[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 140 (Thursday, July 22, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42579-42585]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-17773]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 430

[Docket No. EERE-2010-BT-TP-0022]
RIN: 1904-AC25


Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test Procedure 
for Microwave Ovens; Repeal of Active Mode Test Procedure Provisions

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) repeals the regulatory 
provisions establishing the cooking efficiency test procedure for 
microwave ovens under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). 
DOE has determined that the microwave oven test procedure to measure 
the cooking efficiency does not produce accurate and repeatable test 
results and is unaware of any test procedures that have been developed 
that address the concerns with the DOE microwave oven cooking 
efficiency test procedure.

DATES: Effective date: This rule is effective on July 22, 2010.

ADDRESSES: The public may review copies of all materials related to 
this rulemaking at the U.S. Department of Energy, Resource Room of the 
Building Technologies Program, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Suite 600, 
Washington, DC, (202) 586-2945, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. Please call Ms. Brenda Edwards 
at the above telephone number for additional information regarding 
visiting the Resource Room.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Wes Anderson, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies 
Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-
0121. Tel.: (202) 586-7335. E-mail: [email protected].
    Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the 
General Counsel, GC-71, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20585-0121. Tel.: (202) 586-7796. E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Legal Authority and Background
II. Discussion
III. Procedural Requirements
    A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
    B. Administrative Procedure Act
    C. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
    D. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
    E. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
    F. Review Under Executive Order 13132
    G. Review Under Executive Order 12988
    H. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
    I. Review Under the Treasury and General Government 
Appropriations Act, 1999
    J. Review Under Executive Order 12630
    K. Review Under the Treasury and General Government 
Appropriations Act, 2001
    L. Review Under Executive Order 13211
    M. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration 
(FEA) Act of 1974
    N. Congressional Notification
IV. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

I. Legal Authority and Background

Legal Authority

    Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6291 
et seq.; EPCA or the Act) sets forth a variety of provisions designed 
to improve energy efficiency. Part A of Title III (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309) 
establishes the ``Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products 
Other Than Automobiles'' for consumer products, including microwave 
ovens. (42 U.S.C. 6291(1)-(2) and 6292(a)(10)) Under the Act, this 
program consists essentially of three parts: testing, labeling, and 
establishing Federal energy conservation standards.
    Manufacturers of covered products must use DOE test procedures to 
certify that their products comply with energy conservation standards 
adopted under EPCA and to represent the efficiency of their products. 
(42 U.S.C. 6295(s); 42 U.S.C. 6293(c)) DOE must also use DOE test 
procedures in any action to determine whether covered products comply 
with EPCA standards. (42 U.S.C. 6295(s)) Criteria and procedures for 
DOE's adoption and amendment of such test procedures, as set forth in 
EPCA, require that test procedures be reasonably designed to produce 
test results which measure energy efficiency, energy use, or estimated 
annual operating cost of a covered product during a representative 
average use cycle or period of use. Test procedures must also not be 
unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3))
    EPCA also specifies that State law providing for the disclosure of 
information with respect to any measure of energy consumption is 
superseded to the extent that such law requires testing or the use of 
any measure of energy consumption or energy descriptor in any manner 
other than provided under section 323 of EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 
6297(a)(1)(A); 42 U.S.C. 6297(f)(3)(G)) Therefore, in the absence of a 
Federal test procedure or accompanying conservation standard, States 
may prescribe their own test procedures and standards pursuant to 
applicable State law. Id.

Background--Active Mode Test Procedure

    DOE's test procedure for microwave ovens is codified at appendix I 
to subpart B of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). That 
test procedure was part of an October 3, 1997, final rule that also 
revised the test procedures for other cooking products to measure their 
efficiency and energy use more accurately. 62 FR 51976. The microwave 
oven test procedure incorporates portions of the International 
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 705-1998 and Amendment 2-
1993, ``Methods for Measuring the Performance of Microwave Ovens for 
Households and Similar Purposes,'' (IEC Standard 705) and measures 
microwave oven cooking efficiency and energy factor (EF). Id.

Background--Active Mode Standards

    The National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987 (NAECA; Pub. 
L. 100-12), which amended EPCA, established prescriptive standards for 
kitchen ranges and ovens, but no standards were established for 
microwave ovens. (42 U.S.C. 6295(h)) The NAECA amendments also required 
DOE to conduct two cycles of rulemakings to determine whether to revise 
the standard. DOE undertook the first cycle of these rulemakings and 
issued a final rule on September 8, 1998 (63 FR 48038), in which DOE 
found that no amended standards were justified for electric cooking 
products, including microwave ovens. In a final rule published on April 
8, 2009 (74 FR 16040) (hereafter referred to as the appliance standards 
rulemaking), DOE established amended standards for gas cooking 
products, but again found that no active mode cooking efficiency 
standards were justified for electric cooking products, including 
microwave ovens. This rulemaking completed the second cycle of 
rulemakings required by

[[Page 42580]]

the NAECA amendments to EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6295(h)(2))

II. Discussion

    The regulatory definition of ``microwave oven'' is set forth at 10 
CFR 430.2. ``Microwave oven'' is defined as ``a class of kitchen ranges 
and ovens which is a household cooking appliance consisting of a 
compartment designed to cook or heat food by means of microwave 
energy.'' The existing test procedure to measure energy efficiency of 
microwave ovens is codified at 10 CFR 430.23(i) and 10 CFR part 430, 
subpart B, appendix I, and the sampling plan, that is, the specific 
requirements for the number of units to be tested, is set forth at 10 
CFR 430.24(i).
    The current DOE microwave oven test procedure incorporates portions 
of IEC Standard 705 for measuring the cooking performance of microwave 
ovens. The testing methods measure the amount of energy required to 
raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 10 degrees Celsius 
([deg]C) under controlled conditions. The ratio of usable output power 
over input power describes the EF, which is also a measure of the 
cooking efficiency.
    As part of the appliance standards rulemaking, DOE tested 32 
microwave ovens, and the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers 
(AHAM) independently tested 21 additional units, for a total of 53 
microwave ovens, according to the current DOE microwave oven test 
procedure.\1\ The data from cooking tests on these units show a cooking 
efficiency range from 55 percent to 62 percent. Reverse engineering 
conducted by DOE as part of the appliance standards rulemaking 
attempted to identify design options associated with this variation in 
cooking efficiency. Although design options among various microwave 
ovens were found to be highly standardized, DOE was unable to correlate 
specific design options or other features such as cavity size or output 
power with cooking efficiency.
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    \1\ Both DOE's and AHAM's microwave oven samples contained units 
with manufacturer-rated output powers ranging from 700 to 1,300 W.
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    DOE also observed significant variability in the cooking efficiency 
measurements obtained using the DOE microwave oven test procedure for 
the 53 units tested by DOE and AHAM. The data show test-to-test 
variability of several EF percentage points (0 to 2.5) for a given 
microwave oven (i.e., where a given combination of design options could 
be assigned to a number of trial standard levels (TSLs), depending upon 
the test results). DOE was also unable to ascertain why similarly 
designed, equipped, and constructed microwave ovens showed varying EFs 
and, hence, annual energy consumption. DOE further notes that 
manufacturers stated during interviews that the water used in the test 
procedure is not representative of an actual food load. One 
manufacturer stated, for example, that this could result in different 
microwave ovens being rated at the same energy efficiency even though 
true cooking performance is different.\2\ DOE understands that IEC, 
AHAM, manufacturers, and others are exploring whether a test procedure 
can be developed that addresses the high-variability concerns with its 
current cooking efficiency measure. DOE stated in an October 2008 
notice of proposed rulemaking (hereinafter referred to as the October 
2008 TP NOPR) that it would evaluate such test procedures to determine 
whether they address the concerns discussed above, thereby making them 
suitable candidates for use in amending the DOE test procedure. 73 FR 
62134, 62139 (Oct. 17, 2008).
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    \2\ For more details of the cooking efficiency testing conducted 
as part of the appliance standards rulemaking, see the 2009 
Technical Support Document for Residential Dishwashers, 
Dehumidifiers, and Cooking Products and Commercial Clothes Washers. 
Available online at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/cooking_products.html.
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    DOE also noted that IEC Standard 705 has been declared obsolete by 
IEC and the current IEC test procedure is IEC Standard 60705-2006, 
``Household microwave ovens--Methods of measuring performance'' (IEC 
Standard 60705). In order to evaluate the key differences between these 
two IEC test procedures, DOE conducted a series of tests as part of the 
appliance standards rulemaking on a sub-sample of its microwave ovens 
(12 units total) to compare the efficiency measurements using both IEC 
test procedures. The general methodology for each test procedure is 
largely the same, and consists of heating 1 kg of water from about 10 
[deg]C below room temperature to room temperature, using the maximum 
power setting on the microwave oven. The input power over the duration 
of the test, and thus energy consumed during the test, are compared to 
the energy absorbed by the test load to obtain the efficiency 
measurement. Table II.1 below summarizes key differences noted between 
the test procedures that can potentially impact the final energy 
efficiency calculation.

                   Table II.1--Key Differences Between IEC Standard 705 and IEC Standard 60705
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IEC Standard 705-1988 and Amendment 2-
                 1993                                            IEC Standard 60705-2006
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Ambient Temp.,T0 = 20  2    Ambient Temp.,T0 = 20  5 [deg]C.
 [deg]C.                                Starting Water Temp., T1 = 10  1 [deg]C.
Starting Water Temp., T1 = T0-(10       Final Water Temp., T2 = 20  2 [deg]C.
  1 [deg]C).
Final Water Temp., T2 = T0  1 [deg]C.
Electrical Input Energy neglects the    Measurement of Electrical Input Energy includes the energy consumed
 magnetron filament heat-up time, the    during the magnetron filament heat-up time.
 measurement starting when the input
 current reaches 90 percent of its
 final value.
No mention of rounding off efficiency   Efficiency is rounded off to the nearest whole number, while output
 or output power calculations.           power is rounded off to the nearest 50 W.
Temperature measurement accurate        No specifications for accuracy of temperature and time measurements.
 within 0.25 [deg]C and linearity
 better than 1 percent. Time
 measurement accurate within 0.25
 seconds.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As part of this testing to compare the two IEC test procedures, DOE 
conducted tests to evaluate the variation of test-to-test efficiency 
results for an individual microwave oven. DOE test results, shown below 
in Table II.2, showed that the test-to-test variation using IEC 
Standard 60705 ranged from 0 to 5 percent of the average value, which 
was much greater than the comparable variation for IEC Standard 705, 
whose test-to-test variation in efficiency results ranged from 0 to 1.5 
percent for the same sub-sample of microwave ovens. This larger range 
associated with IEC

[[Page 42581]]

Standard 60705 is believed to be attributable to the effects of the 
procedure's requirement to round the power output to the nearest 50 W 
and the efficiency to the nearest whole number after each individual 
test, prior to averaging. DOE also evaluated the non-rounded data from 
the tests using IEC Standard 60705, which still showed more test-to-
test variation for a given unit (0 to 2.1 percent) than the variations 
test-to-test during the IEC Standard 705 testing. This remaining 
increment in test-to-test variation was likely due to the more lenient 
tolerances on the prescribed ambient and final test load temperatures 
(presented in Table II.2). Based on observations and analysis of test 
results, DOE believes that IEC Standard 60705 is likely to produce even 
less consistent or repeatable test results than IEC Standard 705 
because the measurement requirements in IEC Standard 705 are more 
stringent. Therefore, DOE did not propose amendments in the October 
2008 TP NOPR to the microwave oven test procedure to reference IEC 
Standard 60705.

           Table II.2--IEC Standard 705 Versus IEC Standard 60705 Test Results Test-To-Test Variation
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                                                                            Test-to-test EF range (%)
                                                                ------------------------------------------------
                           Test unit                                              IEC Standard     IEC Standard
                                                                  IEC Standard        60705        60705  (non-
                                                                       705          (rounded)        rounded)
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1..............................................................            1.46            3.57             0.56
2..............................................................            0.06            3.45             0.96
3..............................................................            0.40            3.33             0.70
4..............................................................            0.48            5.00             1.66
5..............................................................            0.71            3.57             0.50
6..............................................................            0.47            3.45             0.20
7..............................................................            0.77            3.39             0.53
8..............................................................            0.21            1.67             0.76
9..............................................................            1.07            1.67             1.05
10.............................................................            0.96            0.00             0.87
11.............................................................            0.67            1.79             0.82
12.............................................................            1.24            5.17             2.14
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    In response to the October 2008 TP NOPR, DOE received comments from 
interested parties regarding the accuracy and repeatability of the 
existing DOE microwave oven test procedure for measuring cooking 
efficiency. The Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP) cited 
substantial problems with the test procedure for measuring cooking 
efficiency that have not yet been addressed, including a lack of 
repeatable and consistent results and the possibility that the 
challenge of dealing with cooking efficiency is being compounded by 
rating the cooking efficiency of combination ovens in their various 
cooking modes. (ASAP, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 7 at p. 25) 
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) noted that heat transfer in a microwave 
oven depends on the specific resistivity of the load, and that pure 
water has relatively low specific resistivity, and items that might be 
cooked in a microwave oven would have more salt and thus absorb 
microwave energy more efficiently than pure water. PG&E noted that, 
while water is easily obtainable for testing, using it probably results 
in lower cooking efficiency measurements than would be expected from 
using actual food products. (PG&E, Public Meeting Transcript, No. 7 at 
pp. 44-45)
    DOE is unaware of any test procedures that have been developed that 
address the concerns with the DOE microwave oven cooking efficiency 
test procedure discussed above. DOE is also unaware of any research or 
data on consumer usage indicating what a representative food load would 
be, or any data showing how changes to the representative test load 
would affect the measured EF or repeatability of test results.
    Because there are currently no existing test procedures that 
produce representative and repeatable cooking efficiency measurements 
for microwave ovens, and because of the issues with using the existing 
DOE microwave oven test procedure, as discussed above, including the 
large test-to-test variation in cooking efficiency measurements, DOE is 
repealing the provisions in the existing microwave oven test procedure 
relating to the measurement of cooking efficiency and EF, and the 
regulatory provision specifying requirements for the number of units to 
be tested pursuant to the test procedure (i.e., the sampling plan).
    DOE will maintain the regulatory definition of microwave oven 
because kitchen ranges and ovens are listed as covered products in EPCA 
(42 U.S.C. 6292(10)) and because DOE is currently considering 
amendments to the microwave oven test procedure to measure standby and 
off mode energy use. DOE plans to initiate a separate rulemaking 
process to consider new provisions for measuring microwave oven energy 
efficiency in active (cooking) mode and has published a notice of 
public meeting to discuss active mode test procedures elsewhere in 
today's Federal Register.

III. Procedural Requirements

A. Review Under Executive Order 12866

    Today's regulatory action is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory 
Planning and Review, 58 FR 51735 (Oct. 4, 1993). Accordingly, this 
action was not subject to review under the Executive Order by the 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB).

B. Administrative Procedure Act

    The Department of Energy finds good cause to waive notice and 
comment on these regulations pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 533(b)(B), and the 
30-day delay in effective date pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d). Notice and 
comment are unnecessary and contrary to the public interest because 
this final rule is repealing a test procedure that DOE has determined 
to not be able to produce accurate and repeatable test results. 
Interested parties were provided with an opportunity to comment on the 
active mode test procedure in the October 2008 TP NOPR and responded in 
support of DOE's determination. In addition, DOE previously determined 
that standards for microwave ovens

[[Page 42582]]

were not warranted. (74 FR 16040, April 8, 2009). As a result, there is 
currently no energy conservation standard in place for microwave ovens 
for which a test procedure would be necessary to measure energy 
efficiency or energy use. A delay in effective date is unnecessary and 
contrary to the public interest for these same reasons. Therefore, 
these regulations are being published as final regulations and are 
effective July 22, 2010.

C. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires 
preparation of an initial regulatory flexibility analysis for any rule 
that by law must be proposed for public comment, unless the agency 
certifies that the rule, if promulgated, will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. As required 
by Executive Order 13272, ``Proper Consideration of Small Entities in 
Agency Rulemaking,'' 67 FR 53461 (August 16, 2002), DOE published 
procedures and policies on February 19, 2003, to ensure that the 
potential impacts of its rules on small entities are properly 
considered during the rulemaking process. 68 FR 7990. DOE's procedures 
and policies may be viewed on the Office of the General Counsel's Web 
site (www.gc.doe.gov). Because a notice of proposed rulemaking is not 
required under the Administrative Procedure Act or other applicable 
law, the Regulatory Flexibility Act does not require certification or 
the conduct of a regulatory flexibility analysis for this rule.

C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    Today's final rule contains no new record-keeping requirements. 
Therefore, today's final rule would not impose any new reporting 
requirements requiring clearance by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

D. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

    DOE has determined that this rule falls into a class of actions 
that are categorically excluded from review under the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and DOE's 
implementing regulations at 10 CFR part 1021. Specifically, this rule 
amends an existing rule without changing its environmental effect, and, 
therefore, is covered by the Categorical Exclusion in paragraph A6 to 
Appendix A to subpart D, 10 CFR part 1021, which applies because this 
rule would revise existing test procedures such that the amount, 
quality, or distribution of energy usage will not be affected, and, 
therefore, not result in any environmental impacts.\3\ Accordingly, 
neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact 
statement is required.
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    \3\ Categorical Exclusion A6 provides, ``Rulemakings that are 
strictly procedural, such as rulemaking (under 48 CFR part 9) 
establishing procedures for technical and pricing proposals and 
establishing contract clauses and contracting practices for the 
purchase of goods and services, and rulemaking (under 10 CFR part 
600) establishing application and review procedures for, and 
administration, audit, and closeout of, grants and cooperative 
agreements.''
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E. Review Under Executive Order 13132

    Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism,'' imposes certain requirements 
on agencies formulating and implementing policies or regulations that 
preempt State law or that have Federalism implications. 64 FR 43255 
(August 4, 1999). The Executive Order requires agencies to examine the 
constitutional and statutory authority supporting any action that would 
limit the policymaking discretion of the States, and to carefully 
assess the necessity for such actions. The Executive Order also 
requires agencies to have an accountable process to ensure meaningful 
and timely input by State and local officials in the development of 
regulatory policies that have Federalism implications. On March 14, 
2000, DOE published a statement of policy describing the 
intergovernmental consultation process that it will follow in 
developing such regulations. 65 FR 13735. DOE examined this final rule 
and determined that it would not preempt State law and would not have a 
substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between 
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Executive 
Order 13132 requires no further action.

F. Review Under Executive Order 12988

    Regarding the review of existing regulations and the promulgation 
of new regulations, section 3(a) of Executive Order 12988, ``Civil 
Justice Reform,'' 61 FR 4729 (Feb. 7, 1996), imposes on Federal 
agencies the general duty to adhere to the following requirements: (1) 
Eliminate drafting errors and ambiguity; (2) write regulations to 
minimize litigation; (3) provide a clear legal standard for affected 
conduct rather than a general standard; and (4) promote simplification 
and burden reduction. Section 3(b) of Executive Order 12988 
specifically requires that Executive agencies make every reasonable 
effort to ensure that the regulation specifies the following: (1) The 
preemptive effect, if any; (2) any effect on existing Federal law or 
regulation; (3) a clear legal standard for affected conduct while 
promoting simplification and burden reduction; (4) the retroactive 
effect, if any; (5) definitions of key terms; and (6) other important 
issues affecting clarity and general draftsmanship under any guidelines 
issued by the Attorney General. Section 3(c) of Executive Order 12988 
requires Executive agencies to review regulations in light of 
applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b) to determine whether 
they are met or it is unreasonable to meet one or more of them. DOE has 
completed the required review and determined that, to the extent 
permitted by law, this final rule meets the relevant standards of 
Executive Order 12988.

G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Pub. 
L. 104-4) requires each Federal agency to assess the effects of Federal 
regulatory actions on State, local, and Tribal governments and the 
private sector. For a proposed regulatory action likely to result in a 
rule that may cause the expenditure by State, local, and Tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100 million 
or more in any one year (adjusted annually for inflation), section 202 
of UMRA requires a Federal agency to publish estimates of the resulting 
costs, benefits, and other effects on the national economy. (2 U.S.C. 
1532(a), (b)) UMRA also requires a Federal agency to develop an 
effective process to permit timely input by elected officers of State, 
local, and Tribal governments on a proposed ``significant 
intergovernmental mandate.'' UMRA requires an agency plan for giving 
notice and opportunity for timely input to potentially affected small 
governments before establishing any requirements that might 
significantly or uniquely affect such governments. On March 18, 1997, 
DOE published a statement of policy on its process for 
intergovernmental consultation under UMRA. 62 FR 12820. (The policy is 
also available at www.gc.doe.gov). Today's final rule contains neither 
an intergovernmental mandate nor a mandate that may result in an 
expenditure of $100 million or more in any year, so these requirements 
do not apply.

[[Page 42583]]

H. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 
1999

    Section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act, 1999 (Pub. L. 105-277) requires Federal agencies to issue a Family 
Policymaking Assessment for any rule that may affect family well-being. 
Today's final rule would have no impact on the autonomy or integrity of 
the family as an institution. Accordingly, DOE has concluded that it is 
not necessary to prepare a Family Policymaking Assessment.

I. Review Under Executive Order 12630

    DOE has determined, under Executive Order 12630, ``Governmental 
Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property 
Rights,'' 53 FR 8859 (March 18, 1988), that this final rule would not 
result in any takings that might require compensation under the Fifth 
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

J. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 
2001

    Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act, 2001 (44 U.S.C. 3516 note) provides for agencies to review most 
disseminations of information to the public under guidelines 
established by each agency pursuant to general guidelines issued by 
OMB. OMB's guidelines were published at 67 FR 8452 (Feb. 22, 2002), and 
DOE's guidelines were published at 67 FR 62446 (Oct. 7, 2002). DOE has 
reviewed today's final rule and concluded that it is consistent with 
applicable policies in the OMB and DOE guidelines.

K. Review Under Executive Order 13211

    Executive Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use,'' 66 FR 28355 
(May 22, 2001), requires Federal agencies to prepare and submit to OIRA 
a Statement of Energy Effects for any proposed significant energy 
action. The definition of a ``significant energy action'' is any action 
by an agency that promulgated or is expected to lead to promulgation of 
a final rule, and that: (1) Is a significant regulatory action under 
Executive Order 12866, or any successor order; and (2) is likely to 
have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use 
of energy; or (3) is designated by the Administrator of OIRA as a 
significant energy action. For any proposed significant energy action, 
the agency must give a detailed statement of any adverse effects on 
energy supply, distribution, or use if the proposal were to be 
implemented, and of reasonable alternatives to the action and their 
expected benefits on energy supply, distribution, and use. Today's 
final rule is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 
12866. Moreover, it would not have a significant adverse effect on the 
supply, distribution, or use of energy. The Administrator of OIRA also 
did not designate the final rule as a significant energy action. 
Therefore, it is not a significant energy action. Accordingly, DOE has 
not prepared a Statement of Energy Effects.

L. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 
1974

    Under section 301 of the DOE Organization Act (Pub. L. 95-91), DOE 
must comply with section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 
1974 (Pub. L. 93-275), as amended by the Federal Energy Administration 
Authorization Act of 1977 (FEAA; Pub. L. 95-70) (15 U.S.C. 788). 
Section 32 essentially provides that, where a proposed rule authorizes 
or requires use of commercial standards, the rulemaking must inform the 
public of the use and background of such standards. In addition, 
section 32(c) requires DOE to consult with the Attorney General and the 
Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) concerning the impact of 
the commercial or industry standards on competition. This final rule to 
repeal the test procedure for determining the energy efficiency of 
microwave ovens does not authorize or require the use of any commercial 
standards. Therefore, no consultation with either DOJ or FTC is 
required.

M. Congressional Notification

    As required by 5 U.S.C. 801, DOE will report to Congress on the 
promulgation of today's rule before its effective date. The report will 
state that it has been determined that the rule is not a ``major rule'' 
as defined by 5 U.S.C. 801(2).

VI. Approval of the Office of the Assistant Secretary

    The Assistant Secretary of DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy has approved publication of today's final rule.

List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 430

    Administrative practice and procedure, Energy conservation, 
Household appliances.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 9, 2010.
Cathy Zoi,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

0
For the reasons stated in the preamble, part 430 of chapter II of title 
10, Code of Federal Regulations, is amended as set forth below:

PART 430--ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS

0
1. The authority citation for part 430 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 6291-6309; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.


Sec.  430.3  [Amended]

0
2. Section 430.3 is amended by removing paragraphs (l)(1) and (l)(2).

0
3. Section 430.23 is amended by revising paragraphs (i)(1), (i)(2), 
(i)(4), and (i)(12) to read as follows:


Sec.  430.23  Test procedures for the measurement of energy and water 
consumption.

* * * * *
    (i) Kitchen ranges and ovens. (1) The estimated annual operating 
cost for conventional ranges, conventional cooking tops, and 
conventional ovens shall be the sum of the following products: (i) The 
total annual electrical energy consumption for any electrical energy 
usage, in kilowatt-hours (kWh's) per year, times the representative 
average unit cost for electricity, in dollars per kWh, as provided 
pursuant to section 323(b)(2) of the Act; plus (ii) the total annual 
gas energy consumption for any natural gas usage, in British thermal 
units (Btu's) per year, times the representative average unit cost for 
natural gas, in dollars per Btu, as provided pursuant to section 
323(b)(2) of the Act; plus (iii) the total annual gas energy 
consumption for any propane usage, in Btu's per year, times the 
representative average unit cost for propane, in dollars per Btu, as 
provided pursuant to section 323(b)(2) of the Act. The total annual 
energy consumption for conventional ranges, conventional cooking tops, 
and conventional ovens shall be as determined according to 4.3, 4.2.2, 
and 4.1.2, respectively, of appendix I to this subpart. The estimated 
annual operating cost shall be rounded off to the nearest dollar per 
year.
    (2) The cooking efficiency for conventional cooking tops and 
conventional ovens shall be the ratio of the cooking energy output for 
the test to the cooking energy input for the test, as determined 
according to 4.2.1 and 4.1.3, respectively, of appendix I to this

[[Page 42584]]

subpart. The final cooking efficiency values shall be rounded off to 
three significant digits.
* * * * *
    (4) The energy factor for conventional ranges, conventional cooking 
tops, and conventional ovens shall be the ratio of the annual useful 
cooking energy output to the total annual energy input, as determined 
according to 4.3, 4.2.3, 4.1.4, respectively, of Appendix I to this 
subpart. The final energy factor values shall be rounded off to three 
significant digits.
* * * * *
    (12) Other useful measures of energy consumption for conventional 
ranges, conventional cooking tops, and conventional ovens shall be 
those measures of energy consumption which the Secretary determines are 
likely to assist consumers in making purchasing decisions and which are 
derived from the application of appendix I to this subpart.
* * * * *

0
4. Section 430.24 is amended by revising paragraph (i)(1) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  430.24  Units to be tested.

* * * * *
    (i)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (i)(2) of this section, for 
each basic model of conventional cooking tops, and conventional ovens a 
sample of sufficient size shall be tested to insure that--
    (i) Any represented value of estimated annual operating cost, 
energy consumption or other measure of energy consumption of a basic 
model for which consumers would favor lower values shall be no less 
than the higher of:
    (A) the mean of the sample or
    (B) the upper 97\1/2\ percent confidence limit of the true mean 
divided by 1.05, and
    (ii) Any represented value of the energy factor or other measure of 
energy consumption of a basic model for which consumers would favor 
higher values shall be no greater than the lower of:
    (A) the mean of the sample or
    (B) the lower 97\1/2\ percent confidence limit of the true mean 
divided by .95.
* * * * *

0
5. Appendix I to Subpart B of Part 430 is amended:
0
a. In section 1. Definitions, by:
0
1. Removing section 1.5; and
0
2. Redesignating sections 1.6 through 1.11 as 1.5 through 1.10;
0
b. In section 2. Test Conditions, by:
0
1. Removing section 2.1.3;
0
2. Revising sections 2.2.1, 2.5, and 2.6;
0
3. Removing and reserving section 2.8, consisting of sections 2.8.1, 
2.8.2, and 2.8.2.1;
0
4. Removing section 2.9.3.4;
0
5. Redesignating section 2.9.3.5 as 2.9.3.4; and
0
6. Revising sections 2.9.1.1, 2.9.1.2, 2.9.3.1, and 2.9.5;
0
c. In section 3. Test Methods and Measurements, by:
0
1. Revising sections 3.1.1 introductory text, 3.1.1.1, and 3.1.2;
0
2. Removing section 3.1.3, consisting of section 3.1.3.1;
0
3. Removing 3.2.3, and 3.3.13;
0
d. In section 4. Calculation of Derived Results From Test Measurements, 
by:
0
1. Revising sections 4.3; and
0
2. Removing section 4.4, consisting of sections 4.4.1, 4.4.2, 4.4.3, 
4.4.4 and 4.4.5;
    The revisions read as follows:

Appendix I to Subpart B of Part 430--Uniform Test Method for Measuring 
the Energy Consumption of Conventional Ranges, Conventional Cooking 
Tops, Conventional Ovens, and Microwave Ovens

* * * * *
    2. Test Conditions
* * * * *
    2.2.1 Electrical supply. Maintain the electrical supply to the 
conventional range, conventional cooking top, and conventional oven 
being tested at 240/120 volts except that basic models rated only at 
208/120 volts shall be tested at that rating. Maintain the voltage 
within 2 percent of the above specified voltages.
* * * * *
    2.5 Ambient room air temperature. During the test, maintain an 
ambient room air temperature, TR, of 77[deg]  
9 [deg]F (25[deg]  5 [deg]C) for conventional ovens and 
cooking tops, as measured at least 5 feet (1.5 m) and not more than 
8 feet (2.4 m) from the nearest surface of the unit under test and 
approximately 3 feet (0.9 m) above the floor. The temperature shall 
be measured with a thermometer or temperature indicating system with 
an accuracy as specified in Section 2.9.3.1.
    2.6 Normal nonoperating temperature. All areas of the appliance 
to be tested shall attain the normal nonoperating temperature, as 
defined in Section 1.5, before any testing begins. The equipment for 
measuring the applicable normal nonoperating temperature shall be as 
described in Sections 2.9.3.1, 2.9.3.2, 2.9.3.3, and 2.9.3.4, as 
applicable.
* * * * *
    2.8 [Reserved]
* * * * *
    2.9.1.1 Watt-hour meter. The watt-hour meter for measuring the 
electrical energy consumption of conventional ovens and cooking tops 
shall have a resolution of 1 watt-hour (3.6 kJ) or less and a 
maximum error no greater than 1.5 percent of the measured value for 
any demand greater than 100 watts.
    2.9.1.2 Watt meter. The watt meter used to measure the 
conventional oven, conventional range, or range clock power shall 
have a resolution of 0.2 watt (0.2 J/s) or less and a maximum error 
no greater than 5 percent of the measured value.
* * * * *
    2.9.3.1 Room temperature indicating system. The room temperature 
indicating system shall be as specified in Section 2.9.3.4 for 
ranges, ovens and cooktops.
* * * * *
    2.9.5 Scale. The scale used for weighing the test blocks shall 
have a maximum error no greater than 1 ounce (28.4 g).
* * * * *
    3. Test Methods and Measurements
    3.1 Test methods.
    3.1.1 Conventional oven. Perform a test by establishing the 
testing conditions set forth in Section 2, ``TEST CONDITIONS,'' of 
this Appendix, and adjust any pilot lights of a conventional gas 
oven in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and turn off 
the gas flow to the conventional cooking top, if so equipped. Before 
beginning the test, the conventional oven shall be at its normal 
nonoperating temperature as defined in Section 1.5 and described in 
Section 2.6. Set the conventional oven test block W1 
approximately in the center of the usable baking space. If there is 
a selector switch for selecting the mode of operation of the oven, 
set it for normal baking. If an oven permits baking by either forced 
convection by using a fan, or without forced convection, the oven is 
to be tested in each of those two modes. The oven shall remain on 
for at least one complete thermostat ``cut-off/cut-on'' of the 
electrical resistance heaters or gas burners after the test block 
temperature has increased 234 [deg]F (130 [deg]C) above its initial 
temperature.
    3.1.1.1 Self-cleaning operation of a conventional oven. 
Establish the test conditions set forth in Section 2, ``TEST 
CONDITIONS,'' of this Appendix. Adjust any pilot lights of a 
conventional gas oven in accordance with the manufacturer's 
instructions and turn off the gas flow to the conventional cooking 
top. The temperature of the conventional oven shall be its normal 
nonoperating temperature as defined in Section 1.5 and described in 
Section 2.6. Then set the conventional oven's self-cleaning process 
in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. If the self-
cleaning process is adjustable, use the average time recommended by 
the manufacturer for a moderately soiled oven.
* * * * *
    3.1.2 Conventional cooking top. Establish the test conditions 
set forth in Section 2, ``TEST CONDITIONS,'' of this Appendix. 
Adjust any pilot lights of a conventional gas cooking top in 
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and turn off the gas 
flow to the conventional oven(s), if so equipped. The temperature of 
the conventional cooking top shall be its normal nonoperating 
temperature as defined in Section 1.5 and described in Section 2.6. 
Set the test block in the center of the surface unit under test. The 
small test block, W2, shall be used on electric surface 
units of 7 inches (178 mm) or less in diameter. The large test 
block, W3, shall be used on electric surface units over 7 
inches (177.8 mm) in diameter and on all gas surface units. Turn on 
the surface unit under test and set its energy input rate to the

[[Page 42585]]

maximum setting. When the test block reaches 144 [deg]F (80 [deg]C) 
above its initial test block temperature, immediately reduce the 
energy input rate to 25  5 percent of the maximum energy 
input rate. After 15  0.1 minutes at the reduced energy 
setting, turn off the surface unit under test.
* * * * *
    4. Calculation of Derived Results From Test Measurements
* * * * *
    4.3 Combined components. The annual energy consumption of a 
kitchen range, e.g. a cooktop and oven combined, shall be the sum of 
the annual energy consumption of each of its components. The annual 
energy consumption for other combinations of ovens and cooktops will 
also be treated as the sum of the annual energy consumption of each 
of its components. The energy factor of a combined component is the 
sum of the annual useful cooking energy output of each component 
divided by the sum of the total annual energy consumption of each 
component.

[FR Doc. 2010-17773 Filed 7-21-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P