[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 241 (Wednesday, December 16, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78208-78215]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31623]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

[Case No. CW-026]


Notice of Petition for Waiver of Whirlpool Corporation From the 
Department of Energy Clothes Washer Test Procedure, and Grant of 
Interim Waiver

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

ACTION: Notice of petition for waiver, notice of grant of interim 
waiver, and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt of a petition for waiver from 
Whirlpool Corporation (Whirlpool) seeking an exemption from specified 
portions of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure for 
determining the energy consumption of residential clothes washers. 
Whirlpool seeks to use an alternate test procedure to address

[[Page 78209]]

certain issues involved in testing certain specific basic clothes 
washer models identified in its petition that container volumes between 
6.0 cubic feet and 8.0 cubic feet that Whirlpool contends cannot be 
accurately tested using the currently applicable DOE test procedure. 
DOE solicits comments, data, and information concerning Whirlpool's 
petition and its suggested alternate test procedure. This notice also 
grants Whirlpool with an interim waiver from the residential clothes 
washer test procedure, subject to use of the alternative test procedure 
set forth in this notice.

DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, and information with respect to 
the Whirlpool petition until January 15, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Case Number CW-026, 
by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Email: [email protected] Include ``Case No. 
CW-026'' in the subject line of the message.
     Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, 
Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-5B/1000 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-2945. Please 
submit one signed original paper copy.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 950 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Room 
6094, Washington, DC 20024. Please submit one signed original paper 
copy.
    Docket: For access to the docket to review the background documents 
relevant to this matter, you may visit the U.S. Department of Energy, 
950 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Washington, DC, 20024; (202) 586-2945, between 
9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. Available documents include the following items: (1) This 
notice; (2) public comments received; (3) the petition for waiver and 
application for interim waiver; and (4) prior DOE waivers and 
rulemakings regarding similar clothes washer products. Please call Ms. 
Brenda Edwards at the above telephone number for additional 
information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mail Stop EE-5B, Forrestal 
Building, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. 
Telephone: (202) 586-0371. Email: [email protected].
    Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the 
General Counsel, Mail Stop GC-33, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0103. Telephone: (202) 586-7796. 
Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background and Authority

    Title III, Part B of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 
(EPCA), Public Law 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309, as codified), 
established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other 
Than Automobiles, a program covering most major household appliances, 
which includes the clothes washers that are the focus of this notice. 
Part B includes definitions, test procedures, labeling provisions, 
energy conservation standards, and the authority to require information 
and reports from manufacturers. Further, Part B authorizes the 
Secretary of Energy to prescribe test procedures that are reasonably 
designed to produce results which measure energy efficiency, energy 
use, or estimated operating costs, and that are not unduly burdensome 
to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)). Part C of Title III provides for a 
similar energy efficiency program titled ``Certain Industrial 
Equipment,'' which includes commercial clothes washers and other types 
of commercial equipment.\1\ (42 U.S.C. 6311-6317) The test procedure 
for automatic and semi-automatic clothes washers (both residential and 
commercial) is contained in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J2.
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    \1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Parts B and C were re-designated Parts A and A-1, respectively.
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    The regulations set forth in 10 CFR part 430.27 contain provisions 
that enable a person to seek a waiver from the test procedure 
requirements for covered products. DOE will grant a waiver if it is 
determined either that the basic models for which the petition for 
waiver was requested contains a design characteristics that prevents 
testing of the basic model according to the prescribed test procedures, 
or that prescribed test procedures evaluate the basic model in a manner 
so unrepresentative of its true energy consumption characteristics as 
to provide materially inaccurate comparative data. 10 CFR 430.27(f)(2). 
Petitioners must include in their petition any alternate test 
procedures known to the petitioner to evaluate the basic model in a 
manner representative of its energy consumption. DOE may grant the 
waiver subject to conditions, including adherence to alternate test 
procedures. 10 CFR 430.27(f)(2). Waivers remain in effect pursuant to 
the provisions of 10 CFR 430.27(l).
    The waiver process also allows the DOE to grant an interim waiver 
from test procedure requirements to manufacturers that have petitioned 
DOE for a waiver of such prescribed test procedures. 10 CFR 
430.27(e)(2). Within one year of issuance of an interim waiver, DOE 
will either: (i) Publish in the Federal Register a determination on the 
petition for waiver; or (ii) publish in the Federal Register a new or 
amended test procedure that addresses the issues presented in the 
waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(h)(1). When DOE amends the test procedure to 
address the issues presented in a waiver, the waiver will automatically 
terminate on the date on which use of that test procedure is required 
to demonstrate compliance. 10 CFR 430.27(h)(2).

II. Application for Interim Waiver and Petition for Waiver

    On November 9, 2015, Whirlpool submitted a petition for waiver from 
the DOE test procedure applicable to automatic and semi-automatic 
clothes washers set forth in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J2. 
Whirlpool requested the waiver because the mass of the test load used 
in the procedure, which is based on the basket volume of the test unit, 
is currently not defined for basket sizes greater than 6.0 cubic feet. 
In its petition, Whirlpool seeks a waiver for the specified basic 
models with capacities greater than 6.0 cubic feet. Table 5.1 of 
Appendix J2 defines the test load sizes used in the test procedure as 
linear functions of the basket volume. Whirlpool requests that DOE 
grant a waiver for testing and rating based on a revised Table 5.1.
    Whirlpool also requests an interim waiver from the existing DOE 
test procedure. An interim waiver may be granted if it appears likely 
that the petition for waiver will be granted, and/or if DOE determines 
that it would be desirable for public policy reasons to grant immediate 
relief pending a determination of the petition for waiver. See 10 CFR 
430.27(e)(2).
    DOE understands that absent an interim waiver, Whirlpool's products 
cannot be tested and rated for energy consumption on a basis 
representative of their true energy consumption characteristics. DOE 
has reviewed the alternate procedure and concludes that it will allow 
for the accurate measurement of the energy use of these products, while 
alleviating the testing problems associated with Whirlpool's 
implementation of clothes washer

[[Page 78210]]

containers larger than 6.0 cubic feet. Consequently, DOE has determined 
that Whirlpool's petition for waiver will likely be granted. 
Furthermore, as explained below, DOE has granted similar waivers to 
Whirlpool and other manufacturers, and has determined that it is 
desirable for public policy reasons to grant Whirlpool immediate relief 
pending a determination of the petition for waiver.
    DOE granted a waiver to Whirlpool for a similar request under 
Decision and Order (75 FR 69653, Nov. 15, 2010) to allow for the 
testing of clothes washers with container volumes between 3.8 cubic 
feet and 6.0 cubic feet. In addition to the previous waiver granted to 
Whirlpool, DOE granted waivers to LG (CW-016 (76 FR 11233, Mar. 1, 
2011), CW-018 (76 FR 21879, Apr. 19, 2011), and CW-021 (76 FR 64330, 
Oct. 18, 2011); General Electric (75 FR 76968, Dec. 10, 2010), Samsung 
(76 FR 13169, Mar. 10, 2011); 76 FR 50207, Aug. 12, 2011), and 
Electrolux (76 FR 11440, Mar. 2, 2011) to allow for the testing of 
clothes washers with container volumes between 3.8 cubic feet and 6.0 
cubic feet. DOE concludes it is likely that Whirlpool's petition for 
waiver will be granted for the similar reasons stated in these past 
waivers.
    The current DOE test procedure specifies test load sizes only for 
machines with capacities up to 6.0 cubic feet. (77 FR 13888, Mar. 7, 
2012; the ``March 2012 Final Rule'') For the reasons set forth in DOE's 
March 2012 Final Rule, DOE concludes that extending the linear 
relationship between test load size and container capacity to larger 
capacities is valid. In addition, testing a basic model with a capacity 
larger than 6.0 cubic feet using the current procedure could evaluate 
the basic model in a manner so unrepresentative of its true energy 
consumption as to provide materially inaccurate comparative data. Based 
on these considerations, and the waivers granted to LG, GE, Electrolux 
and Samsung, as well as the previous waivers granted to Whirlpool for 
similar requests, it appears likely that the petition for waiver will 
be granted. As a result, DOE grants an interim waiver to Whirlpool for 
the basic models of clothes washers with container volumes greater than 
6.0 cubic feet specified in its petition for waiver. DOE also provides 
for the use of an alternative test procedure extending the linear 
relationship between test load size and container capacity, described 
below.
    Therefore, it is ordered that:
    The application for interim waiver filed by Whirlpool is hereby 
granted for the specified Whirlpool clothes washer basic models, 
subject to the specifications and conditions below. Whirlpool shall be 
required to test and rate the specified clothes washer products 
according to the alternate test procedure as set forth in section III, 
``Alternate Test Procedure.''
    The interim waiver applies to the following basic residential model 
groups: Basic Model V15EAg50(3B), Basic Model V15EBg50(3B), Basic Model 
V15ECg50(3B).
    DOE makes decisions on waivers and interim waivers for only those 
models specifically set out in the petition, not future models that may 
be manufactured by the petitioner. Whirlpool may request that DOE 
extend the scope of a waiver or an interim waiver to include additional 
basic models employing the same technology as the basic model(s) set 
forth in the original petition consistent with 10 CFR 430.27(g). In 
addition, granting of an interim waiver or waiver does not release a 
petitioner from the certification requirements set forth at 10 CFR part 
429. See also 10 CFR 430.27(a) and (i).
    Further, this interim waiver is conditioned upon the presumed 
validity of statements, representations, and documents provided by the 
petitioner. DOE may rescind or modify a waiver or interim waiver at any 
time upon a determination that the factual basis underlying the 
petition for waiver or interim waiver is incorrect, or upon a 
determination that the results from the alternate test procedure are 
unrepresentative of the basic models' true energy consumption 
characteristics. See 10 CFR 430.27(k).

III. Alternate Test Procedure

    EPCA requires that manufacturers use DOE test procedures when 
making representations about the energy consumption and energy 
consumption costs of products covered by the statute. (42 U.S.C. 
6293(c)) Consistent representations are important for manufacturers to 
use in making representations about the energy efficiency of their 
products and to demonstrate compliance with applicable DOE energy 
conservation standards. Pursuant to its regulations applicable to 
waivers and interim waivers from applicable test procedures at 10 CFR 
430.27, DOE will consider setting an alternate test procedure for 
Whirlpool in a subsequent Decision and Order.
    The alternate procedure approved today is intended to allow 
Whirlpool to make valid representations regarding its clothes washers 
with basket capacities larger than provided for in the current test 
procedure.
    In the alternate test procedure described below, DOE has corrected 
two errors in the proposed Whirlpool load size table:
     For the 7.40-7.50 cubic foot capacity row, the maximum 
load size should be 30.60 lbs rather than 30.50 lbs, and the 
corresponding translation to kg should be 13.88 kg rather than 13.83 
kg.
     For the 6.50-6.60 and higher capacities, the average load 
size was not calculated correctly. The average load size should be the 
numerical average of the minimum and maximum load sizes. For each of 
these, the corresponding translation to kg were updated.
    During the period of the interim waiver granted in this notice, 
Whirlpool shall test its clothes washer basic models according to the 
provisions of 10 CFR part 430 subpart B, appendix J2, except that the 
expanded Table 5.1 below shall be substituted for Table 5.1 of appendix 
J2.

                                                               Table 5.1--Test Load Sizes
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                    Container volume                               Minimum load                    Maximum load                    Average load
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              cu. ft. >= <                  liter >= <          lb              kg              lb              kg              lb              kg
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0-0.80..................................          0-22.7            3.00            1.36            3.00            1.36            3.00            1.36
0.80-0.90...............................       22.7-25.5            3.00            1.36            3.50            1.59            3.25            1.47
0.90-1.00...............................       25.5-28.3            3.00            1.36            3.90            1.77            3.45            1.56
1.00-1.10...............................       28.3-31.1            3.00            1.36            4.30            1.95            3.65            1.66
1.10-1.20...............................       31.1-34.0            3.00            1.36            4.70            2.13            3.85            1.75
1.20-1.30...............................       34.0-36.8            3.00            1.36            5.10            2.31            4.05            1.84
1.30-1.40...............................       36.8-39.6            3.00            1.36            5.50            2.49            4.25            1.93
1.40-1.50...............................       39.6-42.5            3.00            1.36            5.90            2.68            4.45            2.02

[[Page 78211]]

 
1.50-1.60...............................       42.5-45.3            3.00            1.36            6.40            2.90            4.70            2.13
1.60-1.70...............................       45.3-48.1            3.00            1.36            6.80            3.08            4.90            2.22
1.70-1.80...............................       48.1-51.0            3.00            1.36            7.20            3.27            5.10            2.31
1.80-1.90...............................       51.0-53.8            3.00            1.36            7.60            3.45            5.30            2.40
1.90-2.00...............................       53.8-56.6            3.00            1.36            8.00            3.63            5.50            2.49
2.00-2.10...............................       56.6-59.5            3.00            1.36            8.40            3.81            5.70            2.59
2.10-2.20...............................       59.5-62.3            3.00            1.36            8.80            3.99            5.90            2.68
2.20-2.30...............................       62.3-65.1            3.00            1.36            9.20            4.17            6.10            2.77
2.30-2.40...............................       65.1-68.0            3.00            1.36            9.60            4.35            6.30            2.86
2.40-2.50...............................       68.0-70.8            3.00            1.36           10.00            4.54            6.50            2.95
2.50-2.60...............................       70.8-73.6            3.00            1.36           10.50            4.76            6.75            3.06
2.60-2.70...............................       73.6-76.5            3.00            1.36           10.90            4.94            6.95            3.15
2.70-2.80...............................       76.5-79.3            3.00            1.36           11.30            5.13            7.15            3.24
2.80-2.90...............................       79.3-82.1            3.00            1.36           11.70            5.31            7.35            3.33
2.90-3.00...............................       82.1-85.0            3.00            1.36           12.10            5.49            7.55            3.42
3.00-3.10...............................       85.0-87.8            3.00            1.36           12.50            5.67            7.75            3.52
3.10-3.20...............................       87.8-90.6            3.00            1.36           12.90            5.85            7.95            3.61
3.20-3.30...............................       90.6-93.4            3.00            1.36           13.30            6.03            8.15            3.70
3.30-3.40...............................       93.4-96.3            3.00            1.36           13.70            6.21            8.35            3.79
3.40-3.50...............................       96.3-99.1            3.00            1.36           14.10            6.40            8.55            3.88
3.50-3.60...............................      99.1-101.9            3.00            1.36           14.60            6.62            8.80            3.99
3.60-3.70...............................     101.9-104.8            3.00            1.36           15.00            6.80            9.00            4.08
3.70-3.80...............................     104.8-107.6            3.00            1.36           15.40            6.99            9.20            4.17
3.80-3.90...............................     107.6-110.4            3.00            1.36           15.80            7.16            9.40            4.26
3.90-4.00...............................     110.4-113.3            3.00            1.36           16.20            7.34            9.60            4.35
4.00-4.10...............................     113.3-116.1            3.00            1.36           16.60            7.53            9.80            4.45
4.10-4.20...............................     116.1-118.9            3.00            1.36           17.00            7.72           10.00            4.54
4.20-4.30...............................     118.9-121.8            3.00            1.36           17.40            7.90           10.20            4.63
4.30-4.40...............................     121.8-124.6            3.00            1.36           17.80            8.09           10.40            4.72
4.40-4.50...............................     124.6-127.4            3.00            1.36           18.20            8.27           10.60            4.82
4.50-4.60...............................     127.4-130.3            3.00            1.36           18.70            8.46           10.85            4.91
4.60-4.70...............................     130.3-133.1            3.00            1.36           19.10            8.65           11.05            5.00
4.70-4.80...............................     133.1-135.9            3.00            1.36           19.50            8.83           11.25            5.10
4.80-4.90...............................     135.9-138.8            3.00            1.36           19.90            9.02           11.45            5.19
4.90-5.00...............................     138.8-141.6            3.00            1.36           20.30            9.20           11.65            5.28
5.00-5.10...............................     141.6-144.4            3.00            1.36           20.70            9.39           11.85            5.38
5.10-5.20...............................     144.4-147.2            3.00            1.36           21.10            9.58           12.05            5.47
5.20-5.30...............................     147.2-150.1            3.00            1.36           21.50            9.76           12.25            5.56
5.30-5.40...............................     150.1-152.9            3.00            1.36           21.90            9.95           12.45            5.65
5.40-5.50...............................     152.9-155.7            3.00            1.36           22.30           10.13           12.65            5.75
5.50-5.60...............................     155.7-158.6            3.00            1.36           22.80           10.32           12.90            5.84
5.60-5.70...............................     158.6-161.4            3.00            1.36           23.20           10.51           13.10            5.93
5.70-5.80...............................     161.4-164.2            3.00            1.36           23.60           10.69           13.30            6.03
5.80-5.90...............................     164.2-167.1            3.00            1.36           24.00           10.88           13.50            6.12
5.90-6.00...............................     167.1-169.9            3.00            1.36           24.40           11.06           13.70            6.21
6.00-6.10...............................     169.9-172.7            3.00            1.36           24.80           11.25           13.90            6.30
6.10-6.20...............................     172.7-175.6            3.00            1.36           25.20           11.43           14.10            6.40
6.20-6.30...............................     175.6-178.4            3.00            1.36           25.60           11.61           14.30            6.49
6.30-6.40...............................     178.4-181.2            3.00            1.36           26.00           11.79           14.50            6.58
6.40-6.50...............................     181.2-184.1            3.00            1.36           26.40           11.97           14.70            6.67
6.50-6.60...............................     184.1-186.9            3.00            1.36           26.90           12.20           14.95            6.78
6.60-6.70...............................     186.9-189.7            3.00            1.36           27.30           12.38           15.15            6.87
6.70-6.80...............................     189.7-192.6            3.00            1.36           27.70           12.56           15.35            6.96
6.80-6.90...............................     192.6-195.4            3.00            1.36           28.10           12.75           15.55            7.05
6.90-7.00...............................     195.4-198.2            3.00            1.36           28.50           12.93           15.75            7.14
7.00-7.10...............................     198.2-201.0            3.00            1.36           28.90           13.11           15.95            7.23
7.10-7.20...............................     201.0-203.9            3.00            1.36           29.30           13.29           16.15            7.33
7.20-7.30...............................     203.9-206.7            3.00            1.36           29.70           13.47           16.35            7.42
7.30-7.40...............................     206.7-209.5            3.00            1.36           30.10           13.65           16.55            7.51
7.40-7.50...............................     209.5-212.4            3.00            1.36           30.60           13.88           16.80            7.62
7.50-7.60...............................     212.4-215.2            3.00            1.36           31.00           14.06           17.00            7.71
7.60-7.70...............................     215.2-218.0            3.00            1.36           31.40           14.24           17.20            7.80
7.70-7.80...............................     218.0-220.9            3.00            1.36           31.80           14.42           17.40            7.89
7.80-7.90...............................     220.9-223.7            3.00            1.36           32.20           14.61           17.60            7.98
7.90-8.00...............................     223.7-226.5            3.00            1.36           32.60           14.79           17.80            8.07
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 78212]]

IV. Summary and Request for Comments

    Through this notice, DOE grants Whirlpool an interim waiver from 
the specified portions of the test procedure applicable to certain 
basic models of residential clothes washer with capacities larger than 
6.0 cubic feet and announces receipt of Whirlpool's petition for waiver 
from those same portions of the test procedure. DOE is publishing 
Whirlpool's petition for waiver pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(b)(1)(iv). 
The petition includes a suggested alternate test procedure to determine 
the energy consumption of Whirlpool's specified basic models of 
residential clothes washer with capacities larger than 6.0 cubic feet. 
Whirlpool is required to follow this alternate procedure, as corrected 
by DOE in Section III of this notice, as a condition of its interim 
waiver, and DOE is considering including the corrected alternate 
procedure in its subsequent Decision and Order.
    DOE solicits comments from interested parties on all aspects of the 
petition, including the suggested alternate test procedure and 
calculation methodology. Pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(d), any person 
submitting written comments to DOE must also send a copy of such 
comments to the petitioner. The contact information for the petitioner 
is Sean Southard, Senior Analyst, Regulatory Affairs, Whirlpool 
Corporation, 2000 N. M63--MD 1604, Benton Harbor, MI 49022. All comment 
submissions to DOE must include the Case Number CW-026 for this 
proceeding. Submit electronic comments in Microsoft Word, Portable 
Document Format (PDF), or text (American Standard Code for Information 
Interchange (ASCII)) file format and avoid the use of special 
characters or any form of encryption. Wherever possible, include the 
electronic signature of the author. DOE does not accept telefacsimiles 
(faxes).

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 9, 2015.
Kathleen Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy.

Whirlpool Corporation
ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER
2000 N. M63--MD 1604
BENTON HARBOR, MI 49022
269.923.7258

November 9, 2015

Via Email: [email protected]

Assistant Secretary for Conservation and Renewable Energy
U.S. Department of Energy
Building Technologies Program, Test Procedure Waiver
1000 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20585
[email protected]

Re: Petition for Waiver & Application for Interim Waiver Regarding 
Measurement of Energy Consumption of Residential Clothes Washers, Using 
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix J2

    Whirlpool Corporation (``Whirlpool'') is submitting this Petition 
for Waiver (``Waiver''), and Application for Interim Waiver (``Interim 
Waiver''), pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27, regarding the Department of 
Energy (``DOE'') Test Procedures for energy and water consumption of 
clothes washers.
    Whirlpool requests that DOE grant Whirlpool a Waiver and Interim 
Waiver from certain parts of the DOE 10 CFR 430, Subpart B, Appendix J2 
test procedure for determining residential clothes washer energy 
consumption, and that DOE allow Whirlpool to test its clothes washers 
pursuant to the modified Appendix J2 table submitted in this Petition. 
The J2 test procedure does not allow for the testing of clothes washer 
container volumes beyond 6.0 cubic feet, as indicated in Table 5.1 of 
the Appendix J2 test procedure, and described in the Final Guidance for 
``How are large-capacity clothes washers tested, rated, and 
certified?'' issued by DOE on May 29, 2012. Without a DOE grant of a 
Waiver and Interim Waiver, Whirlpool will not be able to introduce new, 
innovative large capacity clothes washers to consumers demanding them 
in the market.
    Whirlpool submits that the proposed modified Appendix J2 table is 
fully consistent with the approach used in previous (and currently 
expired) clothes washer waiver petitions that extrapolated existing 
container volumes and load sizes in a modified Table 5.1 in Appendix J1 
to allow for the testing of clothes washers with container volumes 
between 3.8 cubic feet and 6.0 cubic feet. These waivers were granted 
on several occasions to multiple companies before the May 2012 Final 
Guidance was issued by DOE to modify Table 5.1 in Appendix J1 to allow 
for the testing of clothes washers between 3.8 cubic feet and 6.0 cubic 
feet. Whirlpool now proposes to modify Table 5.1 in Appendix J2 to 
accommodate the testing of clothes washers with measured capacities 
between 6.0 cubic feet and 8.0 cubic feet. Whirlpool notes that this 
request is consistent with DOE's authority to grant a Waiver. Whirlpool 
further submits that it is within the DOE's authority to grant an 
Interim Waiver to avoid economic hardship and competitive disadvantage 
for Whirlpool.
1. Whirlpool Corporation
    Whirlpool Corporation is the number one major appliance 
manufacturer in the world, with approximately $20 billion in annual 
sales, 100,000 employees and 70 manufacturing and technology research 
centers throughout the world in 2014. The company markets Whirlpool, 
KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, Jenn-Air, 
Indesit and other major brand names in more than 170 countries. 
Whirlpool's worldwide headquarters are located at 2000 North M-63, 
Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA. Additional information about the company 
can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com, or find us on Twitter at 
@WhirlpoolCorp.
2. Basic Models Subject To The Waiver Request
    This Petition For Waiver and Application For Interim Waiver is for 
all basic models of residential clothes washers manufactured by 
Whirlpool Corporation that have a measured Appendix J2 container volume 
equal to or greater than 6.0 cubic feet and equal to or less than 8.0 
cubic feet.
    Specific Basic Models are:
Basic Model V15EAg50(3B)
Basic Model V15EBg50(3B)
Basic Model V15ECg50(3B)
3. Requested Waiver
    Whirlpool requests approval to test the energy and water 
consumption of the above residential clothes washers basic models using 
the modified table found in Exhibit A for the Appendix J2 clothes 
washer test procedure.
    Market conditions, including strong consumer demand for large 
capacity residential washers, have led Whirlpool to design clothes 
washers with volumes greater than 6.0 cubic feet. DOE has recognized 
this in the past when previous prevailing market conditions led 
manufacturers to design residential washers beyond 3.8 cubic feet, and 
DOE has granted multiple waivers to multiple manufacturers to 
accommodate their request to modify Table 5.1 to allow for the testing 
of these larger capacity washers between 3.8 cubic feet and 6.0 cubic 
feet.
    Whirlpool's proposed modified Table 5.1 is attached at Exhibit A. 
This modified table extrapolates load sizes for washers with container 
volumes between 6.0 cubic feet and 8.0 cubic feet, based on the linear 
equations used in the existing Table 5.1 for load sizes used with 
basket volumes up to 6.0 cubic feet. This is similar to the

[[Page 78213]]

approach that other manufacturers have used in previous waiver 
petitions to extrapolate load sizes for container volumes between 3.8 
cubic feet and 6.0 cubic feet, and modify Table 5.1 in Appendix J1.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ See Federal Register/Vol. 76, No. 246/79666-79669 and 
Federal Register/Vol. 75, No. 219/69653-69655
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Regulatory Framework
    DOE's regulations, found in 10 CFR part 430.27, provide that the 
Assistant Secretary will grant a Petition to a manufacturer upon 
``determin[ation] that the basic model for which the waiver was 
requested contains a design characteristic which either prevents 
testing of the basic model according to the prescribed test procedures, 
or the prescribed test procedures may evaluate the basic model in a 
manner so unrepresentative of its true energy consumption 
characteristics as to provide materially inaccurate comparative data.''
    Whirlpool believes that this Petition meets both conditions stated 
above for when DOE will grant a Petition. First, Table 5.1 of Appendix 
J2 defines test load sizes as linear functions of the container volume, 
but the Table only lists basket volumes up to 6.0 cubic feet. As a 
result, Whirlpool's new large capacity residential washer basic models 
listed above cannot be currently tested to the prescribed test 
procedure. Second, if Whirlpool were to test its large capacity 
residential washers listed above to the current load sizes listed under 
the container volume limit of 5.9-6.0 cubic foot, the results of that 
energy and water test would be unrepresentative of the true energy 
consumption characteristics of these new models by underestimating 
their energy use.
5. Other Manufacturers With Similar Design Characteristics
    To the best of our knowledge, Whirlpool is not aware of other 
manufacturers offering residential clothes washers with a measured 
container volume greater than or equal to 6.0 cubic feet.
6. Additional Justification For Interim Waiver Application
    Granting of an Interim Waiver is justified in this case because: 
(i) Whirlpool has provided strong evidence that demonstrates the 
likelihood of the granting of the Petition for Waiver; (ii) Whirlpool 
will suffer significant economic hardship and competitive disadvantage 
if this Interim Waiver Application is not granted; and (iii) an Interim 
Waiver is desirable for public policy reasons.
a. Strong Likelihood That Waiver Will Be Granted
    Whirlpool has provided strong evidence that the Waiver should be 
granted. A Petition for Waiver is appropriate because these large 
capacity washers with measured container volumes above 6.0 cubic feet 
contain a design characteristic (container volumes beyond those listed 
in Table 5.1 of Appendix J2) that prevents testing of these models 
according to the Appendix J2 test procedure. Also, using the existing 
largest container volume listed in Table 5.1 of Appendix J2 (5.9-6.0 
cubic feet), would provided a tested energy consumption characteristic 
that is unrepresentative of the true energy consumption of the models.
    Whirlpool has provided ample information in this Petition for 
Waiver and Application for Interim Waiver explaining its rationale for 
using the modified Table 5.1 found in Exhibit A. Whirlpool has 
demonstrated that such a modified Table is consistent with past waiver 
approaches that other manufacturers have taken to receive DOE waivers 
for container volumes between 3.8 cubic feet and 6.0 cubic feet before 
Table 5.1 in Appendix J1 was recently revised.
b. Economic Hardship & Competitive Disadvantage
    In the absence of an Interim Waiver, Whirlpool will lack certainty 
as to whether it can launch these large capacity washers into the 
market. As mentioned before, Whirlpool predicts strong consumer demand 
for these large capacity washers, and the inability to bring them to 
market through denial of an Interim Waiver will cause economic hardship 
and competitive disadvantage for Whirlpool.
    There are long lead times and significant expenses associated with 
the design and manufacture of residential clothes washers. Compliance 
with federally mandated energy and water consumption standards is a 
critical design factor for all of Whirlpool's washers. Any delay in 
obtaining clarity on this issue will require Whirlpool to postpone key 
decisions regarding its investments to build, launch, and market these 
washers, and/or require Whirlpool to implement costly contingency 
plans. In the event this Waiver request is not approved, Whirlpool 
would not be able to move forward with the launch of these models, 
which would be a multi-million dollar impact to the company, 
potentially result in the loss of American jobs at our Clyde, OH 
manufacturing facility, and put us at a competitive disadvantage to 
competitors that market washers larger than any models we currently 
offer.
    Further, any denial for the Interim Waiver would not only impact 
our large capacity washer models listed in this petition, it would also 
impact the matching dryers that would be sold with these washers. The 
washers and dryers are intended to be sold as a matching pair, with a 
dryer capacity in the dryer that is optimized to be used with one of 
our large capacity washers. If Whirlpool is not granted the Interim 
Waiver, we would be forced to do two things: (i) postpone the launch of 
these dryers until a waiver is granted for the matching large capacity 
washers, or (ii) sell large capacity dryers in the market without a 
matching washer. If we postpone the launch, this would be a significant 
business disruption, resulting in a multi-million dollar impact to the 
company and put American jobs at risk at our Marion, OH manufacturing 
facility. If we sell these dryers in the market without their matching 
washer, we would expect significantly lower sales of the dryer than we 
would otherwise expect with the matching washer on the market. Most 
dryers are sold with a matching washer, for various reasons, and many 
consumers would not want to purchase a non-matching washer and this 
dryer. There would also be unused capacity and potentially wasted 
energy in the dryer, since its capacity is optimized to be used with 
the large capacity matching washer.
c. An Interim Waiver is Desirable for Public Policy Reasons
    It would be desirable for public policy reasons to grant immediate 
relief by granting an Interim Waiver. It would immediately make 
available to the public the largest capacity residential clothes 
washers available on the market. For many consumers that purchase this 
washer, this would mean more clothing items that can be washed in a 
single load. For those consumers that maximize the clothes washer 
capacity, this equates to fewer loads per year, which is less water and 
energy use compared to the alternative of smaller and more frequent 
loads.
    Not granting the waiver would also potentially put U.S. jobs at our 
manufacturing facilities in Clyde, OH and Marion, OH at risk, if 
Whirlpool cannot launch these large capacity washers and dryers. 
Whirlpool employs 3,000 people at the washer manufacturing facility in 
Clyde, OH and

[[Page 78214]]

2,500 people at the dryer manufacturing facility in Marion, OH.
7. CERTIFICATION OF NOTICE TO OTHER MANUFACTURERS
    Whirlpool Corporation is providing concurrent notice of this 
Petition for Waiver & Application for Interim Waiver to the other known 
manufacturers of residential clothes washers made or sold in the U.S., 
and to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. The cover 
letters, including names and addresses of other known manufacturers and 
the industry association, is included in Exhibit B.
8. CONCLUSION
    Whirlpool respectfully submits that the DOE grant the above 
Petition for Waiver and Interim Waiver. By granting this Waiver, DOE 
will ensure that consumers will have access to new, innovative large 
capacity residential washers and Whirlpool will avoid economic hardship 
and competitive disadvantage.
    Thank you in advance for your consideration and prompt response.
    Sincerely,
    Sean Southard
    Senior Analyst, Regulatory Affairs
    Whirlpool Corporation

                                   Exhibit A: Modified Table 5.1--Test Load Sizes--10 CFR 430, Subpart B, Appendix J2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Container volume                               Minimum load                    Maximum load                    Average load
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          cu. ft.  [gteqt] <            liter  [gteqt] <        lb              kg              lb              kg              lb              kg
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-0.80...............................             0-22.7            3.00            1.36            3.00            1.36            3.00            1.36
0.80-0.90............................          22.7-25.5            3.00            1.36            3.50            1.59            3.25            1.47
0.90-1.00............................          25.5-28.3            3.00            1.36            3.90            1.77            3.45            1.56
1.00-1.10............................          28.3-31.1            3.00            1.36            4.30            1.95            3.65            1.66
1.10-1.20............................          31.1-34.0            3.00            1.36            4.70            2.13            3.85            1.75
1.20-1.30............................          34.0-36.8            3.00            1.36            5.10            2.31            4.05            1.84
1.30-1.40............................          36.8-39.6            3.00            1.36            5.50            2.49            4.25            1.93
1.40-1.50............................          39.6-42.5            3.00            1.36            5.90            2.68            4.45            2.02
1.50-1.60............................          42.5-45.3            3.00            1.36            6.40            2.90            4.70            2.13
1.60-1.70............................          45.3-48.1            3.00            1.36            6.80            3.08            4.90            2.22
1.70-1.80............................          48.1-51.0            3.00            1.36            7.20            3.27            5.10            2.31
1.80-1.90............................          51.0-53.8            3.00            1.36            7.60            3.45            5.30            2.40
1.90-2.00............................          53.8-56.6            3.00            1.36            8.00            3.63            5.50            2.49
2.00-2.10............................          56.6-59.5            3.00            1.36            8.40            3.81            5.70            2.59
2.10-2.20............................          59.5-62.3            3.00            1.36            8.80            3.99            5.90            2.68
2.20-2.30............................          62.3-65.1            3.00            1.36            9.20            4.17            6.10            2.77
2.30-2.40............................          65.1-68.0            3.00            1.36            9.60            4.35            6.30            2.86
2.40-2.50............................          68.0-70.8            3.00            1.36           10.00            4.54            6.50            2.95
2.50-2.60............................          70.8-73.6            3.00            1.36           10.50            4.76            6.75            3.06
2.60-2.70............................          73.6-76.5            3.00            1.36           10.90            4.94            6.95            3.15
2.70-2.80............................          76.5-79.3            3.00            1.36           11.30            5.13            7.15            3.24
2.80-2.90............................          79.3-82.1            3.00            1.36           11.70            5.31            7.35            3.33
2.90-3.00............................          82.1-85.0            3.00            1.36           12.10            5.49            7.55            3.42
3.00-3.10............................          85.0-87.8            3.00            1.36           12.50            5.67            7.75            3.52
3.10-3.20............................          87.8-90.6            3.00            1.36           12.90            5.85            7.95            3.61
3.20-3.30............................          90.6-93.4            3.00            1.36           13.30            6.03            8.15            3.70
3.30-3.40............................          93.4-96.3            3.00            1.36           13.70            6.21            8.35            3.79
3.40-3.50............................          96.3-99.1            3.00            1.36           14.10            6.40            8.55            3.88
3.50-3.60............................         99.1-101.9            3.00            1.36           14.60            6.62            8.80            3.99
3.60-3.70............................        101.9-104.8            3.00            1.36           15.00            6.80            9.00            4.08
3.70-3.80............................        104.8-107.6            3.00            1.36           15.40            6.99            9.20            4.17
3.80-3.90............................        107.6-110.4            3.00            1.36           15.80            7.16            9.40            4.26
3.90-4.00............................        110.4-113.3            3.00            1.36           16.20            7.34            9.60            4.35
4.00-4.10............................        113.3-116.1            3.00            1.36           16.60            7.53            9.80            4.45
4.10-4.20............................        116.1-118.9            3.00            1.36           17.00            7.72           10.00            4.54
4.20-4.30............................        118.9-121.8            3.00            1.36           17.40            7.90           10.20            4.63
4.30-4.40............................        121.8-124.6            3.00            1.36           17.80            8.09           10.40            4.72
4.40-4.50............................        124.6-127.4            3.00            1.36           18.20            8.27           10.60            4.82
4.50-4.60............................        127.4-130.3            3.00            1.36           18.70            8.46           10.85            4.91
4.60-4.70............................        130.3-133.1            3.00            1.36           19.10            8.65           11.05            5.00
4.70-4.80............................        133.1-135.9            3.00            1.36           19.50            8.83           11.25            5.10
4.80-4.90............................        135.9-138.8            3.00            1.36           19.90            9.02           11.45            5.19
4.90-5.00............................        138.8-141.6            3.00            1.36           20.30            9.20           11.65            5.28
5.00-5.10............................        141.6-144.4            3.00            1.36           20.70            9.39           11.85            5.38
5.10-5.20............................        144.4-147.2            3.00            1.36           21.10            9.58           12.05            5.47
5.20-5.30............................        147.2-150.1            3.00            1.36           21.50            9.76           12.25            5.56
5.30-5.40............................        150.1-152.9            3.00            1.36           21.90            9.95           12.45            5.65
5.40-5.50............................        152.9-155.7            3.00            1.36           22.30           10.13           12.65            5.75
5.50-5.60............................        155.7-158.6            3.00            1.36           22.80           10.32           12.90            5.84
5.60-5.70............................        158.6-161.4            3.00            1.36           23.20           10.51           13.10            5.93
5.70-5.80............................        161.4-164.2            3.00            1.36           23.60           10.69           13.30            6.03
5.80-5.90............................        164.2-167.1            3.00            1.36           24.00           10.88           13.50            6.12
5.90-6.00............................        167.1-169.9            3.00            1.36           24.40           11.06           13.70            6.21
6.00-6.10............................        169.9-172.7            3.00            1.36           24.80           11.25           13.90            6.30
6.10-6.20............................        172.7-175.6            3.00            1.36           25.20           11.43           14.10            6.40
6.20-6.30............................        175.6-178.4            3.00            1.36           25.60           11.61           14.30            6.49

[[Page 78215]]

 
6.30-6.40............................        178.4-181.2            3.00            1.36           26.00           11.79           14.50            6.58
6.40-6.50............................        181.2-184.1            3.00            1.36           26.40           11.97           14.70            6.67
6.50-6.60............................        184.1-186.9            3.00            1.36           26.90           12.20           15.10            6.85
6.60-6.70............................        186.9-189.7            3.00            1.36           27.30           12.38           15.30            6.94
6.70-6.80............................        189.7-192.6            3.00            1.36           27.70           12.56           15.50            7.03
6.80-6.90............................        192.6-195.4            3.00            1.36           28.10           12.75           15.70            7.12
6.90-7.00............................        195.4-198.2            3.00            1.36           28.50           12.93           15.90            7.21
7.00-7.10............................        198.2-201.0            3.00            1.36           28.90           13.11           16.10            7.30
7.10-7.20............................        201.0-203.9            3.00            1.36           29.30           13.29           16.30            7.39
7.20-7.30............................        203.9-206.7            3.00            1.36           29.70           13.47           16.50            7.48
7.30-7.40............................        206.7-209.5            3.00            1.36           30.10           13.65           16.70            7.57
7.40-7.50............................        209.5-212.4            3.00            1.36           30.50           13.83           16.90            7.67
7.50-7.60............................        212.4-215.2            3.00            1.36           31.00           14.06           17.30            7.85
7.60-7.70............................        215.2-218.0            3.00            1.36           31.40           14.24           17.50            7.94
7.70-7.80............................        218.0-220.9            3.00            1.36           31.80           14.42           17.70            8.03
7.80-7.90............................        220.9-223.7            3.00            1.36           32.20           14.61           17.90            8.12
7.90-8.00............................        223.7-226.5            3.00            1.36           32.60           14.79           18.10            8.21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exhibit B: Notice to Manufacturers
November 9, 2015

Alliance Laundry Systems, LLC
Attn: Andrew Huerth
PO Box 990
Shepard Street Ripon, WI 54971

Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Attn: Jennifer Cleary
1111 19th Street NW., Suite 402
Washington, DC 20036

Arcelik A.S.
Attn: Salih Zeki Bugay
125 W Tremont Ave #1134
Charlotte, NC 28203

Asko Appliances AB
Attn: Jonas Lidberg
Socerbruksgatan 3SE-531 40
Lidk[ouml]ping, Sweden

Avanti Products
10880 NW 30th Street
Miami, FL 33172

Bosch Home Appliances Corporation
Attn: Michelle Buranday
1901 Main St
Irvine, CA 92614

Danby Products, Inc.
PO Box 669
Findlay, OH 45839-0669

Electrolux Home Products
Attn: George Hawranko
10200 David Taylor Dr Rm TKY435
Charlotte, NC 28262

Fisher & Paykel Appliances Inc.
Attn: Laurence Mawhinney
695 Town Center Dr Ste 180
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

General Electric Company
Attn: Earl F. Jones
4000 Buechel Bank Road AP2-225
Louisville, KY 40225

Haier America
Attn: Michelangelo Troisi
1800 Valley Rd
Wayne, NJ 07470

LG Electronics USA, Inc.
Attn: John I. Taylor
2000 Millbrook Dr
Lincolnshire, IL 60069

Miele, Inc.
Attn: Steve Polinski
9 Independence Way
Princeton, NJ 08450

Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Attn: Doug Czerwonka
85 Challenger Rd
Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660

Versonel
180 Earland Drive
Building #8
New Holland, PA 17557

    Re: Petition for Waiver & Application for Interim Waiver Regarding 
Measurement of Energy Consumption of Residential Clothes Washers, Using 
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, Appendix J2
    Dear Madam or Sir:
    Whirlpool Corporation (``Whirlpool'') is submitting the enclosed 
Petition for Waiver and Application for Interim Waiver (pursuant to 10 
CFR 430.27) to the US Department of Energy (``DOE''), relating to the 
Test Procedures for energy and water consumption of clothes washers. 
This letter provides notice to other known manufacturers of similar 
products. The DOE Assistant Secretary for Conservation and Renewable 
Energy will receive and consider timely written comments on the 
Petition for Waiver and Application for Interim Waiver. Any 
manufacturer submitting written comments should provide a copy to 
Whirlpool Corporation at the address shown below.
    Whirlpool Corporation
    Attn: Sean Southard
    Senior Analyst, Regulatory Affairs
    2000 M-63 North, MD1604
    Benton Harbor, MI 49022
    Fax: 269/923-7258
    Email: [email protected]

[FR Doc. 2015-31623 Filed 12-15-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P