[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 110 (Friday, June 7, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39269-39272]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14333]


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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

16 CFR Part 305


Rule Concerning Disclosures Regarding Energy Consumption and 
Water Use of Certain Home Appliances and Other Products Required Under 
the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (``Appliance Labeling Rule'')

AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (``Commission'') amends the 
Commission's Appliance Labeling Rule (``Rule'') to incorporate the 
latest figures for average unit energy costs as published by the 
Department of Energy (``DOE'') in the Federal Register on April 24, 
2002. This rule sets forth the representative average unit energy costs 
for five residential energy sources, which the Commission revises 
periodically on the basis of updated information provided by DOE.

DATES: The amendments are effective June 7, 2002. The mandatory dates 
for using these revised DOE cost figures in connection with the 
Appliance Labeling Rule are detailed in the Supplementary Information 
Section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hampton Newsome, Attorney, 202-326-
2889, Division of Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal 
Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580; E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 19, 1979, the Commission issued 
a final rule in response to a directive in section 324 of the Energy 
Policy and Conservation Act (``EPCA''), 42 U.S.C. 6201.\1\ The Rule 
requires the disclosure of energy efficiency, consumption, or cost 
information on labels and in retail sales catalogs for eight categories 
of appliances, and mandates that the energy costs, consumption, or 
efficiency ratings be based on standardized test procedures developed 
by DOE. The cost information obtained by following the test procedures 
is derived by using the representative average unit energy costs 
provided by DOE. Table 1 in section 305.9(a) of the Rule sets forth the 
representative average unit energy costs to be used for all cost-
related requirements of the Rule. As stated in section 305.9(b), the 
Table is to be revised periodically on the basis of updated information 
provided by DOE.
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    \1\ 44 FR 66466. Since its promulgation, the Rule has been 
amended five times to include new product categories--central air 
conditioners (52 FR 46888, Dec. 10, 1987), fluorescent lamp ballasts 
(54 FR 1182, Jan. 12, 1989), certain plumbing products (58 FR 54955, 
Oct. 25, 1993), certain lamp products (59 FR 25176, May 13, 1994), 
and pool heaters and certain residential water heater types (59 FR 
49556, Sept. 28, 1994). Obligations under the Rule concerning 
fluorescent lamp ballasts, lighting products, plumbing products and 
pool heaters are not affected by the cost figures in this notice.
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I. Representative Average Unit Energy Costs

    On April 24, 2002, DOE published the most recent figures for 
representative average unit energy costs (67 FR 20104). These energy 
cost figures are for manufacturers to use, in accordance with the 
guidelines that appear below, to calculate the required secondary 
annual operating cost figures at the

[[Page 39270]]

bottom of required EnergyGuides for refrigerators, refrigerator-
freezers, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers, water heaters, and 
room air conditioners. The energy cost figures also are for 
manufacturers of central air conditioners and heat pumps to use, also 
in accordance with the below guidelines, to calculate annual operating 
cost for required fact sheets and in approved industry directories 
listing these products.\2\ The Commission is revising Table 1 to 
reflect these latest cost figures, as set forth below. The current and 
future obligations of manufacturers with respect to the use of DOE's 
cost figures are as follows:
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    \2\ The DOE cost figures are not necessary for making data 
submissions to the Commission. The required energy use information 
that manufacturers of refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, 
freezers, clothes washers, dishwashers, and water heaters must 
submit under section 305.8 of the Rule is no longer operating cost; 
it is now energy consumption (kilowatt-hour use per year for 
electricity, therms per year for natural gas, or gallons per year 
for propane and oil).
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A. For Labeling of Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, Freezers, 
Clothes Washers, Dishwashers, Water Heaters, and Room Air Conditioners 
\3\
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    \3\ Sections 305.11(a)(5)(i)(H)(2) and (3) of the Rule (16 CFR 
305.11(a)(5)(i)(H)(2) and (3)) require that labels for 
refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, freezers, clothes washers, 
dishwashers, water heaters, and room air conditioners contain a 
secondary energy usage disclosure in terms of an estimated annual 
operating cost (labels for clothes washers and dishwashers will show 
two such secondary disclosures--one based on operation with water 
heated by natural gas, and one on operation with water heated by 
electricity). The labels also must disclose, below this secondary 
estimated annual operating cost, the fact that the estimated annual 
operating cost is based on the appropriate DOE energy cost figure, 
and must identify the year in which the cost figure was published.
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    Manufacturers of refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, freezers, 
clothes washers, dishwashers, water heaters, and room air conditioners 
must use the National Average Representative Unit Costs published today 
on labels for their products only after the Commission publishes new 
ranges of comparability for those products that are based on today's 
cost figures. In the meantime, they must continue to use past DOE cost 
figures as follows:
1. Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, and Freezers
    Manufacturers of refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers 
must continue to derive the operating cost disclosures on labels by 
using the 2001 National Average Representative Unit Costs (8.29 cents 
per kiloWatt-hour for electricity) published by DOE on March 8, 2001 
(66 FR 13917), and by the Commission on May 21, 2001 (66 FR 27856), and 
that were in effect when the current 2001 ranges of comparability for 
these products were published.\4\ Manufacturers must continue to use 
the foregoing DOE cost figures until such time as the Commission 
publishes new ranges of comparability and states that operating cost 
disclosures must be based on the DOE cost figure for electricity then 
in effect.
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    \4\ The current (2001) ranges for refrigerators, refrigerator-
freezers, and freezers were published on November 19, 2001 (66 FR 
57867).
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2. Room Air Conditioners
    Manufacturers of room air conditioners must continue to derive the 
operating cost disclosures on labels by using the 1995 National Average 
Representative Unit Costs for electricity (8.67 cents per kiloWatt-
hour) that were published by DOE on January 5, 1995 (60 FR 1773), and 
by the Commission on February 17, 1995 (60 FR 9296), and that were in 
effect when the current (1995) ranges of comparability for these 
products were published.\5\ Manufacturers of room air conditioners must 
continue to use the 1995 DOE cost figures until such time as the 
Commission publishes new ranges of comparability and states that 
operating cost disclosures must be based on the DOE cost figure for 
electricity then in effect.
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    \5\ The current (1995) ranges for room air conditioners were 
published on November 13, 1995 (60 FR 56945). On September 16, 1996 
(61 FR 48620), August 25, 1997 (62 FR 44890), August 28, 1998 (63 FR 
45941), December 20, 1999 (64 FR 71019), September 1, 2000 (65 FR 
53163), and August 2, 2001 (66 FR 40110), the Commission announced 
that the 1995 ranges for room air conditioners would continue to 
remain in effect.
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3. Storage-Type Water Heaters
    Manufacturers of storage-type water heaters must continue to use 
the 1994 DOE cost figures (8.41 cents per kiloWatt-hour for 
electricity, 60.4 cents per therm for natural gas, $1.05 per gallon for 
No. 2 heating oil, and 98.3 cents per gallon for propane) in 
determining the operating cost disclosures on the labels on their 
products. This is because the 1994 DOE cost figures were in effect when 
the 1994 ranges of comparability for storage-type water heaters were 
published, and those 1994 ranges are still in effect for those 
products.\6\ Manufacturers of storage-type water heaters must continue 
to use the 1994 DOE cost figures until such time as the Commission 
publishes new ranges of comparability and states that operating cost 
disclosures must be based on the DOE cost figure for electricity then 
in effect.
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    \6\ The 1994 DOE cost figures were published by DOE on December 
29, 1993 (58 FR 68901), and by the Commission on February 8, 1994 
(59 FR 5699). The current (1994) ranges of comparability for 
storage-type water heaters were published on September 23, 1994 (59 
FR 48796). On August 21, 1995 (60 FR 43367), September 16, 1996 (61 
FR 48620), August 25, 1997 (62 FR 44890), August 28, 1998 (63 FR 
45941), December 20, 1999 (64 FR 71019), September 1, 2000 (65 FR 
53163), and August 2, 2001 (66 FR 40110), the Commission announced 
that the 1994 ranges for storage-type water heaters would continue 
to remain in effect.
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4. Heat Pump Water Heaters
    Manufacturers of heat pump water heaters must continue to derive 
the operating cost disclosures on labels by using the 2000 National 
Average Representative Unit Costs for electricity (8.03 cents per 
kiloWatt-hour) that were published by DOE on February 7, 2000 (65 FR 
5860), and by the Commission on April 17, 2000 (65 FR 20352), and that 
were in effect when the current (2000) ranges of comparability for 
these products were published.\7\ Manufacturers of heat pump water 
heaters must continue to use the 2000 DOE cost figures until such time 
as the Commission publishes new ranges of comparability and states that 
operating cost disclosures must be based on the DOE cost figure for 
electricity then in effect.
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    \7\ The current (2000) ranges of comparability for heat pump 
water heaters were published on September 1, 2000 (65 FR 53163). On 
August 2, 2001 (66 FR 40110), the Commission announced that the 2000 
ranges for heat pump water heaters would continue to remain in 
effect.
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5. Gas-Fired Instantaneous Water Heaters
    Manufacturers of gas-fired instantaneous water heaters must 
continue to base the required secondary operating cost disclosures on 
labels on the 1999 National Average Representative Unit Costs for 
natural gas (68.8 cents per therm) and propane (77 cents per therm) 
that were published by DOE on January 5, 1999 (64 FR 487), and by the 
Commission on February 17, 1999 (64 FR 7783), and that were in effect 
when the 1999 ranges of comparability for these products were 
published.\8\ Manufacturers must continue to use the 1999 DOE cost 
figures until such time as the Commission publishes new ranges of 
comparability and states that operating cost disclosures must be based 
on the DOE cost figure for electricity then in effect.
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    \8\ The current ranges for gas-fired instantaneous water heaters 
were published on December 20, 1999 (64 FR 71019). On September 1, 
2000 (65 FR 53165) and on August 2, 2001 (66 FR 40110), the 
Commission announced that the 1999 ranges for gas-fired 
instantaneous water heaters would continue to remain in effect.

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[[Page 39271]]

6. Standard-Size Dishwashers
    Manufacturers of standard-size dishwashers must continue to base 
the required secondary operating cost disclosures on labels on the 1997 
National Average Representative Unit Costs for electricity (8.31 cents 
per kiloWatt-hour) and natural gas (61.2 cents per therm) that were 
published by DOE on November 18, 1996 (61 FR 58679), and by the 
Commission on February 5, 1997 (62 FR 5316), and that were in effect 
when the 1997 ranges of comparability for these products were 
published.\9\ Manufacturers of standard-size dishwashers must continue 
to use the 1997 DOE cost figures until such time as the Commission 
publishes new ranges of comparability and states that operating cost 
disclosures must be based on the DOE cost figure for electricity then 
in effect.
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    \9\ The current ranges for standard-size dishwashers were 
published on August 25, 1997 (62 FR 44890). On August 28, 1998 (63 
FR 45941), December 20, 1999 (64 FR 71019), September 1, 2000 (65 FR 
53165), and September 28, 2001 (66 FR 49529), the Commission 
announced that the 1997 ranges for standard-size dishwashers would 
continue to remain in effect.
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7. Compact-Size Dishwashers
    Manufacturers of compact-size dishwashers must continue to derive 
the operating cost disclosures on labels by using the 2001 National 
Average Representative Unit Costs for electricity (8.29 cents per 
kiloWatt-hour) and natural gas (83.7 cents per therm) that were 
published by DOE on March 8, 2001 (66 FR 13917), and by the Commission 
on May 21, 2001 (66 FR 27856), and that were in effect when the current 
(2001) ranges of comparability for these products were published.\10\ 
Manufacturers of compact dishwashers must continue to use the 2001 DOE 
cost figures until such time as the Commission publishes new ranges of 
comparability and states that operating cost disclosures must be based 
on the DOE cost figure for electricity then in effect.
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    \10\ The current (2001) ranges of comparability for compact-size 
dishwashers were published on September 28, 2001 (66 Fed. Reg. 
49529).
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8. Clothes Washers
    Manufacturers of clothes washers must continue to derive the 
operating cost disclosures on labels by using the 2000 National Average 
Representative Unit Costs for electricity (8.03 cents per kiloWatt-
hour) and natural gas (68.8 cents per therm) that were published by DOE 
on February 7, 2000 (65 FR 5860), and by the Commission on April 17, 
2000 (65 FR 20352), and that were in effect when the current (2000) 
ranges of comparability for these products were published.\11\ 
Manufacturers of clothes washers must continue to use the 2000 DOE cost 
figures until such time as the Commission publishes new ranges of 
comparability and states that operating cost disclosures must be based 
on the DOE cost figure for electricity then in effect.
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    \11\ The current (2000) ranges of comparability for clothes 
washers were published on May 11, 2000 (65 FR 30351). On April 16, 
2001 (66 FR 19389) and on April 12, 2002 (67 FR 17936), the 
Commission announced that the 2000 ranges for clothes washers would 
continue to remain in effect.
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B. For Operating Cost Information Relating to Central Air Conditioners 
and Heat Pumps Disclosed on Fact Sheets and In Industry Directories

    In the 2002 notice announcing whether there will be new ranges of 
comparability for central air conditioners and heat pumps, the 
Commission also will announce that operating cost disclosures for these 
products on fact sheets and in industry directories must be based on 
the 2002 DOE cost figure for electricity beginning on the effective 
date of that notice.

C. For Operating Cost Representations Respecting Products Covered By 
EPCA but Not By the Commission's Rule

    Manufacturers of products covered by section 323(c) of EPCA, 42 
U.S.C. 6293(c), but not by the Appliance Labeling Rule (clothes dryers, 
television sets, kitchen ranges and ovens, and space heaters) must use 
the 2002 DOE energy costs in all operating cost representations 
beginning September 5, 2002.

II. Administrative Procedure Act

    The amendments published in this notice involve routine, technical 
and minor, or conforming changes to the Rule's labeling requirements. 
These technical amendments merely provide a routine change to the cost 
information in the Rule. Accordingly, the Commission finds for good 
cause that public comment and a 30-day effective date for these 
technical, procedural amendments are impractical and unnecessary (5 
U.S.C. 553(b)(A)(B) and (d)).

III. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act relating to a 
Regulatory Flexibility Act analysis (5 U.S.C. 603-604) are not 
applicable to this proceeding because the amendments do not impose any 
new obligations on entities regulated by the Appliance Labeling Rule. 
These technical amendments merely provide a routine change to the cost 
information in the Rule. Thus, the amendments will not have a 
``significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.'' 5 U.S.C. 605. The Commission has concluded, therefore, that 
a regulatory flexibility analysis is not necessary, and certifies, 
under Section 605 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), 
that the amendments announced today will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

IV. Paperwork Reduction Act

    In the 1988 NPR, the Commission stated that the Rule contains 
disclosure and reporting requirements that constitute ``information 
collection requirements'' as defined by 5 CFR 1320.7(c), the regulation 
that implements the Paperwork Reduction Act (``PRA'').\12\ The 
Commission noted that the Rule had been reviewed and approved in 1984 
by the Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') and assigned OMB 
Control No. 3084-0068. OMB has extended its approval for its 
recordkeeping and reporting requirements until September 30, 2004. The 
amendments now being adopted do not change the substance or frequency 
of the recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting requirements and, 
therefore, do not require further OMB clearance.
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    \12\ 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.
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List of Subjects in 16 CFR part 305

    Advertising, Energy conservation, Household appliances, Labeling, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.


    Accordingly, 16 CFR part 305 is amended as follows:

PART 305--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 305 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6294.


    2. Section 305.9(a) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 305.9  Representative average unit energy costs.

    (a) Table 1, to this paragraph contains the representative unit 
energy costs to be utilized for all requirements of this part.

[[Page 39272]]



        Table 1.--Representative Average Unit Costs of Energy for Five Residential Energy Sources (2002)
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                                                                        As required by DOE test     Dollars per
             Type of energy                 In commonly used terms             procedure            million Btu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\-----
Electricity.............................  8.28[cent]/kWh \2, 3\.....  $0.0828/kWh...............          $24.27
Natural Gas.............................  65.6[cent]/therm \4\ or     $0.00000656/Btu...........            6.56
                                           $6.74/MCF \5, 6\.
No. 2 heating oil.......................  $1.08/gallon \7\..........  $0.00000779/Btu...........            7.79
Propane.................................  $0.87/gallon \8\..........  $0.00000953/Btu...........            9.53
Kerosene................................  $1.23/gallon \9\..........  $0.00000911/Btu...........           9.11
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\1\ Btu stands for British thermal unit.
\2\ kWh stands for kiloWatt hour.
\3\ 1 kWh = 3,412 Btu.
\4\ 1 therm = 100,000 Btu. Natural gas prices include taxes.
\5\ MCF stands for 1,000 cubic feet.
\6\ For the purposes of this table, 1 cubic foot of natural gas has an energy equivalence of 1,027 Btu.
\7\ For the purposes of this table, 1 gallon of No. 2 heating oil has an energy equivalence of 138,690 Btu.
\8\ For the purposes of this table, 1 gallon of liquid propane has an energy equivalence of 91,333 Btu.
\9\ For the purposes of this table, 1 gallon of kerosene has an energy equivalence of 135,000 Btu.

* * * * *

    By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-14333 Filed 6-6-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-P