Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Dishwashers

<RULE> DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY <CFR>10 CFR Part 430</CFR> <DEPDOC>[EERE-2019-BT-STD-0039]</DEPDOC> <RIN>RIN 1904-AF60</RIN> <SUBJECT>Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Dishwashers</SUBJECT> <HD SOURCE="HED">AGENCY:</HD> Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy. <HD SOURCE="HED">ACTION:</HD> Direct final rule. <SUM> <HD SOURCE="HED">SUMMARY:</HD> The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (“EPCA”), prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including dishwashers. In this direct final rule, the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) is adopting amended energy conservation standards for dishwashers. DOE has determined that the amended energy conservation standards for these products would result in significant conservation of energy and are technologically feasible and economically justified. </SUM> <EFFDATE> <HD SOURCE="HED">DATES:</HD> The effective date of this rule is August 22, 2024. If adverse comment are received by August 12, 2024 and DOE determines that such comments may provide a reasonable basis for withdrawal of the direct final rule under 42 U.S.C. 6295(o), a timely withdrawal of this rule will be published in the <E T="04">Federal Register</E> . The incorporation by reference of certain material listed in this rule was approved by the Director as of February 17, 2023. If no such adverse comments are received, compliance with the amended standards established for dishwashers in this direct final rule is required on and after April 23, 2027. Comments regarding the likely competitive impact of the standards contained in this direct final rule should be sent to the Department of Justice contact listed in the <E T="02">ADDRESSES</E> section on or before May 24, 2024. </EFFDATE> <HD SOURCE="HED">ADDRESSES:</HD> The docket for this rulemaking, which includes <E T="04">Federal Register</E> notices, public meeting attendee lists and transcripts, comments, and other supporting documents/materials, is available for review at <E T="03">www.regulations.gov.</E> All documents in the docket are listed in the <E T="03">www.regulations.gov</E> 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 <E T="03">www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2019-BT-STD-0039.</E> The docket web page contains instructions on how to access all documents, including public comments, in the docket. For further information on how to submit a comment or review other public comments and the docket, contact the Appliance and Equipment Standards Program staff at (202) 287-1445 or by email: <E T="03">ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov.</E> The U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division invites input from market participants and other interested persons with views on the likely competitive impact of the standards contained in this direct final rule. Interested persons may contact the Antitrust Division at <E T="03">www.energy.standards@usdoj.gov</E> on or before the date specified in the <E T="02">DATES</E> section. Please indicate in the “Subject” line of your email the title and Docket Number of this direct final rule. <FURINF> <HD SOURCE="HED">FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:</HD> Dr. Carl Shapiro, 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) 287-5649. Email: <E T="03">ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov.</E> Ms. Amelia Whiting, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (240) 306-7097. Email: <E T="03">Amelia.Whiting@hq.doe.gov.</E> </FURINF> <SUPLINF> <HD SOURCE="HED">SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:</HD> <HD SOURCE="HD1">Table of Contents</HD> <EXTRACT> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">I. Synopsis of the Direct Final Rule</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Benefits and Costs to Consumers</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Impact on Manufacturers</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">C. National Benefits and Costs</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">D. Conclusion</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">II. Introduction</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Authority</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Background</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Current Standards</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Current Test Procedure</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">3. The Joint Agreement</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">III. General Discussion</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Scope of Coverage</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Fairly Representative of Relevant Points of View</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">C. Technological Feasibility</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. General</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Maximum Technologically Feasible Levels</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">D. Energy Savings</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Determination of Savings</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Significance of Savings</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">E. Economic Justification</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Specific Criteria</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">a. Economic Impact on Manufacturers and Consumers</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">b. Savings in Operating Costs Compared To Increase in Price (LCC and PBP)</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">c. Energy Savings</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">d. Lessening of Utility or Performance of Products</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">e. Impact of Any Lessening of Competition</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">f. Need for National Energy and Water Conservation</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">g. Other Factors</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Rebuttable Presumption</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">IV. Methodology and Discussion of Related Comments</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Market and Technology Assessment</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Product Classes</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Technology Options</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Screening Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Screened-Out Technologies</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">a. Desiccant Drying</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">b. Reduced Inlet-Water Temperature</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">c. Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Washing</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">d. Ultrasonic Washing</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">e. Thermoelectric Heat Pumps</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">f. Water Re-Use System</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Remaining Technologies</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">C. Engineering Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Efficiency Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">a. Baseline Efficiency</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">b. Higher Efficiency Levels</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Cost Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">3. Cost-Efficiency Results</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">D. Markups Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">E. Energy and Water Use Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">F. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Product Cost</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Installation Cost</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">3. Annual Energy and Water Consumption</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">4. Energy and Water Prices</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">a. Energy Prices</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">b. Water and Wastewater Prices</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">5. Maintenance and Repair Costs</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">6. Product Lifetime</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">7. Discount Rates</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">8. Energy Efficiency Distribution in the No-New-Standards Case</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">9. Payback Period Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">G. Shipments Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">H. National Impact Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Product Efficiency Trends</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. National Energy and Water Savings</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">3. Net Present Value Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">I. Consumer Subgroup Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Low-Income Households</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Senior-Only Households</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">3. Well-Water Households</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">J. Manufacturer Impact Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Overview</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Government Regulatory Impact Model and Key Inputs</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">a. Manufacturer Production Costs</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">b. Shipments Projections</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">c. Capital and Product Conversion Costs</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">d. Manufacturer Markup Scenarios</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">3. Discussion of MIA Comments</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">K. Emissions Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Air Quality Regulations Incorporated in DOE's Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">L. Monetizing Emissions Impacts</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Monetization of Greenhouse Gas Emissions</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">a. Social Cost of Carbon Dioxide</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">b. Social Cost of Methane and Nitrous Oxide</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">c. Sensitivity Analysis Using EPA's New SC-GHG Estimates</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Monetization of Other Emissions Impacts</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2"> M. Utility Impact Analysis </FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">N. Employment Impact Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">O. Regulatory Impact Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">P. Other Comments</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Non-Regulatory Approaches</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Test Procedure Usage Factors</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">3. National Academy of Sciences Report</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">V. Analytical Results and Conclusions</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Trial Standard Levels</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Economic Justification and Energy Savings</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Economic Impacts on Individual Consumers</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">a. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">b. Consumer Subgroup Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">c. Rebuttable Presumption Payback</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Economic Impacts on Manufacturers</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">a. Industry Cash Flow Analysis Results</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">b. Direct Impacts on Employment</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">c. Impacts on Manufacturing Capacity</FP ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Preview showing 10k of 493k characters. Full document text is stored and available for version comparison. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━