Prescribing and enforcing energy conservation standards for clothes washers

(a)

Technologically feasible and economically justified

Notwithstanding subsections (m), (n), and (o) of section 325 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6295), the Secretary of Energy may not— (1)prescribe a new or an amended energy conservation standard for a covered product that is a clothes washer under such section unless the Secretary of Energy determines that the prescription and imposition of such energy conservation standard is technologically feasible and economically justified; or (2)enforce an energy conservation standard prescribed under such section for a covered product that is a clothes washer if the Secretary of Energy determines that enforcement of or compliance with such energy conservation standard is not technologically feasible or economically justified. (b)

Prohibition on increased costs to consumers

Notwithstanding subsections (m), (n), and (o) of section 325 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6295), the Secretary of Energy may not— (1)prescribe a new or an amended energy conservation standard for a covered product that is a clothes washer under such section unless the Secretary of Energy determines that the prescription and imposition of such energy conservation standard is not likely to result in additional net costs to the consumer, including any increase in net costs associated with the purchase, installation, maintenance, disposal, and replacement of the covered product; or (2)enforce an energy conservation standard prescribed under such section for a covered product that is a clothes washer if the Secretary of Energy determines that enforcement of or compliance with such energy conservation standard is likely to result in additional net costs to the consumer, including any increase in net costs associated with the purchase, installation, maintenance, disposal, and replacement of the covered product. (c)

Significant energy savings requirement

Notwithstanding subsections (m), (n), and (o) of section 325 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6295), the Secretary of Energy may not— (1)prescribe a new or an amended energy conservation standard for a covered product that is a clothes washer under such section if the Secretary of Energy determines that the prescription and imposition of such energy conservation standard will not result in significant conservation of energy; or (2)enforce an energy conservation standard prescribed under such section for a covered product that is a clothes washer if the Secretary of Energy determines that enforcement of or compliance with such energy conservation standard will not result in significant conservation of energy. (d)

Covered product; energy conservation standard

In this section, the terms covered product and energy conservation standard have the meanings given such terms in section 321 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6291).