairs
2000 M-63 North, MD1604
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Fax: 269/923-7258
Email: [email protected]
[FR Doc. 2015-31623 Filed 12-15-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P