[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 73 (Monday, April 19, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20327-20334]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-07823]



[[Page 20327]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 430

[EERE-2014-BT-STD-0058]
RIN 1904-AD99


Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for 
Consumer Clothes Dryers, Webinar and Availability of the Preliminary 
Technical Support Document

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

ACTION: Notification of a webinar and availability of preliminary 
technical support document.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'' or ``the Department'') 
will hold a webinar to discuss and receive comments on the preliminary 
analysis it has conducted for purposes of evaluating energy 
conservation standards for consumer clothes dryers. The webinar will 
cover the analytical framework, models, and tools that DOE is using to 
evaluate potential standards for this product; the results of 
preliminary analyses performed by DOE for this product; the potential 
energy conservation standard levels derived from these analyses that 
DOE could consider for this product should it determine that proposed 
amendments are necessary; and any other issues relevant to the 
evaluation of energy conservation standards for consumer clothes 
dryers. In addition, DOE encourages written comments on these subjects. 
To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has 
prepared an agenda, a preliminary technical support document (``TSD''), 
and briefing materials, which are available on the DOE website at: 
https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/standards.aspx?productid=50&action=viewlive.

DATES: Meeting: DOE will hold a webinar on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, 
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. See section IV, ``Public Participation,'' for 
webinar registration information, participant instructions, and 
information about the capabilities available to webinar participants.
    Comments: Written comments and information will be accepted on or 
before, July 6, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments. Alternatively, interested 
persons may submit comments by email to the following address: 
[email protected]. Include ``Notification of a 
webinar and availability of preliminary technical support document'' 
and docket number EERE-2014-BT-STD-0058 and/or RIN number 1904-AD99 in 
the subject line of the message. Submit electronic comments in 
WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or ASCII file format, and avoid the 
use of special characters or any form of encryption.
    Although DOE has routinely accepted public comment submissions 
through a variety of mechanisms, including postal mail and hand 
delivery/courier, the Department has found it necessary to make 
temporary modifications to the comment submission process in light of 
the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. DOE is currently accepting only 
electronic submissions at this time. If a commenter finds that this 
change poses an undue hardship, please contact Appliance Standards 
Program staff at (202) 586-1445 to discuss the need for alternative 
arrangements. Once the Covid-19 pandemic health emergency is resolved, 
DOE anticipates resuming all of its regular options for public comment 
submission, including postal mail and hand delivery/courier.
    No telefacsimiles (``faxes'') will be accepted. For detailed 
instructions on submitting comments and additional information on this 
process, see section IV of this document.
    Docket: The docket for this activity, 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 https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EERE-2014-BT-STD-0058. The docket web page contains 
instructions on how to access all documents, including public comments 
in the docket. See section IV for information on how to submit comments 
through http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building 
Technologies, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-
0121. Telephone: (202) 586-0371. Email: 
[email protected].
    Ms. Kathryn McIntosh, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the 
General Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-2002. Email: 
[email protected].
    For further information on how to submit a comment, review other 
public comments and the docket, or participate in the webinar, contact 
the Appliance and Equipment Standards Program staff at (202) 287-1445 
or by email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
    A. Authority
    B. Rulemaking Process
II. Background
    A. Current Standards
    B. Current Process
III. Summary of the Analyses Performed by DOE
    A. Engineering Analysis
    B. Markups Analysis
    C. Energy Use Analysis
    D. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analyses
    E. National Impact Analysis
IV. Public Participation
    A. Participation in the Webinar
    B. Procedure for Submitting Prepared General Statements for 
Distribution
    C. Conduct of the Webinar
    D. Submission of Comments
    E. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment
V. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

I. Introduction

A. Authority

    The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (``EPCA''),\1\ 
among other things, 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 B \2\ of EPCA established the Energy 
Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles. 
These products include consumer clothes dryers, the subject of this 
document. 42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(8). EPCA prescribed energy conservation 
standards for these products, and directed DOE to conduct two cycles of 
rulemakings to determine whether to amend these standards. 42 U.S.C. 
6295(g)(4). EPCA further provides that, not later than 6 years after 
the issuance of any final rule establishing or amending a standard, DOE 
must publish either a notice of

[[Page 20328]]

determination that standards for the product do not need to be amended, 
or a notice of proposed rulemaking (``NOPR'') including new proposed 
energy conservation standards (proceeding to a final rule, as 
appropriate). 42 U.S.C. 6295(m)(1). Not later than three years after 
issuance of a final determination not to amend standards, DOE must 
publish either a notice of determination that standards for the product 
do not need to be amended, or a NOPR including new proposed energy 
conservation standards (proceeding to a final rule, as appropriate). 42 
U.S.C. 6295(m)(3)(B).
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    \1\ All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute 
as amended through the Energy Act of 2020, Public Law 116-260 (Dec. 
27, 2020).
    \2\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Part B was redesignated Part A.
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    DOE is publishing this Preliminary Analysis to collect data and 
information to inform its decision consistent with its obligations 
under EPCA.

B. Rulemaking Process

    DOE must follow specific statutory criteria for prescribing new or 
amended standards for covered products, including consumer clothes 
dryers. EPCA requires that any new or amended energy conservation 
standard prescribed by the Secretary of Energy (``Secretary'') be 
designed to achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency (or 
water efficiency for certain products specified by EPCA) that is 
technologically feasible and economically justified. 42 U.S.C. 
6295(o)(2)(A). Furthermore, DOE may not adopt any standard that would 
not result in the significant conservation of energy. 42 U.S.C. 
6295(o)(3)(B). The Secretary may not prescribe an amended or new 
standard that will not result in significant conservation of energy, or 
is not technologically feasible or economically justified. Id.
    On February 14, 2020, DOE published an update to its procedures, 
interpretations, and policies for consideration in new or revised 
energy conservation standards and test procedure, i.e., ``Procedures, 
Interpretations, and Policies for Consideration of New or Revised 
Energy Conservation Standards and Test Procedures for Consumer Products 
and Certain Commercial/Industrial Equipment'' (see 10 CFR part 430, 
subpart C, appendix A (``Process Rule,'')).\3\ 85 FR 8626. In the 
updated Process Rule, DOE established a significance threshold for 
energy savings under which DOE employs a two-step approach that 
considers both an absolute site energy savings threshold and a 
threshold that is a percent reduction in the energy use of the covered 
product. Section 6(a) of the Process Rule.
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    \3\ On January 20, 2021, the President issued Executive Order 
13990, Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring 
Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis. Exec. Order No. 13,990, 86 FR 
7037 (Jan. 25, 2021) (``E.O. 13990''). E.O. 13990 affirms the 
Nation's commitment to empower our workers and communities; promote 
and protect our public health and the environment; and conserve our 
national treasures and monuments. To that end, the stated policies 
of E.O. 13990 include: improving public health and protecting our 
environment; ensuring access to clean air and water; and reducing 
greenhouse gas emissions. E.O. 13990 section 1. Section 2 of E.O. 
13990 directs agencies, in part, to immediately review all existing 
regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies, and any other 
similar agency actions (``agency actions'') promulgated, issued, or 
adopted between January 20, 2017, and January 20, 2021, that are or 
may be inconsistent with, or present obstacles to, the policy set 
forth in the Executive Order. E.O. 13990 section 2. In addition, 
section 2(iii) of E.O. 13990 specifically directs DOE to, as 
appropriate and consistent with applicable law, publishing for 
notice and comment a proposed rule suspending, revising, or 
rescinding the updated Process Rule. In response to this directive, 
DOE has undertaken a review of the updated Process Rule at this 
time.
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    DOE first evaluates the projected energy savings from a potential 
maximum technologically feasible (``max-tech'') standard over a 30-year 
period against a 0.3 quadrillion British thermal units (``quads'') of 
site energy savings threshold. Section 6(b)(2) of the Process Rule. If 
the 0.3-quad threshold is not met, DOE then compares the max-tech 
savings to the total energy usage of the covered product to calculate a 
percentage reduction in energy usage. Section 6(b)(3) of the Process 
Rule. If this comparison does not yield a reduction in site energy use 
of at least 10 percent over a 30-year period, the analysis will end and 
DOE will propose to determine that no significant energy savings would 
likely result from setting new or amended standards. Section 6(b)(4) of 
the Process Rule. If either one of the thresholds is reached, DOE will 
conduct analyses to ascertain whether a standard can be prescribed that 
produces the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is both 
technologically feasible and economically justified and still 
constitutes significant energy savings at the level determined to be 
economically justified. Section 6(b)(5) of the Process Rule. This two-
step approach allows DOE to ascertain whether a potential standard 
satisfies EPCA's significant energy savings requirements in 42 U.S.C. 
6295(o)(3)(B) to ensure that DOE avoids setting a standard that ``will 
not result in significant conservation of energy.''
    EPCA defines ``energy efficiency'' as the ratio of the useful 
output of services from a consumer product to the energy use of such 
product, measured according to the Federal test procedures. (42 U.S.C. 
6291(5), emphasis added) EPCA defines ``energy use'' as the quantity of 
energy directly consumed by a consumer product at point of use, as 
measured by the Federal test procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6291(4)) Further, 
EPCA uses a household energy consumption metric as a threshold for 
setting standards for new covered products. (42 U.S.C. 6295(l)(1)) 
Given this context, DOE relies on site energy as the appropriate metric 
for evaluating the significance of energy savings.
    To determine whether a standard is economically justified, EPCA 
requires that DOE determine whether the benefits of the standard exceed 
its burdens by considering, to the greatest extent practicable, the 
following seven factors:
    (1) The economic impact of the standard on the manufacturers and 
consumers of the products subject to the standard;
    (2) the savings in operating costs throughout the estimated average 
life of the covered products in the type (or class) compared to any 
increase in the price, initial charges, or maintenance expenses for the 
covered products that are likely to result from the standard;
    (3) the total projected amount of energy (or as applicable, water) 
savings likely to result directly from the standard;
    (4) any lessening of the utility or the performance of the products 
likely to result from the standard;
    (5) the impact of any lessening of competition, as determined in 
writing by the Attorney General, that is likely to result from the 
standard;
    (6) the need for national energy and water conservation; and
    (7) other factors the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) considers 
relevant.

42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(I)-(VII).

    DOE fulfills these and other applicable requirements by conducting 
a series of analyses throughout the rulemaking process. Table I.1 shows 
the individual analyses that are performed to satisfy each of the 
requirements within EPCA.

[[Page 20329]]



       Table I.1--EPCA Requirements and Corresponding DOE Analysis
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            EPCA requirement                Corresponding DOE analysis
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Significant Energy Savings.............   Shipments Analysis.
                                          National Impact
                                          Analysis.
                                          Energy and Water Use
                                          Determination.
Technological Feasibility..............   Market and Technology
                                          Assessment.
                                          Screening Analysis.
                                          Engineering Analysis.
Economic Justification:
    1. Economic impact on manufacturers   Manufacturer Impact
     and consumers.                       Analysis.
                                          Life-Cycle Cost and
                                          Payback Period Analysis.
                                          Life-Cycle Cost
                                          Subgroup Analysis.
                                          Shipments Analysis.
    2. Lifetime operating cost savings    Markups for Product
     compared to increased cost for the   Price Determination.
     product.                             Energy and Water Use
                                          Determination.
                                          Life-Cycle Cost and
                                          Payback Period Analysis.
    3. Total projected energy savings..   Shipments Analysis.
                                          National Impact
                                          Analysis.
    4. Impact on utility or performance   Screening Analysis.
                                          Engineering Analysis.
    5. Impact of any lessening of         Manufacturer Impact
     competition.                         Analysis.
    6. Need for national energy and       Shipments Analysis.
     water conservation.                  National Impact
                                          Analysis.
    7. Other factors the Secretary        Employment Impact
     considers relevant.                  Analysis.
                                          Utility Impact
                                          Analysis.
                                          Emissions Analysis.
                                          Monetization of
                                          Emission Reductions Benefits.
                                          Regulatory Impact
                                          Analysis.
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    Further, EPCA establishes a rebuttable presumption that a standard 
is economically justified if the Secretary finds that the additional 
cost to the consumer of purchasing a product complying with an energy 
conservation standard level will be less than three times the value of 
the energy savings during the first year that the consumer will receive 
as a result of the standard, as calculated under the applicable test 
procedure. 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(iii).
    EPCA also contains what is known as an ``anti-backsliding'' 
provision, which prevents the Secretary from prescribing any amended 
standard that either increases the maximum allowable energy use or 
decreases the minimum required energy efficiency of a covered product. 
42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(1). Also, the Secretary may not prescribe an amended 
or new standard if interested persons have established by a 
preponderance of the evidence that the standard is likely to result in 
the unavailability in the United States in any covered product type (or 
class) of performance characteristics (including reliability), 
features, sizes, capacities, and volumes that are substantially the 
same as those generally available in the United States. 42 U.S.C. 
6295(o)(4).
    Additionally, EPCA specifies requirements when promulgating an 
energy conservation standard for a covered product that has two or more 
subcategories. DOE must specify a different standard level for a type 
or class of product that has the same function or intended use, if DOE 
determines that products within such group: (A) Consume a different 
kind of energy from that consumed by other covered products within such 
type (or class); or (B) have a capacity or other performance-related 
feature which other products within such type (or class) do not have 
and such feature justifies a higher or lower standard. 42 U.S.C. 
6295(q)(1). In determining whether a performance-related feature 
justifies a different standard for a group of products, DOE must 
consider such factors as the utility to the consumer of the feature and 
other factors DOE deems appropriate. Id. Any rule prescribing such a 
standard must include an explanation of the basis on which such higher 
or lower level was established. 42 U.S.C. 6295(q)(2).
    Pursuant to the amendments contained in the Energy Independence and 
Security Act of 2007 (``EISA 2007''), Public Law 110-140, any final 
rule for new or amended energy conservation standards promulgated after 
July 1, 2010, is required to address standby mode and off mode energy 
use. 42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(3). Specifically, when DOE adopts a standard 
for a covered product after that date, it must, if justified by the 
criteria for adoption of standards under EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)), 
incorporate standby mode and off mode energy use into a single 
standard, or, if that is not feasible, adopt a separate standard for 
such energy use for that product. 42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(3). DOE's current 
test procedures for consumer clothes dryers address standby mode and 
off mode energy use. In this rulemaking, DOE intends to incorporate 
such energy use into any amended energy conservation standards it 
adopts in the final rule.
    Before proposing a standard, DOE seeks public input on the 
analytical framework, models, and tools that DOE intends to use to 
evaluate standards for the product at issue and the results of 
preliminary analyses DOE performed for the product.
    DOE is examining whether to amend the current standards for 
consumer clothes dryers pursuant to its obligations under EPCA. This 
document announces the availability of the preliminary TSD, which 
details the preliminary analyses and summarizes the preliminary results 
of DOE's analyses. In addition, DOE is announcing a webinar to solicit 
feedback from interested parties on its analytical framework, models, 
and preliminary results.

II. Background

A. Current Standards

    The most recent standards rulemaking for consumer clothes dryers 
was promulgated on April 21, 2011. Specifically, DOE published a direct 
final rule (the ``2011 Direct Final Rule'') amending the energy 
conservation standard for consumer clothes dryers. 76 FR 22454 (Apr. 
21, 2011). The energy

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conservation standards, as amended in the 2011 Direct Final Rule, 
represent the current standards and are based on the combined energy 
factor (``CEF'')--a metric that incorporates energy use in active mode, 
standby mode, and off mode. Compliance with the current standards was 
required as of January 1, 2015. 76 FR 52852 (Aug. 24, 2011).

          Table II.1--Current Consumer Clothes Dryers Standards
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              CEF  (lbs/
                        Product class                            kWh)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Vented Electric, Standard (4.4 ft\3\ or greater                 3.73
 capacity)..................................................
(B) Vented Electric, Compact (120V) (less than 4.4 ft\3\            3.61
 capacity)..................................................
(C) Vented Electric, Compact (240V) (less than 4.4 ft\3\            3.27
 capacity)..................................................
(D) Vented Gas..............................................        3.30
(E) Ventless Electric, Compact (240V) (less than 4.4 ft\3\          2.55
 capacity)..................................................
(F) Ventless Electric, Combination Washer-Dryer.............        2.08
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On December 16, 2020, DOE published a final rule establishing a 
separate product classes for consumer clothes dryers that offer cycle 
times for a ``normal'' cycle \4\ of less than 30 minutes. 85 FR 81359 
(Dec. 16, 2020) (``December 2020 Final Rule''). Because no such 
``short-cycle'' consumer clothes dryers are currently on the market in 
the United States, DOE did not include analysis of this newly 
established product class in the preliminary TSD.
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    \4\ Section 3.3.2 of Appendix D2 requires that the ``normal'' 
program shall be selected for the test cycle; for clothes dryers 
that do not have a ``normal'' program, the cycle recommended by the 
manufacturer for drying cotton or linen clothes shall be selected.
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    As noted, section 2 of E.O. 13990 directs agencies, in part, to 
immediately review all existing regulations, orders, guidance 
documents, policies, and any other similar agency actions (``agency 
actions'') promulgated, issued, or adopted between January 20, 2017, 
and January 20, 2021, that are or may be inconsistent with, or present 
obstacles to, the policy set forth in the Executive Order. E.O. 13990 
section 2. In response to this directive, DOE has undertaken a review 
of the new, short cycle product classes for clothes dryers at this 
time.

B. Current Process

    DOE published a request for information (``RFI'') on March 27, 2015 
(the ``March 2015 RFI'') describing the approaches and methods DOE will 
use in evaluating potential amended standards for consumer clothes 
dryers. 80 FR 16309 (Mar. 27, 2015). In addition, the RFI solicited 
information from the public to help DOE determine whether amended 
standards for consumer clothes dryers would result in a significant 
amount of additional energy savings, and whether those standards would 
be technologically feasible and economically justified. Id. The March 
2015 RFI is available at https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EERE-2014-BT-STD-0058-0001.
    In response to the publication of the March 2015 RFI, DOE received 
comments regarding DOE's analytical approach from interested parties, 
including manufacturers, trade associations, environmental and energy 
efficiency advocates, and other interested parties.
    Comments received since publication of the March 2015 RFI have 
helped DOE identify and resolve issues related to the preliminary 
analyses. Chapter 2 of the preliminary TSD summarizes and addresses the 
comments received.

III. Summary of the Analyses Performed by DOE

    For the products covered in this preliminary analysis, DOE 
conducted in-depth technical analyses in the following areas: (1) 
Engineering; (2) markups to determine product price; (3) energy use; 
(4) life-cycle cost (``LCC'') and payback period (``PBP''); and (5) 
national impacts. The preliminary TSD that presents the methodology and 
results of each of these analyses is available at https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/standards.aspx?productid=50&action=viewlive.
    DOE also conducted, and has included in the preliminary TSD, 
several other analyses that support the major analyses or are 
preliminary analyses that will be expanded upon if DOE determines that 
a NOPR is warranted to propose amended energy conservation standards. 
These analyses include: (1) The market and technology assessment; (2) 
the screening analysis, which contributes to the engineering analysis; 
and (3) the shipments analysis, which contributes to the LCC and PBP 
analysis and the national impact analysis (``NIA''). In addition to 
these analyses, DOE has begun preliminary work on the manufacturer 
impact analysis and has identified the methods to be used for the 
consumer subgroup analysis, the emissions analysis, the employment 
impact analysis, the regulatory impact analysis, and the utility impact 
analysis. DOE will expand upon these analyses in the NOPR should one be 
issued.

A. Engineering Analysis

    The purpose of the engineering analysis is to establish the 
relationship between the efficiency and cost of consumer clothes 
dryers. There are two elements to consider in the engineering analysis; 
the selection of efficiency levels to analyze (i.e., the ``efficiency 
analysis'') and the determination of consumer clothes dryer cost at 
each efficiency level (i.e., the ``cost analysis''). In determining the 
performance of higher-efficiency consumer clothes dryers, DOE considers 
technologies and design option combinations not eliminated by the 
screening analysis. For each product class, DOE estimates the baseline 
cost, as well as the incremental cost for the product at efficiency 
levels above the baseline. The output of the engineering analysis is a 
set of cost-efficiency ``curves'' that are used in downstream analyses 
(i.e., the LCC and PBP analyses and the NIA).
    See Chapter 5 of the preliminary TSD for additional detail on the 
engineering analysis.

B. Markups Analysis

    The markups analysis develops appropriate markups (e.g., retailer 
markups, distributor markups, contractor markups) in the distribution 
chain and sales taxes to convert manufacturer production cost (``MPC'') 
estimates derived in the engineering analysis to consumer prices, which 
are then used in the LCC and PBP analysis and in the manufacturer 
impact analysis. At each step in the distribution channel, companies 
mark up the price of the product to cover business costs and profit 
margin.
    DOE developed baseline and incremental markups for each actor in 
the distribution chain. Baseline markups are applied to the price of 
products with baseline efficiency, while incremental markups are 
applied to the difference in price between baseline and higher-
efficiency models (the incremental cost increase). The incremental 
markup is typically less than the baseline markup and is designed to 
maintain similar per-unit operating profit before and after new or 
amended standards.\5\
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    \5\ Because the projected price of standards-compliant products 
is typically higher than the price of baseline products, using the 
same markup for the incremental cost and the baseline cost would 
result in higher per-unit operating profit. While such an outcome is 
possible, DOE maintains that in markets that are reasonably 
competitive it is unlikely that standards would lead to a 
sustainable increase in profitability in the long run.

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[[Page 20331]]

    Chapter 6 of the preliminary TSD provides details on DOE's 
development of markups for consumer clothes dryers.

C. Energy Use Analysis

    The purpose of the energy use analysis is to determine the annual 
energy consumption of consumer clothes dryers at different efficiencies 
in representative U.S. single-family homes, and multi-family 
residences, and to assess the energy savings potential of increased 
consumer clothes dryer efficiency. The energy use analysis estimates 
the range of energy use of consumer clothes dryers in the field (i.e., 
as they are actually used by consumers). The energy use analysis 
provides the basis for other analyses DOE performed, particularly 
assessments of the energy savings and the savings in consumer operating 
costs that could result from adoption of amended or new standards.
    Chapter 7 of the preliminary TSD addresses the energy use analysis.

D. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analyses

    The effect of new or amended energy conservation standards on 
individual consumers usually involves a reduction in operating cost and 
an increase in purchase cost. DOE used the following two metrics to 
measure consumer impacts:
     The LCC is the total consumer expense of an appliance or 
product over the life of that product, consisting of total installed 
cost (manufacturer selling price, distribution chain markups, sales 
tax, and installation costs) plus operating costs (expenses for energy 
use, maintenance, and repair). To compute the operating costs, DOE 
discounts future operating costs to the time of purchase and sums them 
over the lifetime of the product.
     The PBP is the estimated amount of time (in years) it 
takes consumers to recover the increased purchase cost (including 
installation) of a more-efficient product through lower operating 
costs. DOE calculates the PBP by dividing the change in purchase cost 
at higher efficiency levels by the change in annual operating cost for 
the year that amended or new standards are assumed to take effect.
    Chapter 8 of the preliminary TSD addresses the LCC and PBP 
analyses.

E. National Impact Analysis

    The NIA estimates the national energy savings (``NES'') and the net 
present value (``NPV'') of total consumer costs and savings expected to 
result from amended standards at specific efficiency levels (referred 
to as candidate standard levels).\6\ DOE calculates the NES and NPV for 
the potential standard levels considered based on projections of annual 
product shipments, along with the annual energy consumption and total 
installed cost data from the energy use and LCC analyses. For the 
present analysis, DOE projected the energy savings, operating cost 
savings, product costs, and NPV of consumer benefits over the lifetime 
of consumer clothes dryers sold from 2024 to 2053.
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    \6\ The NIA accounts for impacts in the 50 states and U.S. 
territories.
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    DOE evaluates the impacts of new or amended standards by comparing 
a case without such standards with standards-case projections. The no-
new-standards case characterizes energy use and consumer costs for each 
product class in the absence of new or amended energy conservation 
standards. For this projection, DOE considers historical trends in 
efficiency and various forces that are likely to affect the mix of 
efficiencies over time. DOE compares the no-new-standards case with 
projections characterizing the market for each product class if DOE 
adopted new or amended standards at specific energy efficiency levels 
for that class. For each efficiency level, DOE considers how a given 
standard would likely affect the market shares of products with 
efficiencies greater than the standard.
    DOE uses a spreadsheet model to calculate the energy savings and 
the national consumer costs and savings from each efficiency level. 
Interested parties can review DOE's analyses by changing various input 
quantities within the spreadsheet. The NIA spreadsheet model uses 
typical values (as opposed to probability distributions) as inputs. 
Critical inputs to this analysis include shipments projections, 
estimated product lifetimes, product installed costs and operating 
costs, product annual energy consumption, the no-new-standards case 
efficiency projection, and discount rates.
    DOE estimates a combined total of 2.61 quads of site energy savings 
at the max- tech efficiency levels for consumer clothes dryers 
(Efficiency Level 6 for vented electric standard and compact units, 
Efficiency Level 4 for vented gas standard and compact units, and 
Efficiency Level 2 for ventless electric units). Combined site energy 
savings at Efficiency Level 1 for all product classes are estimated to 
be 0.48 quads. Therefore, DOE has determined the potential energy 
savings for consumer clothes dryers are more than the 0.3 quads of site 
energy threshold established by the Process Rule and are considered 
significant under EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)(B)) DOE seeks comment on 
the estimated combined total site energy savings, and the determination 
that the energy savings potential for consumer clothes dryers are more 
than the 0.3-quad threshold established by the Process Rule.
    Chapter 10 of the preliminary TSD addresses the NIA.

IV. Public Participation

    DOE invites public input in this process through participation in 
the webinar and submission of written comments and information. After 
the webinar and the closing of the comment period, DOE will consider 
all timely-submitted comments and additional information obtained from 
interested parties, as well as information obtained through further 
analyses. Following such consideration, the Department will publish 
either a proposed determination that the standards for consumer clothes 
dryers need not be amended or a proposed rule to amend the current 
standards. Members of the public would be given an opportunity to 
submit written and oral comments on either proposal.

A. Participation in the Webinar

    The time and date of the webinar are listed in the DATES section at 
the beginning of this document. Webinar registration information, 
participant instructions, and information about the capabilities 
available to webinar participants will be published on DOE's website at 
https://cms.doe.gov/eere/buildings/public-meetings-and-comment-deadlines. Participants are responsible for ensuring their systems are 
compatible with the webinar software.
    DOE encourages those who wish to participate in the webinar to 
obtain the preliminary TSD from DOE's website and to be prepared to 
discuss its contents. Once again, a copy of the preliminary TSD is 
available at: https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/standards.aspx?productid=50&action=viewlive. 
However, webinar participants need not limit their comments to the 
topics identified in the preliminary TSD; DOE is also interested in 
receiving views concerning other relevant issues that participants 
believe would affect energy conservation standards for this product or 
that DOE should address in a NOPR should one be issued.

B. Procedure for Submitting Prepared General Statements for 
Distribution

    Any person who has an interest in the topics addressed in this 
document, or who is representative of a group or class

[[Page 20332]]

of persons that has an interest in these issues, may request an 
opportunity to make an oral presentation at the webinar. Such persons 
may submit such request to [email protected]. 
Persons who wish to speak should include with their request a computer 
file in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or text (ASCII) file format 
that briefly describes the nature of their interest in this rulemaking 
and the topics they wish to discuss. Such persons should also provide a 
daytime telephone number where they can be reached.
    Persons requesting to speak should briefly describe the nature of 
their interest in this rulemaking and provide a telephone number for 
contact. DOE requests persons selected to make an oral presentation to 
submit an advance copy of their statements at least two weeks before 
the webinar. At its discretion, DOE may permit persons who cannot 
supply an advance copy of their statement to participate, if those 
persons have made advance alternative arrangements with the Building 
Technologies Office. As necessary, requests to give an oral 
presentation should ask for such alternative arrangements.

C. Conduct of the Webinar

    DOE will designate a DOE official to preside at the webinar/public 
meeting and may also use a professional facilitator to aid discussion. 
The meeting will not be a judicial or evidentiary-type public hearing, 
but DOE will conduct it in accordance with section 336 of EPCA. 42 
U.S.C. 6306. A court reporter will be present to record the proceedings 
and prepare a transcript. DOE reserves the right to schedule the order 
of presentations and to establish the procedures governing the conduct 
of the webinar. There shall not be discussion of proprietary 
information, costs or prices, market share, or other commercial matters 
regulated by U.S. anti-trust laws. After the webinar and until the end 
of the comment period, interested parties may submit further comments 
on the proceedings and any aspect of the rulemaking.
    The webinar will be conducted in an informal, conference style. DOE 
will present summaries of comments received before the webinar, allow 
time for prepared general statements by participants, and encourage all 
interested parties to share their views on issues affecting this 
rulemaking. Each participant will be allowed to make a general 
statement (within time limits determined by DOE), before the discussion 
of specific topics. DOE will permit, as time permits, other 
participants to comment briefly on any general statements.
    At the end of all prepared statements on a topic, DOE will permit 
participants to clarify their statements briefly. Participants should 
be prepared to answer questions by DOE and by other participants 
concerning these issues. DOE representatives may also ask questions of 
participants concerning other matters relevant to this rulemaking. The 
official conducting the webinar/public meeting will accept additional 
comments or questions from those attending, as time permits. The 
presiding official will announce any further procedural rules or 
modification of the above procedures that may be needed for the proper 
conduct of the webinar.
    A transcript of the webinar will be included in the docket, which 
can be viewed as described in the Docket section at the beginning of 
this document. In addition, any person may buy a copy of the transcript 
from the transcribing reporter.

D. Submission of Comments

    DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this 
preliminary analysis no later than the date provided in the DATES 
section at the beginning of this Notification of a webinar and 
availability of preliminary technical support document. Interested 
parties may submit comments using any of the methods described in the 
ADDRESSES section at the beginning of this document.
    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 itself 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. Otherwise, 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 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. Comments and documents submitted via 
email 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 in 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. No telefacsimiles (faxes) will 
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, that are written in English, and that are 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

[[Page 20333]]

compiled into one or more PDFs. This reduces comment processing and 
posting time.
    Confidential Business Information. Pursuant 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 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. 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).

E. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment

    DOE is interested in receiving comments from interested parties on 
all aspects of the preliminary TSD, especially comments or data that 
might improve DOE's analyses. DOE welcomes data or information that 
will help resolve the following specific issues, which were raised 
during preparation of the preliminary TSD.
1. Consumer Clothes Dryer Product Classes and Ventless Electric 
Standard Clothes Dryers
    DOE requests comment on the current product classes for consumer 
clothes dryers. DOE also seeks feedback on current and projected 
shipments of ventless electric standard clothes dryers, which are not 
currently considered a separate product class as this configuration has 
only recently been introduced on the market.
2. Baseline Efficiency
    To establish baseline efficiency levels for each of the product 
classes, DOE relied on test data using Appendix D2 from products in the 
DOE test sample. DOE seeks comment and additional test data from 
interested parties to characterize the baseline efficiency levels for 
each product class. In particular, DOE requests Appendix D2 test data 
disaggregated into standby mode/off mode and active mode energy use for 
each product class, as well as the type of automatic termination 
controls (e.g., electronic versus electromechanical controls, 
temperature sensing versus moisture sensing, etc.).
3. Incremental Efficiency Levels
    DOE developed efficiency levels based on its review of market data 
and product testing consistent with products available on the U.S. 
market. DOE requests comment from interested parties on whether these 
efficiency levels are appropriate for this analysis.
4. Standby Power
    DOE measured a range of standby power among the consumer clothes 
dryers in its test sample. However, through testing and reverse-
engineering, DOE did not identify any design options for improving 
efficiency in standby mode or off mode. All of the products in the DOE 
test sample that were equipped with electronic controls used switch-
mode power supplies, as opposed to less efficient linear power 
supplies, and automatically powered down the display after a period of 
user inactivity. DOE seeks comment on whether there are any design 
options or control strategies available to reduce standby mode power 
consumption.
5. Design Options and Cost Estimates
    As discussed further in chapters 3 through 5 of the preliminary 
TSD, DOE developed a preliminary list of technology options and design 
paths for improving consumer clothes dryer efficiency. DOE requests 
feedback on whether there are additional technologies available that 
may improve consumer clothes dryer performance. DOE also seeks comment 
on whether the manufacturer production costs at each efficiency level 
are appropriate given the associated incremental changes manufacturers 
would likely make to meet these levels.
6. Energy Use Analysis
    DOE relied on usage information for consumer clothes dryers as 
determined from the Residential Energy Consumption Survey (``RECS'') 
2015 to establish the annual number of cycles for consumer clothes 
dryers. DOE requests input on its proposed method for determining usage 
hours and energy use.
7. Maintenance and Repair Costs
    DOE seeks input from interested parties on characterizing 
maintenance and repair costs for more-efficient consumer clothes 
dryers.
8. Efficiency Distribution of Consumer Clothes Dryers
    DOE requests data from interested parties to characterize the 
current mix of consumer clothes dryer efficiencies in the market.
9. Historical Shipments of Consumer Clothes Dryers
    DOE requests historical shipments data for consumer clothes dryers, 
disaggregated by product class. DOE also seeks historical shipments 
data showing percentage of shipments by efficiency level for as many 
product classes as possible.
10. Product Lifetime
    As discussed in chapter 8 of the preliminary TSD, the 2014 issue of 
Appliance magazine provides estimates of 7, 15, and 11 years for 
electric clothes dryers and 7, 16, and 12 years for gas clothes dryers, 
as the respective low, high, and average lifetimes. These estimates 
represent the expert judgment of Appliance staff based on input 
obtained from various sources. Because the basis for the estimates in 
the magazine was uncertain, DOE developed a method using household 
survey data to estimate the distribution of consumer clothes dryer 
lifetimes in the field. RECS records the presence and age of various 
appliances in each household. Data from the U.S. Census's American 
Housing Survey (``AHS''), which surveys all housing, including vacant 
and second homes, enabled DOE to adjust the most recent RECS data to 
reflect the presence of appliances outside of primary residences. By 
combining the results of both surveys with the known history of 
appliance shipments, DOE estimated the percentage of appliances of a 
given age still in operation and developed the appliance survival 
function in the form of a cumulative Weibull distribution, providing an 
average and a median appliance lifetime. DOE's approach yields an 
average age of 14 years for both electric and gas clothes dryers, with 
a distribution ranging between 2 and 30 years with varying probability 
of survival.
    DOE requests comment from interested parties on the appropriateness 
of the two sources (DOE's approach of using survey data and Appliance 
magazine) for the current analysis. In the case of Appliance magazine's 
estimates, DOE welcomes any supporting evidence or data from 
stakeholders that corroborates the magazine's estimate.
11. National Impact Analysis
    DOE seeks comment on the estimated combined total site energy 
savings, and the determination that the energy savings potential for 
consumer clothes dryers are more than the 0.3-quad threshold 
established by the Process Rule.

[[Page 20334]]

12. Manufacturer Subgroups
    DOE seeks comment on any other potential manufacturer subgroups, 
besides small business manufacturers, that could be disproportionally 
affected by potential amended energy conservation standards for 
consumer clothes dryers.

V. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

    The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this 
notification of a webinar and availability of preliminary technical 
support document.

Signing Authority

    This document of the Department of Energy was signed on April 11, 
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 April 13, 2021.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2021-07823 Filed 4-16-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P