[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 61 (Friday, March 29, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15192-15193]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-7590]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

[Docket No. EE-RM/TP-02-001]
RIN 1904-AB12


Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test Procedure 
for Refrigerators and Refrigerator-Freezers

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

ACTION: Notice of extension of interim waiver.

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

SUMMARY: On August 3, 2001, the Department of Energy (DOE) published a 
Federal Register Notice granting an application for Interim Waiver to 
Electrolux Home Products (Electrolux) and published a Petition for 
Waiver from the DOE refrigerator and refrigerator-freezer test 
procedure. In today's action, DOE is extending the interim waiver for 
180 days, or until July 25, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Raymond at (202) 586-9611, E-
mail: [email protected], or Francine Pinto, Esq., (202) 586-
7432, E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 30, 2001, DOE issued an interim 
waiver from the DOE refrigerator and refrigerator-freezer test 
procedure to Electrolux. (66 FR 40689). Pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(h), 
``an interim waiver will terminate 180 days after issuance or upon the 
determination on the Petition for Waiver, whichever occurs first. An 
interim waiver may be extended by DOE for 180 days. Notice of such 
extension and/or any modification of the terms or duration of the 
interim waiver shall be published in the Federal Register, and shall be 
based on relevant information contained in the record and any comments 
received subsequent to issuance of the interim waiver.'' The 180-day 
period for the interim waiver ended on January 26, 2002.
    Since DOE intends to promptly amend its refrigerator and 
refrigerator-freezer test procedures so as to eliminate any need for 
continuation of the waiver, DOE has determined that it is appropriate 
to grant an extension of the interim waiver to Electrolux for an 
additional 180 days, or until July 25, 2002. Before that date, DOE will 
publish a direct final rule amending the refrigerator and refrigerator-
freezer test procedure so as to permit all interested parties to 
calculate the long-time automatic defrost test period in the

[[Page 15193]]

same manner recommended by the Association of Home Appliance 
Manufacturers (AHAM) in its comment on Electrolux's petition. AHAM 
commented that the four-hour limitation of the test should commence 
when the defrost heater is initiated, rather than at the beginning of 
the second part of the two-part test period. AHAM stated that it has 
had discussions with its members regarding its proposed change, and is 
not aware of anyone who disagrees with its position.
    DOE views this change to the test procedure as noncontroversial and 
does not anticipate any adverse comments. In fact, all comments 
received subsequent to issuance of the interim waiver were favorable to 
this change to the test procedure. At the same time as the publication 
of the direct final rule, DOE will issue a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NOPR) with the same amendment as contained in the direct 
final rule so that if adverse comments are received the comments can be 
addressed in a subsequent final rule based on the NOPR.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 25, 2002.
David K. Garman,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 02-7590 Filed 3-28-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P