[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 205 (Tuesday, October 23, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53457-53460]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23097]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Case Number 2018-001; EERE-2018-BT-WAV-0001]


Energy Conservation Program: Decision and Order Granting a Waiver 
to HH Technologies From the Department of Energy Walk-in Cooler and 
Walk-in Freezer Doors Test Procedure

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

ACTION: Notice of decision and order.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') gives notice of a 
Decision and Order (Case Number 2018-001) that grants to HH 
Technologies a waiver from specified portions of the DOE test procedure 
for determining the energy consumption of specified walk-in cooler and 
walk-in freezer door (``walk-in door'') basic models. Under the 
Decision and Order, HH Technologies is required to test and rate the 
specified basic models of its walk-in doors in accordance with the 
alternate test procedure specified in the Decision and Order.

DATES: The Decision and Order is effective on October 23, 2018. The 
Decision and Order will terminate upon the compliance date of any 
future amendment to the test procedure for walk-in doors located at 10 
CFR part 431, subpart R, appendix A that addresses the issues presented 
in this waiver. At such time, HH Technologies must use the relevant 
test procedure for this equipment for any testing to demonstrate 
compliance with the applicable standards, and any other representations 
of energy use.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Lucy deButts, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building 
Technologies Office, EE-5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, 
DC, 20585-0121. Email: [email protected].
    Mr. Michael Kido, 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) 586-8145. Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (10 CFR 431.401(f)(2)), DOE gives notice of the 
issuance of its Decision and Order as set forth below. The Decision and 
Order grants HH Technologies with a waiver from the applicable test 
procedure in 10 CFR part 431, subpart R, appendix A for specified basic 
models of walk-in doors, provided that HH Technologies tests and rates 
such equipment using the alternate test procedure specified in the 
Decision and Order. HH Technologies' representations concerning the 
energy consumption of the specified basic models must be based on 
testing according to the provisions and restrictions in the alternate 
test procedure set forth in the Decision and Order, and the 
representations must fairly disclose the test results. Distributors, 
retailers, and private labelers are held to the same requirements when 
making representations regarding the energy consumption of this 
equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6314(d))
    Consistent with 10 CFR 431.401(j), not later than December 24, 
2018, any manufacturer currently distributing in commerce in the United 
States equipment employing a technology or characteristic that results 
in the same need for a waiver from the applicable test procedure must 
submit a petition for waiver. Manufacturers not currently distributing 
such equipment in commerce in the United States must petition for and 
be granted a waiver prior to the distribution in commerce of that 
equipment in the United States. Manufacturers may also submit a request 
for interim waiver pursuant to the requirements of 10 CFR 431.401.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on October 15, 2018.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy.

Case # 2018-001

Decision and Order

I. Background and Authority

    The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (``EPCA''),\1\ 
Public Law 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6291-6317, as codified), among other 
things, authorizes the U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') to 
regulate the energy efficiency of a number of consumer products and 
industrial equipment. Title III, Part C \2\ of EPCA established the 
Energy Conservation Program for Certain Industrial Equipment, which 
sets forth a variety of provisions designed to improve energy 
efficiency for certain types of industrial equipment. This equipment 
includes walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer doors (``walk-in 
doors''), the focus of this document. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(G))
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    \1\ All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute 
as amended through the EPS Improvement Act of 2017, Public Law 115-
115 (January 12, 2018).
    \2\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Part C was redesignated as Part A-1.
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    Under EPCA, DOE's energy conservation program consists 
essentially of four parts: (1)

[[Page 53458]]

Testing, (2) labeling, (3) Federal energy conservation standards, 
and (4) certification and enforcement procedures. Relevant 
provisions of EPCA include definitions (42 U.S.C. 6311), energy 
conservation standards (42 U.S.C. 6313), test procedures (42 U.S.C. 
6314), labeling provisions (42 U.S.C. 6315), and the authority to 
require information and reports from manufacturers (42 U.S.C. 6316).
    The Federal testing requirements consist of test procedures that 
manufacturers of covered equipment must use as the basis for: (1) 
Certifying to DOE that their equipment complies with the applicable 
energy conservation standards adopted pursuant to EPCA (42 U.S.C. 
6316(a); 42 U.S.C. 6295(s)), and (2) making representations about 
the efficiency of that equipment (42 U.S.C. 6314(d)). Similarly, DOE 
must use these test procedures to determine whether the equipment 
complies with relevant standards promulgated under EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 
6316(a); 42 U.S.C. 6295(s))
    Under 42 U.S.C. 6314, EPCA sets forth the criteria and 
procedures DOE is required to follow when prescribing or amending 
test procedures for covered equipment. EPCA requires that any test 
procedures prescribed or amended under this section must be 
reasonably designed to produce test results which reflect energy 
efficiency, energy use or estimated annual operating cost of covered 
equipment during a representative average use cycle and requires 
that test procedures not be unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 
6314(a)(2)) The test procedure for walk-in doors is contained in the 
Code of Federal Regulations (``CFR'') at 10 CFR part 431, subpart R, 
appendix A, Uniform Test Method for the Measurement of Energy 
Consumption of the Components of Envelopes of Walk-In Coolers and 
Walk-In Freezers (``Appendix A'').
    Under 10 CFR 431.401, any interested person may submit a 
petition for waiver from DOE's test procedure requirements. DOE will 
grant a waiver from the test procedure requirements if DOE 
determines either that the basic model for which the waiver was 
requested contains a design characteristic that prevents testing of 
the basic model according to the prescribed test procedures, or that 
the 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 
431.401(a)(1). DOE may grant the waiver subject to conditions, 
including adherence to alternate test procedures. 10 CFR 
431.401(f)(2).

II. HH Technologies' Petition for Waiver: Assertions and Determinations

    By letter dated December 21, 2017, HH Technologies submitted a 
petition for waiver and a petition for interim waiver from the test 
procedure applicable to walk-in doors set forth in 10 CFR part 431, 
subpart R, appendix A. Appendix A accounts for the power consumption 
of all electrical components associated with each door and discounts 
the power consumption of electrical components based on their 
operating time by an assigned percent time off (``PTO'') value. 10 
CFR part 431, subpart R, appendix A, section 4.5.2. Section 4.5.2 of 
appendix A specifies a PTO of 25% for ``other electricity-consuming 
devices'' (i.e., electrical devices other than lighting or anti-
sweat heaters) that have demand-based controls, and a PTO of 0% for 
other electricity-consuming devices without a demand-based control. 
Id. In its petition for waiver, HH Technologies suggested applying a 
PTO value of 96% to the door motors and controls in the basic models 
specified in its petition. The walk-in door basic models specified 
by HH Technologies are automated and designed with microprocessor 
controls that use motion sensor inputs to trigger a door motor, 
which are considered by the DOE test procedure to be ``other 
electricity-consuming devices with demand-based control.'' \3\ HH 
Technologies asserted that the current PTO value overestimates the 
time that the motors and controls in the specified automated doors 
are in operation in high traffic applications. HH Technologies 
further stated that as a result, the power consumption of the 
specified automated door motors and controls is overestimated.
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    \3\ The specific walk-in door basic models that are subject of 
the petition for waiver and application for interim waiver are 
included in HH Technologies' petition, which is available in the 
docket at http://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EERE-2018-BT-WAV-0001.
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    On June 18, 2018, DOE published a notice that announced its 
receipt of the petition for waiver and granted HH Technologies an 
interim waiver. 83 FR 28211 (``Notice of Petition for Waiver''). In 
the Notice of Petition for Waiver, DOE presented HH Technologies' 
claim that results from testing the specified basic models according 
to Appendix A provide an inaccurate representation of the power 
consumption of the specified automated door controls in high traffic 
applications. DOE also summarized HH Technologies' requested 
alternate test procedure, which would require testing the specified 
basic models according to Appendix A, except that the PTO value for 
the door motors and controls is modified from 25% to 96% for freight 
and passage doors.
    As explained in the Notice of Petition for Waiver, DOE evaluated 
the PTO value requested by HH Technologies using the largest door 
operating at the slowest speed for which HH Technologies requested a 
waiver. 83 FR 28211, 28213. In its evaluation, DOE applied a 
standardized number of door openings, 120 cycles per day, which DOE 
had proposed as a representative number of door openings per day for 
all walk-in freight doors as a part of a supplemental test procedure 
proposal related to infiltration in walk-in doors. Id. Based on its 
evaluation, DOE found the PTO value that HH Technologies requested 
to use for the specified basic models listed in its petition was 
appropriate and granted HH Technologies an interim waiver for the 
specified basic models.
    In the Notice of Petition for Waiver, DOE also solicited 
comments from interested parties on all aspects of the petition and 
the alternate test procedure. In response, DOE received one comment 
from Hussmann Corporation (``Hussmann'').\4\ Hussmann supported HH 
Technologies' concept for an alternate test procedure to account for 
an electrical door opening device used with a demand-based 
controller. It asserted that the general concept for obtaining an 
alternate PTO should consider items such as the number of door 
openings, number of employees working at a facility, and the number 
of shifts per 24-hour day, and that such consideration should not be 
limited to a specific application presented in a petition for 
waiver. Hussmann suggested that DOE consider criteria that would be 
consistent for all manufacturers of that type of product.
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    \4\ The Hussmann Corporation comment is available in the docket 
at: http://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EERE-2018-BT-WAV-0001.
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    DOE notes that a Decision and Order applies only to those basic 
models specified in the Order. The PTO values specified by the 
waiver methodology are appropriate for the basic models that are the 
subject of the petition. HH Technologies requested PTO values based 
on the characteristics of the walk-in door basic models specified in 
its petition. HH Technologies' petition for waiver did not require 
DOE to consider or evaluate PTO values for other applications. 
Accordingly, DOE is treating Hussmann's comment on considering 
criteria applicable to all relevant manufacturers to apply more 
generally than to the specific waiver request at issue. DOE will 
consider this issue in greater detail if it should decide to amend 
the walk-in door test procedure in the future.
    For the reasons explained here and the Notice of Petition for 
Waiver, DOE understands that absent a waiver, the basic models 
identified by HH Technologies in its petition cannot be tested and 
rated for energy consumption on a basis representative of their true 
energy consumption characteristics. DOE has reviewed the recommended 
procedure suggested by HH Technologies and concludes that it will 
allow for the accurate measurement of the energy use of the 
equipment, while alleviating the testing problems associated with HH 
Technologies' implementation of DOE's applicable walk-in door test 
procedure for the specified basic models. Thus, DOE is requiring 
that HH Technologies test and rate the specified walk-in door basic 
models according to the alternate test procedure specified in this 
Decision and Order, which is identical to the procedure provided in 
the interim waiver.
    This Decision and Order applies only to the basic models listed 
and does not extend to any other basic models. DOE evaluates and 
grants waivers for only those basic models specifically set out in 
the petition, not future models that may be manufactured by the 
petitioner.
    HH Technologies may request that the scope of this waiver be 
extended to include additional basic models that employ the same 
technology as those listed in this waiver. 10 CFR 431.401(g). HH 
Technologies may also submit another petition for waiver from the 
test procedure for additional basic models that employ a different 
technology and meet the criteria for test procedure waivers. 10 CFR 
431.401(a)(1).
    DOE notes that it may modify or rescind the waiver at any time 
upon DOE's

[[Page 53459]]

determination that the factual basis underlying the petition for 
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. 10 CFR 
431.401(k)(1). Likewise, HH Technologies may request that DOE 
rescind or modify the waiver if the company discovers an error in 
the information provided to DOE as part of its petition, determines 
that the waiver is no longer needed, or for other appropriate 
reasons. 10 CFR 431.401(k)(2). Further, the waiver is conditioned 
upon the validity of the door motor performance characteristics, 
statements, representations, and documentary materials provided by 
HH Technologies.

III. Order

    After careful consideration of all the material that was 
submitted by HH Technologies in this matter and the comment 
received, it is ORDERED that:
    (1) HH Technologies must, as of the date of publication of this 
Order in the Federal Register, test and rate the following walk-in 
door basic models with the alternate test procedure as set forth in 
paragraph (2):

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                    Brand name                           Basic model
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RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5036x075
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5036x090
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5042x072
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5042X084
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5048x060
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5048x072
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5048x084
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5048X090
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5054x084
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5054x096
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5057x102
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5060x084
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5060x090
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5060X096
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5060X108
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5066x084
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5066x108
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5071x090
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5072x084
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5072x090
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5072x096
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5072x102
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5072x105
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5072X108
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5072x114
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5072X120
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5072x126
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5072x138
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5073x092
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5078x094
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5078x102
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5078X108
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5084x084
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5084x096
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5084x102
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5084x108
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5084x114
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5084x120
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5084x126
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5090x096
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5090x114
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5090x120
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5096x090
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5096x096
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5096x102
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5096x114
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5096x126
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5102x096
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5102X108
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5102x114
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5102x120
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5102x126
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5108x102
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5108X108
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5118X084
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5118x090
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5118X096
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5118x118
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5120x090
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5120x102
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5120X108
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5120x114
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5120x120

[[Page 53460]]

 
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5120x126
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5120x138
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5120x144
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5123x102
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5138x114
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5144x144
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-500 D5096x120
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6048x084
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6048x090
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6060x096
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6060x120
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6072x084
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6072x090
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6072x096
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6072x102
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6072x108
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6078x126
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6078x138
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6084x102
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6084x108
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6090x126
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6096x090
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6096x096
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6096x102
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6096x108
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6096x114
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6096x120
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6096x126
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6108x108
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6120x120
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6144x108
RollSeal Automated Door System....................      RS-600 D6144x144
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    (2) The alternate test procedure for the HH Technologies basic 
models referenced in paragraph (1) of this Order is the test 
procedure for walk-in doors prescribed by DOE at 10 CFR part 431, 
subpart R, appendix A, except that the percent time off (``PTO'') 
value specified in section 4.5.2 ``Direct Energy Consumption of 
Electrical Components of Non-Display Doors'' shall be 96% for door 
motors. All other requirements of 10 CFR part 431, subpart R, 
appendix A and DOE's regulations remain applicable.
    (3) Representations. HH Technologies may not make 
representations about the energy use of the basic models identified 
in paragraph (1) of this Order for compliance, marketing, or other 
purposes unless the basic model has been tested in accordance with 
the provisions set forth above and such representations fairly 
disclose the results of such testing in accordance with 10 CFR part 
431, subpart R, appendix A and 10 CFR part 429, subpart B, as 
specified in this Order.
    (4) This waiver shall remain in effect according to the 
provisions of 10 CFR 431.401.
    (5) This waiver is issued on the condition that the statements, 
representations, and documents provided by HH Technologies are 
valid. If HH Technologies makes any modifications to the controls or 
configurations of these basic models, the waiver will no longer be 
valid and HH Technologies will either be required to use the current 
Federal test method or submit a new application for a test procedure 
waiver. DOE may revoke or modify this waiver at any time if it 
determines the factual basis underlying the petition for waiver is 
incorrect, or the results from the alternate test procedure are 
unrepresentative of the basic models' true energy consumption 
characteristics. 10 CFR 431.401(k)(1). Likewise, HH Technologies may 
request that DOE rescind or modify the waiver if HH Technologies 
discovers an error in the information provided to DOE as part of its 
petition, determines that the waiver is no longer needed, or for 
other appropriate reasons. 10 CFR 431.401(k)(2).
    (6) Granting of this waiver does not release HH Technologies 
from the certification requirements set forth at 10 CFR part 429.

Signed in Washington, DC, on October 15, 2018.

Kathleen B. Hogan, Ph.D.

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency 
and Renewable Energy

[FR Doc. 2018-23097 Filed 10-22-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P