[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 57 (Friday, March 26, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16027-16036]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-05414]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 57 / Friday, March 26, 2021 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 16027]]



DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 431

[EERE-2020-BT-TP-0016]
RIN 1904-AF02


Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Walk-In Coolers 
and Walk-In Freezers

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

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This final rule amends the current test procedure for hot gas 
defrost unit coolers by making it consistent with a recent update to 
the industry testing standard that is incorporated by reference in the 
relevant Federal test procedure for walk-in freezer refrigeration 
systems. This final rule updates the equations used to calculate 
defrost energy and heat contributions applicable to these systems to 
provide a consistent performance evaluation between hot gas defrost and 
electric defrost unit coolers when tested alone.

DATES: The effective date of this rule April 26, 2021. The final rule 
changes will be mandatory for product testing starting September 22, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: The docket, which includes Federal Register notices, public 
meeting attendee lists and transcripts, 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.
    A link to the docket web page can be found at https://beta.regulations.gov/search/docket?filter=%20EERE-2020-BT-TP-0016. The 
docket web page contains instructions on how to access all documents, 
including public comments, in the docket. For further information on 
how to review the docket contact the Appliance and Equipment Standards 
Program staff at (202) 287-1445 or by email: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    Dr. Stephanie Johnson, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Office, EE-2J, 
1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: 
(202) 287-1943. Email: [email protected].
    Mr. Michael Kido, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General 
Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. 
Telephone: (202) 586-8145. Email: [email protected].

Table of Contents

I. Authority and Background
    A. Authority
    B. Background
II. Synopsis of the Final Rule
III. Discussion
    A. Scope of Applicability
    B. Calculation of Defrost Energy and Heat Contribution for Hot 
Gas Defrost Unit Coolers Tested Alone
    C. Effective and Compliance Dates
    D. Test Procedure Costs, Harmonization, and Other Topics
    1. Test Procedure Costs and Impact
    2. Harmonization With Industry Standards
IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
    A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
    B. Review Under Executive Orders 13771 and 13777
    C. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
    D. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
    E. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
    F. Review Under Executive Order 13132
    G. Review Under Executive Order 12988
    H. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
    I. Review Under the Treasury and General Government 
Appropriations Act, 1999
    J. Review Under Executive Order 12630
    K. Review Under Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act, 2001
    L. Review Under Executive Order 13211
    M. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration 
Act of 1974
    N. Congressional Notification
V. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

I. Authority and Background

    Walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers (``WICFs'' or ``walk-ins'') 
are included in the list of ``covered equipment'' for which the U.S. 
Department of Energy (``DOE'') is authorized to establish and amend 
energy conservation standards and test procedures. (42 U.S.C. 
6311(1)(G)) DOE has established test procedures and standards for the 
principal components that make up a walk-in: Panels, doors, and 
refrigeration systems. See title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
(``CFR'') part 431 subpart R. Relevant to this document, DOE has 
established standards for walk-in freezer refrigeration systems as a 
component of walk-in freezers at 10 CFR 431.306, and test procedures 
for walk-in freezer refrigeration systems at 10 CFR 431.304(b)(4) and 
appendix C to subpart R of part 431 (``Appendix C''). The following 
sections discuss DOE's authority to establish test procedures for walk-
ins and relevant background information regarding DOE's consideration 
of the procedures in Appendix C relevant to hot gas defrost unit 
coolers.

A. Authority

    The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (``EPCA''),\1\ 
authorizes 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 \2\ of EPCA, added by Public Law 95-619, title 
IV, Sec.  441(a), established the Energy Conservation Program for 
Certain Industrial Equipment, which sets forth a variety of provisions 
designed to improve energy efficiency. As amended by the Energy 
Independence and Security Act of 2007, Public Law 110-140 (Dec. 19, 
2007), this equipment includes walk-ins, the subject of this document. 
(42 U.S.C. 6311(1)(G))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 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).
    \2\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Part B was redesignated Part A-1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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), test 
procedures (42 U.S.C. 6314), labeling provisions (42 U.S.C. 6315), 
energy conservation standards (42 U.S.C. 6313), and the authority to

[[Page 16028]]

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 uses 
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))
    Federal energy efficiency requirements for covered equipment 
established under EPCA generally supersede State laws and regulations 
concerning energy conservation testing, labeling, and standards. (42 
U.S.C. 6316(a) and (b); 42 U.S.C. 6297) DOE may, however, grant waivers 
of Federal preemption for particular State laws or regulations, in 
accordance with the procedures and other provisions of EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 
6316(b)(2)(D))
    Under 42 U.S.C. 6314, EPCA sets forth the criteria and procedures 
DOE must follow when prescribing or amending the test procedures for 
covered equipment. EPCA requires that any test procedures prescribed or 
amended under this section shall be reasonably designed to produce test 
results that reflect the energy efficiency, energy use or estimated 
annual operating cost of a given type of covered equipment during a 
representative average use cycle (as determined by the Secretary) and 
shall not be unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(2))
    EPCA provides specific requirements for determining the R value for 
certain walk-in components. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(9)(A)(i)-(iv)) In 
addition, EPCA requires that DOE establish test procedures to measure 
walk-in energy use. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(9)(B)(i)) DOE satisfied this 
requirement when it first established test procedures for this 
equipment in 2011. See generally, 76 FR 21580 (April 15, 2011) (final 
rule establishing test procedures for walk-in equipment). See also 10 
CFR 431.304 and 10 CFR part 431, subpart R, appendices A through C.
    If DOE determines that a test procedure amendment is warranted, it 
must publish a proposed test procedure and offer the public an 
opportunity to present oral and written comments on it. (42 U.S.C. 
6314(b))
    EPCA also requires that, at least once every 7 years, DOE evaluate 
test procedures for each type of covered equipment, including walk-ins, 
to determine whether amended test procedures would more accurately or 
fully comply with the requirements for the test procedures to not be 
unduly burdensome to conduct and be reasonably designed to produce test 
results that reflect energy efficiency, energy use, and estimated 
operating costs during a representative average use cycle. (42 U.S.C. 
6314(a)(1)) In addition, if the Secretary determines that a test 
procedure amendment is warranted, the Secretary must publish proposed 
test procedures in the Federal Register, and afford interested persons 
an opportunity (of not less than 45 days' duration) to present oral and 
written data, views, and arguments on the proposed test procedures. (42 
U.S.C. 6314(b)) If DOE determines that test procedure revisions are not 
appropriate, DOE must publish its determination not to amend the test 
procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(1)(A)(ii))
    DOE is publishing this final rule in satisfaction of its 
obligations specified in EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a))

B. Background

    On May 13, 2014, DOE published a test procedure final rule (``May 
2014 final rule'') that accommodated testing of complete refrigeration 
systems and for the individual components of split systems to be tested 
separately. 79 FR 27388, 27398. A split-system refrigeration system 
consists of two separate components: A unit cooler,\3\ which is 
installed inside a walk-in enclosure, and a condensing unit,\4\ which 
is installed outside the enclosure, either inside a building in which 
the walk-in is constructed, or outdoors. The amendments finalized in 
the May 2014 final rule accommodate testing of the entire ``matched 
pair'' refrigeration system (i.e., a condensing unit and unit cooler 
together), the condensing unit alone, or the unit cooler alone. When 
testing an individual component alone, the energy use attributed to the 
other system component is represented by a default value or by using a 
default performance characteristic. Specifically, when testing a unit 
cooler alone, the condensing unit energy use is determined using the 
representative energy efficiency ratio (``EER'') specified for the 
appropriate adjusted dew point temperature in Table 17 of Air 
Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (``AHRI'') Standard 
1250-2009 (``AHRI 1250-2009''). Energy use of the unit cooler's 
components, i.e., its evaporator fan(s) and its electric defrost heater 
(for units that use electric defrost),\5\ is directly measured during 
the test. Conversely, when testing a condensing unit alone, the 
compressor and condenser fan energy are directly measured, while the 
energy use of the components of the unit cooler are represented by 
default values. The test procedure provides default values for the 
evaporator fans, and, for low-temperature refrigeration systems, the 
energy use and heat load associated with defrost.\6\ See Appendix C, 
Sections 3.4.2 through 3.4.5. The default defrost energy and heat 
values are based on representative energy use of electric defrost, by 
far the most common form of defrost. Electric defrost consists of 
electric resistance heaters built into the evaporator coil and the unit 
cooler drain pan that are energized occasionally during the day to warm 
the coil and melt the frost.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ A unit cooler is defined as an assembly, including means for 
forced air circulation and elements by which heat is transferred 
from air to refrigerant, thus cooling the air, without any element 
external to the cooler imposing air resistance. 10 CFR 431.302.
    \4\ A condensing unit, for the purposes of DOE walk-in 
refrigeration system testing, is an assembly that (1) includes 1 or 
more compressors, a condenser, and one refrigeration circuit; and 
(2) is designed to serve one refrigerated load. 10 CFR 431.302.
    \5\ Electric defrost consists of electric resistance heaters 
built into the evaporator coil and the unit cooler drain pan that 
are energized occasionally during the day to warm the coil and melt 
the frost.
    \6\ Defrost is required to remove frost from the evaporator 
coils of refrigeration systems, which collects during the 
refrigeration system on-cycle as water vapor in the air freezes onto 
the cold evaporator surfaces. Defrost capability is required for 
freezers, but is optional for coolers, since the surrounding walk-in 
interior temperature is above freezing temperature and thus can melt 
the frost between on-cycles in many walk-in cooler applications.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additionally, the May 2014 final rule established a method for 
determination of annual energy walk-in factor (``AWEF'') for 
refrigeration systems with ``hot gas'' defrost, using nominal values to 
represent the energy use and heat load of this method. 79 FR 27388, 
27401. Rather than using electric resistance coils embedded in the 
evaporator for defrosting, hot gas defrost uses refrigerant to transfer 
heat to the evaporator. That heat may be transferred from the ambient 
air outside the walk-in, but heat for defrosting can also be 
transferred from the compressor or a thermal storage component that 
stores heat generated during the compressor on-cycle. DOE notes that, 
unlike the default values for electric defrost, which are required for 
use only when testing condensing units, the hot gas defrost nominal 
values were to be used for any system using hot gas defrost (see Sec.  
431.303(c)(10)(xii) as finalized in the May 2014 final rule for unit 
coolers and complete refrigeration systems (e.g.,

[[Page 16029]]

matched pairs) and see Sec.  431.303(c)(12)(ii) as finalized in the May 
2014 final rule for condensing units). 79 FR 27388, 27413-27414.\7\ The 
application of the hot gas defrost nominal values was established for 
all system configurations because an appropriate test method to 
accurately measure hot gas defrost that would not be unduly burdensome 
to conduct had not been developed. 79 FR 27388, 27401. As such, energy 
use and heat load default values were established for both hot gas 
defrost unit coolers and condensing units tested alone that use hot gas 
defrost. (The default values for calculating hot gas defrost energy and 
heat load established in the May 2014 final rule were much lower than 
the default values established for calculating energy use and heat load 
for electric defrost; thus, use of these values represented a ``hot gas 
defrost credit.'')
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ These requirements were later removed in a test procedure 
final rule published on December 28, 2016. 81 FR 95758, 95774-95777.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE most recently amended the test procedures for the performance 
requirements for walk-in refrigeration system components (e.g., 
refrigeration systems such as unit coolers), in a final rule published 
on December 28, 2016. 81 FR 95758 (``December 2016 final rule''). That 
rule adopted a series of amendments to provisions affecting certain 
walk-in refrigeration systems, including removal of the performance 
credit for hot gas defrost systems. As established in the December 2016 
final rule, a hot gas defrost condensing unit is tested without 
measuring the impacts of the hot gas defrost feature, and that feature 
will not affect the measured efficiency either positively or 
negatively. See id. In that sense, the test procedure for condensing 
units with hot gas defrost is the same as the test procedure for units 
with electric defrost. Id. These amendments had their initial origins 
as part of rulemaking negotiations held under the Appliance Standards 
and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (``ASRAC''). See 80 FR 46521 
(August 5, 2015) (establishing a WICF Working Group under ASRAC). DOE 
assigned to hot gas defrost unit coolers the same default values for 
electric defrost heat and energy use calculations that the test 
procedure assigns to dedicated condensing units that are not matched 
with a unit cooler for testing (i.e., tested alone). 81 FR 95758, 
95776. The default electric defrost energy and heat values were 
validated by testing unit coolers with measured gross capacity up to 
18,000 Btu/h.\8\ The approach adopted in the December 2016 final rule 
remains the current test method for addressing hot gas defrost.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ See Docket EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, No. 0007 at p. 31.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Relatedly, DOE published a final rule on July 10, 2017, that 
adopted energy conservation standards for WICFs. 82 FR 31808 (``July 
2017 final rule''). The analysis supporting the development of these 
standards considered only electric defrost walk-in refrigeration 
systems. Compliance with the amended energy conservation standards 
established in the July 2017 final rule has been required beginning 
July 10, 2020. Id.
    In general, the current DOE test procedure requires testing of WICF 
refrigeration systems to be conducted pursuant to AHRI 1250-2009, with 
certain clarifications and modifications. Section 3.0 of Appendix C. 
Since the December 2016 final rule, AHRI has published a revised 
version of the 1250 standard, AHRI 1250-2020. AHRI 1250-2020 includes 
revised equations for calculation of the default electric defrost 
energy and heat load for condensing units tested alone, which are 
significantly less than the values in Appendix C. AHRI notified DOE on 
May 21, 2020 that some high-capacity hot gas defrost units might not 
comply with the energy conservation standards for which compliance has 
been required since July 10, 2020.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ Available at https://regulations.gov/comment/EERE-2020-BT-TP-0016-0007.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE published a notice of proposed rulemaking (``NOPR'') on 
September 28, 2020, in which DOE proposed to amend the WICF test 
procedure to revise the defrost energy and heat contribution values for 
hot gas defrost unit coolers. 85 FR 60724 (``September 2020 NOPR''). 
DOE held a public meeting via webinar related to this NOPR on October 
2, 2020. That proposal serves as the basis for this final rule.

II. Synopsis of the Final Rule

    This final rule amends section 3.5 of Appendix C of the current 
test procedure, which assigns defrost energy and heat contribution 
values for hot gas defrost unit coolers tested alone, by incorporating 
equations consistent with Section C10.2.2 of Appendix C of AHRI 1250-
2020 (including equations C46 through C49, which address electric 
defrost energy use for dedicated condensing units tested alone).\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ DOE modified equation C49 by removing the divisor of 1.0 to 
simplify the equation. This change does not affect the result.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Table II.1 summarizes the adopted amendments, compares the 
amendments to the current test procedure, and states the reason for the 
adopted change.

      Table II.1--Summary of Changes in the Amended Test Procedure
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Current DOE test procedure    Amended test procedure     Attribution
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defrost energy and heat         Revise defrost energy   Industry Test
 contribution for hot gas        and heat contribution   Procedure
 defrost unit coolers are        values for hot gas      update.
 determined based on the         defrost unit coolers
 calculation for electric        to be consistent with
 defrost for dedicated           the electric defrost
 condensing units that are not   energy use and heat
 matched for testing.            contributions from
                                 section C10.2.2 in
                                 Appendix C of AHRI
                                 1250-2020.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE has determined that the narrow amendments described in section 
III and adopted in this final rule would better evaluate the measured 
efficiency of the walk-in refrigeration system equipment using hot gas 
defrost compared to the current procedure, and that this narrow 
amendment will not cause the test procedure to be unduly burdensome to 
conduct. Discussion of DOE's actions are addressed in detail in section 
III of this document.
    The effective date for the amended test procedures adopted in this 
final rule is 30 days after publication of this document in the Federal 
Register. Representations of energy use or energy efficiency must be 
based on testing in accordance with the amended test procedures 
beginning 180 days after the publication of this final rule. (See 42 
U.S.C. 6314(d))

III. Discussion

    The following sections describe the scope of equipment for which 
this final rule applies, the calculations that support this final rule, 
and effective compliance dates. DOE received comments in response to 
the September

[[Page 16030]]

2020 NOPR from the interested parties listed in Table III.1.

            Table III.1--September 2020 NOPR Written Comments
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Reference in this
          Commenter(s)                final rule        Commenter type
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air-Conditioning, Heating &       AHRI..............  Trade Association.
 Refrigeration Institute.
California Investor-Owned         CA IOUs...........  Utility.
 Utilities.
Northwest Energy Efficiency       NEEA..............  Efficiency
 Alliance.                                             Organization.
People's Republic of China......  PRC...............  Country Official/
                                                       Agency.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A parenthetical reference at the end of a comment quotation or 
paraphrase provides the location of the item in the public record.\11\ 
The comments received and DOE's decisions regarding finalization of the 
test procedure amendments are discussed in the sections that follow.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ The parenthetical reference provides a reference for 
information located in the docket of DOE's rulemaking to amend the 
WICF test procedure. (Docket No. EERE-2020-BT-TP-0016, which is 
maintained at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2020-
BT-TP-0016). The references are arranged as follows: (Commenter 
name, comment docket ID number, page of that document).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

A. Scope of Applicability

    In this final rule, DOE is amending the test procedure for hot gas 
defrost unit coolers only.
    DOE defines a ``walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer'' as an enclosed 
storage space refrigerated to temperatures, respectively, above, and at 
or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit that can be walked into, and has a total 
chilled storage area of less than 3,000 square feet (excluding products 
designed and marketed exclusively for medical, scientific, or research 
purposes). 10 CFR 431.302.
    DOE defines a ``unit cooler'' as an assembly, including means for 
forced air circulation and elements by which heat is transferred from 
air to refrigerant, thus cooling the air, without any element external 
to the cooler imposing air resistance. A unit cooler is a 
``refrigeration system,'' which DOE defines as the mechanism (including 
all controls and other components integral to the system's operation) 
used to create the refrigerated environment in the interior of a walk-
in cooler or walk-in freezer, consisting of: (1) A dedicated condensing 
refrigeration system (as defined in 10 CFR 431.302); or (2) a unit 
cooler.
    DOE has determined that its current test procedure provides results 
that are not essentially the same for hot gas defrost unit coolers and 
electric defrost unit coolers, as intended in the December 2016 final 
rule. As a result, not only might the values from using the procedure's 
calculations be unrepresentative, but it may not be possible for 
certain hot gas defrost unit coolers to comply with the applicable 
energy conservation standards using the current test procedure's 
default calculations.

B. Calculation of Defrost Energy and Heat Contribution for Hot Gas 
Defrost Unit Coolers Tested Alone

    As discussed in the September 2020 NOPR, certain manufacturers and 
AHRI informed DOE that the test method for hot gas defrost unit coolers 
does not provide results that are comparable to the results for 
electric defrost unit coolers. 85 FR 60724, 60728. As such, hot gas 
defrost unit coolers above a certain capacity may, when tested under 
the current procedure, produce unrepresentative values and have 
difficulty demonstrating compliance with the relevant standards. As 
discussed, the DOE test procedure determines the AWEF of hot gas 
defrost unit coolers by using the default electric defrost energy use 
and heat load values from the test procedure for condensing units 
tested alone. Appendix C Sections 3.5.2, 3.4.2.4, and 3.4.2.5.
    Using the defrost energy and heat load values in the test method 
prescribed in Appendix C of the current test procedure, Table III.2 
compares hypothetical, best-case AWEF values assuming the unit cooler 
fans draw zero power (an impossible situation) and AWEF values using 
representative unit cooler fan wattages at different gross capacity 
levels.\12\ These are the same values used to represent electric 
defrost energy and heat values for determining the AWEF for condensing 
units tested alone. The zero-fan-watt AWEF levels are higher than would 
be achieved by max-tech unit coolers, since the calculations were done 
assuming that the unit cooler fans consume zero energy for illustrative 
purposes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ Gross capacity is the cooling delivered by the refrigerant 
passing through the unit cooler evaporator. Net capacity or cooling 
effect is less than this value by an amount equal to the heat of the 
fans (i.e., fan input power in Watts converted to heat in Btu/h by 
multiplying by 3.412) used to circulate air through the unit cooler.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Hypothetical AWEF values were calculated as follows. Energy 
contributions included in the AWEF calculation for this case include 
compressor energy and defrost energy. The compressor energy is 
calculated as the unit cooler gross capacity, divided by a compressor 
system EER value prescribed in Table 17 of AHRI 1250-2009 for low-
temperature unit coolers (i.e., EER = 6.7), multiplied by a load factor 
representing percentage compressor run time. The load factor is equal 
to the walk-in enclosure thermal load plus the average per-hour defrost 
heat contribution divided by the unit cooler's net capacity. In this 
calculation, higher defrost energy and heat load values both reduce 
AWEF, with a higher AWEF value indicating more efficient performance. 
For unit coolers above a certain capacity--even for the hypothetical, 
impossible zero-fan-watt scenario--using the current default defrost 
energy and heat load values results in a lower AWEF than the current 
low-temperature unit cooler minimum standard.

[[Page 16031]]



                                  Table III.2--Hot Gas Defrost Unit Cooler AWEF
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       AWEF
                                                                                    calculated
                                                                       AWEF          using fan
                                                                    calculated         power       Minimum AWEF
                     Gross capacity (Btu/h)                        assuming zero   correlations   standard (Btu/
                                                                  fan power (Btu/ from AHRI 1250-     W-h) **
                                                                       W-h)       2020 (Btu/W-h)
                                                                                         *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10,000..........................................................            5.08            4.30            4.07
17,500..........................................................            4.65            4.15            4.15
50,000..........................................................            4.49            3.83            4.15
100,000.........................................................            4.21            3.51            4.15
114,300.........................................................            4.15            3.45            4.15
150,000.........................................................            4.03            3.35            4.15
200,000.........................................................            3.91            3.23            4.15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Equation 173 in section 7.9.3.3. These correlations are representative for low temperature unit cooler
  evaporator fan power and are used in the test method prescribed in AHRI 1250-2020 for low temperature
  condensing units tested alone.
** Unit Cooler--Low, 10 CFR 431.306(e).

    In April 2020, AHRI published an updated version of its AHRI 1250 
test standard that revised the values for electric defrost energy use 
and heat contribution to apply when testing condensing units that are 
tested alone (see section C10.2.2 in Appendix C of AHRI 1250-2020). 
That update was partly based on testing using a sample of unit coolers 
equipped with electric defrost. Although the updated values specified 
in AHRI 1250-2020 are expressed as average per-hour contributions 
rather than daily contributions, they can be converted to daily 
contributions (by multiplying by 24) for comparison with the current 
DOE test procedure values. The daily values determined using AHRI 1250-
2020 are significantly lower than those in the current DOE test 
procedure, as indicated in Table III.3.

  Table III.3--Comparison of Unit Cooler Default Electric Defrost Energy and Heat Load Between Current DOE Test
                                          Procedure and This Final Rule
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Daily defrost
                                                   Daily defrost   Daily defrost  heat load, QDF   Daily defrost
                                                  energy use, DF  energy use, DF   (Btu) current  heat load, QDF
             Gross capacity (Btu/h)                (Wh) current      (Wh) 2020       DOE test       (Btu) 2020
                                                     DOE test       Final Rule      procedure *     Final Rule
                                                    procedure *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10,000..........................................           4,088           2,400          13,300           7,800
50,000..........................................          31,600          10,400         102,300          33,600
100,000.........................................          76,100          18,000         247,000          58,500
150,000.........................................         128,000          27,000         413,000          87,600
200,000.........................................         184,000          36,000         595,000         117,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* See Appendix C, Sections 3.4.2.4 and 3.4.2.5. Applicable for hot gas defrost unit coolers as required in
  Appendix C, Section 3.5.2.

    As explained in the September 2020 NOPR, the AHRI 1250-2020 update 
also includes correlations for the energy use and heat load associated 
with hot gas defrost. These values were based on the testing of units 
with hot gas defrost. However, as also explained in the NOPR, DOE 
proposed to use the correlations developed for electric defrost rather 
than hot gas defrost, to achieve consistency between the ratings for 
hot gas and electric defrost unit coolers--which was the intent of the 
December 2016 Final Rule. Id.
    DOE proposed to revise the test procedure for hot gas defrost unit 
coolers by revising the equations used to calculate energy and heat 
contributions for defrost consistent with those specified in Appendix 
C, Section C10.2.2 of AHRI 1250-2020.
    Comments from AHRI supported DOE's approach to revise its test 
procedure for hot gas defrost unit coolers (AHRI, No. 6, p. 2). The CA 
IOUs supported the proposal as a short-term resolution to the issue 
with hot gas defrost unit coolers, since the current test procedure 
likely overestimates defrost load, particularly for higher capacity hot 
gas defrost unit coolers (CA IOUs, No. 4, p. 2).
    In its comments, the PRC noted that defrosting using waste heat is 
more efficient than electric defrost and therefore DOE should not 
exclude hot gas defrost systems from the scope of the test (PRC, No. 3, 
p. 3) DOE understands the term ``waste heat,'' in this case, to mean 
hot gas defrost. DOE wishes to emphasize that it is maintaining the 
provisions to address hot gas defrost and that hot gas defrost unit 
coolers continue to be within the scope of Appendix C and required to 
comply with the relevant standards in 10 CFR 431.306.
    NEEA recommended that DOE update the calculations for electric 
defrost unit coolers to be consistent with AHRI 1250-2020 to maintain 
consistency between hot gas defrost and electric defrost unit coolers 
(NEEA, No. 5, p. 5). DOE notes that defrost energy use for unit coolers 
with electric defrost is determined through testing using section 3.3.4 
of Appendix C, which references section C11 of AHRI 1250-2009. As 
specified in section C11 of AHRI 1250-2009, the electric defrost unit 
cooler is operated at dry coil conditions until stable, at which point 
a defrost is initiated and the energy input and duration is measured. 
Defrost capabilities are built into electric defrost

[[Page 16032]]

unit coolers, e.g., a coil heater is integrated into the evaporator 
coil and a pan heater is provided for the pan. The power source to 
activate these heaters for a laboratory test is the same power source 
used to operate the unit cooler fans to measure capacity. Hot gas 
defrost unit coolers cannot be tested in this way because the heat 
source necessary to achieve defrost is not incorporated into the 
equipment. Therefore, while default values are needed for hot gas 
defrost unit coolers, they are not needed for electric defrost unit 
coolers, as the energy use associated with the electric defrost is 
measured in the test method.
    DOE received several comments urging it to conduct a more 
comprehensive rulemaking that fully addresses recommendations from the 
2016 Working Group. As noted earlier, the CA IOUs supported the 
proposed amendments as a short-term measure; however, they encouraged 
DOE to address more fully the recommendations from the 2015 Working 
Group in a future rulemaking (CA IOUs, No. 4, p. 2). NEEA also urged 
DOE to expand the scope of the current walk-in test procedure revisions 
to address more fully the recommendations from the ASRAC working group, 
specifically recommendation 6 (NEEA, No. 5, p. 5). Additionally, the 
PRC suggested that DOE include modifications to the test to improve its 
ability to evaluate systems that utilize hot gas defrost (PRC, No. 3, 
p. 3).
    DOE notes that Working Group Recommendation No. 6 includes 
incorporating off-cycle power consumption, rating variable-capacity 
condensing units, and developing a method for measuring hot gas defrost 
and adaptive defrost energy consumption. See Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-
STD-0016, No. 56 at p. 3 (ASRAC Term Sheet, Recommendation No. 6--
Future Test Procedure Recommendations. See also 81 FR 95758, 95761 
(discussing ASRAC recommendations). As recognized by NEEA, additional 
changes to the DOE test procedure in response to Working Group 
Recommendation No. 6 would necessitate an evaluation of whether any 
such changes would impact compliance with the energy consumption 
standards for walk-ins (NEEA, No. 5, p. 3). DOE will continue to 
evaluate the Working Group recommendations and address additional 
changes as may be needed in a separate rulemaking.
    NEEA encouraged DOE to conduct further analysis into AHRI 1250-2020 
to understand if it appropriately addresses the Working Group 
recommendations. (NEEA, No. 5, p. 3) The CA IOUs commented that the 
equations in the DOE test procedure should align with the equations in 
AHRI 1250-2020, especially where a separate equation for electric 
defrost and hot gas defrost is used. (CA IOUs, No. 4, p. 3) DOE agrees 
that a full analysis of AHRI 1250-2020 is necessary to both evaluate 
its consistency with the 2015 Working Group recommendations, and to 
better understand how updated test requirements may impact the energy 
conservations standards. However, DOE wishes to emphasize that the 
purpose of this rule is to revise the test procedure for hot gas 
defrost unit coolers only and addressing these other issues would be 
part of a future rulemaking.
    Finally, NEEA suggests that DOE consider incorporating a cyclic 
test procedure for walk-in refrigeration systems (NEEA, No. 5, p. 3). 
According to NEEA, a test procedure with multiple refrigeration cycles 
and varying load conditions would more accurately represent the period 
of use for walk-in refrigeration systems. (NEEA, No. 5, p. 3). DOE 
appreciates the comment and will consider it in a future test procedure 
rulemaking, should one be initiated.
    As stated in the September 2020 NOPR, DOE limited the scope of the 
proposal to expediently address how to test a hot gas defrost unit 
cooler and to resolve potential compliance issues under the energy 
conservation standards that currently apply. 85 FR 60724, 60724.
    DOE has determined that the equations in AHRI 1250-2020 section 
C10.2.2 provide better representations of electric defrost energy use 
and heat load than those in the current DOE test procedure (Appendix C, 
sections 3.4.2.4 and 3.4.2.5) and hence will provide better equivalence 
of a hot gas defrost unit cooler's performance rating with that of an 
otherwise similar electric defrost unit cooler, regardless of gross 
capacity. The default electric defrost energy and heat values in the 
current DOE test procedure were validated by testing unit coolers with 
measured gross capacity up to 18,000 Btu/h, representing a more limited 
range of capacity than the sample tested by AHRI.\13\ The default 
electric defrost energy and heat values provided in AHRI 1250-2020 are 
based on measuring the performance of a range of unit coolers, some 
with capacities greater than 18,000 Btu/h. Because of the greater 
capacity range tested in support of AHRI 1250-2020 development, DOE has 
determined that these values provide both the best available 
representation of electric defrost energy consumption associated with 
unit cooler defrost and better performance equivalence between hot gas 
defrost and electric defrost unit coolers than Appendix C. Hence, DOE 
is revising its test procedure for hot gas defrost low-temperature unit 
coolers to use the AHRI 1250-2020 equations to provide more equivalent 
test results between electric and hot gas defrost unit coolers.\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ See Docket EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016, No. 0007 at p. 31.
    \14\ DOE has not identified an analogous issue with the use of 
hot gas defrost default values when testing condensing units tested 
alone that use hot gas defrost. The condensing unit test procedure 
requires the same defrost default values that were used to develop 
the current energy conservation standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on the discussion presented in this final rule and in the 
September 2020 NOPR, DOE is modifying its test procedure for hot gas 
defrost unit coolers to use the defrost energy and heat equations from 
AHRI 1250-2020 when calculating AWEF.

C. Effective and Compliance Dates

    The effective date for the adopted test procedure amendment will be 
30 days after publication of this final rule in the Federal Register. 
EPCA prescribes that all representations of energy efficiency and 
energy use, including those made on marketing materials and product 
labels, must be made in accordance with an amended test procedure, 
beginning 180 days after publication of the final rule in the Federal 
Register. (42 U.S.C. 6314(d)(1)) Manufacturers do, however, have the 
option to use the amended test procedure prior to that time.
    EPCA provides that individual manufacturers may petition DOE for an 
extension of the 180-day period if the manufacturer will experience 
undue hardship in meeting the deadline. (42 U.S.C. 6314(d)(2)) To 
receive consideration, petitions must be filed with DOE no later than 
60 days before the end of the 180-day period and must detail how the 
manufacturer will experience undue hardship. (Id.)

D. Test Procedure Costs, Harmonization, and Other Topics

1. Test Procedure Costs and Impact
    EPCA requires that test procedures adopted by DOE not be unduly 
burdensome to conduct. In this document, DOE amends the existing test 
procedure for walk-in hot gas defrost unit coolers tested alone by 
revising the calculations used to determine daily defrost energy and 
heat contribution. DOE has determined that the amendment will not add 
any burden to

[[Page 16033]]

manufacturers to conduct the test procedure for this equipment since 
the amendment requires only a mathematical change to the measured 
results and does not require any additional testing or re-testing on 
the part of manufacturers.
2. Harmonization With Industry Standards
    DOE's established practice is to adopt relevant industry standards 
as DOE test procedures unless such methodology would be unduly 
burdensome to conduct or would not produce test results that reflect 
the energy efficiency, energy use, water use (as specified in EPCA) or 
estimated operating costs of that product during a representative 
average use cycle. See 10 CFR 431.4; 10 CFR part 430, subpart C, 
appendix A, section 8(c). In cases where the industry standard does not 
meet the relevant statutory criteria, DOE will make needed 
modifications to these standards through rulemaking to ensure that the 
test procedure being adopted satisfies these criteria. Id.
    DOE is adopting the method for determining the energy use 
attributable to hot gas defrost in unit coolers as detailed in AHRI 
1250-2020, which is the updated version of the industry test procedure 
generally incorporated by reference in Appendix C. To address the 
determination of AWEF for hot gas defrost unit coolers as discussed in 
this final rule, DOE is updating the Federal test procedure consistent 
with AHRI 1250-2020 only in this context. As stated in the September 
2020 NOPR, DOE may undertake a separate evaluation of whether 
amendments to the WICF test procedure are necessary more generally, and 
would as part of that evaluation, consider whether the existing 
reference to AHRI 1250-2009 at 10 CFR 431.303 should be updated to the 
2020 version.

IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review

A. Review Under Executive Order 12866

    The Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') has determined that 
this test procedure rulemaking does not constitute ``significant 
regulatory actions'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order (``E.O.'') 
12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, 58 FR 51735 (Oct. 4, 1993). 
Accordingly, this action was not subject to review under the Executive 
Order by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (``OIRA'') in 
OMB.

B. Review Under Executive Orders 13771 and 13777

    On January 30, 2017, the President issued E.O. 13771, ``Reducing 
Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs.'' See 82 FR 9339 (Feb. 3, 
2017). E.O. 13771 stated the policy of the executive branch is to be 
prudent and financially responsible in the expenditure of funds, from 
both public and private sources. E.O. 13771 stated it is essential to 
manage the costs associated with the governmental imposition of private 
expenditures required to comply with Federal regulations.
    Additionally, on February 24, 2017, the President issued E.O. 
13777, ``Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda.'' 82 FR 12285 (March 
1, 2017). E.O. 13777 required the head of each agency designate an 
agency official as its Regulatory Reform Officer (``RRO''). Each RRO 
oversees the implementation of regulatory reform initiatives and 
policies to ensure that agencies effectively carry out regulatory 
reforms, consistent with applicable law. Further, E.O. 13777 requires 
the establishment of a regulatory task force at each agency. The 
regulatory task force is required to make recommendations to the agency 
head regarding the repeal, replacement, or modification of existing 
regulations, consistent with applicable law. At a minimum, each 
regulatory reform task force must attempt to identify regulations that:
    (i) Eliminate jobs, or inhibit job creation;
    (ii) Are outdated, unnecessary, or ineffective;
    (iii) Impose costs that exceed benefits;
    (iv) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with 
regulatory reform initiatives and policies;
    (v) Are inconsistent with the requirements of the Information 
Quality Act, or the guidance issued pursuant to that Act, in particular 
those regulations that rely in whole or in part on data, information, 
or methods that are not publicly available or that are insufficiently 
transparent to meet the standard for reproducibility; or
    (vi) Derive from or implement Executive Orders or other 
Presidential directives that have been subsequently rescinded or 
substantially modified.
    DOE concludes that this rulemaking is consistent with the 
directives set forth in these executive orders. This final rule is 
estimated to have no cost impact. Therefore, this final rule is an E.O. 
13771 ``other'' action.

C. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires 
preparation of a final regulatory flexibility analysis (``FRFA'') for 
any final rule where the agency was first required by law to publish a 
proposed rule for public comment, unless the agency certifies that the 
rule, if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. As required by Executive Order 
13272, ``Proper Consideration of Small Entities in Agency Rulemaking,'' 
67 FR 53461 (August 16, 2002), DOE published procedures and policies on 
February 19, 2003 to ensure that the potential impacts of its rules on 
small entities are properly considered during the DOE rulemaking 
process. 68 FR 7990. DOE has made its procedures and policies available 
on the Office of the General Counsel's website: http://energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel.
    As presented in this final rule, the adopted change to the test 
procedure will have no cost impact. As discussed, the final rule 
requires use of a revised calculation to determine the AWEF for hot gas 
defrost unit coolers. The adopted amendment does not require additional 
testing or retesting.
    Therefore, DOE concludes that the cost effects accruing from the 
final rule would not have a ``significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities,'' and that the preparation of a 
FRFA is not warranted. DOE has submitted a certification and supporting 
statement of factual basis to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the 
Small Business Administration for review under 5 U.S.C. 605(b).

D. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    Manufacturers of walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers must certify 
to DOE that their products comply with any applicable energy 
conservation standards. To certify compliance, manufacturers must first 
obtain test data for their products according to the DOE test 
procedures, including any amendments adopted for those test procedures. 
DOE has established regulations for the certification and recordkeeping 
requirements for all covered consumer products and commercial 
equipment, including walk-ins. (See generally 10 CFR part 429.) The 
collection-of-information requirement for the certification and 
recordkeeping is subject to review and approval by OMB under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act (``PRA''). This requirement has been approved 
by OMB

[[Page 16034]]

under OMB control number 1910-1400. Public reporting burden for the 
certification is estimated to average 35 hours per response, including 
the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, 
gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing 
the collection of information.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB Control Number.
    The amendment adopted in this final rule does not impact the 
reporting burden for manufacturers of WICFs.

E. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

    Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(``NEPA''), DOE has analyzed this proposed action in accordance with 
NEPA and DOE's NEPA implementing regulations (10 CFR part 1021). DOE 
has determined that this rule qualifies for categorical exclusion under 
10 CFR part 1021, subpart D, Appendix A5 because it is an interpretive 
rulemaking that does not change the environmental effect of the rule 
and meets the requirements for application of a CX. See 10 CFR 
1021.410. Therefore, DOE has determined that promulgation of this rule 
is not a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of 
the human environment within the meaning of NEPA and does not require 
an EA or EIS.

F. Review Under Executive Order 13132

    Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism,'' 64 FR 43255 (August 4, 
1999), imposes certain requirements on agencies formulating and 
implementing policies or regulations that preempt State law or that 
have Federalism implications. The Executive Order requires agencies to 
examine the constitutional and statutory authority supporting any 
action that would limit the policymaking discretion of the States and 
to carefully assess the necessity for such actions. The Executive Order 
also requires agencies to have an accountable process to ensure 
meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the 
development of regulatory policies that have Federalism implications. 
On March 14, 2000, DOE published a statement of policy describing the 
intergovernmental consultation process it will follow in the 
development of such regulations. 65 FR 13735. DOE examined this final 
rule and determined that it will not have a substantial direct effect 
on the States, on the relationship between the national government and 
the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among 
the various levels of government. EPCA governs and prescribes Federal 
preemption of State regulations as to energy conservation for the 
products that are the subject of this final rule. States can petition 
DOE for exemption from such preemption to the extent, and based on 
criteria, set forth in EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6297(d)) No further action is 
required by Executive Order 13132.

G. Review Under Executive Order 12988

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

H. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (``UMRA'') 
requires each Federal agency to assess the effects of Federal 
regulatory actions on State, local, and Tribal governments and the 
private sector. Public Law 104-4, sec. 201 (codified at 2 U.S.C. 1531). 
For a regulatory action resulting in a rule that may cause the 
expenditure by State, local, and Tribal governments, in the aggregate, 
or by the private sector of $100 million or more in any one year 
(adjusted annually for inflation), section 202 of UMRA requires a 
Federal agency to publish a written statement that estimates the 
resulting costs, benefits, and other effects on the national economy. 
(2 U.S.C. 1532(a), (b)) The UMRA also requires a Federal agency to 
develop an effective process to permit timely input by elected officers 
of State, local, and Tribal governments on a proposed ``significant 
intergovernmental mandate,'' and requires an agency plan for giving 
notice and opportunity for timely input to potentially affected small 
governments before establishing any requirements that might 
significantly or uniquely affect small governments. On March 18, 1997, 
DOE published a statement of policy on its process for 
intergovernmental consultation under UMRA. 62 FR 12820; also available 
at http://energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel. DOE examined this final 
rule according to the UMRA and its statement of policy and determined 
that the rule contains neither an intergovernmental mandate, nor a 
mandate that may result in the expenditure of $100 million or more in 
any year, so these requirements do not apply.

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

    Section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act, 1999 (Pub. L. 105-277) requires Federal agencies to issue a Family 
Policymaking Assessment for any rule that may affect family well-being. 
This final rule will not have any impact on the autonomy or integrity 
of the family as an institution. Accordingly, DOE has concluded that it 
is not necessary to prepare a Family Policymaking Assessment.

J. Review Under Executive Order 12630

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

K. Review Under Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 
2001

    Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act, 2001 (44 U.S.C. 3516 note) provides for agencies to review most 
disseminations of information to the public under guidelines 
established by

[[Page 16035]]

each agency pursuant to general guidelines issued by OMB. OMB's 
guidelines were published at 67 FR 8452 (Feb. 22, 2002). Pursuant to 
OMB Memorandum M-19-15, Improving Implementation of the Information 
Quality Act (April 24, 2019), DOE published updated guidelines which 
are available at https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2019/12/f70/DOE%20Final%20Updated%20IQA%20Guidelines%20Dec%202019.pdf. DOE has 
reviewed this final rule under the OMB and DOE guidelines and has 
concluded that it is consistent with applicable policies in those 
guidelines.

L. Review Under Executive Order 13211

    Executive Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use,'' 66 FR 28355 
(May 22, 2001), requires Federal agencies to prepare and submit to OMB, 
a Statement of Energy Effects for any significant energy action. A 
``significant energy action'' is defined as any action by an agency 
that promulgated or is expected to lead to promulgation of a final 
rule, and that (1) is a significant regulatory action under Executive 
Order 12866, or any successor order; and (2) is likely to have a 
significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of 
energy; or (3) is designated by the Administrator of OIRA as a 
significant energy action. For any significant energy action, the 
agency must give a detailed statement of any adverse effects on energy 
supply, distribution, or use if the regulation is implemented, and of 
reasonable alternatives to the action and their expected benefits on 
energy supply, distribution, and use.
    This regulatory action is not a significant regulatory action under 
Executive Order 12866. Moreover, it would not have a significant 
adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy, nor has 
it been designated as a significant energy action by the Administrator 
of OIRA. Therefore, it is not a significant energy action, and, 
accordingly, DOE has not prepared a Statement of Energy Effects.

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

    Under section 301 of the Department of Energy Organization Act 
(Pub. L. 95-91; 42 U.S.C. 7101), DOE must comply with section 32 of the 
Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974, as amended by the Federal 
Energy Administration Authorization Act of 1977. (15 U.S.C. 788; 
``FEAA'') Section 32 essentially provides in relevant part that, where 
a proposed rule authorizes or requires use of commercial standards, the 
notice of proposed rulemaking must inform the public of the use and 
background of such standards. In addition, section 32(c) requires DOE 
to consult with the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Federal 
Trade Commission (``FTC'') concerning the impact of the commercial or 
industry standards on competition.
    The amendment to the test procedures for walk-ins adopted in this 
final rule does not incorporate any new industry standard that would 
require compliance under section 32(b) of the FEAA. The amendment 
adopted in this final rule is based on calculations specified in AHRI 
1250-2020, but the regulation as amended does not require the use of 
AHRI 1250-2020. Nevertheless, DOE consulted with both the Department of 
Justice and the FTC on the proposed rule. Neither agency had comments 
or concerns regarding the rulemaking.

N. Congressional Notification

    As required by 5 U.S.C. 801, DOE will report to Congress on the 
promulgation of this rule before its effective date. The report will 
state that it has been determined that the rule is not a ``major rule'' 
as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

V. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

    The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this final 
rule.

List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 431

    Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business 
information, Energy conservation test procedures, and Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

Signing Authority

    This document of the Department of Energy was signed on March 7, 
2021, by Kelly Speakes-Backman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary 
and Acting Assistant Secretary for 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 March 11, 2021.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
    For the reasons stated in the preamble, DOE amends part 431 of 
chapter II of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations as set forth below:

PART 431--ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL AND 
INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT

0
1. The authority citation for part 431 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291-6317; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.


0
2. Appendix C to subpart R of part 431 is amended by revising section 
3.5.2 and adding section 3.5.3 to read as follows:

Appendix C to Subpart R of Part 431--Uniform Test Method for the 
Measurement of Net Capacity and AWEF of Walk-In Cooler and Walk-In 
Freezer Refrigeration Systems

* * * * *
    3.5 * * *
    3.5.2 Hot Gas Defrost Matched Systems and Single-package Dedicated 
Systems: Test these units as described in section 3.3 of this appendix 
for electric defrost matched systems and single-package dedicated 
systems, but do not conduct defrost tests as described in sections 
3.3.4 and 3.3.5 of this appendix. Calculate daily defrost energy use as 
described in section 3.4.2.4 of this appendix. Calculate daily defrost 
heat contribution as described in section 3.4.2.5 of this appendix.
    3.5.3 Hot Gas Defrost Unit Coolers Tested Alone: Test these units 
as described in section 3.3 of this appendix for electric defrost unit 
coolers tested alone, but do not conduct defrost tests as described in 
sections 3.3.4 and 3.3.5 of this appendix. Calculate average defrost 
heat load QDF, expressed in Btu/h, as follows:

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

[[Page 16036]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR26MR21.002

[FR Doc. 2021-05414 Filed 3-25-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-C