[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 142 (Thursday, July 23, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44529-44533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-15984]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Case Number 2020-001; EERE-2020-BT-WAV-0005]


Energy Conservation Program: Notice of Petition for Waiver of 
Hoshizaki America, Inc. From the Department of Energy Automatic 
Commercial Ice Makers Test Procedure and Grant of Interim Waiver

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

ACTION: Notice of petition for waiver and grant of an interim waiver; 
request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt of and publishes a petition for 
waiver and interim waiver from Hoshizaki America, Inc. (``Hoshizaki''), 
which seeks a waiver for specified Automatic Commercial Ice Maker 
(``ACIM'') basic models from the U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') 
test procedure used for determining the energy use of ACIM. DOE also 
gives notice of an Interim Waiver Order that requires Hoshizaki to test 
and rate the specified ACIM basic models in accordance with the 
alternate test procedure set forth in the Interim Waiver Order. DOE 
solicits comments, data, and information concerning Hoshizaki's 
petition and its suggested alternate test procedure so as to inform 
DOE's final decision on Hoshizaki's waiver request.

DATES: The Interim Waiver Order is effective on July 23, 2020. Written 
comments and information will be accepted on or before August 24, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. 
Alternatively, interested persons may submit comments, identified by 
case number ``2020-001'', and Docket number ``EERE-2020-BT-WAV-0005,'' 
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. 
2020-001 in the subject line of the message.
     Postal Mail: Appliance and Equipment Standards Program, 
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable 
Energy, Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-5B, Petition for 
Waiver Case No. 2020-001, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20585-0121. If possible, please submit all items on a compact disc 
(``CD''), in which case it is not necessary to include printed copies.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Appliance and Equipment Standards 
Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, 950 
L'Enfant Plaza SW, 6th floor, Washington, DC, 20024. Telephone: (202) 
287-1445. If possible, please submit all items on a CD, in which case 
it is not necessary to include printed copies.
    No telefacsimilies (``faxes'') will be accepted. For detailed 
instructions on submitting comments and additional information on this 
process, see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document.
    Docket: The docket, which includes Federal Register notices, 
comments, and other supporting documents/materials, is available for 
review at http://www.regulations.gov. All documents in the docket are 
listed in the http://www.regulations.gov index. However, some documents 
listed in the index, such as those containing information that is 
exempt from public disclosure, may not be publicly available.
    The docket web page can be found at http://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EERE-2020-BT-WAV-0005. The docket web page contains 
instruction on how to access all documents, including public comments, 
in the docket. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for 
information on how to submit comments through http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Lucy deButts, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building 
Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20585-0121. Email: [email protected].
    Ms. Amelia Whiting, 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) 586-2588. Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE is publishing Hoshizaki's petition for 
waiver in its entirety, pursuant to 10 CFR 431.401(b)(1)(iv).\1\ DOE 
invites all interested parties to submit in writing by August 24, 2020, 
comments and information on all aspects of the petition, including the 
alternate test procedure. Pursuant to 10 CFR 431.401(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 Stephen Schaefer, [email protected], 618 Hwy. 74 South, 
Peachtree City, GA 30269.
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    \1\ The petition did not identify any of the information 
contained therein as confidential business information.
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    Submitting comments via http://www.regulations.gov. The http://www.regulations.gov web page will require you to provide your name and 
contact information. Your contact information will be viewable to DOE 
Building Technologies staff only. Your contact information will not be 
publicly viewable except for your first and last names, organization 
name (if any), and submitter representative name (if any). If your 
comment is not processed properly because of technical difficulties, 
DOE will use this information to contact you. If DOE cannot read your 
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, DOE may not be able to consider your comment.
    However, your contact information will be publicly viewable if you 
include it in the comment or in any documents attached to your comment. 
Any information that you do not want to be publicly viewable should not 
be included in your comment, nor in any document attached to your 
comment. If this instruction is followed, persons viewing comments will 
see only first and last names, organization names, correspondence 
containing comments, and any documents submitted with the comments.
    Do not submit to http://www.regulations.gov information for which 
disclosure is restricted by statute, such as trade secrets and 
commercial or financial information (hereinafter referred to as 
Confidential Business Information (``CBI'')). Comments submitted 
through http://www.regulations.gov cannot be claimed as CBI. Comments 
received through the website will waive any CBI claims for the 
information submitted. For information on submitting CBI, see the 
Confidential Business Information section.
    DOE processes submissions made through http://www.regulations.gov 
before posting. Normally, comments

[[Page 44530]]

will be posted within a few days of being submitted. However, if large 
volumes of comments are being processed simultaneously, your comment 
may not be viewable for up to several weeks. Please keep the comment 
tracking number that http://www.regulations.gov provides after you have 
successfully uploaded your comment.
    Submitting comments via email, hand delivery/courier, or postal 
mail. Comments and documents submitted via email, hand delivery/
courier, or postal mail also will be posted to http://www.regulations.gov. If you do not want your personal contact 
information to be publicly viewable, do not include it in your comment 
or any accompanying documents. Instead, provide your contact 
information on a cover letter. Include your first and last names, email 
address, telephone number, and optional mailing address. The cover 
letter will not be publicly viewable as long as it does not include any 
comments.
    Include contact information each time you submit comments, data, 
documents, and other information to DOE. If you submit via postal mail 
or hand delivery/courier, please provide all items on a CD, if 
feasible, in which case it is not necessary to submit printed copies. 
Faxes will not be accepted.
    Comments, data, and other information submitted to DOE 
electronically should be provided in PDF (preferred), Microsoft Word or 
Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file format. Provide documents that 
are not secured, written in English and free of any defects or viruses. 
Documents should not contain special characters or any form of 
encryption and, if possible, they should carry the electronic signature 
of the author.
    Campaign form letters. Please submit campaign form letters by the 
originating organization in batches of between 50 to 500 form letters 
per PDF or as one form letter with a list of supporters' names compiled 
into one or more PDFs. This reduces comment processing and posting 
time.
    Confidential Business Information. According to 10 CFR 1004.11, any 
person submitting information that he or she believes to be 
confidential and exempt by law from public disclosure should submit via 
email, postal mail, or hand delivery/courier two well-marked copies: 
One copy of the document marked confidential including all the 
information believed to be confidential, and one copy of the document 
marked ``non-confidential'' with the information believed to be 
confidential deleted. Submit these documents via email or on a CD, if 
feasible. DOE will make its own determination about the confidential 
status of the information and treat it according to its determination.
    It is DOE's policy that all comments may be included in the public 
docket, without change and as received, including any personal 
information provided in the comments (except information deemed to be 
exempt from public disclosure).

Signing Authority

    This document of the Department of Energy was signed on July 17, 
2020, by Alexander N. Fitzsimmons, Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, pursuant to 
delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document with 
the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For 
administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of 
the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal 
Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the 
document in electronic format for publication, as an official document 
of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way 
alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the 
Federal Register.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on July 20, 2020.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.

Case Number 2020-001

Interim Waiver Order

I. Background and Authority

    The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (``EPCA''),\2\ 
authorizes the U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') to regulate the 
energy efficiency of a number of consumer products and certain 
industrial equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6291-6317) Title III, Part C \3\ of 
EPCA established the Energy Conservation Program for Certain Industrial 
Equipment, which sets forth a variety of provisions designed to improve 
energy efficiency. This equipment includes ACIMs, the subject of this 
Interim Waiver Order. (42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(F))
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    \2\ All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute 
as amended through America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, 
Public Law 115-270 (Oct. 23, 2018).
    \3\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Part C was redesignated as Part A-1.
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    The energy conservation program under EPCA consists essentially of 
four parts: (1) 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 covered 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 the 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 ACIM is contained in the Code of Federal Regulations 
(``CFR'') at 10 CFR 431.134, Uniform Test Methods for the Measurement 
of Energy and Water Consumption of Automatic Commercial Ice Makers.
    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 one or 
more design characteristics 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. See 10 CFR 
431.401(f)(2). A petitioner must include in its petition any alternate 
test procedures known to the petitioner to evaluate the performance of 
the equipment type in a manner representative of the energy consumption 
characteristics of the basic

[[Page 44531]]

model. See 10 CFR 431.401(b)(1)(iii). DOE may grant the waiver subject 
to conditions, which may include adherence to alternate test procedures 
specified by DOE. 10 CFR 431.401(f)(2).
    As soon as practicable after the granting of any waiver, DOE will 
publish in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to 
amend its regulations so as to eliminate any need for the continuation 
of such waiver. See 10 CFR 431.401(l). As soon thereafter as 
practicable, DOE will publish in the Federal Register a final rule to 
that effect. Id.
    The waiver process also provides that DOE may grant an interim 
waiver from the test procedure requirements if it appears likely that 
the underlying 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 on the underlying 
petition for waiver. See 10 CFR 431.401(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. See 10 CFR 431.401(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. 
See 10 CFR 431.401(h)(2).

II. Hoshizaki's Petition for Waiver and Interim Waiver

    On January 28, 2020, Hoshizaki filed a petition for waiver and 
interim waiver from the test procedure for ACIM set forth at 10 CFR 
431.134. Hoshizaki additionally provided technical information to 
support its waiver petition in communications to DOE on February 13, 
2020, and March 19, 2020.\4\ Hoshizaki noted that the DOE ACIM test 
procedure requires that the ice bin of a unit under test be one-half 
full of ice prior to the test. Specifically, Hoshizaki cited the test 
condition in section 6.5 of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating 
and Air-Conditioning Engineers (``ASHRAE'') Standard 29-2009, Method of 
Testing Automatic Ice Makers (``ASHRAE Standard 29-2009''), which is 
incorporated by reference in the DOE ACIM test procedure. See 10 CFR 
431.133 and 431.134(b). Section 6.5 of ASHRAE Standard 29-2009 requires 
in relevant part that ``Bins shall be used when testing and shall be 
filled one-half full with ice.'' Additionally, the DOE ACIM test 
procedure requires, through reference to section 7.2.1 of ASHRAE 
Standard 29-2009, that ice produced during the collection period be 
``intercepted'' from the half-full bin for the purpose of determining 
the capacity of the unit under test.
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    \4\ See documents in the Docket No. EERE-2020-BT-WAV-0005 
available on http://www.regulations.gov.
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    Hoshizaki stated that in the basic models for which it is 
requesting a waiver,\5\ the ice bin is situated in a position that is 
between the production and dispensing areas of the units. Specifically, 
Hoshizaki stated that the basic models are continuous type ice makers 
that have a self-contained bin situated just above the evaporator 
compartment that produces the ice and that a unique design 
characteristic of these models is that the ice is pushed up through the 
evaporator directly into the bottom of a bin. Hoshizaki claimed that, 
because the ice bin is situated just above the evaporator and that ice 
is pushed up through the evaporator directly into the bottom of the 
bin, filling the ice bin one-half full of ice prior to the test makes 
it impossible to test ice harvest accurately. Hoshizaki stated that all 
other ice makers on the market fill ice bins using gravity or a 
transport hose to move ice from the evaporator into a bin area, which 
allows for placing a container in the ice bin prior to testing to 
segregate the ice harvested in the test from the ice added to the ice 
bin to satisfy the half-full requirement prior to testing. Hoshizaki 
claimed that, because ice is formed in the evaporator and pushed up to 
the bottom of the ice bin for the specified models, one cannot 
intercept the ice produced during the collection period. Additionally, 
Hoshizaki stated that accessing ice through the dispenser further 
interferes with separating ice produced during the collection period 
from any ice in the bin at the start of the test. Hoshizaki asserted 
that the inability to segregate ``fill-ice'' from ``produced ice'' 
within the bin could lead to inaccurate measurements because of fill-
ice placed in the bin prior to the collection period being captured in 
the test sample.
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    \5\ The specific basic models for which the petition applies are 
ACIM basic models DCM-270BAH and DCM-270BAH-OS. These basic model 
names were provided by Hoshizaki in its January 28, 2020 petition.
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    The DOE ACIM test procedure also incorporates by reference Air-
Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (``AHRI'') Standard 
810-2007 with Addendum 1, Performance Rating of Automatic Commercial 
Ice-Makers, (``AHRI 810-2007''). See 10 CFR 431.133 and 431.134(b). 
Section 4.1.4 of AHRI 810-2007 requires that the test unit be set up 
per the manufacturer's written instructions, and that no adjustments of 
any kind shall be made to the test unit prior to or during the test 
that would affect the ice capacity, energy usage, or water usage of the 
test sample. In its petition for waiver, Hoshizaki requested that the 
specified basic models be modified for testing by inserting a bracket 
to hold the dispenser shutter open during the test. In response to DOE 
questions on this request, Hoshizaki stated that ice is only accessible 
to the user through use of the dispenser, and that the dispenser 
assembly includes a safeguard that prevents dispensing for longer than 
20 seconds when activated by button or sensor. Hoshizaki stated that 
the requested bracket installation would hold the dispenser shutter 
open, allowing for dispensing of ice throughout the test. Hoshizaki 
also asserted that the installation of the bracket rather than typical 
dispenser operation does not bypass any typical dispensing motor 
operation within the unit.
    Hoshizaki also requests an interim waiver from the existing DOE 
test procedure. DOE will grant an interim waiver 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 
431.401(e)(2).
    Based on the assertions in the petition, absent an interim waiver, 
Hoshizaki asserts that the ACIM basic models it identified in its 
petition for a waiver cannot be tested and rated for energy consumption 
on a basis representative of their actual energy consumption 
characteristics. Hoshizaki claimed that it cannot accurately perform 
the ice harvest test with the bin half full for the specified models, 
as is required by the DOE test procedure (i.e., the ice cannot be 
intercepted in the collection container by ``catching'' the ice 
produced, as is typically done for gravity-fed ice bins), or without 
modifying the test unit to allow for continuous ice collection through 
the dispenser.

III. Requested Alternate Test Procedure

    EPCA requires that manufacturers use DOE test procedures when 
making representations about the energy consumption and energy 
consumption costs of covered equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6314(d)) Consistency 
is important when making representations about the energy efficiency of 
covered equipment,

[[Page 44532]]

including when demonstrating compliance with applicable DOE energy 
conservation standards. Pursuant to 10 CFR 431.401, and after 
consideration of public comments on the petition, DOE may establish in 
a subsequent Decision and Order an alternate test procedure for the 
basic models addressed by the interim waiver.
    Hoshizaki seeks to use an alternate test procedure to test and rate 
specific ACIM basic models. Hoshizaki specifically requests to test the 
specified basic models by: (1) Removing the front panel to the ice 
maker, (2) inserting a bracket to hold the shutter open during test 
(shutter must be completely open to allow for dispensing of ice during 
test), (3) replacing the front panel, and (4) starting the 
stabilization and capacity test with the bin empty.

IV. Interim Waiver Order

    DOE has reviewed Hoshizaki's application for an interim waiver, the 
alternate test procedure requested by Hoshizaki, specification and 
parts sheets for the specified basic models, and additional technical 
correspondence.
    Based on this review, DOE tentatively agrees with the claims 
outlined in Hoshizaki's petition as discussed in section II of this 
order, and the alternate test procedure suggested by Hoshizaki appears 
to allow for the accurate measurement of the energy use of the 
specified basic models, while alleviating the testing problems 
associated with Hoshizaki's implementation of DOE's test procedure for 
these basic models. Consequently, DOE has determined that Hoshizaki's 
petition for waiver likely will be granted. Furthermore, DOE has 
determined that it is desirable for public policy reasons to grant 
Hoshizaki immediate relief pending a determination of the petition for 
waiver.
    For the reasons stated, it is Ordered that:
    (1) Hoshizaki must test and rate the following Automatic Commercial 
Ice Maker (``ACIM'') basic models with the alternate test procedure set 
forth in paragraph (2).

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Brand                             Basic model
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Hoshizaki.................................  DCM-270BAH.
Hoshizaki.................................  DCM-270BAH-OS.
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    (2) The alternate test procedure for the Hoshizaki basic models 
identified in paragraph (1) of this Interim Waiver Order is the test 
procedure for ACIM prescribed by DOE at 10 CFR 431.134, except that the 
test unit setup and initial conditions are modified, as detailed below. 
All other requirements of the test procedure at 10 CFR 431.134 and 
DOE's regulations remain applicable.
    Prior to the start of the test, remove the front panel of the unit 
under test and insert a bracket to hold the shutter (which allows for 
the dispensing of ice during the test) completely open for the duration 
of the test. After inserting the bracket, return the front panel to its 
original position on the unit under test. Conduct the test procedure as 
specified in 10 CFR 431.134 except that the ice bin for the unit under 
test shall be empty at the start of the test and intercepted ice 
samples shall be obtained at the outlet of the ice dispenser.
    (3) Representations. Hoshizaki may not make representations about 
the energy use of a basic model listed in paragraph (1) for compliance, 
marketing, or other purposes unless the basic model has been tested in 
accordance with the provisions in this alternate test procedure and 
such representations fairly disclose the results of such testing 
according to the requirements in 10 CFR 429.45.
    (4) This Interim Waiver Order shall remain in effect according to 
the provisions of 10 CFR 431.401.
    (5) This Interim Waiver Order is issued to Hoshizaki on the 
condition that the statements, representations, specification sheets, 
and documents provided by Hoshizaki are valid. If Hoshizaki makes any 
modifications to the controls or configurations of a basic model 
subject to this Interim Waiver Order, such modifications will render 
the waiver invalid with respect to that basic model, and Hoshizaki will 
either be required to use the current Federal test method or submit a 
new application for a test procedure waiver. DOE may rescind or modify 
this waiver at any time if it determines the factual basis underlying 
the petition for the Interim Waiver Order is incorrect, or the results 
from the alternate test procedure are unrepresentative of the basic 
model's true energy consumption characteristics. 10 CFR 431.401(k)(1). 
Likewise, Hoshizaki may request that DOE rescind or modify the Interim 
Waiver Order if Hoshizaki discovers an error in the information 
provided to DOE as part of its petition, determines that the interim 
waiver is no longer needed, or for other appropriate reasons. 10 CFR 
431.401(k)(2).
    (6) Issuance of this Interim Waiver Order does not release 
Hoshizaki from the certification requirements set forth at 10 CFR part 
429.
    DOE makes decisions on waivers and interim waivers for only those 
basic models specifically set out in the petition, not future models 
that may be manufactured by the petitioner. Hoshizaki may submit a new 
or amended petition for waiver and request for grant of interim waiver, 
as appropriate, for additional basic models of ACIM. Alternatively, if 
appropriate, Hoshizaki 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 431.401(g).

Signed in Washington, DC, on July 17, 2020.

Alexander N. Fitzsimmons,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency Energy Efficiency 
and Renewable Energy.

HOSHIZAKI AMERICA, INC.

January 28, 2020

U.S. Department of Energy
Building Technologies Program, Test Procedure Waiver
1000 Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop EE-SB,
Washington, DC 20585-0121

Re: Notice of petition for waiver, petition of interim waiver, and 
request for public comment

    Pursuant to 10 CFR 431.401, Hoshizaki America, Inc. respectfully 
requests expedited attention to this Petition for both an interim 
waiver and final waiver to modify the DOE test procedure (10 CFR 431 
Subpart H) for Hoshizaki America, Inc. in relation to ice/water 
dispenser products DCM-270BAH and DCM-270BAH-OS and future iterations. 
The reason for this is to amend the test protocol to allow these 
products to be tested with an empty bin instead of a half full bin as 
directed by ASHRAE 29-2009 Method of Testing Automatic Ice Makers. This 
request would allow accurate measurement of the ice produced for the 
test in ASHRAE 29-2009 Method of Testing Automatic Ice Makers. 
Hoshizaki America, Inc. submits that this product is unique in its 
design and it cannot accurately perform the ice harvest test with the 
bin half full.
    10 CFR 431.401 provides that a manufacturer may submit a petition 
to waive a requirement of 10 CFR 431 subpart H upon grounds that the 
basic model contains one or more design characteristics which either 
prevent testing of the basic model according to the prescribed test 
procedures, or the prescribed test procedures may evaluate the basic 
model in a matter so unrepresentative of its true energy consumption 
characteristics as to provide materially inaccurate comparative data. 
Hoshizaki America requests that DOE grant this Petition on

[[Page 44533]]

both grounds for the reasons set forth below.

1. Petitioner

    Hoshizaki America, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hoshizaki Corporation. 
Hoshizaki America's corporate headquarters is located in Peachtree 
City, Georgia and was founded in 1986. Hoshizaki is the world leader in 
Commercial Ice Makers. Hoshizaki America designs and manufactures 
Commercial Ice Makers and Commercial Refrigerators/Freezers in both 
Peachtree City, Georgia and Griffin, Georgia. The Brand Name for 
Hoshizaki America is Hoshizaki. Additional information can be found at 
http://www.hoshizakiamerica.com.

2. Background

    The DCM-270BAH and DCM-270BAH-OS are continuous type ice makers 
that have a self-contained bin situated just above the evaporator 
compartment that produces the ice. These models are manufactured at 
Hoshizaki America's Peachtree City, Georgia facility, and are for 
dispensing ice and/or water into cups, pitchers, or other serving 
apparatuses on demand. A unique design characteristic of this machine 
is the ice is pushed up through the evaporator directly into the bottom 
of a bin. All other ice makers in the field fill ice bins using gravity 
to drop ice from the evaporator or a transport hose downward into a bin 
area. With ice dropping downward to the ice bin, one usually places a 
container in the ice bin prior to testing to segregate the ice 
harvested in the test from ice added to ice bin prior to testing as 
required by ASHRAE 29 Method of Testing Automatic Ice Makers. In the 
DCM-270BAH and DCM-270BAH-OS, ice is continuously pushed into the 
bottom of the ice bin until the quantity of ice in the ice bin reaches 
the bin control mechanism that triggers a stop function. This model was 
first released to the US market in 1994 as Hoshizaki model DCM-240BAB 
and has been updated through various model changes up to the most 
recent models DCM-270BAH and DCM-270BAH-OS.

3. Grounds for Waiver

    Hoshizaki America's intent is to accurately test the ice harvest, 
energy, and water consumption based on the ASHRAE 29 Method of Testing 
Automatic Ice Makers test. As stated above, the unique design of the 
DCM-270BAH and DCM-270BAH-OS makes it impossible to accurately test ice 
harvest if you test as the test standard stipulates with the bin filled 
one-half full with ice prior to test. To accurately collect the ice 
produced in the time allotted by the ASHRAE 29 test we respectfully 
request to start each collection cycle with the ice bin empty. Since 
ice is formed in the evaporator and pushed up to the bottom of the ice 
bin, one cannot accurately segregate ice placed in the bin prior to the 
test from ice made in the collection period. Full instructions are 
specified in the following section Requirements Sought to be Waived.

4. Requirements Sought To Be Waived

    The DOE test procedure refers to ASHRAE 29 Method of Testing 
Automatic Ice Makers for the testing of Automatic Commercial Ice 
Makers. The section for which we are requesting a waiver is as follows:
    6.5 Bins shall be used when testing and shall be filled one-half 
full with ice. Ice makers that convey ice through a conduit to a remote 
bin shall be tested with the minimum length of conduit that can be 
used.
    The issue with the test procedure with regards to this design is 
that filling the ice bin of the DCM-270BAH and DCM-270BAH-OS one-half 
full of ice prior to the test will cause a problem in being able to 
accurately record the ice produced during the test versus the total 
amount of ice placed in the bin prior to testing.
    Hoshizaki America, Inc. is requesting an interim waiver and final 
waiver from this stipulation and requests the following variation to 
overcome this issue:

1. Remove front panel to ice maker
2. Insert bracket to hold shutter open during test. Shutter must be 
completely open to allow for dispensing of ice during test
3. Replace front panel
4. Start stabilization and capacity test with the bin empty
    Hoshizaki America requests that DOE extend the scope of a waiver or 
an interim waiver to include future basic models employing the same 
technology as the basic models set forth in the original petition 
consistent with 10 CFR 431.401.

5. Identification of Basic Models

    This Petition for Waiver and Application for Interim Waiver is made 
with respect to the Basic Model of an ice/water dispenser that 
incorporates a self-contained ice bin above a continuous ice making 
system. The system incorporates a dispensing motor to dispense ice to 
users on demand.
    Specific Basic Models are:

Hoshizaki brand: DCM-270BAH and DCM-270BAH-OS

6. Economic Hardship

    Hoshizaki America respectfully acknowledges that the inability to 
accurately test the specific models will leave them unable to provide 
proper test data to certify the models and list with the U.S. 
Department of Energy Compliance Certification Management System (CCMS). 
The inability to do so would leave Hoshizaki America unable to sell the 
models in the United States and thus cause a significant economic loss. 
Further, Hoshizaki America will be at a competitive disadvantage if the 
waiver and interim waiver are not approved.

7. Manufacturer's of Similar Products and Affected Manufacturers

    To the best of our knowledge, Hoshizaki America is not aware of 
other manufacturers in the United States with this unique 
characteristic of having an ice bin directly above the ice making 
evaporator with ice pushed directly into the bottom of the ice bin.
    Other manufacturers that sell commercial ice/water dispensers in 
the United States include Follett, Manitowoc, and Scotsman.

8. Likelihood of Success

    By granting Hoshizaki America this Waiver and interim waiver, 
Hoshizaki America will be able to test the DCM-270BAH and DCM-270BAH-OS 
with great accuracy to ASHRAE 29 Method of Testing Automatic Ice 
Makers. Hoshizaki America sees no obstacles to accepting this petition.

9. Conclusion

    For the above reasons, Hoshizaki America, Inc. requests that the 
U.S. Department of Energy grant the above Petition for an interim and 
final waiver. Hoshizaki America, Inc. would be pleased to discuss this 
petition and provide any additional information that the Department may 
require.
    Thank you for your help in this matter.

Sincerely yours,

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Stephen Schaefer

[FR Doc. 2020-15984 Filed 7-22-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P