[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 117 (Tuesday, June 20, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39912-39960]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-12958]



[[Page 39911]]

Vol. 88

Tuesday,

No. 117

June 20, 2023

Part II





Department of Energy





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10 CFR Part 430





Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for 
Microwave Ovens; Final Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 117 / Tuesday, June 20, 2023 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 39912]]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 430

[EERE-2017-BT-STD-0023]
RIN 1904-AE00


Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for 
Microwave Ovens

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (``EPCA''), 
prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products 
and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including microwave 
ovens. EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') to 
periodically determine whether more stringent standards would be 
technologically feasible and economically justified, and whether they 
would result in significant energy savings. In this final rule, DOE is 
adopting amended energy conservation standards for microwave ovens. It 
has determined that the amended energy conservation standards for these 
products would result in significant conservation of energy and are 
technologically feasible and economically justified.

DATES: The effective date of this rule is August 21, 2023. Compliance 
with the amended standards established for microwave ovens in this 
final rule is required on and after June 22, 2026.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this rulemaking, which includes Federal 
Register notices, public meeting attendee lists and transcripts, 
comments, and other supporting documents/materials, is available for 
review at www.regulations.gov. All documents in the docket are listed 
in the www.regulations.gov index. However, not all documents listed in 
the index may be publicly available, such as information that is exempt 
from public disclosure.
    The docket web page can be found at www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2017-BT-STD-0023. 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. Carl Shapiro, 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) 287-5649. Email: 
[email protected].
    Ms. Celia Sher, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General 
Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, 20585-
0121. Telephone: (202) 287-6122. Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Synopsis of the Final Rule
    A. Benefits and Costs to Consumers
    B. Impact on Manufacturers
    C. National Benefits and Costs
    D. Conclusion
II. Introduction
    A. Authority
    B. Background
    1. Current Standards
    2. History of Standards Rulemaking for Microwave Ovens
III. General Discussion
    A. Scope of Coverage
    B. Test Procedure
    C. Technological Feasibility
    1. General
    2. Maximum Technologically Feasible Levels
    D. Energy Savings
    1. Determination of Savings
    2. Significance of Savings
    E. Economic Justification
    1. Specific Criteria
    a. Economic Impact on Manufacturers and Consumers
    b. Savings in Operating Costs Compared To Increase in Price (LCC 
and PBP)
    c. Energy Savings
    d. Lessening of Utility or Performance of Products
    e. Impact of Any Lessening of Competition
    f. Need for National Energy Conservation
    g. Other Factors
    2. Rebuttable Presumption
IV. Methodology and Discussion of Related Comments
    1. Market and Technology Assessment
    2. Product Classes
    3. Technology Options
    B. Screening Analysis
    1. Screened-Out Technologies
    2. Remaining Technologies
    C. Engineering Analysis
    1. Efficiency Analysis
    a. Baseline Efficiency/Energy Use
    b. Higher Efficiency Levels
    2. Cost Analysis
    3. Cost-Efficiency Results
    D. Markups Analysis
    E. Energy Use Analysis
    F. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analysis
    1. Product Cost
    2. Installation Cost
    3. Annual Energy Consumption
    4. Energy Prices
    5. Maintenance and Repair Costs
    6. Product Lifetime
    7. Discount Rates
    8. Energy Efficiency Distribution in the No-New-Standards Case
    9. Payback Period Analysis
    G. Shipments Analysis
    H. National Impact Analysis
    1. Product Efficiency Trends
    2. National Energy Savings
    3. Net Present Value Analysis
    I. Consumer Subgroup Analysis
    J. Manufacturer Impact Analysis
    1. Overview
    2. Government Regulatory Impact Model and Key Inputs
    a. Manufacturer Production Costs
    b. Shipments Projections
    c. Product and Capital Conversion Costs
    d. Markup Scenarios
    3. Discussion of MIA Comments
    K. Emissions Analysis
    1. Air Quality Regulations Incorporated in DOE's Analysis
    L. Monetizing Emissions Impacts
    1. Monetization of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
    a. Social Cost of Carbon
    b. Social Cost of Methane and Nitrous Oxide
    2. Monetization of Other Emissions Impacts
    M. Utility Impact Analysis
    N. Employment Impact Analysis
V. Analytical Results and Conclusions
    A. Trial Standard Levels
    B. Economic Justification and Energy Savings
    1. Economic Impacts on Individual Consumers
    a. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period
    b. Consumer Subgroup Analysis
    c. Rebuttable Presumption Payback
    2. Economic Impacts on Manufacturers
    a. Industry Cash Flow Analysis Results
    b. Direct Impacts on Employment
    c. Impacts on Manufacturing Capacity
    d. Impacts on Subgroups of Manufacturers
    e. Cumulative Regulatory Burden
    3. National Impact Analysis
    a. Significance of Energy Savings
    b. Net Present Value of Consumer Costs and Benefits
    c. Indirect Impacts on Employment
    4. Impact on Utility or Performance of Products
    5. Impact of Any Lessening of Competition
    6. Need of the Nation To Conserve Energy
    7. Other Factors
    8. Summary of Economic Impacts
    C. Conclusion
    1. Benefits and Burdens of TSLs Considered for Microwave Ovens 
Standards
    2. Annualized Benefits and Costs of the Adopted Standards
VI. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
    A. Review Under Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
    B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
    C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act
    D. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

[[Page 39913]]

    E. Review Under Executive Order 13132
    F. Review Under Executive Order 12988
    G. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
    H. Review Under the Treasury and General Government 
Appropriations Act, 1999
    I. Review Under Executive Order 12630
    J. Review Under the Treasury and General Government 
Appropriations Act, 2001
    K. Review Under Executive Order 13211
    L. Information Quality
    M. Congressional Notification
VII. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

I. Synopsis of the Final Rule

    The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, Public Law 94-163, 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 B of EPCA \2\ established the Energy 
Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles. (42 
U.S.C. 6291-6309) These products include microwave ovens, the subject 
of this rulemaking.
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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), which reflect the last statutory amendments that impact 
Parts A and A-1 of EPCA.
    \2\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Part B was redesignated Part A.
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    Pursuant to EPCA, any new or amended energy conservation standard 
must be designed to achieve the maximum improvement in energy 
efficiency that DOE determines is technologically feasible and 
economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(A)) Furthermore, the new 
or amended standard must result in significant conservation of energy. 
(42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)(B)) EPCA also provides that not later than 6 
years after issuance of any final rule establishing or amending a 
standard, DOE must publish either a notice of determination that 
standards for the product do not need to be amended, or a notice of 
proposed rulemaking including new proposed energy conservation 
standards (proceeding to a final rule, as appropriate). (42 U.S.C. 
6295(m))
    In accordance with these and other statutory provisions discussed 
in this document, DOE is adopting amended energy conservation standards 
for microwave ovens. The adopted standards, which are expressed in 
watts (``W''), are shown in Table I.1. These standards apply to all 
products listed in Table I.1 and manufactured in, or imported into, the 
United States starting on June 22, 2026.

Table I.1--Energy Conservation Standards for Microwave Ovens (Compliance
                         Starting June 22, 2026)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Maximum  allowable  average
              Product class                   standby power, (watts)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PC 1: Microwave-Only Ovens and            0.6 W
 Countertop Convection Microwave Ovens.
PC 2: Built-In and Over-the-Range         1.0 W
 Convection Microwave Ovens.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

A. Benefits and Costs to Consumers

    Table I.2 summarizes DOE's evaluation of the economic impacts of 
the adopted standards on consumers of microwave ovens, as measured by 
the average life-cycle cost (``LCC'') savings and the simple payback 
period (``PBP'').\3\ The average LCC savings are positive for all 
product classes, and the PBP is less than the average lifetime of 
microwave ovens, which is estimated to be 10.78 years (see section IV.F 
of this document).
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    \3\ The average LCC savings refer to consumers that are affected 
by a standard and are measured relative to the efficiency 
distribution in the no-new-standards case, which depicts the market 
in the compliance year in the absence of new or amended standards 
(see section [IV.F.9] of this document). The simple PBP, which is 
designed to compare specific efficiency levels, is measured relative 
to the baseline product (see section IV.C of this document).

Table I.2--Impacts of Adopted Energy Conservation Standards on Consumers
                           of Microwave Ovens
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Average LCC       Simple
              Product class                   savings         payback
                                              (2021$)     period (years)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PC 1: Microwave-Only Ovens and                      0.99             1.3
 Countertop Convection Microwave Ovens..
PC 2: Built-In and Over-the-Range                   0.83             0.8
 Convection Microwave Ovens.............
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE's analysis of the impacts of the adopted standards on consumers 
is described in section IV.F of this document.

B. Impact on Manufacturers

    The industry net present value (``INPV'') is the sum of the 
discounted cash flows to the industry from the base year through the 
end of the analysis period (2023-2055). Using a real discount rate of 
8.5 percent, DOE estimates that the INPV for manufacturers of microwave 
ovens in the case without amended standards is $1,426 million in 2021 
dollars. Under the adopted standards, DOE estimates the change in INPV 
to range from -$37.2 million, which represents a change of -2.6 
percent, to no change in INPV. In order to bring products into 
compliance with amended standards, it is estimated that industry will 
incur total conversion costs of $46.1 million.
    DOE's analysis of the impacts of the adopted standards on 
manufacturers is described in sections IV.J and V.B.2 of this document.

C. National Benefits and Costs 4
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    \4\ All monetary values in this document are expressed in 2021 
dollars. and, where appropriate, are discounted to 2023 unless 
explicitly stated otherwise.
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    DOE's analyses indicate that the adopted energy conservation 
standards for microwave ovens would save a significant amount of 
energy. Relative to the case without amended standards, the lifetime 
energy savings for microwave ovens purchased in the 30-year period that 
begins in the anticipated year of compliance with the amended standards 
(2026-2055), amount to 0.06 quadrillion British thermal units 
(``Btu''), or quads.\5\ This represents a savings of 19 percent 
relative to the energy use of these products in the case without 
amended standards (referred to as the ``no-new-standards case'').
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    \5\ The quantity refers to full-fuel-cycle (FFC) energy savings. 
FFC energy savings includes the energy consumed in extracting, 
processing, and transporting primary fuels (i.e., coal, natural gas, 
petroleum fuels), and, thus, presents a more complete picture of the 
impacts of energy efficiency standards. For more information on the 
FFC metric, see section IV.H.1 of this document.

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[[Page 39914]]

    The cumulative net present value (``NPV'') of total consumer 
benefits of the standards for microwave ovens ranges from $0.16 (at a 
7-percent discount rate) to $0.35 (at a 3-percent discount rate). This 
NPV expresses the estimated total value of future operating-cost 
savings minus the estimated increased product costs for microwave ovens 
purchased in 2026-2055.
    In addition, the adopted standards for microwave ovens are 
projected to yield significant environmental benefits. DOE estimates 
that the standards will result in cumulative emission reductions (over 
the same period as for energy savings) of 1.87 million metric tons 
(``Mt'') \6\ of carbon dioxide (``CO2''), 0.85 thousand tons 
of sulfur dioxide (``SO2''), 2.88 thousand tons of nitrogen 
oxides (``NOX''), 12.64 thousand tons of methane 
(``CH4''), 0.02 thousand tons of nitrous oxide 
(``N2O''), and 0.005 tons of mercury (``Hg'').\7\ The 
estimated cumulative reduction in CO2 emissions through 2030 
amounts to 0.10 Mt, which is equivalent to the emissions resulting from 
the annual electricity use of more than 19 thousand homes.
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    \6\ A metric ton is equivalent to 1.1 short tons. Results for 
emissions other than CO2 are presented in short tons.
    \7\ DOE calculated emissions reductions relative to the no-new-
standards-case, which reflects key assumptions in the Annual Energy 
Outlook 2022 (``AEO2022''). AEO2022 represents current Federal and 
State legislation and final implementation of regulations as of the 
time of its preparation. See section IV.K of this document for 
further discussion of AEO2022 assumptions that effect air pollutant 
emissions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE estimates the value of climate benefits from a reduction in 
greenhouse gases (GHG) using four different estimates of the social 
cost of CO2 (``SC-CO2''), the social cost of 
methane (``SC-CH4''), and the social cost of nitrous oxide 
(``SC-N2O''). Together these represent the social cost of 
GHG (SC-GHG). DOE used interim SC-GHG values developed by an 
Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases 
(IWG).\8\ The derivation of these values is discussed in section IV.L 
of this document. For presentational purposes, the climate benefits 
associated with the average SC-GHG at a 3-percent discount rate are 
estimated to be $0.10 billion. DOE does not have a single central SC-
GHG point estimate and DOE emphasizes the importance and value of 
considering the benefits calculated using all four sets of SC-GHG 
estimates.\9\
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    \8\ See Interagency Working Group on Social Cost of Greenhouse 
Gases, Technical Support Document: Social Cost of Carbon, Methane, 
and Nitrous Oxide. Interim Estimates Under Executive Order 13990, 
Washington, DC, February 2021 (``February 2021 SC-GHG TSD''). 
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/TechnicalSupportDocument_SocialCostofCarbonMethaneNitrousOxide.pdf.
    \9\ On March 16, 2022, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals (No. 
22-30087) granted the Federal government's emergency motion for stay 
pending appeal of the February 11, 2022, preliminary injunction 
issued in Louisiana v. Biden, No. 21-cv-1074-JDC-KK (W.D. La.). As a 
result of the Fifth Circuit's order, the preliminary injunction is 
no longer in effect, pending resolution of the Federal government's 
appeal of that injunction or a further court order. Among other 
things, the preliminary injunction enjoined the defendants in that 
case from ``adopting, employing, treating as binding, or relying 
upon'' the interim estimates of the social cost of greenhouse 
gases--which were issued by the Interagency Working Group on the 
Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases on February 26, 2021--to monetize 
the benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As reflected in 
this rule, DOE has reverted to its approach prior to the injunction 
and presents monetized benefits where appropriate and permissible 
under law.
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    DOE estimated the monetary health benefits of SO2 and 
NOX emissions reductions, using benefit-per-ton estimates 
from the scientific literature, as discussed in section IV.L of this 
document. DOE estimated the present value of the health benefits would 
be $0.07 billion using a 7-percent discount rate, and $0.17 billion 
using a 3-percent discount rate.\10\ DOE is currently only monetizing 
(for SO2 and NOX) PM2.5 precursor 
health benefits and (for NOX) ozone precursor health 
benefits, but will continue to assess the ability to monetize other 
effects, such as health benefits, from reductions in direct 
PM2.5 emissions.
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    \10\ DOE estimates the economic value of these emissions 
reductions resulting from the considered TSLs for the purpose of 
complying with the requirements of Executive Order 12866.
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    Table I.3 summarizes the monetized benefits and costs expected to 
result from the amended standards for microwave ovens. There are other 
important unquantified effects, including certain unquantified climate 
benefits, unquantified public health benefits from the reduction of 
toxic air pollutants and other emissions, unquantified energy security 
benefits, and distributional effects, among others.

  Table I.3--Summary of Monetized Benefits and Costs of Adopted Energy
               Conservation Standards for Microwave Ovens
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Billion $2021
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            3% discount rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Operating Cost Savings.........................            0.43
Climate Benefits *......................................            0.10
Health Benefits **......................................            0.17
                                                         ---------------
    Total Benefits [dagger].............................            0.70
Consumer Incremental Product Costs [Dagger].............            0.08
                                                         ---------------
    Net Benefits........................................            0.62
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            7% discount rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Operating Cost Savings.........................            0.21
Climate Benefits * (3% discount rate)...................            0.10
Health Benefits **......................................            0.07
                                                         ---------------
    Total Benefits[dagger]..............................            0.38
Consumer Incremental Product Costs [Dagger].............            0.05
                                                         ---------------
    Net Benefits........................................            0.34
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: This table presents the costs and benefits associated with
  microwave ovens shipped in 2026-2055. These results include benefits
  to consumers which accrue after 2055 from the products shipped in 2026-
  2055.

[[Page 39915]]

 
* Climate benefits are calculated using four different estimates of the
  social cost of carbon (SC-CO2), methane (SC-CH4), and nitrous oxide
  (SC-N2O) (model average at 2.5-percent, 3-percent, and 5-percent
  discount rates; 95th percentile at 3-percent discount rate) (see
  section IV.L of this document). Together these represent the global SC-
  GHG. For presentational purposes of this table, the climate benefits
  associated with the average SC-GHG at a 3-percent discount rate are
  shown, but DOE does not have a single central SC-GHG point estimate.
  On March 16, 2022, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals (No. 22-30087)
  granted the Federal government's emergency motion for stay pending
  appeal of the February 11, 2022, preliminary injunction issued in
  Louisiana v. Biden, No. 21-cv-1074-JDC-KK (W.D. La.). As a result of
  the Fifth Circuit's order, the preliminary injunction is no longer in
  effect, pending resolution of the Federal government's appeal of that
  injunction or a further court order. Among other things, the
  preliminary injunction enjoined the defendants in that case from
  ``adopting, employing, treating as binding, or relying upon'' the
  interim estimates of the social cost of greenhouse gases--which were
  issued by the Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of
  Greenhouse Gases on February 26, 2021--to monetize the benefits of
  reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As reflected in this rule, DOE has
  reverted to its approach prior to the injunction and presents
  monetized benefits where appropriate and permissible under law.
** Health benefits are calculated using benefit-per-ton values for NOX
  and SO2. DOE is currently only monetizing (for SO2 and NOX) PM2.5
  precursor health benefits and (for NOX) ozone precursor health
  benefits, but will continue to assess the ability to monetize other
  effects, such as health benefits, from reductions in direct PM2.5
  emissions. See section IV.L of this document for more details.
[dagger] Total and net benefits include those consumer, climate, and
  health benefits that can be quantified and monetized. For presentation
  purposes, total and net benefits for both the 3-percent and 7-percent
  cases are presented using the average SC-GHG with 3-percent discount
  rate.
[Dagger] Costs include incremental equipment costs as well as
  installation costs.

    The benefits and costs of the proposed standards can also be 
expressed in terms of annualized values. The monetary values for the 
total annualized net benefits are (1) the reduced consumer operating 
costs, minus (2) the increase in product purchase prices and 
installation costs, plus (3) the value of climate and health benefits 
of emission reductions, all annualized.\11\
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    \11\ To convert the time-series of costs and benefits into 
annualized values, DOE calculated a present value in 2022, the year 
used for discounting the NPV of total consumer costs and savings. 
For the benefits, DOE calculated a present value associated with 
each year's shipments in the year in which the shipments occur 
(e.g., 2020 or 2030), and then discounted the present value from 
each year to 2022. Using the present value, DOE then calculated the 
fixed annual payment over a 30-year period, starting in the 
compliance year, that yields the same present value.
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    The national operating cost savings are domestic private U.S. 
consumer monetary savings that occur as a result of purchasing the 
covered products and are measured for the lifetime of microwave ovens 
shipped in 2026-2055. The benefits associated with reduced emissions 
achieved as a result of the adopted standards are also calculated based 
on the lifetime of microwave ovens shipped in 2026-2055. Total benefits 
for both the 3-percent and 7-percent cases are presented using the 
average GHG social costs with 3-percent discount rate. Estimates of SC-
GHG values are presented for all four discount rates in section V.B.8 
of this document.
    Table I.4 presents the total estimated monetized benefits and costs 
associated with the standards adopted in this rule, expressed in terms 
of annualized values. The results under the primary estimate are as 
follows.
    Using a 7-percent discount rate for consumer benefits and costs and 
health benefits from reduced NOX and SO2 
emissions, and the 3-percent discount rate case for climate benefits 
from reduced GHG emissions, the estimated cost of the standards adopted 
in this rule is $4.3 million per year in increased equipment costs, 
while the estimated annual benefits are $19.5 million in reduced 
equipment operating costs, $5.2 million in climate benefits, and $6.9 
million in health benefits. In this case, the net benefit would amount 
to $27.3 million per year.
    Using a 3-percent discount rate for all benefits and costs, the 
estimated cost of the amended standards is $4.3 million per year in 
increased equipment costs, while the estimated annual benefits are 
$23.5 million in reduced operating costs, $5.2 million in climate 
benefits, and $9.2 million in health benefits. In this case, the net 
benefit would amount to $33.5 million per year.

                Table I.4--Annualized Benefits and Costs of Adopted Standards for Microwave Ovens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Million 2021 $/year
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Low-net-        High-net-
                                                                      Primary        benefits        benefits
                                                                     estimate        estimate        estimate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                3% discount rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Operating Cost Savings.................................            23.5            22.2            25.0
Climate Benefits *..............................................             5.2             5.1             5.4
Health Benefits **..............................................             9.2             9.0             9.4
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total Benefits [dagger].....................................            37.9            36.3            39.8
Consumer Incremental Product Costs [Dagger].....................             4.3             4.3             4.2
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Net Benefits................................................            33.5            31.9            35.6
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                7% discount rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Operating Cost Savings.................................            19.5            18.6            20.5
Climate Benefits * (3% discount rate)...........................             5.2             5.1             5.4
Health Benefits **..............................................             6.9             6.7             7.1
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total Benefits [dagger].....................................            31.6            30.4            32.9
Consumer Incremental Product Costs [Dagger].....................             4.3             4.3             4.2
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------

[[Page 39916]]

 
    Net Benefits................................................            27.3            26.1            28.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: This table presents the costs and benefits associated with microwave ovens shipped in 2026-2055. These
  results include benefits to consumers which accrue after 2055 from the products shipped in 2026-2055. The
  Primary, Low Net Benefits, and High Net Benefits Estimates utilize projections of energy prices from the
  AEO2022 Reference case, Low Economic Growth case, and High Economic Growth case, respectively. In addition,
  incremental equipment costs reflect a medium decline rate in the Primary Estimate, a low decline rate in the
  Low Net Benefits Estimate, and a high decline rate in the High Net Benefits Estimate. The methods used to
  derive projected price trends are explained in sections IV.F.1 and IV.H.1 of this document. Note that the
  Benefits and Costs may not sum to the Net Benefits due to rounding.
* Climate benefits are calculated using four different estimates of the global SC-GHG (see section IV.L of this
  document). For presentational purposes of this table, the climate benefits associated with the average SC-GHG
  at a 3-percent discount rate are shown, but DOE does not have a single central SC-GHG point estimate, and it
  emphasizes the importance and value of considering the benefits calculated using all four sets of SC-GHG
  estimates. On March 16, 2022, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals (No. 22-30087) granted the Federal
  government's emergency motion for stay pending appeal of the February 11, 2022, preliminary injunction issued
  in Louisiana v. Biden, No. 21-cv-1074-JDC-KK (W.D. La.). As a result of the Fifth Circuit's order, the
  preliminary injunction is no longer in effect, pending resolution of the Federal government's appeal of that
  injunction or a further court order. Among other things, the preliminary injunction enjoined the defendants in
  that case from ``adopting, employing, treating as binding, or relying upon'' the interim estimates of the
  social cost of greenhouse gases--which were issued by the Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of
  Greenhouse Gases on February 26, 2021--to monetize the benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As
  reflected in this rule, DOE has reverted to its approach prior to the injunction and presents monetized
  benefits where appropriate and permissible under law.
** Health benefits are calculated using benefit-per-ton values for NOX and SO2. DOE is currently only monetizing
  (for SO2 and NOX) PM2.5 precursor health benefits and (for NOX) ozone precursor health benefits, but will
  continue to assess the ability to monetize other effects such as health benefits from reductions in direct
  PM2.5 emissions. See section IV.L of this document for more details.
[dagger] Total benefits for both the 3-percent and 7-percent cases are presented using the average SC-GHG with 3-
  percent discount rate.
[Dagger] Costs include incremental equipment costs as well as installation costs.

    DOE's analysis of the national impacts of the adopted standards is 
described in sections IV.H, IV.K, and IV.L of this document.

D. Conclusion

    DOE concludes that the standards adopted in this final rule 
represent the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is 
technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result 
in the significant conservation of energy. Specifically, with regards 
to technological feasibility, products achieving these standard levels 
are already commercially available for all product classes covered by 
this proposal. As for economic justification, DOE's analysis shows that 
the benefits of the standards exceed, to a great extent, the burdens of 
the standards.
    Using a 7-percent discount rate for consumer benefits and costs and 
NOX and SO2 reduction benefits, and a 3-percent 
discount rate case for GHG social costs, the estimated cost of the 
standards for microwave ovens is $4.3 million per year in increased 
product costs, while the estimated annual benefits are $19.5 million in 
reduced product operating costs, $5.2 million in climate benefits, and 
$6.9 million in health benefits. The net benefit amounts to $27.3 
million per year.
    The significance of energy savings offered by a new or amended 
energy conservation standard cannot be determined without knowledge of 
the specific circumstances surrounding a given rulemaking.\12\ For 
example, some covered products and equipment have most of their energy 
consumption occur during periods of peak energy demand. The impacts of 
these products on the energy infrastructure can be more pronounced than 
products with relatively constant demand. Accordingly, DOE evaluates 
the significance of energy savings on a case-by-case basis.
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    \12\ Procedures, Interpretations, and Policies for Consideration 
in New or Revised Energy Conservation Standards and Test Procedures 
for Consumer Products and Commercial/Industrial Equipment, 86 FR 
70892, 70901 (Dec. 13, 2021).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As previously mentioned, the standards are projected to result in 
estimated national energy savings of 0.06 quads in FFC energy use and 
emissions, the equivalent of the primary annual energy use of 1.6 
million homes. In addition, the standards are projected to reduce 
CO2 emissions by 1.87 Mt. Based on these findings, DOE has 
determined the energy savings from the standard levels adopted in this 
final rule are ``significant'' within the meaning of 42 U.S.C. 
6295(o)(3)(B). A more detailed discussion of the basis for these 
conclusions is contained in the remainder of this document and the 
accompanying final rule technical support document (``TSD'').

II. Introduction

    The following section briefly discusses the statutory authority 
underlying this final rule, as well as some of the relevant historical 
background related to the establishment of standards for microwave 
ovens.

A. Authority

    EPCA authorizes DOE to regulate the energy efficiency of a number 
of consumer products and certain industrial equipment. Title III, Part 
B of EPCA established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer 
Products Other Than Automobiles. These products include microwave 
ovens, the subject of this document. (42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(10)) EPCA 
prescribed energy conservation standards for these products, and 
directs DOE to conduct future rulemakings to determine whether to amend 
these standards. (42 U.S.C. 6295(h)(2)(A)-(B)) 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 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)(1))
    The energy conservation program under EPCA consists essentially of 
four parts: (1) testing, (2) labeling, (3) the establishment of Federal 
energy conservation standards, and (4) certification and enforcement 
procedures. Relevant provisions of EPCA specifically include 
definitions (42 U.S.C. 6291), test procedures (42 U.S.C. 6293), 
labeling provisions (42 U.S.C. 6294), energy conservation

[[Page 39917]]

standards (42 U.S.C. 6295), and the authority to require information 
and reports from manufacturers (42 U.S.C. 6296).
    Federal energy efficiency requirements for covered products 
established under EPCA generally supersede State laws and regulations 
concerning energy conservation testing, labeling, and standards. (42 
U.S.C. 6297(a)-(c)) DOE may, however, grant waivers of Federal 
preemption in limited instances for particular State laws or 
regulations, in accordance with the procedures and other provisions set 
forth under EPCA. (See 42 U.S.C. 6297(d))
    Subject to certain criteria and conditions, DOE is required to 
develop test procedures to measure the energy efficiency, energy use, 
or estimated annual operating cost of each covered product. (42 U.S.C. 
6295(o)(3)(A) and 42 U.S.C. 6295(r)) Manufacturers of covered products 
must use the prescribed DOE test procedure as the basis for certifying 
to DOE that their products comply with the applicable energy 
conservation standards adopted under EPCA and when making 
representations to the public regarding the energy use or efficiency of 
those products. (42 U.S.C. 6293(c) and 6295(s)) Similarly, DOE must use 
these test procedures to determine whether the products comply with 
standards adopted pursuant to EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6295(s)) The DOE test 
procedures for microwave ovens appear at title 10 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (``CFR'') Sec.  430.23(i) and 10 CFR part 430, 
subpart B, appendix I (``appendix I'').
    DOE must follow specific statutory criteria for prescribing new or 
amended standards for covered products, including microwave ovens. Any 
new or amended standard for a covered product must be designed to 
achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that the Secretary 
of Energy determines is technologically feasible and economically 
justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(A) and 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)(B)) 
Furthermore, DOE may not adopt any standard that would not result in 
the significant conservation of energy. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)) 
Moreover, DOE may not prescribe a standard (1) for certain products, 
including microwave ovens, if no test procedure has been established 
for the product, or (2) if DOE determines by rule that the standard is 
not technologically feasible or economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 
6295(o)(3)(A)-(B)) In deciding whether a proposed standard is 
economically justified, DOE must determine whether the benefits of the 
standard exceed its burdens. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)) DOE must make 
this determination after receiving comments on the proposed standard, 
and by considering, to the greatest extent practicable, the following 
seven statutory factors:
    (1) The economic impact of the standard on 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 covered 
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))
    Further, EPCA, as codified, 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, as codified, 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 products 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 such a 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))
    Finally, 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)(A)-(B))

B. Background

1. Current Standards
    In a final rule published on June 17, 2013 (``June 2013 Final 
Rule''), DOE prescribed the current energy conservation standards for 
microwave ovens manufactured on and after June 17, 2016. 78 FR 36316. 
These standards are set forth in DOE's regulations at 10 CFR 
430.32(j)(3) and are repeated in Table II.1.

[[Page 39918]]



  Table II.1--Federal Energy Conservation Standards for Microwave Ovens
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Maximum  allowable  average
              Product class                        standby power
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Microwave-Only Ovens and Countertop       1.0 W.
 Convection Microwave Ovens.
Built-In and Over-the-Range Convection    2.2 W.
 Microwave Ovens.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. History of Standards Rulemaking for Microwave Ovens
    EPCA prescribed an energy conservation standard for kitchen ranges 
and ovens, and directed DOE to conduct two cycles of rulemakings to 
determine whether to amend standards for these products. (42 U.S.C. 
6295(h)(2)(A)-(B)) DOE completed the first of these rulemaking cycles 
by publishing a final rule on September 8, 1998, that codified the 
prescriptive design standard for gas cooking products established in 
EPCA, but found that no standards were justified for electric cooking 
products, including microwave ovens, at that time. 63 FR 48038, 48053-
48054. DOE completed the second rulemaking cycle and published a final 
rule on April 8, 2009, in which it determined, among other things, that 
standards for microwave oven active mode energy use were not 
economically justified. 74 FR 16040.
    DOE published the June 2013 Final Rule, adopting energy 
conservation standards for microwave ovens. 78 FR 36316. In the June 
2013 Final Rule, DOE maintained its prior determination that active 
mode standards are not warranted for microwave ovens and prescribed 
energy conservation standards that address the standby and off mode 
energy use of microwave ovens. 78 FR 36316, 36317.
    In support of the present review of the microwave oven energy 
conservation standards, DOE published an early assessment request for 
information on August 13, 2019, which identified various issues on 
which DOE sought comment to inform its determination of whether the 
standards need to be amended. 84 FR 39980.
    DOE subsequently published a notice of proposed determination 
(``NOPD'') on August 12, 2021, in which DOE initially determined that 
current standards for microwave ovens do not need to be amended. 86 FR 
44298. (``August 2021 NOPD'') In the August 2021 NOPD, DOE tentatively 
determined that there are technology options that would improve the 
efficiency of microwave ovens. 86 FR 44298, 44310. Based on the 
analysis conducted for the August 2021 NOPD, DOE estimated that amended 
standards for microwave oven standby power at the maximum 
technologically feasible (``max-tech'') level would result in 0.1 quads 
of energy saved over a 30-year period (representing an estimated 8 
percent reduction in site energy use of microwave ovens). 86 FR 44298, 
44310.
    In evaluating the significance of the estimated energy savings for 
the August 2021 NOPD, DOE applied a two-part numeric threshold test 
that was then applicable under section 6(b) of appendix A to 10 CFR 
part 430 subpart C (Jan. 1, 2021 edition). Specifically, the threshold 
required that an energy conservation standard result in a 0.30 quads 
reduction in site energy use over a 30-year analysis period or a 10-
percent reduction in site energy use over that same period. See 85 FR 
8626, 8670 (Feb. 14, 2020). In the August 2021 NOPD, DOE stated that 
the estimated site energy savings at the max-tech level was under the 
0.3-quads/10-percent threshold and tentatively determined that amended 
energy conservation standards for microwave oven standby power would 
not result in significant conservation of energy. 86 FR 44298, 44310. 
DOE also noted that the two-part numeric threshold was under 
reconsideration. 86 FR 44298, 44302.
    On December 13, 2021, DOE published in the Federal Register a final 
rule that amended appendix A to 10 CFR part 430 subpart C (``appendix 
A''). 86 FR 70892 (``December 2021 Final Rule''). The December 20201 
Final Rule, in part, removed the numeric threshold in section 6(b) of 
appendix A for determining when the significant energy savings 
criterion is met, reverting to DOE's prior practice of making such 
determinations on a case-by-case basis. 86 FR 70892.
    After the publication of the NOPD, DOE conducted investigative 
testing and manufacturer discussions, and updated the engineering 
analysis to be used in a subsequently published supplemental notice of 
proposed rulemaking (``SNOPR'') on August 24, 2022. 87 FR 52282. 
(``August 2022 SNOPR'') In the August 2022 SNOPR, DOE revised the 
efficiency levels, manufacturer selling price (``MSP'')-efficiency 
relationships, and LCC and PBP analyses to evaluate the economic 
impacts of potential energy conservation standards for microwave ovens 
on individual consumers. The amended energy conservation standards for 
microwave ovens proposed in the August 2022 SNOPR are shown in Table 
II.2. DOE requested comment on these proposed standards and associated 
analyses and results.

Table II.2--August 2022 SNOPR Proposed Energy Conservation Standards for
                             Microwave Ovens
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Maximum  allowable  average
              Product class                    standby power (watts)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PC 1: Microwave-Only Ovens and            0.6 W.
 Countertop Convection Microwave Ovens.
PC 2: Built-In and Over-the-Range         1.0 W.
 Convection Microwave Ovens.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE held a public meeting on October 11, 2022, to solicit feedback 
from stakeholders concerning the August 2022 SNOPR, and received 5 
comments in response to the August 2022 SNOPR from the interested 
parties listed in Table II.3.

                                 Table II.3--August 2022 SNOPR Written Comments
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Comment number
              Commenter(s)                       Abbreviation          in the docket        Commenter type
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appliance Standards Awareness Project,    The Joint Commenters......              31  Efficiency Organizations.
 American Council for an Energy-
 Efficient Economy, Consumer Federation
 of America, National Consumer Law
 Center, Natural Resources Defense
 Council, Northwest Energy Efficiency
 Alliance.
Association of Home Appliance             AHAM......................              28  Trade Association.
 Manufacturers.
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions,  C2ES......................              29  Efficiency Organizations.
 Institute for Policy Integrity at New
 York University School of Law, Natural
 Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club,
 Union of Concerned Scientists,
 Institute for Policy Integrity.

[[Page 39919]]

 
Whirlpool Corporation...................  Whirlpool.................              30  Manufacturer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A parenthetical reference at the end of a comment quotation or 
paraphrase provides the location of the item in the public record.\13\ 
To the extent that interested parties have provided written comments 
that are substantively consistent with any oral comments provided 
during the October 11, 2022 webinar, DOE cites the written comments 
throughout this final rule. Any oral comments provided during the 
webinar that are not substantively addressed by written comments are 
summarized and cited separately throughout this final rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ The parenthetical reference provides a reference for 
information located in the docket of DOE's rulemaking to develop 
energy conservation standards for microwave ovens. (Docket No. EERE-
2017-BT-STD-0023, which is maintained at www.regulations.gov). The 
references are arranged as follows: (commenter name, comment docket 
ID number, page of that document).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. General Discussion

    DOE developed this final rule after considering oral and written 
comments, data, and information from interested parties that represent 
a variety of interests. The following discussion addresses issues 
raised by these commenters.

A. Scope of Coverage

    This final rule covers those consumer products that meet the 
definition of ``microwave oven'' as codified at 10 CFR 430.2, which 
defines ``microwave oven'' as a category of cooking products which is a 
household cooking appliance consisting of a compartment designed to 
cook or heat food by means of microwave energy, including microwave 
ovens with or without thermal elements designed for surface browning of 
food and convection microwave ovens. This includes any microwave 
oven(s) component of a combined cooking product. Any product meeting 
the definition of microwave oven is included in DOE's scope of 
coverage.
    For this final rule, DOE considered the two product classes of 
microwave ovens prescribed in the current energy conservation 
standards: (1) Microwave-Only Ovens and Countertop Convection Microwave 
Ovens, and (2) Built-In and Over-the-Range Convection Microwave Ovens.
    For these two classes of microwave ovens, DOE's current test 
procedure measures the energy consumption in standby mode and off mode 
only. Consequently, DOE's current energy conservation standards for 
microwave ovens are also expressed in terms of standby mode and off 
mode power. There are currently no active mode energy conservation 
standards; nor is there a prescribed test procedure for measuring the 
active mode energy use or efficiency (e.g., cooking efficiency) of 
microwave ovens.
    The Joint Commenters commented that adopting a standard for active 
mode energy consumption could achieve ``significantly greater'' savings 
than proposed standby power standards, and that DOE should develop a 
test procedure and standards for active mode power consumption. (Joint 
Commenters, No. 31 at p. 2) DOE previously rejected developing an 
active mode test procedure in the microwave oven test procedure final 
rule published on March 30, 2022, (``March 2022 TP Final Rule'') due to 
undue burden on manufacturers and the lack of an available test 
procedure that accounts for the efficiency improvements of inverter 
microwave ovens. 87 FR 18261. As there is no test procedure for 
measuring the active mode efficiency of a microwave oven, and since 
development of such a test procedure is out of the scope of this 
document, DOE is not currently proposing to adopt an active mode energy 
usage standard.
    See section IV.2 of this document for discussion of the product 
classes analyzed in this final rule.

B. Test Procedure

    EPCA sets forth generally applicable criteria and procedures for 
DOE's adoption and amendment of test procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6293) 
Manufacturers of covered products must use these test procedures to 
certify to DOE that their product complies with energy conservation 
standards and to quantify the efficiency of their product. DOE will 
finalize a test procedure establishing methodologies used to evaluate 
proposed energy conservation standards prior to publication of a NOPR 
proposing new or amended energy conservation standards. Section 8(d)(1) 
of appendix A. As discussed, DOE amended the test procedure for 
microwave ovens, set forth in appendix I, in the March 2022 TP Final 
Rule. DOE's current energy conservation standards for microwave ovens 
are expressed in terms of watts of standby power. (See 10 CFR 
430.23(j)(3).)

C. Technological Feasibility

1. General
    In each energy conservation standards rulemaking, DOE conducts a 
screening analysis based on information gathered on all current 
technology options and prototype designs that could improve the 
efficiency of the products or equipment that are the subject of the 
rulemaking. As the first step in such an analysis, DOE develops a list 
of technology options for consideration in consultation with 
manufacturers, design engineers, and other interested parties. DOE then 
determines which of those means for improving efficiency are 
technologically feasible. DOE considers technologies incorporated in 
commercially available products or in working prototypes to be 
technologically feasible. Sections 6(b)(3)(i) and 7(b)(1) of appendix 
A.
    After DOE has determined that particular technology options are 
technologically feasible, it further evaluates each technology option 
in light of the following additional screening criteria: (1) 
practicability to manufacture, install, and service; (2) adverse 
impacts on product utility or availability; (3) adverse impacts on 
health or safety and (4) unique-pathway proprietary technologies. 
Sections 6(b)(3)(ii) through (v) and sections 7(b)(2) through (5) of 
appendix A. Section IV.B of this document discusses the results of the 
screening analysis for microwave ovens, particularly the designs DOE 
considered, those it screened out, and those that are the basis for the 
standards considered in this rulemaking. For further details on the 
screening analysis for this rulemaking, see chapter 4 of the final rule 
TSD.
2. Maximum Technologically Feasible Levels
    When DOE proposes to adopt an amended standard for a type or class 
of covered product, it must determine the maximum improvement in energy

[[Page 39920]]

efficiency or maximum reduction in energy use that is technologically 
feasible for such product. (42 U.S.C. 6295(p)(1)) Accordingly, in the 
engineering analysis, DOE determined the maximum technologically 
feasible (``max-tech'') improvements in energy efficiency for microwave 
ovens, using the design parameters for the most efficient products 
available on the market or in working prototypes. The max-tech levels 
that DOE determined for this rulemaking are described in section IV.C 
of this document and in chapter 5 of the final rule TSD.

D. Energy Savings

1. Determination of Savings
    For each trial standard level (``TSL''), DOE projected energy 
savings from application of the TSL to microwave ovens purchased in the 
30-year period that begins in the year of compliance with the amended 
standards (2026-2055).\14\ The savings are measured over the entire 
lifetime of products purchased in the 30-year analysis period. DOE 
quantified the energy savings attributable to each TSL as the 
difference in energy consumption between each standards case and the 
no-new-standards case. The no-new-standards case represents a 
projection of energy consumption that reflects how the market for a 
product would likely evolve in the absence of amended energy 
conservation standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ Each TSL is composed of specific efficiency levels for each 
product class. The TSLs considered for this rule are described in 
section V.A of this document. DOE also presents a sensitivity 
analysis that considers impacts for products shipped in a 9-year 
period.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE used its national impact analysis (``NIA'') spreadsheet models 
to estimate national energy savings (``NES'') from potential amended 
standards for microwave ovens. The NIA spreadsheet model (described in 
section IV.H of this document) calculates energy savings in terms of 
site energy, which is the energy directly consumed by products at the 
locations where they are used. For electricity, DOE reports national 
energy savings in terms of primary energy savings, which is the savings 
in the energy that is used to generate and transmit the site 
electricity. For natural gas, the primary energy savings are considered 
to be equal to the site energy savings. DOE also calculates NES in 
terms of FFC energy savings. The FFC metric includes the energy 
consumed in extracting, processing, and transporting primary fuels 
(i.e., coal, natural gas, petroleum fuels), and thus presents a more 
complete picture of the impacts of energy conservation standards.\15\ 
DOE's approach is based on the calculation of an FFC multiplier for 
each of the energy types used by covered products or equipment. For 
more information on FFC energy savings, see section IV.H.2 of this 
document.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ The FFC metric is discussed in DOE's statement of policy 
and notice of policy amendment. 76 FR 51282 (Aug. 18, 2011), as 
amended at 77 FR 49701 (Aug. 17, 2012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Significance of Savings
    To adopt any new or amended standards for a covered product, DOE 
must determine that such action would result in significant energy 
savings. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)(B))
    The significance of energy savings offered by a new or amended 
energy conservation standard cannot be determined without knowledge of 
the specific circumstances surrounding a given rulemaking. For example, 
some covered products and equipment have most of their energy 
consumption occur during periods of peak energy demand. The impacts of 
these products on the energy infrastructure can be more pronounced than 
products with relatively constant demand. In evaluating the 
significance of energy savings, DOE considers differences in primary 
energy and FFC effects for different covered products and equipment 
when determining whether energy savings are significant. Primary energy 
and FFC effects include the energy consumed in electricity production 
(depending on load shape), in distribution and transmission, and in 
extracting, processing, and transporting primary fuels (i.e., coal, 
natural gas, petroleum fuels), and thus present a more complete picture 
of the impacts of energy conservation standards.
    Accordingly, DOE evaluates the significance of energy savings on a 
case-by-case basis. As stated, the standard levels adopted in this 
final rule are projected to result in national FFC energy savings of 
0.06 quads, the equivalent of the electricity use of 1.6 million homes 
in one year. DOE has determined the energy savings from the standard 
levels adopted in this final rule are ``significant'' within the 
meaning of 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)(B).

E. Economic Justification

1. Specific Criteria
    As noted previously, EPCA provides seven factors to be evaluated in 
determining whether a potential energy conservation standard is 
economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(I)-(VII)) The 
following sections discuss how DOE has addressed each of those seven 
factors in this rulemaking.
a. Economic Impact on Manufacturers and Consumers
    In determining the impacts of potential amended standards on 
manufacturers, DOE conducts a Manufacturer Impact Analysis (``MIA''), 
as discussed in section IV.J of this document. DOE uses an annual cash-
flow approach to determine the quantitative impacts. This step includes 
both a short-term assessment--based on the cost and capital 
requirements during the period between when a regulation is issued and 
when entities must comply with the regulation--and a long-term 
assessment over a 30-year period. The industry-wide impacts analyzed 
include (1) INPV, which values the industry on the basis of expected 
future cash flows; (2) cash flows by year; (3) changes in revenue and 
income; and (4) other measures of impact, as appropriate. Second, DOE 
analyzes and reports the impacts on different types of manufacturers, 
including impacts on small manufacturers. Third, DOE considers the 
impact of standards on domestic manufacturer employment and 
manufacturing capacity, as well as the potential for standards to 
result in plant closures and loss of capital investment. Finally, DOE 
takes into account cumulative impacts of various DOE regulations and 
other regulatory requirements on manufacturers.
    For individual consumers, measures of economic impact include the 
changes in LCC and payback period (``PBP'') associated with new or 
amended standards. These measures are discussed further in the 
following section. For consumers in the aggregate, DOE also calculates 
the national net present value of the consumer costs and benefits 
expected to result from particular standards. DOE also evaluates the 
impacts of potential standards on identifiable subgroups of consumers 
that may be affected disproportionately by a standard.
b. Savings in Operating Costs Compared To Increase in Price (LCC and 
PBP)
    EPCA requires DOE to consider the savings in operating costs 
throughout the estimated average life of the covered product in the 
type (or class) compared to any increase in the price of, or in the 
initial charges for, or maintenance expenses of, the covered product 
that are likely to result from a standard. (42 U.S.C. 
6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(II)) DOE conducts this comparison in its LCC and PBP 
analysis.
    The LCC is the sum of the purchase price of a product (including 
its

[[Page 39921]]

installation) and the operating cost (including energy, maintenance, 
and repair expenditures) discounted over the lifetime of the product. 
The LCC analysis requires a variety of inputs, such as product prices, 
product energy consumption, energy prices, maintenance and repair 
costs, product lifetime, and discount rates appropriate for consumers. 
To account for uncertainty and variability in specific inputs, such as 
product lifetime and discount rate, DOE uses a distribution of values, 
with probabilities attached to each value.
    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 
due to a more-stringent standard by the change in annual operating cost 
for the year that standards are assumed to take effect.
    For its LCC and PBP analysis, DOE assumes that consumers will 
purchase the covered products in the first year of compliance with new 
or amended standards. The LCC savings for the considered efficiency 
levels are calculated relative to the case that reflects projected 
market trends in the absence of new or amended standards. DOE's LCC and 
PBP analysis is discussed in further detail in section IV.F of this 
document.
c. Energy Savings
    Although significant conservation of energy is a separate statutory 
requirement for adopting an energy conservation standard, EPCA requires 
DOE, in determining the economic justification of a standard, to 
consider the total projected energy savings that are expected to result 
directly from the standard. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(III)) As 
discussed in section IV.E of this document, DOE uses the NIA 
spreadsheet models to project national energy savings.
d. Lessening of Utility or Performance of Products
    In establishing product classes, and in evaluating design options 
and the impact of potential standard levels, DOE evaluates potential 
standards that would not lessen the utility or performance of the 
considered products. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(IV)) Based on data 
available to DOE, the standards adopted in this document would not 
reduce the utility or performance of the products under consideration 
in this rulemaking.
e. Impact of Any Lessening of Competition
    EPCA directs DOE to consider the impact of any lessening of 
competition, as determined in writing by the Attorney General, that is 
likely to result from a standard. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(V)) It 
also directs the Attorney General to determine the impact, if any, of 
any lessening of competition likely to result from a proposed standard 
and to transmit such determination to the Secretary within 60 days of 
the publication of a proposed rule, together with an analysis of the 
nature and extent of the impact. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(ii)) To 
assist the Department of Justice (``DOJ'') in making such a 
determination, DOE transmitted copies of the August 2022 SNOPR and the 
SNOPR TSD to the Attorney General for review, with a request that the 
DOJ provide its determination on this issue. In its assessment letter 
responding to DOE, DOJ concluded that the proposed energy conservation 
standards for microwave ovens are unlikely to have a significant 
adverse impact on competition. DOE is publishing the Attorney General's 
assessment at the end of this final rule.
f. Need for National Energy Conservation
    DOE also considers the need for national energy and water 
conservation in determining whether a new or amended standard is 
economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(VI)) The energy 
savings from the adopted standards are likely to provide improvements 
to the security and reliability of the Nation's energy system. 
Reductions in the demand for electricity also may result in reduced 
costs for maintaining the reliability of the Nation's electricity 
system. DOE conducts a utility impact analysis to estimate how 
standards may affect the Nation's needed power generation capacity, as 
discussed in section IV.M of this document.
    DOE maintains that environmental and public health benefits 
associated with the more efficient use of energy are important to take 
into account when considering the need for national energy 
conservation. The adopted standards are likely to result in 
environmental benefits in the form of reduced emissions of air 
pollutants and greenhouse gases (``GHGs'') associated with energy 
production and use. DOE conducts an emissions analysis to estimate how 
potential standards may affect these emissions, as discussed in section 
IV.K of this document; the estimated emissions impacts are reported in 
section V.B.6 of this document. DOE also estimates the economic value 
of emissions reductions resulting from the considered TSLs, as 
discussed in section IV.L of this document.
g. Other Factors
    In determining whether an energy conservation standard is 
economically justified, DOE may consider any other factors that the 
Secretary deems to be relevant. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(VII)) To 
the extent DOE identifies any relevant information regarding economic 
justification that does not fit into the other categories described 
previously, DOE could consider such information under ``other 
factors.''
2. Rebuttable Presumption
    As set forth in 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(iii), EPCA creates a 
rebuttable presumption that an energy conservation standard is 
economically justified if the additional cost to the consumer of a 
product that meets the standard is less than three times the value of 
the first year's energy savings resulting from the standard, as 
calculated under the applicable DOE test procedure. DOE's LCC and PBP 
analyses generate values used to calculate the effects that proposed 
energy conservation standards would have on the payback period for 
consumers. These analyses include, but are not limited to, the 3-year 
payback period contemplated under the rebuttable-presumption test. In 
addition, DOE routinely conducts an economic analysis that considers 
the full range of impacts to consumers, manufacturers, the Nation, and 
the environment, as required under 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i). The 
results of this analysis serve as the basis for DOE's evaluation of the 
economic justification for a potential standard level (thereby 
supporting or rebutting the results of any preliminary determination of 
economic justification). The rebuttable presumption payback calculation 
is discussed in section IV.F of this document.

IV. Methodology and Discussion of Related Comments

    This section addresses the analyses DOE has performed for this 
rulemaking with regard to microwave ovens. Separate subsections address 
each component of DOE's analyses.
    DOE used several analytical tools to estimate the impact of the 
standards considered in this document. The first tool is a spreadsheet 
that calculates the LCC savings and PBP of potential amended or new 
energy conservation

[[Page 39922]]

standards. The national impacts analysis uses a second spreadsheet set 
that provides shipments projections and calculates national energy 
savings and net present value of total consumer costs and savings 
expected to result from potential energy conservation standards. DOE 
uses the third spreadsheet tool, the Government Regulatory Impact Model 
(``GRIM''), to assess manufacturer impacts of potential standards. 
These three spreadsheet tools are available on the DOE website for this 
rulemaking: www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/product.aspx/productid/48. Additionally, DOE used output from the 
latest version of the Energy Information Administration's (``EIA's'') 
Annual Energy Outlook (``AEO'') for the emissions and utility impact 
analyses.
1. Market and Technology Assessment
    DOE develops information in the market and technology assessment 
that provides an overall picture of the market for the products 
concerned, including the purpose of the products, the industry 
structure, manufacturers, market characteristics, and technologies used 
in the products. This activity includes both quantitative and 
qualitative assessments, based primarily on publicly-available 
information. The subjects addressed in the market and technology 
assessment for this rulemaking include (1) a determination of the scope 
of the rulemaking and product classes, (2) manufacturers and industry 
structure, (3) existing efficiency programs, (4) shipments information, 
(5) market and industry trends, and (6) technologies or design options 
that could improve the energy efficiency of microwave ovens. The key 
findings of DOE's market assessment are summarized in the following 
sections. See chapter 3 of the final rule TSD for further discussion of 
the market and technology assessment.
    AHAM commented that it disagrees with DOE addressing European 
efficiency programs as a part of its analysis for the August 2022 
SNOPR. AHAM stated that DOE is improperly making direct comparisons to 
the European market and should not look to Europe or any other 
jurisdiction for guidance without first understanding the differences 
between products in those markets and those in the United States. 
(AHAM, No. 28 at p. 10) In response to AHAM's comment, DOE notes that 
its analysis of foreign regulatory programs is only to reduce 
additional manufacturer burden in complying with conflicting standards. 
DOE did not find any conflicting foreign regulatory programs, nor did 
it develop trial standards levels based on any foreign regulations. In 
the case of this rulemaking, foreign regulations had no bearing on 
DOE's analysis.
2. Product Classes
    When evaluating and establishing energy conservation standards, DOE 
may establish separate standards for a group of covered products (i.e., 
establish a separate product class) if DOE determines that separate 
standards are justified based on the type of energy used, or if DOE 
determines that a product's capacity or other performance-related 
feature justifies a different standard. (42 U.S.C. 6295(q)) In making a 
determination whether a performance-related feature justifies a 
different standard, DOE must consider such factors as the utility of 
the feature to the consumer and other factors DOE determines are 
appropriate. (Id.)
    Any product meeting the definition of a microwave oven, as codified 
in 10 CFR 430.2, is included in DOE's scope of coverage. ``Microwave 
oven'' is defined as a category of cooking products which is a 
household cooking appliance consisting of a compartment designed to 
cook or heat food by means of microwave energy, including microwave 
ovens with or without thermal elements designed for surface browning of 
food and convection microwave ovens. This includes any microwave 
oven(s) component of a combined cooking product.
    For this proposal, DOE considered the two product classes of 
microwave ovens prescribed in the current energy conservation 
standards: (1) Microwave-Only Ovens and Countertop Convection Microwave 
Ovens, and (2) Built-In and Over-the-Range Convection Microwave Ovens.
    For these two classes of microwave ovens, DOE's current test 
procedure measures the energy consumption in standby mode and off mode 
only. Consequently, DOE's current energy conservation standards for 
microwave ovens are also expressed in terms of standby mode and off 
mode power. There are currently no active mode energy conservation 
standards nor a prescribed test procedure for measuring the active mode 
energy use or efficiency (e.g., cooking efficiency) of microwave ovens.
    In response to the August 2022 SNOPR, AHAM and Whirlpool requested 
that DOE consider changing microwave oven product classes to align with 
the three general chassis designs: countertop, built-in, and over-the-
range. AHAM commented that the feature sets, design requirements, 
consumer use patterns, and standby powers are more correlated to 
chassis type than the presence of convection functionality. (AHAM, No. 
28 at p. 12) AHAM further stated that, on a shipment-weighted average 
basis, countertop models consume 0.6 W of standby power, followed by 
over-the-range models, and built-in models consuming 0.81 W and 1.65 W 
of standby power, respectively. (AHAM, No. 28 at p. 13) Whirlpool added 
that task lights, exhaust fans, and environmental sensors are some of 
the unique features of many over-the-range microwave ovens. (Whirlpool, 
No. 30 at p. 6).
    In the June 2013 Final Rule, DOE discussed its rationale for 
establishing the current product class structure. In that rulemaking, 
DOE acknowledged that over-the-range microwave ovens contain additional 
relays for components that are not found in countertop units, such as 
exhaust or cooling fans and cooktop lighting. However, these components 
were not found in DOE's analysis to require larger power supplies that 
would affect standby power consumption, and thus would not warrant a 
separate product class for over-the-range microwave-only ovens from 
countertop microwave ovens. 78 FR 36328. For this rulemaking, DOE's 
teardown and analyses of the Compliance Certification Database (``CCD 
\16\'') showed that microwave ovens have a wide variety of features 
independent of chassis type. DOE found various sensors, display types, 
and connectivity features in over-the-range, built-in and countertop 
microwave ovens. As such, DOE determines that performance-related 
features are fully reflected by the current product class structure. 
Additionally, AHAM claims via its shipment-weighted average standby 
power consumption data that the only meaningful differentiation for 
product classes is installation configuration. AHAM however did not 
provide shipments data with sufficient granularity to contradict DOE's 
previous data and conclusions (i.e., to justify eliminating product 
class differentiation on the basis of convection features and instead 
defining product classes solely by installation configuration). As a 
result, DOE is unable to rely on AHAM's data to revise the product 
classes. Further, DOE is not aware of, nor did AHAM provide, any data 
demonstrating that consumer utility varies by chassis type and has 
impacts on energy use that would justify establishing separate product 
classes. As a result, DOE is

[[Page 39923]]

opting to maintain its current product class structure.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ Available at www.regulations.doe.gov/certification-data.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Technology Options
    In the preliminary market analysis and technology assessment for 
the August 2022 SNOPR, DOE identified four technology options initially 
determined to improve the efficiency of microwave ovens, as measured by 
the DOE test procedure:

              Table IV.1--Microwave Oven Technology Options
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Mode                          Technology option
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standby................................  Lower-power display
                                          technologies.
Standby................................  Cooking sensors with no standby
                                          power requirement.
Standby................................  More efficient power supply and
                                          control board options.
Standby................................  Automatic power-down of most
                                          power-consuming components,
                                          including the clock display.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In support of the analysis for its August 2022 SNOPR, DOE purchased 
and tested 33 microwave ovens representing the two proposed product 
classes, and the results confirmed that microwave oven models currently 
on the market can achieve standby power consumption values in-between 
the very low levels enabled by automatic power-down microwave ovens and 
the proposed levels (i.e., 0.6 W for Product Class 1 and 1.0 W for 
Product Class 2). 87 FR 52283. Further, DOE's testing suggested that 
microwave ovens are frequently rated conservatively, such that their 
certified standby power level is higher than actual values obtained 
when tested in accordance with appendix I. Therefore, DOE was unable to 
accurately assess the relationship between specific standby power 
levels and utilized technology options based on data from the CCD. 
Instead, DOE used the measured standby power levels of microwave oven 
models in its test sample as a proxy to determine the representative 
distribution of standby power levels among microwave ovens on the 
market, as shown in Table IV.2. Details of the methodology and results 
from DOE's investigative testing are included in chapter 3 and chapter 
5 of the SNOPR TSD as well as the final rule TSD.\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ The final rule TSD as well as the SNOPR TSD are available 
on the docket, www.regulations.gov/document/EERE-2017-BT-STD-0023-0022.


      Table IV.2--Estimated Market Distribution of Microwave Ovens
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Market share
                    Standby power (W)                           (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Microwave-Only Ovens and Countertop Convection Microwave Ovens
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................................              15
0.8.....................................................              45
0.6.....................................................              29
0.4.....................................................              11
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Built-in and Over-the-Range Convection Microwave Ovens
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.2.....................................................               0
1.5.....................................................              36
1.......................................................              59
0.5.....................................................               5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    AHAM commented that it disagreed with DOE's use of tested values 
rather than CCD reported values in the August 2022 SNOPR, a practice it 
says undermines the practice of conservatively reporting standby power 
to allow some ``buffer'' to ensure consumers are getting what they are 
promised. (AHAM, No. 28 at p. 9) AHAM further commented that 
conservative rating ensures compliance with applicable standards by 
providing a safety factor to account for unavoidable variation in the 
manufacturing process. DOE notes that its tested values were often much 
lower than the reported values in the CCD, with differences as great as 
1.43 W (approximately 65 percent) for Product Class 2 microwave ovens 
and 0.6192 W (approximately 61 percent) for Product Class 1 microwave 
ovens. DOE determines these current ratings to be significantly more 
conservative than is necessary, considering electronics manufacturing 
processes are sufficiently advanced. Furthermore, DOE did not see any 
variation in standby power greater than 0.1 W in the duplicate test 
units.
    AHAM additionally commented that the products that use 
significantly less power than rated undermine the need for new 
standards, as there is little to gain. (AHAM, No. 28 at p. 9)
    DOE reiterates that its analysis uses an efficiency distribution 
based on tested values that shows the existing market to be more 
efficient compared to that based on overly conservative rated values. 
As discussed further in section V.C.1 of this document, DOE's analysis 
demonstrates that despite the use of a more efficient distribution in 
its analysis as a starting point, the benefits of the standard exceed, 
to a great extent, the burdens at TSL 2 and an amended standard set at 
this level for microwave ovens would be economically justified. 
Additionally, AHAM's comment underscores the importance of testing 
units rather than relying solely on data from the CCD.
    As part of the analysis for the August 2022 SNOPR, DOE subsequently 
tore down all 33 microwave ovens, but was unable to isolate a unique 
set of technology options associated with each standby power level. As 
such, DOE concluded that models demonstrating lower standby power 
consumption than the current energy conservation standards are not 
implementing specific technology options; rather, they are 
incorporating a comprehensive, system-level control board redesign that 
prioritizes standby power performance from the ground up. Examples of 
possible redesign strategies include (1) the replacement of 
microcontrollers with modern ones that demonstrate significantly lower 
quiescent current consumption and (2) firmware that emphasizes the 
shutting down of any subassemblies that are not in use while idle. DOE 
estimated that while these improvements would not contribute to the 
incremental manufacturer production cost (``MPC'') of a control board, 
the redesign would result in significant conversion costs for 
manufacturers as they attempt to bring their microwave oven models into 
compliance with any proposed standards. See section IV.J.2.a of this 
document.
    In the August 2022 SNOPR, DOE requested feedback on its tentative 
conclusion that reducing the standby power consumption of a microwave 
oven would require a whole-board redesign, and that manufacturers would 
incur a one-time conversion cost without any additional MPC. AHAM and 
Whirlpool agreed with DOE's assessment that standby power reduction is 
a system-level redesign challenge, and that standby power often cannot 
be reduced with simple component changes. (AHAM, No. 28 at p. 5; 
Whirlpool, No. 30 at p. 6) AHAM and Whirlpool disagreed with DOE's 
conclusion that redesign would not impact overall MPC of a given 
product. Whirlpool commented that the new classes of microprocessors, 
display backlight circuits, display deep sleep technologies, and power 
switches may be necessary to reach higher efficiencies, and that this 
will add to the MPC for more efficient microwave ovens. (Whirlpool, No. 
30 at p. 7) AHAM commented that changes to the control board may 
require manufacturers to evaluate and replace or remove components 
affected by the control board (e.g., displays, sensors,

[[Page 39924]]

and clock) to reach amended standard levels. (AHAM, No. 28 at p. 5)
    In response to AHAM and Whirlpool's comments, DOE notes that the 
analysis of the 33 microwave ovens noted above included product 
teardowns and establishing costed bill of materials. DOE examined the 
datasheets for components used in each design but was unable to 
establish a strong relationship between the use of better components 
and a microwave oven's overall standby performance. DOE found that 
while standby performance could be improved by opting for a better 
component, such as in the case of microcontrollers with deep sleep 
states, the cost differentials were often zero or negative. In all 
situations, DOE found that overall circuit design rather than component 
selection itself had a greater impact on standby performance cost. In 
the absence of additional cost data showing a clear MPC-efficiency 
relationship, DOE maintains its conclusion that any system-level 
redesign would not contribute to an incremental MPC increase.

B. Screening Analysis

    DOE uses the following five screening criteria to determine which 
technology options are suitable for further consideration in an energy 
conservation standards rulemaking:
    (1) Technological feasibility. Technologies that are not 
incorporated in commercial products or in working prototypes will not 
be considered further.
    (2) Practicability to manufacture, install, and service. If it is 
determined that mass production and reliable installation and servicing 
of a technology in commercial products could not be achieved on the 
scale necessary to serve the relevant market at the time of the 
projected compliance date of the standard, then that technology will 
not be considered further.
    (3) Impacts on product utility or product availability. If it is 
determined that a technology would have a significant adverse impact on 
the utility of the product for significant subgroups of consumers or 
would result in the unavailability of any covered product type with 
performance characteristics (including reliability), features, sizes, 
capacities, and volumes that are substantially the same as products 
generally available in the United States at the time, it will not be 
considered further.
    (4) Adverse impacts on health or safety. If it is determined that a 
technology would have significant adverse impacts on health or safety, 
it will not be considered further.
    (5) Unique-Pathway Proprietary Technologies. If a design option 
utilizes proprietary technology that represents a unique pathway to 
achieving a given efficiency level, that technology will not be 
considered further due to the potential for monopolistic concerns.
    Sections 6(b)(3) and 7(b) of appendix A.
    In sum, if DOE determines that a technology, or a combination of 
technologies, fails to meet one or more of the listed five criteria, it 
will be excluded from further consideration in the engineering 
analysis. The reasons for eliminating any technology are discussed in 
the following sections.
    The subsequent sections include DOE's evaluation of each technology 
option against the screening analysis criteria, and whether DOE 
determined that a technology option should be excluded (``screened 
out'') based on the screening criteria.
1. Screened-Out Technologies
    DOE considers whether a technology option will adversely impact 
consumer utility and product availability. To that end, DOE has 
previously stated it is uncertain the extent to which consumers value 
the function of a continuous display clock, but that loss of such 
function may result in significant loss of consumer utility. 78 FR 
36316, 36362. Consistent with this prior concern, DOE has screened out 
``automatic power-down'' as a technology option due to its impact on 
consumer utility in this final rule.
2. Remaining Technologies
    Through a review of each technology, DOE concludes that all of the 
other identified technologies listed in section IV.B.2 of this document 
meet all five screening criteria to be examined further as design 
options in DOE's final rule analysis. In summary, DOE did not screen 
out the following technology options:
    (1) Lower-power display technologies;
    (2) Cooking sensors with no standby power requirement; and
    (3) More efficient power supply and control board options.
    DOE determines that these technology options are technologically 
feasible because they are being used or have previously been used in 
commercially-available products or working prototypes. DOE also finds 
that all of the remaining technology options meet the other screening 
criteria (i.e., practicable to manufacture, install, and service and do 
not result in adverse impacts on consumer utility, product 
availability, health, or safety). For additional details, see chapter 4 
of the final rule TSD.
    AHAM and Whirlpool asserted that DOE's revised standards will cause 
an unacceptable loss of product functionality, and that future features 
will not be able to be added to microwave ovens due to feature power 
draw and DOE's practice of undermining conservative ratings. (AHAM, No. 
28 at pp. 3-4, 8; Whirlpool, No. 30 at p. 5) AHAM provided a 
confidential list of various features that it states would be 
impossible to implement at DOE's updated standards. (AHAM, No. 28 at p. 
4) AHAM additionally commented that manufacturers will also be unable 
to incorporate indoor air quality (``IAQ'') sensors, which may be 
required by future state building codes and could be impossible to 
implement due to EPCA's backsliding provision. (Id. at pp. 3, 13) AHAM 
and Whirlpool commented that other sensors may also need to be removed 
as well, driving consumers to use less efficient methods of cooking, 
and Whirlpool added that it was not aware of any humidity sensors that 
do not impact standby power. (AHAM, No. 28 at p. 4; Whirlpool, No. 30 
at pp. 4, 7) Finally, AHAM stated that updated microwave oven standby 
power standards could lead to a loss of connectivity features in 
microwave ovens. (AHAM, No 28 at p. 3)
    The Joint Commenters commented that they were able to find many 
Product Class 1 \18\ units from various manufacturers with reported 
powers below 0.6 W that incorporated sensor technologies. (Joint 
Commenters, No. 31 at p. 3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ Product Class 1 comprises microwave-only ovens and 
countertop convection microwave ovens.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In response to these comments, DOE concludes that IAQ monitoring 
sensors (smoke and carbon monoxide(``CO'')) are technologically mature 
enough to be implemented without any significant impact to microwave 
oven standby power budgets due to the prevalence and maturity of low-
power smoke and carbon monoxide detectors required by most state 
building codes.\19\ DOE researched additional sensors that might be 
applicable for use in microwave ovens, and found low-power options for 
IAQ, such as the Bosch BME688, with an average current consumption of 
0.1 milliamps (``mA'') at 3.6 volts (``V'') in low power mode, and the 
Renesas ZMOD4410 with an average power consumption of 0.16 milliwatts 
in ultra-low power mode. Similarly, DOE found

[[Page 39925]]

flame detection sensors, such as the Kemet QFS series, with an average 
current draw of 3.5 microamps (``[micro]A'') at 3.6 V and PM sensors, 
such as the Sensirion SPS30, with an idle current draw of 330 [micro]A 
and a sleep current draw of 50 [micro]A.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ DOE found that the First Alert BRK PRC710 and Kidde P3010CU 
combination smoke and CO detectors include sealed batteries meant to 
last 10 years.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regarding AHAM's comment that updated standards impact connectivity 
features, DOE notes that section 2.1.1 of appendix I instructs that if 
a microwave oven can communicate through a network (e.g., 
Bluetooth[supreg] or internet connection), the network function is 
disabled for the duration of standby mode and off mode testing, if it 
is possible to disable it by means provided in the manufacturer's user 
manual. Furthermore, DOE's testing did not find any correlation between 
presence of connected features and standby power consumption. 
Similarly, DOE did not find any standby power impact from humidity 
sensors in the microwave ovens tested and torn down. An additional 
review of available humidity sensors showed multiple models without a 
listed electrical warm-up time, as well as sensors with power 
requirements less than 0.005 W (e.g. review of datasheets for humidity 
sensors from component manufacturers such as Reneas, Amphenol, and 
Texas Instrument shows typical supply currents in the range of 1 to 200 
[micro]A).
    With regards to loss of features and functionality, DOE notes that 
many of the features discussed confidentially by AHAM were already 
present in the microwave ovens torn down by DOE and therefore were 
captured by DOE in its analysis. DOE also determines that those 
features discussed by AHAM that were not seen in DOE's teardown 
analysis would not impact standby power, as the microwave oven would 
not be in standby mode while those features are activated. Instead, the 
features would be disconnected, turned off, or put into a quiescent 
state \20\ in order to place the microwave oven in standby mode for 
testing. As such, DOE determines that amending standards would neither 
impact the types of sensors that can be used in microwave oven designs 
nor adversely impact consumer utility.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ In electronics design, Quiescent state or Quiescent mode is 
defined as a state of inactivity or dormancy, with attributes of 
very low current draw.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Engineering Analysis

    The purpose of the engineering analysis is to establish the 
relationship between the efficiency and cost of microwave ovens. 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 product cost at each efficiency level (i.e., the 
``cost analysis''). In determining the performance of higher-efficiency 
microwave ovens, 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/equipment 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).
1. Efficiency Analysis
    DOE typically uses one of two approaches to develop energy 
efficiency levels for the engineering analysis: (1) relying on observed 
efficiency levels in the market (i.e., the efficiency-level approach), 
or (2) determining the incremental efficiency improvements associated 
with incorporating specific design options to a baseline model (i.e., 
the design-option approach). Using the efficiency-level approach, the 
efficiency levels established for the analysis are determined based on 
the market distribution of existing products (in other words, based on 
the range of efficiencies and efficiency level ``clusters'' that 
already exist on the market). Using the design option approach, the 
efficiency levels established for the analysis are determined through 
detailed engineering calculations and/or computer simulations of the 
efficiency improvements from implementing specific design options that 
have been identified in the technology assessment. DOE may also rely on 
a combination of these two approaches. For example, the efficiency-
level approach (based on actual products on the market) may be extended 
using the design option approach to ``gap fill'' levels (to bridge 
large gaps between other identified efficiency levels) and/or to 
extrapolate to the ``max-tech'' level (particularly in cases where the 
``max-tech'' level exceeds the maximum efficiency level currently 
available on the market).
    In this rulemaking, DOE applied the efficiency-level approach. As 
discussed, DOE was unable to use the design-option approach because it 
did not identify specific design options associated with each standby 
power level.
a. Baseline Efficiency/Energy Use
    For each product class, DOE generally selects a baseline model as a 
reference point against which to measure changes resulting from energy 
conservation standards. The baseline model in each product class 
represents the characteristics of a product typical of that class 
(e.g., capacity, physical size). Generally, a baseline model is one 
that just meets current energy conservation standards, or, if no 
standards are in place, the baseline is typically the most common or 
least efficient unit on the market.
    For microwave-only ovens and countertop convection microwave ovens 
(``Product Class 1''), the baseline standby power level is equal to the 
current standard of 1.0 W. For the built-in and over-the-range 
convection microwave ovens product class (``Product Class 2''), the 
baseline standby power consumption used for the analysis is equal to 
the current standard of 2.2 W. This maximum allowable average standby 
power consumption for Product Class 2 is higher than that allowed for 
Product Class 1 microwave ovens because, in the June 2013 Final Rule, 
DOE concluded that built-in and over-the-range convection microwave 
ovens require a larger power supply to support additional features, 
such as an exhaust fan, additional relays, and additional lights, and 
that the larger power supply contributes to a higher standby power 
consumption. 78 FR 36316, 36328. Nonetheless, DOE expects that certain 
available design options for reducing standby power consumption for 
Product Class 2 microwave ovens would be similar to those for Product 
Class 1 microwave ovens.
b. Higher Efficiency Levels
    Using the efficiency-level approach, the higher efficiency levels 
established for the analysis are determined based on the market 
distribution of existing products (in other words, based on the range 
of efficiencies and efficiency level ``clusters'' that already exist on 
the market). As noted in section IV.A.2 of this document, DOE's testing 
suggests that microwave ovens are frequently rated conservatively, such 
that their certified standby power level is higher than actual values 
obtained when tested in accordance with appendix I. DOE therefore used 
the measured standby power levels of microwave oven models in its test 
sample as a proxy to determine the representative distribution of 
standby power levels among microwave ovens currently on the market, as 
shown in Table IV.2.
    According to this efficiency distribution, 85 percent of Product 
Class 1 microwave ovens achieve a standby power consumption lower than 
the

[[Page 39926]]

current standard of 1.0 W, with 45 percent of the market estimated to 
be achieving 0.8 W, 29 percent achieving 0.6 W, and 11 percent 
achieving 0.4 W, all without the use of automatic power-down. For 
Product Class 1, therefore, DOE analyzed three efficiency levels 
(``ELs'') above the baseline, which correspond to these three standby 
power levels, as shown in Table IV.3.
    The test results also showed that all of the Product Class 2 test 
units achieved a standby power consumption in the range of 0.5 W to 1.5 
W, lower than the current standard of 2.2 W. As such, DOE analyzed 
higher efficiency levels for this product class at standby power values 
evenly distributed within that range: EL 1 at 1.5 W, EL 2 at 1.0 W, and 
EL 3 (max-tech) at 0.5 W. DOE estimates that there are currently no 
built-in and over-the-range convection microwave ovens in the market at 
the baseline standby power consumption of 2.2 W.
    In summary, DOE analyzed the following efficiency levels for this 
rule:

   Table IV.3--Analyzed Efficiency Levels for Microwave-Only Ovens and
                  Countertop Convection Microwave Ovens
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Standby power
                    Efficiency level                            (W)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baseline................................................            1.00
1.......................................................             0.8
2.......................................................             0.6
3 (Max-Tech)............................................             0.4
------------------------------------------------------------------------


 Table IV.4--Analyzed Efficiency Levels for Built-In and Over-the-Range
                       Convection Microwave Ovens
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Standby power
                    Efficiency level                            (W)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baseline................................................             2.2
1.......................................................             1.5
2.......................................................             1.0
3 (Max-Tech)............................................             0.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Joint Commenters requested that DOE analyze an additional 
efficiency level above max-tech, citing a number of microwave ovens in 
the CCD with reported standby powers of less than 0.3 W. The Joint 
Commenters further stated that many of these microwave ovens do not 
utilize the screened-out automatic power-down technology option, making 
this a viable efficiency level for manufacturers.
    With regard to the Joint Commenters request, DOE's review of the 
market has shown that the majority of the microwave ovens at or below 
0.3 W utilize other screened-out technology options (no clock, no 
display, and automatic power-down) to achieve a low standby power, and 
that an EL above max-tech would require designing microwave ovens with 
a significant impact to consumer utility. Also, as discussed further in 
section V.C of this document, DOE has determined that there is 
uncertainty as to whether or not a standard at max-tech would stifle 
innovation and risk impacting customer utility. Accordingly, DOE has 
elected not to analyze an efficiency level above the max-tech discussed 
in the August 2022 SNOPR.
    AHAM and Whirlpool commented that electromagnetic interference 
(``EMI'') filtration boards draw a significant amount of power that 
DOE's analysis did not take into account. (AHAM, No. 28 at p. 6; 
Whirlpool, No. 30, at pp. 2-3) Furthermore, AHAM stated that EMI 
filters that draw less power than those currently in use may not be as 
effective at filtering out conducted electromagnetic fields (``EMF''). 
Whirlpool stated that effective filter designs can account for up to 
0.3 W of standby power in a microwave oven. (Whirlpool, No. 30 at p. 4) 
AHAM commented that a survey of the current market found filter board 
power contributions of 0.17 W for countertop microwave ovens, 0.22 W 
for over-the-range microwave ovens, and 0.08 W for built-in microwave 
ovens (AHAM, No. 28 at p. 6).
    As detailed in chapter 5 of the final rule TSD, DOE conducted a 
number of additional standby power tests on a sample of nine microwave 
ovens from both product classes after removing their input power 
filtration boards. Tested units included inverter microwave ovens, 
which tend to have more expensive and complex filtration boards, and 
units with different sensors and WiFi functionality.
    DOE found that the sampled power filtration boards, on average, 
account for only 0.012 W of power during standby testing, calculated as 
the difference between the standby power with the filter installed and 
the standby power without the filter installed. This average measured 
value of 0.012 W is approximately 25 times less than Whirlpool's 
estimate (0.3 W) and about 10 times less than the shipment-weighted 
average of AHAM's reported values (0.173 W) using shipment weights 
provided by Whirlpool in its comments. (Whirlpool, No. 30 at p. 6) DOE 
conducted a single-tailed T-test to determine whether AHAM's reported 
mean differs in a statistically significant way from the measured mean. 
The resulting p-value rejected the null hypothesis (i.e., the 
difference is indeed statistically significant and not due to sampling 
artifices). Whirlpool commented that DOE's tested models may not 
utilize the highest levels of filtering. (Whirlpool, No. 30 at p. 4) 
Since neither AHAM nor Whirlpool provided any further information 
identifying brands and models used to arrive at these values, DOE 
cannot verify the comments that EMI filtration boards take up a 
significant amount of a microwave's standby power budget, nor that 
DOE's tests were not representative of the market.
    DOE performed additional teardown analysis of power filter boards 
from tested microwave ovens. All boards were passive filtration boards 
that utilize (1) a selection of capacitors and a common mode choke for 
mains power filtration; (2) a safety capacitor bleed resistor used to 
discharge capacitors that might otherwise shock a user when unplugging 
the unit from the wall; and (3) In some cases, a metal oxide varistor 
likely for voltage transient suppression. The primary standby power 
draw of this circuit is the always-connected bleeder resistor, which 
can be further eliminated with minimal impact to EMI filtration quality 
by using any number of automatic safety capacitor discharge circuits. 
However, this approach to reducing standby power with an automatic 
safety capacitor discharge circuit would only be relevant and 
meaningful if the power consumption of EMI filters with regular bleed 
resistors were significant. As discussed previously, DOE's testing 
showed power consumption of EMI filters to be a fraction of what AHAM 
and Whirlpool commented. The use of automatic capacitor discharge 
circuits would therefore not be meaningful and/or necessary.
    Additionally, AHAM commented that microwave ovens account for 40.51 
percent of consumer-reported nuisance trips when connected to a mains 
line with an arc-fault circuit interrupter (``AFCI'') circuit breaker. 
(AHAM, No. 28 at p. 8) AHAM stated that manufacturers traditionally 
outfit microwave ovens with EMI filters designed to only meet emissions 
limits established by the Federal Communications Commission (``FCC'') 
in 47 CFR part 15 and 47 CFR part 18 (referred to as ``Part 15'' and 
``Part 18''), and that actual limits for avoiding accidental 
``nuisance'' tripping are much more stringent and require EMI filters 
that consume more power. (AHAM, No. 28 at pp. 6-8) With increasing use 
of AFCIs in homes, Whirlpool commented that DOE must account for the 
additional power draw

[[Page 39927]]

of AFCI-compliant EMI filters when amending standards or risk losing 
other features that provide consumer utility. (Whirlpool, No. 30 at p. 
4)
    DOE researched guidance for appliance manufacturers on ensuring 
compatibility with AFCI outlets. As part of its efforts to promote the 
use of AFCIs, the National Electrical Manufacturer's Association 
(``NEMA'') has published guidelines \21\ for appliance manufacturers 
that wish to design appliances that are compatible with AFCI outlets. 
These guidelines were developed by the Molded Case Circuit Breaker 
Product Group of the Low Voltage Distribution Equipment Section of 
NEMA. At the time of publication, this group included ABB Control, 
Inc.; Eaton Corporation; General Electric; Siemens Industry, Inc.; and 
Schneider Electric USA, all manufacturers of AFCIs. Although it is 
unclear how many of these members participated in the development of 
NEMA's guidance, DOE has not found contradicting guidance from any AFCI 
manufacturers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ National Electrical Manufacturer's Association. 
Recommendations on AFCI/Home Electrical Product Compatibility. 2011. 
Rosslyn, VA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NEMA's white paper describes the emission limits recommendations 
for appliance manufacturers. Specifically, NEMA recommends that 
manufacturers meet Part 15 requirements for Class B devices, even if 
appliances are not subject to these regulations. DOE notes that the 
Part 15 requirements for conducted emissions of Class B devices are the 
same as the Part 18 requirements for consumer devices other than 
induction cooking ranges and ultrasonic equipment. Thus, if 
manufacturers are designing microwave ovens to meet Part 18 
requirements as AHAM states, they are following the leading industry 
guidance for avoiding AFCI nuisance tripping.
    Although AHAM commented that AFCIs are being improperly tripped by 
normal microwave use, DOE recognizes that there are many potential 
sources of arcing in a microwave oven that may be difficult for 
consumers to recognize, potentially leading to an over-reporting of 
nuisance tripping. Unwanted arcing can occur during cooking if there 
are materials that reflect microwaves; the microwave is improperly 
loaded (ran empty or nearly empty); or there is a stalled stirrer blade 
or non-rotating antenna, which may not be visible to the consumer, 
resulting in reflected microwaves. In all three of these cases, the 
AFCI is performing its function correctly by detecting arcs and 
preventing further power draw, though consumers may not be aware that 
these arcs are occurring. Microwave ovens also rely on a number of 
relays to control various functionality. Relays, if not properly 
implemented, can also be prone to producing excessive arcing that may 
trip AFCIs. Thus, AFCIs can correctly trip from detected arcs that may 
be invisible to consumers.
    In sum, DOE does not find that future EMI filter board designs 
would substantively alter the standby power levels that microwave ovens 
can achieve and concludes, therefore, that EMI filtration board power 
draw will not prohibit future innovation in microwave ovens. Further, 
DOE determined that microwave ovens are already meeting the leading 
guidance for avoiding nuisance tripping and will continue to do so as 
long as manufacturers design according to mandatory FCC standards.
2. Cost Analysis
    The cost analysis portion of the engineering analysis is conducted 
using one or a combination of cost approaches. The selection of cost 
approach depends on a suite of factors, including the availability and 
reliability of public information, characteristics of the regulated 
product, and the availability and timeliness of purchasing the 
microwave oven on the market. The cost approaches are summarized as 
follows:
     Physical teardowns: Under this approach, DOE physically 
dismantles a commercially available product, component-by-component, to 
develop a detailed bill of materials for the product.
     Catalog teardowns: In lieu of physically deconstructing a 
product, DOE identifies each component using parts diagrams (available 
from manufacturer websites or appliance repair websites, for example) 
to develop the bill of materials for the product.
     Price surveys: If neither a physical nor catalog teardown 
is feasible (for example, for tightly integrated products such as 
fluorescent lamps, which are infeasible to disassemble and for which 
parts diagrams are unavailable) or cost-prohibitive and otherwise 
impractical (e.g., large commercial boilers), DOE conducts price 
surveys using publicly available pricing data published on major online 
retailer websites and/or by soliciting prices from distributors and 
other commercial channels.
    For microwave ovens, DOE attempted to estimate the MPC of attaining 
each efficiency level using the physical teardowns approach described 
previously. As stated in section IV.A.2 of this document, DOE tore down 
all 33 microwave ovens in its test sample but was unable to isolate a 
unique set of technology options associated with each standby power 
level. As such, DOE concludes that models demonstrating lower standby 
power consumption than the current energy conservation standards are 
not implementing specific technology options, but rather incorporate a 
comprehensive system-level control board design that prioritizes 
standby power performance from the ground up. Examples of possible 
design strategies include the replacement of microcontrollers and 
switch mode controllers with modern ones that demonstrate significantly 
lower quiescent current consumption at no additional cost compared to 
those found in inefficient systems and firmware that emphasizes the 
shutting down of all subassemblies that are not in use while idle. DOE 
estimates that, while these improvements would not contribute to an 
increase in the MPC of a control board (i.e., incremental MPC of $0), 
the redesign would result in conversion costs for manufacturers as they 
bring their microwave oven models into compliance with any proposed 
standards. See section IV.J.2.a of this document. To account for 
manufacturers' non-production costs and profit margin, DOE applies a 
multiplier (the manufacturer markup) to the MPC. The resulting MSP is 
the price at which the manufacturer distributes a unit into commerce. 
DOE developed an average manufacturer markup by examining the annual 
Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'') 10-K reports filed by 
publicly-traded manufacturers primarily engaged in household cooking 
appliance manufacturing and whose combined product range includes 
microwave ovens.
3. Cost-Efficiency Results
    The results of the engineering analysis are reported as cost-
efficiency data (or ``curves'') in the form of MPC (in dollars) versus 
standby power consumption (in W). For the reasons discussed in sections 
IV.A.2 and IV.C.2 of this document, DOE estimated an incremental MPC of 
$0 at all higher efficiency levels, compared to the baseline MPC, for 
both of the product classes, as shown in Table IV.5 and Table IV.6 of 
this document. See chapter 5 of the final rule TSD for additional 
detail on the engineering analysis.

[[Page 39928]]



   Table IV.5--Analyzed Efficiency Levels and Incremental Manufacturer
   Production Costs for Microwave-Only Ovens and Countertop Convection
                             Microwave Ovens
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Standby power    Incremental
            Efficiency level                    (W)         MPC (2021$)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baseline................................            1.00  ..............
1.......................................             0.8             0.0
2.......................................             0.6             0.0
3.......................................             0.4             0.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------


   Table IV.6--Analyzed Efficiency Levels and Incremental Manufacturer
  Production Costs for Built-In and Over-the-Range Convection Microwave
                                  Ovens
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Standby power    Incremental
            Efficiency level                    (W)         MPC (2021$)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baseline................................            2.20  ..............
1.......................................             1.5            $0.0
2.......................................            1.00            $0.0
3.......................................             0.5            $0.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

D. 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 the MSP estimates derived in the 
engineering analysis to consumer prices, which are then used in the LCC 
and PBP analysis. At each step in the distribution channel, companies 
mark up the price of the product to cover business costs and profit 
margin.
    For microwave ovens, DOE further developed baseline and incremental 
markups for each link in the distribution chain (after the product 
leaves the manufacturer). 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.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE relied on economic data from the U.S. Census Bureau to estimate 
average baseline and incremental markups. Specifically, DOE used the 
2017 Annual Retail Trade Survey for the ``electronics and appliance 
stores'' sector to develop retailer markups.\23\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ US Census Bureau, Annual Retail Trade Survey. 2017. 
www.census.gov/programs-surveys/arts.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Chapter 6 of the final rule TSD provides details on DOE's 
development of markups for microwave ovens.

E. Energy Use Analysis

    The purpose of the energy use analysis is to determine the annual 
energy consumption of microwave ovens at different efficiencies in 
representative U.S. single-family homes, multi-family residences, and 
mobile homes, and to assess the energy savings potential of increased 
microwave ovens efficiency. The energy use analysis estimates the range 
of energy use of microwave ovens 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.
    For this final rule, DOE used the same methodology as that 
described in section IV.D of the August 2022 SNOPR. In the June 2013 
Final Rule, DOE determined the average hours of operation for microwave 
ovens to be 44.9 hours per year.24 25 To calibrate the 
average annual operating hours, DOE primarily used data from the EIA's 
2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (``RECS'').\26\ RECS 2020 
provides information on the frequency of microwave oven usage per week 
for each household. DOE calculated the RECS microwave oven usage factor 
for each household in the sample by dividing the weighted-average usage 
based on the entire RECS samples. DOE then multiplied the usage factor 
by the annual operating hours (i.e., 44.9 hours) for each household in 
the RECS. DOE subtracted field microwave ovens operating hours from the 
total number of hours in a year and multiplied that difference by the 
standby mode power usage at each efficiency level to determine annual 
standby mode and off mode energy consumption.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of 
Cooking Products. 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix I, 
www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/10/appendix-I_to_subpart_B_of_part_430.
    \25\ Williams, et al. 2012. Surveys of Microwave Ovens in U.S. 
Homes. LBNL-5947E www.osti.gov/biblio/1172657.
    \26\ U.S. Department of Energy-Energy Information 
Administration, Residential Energy Consumption Survey, 2020 Public 
Use Microdata Files, 2015. Washington, DC. Available online at: 
www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/recs/recspubuse20/pubuse20.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Chapter 7 of the final rule TSD provides details on DOE's energy 
use analysis for microwave ovens.

F. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analysis

    DOE conducted LCC and PBP analyses to evaluate the economic impacts 
on individual consumers of potential energy conservation standards for 
microwave ovens. 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

[[Page 39929]]

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.
    For any given efficiency level, DOE measures the change in LCC 
relative to the LCC in the no-new-standards case, which reflects the 
estimated efficiency distribution of microwave ovens in the absence of 
new or amended energy conservation standards. In contrast, the PBP for 
a given efficiency level is measured relative to the baseline product.
    For each considered efficiency level in each product class, DOE 
calculated the LCC and PBP for a nationally representative set of 
housing units. As stated previously, DOE developed household samples 
from the RECS 2020. For each sample household, DOE determined the 
energy consumption for the microwave ovens and the appropriate energy 
price. By developing a representative sample of households, the 
analysis captured the variability in energy consumption and energy 
prices associated with the use of microwave ovens.
    Inputs to the calculation of total installed cost include the cost 
of the product--which includes MPCs, manufacturer markups, retailer and 
distributor markups, and sales taxes--and installation costs. Inputs to 
the calculation of operating expenses include annual energy 
consumption, energy prices and price projections, repair and 
maintenance costs, product lifetimes, and discount rates. DOE created 
distributions of values for product lifetime, discount rates, and sales 
taxes, with probabilities attached to each value, to account for their 
uncertainty and variability.
    The computer model DOE uses to calculate the LCC relies on a Monte 
Carlo simulation to incorporate uncertainty and variability into the 
analysis. The Monte Carlo simulations randomly sample input values from 
the probability distributions and microwave ovens user samples. For 
this rulemaking, the Monte Carlo approach is implemented in MS Excel 
together with the Crystal BallTM add-on.\27\ The model 
calculated the LCC for products at each efficiency level for 10,000 
housing units per simulation run. The analytical results include a 
distribution of 10,000 data points showing the range of LCC savings for 
a given efficiency level relative to the no-new-standards case 
efficiency distribution. In performing an iteration of the Monte Carlo 
simulation for a given consumer, product efficiency is chosen based on 
its probability. If the chosen product efficiency is greater than or 
equal to the efficiency of the standard level under consideration, the 
LCC calculation reveals that a consumer is not impacted by the standard 
level. By accounting for consumers who already purchase more-efficient 
products, DOE avoids overstating the potential benefits from increasing 
product efficiency. DOE calculated the LCC and PBP for consumers of 
microwave ovens as if each were to purchase a new product in the first 
year of required compliance with new or amended standards. Amended 
standards apply to microwave ovens manufactured 3 years after the date 
on which any new or amended standard is published. (42 U.S.C. 
6295(g)(10)(B)) Therefore, DOE used 2026 as the first year of 
compliance with any amended standards for microwave ovens.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ Crystal BallTM is a commercially-available 
software tool to facilitate the creation of these types of models by 
generating probability distributions and summarizing results within 
Excel, available at www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/crystalball/overview/index.html (last accessed December 13, 2022).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Table IV.5 summarizes the approach and data DOE used to derive 
inputs to the LCC and PBP calculations. The subsections that follow 
provide further discussion. Details of the spreadsheet model, and of 
all the inputs to the LCC and PBP analyses, are contained in chapter 8 
of the final rule TSD and its appendices.

Table IV.5--Summary of Inputs and Methods for the LCC and PBP Analysis *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Inputs                           Source/method
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product Cost...........................  Derived by multiplying MPCs by
                                          manufacturer and retailer
                                          markups and sales tax, as
                                          appropriate. Used historical
                                          data to derive a price scaling
                                          index to project product
                                          costs.
Installation Costs.....................  Assumed no change with
                                          efficiency level.
Annual Energy Use......................  The total annual energy use
                                          multiplied by the hours per
                                          year. Average number of hours
                                          based on field data.
                                         Variability: Based on the RECS
                                          2020.
Energy Prices..........................  Electricity: Based on EEI 2021.
                                         Variability: Regional energy
                                          prices determined for nine
                                          regions.
Energy Price Trends....................  Based on AEO2022 price
                                          projections.
Repair and Maintenance Costs...........  Assumed no change with
                                          efficiency level.
Product Lifetime.......................  Average: 10.78 years.
Discount Rates.........................  Approach involves identifying
                                          all possible debt or asset
                                          classes that might be used to
                                          purchase the considered
                                          appliances, or might be
                                          affected indirectly. Primary
                                          data source was the Federal
                                          Reserve Board's Survey of
                                          Consumer Finances.
Compliance Date........................  2026.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Not used for PBP calculation. References for the data sources
  mentioned in this table are provided in the sections following the
  table or in chapter 8 of the final rule TSD.

1. Product Cost
    To calculate consumer product costs, DOE multiplied the MPCs 
developed in the engineering analysis by the markups described 
previously (along with sales taxes). DOE used different markups for 
baseline products and higher-efficiency products, because DOE applies 
an incremental markup to the increase in MSP associated with higher-
efficiency products.
    Economic literature and historical data suggest that the real costs 
of many products may trend downward over time according to ``learning'' 
or ``experience'' curves. An experience curve analysis implicitly 
includes factors such as efficiencies in labor, capital investment, 
automation, materials prices, distribution, and economies of scale at 
an industry-wide level. To derive the learning rate parameter for 
microwave ovens, DOE obtained historical Producer Price Index (``PPI'') 
data for microwave ovens from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (``BLS''). 
A PPI for ``Household Cooking Appliance Manufacturing: Electric 
(Including Microwave) Household Ranges, Ovens, Surface Cooking Units,

[[Page 39930]]

and Equipment'' was available for the time period between 1972 and 
2020.\28\ Inflation-adjusted price indices were calculated by dividing 
the PPI series by the gross domestic product index from the Bureau of 
Economic Analysis for the same years. Using data from 1972-2020, the 
estimated learning rate (defined as the fractional reduction in price 
expected from each doubling of cumulative production) is 10.7 percent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, PPI Industry Data, Major 
household appliance manufacturers, Product series ID: PCU 
33522033522011. Data series available at: www.bls.gov/ppi/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Installation Cost
    Installation cost includes labor, overhead, and any miscellaneous 
materials and parts needed to install the product. DOE used data from 
2022 to estimate the baseline installation cost for microwave ovens. 
DOE found no evidence that installation costs would be impacted with 
increased efficiency levels.
3. Annual Energy Consumption
    For each sampled household, DOE determined the energy consumption 
for a microwave oven at different efficiency levels using the approach 
described previously in section IV.E of this document.
4. Energy Prices
    Because marginal electricity price more accurately captures the 
incremental savings associated with a change in energy use from higher 
efficiency, it provides a better representation of incremental change 
in consumer costs than average electricity prices. Therefore, DOE 
applied average electricity prices for the energy use of the product 
purchased in the no-new-standards case, and marginal electricity prices 
for the incremental change in energy use associated with the other 
efficiency levels considered.
    DOE derived electricity prices in 2022 using data from Edison 
Electric Institute (``EEI'') Typical Bills and Average Rates 
reports.\29\ Based upon comprehensive, industry-wide surveys, this 
semi-annual report presents typical monthly electric bills and average 
kilowatt-hour costs to the customer as charged by investor-owned 
utilities. For the residential sector, DOE calculated electricity 
prices using the methodology described in Coughlin and Beraki 
(2018).\30\ For the commercial sector, DOE calculated electricity 
prices using the methodology described in Coughlin and Beraki 
(2019).\31\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ Edison Electric Institute. Typical Bills and Average Rates 
Report. 2020. Winter 2020, Summer 2020: Washington, DC
    \30\ Coughlin, K. and B. Beraki.2018. Residential Electricity 
Prices: A Review of Data Sources and Estimation Methods. Lawrence 
Berkeley National Lab. Berkeley, CA. Report No. LBNL-2001169. 
ees.lbl.gov/publications/residential-electricity-prices-review.
    \31\ Coughlin, K. and B. Beraki. 2019. Non-residential 
Electricity Prices: A Review of Data Sources and Estimation Methods. 
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. Berkeley, CA. Report No. LBNL-
2001203. ees.lbl.gov/publications/non-residential-electricity-prices.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE's methodology allows electricity prices to vary by sector, 
region, and season. In the analysis, variability in electricity prices 
is chosen to be consistent with the way the consumer economic and 
energy use characteristics are defined in the LCC analysis. For 
microwave ovens, DOE derived electricity prices in 2022 using data from 
EEI. DOE used the EEI data to define a marginal price as the ratio of 
the change in the bill to the change in energy consumption. See chapter 
8 of the final rule TSD for details.
    To estimate energy prices in future years, DOE multiplied the 2020 
energy prices by the projection of annual average price changes for 
each of the nine census divisions from the Reference case in AEO2022, 
which has an end year of 2050.\32\ To estimate price trends after 2050, 
the 2046-2050 average was used for all subsequent years.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ U.S. Department of Energy--Energy Information 
Administration. Annual Energy Outlook 2018 with Projections to 2050. 
Washington, DC. Available at www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/ (last 
accessed December 13, 2022).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Maintenance and Repair Costs
    Repair costs are associated with repairing or replacing product 
components that have failed in an appliance; maintenance costs are 
associated with maintaining the operation of the product. Typically, 
small incremental increases in product efficiency entail no, or only 
minor, changes in repair and maintenance costs compared to baseline 
efficiency products. In this final rule analysis, DOE included no 
changes in maintenance or repair costs for microwave ovens that exceed 
baseline efficiency.
6. Product Lifetime
    For microwave ovens, DOE developed a distribution of lifetimes from 
which specific values are assigned to the appliances in the samples. 
DOE conducted an analysis of actual lifetime in the field using a 
combination of historical shipments data, the stock of the considered 
appliances in the American Housing Survey, and responses in RECS on the 
age of the appliances in the homes. The data allowed DOE to estimate a 
survival function, which provides an average appliance lifetime. This 
analysis yielded a lifetime probability distribution with an average 
lifetime for microwave ovens of approximately 10.78 years. See chapter 
8 of the final rule TSD for further details.
7. Discount Rates
    In the calculation of LCC, DOE applies discount rates appropriate 
to households to estimate the present value of future operating cost 
savings. DOE estimated a distribution of discount rates for microwave 
ovens based on the opportunity cost of consumer funds.
    DOE applies weighted average discount rates calculated from 
consumer debt and asset data, rather than marginal or implicit discount 
rates.\33\ The LCC analysis estimates net present value over the 
lifetime of the product, so the appropriate discount rate will reflect 
the general opportunity cost of household funds, taking this time scale 
into account. Given the long time horizon modeled in the LCC, the 
application of a marginal interest rate associated with an initial 
source of funds is inaccurate. Regardless of the method of purchase, 
consumers are expected to continue to rebalance their debt and asset 
holdings over the LCC analysis period, based on the restrictions 
consumers face in their debt payment requirements and the relative size 
of the interest rates available on debts and assets. DOE estimates the 
aggregate impact of this rebalancing using the historical distribution 
of debts and assets.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ The implicit discount rate is inferred from a consumer 
purchase decision between two otherwise identical goods with 
different first cost and operating cost. It is the interest rate 
that equates the increment of first cost to the difference in net 
present value of lifetime operating cost, incorporating the 
influence of several factors: transaction costs; risk premiums and 
response to uncertainty; time preferences; and interest rates at 
which a consumer is able to borrow or lend. The implicit discount 
rate is not appropriate for the LCC analysis because it reflects a 
range of factors that influence consumer purchase decisions, rather 
than the opportunity cost of the funds that are used in purchases.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To establish residential discount rates for the LCC analysis, DOE 
identified all relevant household debt or asset classes in order to 
approximate a consumer's opportunity cost of funds related to appliance 
energy cost savings. It estimated the average percentage shares of the 
various types of debt and equity by household income group using data 
from the Federal Reserve Board's triennial Survey of Consumer

[[Page 39931]]

Finances \34\ (``SCF'') starting in 1995 and ending in 2019. Using the 
SCF and other sources, DOE developed a distribution of rates for each 
type of debt and asset by income group to represent the rates that may 
apply in the year in which amended standards would take effect. DOE 
assigned each sample household a specific discount rate drawn from one 
of the distributions. The average rate across all types of household 
debt and equity and income groups, weighted by the shares of each type, 
is 4.3 percent. See chapter 8 of the final rule TSD for further details 
on the development of consumer discount rates.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ U.S. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. 
Survey of Consumer Finances. 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2010, 
2013, 2016, and 2019. Available at www.Federalreserve.gov/econresdata/scf/scfindex.htm (last accessed December 13, 2022).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. Energy Efficiency Distribution in the No-New-Standards Case
    To accurately estimate the share of consumers that would be 
affected by a potential energy conservation standard at a particular 
efficiency level, DOE's LCC analysis considered the projected 
distribution (market shares) of product efficiencies under the no-new-
standards case (i.e., the case without amended or new energy 
conservation standards).
    To estimate the energy efficiency distribution of microwave ovens 
for 2026, DOE used data from the engineering analysis. The estimated 
market shares for the no-new-standards case for microwave ovens are 
shown in Table IV.6. See chapter 8 of the final rule TSD for further 
information on the derivation of the efficiency distributions.

              Table IV.6--No-New-Standards Case Efficiency Distribution for Microwave Ovens in 2026
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Product class 1: microwave-    Product class 2: built-in and
                                                  only and countertop convection    over-the- range convection
                                                          microwave ovens                 microwave ovens
                       TSL                       ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Standby power   Market share    Standby power   Market share
                                                        (W)             (%)             (W)             (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baseline........................................            1.00              15            2.20               0
1...............................................             0.8              45             1.5              36
2...............................................             0.6              29             1.0              59
3...............................................             0.4              11             0.5               5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In response to the August 2023 SNOPR, AHAM stated that the CCD is 
not an accurate determination of efficiency distributions. (AHAM, No. 
28 at p. 10) DOE agrees that shipment-weighted efficiency distributions 
would be preferable to shares based on model counts, but such data were 
not available for microwave ovens, and there is no firm basis to make 
an adjustment to the model count market shares. DOE's approach may well 
overstate the market share of higher-efficiency products in the absence 
of new standards, but this would mean that the energy and economic 
benefits estimated by DOE for new standards are minimum amounts. The 
justification for the adopted standards would be even stronger if DOE 
were able to use actual shipment data for the model counts.
    The LCC Monte Carlo simulations draw from the efficiency 
distributions and randomly assign an efficiency to the microwave oven 
purchased by each sample household in the no-new-standards case. The 
resulting percent shares within the sample match the market shares in 
the efficiency distributions.
9. Payback Period Analysis
    The payback period is the amount of time (expressed in years) it 
takes the consumer to recover the additional installed cost of more-
efficient products, compared to baseline products, through energy cost 
savings. Payback periods that exceed the life of the product mean that 
the increased total installed cost is not recovered in reduced 
operating expenses.
    The inputs to the PBP calculation for each efficiency level are the 
change in total installed cost of the product and the change in the 
first-year annual operating expenditures relative to the baseline. DOE 
refers to this as a ``simple PBP'' because it does not consider changes 
over time in operating cost savings. The PBP calculation uses the same 
inputs as the LCC analysis when deriving first-year operating costs.
    As noted previously, 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 first year's energy savings resulting from the standard, 
as calculated under the applicable test procedure. (42 U.S.C. 
6295(o)(2)(B)(iii)) For each considered efficiency level, DOE 
determined the value of the first year's energy savings by calculating 
the energy savings in accordance with the applicable DOE test 
procedure, and multiplying those savings by the average energy price 
projection for the year in which compliance with the amended standards 
would be required.

G. Shipments Analysis

    DOE uses projections of annual product shipments to calculate the 
national impacts of potential amended or new energy conservation 
standards on energy use, NPV, and future manufacturer cash flows.\35\ 
The shipments model takes an accounting approach, tracking market 
shares of each product class and the vintage of units in the stock. 
Stock accounting uses product shipments as inputs to estimate the age 
distribution of in-service product stocks for all years. The age 
distribution of in-service product stocks is a key input to 
calculations of both the NES and NPV, because operating costs for any 
year depend on the age distribution of the stock.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ DOE uses data on manufacturer shipments as a proxy for 
national sales, as aggregate data on sales are lacking. In general, 
one would expect a close correspondence between shipments and sales.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total shipments for microwave ovens are developed by considering 
the demand from replacements for units in stock that fail and the 
demand from new installations in newly constructed homes. DOE 
calculated shipments due to replacements using the retirement function 
developed for the LCC analysis and historical data from AHAM. DOE 
calculated shipments due to new installations using estimates from the 
microwave oven saturation rate in new homes in RECS 2020 and 
projections of new housing starts from AEO2022. See

[[Page 39932]]

chapter 9 of the final rule TSD for details.
    For this final rule analysis, DOE used data from a market research 
report and estimated the market share for built-in and over-the-range 
convection microwave ovens at 4 percent.\36\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ Euromonitor International. 2021. Air treatment products in 
the U.S. December.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE considers the impacts on shipments from changes in product 
purchase price and operating cost associated with higher energy 
efficiency levels using a price elasticity and an efficiency 
elasticity. DOE employs a 0.2-percent efficiency elasticity rate and a 
price elasticity of -0.45 in its shipments model.\37\ The market impact 
is defined as the difference between the product of price elasticity of 
demand and the change in price due to a standard level, and the product 
of the efficiency elasticity and the change in operating costs due to a 
standard level.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ Fujita, K. (2015) Estimating Price Elasticity using Market-
Level Appliance Data. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, LBNL-
188289.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

H. National Impact Analysis

    The NIA assesses the NES and the NPV from a national perspective of 
total consumer costs and savings that would be expected to result from 
new or amended standards at specific efficiency levels.\38\ 
(``Consumer'' in this context refers to consumers of the product being 
regulated.) 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 microwave ovens sold 
from 2026 through 2055.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \38\ The NIA accounts for impacts in the 50 states.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 
(i.e., the TSLs or standards cases) for that class. For the standards 
cases, 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 TSL. 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.
    Table IV.7 summarizes the inputs and methods DOE used for the NIA 
analysis for the final rule. Discussion of these inputs and methods 
follows the table. See chapter 10 of the final rule TSD for further 
details.

    Table IV.7--Summary of Inputs and Methods for the National Impact
                                Analysis
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Inputs                               Method
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shipments....................  Annual shipments from shipments model.
Compliance Date of Standard..  2026.
Efficiency Trends............  Standards cases: ``Roll up'' equipment to
                                meet potential efficiency level.
Annual Energy Consumption per  Annual weighted-average values are a
 Unit.                          function of energy use at each TSL.
Total Installed Cost per Unit  Annual weighted-average values are a
                                function of cost at each TSL.
Annual Energy Cost per Unit..  Annual weighted-average values as a
                                function of the annual energy
                                consumption per unit and energy prices.
Repair and Maintenance Cost    Annual values do not change with
 per Unit.                      efficiency level.
Energy Price Trends..........  AEO2022 projections (to 2050) and
                                extrapolation thereafter.
Energy Site-to-Primary and     A time-series conversion factor based on
 FFC Conversion.                AEO2022.
Discount Rate................  Three and seven percent.
Present Year.................  2023.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Product Efficiency Trends
    A key component of the NIA is the trend in energy efficiency 
projected for the no-new-standards case and each of the standards 
cases. Section IV.F.8 of this document describes how DOE developed an 
energy efficiency distribution for the no-new-standards case (which 
yields a shipment-weighted average efficiency) for each of the 
considered product classes for the year of anticipated compliance with 
an amended or new standard. To project the trend in efficiency absent 
amended standards for microwave ovens over the entire shipments 
projection period, DOE used the shipments-weighted standby power 
(``SWSP'') as a starting point. DOE assumed that the shipment-weighted 
efficiency would not increase annually for the microwave oven product 
classes. The approach is further described in chapter 10 of the final 
rule TSD.
    For the standards cases, DOE used a ``roll-up'' scenario to 
establish the shipment-weighted efficiency for the year that standards 
are assumed to become effective (2026). In this scenario, the market 
shares of products in the no-new-standards case that do not meet the 
standard under consideration would ``roll up'' to meet the new standard 
level, and the market share of products above the standard would remain 
unchanged.
2. National Energy Savings
    The national energy savings analysis involves a comparison of 
national energy consumption of the considered products between each TSL 
and the case with no new or amended energy conservation standards. DOE 
calculated the national energy consumption by multiplying the number of 
units (stock) of each product (by vintage or age) by the unit energy 
consumption (also by vintage). DOE calculated annual NES based on the 
difference in national energy consumption for the no-new-standards case 
and for each higher efficiency standard case. DOE estimated energy 
consumption and savings based on site energy and converted the 
electricity consumption and savings to primary energy (i.e., the energy 
consumed by power plants to generate site electricity) using annual 
conversion factors derived from AEO2022.

[[Page 39933]]

Cumulative energy savings are the sum of the NES for each year over the 
timeframe of the analysis.
    Use of higher-efficiency products is sometimes associated with a 
direct rebound effect, which refers to an increase in utilization of 
the product due to the increase in efficiency. DOE did not find any 
data on the rebound effect specific to microwave ovens; therefore, no 
rebound was applied.
    In 2011, in response to the recommendations of a committee on 
``Point-of-Use and Full-Fuel-Cycle Measurement Approaches to Energy 
Efficiency Standards'' appointed by the National Academy of Sciences, 
DOE announced its intention to use FFC measures of energy use and 
greenhouse gas and other emissions in the national impact analyses and 
emissions analyses included in future energy conservation standards 
rulemakings. 76 FR 51281 (Aug. 18, 2011). After evaluating the 
approaches discussed in the August 18, 2011 notice, DOE published a 
statement of amended policy in which DOE explained its determination 
that EIA's National Energy Modeling System (``NEMS'') is the most 
appropriate tool for its FFC analysis and its intention to use NEMS for 
that purpose. 77 FR 49701 (Aug. 17, 2012). NEMS is a public domain, 
multi-sector, partial equilibrium model of the U.S. energy sector \39\ 
that EIA uses to prepare its Annual Energy Outlook. The FFC factors 
incorporate losses in production and delivery in the case of natural 
gas (including fugitive emissions) and additional energy used to 
produce and deliver the various fuels used by power plants. The 
approach used for deriving FFC measures of energy use and emissions is 
described in appendix 10B of the final rule TSD.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \39\ For more information on NEMS, refer to The National Energy 
Modeling System: An Overview 2009, DOE/EIA-0581(2009), October 2009. 
Available at www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/index.cfm (last accessed 
December 13, 2022).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Net Present Value Analysis
    The inputs for determining the NPV of the total costs and benefits 
experienced by consumers are (1) total annual installed cost, (2) total 
annual operating costs (energy costs and repair and maintenance costs), 
and (3) a discount factor to calculate the present value of costs and 
savings. DOE calculates net savings each year as the difference between 
the no-new-standards case and each standards case in terms of total 
savings in operating costs versus total increases in installed costs. 
DOE calculates operating cost savings over the lifetime of each product 
shipped during the projection period.
    As discussed in section IV.F.1 of this document, DOE developed 
microwave oven price trends based on historical PPI data. DOE applied 
the same trends to project prices for each product class at each 
considered efficiency level. By 2055, which is the end date of the 
projection period, the average microwave oven price is projected to 
drop 11 percent relative to 2021. DOE's projection of product prices is 
described in appendix 10C of the final rule TSD.
    To evaluate the effect of uncertainty regarding the price trend 
estimates, DOE investigated the impact of different product price 
projections on the consumer NPV for the considered TSLs for microwave 
ovens. In addition to the default price trend, DOE considered two 
product price sensitivity cases: (1) a high price decline case based on 
``electric household cooking products'' PPI series from 1993 to 2021 
and (2) a low price decline case based on the same PPI series from 1972 
to 1992. The derivation of these price trends and the results of these 
sensitivity cases are described in appendix 10C of the final rule TSD.
    The energy cost savings are calculated using the estimated energy 
savings in each year and the projected price of the appropriate form of 
energy. To estimate energy prices in future years, DOE multiplied the 
average regional energy prices by the projection of annual national-
average residential energy price changes in the Reference case from 
AEO2022, which has an end year of 2050. To estimate price trends after 
2050, the 2046-2050 average was used for all years. As part of the NIA, 
DOE also analyzed scenarios that used inputs from variants of the 
AEO2022 Reference case that have lower and higher economic growth. 
Those cases have lower and higher energy price trends compared to the 
Reference case. NIA results based on these cases are presented in 
appendix 10C of the final rule TSD.
    In considering the consumer welfare gained due to the direct 
rebound effect, DOE accounted for change in consumer surplus attributed 
to additional cooling from the purchase of a more efficient unit. 
Overall consumer welfare is generally understood to be enhanced from 
rebound. The net consumer impact of the rebound effect is included in 
the calculation of operating cost savings in the consumer NPV results. 
See appendix 10F of the final rule TSD for details on DOE's treatment 
of the monetary valuation of the rebound effect.
    In calculating the NPV, DOE multiplies the net savings in future 
years by a discount factor to determine their present value. For this 
final rule, DOE estimated the NPV of consumer benefits using both a 3-
percent and a 7-percent real discount rate. DOE uses these discount 
rates in accordance with guidance provided by the Office of Management 
and Budget (``OMB'') to Federal agencies on the development of 
regulatory analysis.\40\ The discount rates for the determination of 
NPV are in contrast to the discount rates used in the LCC analysis, 
which are designed to reflect a consumer's perspective. The 7-percent 
real value is an estimate of the average before-tax rate of return to 
private capital in the U.S. economy. The 3-percent real value 
represents the ``social rate of time preference,'' which is the rate at 
which society discounts future consumption flows to their present 
value.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \40\ United States Office of Management and Budget. Circular A-
4: Regulatory Analysis. September 17, 2003. Section E. Available at 
obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/omb/circulars_a004_a-4/ (last accessed 
December 13, 2022).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Consumer Subgroup Analysis

    In analyzing the potential impact of new or amended energy 
conservation standards on consumers, DOE evaluates the impact on 
identifiable subgroups of consumers that may be disproportionately 
affected by a new or amended national standard. The purpose of a 
subgroup analysis is to determine the extent of any such 
disproportional impacts. DOE evaluates impacts on particular subgroups 
of consumers by analyzing the LCC impacts and PBP for those particular 
consumers from alternative standard levels. For this final rule, DOE 
analyzed the impacts of the considered standard levels on two 
subgroups: (1) low-income households and (2) senior-only households. 
The analysis used subsets of the RECS 2020 sample composed of 
households that meet the criteria for the considered subgroups. DOE 
used the LCC and PBP spreadsheet model to estimate the impacts of the 
considered efficiency levels on these subgroups. Chapter 11 of the 
final rule TSD describes the consumer subgroup analysis.

J. Manufacturer Impact Analysis

1. Overview
    DOE performed an MIA to estimate the financial impacts of amended 
energy conservation standards on manufacturers of microwave ovens and 
to estimate the potential impacts of such standards on employment and 
manufacturing capacity. The MIA has both quantitative and qualitative 
aspects and includes analyses of projected

[[Page 39934]]

industry cash flows, the INPV, investments in research and development 
(``R&D'') and manufacturing capital, and domestic manufacturing 
employment. Additionally, the MIA seeks to determine how amended energy 
conservation standards might affect manufacturing employment, capacity, 
and competition, as well as how standards contribute to overall 
regulatory burden. Finally, the MIA serves to identify any 
disproportionate impacts on manufacturer subgroups, including small 
business manufacturers.
    The quantitative part of the MIA primarily relies on the Government 
Regulatory Impact Model (``GRIM''), an industry cash flow model with 
inputs specific to this rulemaking. The key GRIM inputs include data on 
the industry cost structure, unit production costs, product shipments, 
manufacturer markups, and investments in R&D and manufacturing capital 
required to produce compliant products. The key GRIM outputs are the 
INPV, which is the sum of industry annual cash flows over the analysis 
period, discounted using the industry-weighted average cost of capital, 
and the impact to domestic manufacturing employment. The model uses 
standard accounting principles to estimate the impacts of more-
stringent energy conservation standards on a given industry by 
comparing changes in INPV and domestic manufacturing employment between 
a no-new-standards case and the various standards cases (TSLs). To 
capture the uncertainty relating to manufacturer pricing strategies 
following amended standards, the GRIM estimates a range of possible 
impacts under different markup scenarios.
    The qualitative part of the MIA addresses manufacturer 
characteristics and market trends. Specifically, the MIA considers such 
factors as a potential standard's impact on manufacturing capacity, 
competition within the industry, the cumulative impact of other DOE and 
non-DOE regulations, and impacts on manufacturer subgroups. The 
complete MIA is outlined in chapter 12 of the final rule TSD.
    DOE prepared a profile of the microwave oven manufacturing industry 
based on the market and technology assessment, current information from 
DOE's CCD, and information from the June 2013 Final Rule. (78 FR 36316) 
This included a top-down analysis of microwave oven manufacturers that 
DOE used to derive preliminary financial inputs for the GRIM (e.g., 
revenues; materials, labor, overhead, and depreciation expenses; SG&A 
expenses; and R&D expenses).
    Additionally, DOE prepared a framework industry cash-flow analysis 
to quantify the potential impacts of amended energy conservation 
standards. The GRIM uses several factors to determine a series of 
annual cash flows starting with the announcement of the standard and 
extending over a 30-year period following the compliance date of the 
standard. These factors include annual expected revenues, costs of 
sales, SG&A and R&D expenses, taxes, and capital expenditures. In 
general, energy conservation standards can affect manufacturer cash 
flow in three distinct ways: (1) creating a need for increased 
investment, (2) raising production costs per unit, and (3) altering 
revenue due to higher per-unit prices and changes in sales volumes.
    DOE also evaluated subgroups of manufacturers that may be 
disproportionately impacted by amended standards or that may not be 
accurately represented by the average cost assumptions used to develop 
the industry cash flow analysis. Such manufacturer subgroups may 
include small business manufacturers, low-volume manufacturers, niche 
players, and/or manufacturers exhibiting a cost structure that largely 
differs from the industry average. DOE identified one subgroup for a 
separate impact analysis: small business manufacturers. The small 
business subgroup is discussed in section VI.B of this document, 
``Review under the Regulatory Flexibility Act'' and in chapter 12 of 
the final rule TSD.
2. Government Regulatory Impact Model and Key Inputs
    DOE uses the GRIM to quantify the changes in cash flow due to 
amended standards that result in a higher or lower industry value. The 
GRIM uses a standard, annual discounted cash-flow analysis that 
incorporates manufacturer costs, markups, shipments, and industry 
financial information as inputs. The GRIM models changes in costs, 
distribution of shipments, investments, and manufacturer margins that 
could result from amended energy conservation standards. The GRIM 
spreadsheet uses the inputs to arrive at a series of annual cash flows, 
beginning in 2023 (the base year of the analysis) and continuing to 
2055. DOE calculated INPVs by summing the stream of annual discounted 
cash flows during this period. For manufacturers of microwave ovens, 
DOE used a real discount rate of 8.5 percent, which was the same real 
discount rate used in the June 2013 Final Rule and that was verified 
during manufacturer interviews for that rulemakings analysis.
    The GRIM calculates cash flows using standard accounting principles 
and compares changes in INPV between the no-new-standards case and each 
standards case. The difference in INPV between the no-new-standards 
case and a standards case represents the financial impact of the 
amended energy conservation standards on manufacturers. As discussed 
previously, DOE developed critical GRIM inputs using a number of 
sources, including publicly available data, results of the engineering 
analysis, and information used in the June 2013 Final Rule. The GRIM 
results are presented in section V.B.2 of this document. Additional 
details about the GRIM, the discount rate, and other financial 
parameters can be found in chapter 12 of the final rule TSD.
a. Manufacturer Production Costs
    Manufacturing more efficient products is typically more expensive 
than manufacturing baseline products due to the use of more complex 
components, which are typically more costly than baseline components. 
The changes in the MPCs of covered products can affect the revenues, 
gross margins, and cash flow of the industry. As previously stated in 
the engineering analysis in section IV.C.3 of this document, DOE 
estimated an incremental MPC of $0 at all efficiency levels, compared 
to the baseline MPC. DOE did not make any changes to the MPCs from the 
August 2022 SNOPR.
b. Shipments Projections
    The GRIM estimates manufacturer revenues based on total unit 
shipment projections and the distribution of those shipments by 
efficiency level. Changes in sales volumes and efficiency mix over time 
can significantly affect manufacturer finances. For this analysis, the 
GRIM uses the NIA's annual shipment projections derived from the 
shipments analysis from 2023 (the base year) to 2055 (the end year of 
the analysis period). See chapter 9 of the final rule TSD for 
additional details. DOE slightly updated the shipments analysis from 
the August 2022 SNOPR.
c. Product and Capital Conversion Costs
    Amended energy conservation standards could cause manufacturers to 
incur conversion costs to bring their production facilities and product 
designs into compliance. DOE evaluated the level of conversion-related 
expenditures that would be needed to comply with each considered 
efficiency level in each product class. For the MIA, DOE classified 
these conversion costs into two major groups: (1) product

[[Page 39935]]

conversion costs and (2) capital conversion costs. Product conversion 
costs are investments in research, development, testing, marketing, and 
other non-capitalized costs necessary to make product designs comply 
with amended energy conservation standards. Capital conversion costs 
are investments in property, plant, and equipment necessary to adapt or 
change existing production facilities such that new compliant product 
designs can be fabricated and assembled.
    DOE used a bottom-up cost estimate to arrive at a total industry 
conversion cost at each efficiency level for both product classes. 
First, DOE estimated the investments manufacturers are likely to incur 
in redesigning a single microwave oven control board to be able to meet 
the analyzed energy conservation standards. These per-board conversion 
costs were based on manufacturer interviews and include both per-board 
capital conversion costs (e.g., investments in machinery and tooling) 
as well as product conversion costs (e.g., investments in R&D and 
testing). Based on manufacturer feedback, DOE assigned a smaller level 
of investment necessary to achieve lower efficiency levels and a larger 
level of investment to achieve higher efficiency levels.
    Next, based on engineering teardowns and market research, DOE 
estimated the total number of unique control boards used across all 
covered microwave ovens. DOE used the percentage of unique microwave 
oven models for each product class that were certified in DOE's 
publicly available CCD to estimate the number of unique control boards 
for each product class. Then DOE used the efficiency distribution from 
the shipments analysis to estimate the number, for each product class, 
of unique control boards specific to each efficiency level. Once DOE 
estimated the number of unique control boards, DOE used the per-board 
redesign costs specific to achieve each analyzed efficiency level in 
order to arrive at the total industry conversion costs.
    DOE did not make any changes to the capital and product conversion 
costs estimates used in the August 2022 SNOPR. In general, DOE assumes 
all conversion-related investments occur between the year of 
publication of the final rule and the year by which manufacturers must 
comply with the amended standards. The conversion cost figures used in 
the GRIM can be found in section V.B.2 of this document. See chapter 12 
of the final rule TSD for additional information on the estimated 
capital and product conversion costs.
d. Markup Scenarios
    MSPs include direct manufacturing production costs (i.e., labor, 
materials, and overhead estimated in DOE's MPCs) and all non-production 
costs (i.e., SG&A, R&D, and interest), along with profit. To calculate 
the MSPs in the GRIM, DOE applied non-production cost markups to the 
MPCs estimated in the engineering analysis for each product class and 
efficiency level. Modifying these markups in the standards case yields 
different sets of impacts on manufacturers. As in the August 2022 
SNOPR, DOE used a manufacturer markup of 1.298 for both product classes 
in the no-new-standards case. (87 FR 52282, 52296)
    For the MIA, DOE modeled two standards-case markup scenarios to 
represent uncertainty regarding the potential impacts on prices and 
profitability for manufacturers following the implementation of amended 
energy conservation standards: (1) a conversion cost recovery scenario; 
and (2) a constant price scenario. These scenarios lead to different 
manufacturer markup values at each TSL that, when applied to the MPCs, 
result in varying revenue and cash flow impacts.
    Under the conversion cost recovery scenario, DOE modeled a scenario 
in which manufacturers increase their manufacturer markups in response 
to amended energy conservation standards. Because DOE's engineering 
analysis assumed there were no increases in the MPCs at higher 
efficiency levels compared to the baseline MPCs, and that microwave 
oven manufacturers would incur conversion costs to redesign non-
compliant models, DOE modeled a manufacturer markup scenario in which 
microwave oven manufacturers attempt to recover these investments 
through an increase in their manufacturer markup. Therefore, in the 
standards cases, the manufacturer markup of models that would need to 
be re-designed is a value larger than the 1.298 manufacturer markup 
used in the no-new-standards case. DOE calibrated these manufacturer 
markups for each product class at each efficiency level to cause 
manufacturer INPV in the standards cases to be equal to the INPV in the 
no-new-standards case. Because manufacturer markups used in this 
scenario are calculated using the shipments analysis as inputs and the 
shipments analysis was updated from the August 2022 SNOPR to this final 
rule analysis, the calibrated manufacturer markups used in the 
conversion cost recovery scenario for this final rule analysis are 
slightly different than those values that were calculated in the August 
2022 SNOPR. However, the methodology used to calculate these 
manufacturer markup values are the same as those used in the August 
2022 SNOPR.
    The conversion cost recovery scenario represents the upper-bound of 
manufacturer profitability, as microwave oven manufacturers are no 
worse off, as measured by INPV, with energy conservation standards than 
in the no-new-standards case (i.e., if DOE did not amend energy 
conservation standards).
    Under the constant price scenario, DOE applied the same 
manufacturer markup, 1.298, for all efficiency levels in the no-new-
standards case and the standards cases. Because DOE's engineering 
analysis assumed there were no increases in the MPCs at higher 
efficiency levels and that microwave oven manufacturers would incur 
conversion costs to redesign non-compliant models, microwave oven 
manufacturers do not earn any additional revenue in the standards cases 
than in the no-new-standards case, despite incurring conversion costs 
to redesign non-compliant microwave oven models. The constant price 
scenario represents the lower-bound of manufacturer profitability, as 
microwave oven manufacturers incur conversion costs but do not receive 
any additional revenue from these redesign efforts. The manufacturer 
markups in the constant price scenario are the same as those used in 
the August 2022 SNOPR.
    A comparison of industry financial impacts under the two markup 
scenarios is presented in section V.B.2.a of this document.
3. Discussion of MIA Comments
    AHAM commented on the August 2022 SNOPR that DOE correctly decided 
to incorporate conversion costs into the LCC analysis as part of the 
August 2022 SNOPR. However, AHAM stated that DOE should amortize these 
conversion costs over a 6-year period instead of amortizing these 
conversion costs over a 30-year period, which is what was done in the 
August 2022 SNOPR. (AHAM, No. 28 at p. 11)
    In the SNOPR analysis, DOE used the GRIM to calculate a higher 
manufacturer markup in the standards cases that results in an 
equivalent manufacturer INPV in the standards cases compared to the no-
new-standards case. The conversion cost recovery scenario is the 
manufacturer markup scenario incorporated into all downstream analyses, 
including the LCC analysis, in the standards cases. In this scenario, 
manufacturers make investments, both

[[Page 39936]]

in machinery and tooling (capital conversion costs) and in redesign and 
testing (product conversion costs), prior to the compliance date of 
energy conservation standards. After compliance with energy 
conservation standards manufacturers increase their manufacturer 
markup, thereby increasing revenue and free cash flow for the remainder 
of the 30-year analysis period. Amortizing these conversion costs over 
a 6-year period would create a scenario where manufacturer INPV 
increases in all analyzed TSLs in the standards cases compared to the 
no-new-standards case. DOE maintains that amortizing these conversion 
costs over the 30-year analysis period reflects an accurate upper-bound 
to industry profitability in the standards cases as manufacturers do 
not lose INPV in the conversion cost recovery scenario in the standards 
cases compared to the no-new-standards case.

K. Emissions Analysis

    The emissions analysis consists of two components. The first 
component estimates the effect of potential energy conservation 
standards on power sector and site (where applicable) combustion 
emissions of CO2, NOX, SO2, and Hg. 
The second component estimates the impacts of potential standards on 
emissions of two additional greenhouse gases, CH4 and 
N2O, as well as the reductions in emissions of other gases 
due to ``upstream'' activities in the fuel production chain. These 
upstream activities comprise extraction, processing, and transporting 
fuels to the site of combustion.
    The analysis of electric power sector emissions of CO2, 
NOX, SO2, and Hg uses emissions intended to 
represent the marginal impacts of the change in electricity consumption 
associated with amended or new standards. The methodology is based on 
results published for the AEO, including a set of side cases that 
implement a variety of efficiency-related policies. The methodology is 
described in appendix 13A in the final rule TSD. The analysis presented 
in this final rule uses projections from AEO2022. Power sector 
emissions of CH4 and N2O from fuel combustion are 
estimated using Emission Factors for Greenhouse Gas Inventories 
published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).\41\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\ Available at www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2021-04/documents/emission-factors_apr2021.pdf (last accessed December 13, 
2022).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    FFC upstream emissions, which include emissions from fuel 
combustion during extraction, processing, and transportation of fuels, 
and ``fugitive'' emissions (direct leakage to the atmosphere) of 
CH4 and CO2, are estimated based on the 
methodology described in chapter 15 of the final rule TSD.
    The emissions intensity factors are expressed in terms of physical 
units per MWh or MMBtu of site energy savings. For power sector 
emissions, specific emissions intensity factors are calculated by 
sector and end use. Total emissions reductions are estimated using the 
energy savings calculated in the national impact analysis.
1. Air Quality Regulations Incorporated in DOE's Analysis
    DOE's no-new-standards case for the electric power sector reflects 
the AEO, which incorporates the projected impacts of existing air 
quality regulations on emissions. AEO2022 generally represents current 
legislation and environmental regulations, including recent government 
actions, that were in place at the time of preparation of AEO2022, 
including the emissions control programs discussed in the following 
paragraphs.\42\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \42\ For further information, see the Assumptions to AEO2022 
report that sets forth the major assumptions used to generate the 
projections in the Annual Energy Outlook. Available at www.eia.gov/outlooks/aeo/assumptions/ (last accessed December 13, 2022).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    SO2 emissions from affected electric generating units 
(``EGUs'') are subject to nationwide and regional emissions cap-and-
trade programs. Title IV of the Clean Air Act sets an annual emissions 
cap on SO2 for affected EGUs in the 48 contiguous States and 
the District of Columbia (``DC''). (42 U.S.C. 7651 et seq.) 
SO2 emissions from numerous States in the eastern half of 
the United States are also limited under the Cross-State Air Pollution 
Rule (``CSAPR''). 76 FR 48208 (Aug. 8, 2011). CSAPR requires these 
States to reduce certain emissions, including annual SO2 
emissions, and went into effect as of January 1, 2015 and has been 
subsequently updated.\43\ AEO2022 incorporates implementation of CSAPR, 
including the Revised CSAPR Update issued in April 2021. 86 FR 23054. 
Compliance with CSAPR is flexible among EGUs and is enforced through 
the use of tradable emissions allowances. Under existing EPA 
regulations, for States subject to SO2 emissions limits 
under CSAPR, any excess SO2 emissions allowances resulting 
from the lower electricity demand caused by the adoption of an 
efficiency standard could be used to permit offsetting increases in 
SO2 emissions by another regulated EGU.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \43\ CSAPR requires States to address annual emissions of 
SO2 and NOX, precursors to the formation of 
fine particulate matter (``PM2.5'') pollution, in order 
to address the interstate transport of pollution with respect to the 
1997 and 2006 PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality 
Standards (``NAAQS''). CSAPR also requires certain States to address 
the ozone season (May-September) emissions of NOX, a 
precursor to the formation of ozone pollution, in order to address 
the interstate transport of ozone pollution with respect to the 1997 
ozone NAAQS. 76 FR 48208 (Aug. 8, 2011). EPA subsequently issued a 
supplemental rule that included an additional five States in the 
CSAPR ozone season program; 76 FR 80760 (Dec. 27, 2011) 
(Supplemental Rule). In 2021, EPA issued the Revised CSAPR Update 
for the 2008 Ozone NAAQs (Revised CSAPR Update) promulgating EGU 
NOX ozone season emission budgets for 12 states. 86 FR 
23054, 23059 (Apr. 30, 2021).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Beginning in 2016, SO2 emissions began to fall as a 
result of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (``MATS'') for power 
plants. 77 FR 9304 (Feb. 16, 2012). In the MATS final rule, EPA 
established a standard for hydrogen chloride as a surrogate for acid 
gas hazardous air pollutants (``HAP''), and also established a standard 
for SO2 (a non-HAP acid gas) as an alternative equivalent 
surrogate standard for acid gas HAP. The same controls are used to 
reduce HAP and non-HAP acid gas; thus, SO2 emissions are 
being reduced as a result of the control technologies installed on 
coal-fired power plants to comply with the MATS requirements for acid 
gas. Because of the emissions reductions under the MATS, it is unlikely 
that excess SO2 emissions allowances resulting from the 
lower electricity demand would be needed or used to permit offsetting 
increases in SO2 emissions by another regulated EGU. 
Therefore, energy conservation standards that decrease electricity 
generation will generally reduce SO2 emissions. DOE 
estimated SO2 emissions reduction using emissions factors 
based on AEO2022.
    CSAPR also established limits on NOX emissions for 
numerous States in the eastern half of the United States. Energy 
conservation standards would have little effect on NOX 
emissions in those States covered by CSAPR emissions limits if excess 
NOX emissions allowances resulting from the lower 
electricity demand could be used to permit offsetting increases in 
NOX emissions from other EGUs. In such cases, NOX 
emissions would remain near the limit even if electricity generation 
goes down. A different case could possibly result, depending on the 
configuration of the power sector in the different regions and the need 
for allowances, such that NOX emissions might not remain at 
the limit in the case of lower electricity demand. In this case, energy 
conservation standards might

[[Page 39937]]

reduce NOX emissions in covered States. Despite this 
possibility, DOE has chosen to be conservative in its analysis and has 
maintained the assumption that standards will not reduce NOX 
emissions in States covered by CSAPR. Standards would be expected to 
reduce NOX emissions in the States not covered by CSAPR. DOE 
used AEO2022 data to derive NOX emissions factors for the 
group of States not covered by CSAPR.
    The MATS limit mercury emissions from power plants, but they do not 
include emissions caps and, as such, DOE's energy conservation 
standards would be expected to slightly reduce Hg emissions. DOE 
estimated mercury emissions reduction using emissions factors based on 
AEO2022, which incorporates the MATS.

L. Monetizing Emissions Impacts

    As part of the development of this final rule, for the purpose of 
complying with the requirements of Executive Order 12866, DOE 
considered the estimated monetary benefits from the reduced emissions 
of CO2, CH4, N2O, NOX, and 
SO2 that are expected to result from each of the TSLs 
considered. In order to make this calculation analogous to the 
calculation of the NPV of consumer benefit, DOE considered the reduced 
emissions expected to result over the lifetime of products shipped in 
the projection period for each TSL. This section summarizes the basis 
for the values used for monetizing the emissions benefits and presents 
the values considered in this final rule.
    On March 16, 2022, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals (No. 22-
30087) granted the Federal government's emergency motion for stay 
pending appeal of the February 11, 2022, preliminary injunction issued 
in Louisiana v. Biden, No. 21-cv-1074-JDC-KK (W.D. La.). As a result of 
the Fifth Circuit's order, the preliminary injunction is no longer in 
effect, pending resolution of the Federal government's appeal of that 
injunction or a further court order. Among other things, the 
preliminary injunction enjoined the defendants in that case from 
``adopting, employing, treating as binding, or relying upon'' the 
interim estimates of the social cost of greenhouse gases--which were 
issued by the Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of 
Greenhouse Gases on February 26, 2021--to monetize the benefits of 
reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As reflected in this rule, DOE has 
reverted to its approach prior to the injunction and presents monetized 
benefits where appropriate and permissible under law. DOE requests 
comment on how to address the climate benefits and other non-monetized 
effects of the proposal.
    AHAM commented that DOE should not use the social cost of carbon 
and other monetization of emissions reductions benefits in its analysis 
of the factors EPCA requires DOE to balance to determine the 
appropriate standard. AHAM commented that while it may be acceptable 
for DOE to continue its current practice of examining the social cost 
of carbon and monetization of other emissions reductions benefits as 
informational so long as the underlying interagency analysis is 
transparent and vigorous, the monetization analysis should not impact 
the TSLs DOE selects as a new or amended standard. (AHAM, No. 28 at p. 
13)
    As stated in section III.F.1.f of this document, DOE maintains that 
environmental and public health benefits associated with the more 
efficient use of energy, including those connected to global climate 
change, are important to take into account when considering the need 
for national energy conservation, which is one of the factors that EPCA 
requires DOE to evaluate in determining whether a potential energy 
conservation standard is economically justified. See 42 U.S.C. 
6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(VI). In addition, Executive Order 13563, which was re-
affirmed on January 21, 2021, stated that each agency must, among other 
things: ``select, in choosing among alternative regulatory approaches, 
those approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential 
economic, environmental, public health and safety, and other 
advantages; distributive impacts; and equity).'' For these reasons, DOE 
includes monetized emissions reductions in its evaluation of potential 
standard levels. As previously stated, however, DOE would reach the 
same conclusion presented in this final rulemaking in the absence of 
the social cost of greenhouse gases.
1. Monetization of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
    DOE estimates the monetized benefits of the reductions in emissions 
of CO2, CH4, and N2O by using a 
measure of the social cost of each pollutant (e.g., SC-CO2). 
These estimates represent the monetary value of the net harm to society 
associated with a marginal increase in emissions of these pollutants in 
a given year, or the benefit of avoiding that increase. These estimates 
are intended to include (but are not limited to) climate-change-related 
changes in net agricultural productivity, human health, property 
damages from increased flood risk, disruption of energy systems, risk 
of conflict, environmental migration, and the value of ecosystem 
services.
    DOE exercises its own judgment in presenting monetized climate 
benefits as recommended by applicable Executive orders, and DOE would 
reach the same conclusion presented in this final rulemaking in the 
absence of the social cost of greenhouse gases. That is, the social 
costs of greenhouse gases, whether measured using the February 2021 
interim estimates presented by the Interagency Working Group on the 
Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases (IWG) or by another means, did not 
affect the rule ultimately proposed by DOE.
    DOE estimated the global social benefits of CO2, 
CH4, and N2O reductions (i.e., SC-GHGs) using the 
estimates presented in the Technical Support Document: Social Cost of 
Carbon, Methane, and Nitrous Oxide Interim Estimates under Executive 
Order 13990, published in February 2021 by the IWG. The SC-GHGs is the 
monetary value of the net harm to society associated with a marginal 
increase in emissions in a given year, or the benefit of avoiding that 
increase. In principle, SC-GHGs includes the value of all climate 
change impacts, including (but not limited to) changes in net 
agricultural productivity, human health effects, property damage from 
increased flood risk and natural disasters, disruption of energy 
systems, risk of conflict, environmental migration, and the value of 
ecosystem services. The SC-GHGs therefore reflects the societal value 
of reducing emissions of the gas in question by one metric ton. The SC-
GHGs is the theoretically appropriate value to use in conducting 
benefit-cost analyses of policies that affect CO2, 
N2O, and CH4 emissions. As a member of the IWG 
involved in the development of the February 2021 SC-GHG TSD, DOE agrees 
that the interim SC-GHG estimates represent the most appropriate 
estimate of the SC-GHG until revised estimates have been developed 
reflecting the latest, peer-reviewed science.
    The SC-GHGs estimates presented here were developed over many years 
using a transparent process, peer-reviewed methodologies, the best 
science available at the time of that process, and with input from the 
public. Specifically, in 2009, the IWG, which included DOE and other 
executive branch agencies and offices, was established to ensure that 
agencies were using the best available science and to promote 
consistency in the social cost of carbon (SC-CO2) values 
used across agencies. The IWG published SC-CO2 estimates in 
2010 that were developed from an ensemble of three widely cited

[[Page 39938]]

integrated assessment models (IAMs) that estimate global climate 
damages using highly aggregated representations of climate processes 
and the global economy combined into a single modeling framework. The 
three IAMs were run using a common set of input assumptions in each 
model for future population, economic, and CO2 emissions 
growth, as well as equilibrium climate sensitivity--a measure of the 
globally averaged temperature response to increased atmospheric 
CO2 concentrations. These estimates were updated in 2013 
based on new versions of each IAM. In August 2016, the IWG published 
estimates of the social cost of methane (SC-CH4) and nitrous 
oxide (SC-N2O) using methodologies that are consistent with 
the methodology underlying the SC-CO2 estimates. The 
modeling approach that extends the IWG SC-CO2 methodology to 
non-CO2 GHGs has undergone multiple stages of peer review. 
The SC-CH4 and SC-N2O estimates were developed by 
Marten et al.\44\ and underwent a standard double-blind peer review 
process prior to journal publication. In 2015, as part of the response 
to public comments received to a 2013 solicitation for comments on the 
SC-CO2 estimates, the IWG announced a National Academies of 
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine review of the SC-CO2 
estimates to offer advice on how to approach future updates to ensure 
that the estimates continue to reflect the best available science and 
methodologies. In January 2017, the National Academies released their 
final report, Valuing Climate Damages: Updating Estimation of the 
Social Cost of Carbon Dioxide, and recommended specific criteria for 
future updates to the SC-CO2 estimates, a modeling framework 
to satisfy the specified criteria, and both near-term updates and 
longer-term research needs pertaining to various components of the 
estimation process.\45\ Shortly thereafter, in March 2017, President 
Trump issued Executive Order 13783, which disbanded the IWG, withdrew 
the previous TSDs, and directed agencies to ensure SC-CO2 
estimates used in regulatory analyses are consistent with the guidance 
contained in OMB's Circular A-4, ``including with respect to the 
consideration of domestic versus international impacts and the 
consideration of appropriate discount rates'' (E.O. 13783, Section 
5(c)). Benefit-cost analyses following E.O. 13783 used SC-GHG estimates 
that attempted to focus on the U.S.-specific share of climate change 
damages as estimated by the models and were calculated using two 
discount rates recommended by Circular A-4, 3 percent and 7 percent. 
All other methodological decisions and model versions used in SC-GHG 
calculations remained the same as those used by the IWG in 2010 and 
2013, respectively.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \44\ Marten, A. L., E. A. Kopits, C. W. Griffiths, S. C. 
Newbold, and A. Wolverton. Incremental CH4 and 
N2O mitigation benefits consistent with the US 
Government's SC-CO2 estimates. Climate Policy. 2015. 
15(2): pp. 272-298.
    \45\ National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 
Valuing Climate Damages: Updating Estimation of the Social Cost of 
Carbon Dioxide. 2017. The National Academies Press: Washington, DC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On January 20, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order 13990, 
which re-established the IWG and directed it to ensure that the U.S. 
Government's estimates of the social cost of carbon and other 
greenhouse gases reflect the best available science and the 
recommendations of the National Academies (2017). The IWG was tasked 
with first reviewing the SC-GHG estimates currently used in Federal 
analyses and publishing interim estimates within 30 days of the E.O. 
that reflect the full impact of GHG emissions, including by taking 
global damages into account. The interim SC-GHG estimates published in 
February 2021 are used here to estimate the climate benefits for this 
proposed rulemaking. The E.O. instructs the IWG to undertake a fuller 
update of the SC-GHG estimates by January 2022 that takes into 
consideration the advice of the National Academies (2017) and other 
recent scientific literature. The February 2021 SC-GHG TSD provides a 
complete discussion of the IWG's initial review conducted under 
E.O.13990. In particular, the IWG found that the SC-GHG estimates used 
under E.O. 13783 fail to reflect the full impact of GHG emissions in 
multiple ways.
    First, the IWG found that the SC-GHG estimates used under E.O. 
13783 fail to fully capture many climate impacts that affect the 
welfare of U.S. citizens and residents, and those impacts are better 
reflected by global measures of the SC-GHG. Examples of omitted effects 
from the E.O. 13783 estimates include: (1) direct effects on U.S. 
citizens, assets, and investments located abroad; (2) supply chains;(3) 
U.S. military assets and interests abroad; (4) tourism; and (5) 
spillover pathways, such as economic and political destabilization and 
global migration, that can lead to adverse impacts on U.S. national 
security, public health, and humanitarian concerns. In addition, 
assessing the benefits of U.S. GHG mitigation activities requires 
consideration of how those actions may affect mitigation activities by 
other countries, as those international mitigation actions will provide 
a benefit to U.S. citizens and residents by mitigating climate impacts 
that affect U.S. citizens and residents. A wide range of scientific and 
economic experts have emphasized the issue of reciprocity as support 
for considering global damages of GHG emissions. If the United States 
does not consider impacts on other countries, it is difficult to 
convince other countries to consider the impacts of their emissions on 
the United States The only way to achieve an efficient allocation of 
resources for emissions reduction on a global basis--and so benefit the 
U.S. and its citizens--is for all countries to base their policies on 
global estimates of damages. As a member of the IWG involved in the 
development of the February 2021 SC-GHG TSD, DOE agrees with this 
assessment and, therefore, in this proposed rule, DOE centers attention 
on a global measure of SC-GHG. This approach is the same as that taken 
in DOE regulatory analyses from 2012 through 2016. A robust estimate of 
climate damages that accrue only to U.S. citizens and residents does 
not currently exist in the literature. As explained in the February 
2021 SC-GHG TSD, existing estimates are both incomplete and 
underestimate total damages that accrue to the citizens and residents 
of the U.S. because they do not fully capture the regional interactions 
and spillovers discussed above, nor do they include all of the 
important physical, ecological, and economic impacts of climate change 
recognized in the literature. As noted in the February 2021 SC-GHG TSD, 
the IWG will continue to review developments in the literature, 
including more robust methodologies for estimating a U.S.-specific SC-
GHG value and exploring ways to better inform the public of the full 
range of carbon impacts. As a member of the IWG, DOE will continue to 
follow developments in the literature pertaining to this issue.
    Second, the IWG found that the use of the social rate of return on 
capital (7 percent under current OMB Circular A-4 guidance) to discount 
the future benefits of reducing GHG emissions inappropriately 
underestimates the impacts of climate change for the purposes of 
estimating the SC-GHG. Consistent with the findings of the National 
Academies (2017) and the economic literature, the IWG continued to 
conclude that the consumption rate of interest is the theoretically 
appropriate discount rate in an intergenerational

[[Page 39939]]

context \46\ and recommended that discount rate uncertainty and 
relevant aspects of intergenerational ethical considerations be 
accounted for in selecting future discount rates.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \46\ Interagency Working Group on Social Cost of Carbon. Social 
Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis under Executive Order 
12866. 2010. United States Government. Available at www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-12/documents/scc_tsd_2010.pdf (last 
accessed April 15, 2022). Interagency Working Group on Social Cost 
of Carbon. Technical Update of the Social Cost of Carbon for 
Regulatory Impact Analysis Under Executive Order 12866. 2013 
Available at www.federalregister.gov/documents/2013/11/26/2013-28242/technical-support-document-technical-update-of-the-social-cost-of-carbon-for-regulatory-impact (last accessed April 15, 2022). 
Interagency Working Group on Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases, United 
States Government. Technical Support Document: Technical Update on 
the Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis-Under 
Executive Order 12866. August 2016. Available at www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-12/documents/sc_co2_tsd_august_2016.pdf (last 
accessed January 18, 2022). Interagency Working Group on Social Cost 
of Greenhouse Gases, United States Government. Addendum to Technical 
Support Document on Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact 
Analysis under Executive Order 12866: Application of the Methodology 
to Estimate the Social Cost of Methane and the Social Cost of 
Nitrous Oxide. August 2016. Available at www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-12/documents/addendum_to_sc-ghg_tsd_august_2016.pdf (last 
accessed January 18, 2022).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Furthermore, the damage estimates developed for use in the SC-GHG 
are estimated in consumption-equivalent terms, and so an application of 
OMB Circular A-4's guidance for regulatory analysis would then use the 
consumption discount rate to calculate the SC-GHG. DOE agrees with this 
assessment and will continue to follow developments in the literature 
pertaining to this issue. DOE also notes that while OMB Circular A-4, 
as published in 2003, recommends using 3 percent and 7 percent discount 
rates as ``default'' values, Circular A-4 also reminds agencies that 
``different regulations may call for different emphases in the 
analysis, depending on the nature and complexity of the regulatory 
issues and the sensitivity of the benefit and cost estimates to the key 
assumptions.'' On discounting, Circular A-4 recognizes that ``special 
ethical considerations arise when comparing benefits and costs across 
generations,'' and Circular A-4 acknowledges that analyses may 
appropriately ``discount future costs and consumption benefits. . .at a 
lower rate than for intragenerational analysis.'' In the 2015 Response 
to Comments on the Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact 
Analysis, OMB, DOE, and the other IWG members recognized that 
``Circular A-4 is a living document'' and ``the use of 7 percent is not 
considered appropriate for intergenerational discounting. There is wide 
support for this view in the academic literature, and it is recognized 
in Circular A-4 itself.'' Thus, DOE concludes that a 7-percent discount 
rate is not appropriate to apply to value the social cost of greenhouse 
gases presented in this analysis.
    To calculate the present and annualized values of climate benefits, 
DOE uses the same discount rate as the rate used to discount the value 
of damages from future GHG emissions, for internal consistency. That 
approach to discounting follows the same approach that the February 
2021 SC-GHG TSD recommends ``to ensure internal consistency--i.e., 
future damages from climate change using the SC-GHG at 2.5 percent 
should be discounted to the base year of the analysis using the same 
2.5 percent rate.'' DOE has also consulted the National Academies' 2017 
recommendations on how SC-GHG estimates can ``be combined in RIAs with 
other cost and benefits estimates that may use different discount 
rates.'' The National Academies reviewed several options, including 
``presenting all discount rate combinations of other costs and benefits 
with [SC-GHG] estimates.''
    As a member of the IWG involved in the development of the February 
2021 SC-GHG TSD, DOE agrees with the above assessment and will continue 
to follow developments in the literature pertaining to this issue. 
While the IWG is working to assess how best to incorporate the latest 
peer-reviewed science to develop an updated set of SC-GHG estimates, it 
set the interim estimates to be the most recent estimates developed by 
the IWG prior to the group being disbanded in 2017. The estimates rely 
on the same models and harmonized inputs and are calculated using a 
range of discount rates. As explained in the February 2021 SC-GHG TSD, 
the IWG has recommended that agencies revert to the same set of four 
values drawn from the SC-GHG distributions based on three discount 
rates as were used in regulatory analyses between 2010 and 2016 and 
were subject to public comment. For each discount rate, the IWG 
combined the distributions across models and socioeconomic emissions 
scenarios (applying equal weight to each) and then selected a set of 
four values recommended for use in benefit-cost analyses: an average 
value resulting from the model runs for each of three discount rates 
(2.5 percent, 3 percent, and 5 percent), plus a fourth value, selected 
as the 95th percentile of estimates based on a 3-percent discount rate. 
The fourth value was included to provide information on potentially 
higher-than-expected economic impacts from climate change. DOE agrees 
with the update explained in the February 2021 SC-GHG TSD, which 
reflects the immediate need to have an operational SC-GHG--for use in 
regulatory benefit-cost analyses and other applications--that was 
developed using a transparent process, peer-reviewed methodologies, and 
the science available at the time of that process. Those estimates were 
subject to public comment in the context of dozens of proposed 
rulemakings as well as in a dedicated public comment period in 2013.
    A number of limitations and uncertainties are associated with the 
SC-GHG estimates. First, the current scientific and economic 
understanding of discounting approaches suggests discount rates 
appropriate for intergenerational analysis in the context of climate 
change are likely to be less than 3 percent, near 2 percent or 
lower.\47\ Second, the IAMs used to produce these interim estimates do 
not include all of the important physical, ecological, and economic 
impacts of climate change recognized in the climate change literature; 
furthermore, the science underlying their ``damage functions''--i.e., 
the core parts of the IAMs that map global mean temperature changes and 
other physical impacts of climate change into economic (both market and 
nonmarket) damages--lags behind the most recent research. For example, 
limitations include the incomplete treatment of catastrophic and non-
catastrophic impacts in the integrated assessment models, their 
incomplete treatment of adaptation and technological change, the 
incomplete way in which inter-regional and intersectoral linkages are 
modeled, uncertainty in the extrapolation of damages due to high 
temperatures, and the inadequate representation of the relationship 
between the discount rate and uncertainty in economic growth over long 
time horizons. Likewise, the socioeconomic and emissions scenarios used 
as inputs to the models do not reflect new information from the last 
decade of scenario generation or the full range of projections. The 
modeling limitations do not all work in the same direction in terms of 
their influence on the SC-CO2 estimates. However, as 
discussed in the February 2021 SC-GHG

[[Page 39940]]

TSD, the IWG has recommended that, taken together, the limitations 
suggest that the interim SC-GHG estimates used in this final rule 
likely underestimate the damages from GHG emissions. DOE concurs with 
this assessment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \47\ Interagency Working Group on Social Cost of Greenhouse 
Gases (IWG). 2021. Technical Support Document: Social Cost of 
Carbon, Methane, and Nitrous Oxide Interim Estimates under Executive 
Order 13990. February. United States Government. Available at 
www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/blog/2021/02/26/a-return-to-science-evidence-based-estimates-of-the-benefits-of-reducing-climate-pollution/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE's derivations of the SC-CO2, SC-N2O, and 
SC-CH4 values used for this rule are discussed in the 
following sections, and the results of DOE's analyses estimating the 
benefits of the reductions in emissions of these GHGs are presented in 
section V.B.6 of this document.
    The C2ES commented that DOE appropriately applies the social cost 
estimates developed by the IWG to its analysis of emissions reduction 
benefits generated by the proposed rule. The C2ES commented that DOE 
should expand upon its rationale for adopting a global damages 
valuation and for the range of discount rates it applies to climate 
effects, as there are additional legal, economic, and policy reasons 
for such methodological decisions that can further bolster DOE's 
support for these choices. C2ES added that DOE should consider 
conducting a sensitivity analysis using a sound domestic-only social 
cost estimate as a backstop, and should explicitly conclude that the 
rule is cost-benefit justified even using a domestic-only valuation 
that may still undercount climate benefits. The C2ES urged DOE to 
consider providing an additional sensitivity analysis using discount 
rates lower than 2.5 percent for climate impacts. (C2ES, No. 29 at p. 
2)
    DOE maintains that the reasons for using global measures of the SC-
GHG previously discussed are sufficient for the purposes of this 
rulemaking. DOE notes that further discussion of this topic is 
contained in the February 2021 SC-GHG TSD, and DOE agrees with the 
assessment therein. Regarding conducting sensitivity analysis using a 
domestic-only social cost estimate, DOE agrees with the assessment in 
the February 2021 SC-GHG TSD that the only currently available 
quantitative characterization of domestic damages from GHG emissions is 
both incomplete and an underestimate of the share of total damages that 
accrue to the citizens and residents of the United States. Therefore, 
it would be of questionable value to conduct the suggested sensitivity 
analysis at this time. DOE considered performing sensitivity analysis 
using discount rates lower than 2.5 percent for climate impacts, as 
suggested by the IWG, but it concluded that such analysis would not add 
meaningful information in the context of this rulemaking.
a. Social Cost of Carbon
    The SC-CO2 values used for this final rule were based on 
the values developed for the IWG's February 2021 TSD. Table IV.8 shows 
the updated sets of SC-CO2 estimates from the IWG's TSD in 
5-year increments from 2020 to 2050. The full set of annual values that 
DOE used is presented in appendix 14-A of the final rule TSD. For 
purposes of capturing the uncertainties involved in regulatory impact 
analysis, DOE has determined it is appropriate to include all four sets 
of SC-CO2 values, as recommended by the IWG.\48\

                    Table IV.8.--Annual SC-CO2 Values From 2021 Interagency Update, 2020-2050
                                           [2020$ per Metric Ton CO2]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Discount rate and statistic
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                      Year                                                                            3% 95th
                                                    5% Average      3% Average     2.5% Average     percentile
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2020............................................              14              51              76             152
2025............................................              17              56              83             169
2030............................................              19              62              89             187
2035............................................              22              67              96             206
2040............................................              25              73             103             225
2045............................................              28              79             110             242
2050............................................              32              85             116             260
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For 2051 to 2070, DOE used SC-CO2 estimates published by 
EPA, adjusted to 2020$.\49\ These estimates are based on methods, 
assumptions, and parameters identical to the 2020-2050 estimates 
published by the IWG (which were based on EPA modeling). DOE expects 
additional climate benefits to accrue for any longer-life furnaces 
after 2070, but a lack of available SC-CO2 estimates for 
emissions years beyond 2070 prevents DOE from monetizing these 
potential benefits in this analysis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \48\ For example, the February 2021 SC-GHG TSD discusses how the 
understanding of discounting approaches suggests that discount rates 
appropriate for intergenerational analysis in the context of climate 
change may be lower than 3 percent.
    \49\ See EPA, Revised 2023 and Later Model Year Light-Duty 
Vehicle GHG Emissions Standards: Regulatory Impact Analysis, 
Washington, DC, December 2021. Available at nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi?Dockey=P1013ORN.pdf (last accessed January 13, 2023). 
(last accessed January 20, 2023).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE multiplied the CO2 emissions reduction estimated for 
each year by the SC-CO2 value for that year in each of the 
four cases. DOE adjusted the values to 2021$ using the implicit price 
deflator for gross domestic product (``GDP'') from the Bureau of 
Economic Analysis. To calculate a present value of the stream of 
monetary values, DOE discounted the values in each of the four cases 
using the specific discount rate that had been used to obtain the SC-
CO2 values in each case.
b. Social Cost of Methane and Nitrous Oxide
    The SC-CH4 and SC-N2O values used for this 
final rule were based on the values developed for the February 2021 SC-
GHG TSD. Table IV.9 shows the updated sets of SC-CH4 and SC- 
N2O estimates from the latest interagency update in 5-year 
increments from 2020 to 2050. The full set of annual values used is 
presented in appendix 14A of the final rule TSD. To capture the 
uncertainties involved in regulatory impact analysis, DOE has 
determined it is appropriate to include all four sets of SC-
CH4 and SC- N2O values, as recommended by the 
IWG. DOE derived values after 2050 using the approach described above 
for the SC-CO2.

[[Page 39941]]



                                                      Table IV.9.--Annual SC-CH4 and SC-N2O Values From 2021 Interagency Update, 2020-2050
                                                                                     [2020$ per metric ton]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     SC-CH4                                                                   SC-N2O
                                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Discount rate and statistic                                              Discount rate and statistic
                     Year                      -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                      3% 95th                                                         3% 95th
                                                           5% Average               3% Average     2.5% Average     percentile      5% Average      3% Average     2.5% Average     percentile
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2020..........................................  670.............................           1,500           2,000           3,900           5,800          18,000          27,000          48,000
2025..........................................  800.............................           1,700           2,200           4,500           6,800          21,000          30,000          54,000
2030..........................................  940.............................           2,000           2,500           5,200           7,800          23,000          33,000          60,000
2035..........................................  1,100...........................           2,200           2,800           6,000           9,000          25,000          36,000          67,000
2040..........................................  1,300...........................           2,500           3,100           6,700          10,000          28,000          39,000          74,000
2045..........................................  1,500...........................           2,800           3,500           7,500          12,000          30,000          42,000          81,000
2050..........................................  1,700...........................           3,100           3,800           8,200          13,000          33,000          45,000          88,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Monetization of Other Emissions Impacts
    For the final rule, DOE estimated the monetized value of 
NOX and SO2 emissions reductions from electricity 
generation using benefit-per-ton estimates for that sector from the 
EPA's Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program.\50\ DOE used EPA's values 
for PM2.5-related benefits associated with NOX 
and SO2 and for ozone-related benefits associated with 
NOX for 2025 and 2030, and 2040, calculated with discount 
rates of 3 percent and 7 percent. DOE used linear interpolation to 
define values for the years not given in the 2025 to 2040 range; for 
years beyond 2040 the values are held constant. DOE combined the EPA 
benefit per ton estimates with regional information on electricity 
consumption and emissions to define weighted-average national values 
for NOX and SO2 as a function of sector (see. 
appendix 14B of the final rule TSD).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \50\ Estimating the Benefit per Ton of Reducing PM2.5 
Precursors from 21 Sectors. Available at www.epa.gov/benmap/estimating-benefit-ton-reducing-pm25-precursors-21-sectors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE multiplied the site emissions reduction (in tons) in each year 
by the associated $/ton values, and then discounted each series using 
discount rates of 3 percent and 7 percent as appropriate.

M. Utility Impact Analysis

    The utility impact analysis estimates the changes in installed 
electrical capacity and generation projected to result for each 
considered TSL. The analysis is based on published output from the NEMS 
associated with AEO2022. NEMS produces the AEO Reference case, as well 
as a number of side cases that estimate the economy-wide impacts of 
changes to energy supply and demand. For the current analysis, impacts 
are quantified by comparing the levels of electricity sector 
generation, installed capacity, fuel consumption and emissions in the 
AEO2022 Reference case and various side cases. Details of the 
methodology are provided in the appendices to chapters 13 and 15 of the 
final rule TSD.
    The output of this analysis is a set of time-dependent coefficients 
that capture the change in electricity generation, primary fuel 
consumption, installed capacity, and power sector emissions due to a 
unit reduction in demand for a given end use. These coefficients are 
multiplied by the stream of electricity savings calculated in the NIA 
to provide estimates of selected utility impacts of potential new or 
amended energy conservation standards.

N. Employment Impact Analysis

    DOE considers employment impacts in the domestic economy as one 
factor in selecting a standard. Employment impacts from new or amended 
energy conservation standards include both direct and indirect impacts. 
Direct employment impacts are any changes in the number of employees of 
manufacturers of the products subject to standards, their suppliers, 
and related service firms. The MIA addresses those impacts. Indirect 
employment impacts are changes in national employment that occur due to 
the shift in expenditures and capital investment caused by the purchase 
and operation of more-efficient appliances. Indirect employment impacts 
from standards consist of the net jobs created or eliminated in the 
national economy, other than in the manufacturing sector being 
regulated, caused by (1) reduced spending by consumers on energy, (2) 
reduced spending on new energy supply by the utility industry, (3) 
increased consumer spending on the products to which the new standards 
apply and other goods and services, and (4) the effects of those three 
factors throughout the economy.
    One method for assessing the possible effects on the demand for 
labor of such shifts in economic activity is to compare sector 
employment statistics developed by the BLS. BLS regularly publishes its 
estimates of the number of jobs per million dollars of economic 
activity in different sectors of the economy, as well as the jobs 
created elsewhere in the economy by this same economic activity. Data 
from BLS indicate that expenditures in the utility sector generally 
create fewer jobs (both directly and indirectly) than expenditures in 
other sectors of the economy.\51\ There are many reasons for these 
differences, including wage differences and the fact that the utility 
sector is more capital-intensive and less labor-intensive than other 
sectors. Energy conservation standards have the effect of reducing 
consumer utility bills. Because reduced consumer expenditures for 
energy likely lead to increased expenditures in other sectors of the 
economy, the general effect of efficiency standards is to shift 
economic activity from a less labor-intensive sector (i.e., the utility 
sector) to more labor-intensive sectors (e.g., the retail and service 
sectors). Thus, the BLS data suggest that net national employment may 
increase due to shifts in economic activity resulting from energy 
conservation standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \51\ See U.S. Department of Commerce-Bureau of Economic 
Analysis. Regional Multipliers: A User Handbook for the Regional 
Input-Output Modeling System (``RIMS II''). 1997. U.S. Government 
Printing Office: Washington, DC. Available at https://www.bea.gov/sites/default/files/methodologies/RIMSII_User_Guide.pdf (last 
accessed January 20, 2023).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE estimated indirect national employment impacts for the standard 
levels considered in this final rule using an input/output model of the 
U.S. economy called Impact of Sector Energy

[[Page 39942]]

Technologies version 4 (``ImSET'').\52\ ImSET is a special-purpose 
version of the ``U.S. Benchmark National Input-Output'' (``I-O'') 
model, which was designed to estimate the national employment and 
income effects of energy-saving technologies. The ImSET software 
includes a computer-based I-O model having structural coefficients that 
characterize economic flows among 187 sectors most relevant to 
industrial, commercial, and residential building energy use.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \52\ Livingston, O. V., S. R. Bender, M. J. Scott, and R. W. 
Schultz. ImSET 4.0: Impact of Sector Energy Technologies Model 
Description and User's Guide. 2015. Pacific Northwest National 
Laboratory: Richland, WA. PNNL-24563.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE notes that ImSET is not a general equilibrium forecasting 
model, and that the uncertainties involved in projecting employment 
impacts especially change in the later years of the analysis. Because 
ImSET does not incorporate price changes, the employment effects 
predicted by ImSET may over-estimate actual job impacts over the long 
run for this rule. Therefore, DOE used ImSET only to generate results 
for near-term timeframes, where these uncertainties are reduced. For 
more details on the employment impact analysis, see chapter 16 of the 
final rule TSD.

V. Analytical Results and Conclusions

    The following section addresses the results from DOE's analyses 
with respect to the considered energy conservation standards for 
microwave ovens. It addresses the TSLs examined by DOE, the projected 
impacts of each of these levels if adopted as energy conservation 
standards for microwave ovens, and the standards levels that DOE is 
adopting in this final rule. Additional details regarding DOE's 
analyses are contained in the final rule TSD supporting this document.

A. Trial Standard Levels

    In general, DOE typically evaluates potential amended standards for 
products and equipment by grouping individual efficiency levels for 
each class into TSLs. Use of TSLs allows DOE to identify and consider 
manufacturer cost interactions between the product classes, to the 
extent that there are such interactions, and market cross elasticity 
from consumer purchasing decisions that may change when different 
standard levels are set.
    In the analysis conducted for this final rule, DOE analyzed the 
benefits and burdens of three TSLs for microwave ovens. DOE developed 
TSLs that combine efficiency levels for each analyzed product class. 
DOE presents the results for the TSLs in this document, while the 
results for all efficiency levels that DOE analyzed are in the final 
rule TSD.
    Table V.1 presents the TSLs and the corresponding efficiency levels 
that DOE has identified for potential amended energy conservation 
standards for microwave ovens. TSL 3 represents the maximum 
technologically feasible (``max-tech'') energy efficiency for all 
product classes. TSL 2 and TSL 1 represent interim energy efficiency 
levels between the current standard level and the max-tech energy 
efficiency level.

                              Table V.1--Trial Standard Levels for Microwave Ovens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Product class                                TSL 1           TSL 2           TSL 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Maximum allowable average standby power (W)
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
PC 1: Microwave-Only and Countertop Convection..................             0.8             0.6             0.4
PC 2: Built-In and Over-the-Range Convection....................             1.5             1.0             0.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE constructed the TSLs for this final rule to include efficiency 
levels representative of efficiency levels with similar characteristics 
(i.e., using similar technologies and/or efficiencies, and having 
roughly comparable equipment availability). The use of representative 
efficiency levels provided for greater distinction between the TSLs. 
While representative efficiency levels were included in the TSLs, DOE 
considered all efficiency levels as part of its analysis.\53\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \53\ Efficiency levels that were analyzed for this NOPR are 
discussed in section IV.C.4 of this document. Results by efficiency 
level are presented in final rule TSD chapters 8, 10, and 12.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Joint Commenters requested DOE to consider an additional TSL 
that evaluates Product Class 1 at a level more stringent than what DOE 
proposed in the August 2022 SNOPR. Specifically, the Joint Commenters 
requested that DOE evaluate a modified TSL with Product Class 1 at 0.4W 
and Product Class 2 at 1.0W, noting that this approach would alleviate 
DOE's concerns of net cost to consumers while roughly doubling the 
national energy savings relative to the proposed levels. (Joint 
Commenters, No. 31 at p. 2)
    As discussed in section V.B.2.c of this document, DOE assumes 
manufacturers will meet amended energy conservation standards for 
microwave ovens by re-designing the control boards of non-compliant 
models. DOE estimates that approximately 89 percent of Product Class 1 
shipments will need to be redesigned to meet the efficiency levels of 
the modified TSL suggested by the Joint Commenters. This represents a 
need to redesign models accounting for approximately 10.5 million units 
with manufacturers expressing concern that a redesign effort of this 
extent may not be possible in a three-year time period. Manufacturers 
would most likely stop offering lower-volume non-compliant models to 
consumers, choosing instead to focus their resources on remodeling the 
highest-volume selling models first. Due to the potential impact on 
consumer choice, DOE did not evaluate the additional TSL suggested by 
the Joint Commenters in this rulemaking.

B. Economic Justification and Energy Savings

1. Economic Impacts on Individual Consumers
    DOE analyzed the economic impacts on microwave oven consumers by 
looking at the effects that potential amended standards at each TSL 
would have on the LCC and PBP. DOE also examined the impacts of 
potential standards on selected consumer subgroups. These analyses are 
discussed in the following sections.
a. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period
    In general, higher-efficiency products affect consumers in two 
ways: (1) purchase price increases and (2) annual operating costs 
decrease. Inputs used for calculating the LCC and PBP include total 
installed costs (i.e., product price plus installation costs) and 
operating costs (i.e., annual energy use, energy prices, energy price 
trends, repair costs, and maintenance costs). The LCC calculation also 
uses product lifetime

[[Page 39943]]

and a discount rate. Chapter 8 of the final rule TSD provides detailed 
information on the LCC and PBP analyses.
    Table V.2 through Table V.5 show the LCC and PBP results for the 
TSLs considered for each product class. In the first of each pair of 
tables, the simple payback is measured relative to the baseline 
product. In the second table, the impacts are measured relative to the 
efficiency distribution in the in the no-new-standards case in the 
compliance year (see section IV.F.8 of this document). Because some 
consumers purchase products with higher efficiency in the no-new-
standards case, the average savings are less than the difference 
between the average LCC of the baseline product and the average LCC at 
each TSL. The savings refer only to consumers who are affected by a 
standard at a given TSL. Those who already purchase a product with 
efficiency at or above a given TSL are not affected. Consumers for whom 
the LCC increases at a given TSL experience a net cost.

                                         Table V.2--Average LCC and PBP Results for PC 1: Microwave-Only Ovens and Countertop Convection Microwave Ovens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                       Average costs (2021$)
                                                                                   Standby power ---------------------------------------------------------------- Simple payback      Average
                               TSL                                      EL              (W)                        First year's      Lifetime                         (years)        lifetime
                                                                                                  Installed cost  operating cost  operating cost        LCC                           (years)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               0  ..............         $254.16           $1.26          $11.38         $265.54  ..............           10.78
1...............................................................               1             0.8          254.24            1.02            9.20          263.44             0.3           10.78
2...............................................................               2             0.6          254.80            0.78            7.02          261.81             1.3           10.78
3...............................................................               3             0.4          255.57            0.54            4.83          260.40             2.0           10.78
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use products at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the baseline product.


     Table V.3--Average LCC Savings Relative to the No-New-Standards Case for PC 1: Microwave-Only Ovens and
                                      Countertop Convection Microwave Ovens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Life-cycle cost savings
                                                                              ----------------------------------
                                                                 Efficiency                        Percent of
                             TSL                                    level        Average LCC    consumers  that
                                                                                  savings *      experience net
                                                                                   (2021$)            cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................................................               1           $0.25                  0
2............................................................               2            0.99                  5
3............................................................               3            2.16                 12
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers.


                                             Table V.4--Average LCC and PBP Results for PC 2: Built-In and Over-the-Range Convection Microwave Ovens
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                       Average costs (2021$)
                                                                                   Standby power ---------------------------------------------------------------- Simple payback      Average
                               TSL                                      EL              (W)                        First year's      Lifetime                         (years)        lifetime
                                                                                                  Installed cost  operating cost  operating cost        LCC                           (years)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               0  ..............         $546.11           $2.74          $24.75         $570.86  ..............           10.78
1...............................................................               1             1.5          546.11            1.89           17.11          563.22             0.0           10.78
2...............................................................               2             1.0          547.28            1.29           11.65          558.93             0.8           10.78
3...............................................................               3             0.5          551.36            0.69            6.19          557.55             2.6           10.78
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use products at that efficiency level. The simple PBP is measured relative to the baseline product.


   Table V.5--Average LCC Savings Relative to the No-New-Standards Case for PC 2: Built-In and Over-the-Range
                                           Convection Microwave Ovens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Life-cycle cost savings
                                                                              ----------------------------------
                                                                                                   Percent of
                             TSL                                     EL          Average LCC    consumers  that
                                                                                  savings *      experience net
                                                                                   (2021$)            cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................................................               1           $0.00                  0
2............................................................               2            0.83                  7

[[Page 39944]]

 
3............................................................               3            1.95                 42
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers.

b. Consumer Subgroup Analysis
    In the consumer subgroup analysis, DOE estimated the impact of the 
considered TSLs on low-income households and senior-only households. 
Table V.6 and Table V.7 compare the average LCC savings and PBP at each 
efficiency level for the consumer subgroups with similar metrics for 
the entire consumer sample for both product classes. In most cases, the 
average LCC savings and PBP for low-income households and senior-only 
households at the considered efficiency levels are not substantially 
different from the average for all households. Chapter 11 of the final 
rule TSD presents the complete LCC and PBP results for the subgroups.

 Table V.6--Comparison of LCC Savings and PBP for Consumer Subgroups and All Households; PC 1: Microwave-Only Ovens and Countertop Convection Microwave
                                                                          Ovens
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Average life-cycle cost         Simple payback period             Net cost (%)
                                                                     savings * (2021$)                   (years)           -----------------------------
                                                             --------------------------------------------------------------
                        TSL                             EL       Low-      Senior-                                            Low-     Senior-
                                                                income      only     Nation     Low-     Senior-   Nation    income     only     Nation
                                                               [Dagger]    Sec.                income     only
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..................................................        1       $0.25     $0.25     $0.25       0.3       0.3       0.3         0         0         0
2..................................................        2        0.99      0.97      0.99       1.3       1.3       1.3         6         5         5
3..................................................        3        2.13      2.12      2.16       2.0       2.0       2.0        13        12        12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers.
[Dagger] Low-income households represent 12.5 percent of all households for this product class.
Sec.   Senior-only households represent 24.7 percent of all households for this product class.


  Table V.7--Comparison of LCC Savings and PBP for Consumer Subgroups and All Households; PC 2: Built-In and Over-the-Range Convection Microwave Ovens
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Average life-cycle cost         Simple payback period             Net cost (%)
                                                                     savings * (2021$)                   (years)           -----------------------------
                                                             --------------------------------------------------------------
                        TSL                             EL       Low-      Senior-                                            Low-     Senior-
                                                                income      only     Nation     Low-     Senior-   Nation    income     only     Nation
                                                               [Dagger]    Sec.                income     only
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..................................................        1       $0.00     $0.00     $0.00       0.0       0.0       0.0         0         0         0
2..................................................        2        0.76      0.76      0.83       0.8       0.8       0.8         8         8         7
3..................................................        3        1.79      1.79      1.95       2.6       2.6       2.6        43        43        42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers.
[Dagger] Low-income households represent 12.5 percent of all households for this product class.
Sec.   Senior-only households represent 24.7 percent of all households for this product class.

c. Rebuttable Presumption Payback
    As discussed in section III.E.2 of this document, EPCA establishes 
a rebuttable presumption that an energy conservation standard is 
economically justified if the increased purchase cost for a product 
that meets the standard is less than three times the value of the 
first-year energy savings resulting from the standard. In calculating a 
rebuttable presumption payback period for each of the considered TSLs, 
DOE used discrete values, and, as required by EPCA, based the energy 
use calculation on the DOE test procedures for microwave ovens. In 
contrast, the PBPs presented in section V.B.1.a of this document were 
calculated using distributions that reflect the range of energy use in 
the field.
    Table V.8 presents the rebuttable-presumption payback periods for 
the considered TSLs for microwave ovens. While DOE examined the 
rebuttable-presumption criterion, it considered whether the standard 
levels considered for this rule are economically justified through a 
more detailed analysis of the economic impacts of those levels, 
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i), that considers the full range 
of impacts to the consumer, manufacturer, Nation, and environment. The 
results of that analysis serve as the basis for DOE to definitively 
evaluate the economic justification for a potential standard level, 
thereby supporting or rebutting the results of any preliminary 
determination of economic justification.

[[Page 39945]]



                                Table V.8--Rebuttable-Presumption Payback Periods
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Product class                                  1               2               3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      (years)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PC 1: Microwave-Only and Countertop Convection..................             2.1             2.2             2.2
PC 2: Built-In and Over-the-Range Convection....................             0.0             2.2             2.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Economic Impacts on Manufacturers
    DOE performed an MIA to estimate the impact of amended energy 
conservation standards on manufacturers of microwave ovens. The next 
section describes the expected impacts on manufacturers at each 
considered TSL. Chapter 12 of the final rule TSD explains the analysis 
in further detail.
a. Industry Cash Flow Analysis Results
    In this section, DOE provides GRIM results from the analysis, which 
examines changes in the industry that would result from a standard. The 
following tables summarize the estimated financial impacts (represented 
by changes in INPV) of potential amended energy conservation standards 
on manufacturers of microwave ovens, as well as the conversion costs 
that DOE estimates manufacturers of microwave ovens would incur at each 
TSL. To evaluate the range of cash-flow impacts on the microwave oven 
industry, DOE modeled two manufacturer markup scenarios using different 
assumptions that correspond to the range of anticipated market 
responses to amended energy conservation standards: (1) the conversion 
cost recovery scenario and (2) the constant price scenario.
    To assess the lowest magnitude of the range of potential impacts, 
DOE modeled a conversion cost recovery scenario in which manufacturers 
are able to increase their manufacturer markups in response to amended 
energy conservation standards. To assess the largest magnitude of the 
range of potential impacts, DOE modeled a constant price scenario in 
which manufacturers incur conversion costs but do not receive any 
additional revenue from these redesign efforts.
    As noted in the MIA methodology discussion (see section IV.J of 
this document), in addition to manufacturer markup scenarios, the MPCs, 
shipments, and conversion cost assumptions also affect INPV results.
    The results in Table V.9 and Table V.10 present potential INPV 
impacts for microwave oven manufacturers. Table V.9 reflects the lowest 
magnitude of potential impacts (conversion cost recovery scenario), and 
Table V.10 represents the largest magnitude of potential impacts 
(constant price scenario). In the following discussion, the INPV 
results refer to the difference in industry value between the no-new-
standards case and each standards case that results from the sum of 
discounted cash flows from 2023 (the reference year) through 2055 (the 
end of the analysis period).

               Table V.9--Manufacturer Impact Analysis Results--Conversion Cost Recovery Scenario
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              Trial standard level *
                                      Units           No-new-    -----------------------------------------------
                                                  standards case         1               2               3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INPV..........................  2021$ millions..           1,426           1,426           1,426           1,426
Change in INPV................  2021$ millions..  ..............             0.0             0.0             0.0
                                %...............  ..............             0.0             0.0             0.0
Product Conversion Costs......  2021$ millions..  ..............             2.8            23.6            55.0
Capital Conversion Costs......  2021$ millions..  ..............             2.5            22.5            53.3
Total Conversion Costs........  2021$ millions..  ..............             5.3            46.1           108.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Parentheses indicate negative values. Numbers may not sum exactly due to rounding.


                    Table V.10--Manufacturer Impact Analysis Results--Constant Price Scenario
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              Trial standard level *
                                      Units           No-new-    -----------------------------------------------
                                                  standards case         1               2               3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INPV..........................  2021$ millions..           1,426           1,422           1,389           1,339
Change in INPV................  2021$ millions..  ..............           (4.2)          (37.2)          (87.5)
                                %...............  ..............           (0.3)           (2.6)           (6.1)
Product Conversion Costs......  2021$ millions..  ..............             2.8            23.6            55.0
Capital Conversion Costs......  2021$ millions..  ..............             2.5            22.5            53.3
Total Conversion Costs........  2021$ millions..  ..............             5.3            46.1           108.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Parentheses indicate negative values. Numbers may not sum exactly due to rounding.

    At TSL 1, DOE estimates impacts on INPV will range from -$4.2 
million, which represents a change of -0.3 percent, to no change in 
INPV. At TSL 1, industry free cash flow decreases to $98 million, which 
represents a decrease of approximately 2.1 percent, compared to the no-
new-standards case value of $100 million in 2025, the year leading up 
to the compliance date.
    TSL 1 would set the energy conservation standard for both product 
classes at EL 1. DOE estimates that 85 percent of Product Class 1 
shipments and 100 percent of Product Class 2 shipments would already 
meet or exceed the efficiency levels required at TSL 1. DOE expects 
microwave oven manufacturers to incur approximately

[[Page 39946]]

$2.8 million in product conversion costs to redesign and re-test non-
compliant models and approximately $2.5 million in capital conversion 
costs to purchase new tooling and equipment necessary to produce these 
redesigned models.
    At TSL 2, DOE estimates that impacts on INPV will range from -$37.2 
million, which represents a change of -2.6 percent, to no change in 
INPV. At TSL 2, industry free cash flow decreases to $82 million, which 
represents a decrease of approximately 18.4 percent, compared to the 
no-new-standards case value of $100 million in 2025, the year leading 
up to the compliance date.
    TSL 2 would set the energy conservation standard for both product 
classes at EL 2. DOE estimates that 40 percent of Product Class 1 
shipments and 64 percent of Product Class 2 shipments would already 
meet or exceed the efficiency levels required at TSL 2. DOE expects 
microwave oven manufacturers to incur approximately $23.6 million in 
product conversion costs to redesign and re-test non-compliant models 
and approximately $22.5 million in capital conversion costs to purchase 
new tooling and equipment necessary to produce these redesigned models.
    At TSL 3, DOE estimates impacts on INPV will range from -$87.5 
million, which represents a change of -6.1 percent, to no change in 
INPV. At TSL 3, industry free cash flow decreases to $57 million, which 
represents a decrease of approximately 43.3 percent compared to the no-
new-standards case value of $100 million in 2025, the year leading up 
to the compliance date.
    TSL 3 would set the energy conservation standard for both product 
classes at max-tech (EL 3). DOE estimates that 11 percent of Product 
Class 1 shipments and 5 percent of Product Class 2 shipments would 
already meet the efficiency levels required at TSL 3. DOE expects 
microwave oven manufacturers to incur approximately $55.0 million in 
product conversion costs to redesign and re-test non-compliant models 
and approximately $53.3 million in capital conversion costs to purchase 
new tooling and equipment necessary to produce these redesigned models.
b. Direct Impacts on Employment
    DOE estimates that over 95 percent of microwave oven manufacturing 
occurs outside the United States. Furthermore, none of the analyzed 
efficiency levels require additional labor and would not impact current 
manufacturing labor practices. Therefore, DOE estimates that there will 
be no direct impacts on domestic employment at any of the analyzed 
TSLs.
c. Impacts on Manufacturing Capacity
    DOE assumes manufacturers will meet amended energy conservation 
standards for microwave ovens by re-designing the control boards of 
non-compliant models. DOE estimates that approximately 89 percent of 
Product Class 1 shipments and 95 percent of Product Class 2 shipments 
will need to be redesigned to meet the efficiency levels required at 
TSL 3. This represents a need to redesign models accounting for 
approximately 10.5 million Product Class 1 units and 0.4 million 
Product Class 2 units. Manufacturers have expressed concern that 
redesigning 90 percent of all microwave oven models in a three-year 
time period might not be possible.
    At TSL 2, DOE estimates that approximately 60 percent of Product 
Class 1 shipments and 36 percent of Product Class 2 shipments will need 
to be redesigned to meet the efficiency levels; at TSL 1, DOE estimates 
that approximately 15 percent of Product Class 1 shipments and no 
Product Class 2 shipments will need to be redesigned to meet the 
efficiency levels. Both of the redesign requirements at TSL 1 and TSL 2 
are unlikely to cause a significant capacity concern for most microwave 
oven manufacturers.
d. Impacts on Subgroups of Manufacturers
    Small manufacturers, niche equipment manufacturers, and 
manufacturers exhibiting a cost structure substantially different from 
the industry average could be affected disproportionately. Using 
average cost assumptions developed for an industry cash-flow estimate 
is inadequate to assess differential impacts among manufacturer 
subgroups.
    For the microwave oven industry, DOE identified and evaluated the 
impact of amended energy conservation standards on one subgroup--small 
manufacturers. The Small Business Administration (``SBA'') defines a 
``small business'' as having 1,500 employees or fewer for the North 
American Industry Classification System (``NAICS'') code 335220, 
``Major Household Appliance Manufacturing.'' \54\ For a discussion of 
the impacts on the small manufacturer subgroup, see the regulatory 
flexibility analysis in section VI.B of this document and chapter 12 of 
the final rule TSD.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \54\ Available at www.sba.gov/document/support-table-size-standards (last accessed on Jan. 11, 2023).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

e. Cumulative Regulatory Burden
    One aspect of assessing manufacturer burden involves looking at the 
cumulative impact of multiple DOE standards and the regulatory actions 
of other Federal agencies and States that affect the manufacturers of a 
covered product or equipment. While any one regulation may not impose a 
significant burden on manufacturers, the combined effects of several 
existing or impending regulations may have serious consequences for 
some manufacturers, groups of manufacturers, or an entire industry. 
Multiple regulations affecting the same manufacturer can strain profits 
and lead companies to abandon product lines or markets with lower 
expected future returns than competing products. For these reasons, DOE 
conducts an analysis of cumulative regulatory burden as part of its 
rulemakings pertaining to appliance efficiency.
    DOE evaluates product-specific regulations that will take effect 
approximately 3 years before or after the estimated 2026 compliance 
date of any amended energy conservation standards for microwave ovens. 
This information is presented in Table V.11.

[[Page 39947]]



Table V.11--Compliance Dates and Expected Conversion Expenses of Federal Energy Conservation Standards Affecting
                                          Microwave Oven Manufacturers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Number of                                          Industry
                                                manufacturers                       Industry        conversion
 Federal energy conservation   Number of mfrs   affected from      Approx.      conversion costs   costs/product
           standard                   *         today's rule   standards year     (millions$)       revenue ***
                                                     **                                                 (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portable Air Conditioners, 85              11               2            2025             $320.9             6.7
 FR 1378 (Jan. 10, 2020).....                                                            (2015$)
Room Air Conditioners                       8               3            2026              $24.8             0.4
 [Dagger]....................                                                            (2021$)
Consumer Clothes Dryers, 87                15               9            2027             $149.7             1.8
 FR 51734 (Aug. 23, 2022)                                                                (2020$)
 [dagger]....................
Consumer Conventional Cooking              34              10            2027             $183.4             1.2
 Products, 88 FR 6818 (Feb.                                                              (2021$)
 1, 2023) [dagger][dagger]...
Residential Clothes Washers,               19               5            2027             $690.8             5.2
 88 FR 13520 (Mar. 3, 2023)                                                              (2021$)
 [dagger][dagger]............
Refrigerators, Refrigerator-               49              12            2027           $1,323.6             3.8
 Freezers, and Freezers, 88                                                              (2021$)
 FR 12452 (Feb. 27, 2023)
 [dagger][dagger]............
Miscellaneous Refrigeration                38               7            2029             $126.9             3.1
 Products, 88 FR 19382 (Mar.                                                             (2021$)
 31, 2023) [dagger][dagger]..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* This column presents the total number of manufacturers identified in the energy conservation standard rule
  contributing to cumulative regulatory burden.
** This column presents the number of manufacturers producing microwave ovens that are also listed as
  manufacturers in the listed energy conservation standard contributing to cumulative regulatory burden.
*** This column presents industry conversion costs as a percentage of product revenue during the conversion
  period. Industry conversion costs are the upfront investments manufacturers must make to sell compliant
  products/equipment. The revenue used for this calculation is the revenue from just the covered product/
  equipment associated with each row. The conversion period is the time frame over which conversion costs are
  made and lasts from the publication year of the final rule to the compliance year of the energy conservation
  standard. The conversion period typically ranges from 3 to 5 years, depending on the rulemaking.
[Dagger] At the time of issuance of this microwave ovens rulemaking, the rulemaking has been issued and is
  pending publication in the Federal Register. Once published, the room air conditioners final rule will be
  available at: www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2014-BT-STD-0059.
[dagger][dagger] Indicates a proposed rulemaking. Values could change upon publication of a final rule.

    In addition to the rulemakings listed in Table V.11, DOE has other 
ongoing rulemakings for products that microwave oven manufacturers 
produce: dishwashers \55\ and dehumidifiers.\56\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \55\ www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2014-BT-STD-0021.
    \56\ www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE-2019-BT-STD-0043.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. National Impact Analysis
    This section presents DOE's estimates of the national energy 
savings and the NPV of consumer benefits that would result from each of 
the TSLs considered as potential amended standards.
a. Significance of Energy Savings
    To estimate the energy savings attributable to potential amended 
standards for microwave ovens, DOE compared their energy consumption 
under the no-new-standards case to their anticipated energy consumption 
under each TSL. The savings are measured over the entire lifetime of 
products purchased in the 30-year period that begins in the year of 
anticipated compliance with amended standards (2026-2055). Table V.12 
presents DOE's projections of the national energy savings for each TSL 
considered for microwave ovens. The savings were calculated using the 
approach described in section IV.H.2 of this document.

            Table V.12--Cumulative National Energy Savings for Microwave Ovens; 30 Years of Shipments
                                                   [2026-2055]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Trial standard level
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                                                         1               2               3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      (quads)
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
Primary energy..................................................            0.01            0.05            0.12
FFC energy......................................................            0.01            0.06            0.12
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    OMB Circular A-4 \57\ requires agencies to present analytical 
results, including separate schedules of the monetized benefits and 
costs that show the type and timing of benefits and costs. Circular A-4 
also directs agencies

[[Page 39948]]

to consider the variability of key elements underlying the estimates of 
benefits and costs. For this rulemaking, DOE undertook a sensitivity 
analysis using 9 years, rather than 30 years, of product shipments. The 
choice of a 9-year period is a proxy for the timeline in EPCA for the 
review of certain energy conservation standards and potential revision 
of and compliance with such revised standards.\58\ The review timeframe 
established in EPCA is generally not synchronized with the product 
lifetime, product manufacturing cycles, or other factors specific to 
microwave ovens. Thus, such results are presented for informational 
purposes only and are not indicative of any change in DOE's analytical 
methodology. The NES sensitivity analysis results based on a 9-year 
analytical period are presented in Table V.13. The impacts are counted 
over the lifetime of microwave ovens purchased in 2026-2055.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \57\ U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Circular A-4: 
Regulatory Analysis. September 17, 2003. 
obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/omb/circulars_a004_a-4/ (last accessed 
January 13, 2023).
    \58\ EPCA requires DOE to review its standards at least once 
every 6 years, and requires, for certain products, a 3-year period 
after any new standard is promulgated before compliance is required, 
except that in no case may any new standards be required within 6 
years of the compliance date of the previous standards. While adding 
a 6-year review to the 3-year compliance period adds up to 9 years, 
DOE notes that it may undertake reviews at any time within the 6-
year period and that the 3-year compliance date may yield to the 6-
year backstop. A 9-year analysis period may not be appropriate given 
the variability that occurs in the timing of standards reviews and 
the fact that for some products, the compliance period is 5 years 
rather than 3 years.

            Table V.13--Cumulative National Energy Savings for Microwave Ovens; 9 Years of Shipments
                                                   [2026-2055]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Trial standard level
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                                                         1               2               3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      (quads)
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
Source energy...................................................           0.003           0.014           0.034
FFC energy......................................................           0.003           0.015           0.035
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

b. Net Present Value of Consumer Costs and Benefits
    DOE estimated the cumulative NPV of the total costs and savings for 
consumers that would result from the TSLs considered for microwave 
ovens. In accordance with OMB's guidelines on regulatory analysis,\59\ 
DOE calculated NPV using both a 7-percent and a 3-percent real discount 
rate. Table V.14 shows the consumer NPV results with impacts counted 
over the lifetime of products purchased in 2026-2055.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \59\ U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Circular A-4: 
Regulatory Analysis. September 17, 2003. 
obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/omb/circulars_a004_a-4/ (last accessed 
December 13, 2022).

    Table V.14--Cumulative Net Present Value of Consumer Benefits for Microwave Ovens; 30 Years of Shipments
                                                   [2026-2055]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Trial standard level
                          Discount rate                          -----------------------------------------------
                                                                         1               2               3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  (billion 2021$)
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
3 percent.......................................................           0.080           0.353           0.710
7 percent.......................................................           0.039           0.164           0.320
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The NPV results based on the aforementioned 9-year analytical 
period are presented in Table V.15. The impacts are counted over the 
lifetime of products purchased in 2026-2055. As mentioned previously, 
such results are presented for informational purposes only and are not 
indicative of any change in DOE's analytical methodology or decision 
criteria.

     Table V.15--Cumulative Net Present Value of Consumer Benefits for Microwave Ovens; 9 Years of Shipments
                                                   [2026-2055]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Trial standard level
                          Discount rate                          -----------------------------------------------
                                                                         1               2               3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  (billion 2021$)
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
3 percent.......................................................           0.030           0.127           0.266
7 percent.......................................................           0.020           0.079           0.160
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 39949]]

    The previous results reflect the use of a default trend to estimate 
the change in price for microwave ovens over the analysis period (see 
section IV.F.1 of this document). DOE also conducted a sensitivity 
analysis that considered one scenario with a lower rate of price 
decline than the reference case and one scenario with a higher rate of 
price decline than the reference case. The results of these alternative 
cases are presented in appendix 10C of the final rule TSD. In the high-
price-decline case, the NPV of consumer benefits is higher than in the 
default case. In the low-price-decline case, the NPV of consumer 
benefits is lower than in the default case.
c. Indirect Impacts on Employment
    DOE estimates that amended energy conservation standards for 
microwave ovens will reduce energy expenditures for consumers of those 
products, with the resulting net savings being redirected to other 
forms of economic activity. These expected shifts in spending and 
economic activity could affect the demand for labor. As described in 
section IV.N of this document, DOE used an input/output model of the 
U.S. economy to estimate indirect employment impacts of the TSLs that 
DOE considered. There are uncertainties involved in projecting 
employment impacts, especially changes in the later years of the 
analysis. Therefore, DOE generated results for near-term timeframes 
(2026-2031), where these uncertainties are reduced.
    The results suggest that the adopted standards are likely to have a 
negligible impact on the net demand for labor in the economy. The net 
change in jobs is so small that it would be imperceptible in national 
labor statistics and might be offset by other, unanticipated effects on 
employment. Chapter 16 of the final rule TSD presents detailed results 
regarding anticipated indirect employment impacts.
4. Impact on Utility or Performance of Products
    As discussed in section IV.C.1.b of this document, DOE has 
concluded that the standards adopted in this final rule will not lessen 
the utility or performance of the microwave ovens under consideration 
in this rulemaking. Manufacturers of these products currently offer 
units that meet or exceed the adopted standards.
5. Impact of Any Lessening of Competition
    DOE considered any lessening of competition that would be likely to 
result from new or amended standards. As discussed in section III.E.1.e 
of this document, EPCA directs the Attorney General of the United 
States (``Attorney General'') to determine the impact, if any, of any 
lessening of competition likely to result from a proposed standard and 
to transmit such determination in writing to the Secretary within 60 
days of the publication of a proposed rule, together with an analysis 
of the nature and extent of the impact. To assist the Attorney General 
in making this determination, DOE provided the Department of Justice 
(``DOJ'') with copies of the August 2022 SNOPR and the SNOPR TSD for 
review. In its assessment letter responding to DOE, DOJ concluded that 
the proposed energy conservation standards for microwave ovens are 
unlikely to have a significant adverse impact on competition. DOE is 
publishing the Attorney General's assessment at the end of this final 
rule.
6. Need of the Nation To Conserve Energy
    Enhanced energy efficiency, where economically justified, improves 
the Nation's energy security, strengthens the economy, and reduces the 
environmental impacts (costs) of energy production. Reduced electricity 
demand due to energy conservation standards is also likely to reduce 
the cost of maintaining the reliability of the electricity system, 
particularly during peak-load periods. Chapter 15 of the final rule TSD 
presents the estimated impacts on electricity generating capacity, 
relative to the no-new-standards case, for the TSLs that DOE considered 
in this rulemaking.
    Energy conservation resulting from potential energy conservation 
standards for microwave ovens is expected to yield environmental 
benefits in the form of reduced emissions of certain air pollutants and 
greenhouse gases. Table V.16 provides DOE's estimate of cumulative 
emissions reductions expected to result from the TSLs considered in 
this rulemaking. The emissions were calculated using the multipliers 
discussed in section IV.K of this document. DOE reports annual 
emissions reductions for each TSL in chapter 13 of the final rule TSD.

               Table V.16--Cumulative Emissions Reduction for Microwave Ovens Shipped in 2026-2055
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Trial standard level
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                                                         1               2               3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Power Sector Emissions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CO2 (million metric tons).......................................            0.33            1.74            3.92
CH4 (thousand tons).............................................            0.03            0.14            0.31
N2O (thousand tons).............................................            0.00            0.02            0.04
SO2 (thousand tons).............................................            0.16            0.84            1.89
NOX (thousand tons).............................................            0.17            0.88            1.98
Hg (tons).......................................................            0.00            0.01            0.01
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Upstream Emissions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CO2 (million metric tons).......................................            0.03            0.13            0.30
CH4 (thousand tons).............................................            2.39           12.50           28.14
N2O (thousand tons).............................................            0.00            0.00            0.00
SO2 (thousand tons).............................................            0.00            0.01            0.02
NOX (thousand tons).............................................            0.38            2.00            4.51
Hg (tons).......................................................            0.00            0.00            0.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Total FFC Emissions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CO2 (million metric tons).......................................            0.36            1.87            4.21
CH4 (thousand tons).............................................            2.41           12.64           28.45

[[Page 39950]]

 
N2O (thousand tons).............................................            0.00            0.02            0.04
SO2 (thousand tons).............................................            0.16            0.85            1.91
NOX (thousand tons).............................................            0.55            2.88            6.49
Hg (tons).......................................................            0.00            0.01            0.01
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As part of the analysis for this rule, DOE estimated monetary 
benefits likely to result from the reduced emissions of CO2 
that DOE estimated for each of the considered TSLs for microwave ovens. 
Section IV.L of this document discusses the estimated SC-CO2 
values that DOE used. Table V.17 presents the value of CO2 
emissions reduction at each TSL for each of the SC-CO2 
cases. The time-series of annual values is presented for the selected 
TSL in chapter 14 of the final rule TSD.

          Table V.17--Present Value of CO2 Emissions Reduction for Microwave Ovens Shipped in 2026-2055
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            SC-CO2 case
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Discount rate and statistics
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                       TSL                              5%              3%             2.5%             3%
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       95th
                                                      Average         Average         Average       percentile
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          (million 2021$)
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
1...............................................            3.63           15.19           23.58           46.17
2...............................................           19.00           79.47          123.39          241.61
3...............................................           42.78          178.91          277.80          543.96
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As discussed in section IV.L.2 of this document, DOE estimated the 
climate benefits likely to result from the reduced emissions of methane 
and N2O that DOE estimated for each of the considered TSLs 
for microwave ovens. Table V.18 presents the value of the 
CH4 emissions reduction at each TSL, and Table V.19 presents 
the value of the N2O emissions reduction at each TSL. The 
time-series of annual values is presented for the selected TSL in 
chapter 14 of the final rule TSD.

        Table V.18--Present Value of Methane Emissions Reduction for Microwave Ovens Shipped in 2026-2055
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            SC-CH4 case
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Discount rate and statistics
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                       TSL                              5%              3%             2.5%             3%
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       95th
                                                      Average         Average         Average       percentile
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          (million 2021$)
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
1...............................................            1.11            3.22            4.46            8.51
2...............................................            5.82           16.83           23.33           44.56
3...............................................           13.10           37.90           52.52          100.31
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


     Table V.19--Present Value of Nitrous Oxide Emissions Reduction for Microwave Ovens Shipped in 2026-2055
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            SC-N2O Case
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Discount rate and statistics
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                       TSL                              5%              3%             2.5%             3%
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       95th
                                                      Average         Average         Average       percentile
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          (million 2021$)
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
1...............................................            0.01            0.06            0.09            0.15
2...............................................            0.08            0.29            0.45            0.78
3...............................................            0.17            0.66            1.02            1.76
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 39951]]

    DOE is well aware that scientific and economic knowledge about the 
contribution of CO2 and other GHG emissions to changes in 
the future global climate and the potential resulting damages to the 
global and U.S. economy continues to evolve rapidly. DOE, together with 
other Federal agencies, will continue to review methodologies for 
estimating the monetary value of reductions in CO2 and other 
GHG emissions. This ongoing review will consider the comments on this 
subject that are part of the public record for this and other 
rulemakings, as well as other methodological assumptions and issues. 
DOE notes, however, that the adopted standards would be economically 
justified even without inclusion of monetized benefits of reduced GHG 
emissions.
    DOE also estimated the monetary value of the economic benefits 
associated with NOX and SO2 emissions reductions 
anticipated to result from the considered TSLs for microwave ovens. The 
dollar-per-ton values that DOE used are discussed in section IV.L of 
this document. Table V.20 presents the present value for NOX 
emissions reduction for each TSL calculated using 7-percent and 3-
percent discount rates, and Table V.21 presents similar results for 
SO2 emissions reductions. The results in these tables 
reflect application of EPA's low dollar-per-ton values, which DOE used 
to be conservative. The time-series of annual values is presented for 
the selected TSL in chapter 14 of the final rule TSD.

Table V.20--Present Value of NOX Emissions Reduction for Microwave Ovens
                          Shipped in 2026-2055
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            7% Discount     3% Discount
                   TSL                         rate            rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  (million 2021$)
                                         -------------------------------
1.......................................           10.11           23.20
2.......................................           52.89          121.38
3.......................................          119.07          273.27
------------------------------------------------------------------------


Table V.21--Present Value of SO2 Emissions Reduction for Microwave Ovens
                          Shipped in 2026-2055
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            7% Discount     3% Discount
                   TSL                         rate            rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  (million 2021$)
                                         -------------------------------
1.......................................            4.17            9.26
2.......................................           21.80           48.47
3.......................................           49.08          109.13
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Not all the public health and environmental benefits from the 
reduction of greenhouse gases, NOX, and SO2 are 
captured in the values above, and additional unquantified benefits from 
the reductions of those pollutants as well as from the reduction of 
direct PM and other co-pollutants may be significant. DOE has not 
included monetary benefits of the reduction of Hg emissions because the 
amount of reduction is very small.
7. Other Factors
    The Secretary of Energy, in determining whether a standard is 
economically justified, may consider any other factors that the 
Secretary deems to be relevant. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(VII)) No 
other factors were considered in this analysis.
8. Summary of Economic Impacts
    Table V.22 presents the NPV values that result from adding the 
estimates of the economic benefits resulting from reduced GHG and 
NOX and SO2 emissions to the NPV of consumer 
benefits calculated for each TSL considered in this rulemaking. The 
consumer benefits are domestic U.S. monetary savings that occur as a 
result of purchasing the covered products and are measured for the 
lifetime of products shipped in 2026-2055. The climate benefits 
associated with reduced GHG emissions resulting from the adopted 
standards are global benefits, and are also calculated based on the 
lifetime of microwave ovens shipped in 2026-2055.

          Table V.22--Consumer NPV Combined With Present Value of Climate Benefits and Health Benefits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Category                                   TSL 1           TSL 2           TSL 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Using 3% discount rate for Consumer NPV and Health Benefits (billion 2021$)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5% Average SC-GHG case..........................................             0.1             0.5             1.1
3% Average SC-GHG case..........................................             0.1             0.6             1.3
2.5% Average SC-GHG case........................................             0.1             0.7             1.4
3% 95th percentile SC-GHG case..................................             0.2             0.8             1.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Using 7% discount rate for Consumer NPV and Health Benefits (billion 2021$)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5% Average SC-GHG case..........................................             0.1             0.3             0.5
3% Average SC-GHG case..........................................             0.1             0.3             0.7
2.5% Average SC-GHG case........................................             0.1             0.4             0.8
3% 95th percentile SC-GHG case..................................             0.1             0.5             1.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Conclusion

    When considering new or amended energy conservation standards, the 
standards that DOE adopts for any type (or class) of covered product 
must be designed to achieve the maximum improvement in energy 
efficiency that the Secretary determines is technologically feasible 
and economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(A)) In determining 
whether a standard is economically justified, the Secretary must 
determine whether the benefits of the standard exceed its burdens by, 
to the greatest extent practicable, considering the seven statutory 
factors discussed previously. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)) The new or 
amended standard must also result in significant conservation of 
energy. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)(B))
    In the August 2022 SNOPR, DOE proposed energy conservation 
standards for microwave ovens at TSL 2, as constructed for that 
analysis. The minimum wattages corresponding to TSL 2 from the August 
2022 SNOPR are shown in Table V.23. 87 FR 52282 (Aug. 25, 2022).

[[Page 39952]]



 Table V.23--Proposed Energy Conservation Standards for Microwave Ovens
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Maximum allowable
                    Product class                       average standby
                                                         power (watts)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PC 1: Microwave-Only Ovens and Countertop Convection               0.6 W
 Microwave Ovens.....................................
PC 2: Built-In and Over-the-Range Convection                       1.0 W
 Microwave Ovens.....................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For this final rule, DOE considered the impacts of amended 
standards for microwave ovens at each TSL, beginning with the maximum 
technologically feasible level, to determine whether that level was 
economically justified. Where the max-tech level was not justified, DOE 
then considered the next most efficient level and undertook the same 
evaluation until it reached the highest efficiency level that is both 
technologically feasible and economically justified and saves a 
significant amount of energy.
    To aid the reader as DOE discusses the benefits and/or burdens of 
each TSL, tables in this section present a summary of the results of 
DOE's quantitative analysis for each TSL. In addition to the 
quantitative results presented in the tables, DOE also considers other 
burdens and benefits that affect economic justification. These include 
the impacts on identifiable subgroups of consumers who may be 
disproportionately affected by a national standard and impacts on 
employment.
    DOE also notes that the economics literature provides a wide-
ranging discussion of how consumers trade off upfront costs and energy 
savings in the absence of government intervention. Much of this 
literature attempts to explain why consumers appear to undervalue 
energy efficiency improvements. There is evidence that consumers 
undervalue future energy savings as a result of (1) a lack of 
information; (2) a lack of sufficient salience of the long-term or 
aggregate benefits; (3) a lack of sufficient savings to warrant 
delaying or altering purchases; (4) excessive focus on the short term, 
in the form of inconsistent weighting of future energy cost savings 
relative to available returns on other investments; (5) computational 
or other difficulties associated with the evaluation of relevant 
tradeoffs; and (6) a divergence in incentives (for example, between 
renters and owners, or builders and purchasers). Having less than 
perfect foresight and a high degree of uncertainty about the future, 
consumers may trade off these types of investments at a higher-than-
expected rate between current consumption and uncertain future energy 
cost savings.
    In DOE's current regulatory analysis, potential changes in the 
benefits and costs of a regulation due to changes in consumer purchase 
decisions are included in two ways. First, if consumers forego the 
purchase of a product in the standards case, this decreases sales for 
product manufacturers, and the impact on manufacturers attributed to 
lost revenue is included in the MIA. Second, DOE accounts for energy 
savings attributable only to products actually used by consumers in the 
standards case; if a standard decreases the number of products 
purchased by consumers, this decreases the potential energy savings 
from an energy conservation standard. DOE provides estimates of 
shipments and changes in the volume of product purchases in chapter 9 
of the final rule TSD. However, DOE's current analysis does not 
explicitly control for heterogeneity in consumer preferences, 
preferences across subcategories of products or specific features, or 
consumer price sensitivity variation according to household income.\60\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \60\ P.C. Reiss and M.W. White. Household Electricity Demand, 
Revisited. Review of Economic Studies. 2005. 72(3): pp. 853-883. 
doi: 10.1111/0034-6527.00354.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    While DOE is not prepared at present to provide a fuller 
quantifiable framework for estimating the benefits and costs of changes 
in consumer purchase decisions due to an energy conservation standard, 
DOE is committed to developing a framework that can support empirical 
quantitative tools for improved assessment of the consumer welfare 
impacts of appliance standards. DOE has posted a paper that discusses 
the issue of consumer welfare impacts of appliance energy conservation 
standards, and potential enhancements to the methodology by which these 
impacts are defined and estimated in the regulatory process.\61\ DOE 
welcomes comments on how to more fully assess the potential impact of 
energy conservation standards on consumer choice and how to quantify 
this impact in its regulatory analysis in future rulemakings.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \61\ Sanstad, A.H. Notes on the Economics of Household Energy 
Consumption and Technology Choice. 2010. Lawrence Berkeley National 
Laboratory. Available at www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/pdfs/consumer_ee_theory.pdf (last accessed July 
1, 2021).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Benefits and Burdens of TSLs Considered for Microwave Ovens 
Standards
    Table V.24 and Table V.25 summarize the quantitative impacts 
estimated for each TSL for microwave ovens. The national impacts are 
measured over the lifetime of microwave ovens purchased in the 30-year 
period that begins in the anticipated year of compliance with amended 
standards (2026-2055). The energy savings, emissions reductions, and 
value of emissions reductions refer to full-fuel-cycle results. DOE is 
presenting monetized benefits in accordance with the applicable 
Executive orders and DOE would reach the same conclusion presented in 
this notice in the absence of the social cost of greenhouse gases, 
including the Interim Estimates presented by the Interagency Working 
Group. The efficiency levels contained in each TSL are described in 
section V.A of this document.

[[Page 39953]]



              Table V.24--Summary of Analytical Results for Microwave Ovens TSLs: National Impacts
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Category                                   TSL 1           TSL 2           TSL 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Cumulative FFC National Energy Savings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quads...........................................................            0.01            0.06            0.12
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Cumulative FFC Emissions Reduction
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CO2 (million metric tons).......................................            0.36            1.87            4.21
CH4 (thousand tons).............................................            2.41           12.64           28.45
N2O (thousand tons).............................................            0.00            0.02            0.04
SO2 (thousand tons).............................................            0.55            2.88            6.49
NOX (thousand tons).............................................            0.16            0.85            1.91
Hg (tons).......................................................            0.00            0.01            0.01
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Present Value of Benefits and Costs (3% discount rate, billion 2021$)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Operating Cost Savings.................................            0.08            0.43            0.98
Climate Benefits *..............................................            0.02            0.10            0.22
Health Benefits **..............................................            0.03            0.17            0.38
Total Benefits [dagger].........................................            0.13            0.70            1.58
Consumer Incremental Product Costs [Dagger].....................            0.00            0.08            0.27
Consumer Net Benefits...........................................            0.08            0.35            0.71
Total Net Benefits..............................................            0.13            0.62            1.31
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Present Value of Benefits and Costs (7% discount rate, billion 2021$)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Operating Cost Savings.................................           0.040           0.211           0.475
Climate Benefits *..............................................           0.018           0.097           0.217
Health Benefits **..............................................           0.014           0.075           0.168
Total Benefits [dagger].........................................           0.073           0.382           0.860
Consumer Incremental Product Costs [Dagger].....................           0.002           0.047           0.154
Consumer Net Benefits...........................................           0.039           0.164           0.320
Total Net Benefits..............................................           0.072           0.336           0.706
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: This table presents the costs and benefits associated with microwave ovens shipped in 2026-2055. These
  results include benefits to consumers which accrue after 2055 from the products shipped in 2026-2055.
* Climate benefits are calculated using four different estimates of the SC-CO2, SC-CH4, and SC-N2O. Together,
  these represent the global SC-GHG. For presentational purposes of this table, the climate benefits associated
  with the average SC-GHG at a 3-percent discount rate are shown, but DOE does not have a single central SC-GHG
  point estimate. On March 16, 2022, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals (No. 22-30087) granted the Federal
  government's emergency motion for stay pending appeal of the February 11, 2022, preliminary injunction issued
  in Louisiana v. Biden, No. 21-cv-1074-JDC-KK (W.D. La.). As a result of the Fifth Circuit's order, the
  preliminary injunction is no longer in effect, pending resolution of the Federal government's appeal of that
  injunction or a further court order. Among other things, the preliminary injunction enjoined the defendants in
  that case from ``adopting, employing, treating as binding, or relying upon'' the interim estimates of the
  social cost of greenhouse gases--which were issued by the Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of
  Greenhouse Gases on February 26, 2021--to monetize the benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As
  reflected in this rule, DOE has reverted to its approach prior to the injunction and presents monetized
  benefits where appropriate and permissible under law.
** Health benefits are calculated using benefit-per-ton values for NOX and SO2. DOE is currently only monetizing
  (for NOX and SO2) PM2.5 precursor health benefits and (for NOX) ozone precursor health benefits, but will
  continue to assess the ability to monetize other effects such as health benefits from reductions in direct
  PM2.5 emissions. The health benefits are presented at real discount rates of 3 and 7 percent. See section IV.L
  of this document for more details.
[dagger] Total and net benefits include consumer, climate, and health benefits. For presentation purposes, total
  and net benefits for both the 3-percent and 7-percent cases are presented using the average SC-GHG with 3-
  percent discount rate.
[Dagger] Costs include incremental equipment costs as well as installation costs.


      Table V.25--Summary of Analytical Results for Microwave Ovens TSLs: Manufacturer and Consumer Impacts
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Category                               TSL 1              TSL 2              TSL 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry NPV (million 2021$) (No-new-standards case            1,422-1,426        1,389-1,426        1,339-1,426
 INPV = 1,426).........................................
Industry NPV (% change)................................          (0.3)-0.0          (2.6)-0.0          (6.1)-0.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Consumer Average LCC Savings (2021$)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PC 1...................................................              $0.25              $0.99              $2.16
PC 2...................................................              $0.00              $0.83              $1.95
Shipment-Weighted Average *............................              $0.24              $0.98              $2.15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Consumer Simple PBP (years)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PC 1...................................................                0.3                1.3                2.0
PC 2...................................................                0.0                0.8                2.6
Shipment-Weighted Average *............................                0.3                1.3                2.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 39954]]

 
                                 Percent of Consumers that Experience a Net Cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PC 1...................................................                 0%                 5%                12%
PC 2...................................................                 0%                 7%                42%
Shipment-Weighted Average *............................                 0%                 5%                13%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE first considered TSL 3, which represents the max-tech 
efficiency levels. TSL 3 would save an estimated 0.12 quads of energy, 
an amount that DOE considers significant. Under TSL 3, the NPV of 
consumer benefit would be $0.32 billion using a discount rate of 7 
percent, and $0.71 billion using a discount rate of 3 percent.
    The cumulative emissions reductions at TSL 3 are 4.21 Mt of 
CO2, 1.91 thousand tons of SO2, 6.49 thousand 
tons of NOX, 0.012 tons of Hg, 28.45 thousand tons of 
CH4, and 0.04 thousand tons of N2O. The estimated 
monetary value of the climate benefits from reduced GHG emissions 
(associated with the average SC-GHG at a 3-percent discount rate) at 
TSL 3 is $0.22 billion. The estimated monetary value of the health 
benefits from reduced SO2 and NOX emissions at 
TSL 3 is $0.17 billion using a 7-percent discount rate and $0.38 
billion using a 3-percent discount rate.
    Using a 7-percent discount rate for consumer benefits and costs, 
health benefits from reduced SO2 and NOX 
emissions, and the 3-percent discount rate case for climate benefits 
from reduced GHG emissions, the estimated total NPV at TSL 3 is $0.71 
billion. Using a 3-percent discount rate for all benefits and costs, 
the estimated total NPV at TSL 3 is $1.31 billion. The estimated total 
NPV is provided for additional information; however, DOE primarily 
relies upon the NPV of consumer benefits when determining whether a 
proposed standard level is economically justified.
    At TSL 3, the average LCC impact is a savings of $2.16 for Product 
Class 1 and $1.95 for Product Class 2. The simple payback period is 2.0 
years for Product Class 1 and 2.6 years for Product Class 2. The 
fraction of consumers experiencing a net LCC cost is 11.7 percent for 
Product Class 1 and 42.2 percent for Product Class 2.
    At TSL 3, the projected change in manufacturer INPV ranges from a 
decrease of approximately $87.5 million, which corresponds to a 
decrease of approximately 6.1 percent, to no change in INPV. At this 
TSL, free cash flow is estimated to decrease by 43.3 percent compared 
to the no-new-standards case value in the year before the compliance 
year. DOE estimates that industry must invest $108.3 million to comply 
with standards set at TSL 3. DOE estimates that approximately 11 
percent of Product Class 1 (microwave-only oven and countertop 
convection microwave oven) shipments and approximately 5 percent of 
Product Class 2 (built-in and over-the-range convection microwave oven) 
shipments would meet the efficiency levels analyzed at TSL 3, in the 
no-new-standards case. Redesigning approximately 90 percent of 
microwave ovens models, which represents approximately 11 million 
annual shipments, will significantly strain manufacturers' limited 
resources during the 3-year compliance period, given the number of 
microwave oven models that need to be redesigned during this time-
period. It is unclear if most microwave oven manufacturers will have 
the engineering capacity to complete the necessary redesigns within the 
3-year compliance period. If manufacturers require more than three 
years to redesign all their non-compliant microwave oven models, they 
will likely prioritize redesigns based on sales volume, which could 
lead to some microwave oven models being temporary or permanent 
unavailable.
    DOE has determined through its engineering analysis that many of 
the features which comprise the full complement of existing consumer 
functionality are implemented in microwave ovens currently available on 
the market at or near the max-tech efficiency levels at TSL 3. DOE has 
not, however, identified or analyzed any currently available microwave 
ovens that include all such features in the same unit. Furthermore, DOE 
is aware of several emerging technologies (e.g., television displays 
and interior cameras) which would provide additional consumer utility 
distinct from existing products. Although DOE research suggests that 
the implementation of these emerging technologies would not require a 
significant amount of standby power, because microwave ovens that 
incorporate them are not yet commercially available, DOE is unable to 
verify that products that implemented these technologies along with the 
complete set of features that would maintain full consumer utility 
could meet the efficiency levels at TSL 3. Accordingly, there is 
uncertainty as to whether or not a standard at TSL 3 may stifle 
innovation and risk impacting customer utility.
    The Secretary concludes that at TSL 3 for microwave ovens, the 
benefits of energy savings, positive NPV of consumer benefits, emission 
reductions, and the estimated monetary value of the emissions 
reductions would be outweighed by the uncertainty of impacts to 
customer utility and product innovation and the percentage of consumers 
in Product Class 2 that would experience a net LCC cost. Consequently, 
the Secretary has concluded that TSL 3 is not economically justified.
    DOE then considered TSL 2, which represents efficiency level 2 for 
microwave ovens. TSL 2 would save an estimated 0.06 quads of energy, an 
amount DOE considers significant. Under TSL 2, the NPV of consumer 
benefit would be $0.16 billion using a discount rate of 7 percent, and 
$0.35 billion using a discount rate of 3 percent.
    The cumulative emissions reductions at TSL 2 are 1.87 Mt of 
CO2, 0.85 thousand tons of SO2, 2.88 thousand 
tons of NOX, 0.005 tons of Hg, 12.64 thousand tons of 
CH4, and 0.02 thousand tons of N2O. The estimated 
monetary value of the climate benefits from reduced GHG emissions 
(associated with the average SC-GHG at a 3-percent discount rate) at 
TSL 2 is $0.10 billion. The estimated monetary value of the health 
benefits from reduced SO2 and NOX emissions at 
TSL 2 is $0.07 billion using a 7-percent discount rate and $0.17 
billion using a 3-percent discount rate.
    Using a 7-percent discount rate for consumer benefits and costs, 
health benefits from reduced SO2 and NOX 
emissions, and the 3-percent discount rate case for climate benefits 
from reduced GHG emissions, the estimated total NPV at TSL 2 is $0.34 
billion.

[[Page 39955]]

Using a 3-percent discount rate for all benefits and costs, the 
estimated total NPV at TSL 2 is $0.62 billion. The estimated total NPV 
is provided for additional information; however, DOE primarily relies 
upon the NPV of consumer benefits when determining whether a proposed 
standard level is economically justified.
    At TSL 2, the average LCC impact is a savings of $0.99 for Product 
Class 1 and $0.83 for Product Class 2. The simple payback period is 1.3 
years for Product Class 1 and 0.8 years for Product Class 2. The 
fraction of consumers experiencing a net LCC cost is 5.1 percent for 
Product Class 1 and 7.4 percent for Product Class 2.
    At TSL 2, the projected change in manufacturer INPV ranges from a 
decrease of approximately $37.2 million, which corresponds to a 
decrease of approximately 2.6 percent, to no change in INPV. At this 
TSL, free cash flow is estimated to decrease by 18.4 percent compared 
to the no-new-standards case value in the year before the compliance 
year. DOE estimates that industry must invest $46.1 million to comply 
with standards set at TSL 2. DOE estimates that approximately 40 
percent of Product Class 1 (microwave-only oven and countertop 
convection microwave oven) shipments and approximately 64 percent of 
Product Class 2 (built-in and over-the-range convection microwave oven) 
shipments would meet or exceed the efficiency levels analyzed at TSL 2, 
in the no-new-standards case. Manufacturers would be required to 
redesign approximately 60 percent of all microwave oven models, 
representing 7.3 million annual shipments, to meet the efficiency 
levels required at TSL 2.
    DOE has determined that the standby power requirements of TSL 2 
provide sufficient power budgets for manufacturers to implement the 
full complement of features that currently provide consumer utility. In 
addition, based on DOE's assessment of the expected standby power 
requirements for identified emerging technologies, DOE has concluded 
that the standby power levels at TSL 2 do not preclude the 
implementation of these technologies or stifle further innovation.
    After considering the analysis and weighing the benefits and 
burdens, the Secretary has concluded that a standard set at TSL 2 for 
microwave ovens would be economically justified. At this TSL, the 
average LCC savings for both product classes of microwave ovens is 
positive. An estimated 5 percent of Product Class 1 consumers and 7 
percent of Product Class 2 consumers would experience a net cost. The 
FFC national energy savings are significant and the NPV of consumer 
benefits is positive using both a 3-percent and 7-percent discount 
rate. Notably, the benefits to consumers vastly outweigh the cost to 
manufacturers. At TSL 2, the NPV of consumer benefits, even measured at 
the more conservative discount rate of 7 percent, is over four times 
higher than the maximum estimated manufacturers' loss in INPV. The 
standard levels at TSL 2 are economically justified even without 
weighing the estimated monetary value of emissions reductions. When 
those emissions reductions are included--representing $0.10 billion in 
climate benefits (associated with the average SC-GHG at a 3-percent 
discount rate), and $0.17 billion (using a 3-percent discount rate) or 
$0.07 billion (using a 7-percent discount rate) in health benefits--the 
rationale becomes stronger still.
    Accordingly, the Secretary has concluded that TSL 2 would offer the 
maximum improvement in efficiency that is technologically feasible and 
economically justified and would result in the significant conservation 
of energy. Although results are presented here in terms of TSLs, DOE 
analyzes and evaluates all possible ELs for each product class in its 
analysis. For both Product Class 1 (microwave-only oven and countertop 
convection microwave oven) and Product Class 2 (built-in and over-the-
range convection microwave oven), TSL 2 is comprised of the highest 
efficiency level below max-tech. The ELs one level below max-tech, 
representing the finalized standard levels, result in positive LCC 
savings for both classes, reduce the number of consumers experiencing a 
net cost, and reduce the decrease in INPV and conversion costs to the 
point where DOE has concluded they are economically justified, as 
discussed for TSL 2 in the preceding paragraphs.
    As stated, DOE conducts the walk-down analysis to determine the TSL 
that represents the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is 
technologically feasible and economically justified as required under 
EPCA. The walk-down is not a comparative analysis, as a comparative 
analysis would result in the maximization of net benefits instead of 
energy savings that are technologically feasible and economically 
justified, which would be contrary to the statute. 86 FR 70892, 70908.
    Therefore, based on the previous considerations, DOE adopts the 
energy conservation standards for microwave ovens at TSL 2. The amended 
energy conservation standards for microwave ovens, which are expressed 
as watts, are shown in Table V.26.

  Table V.26--Amended Energy Conservation Standards for Microwave Ovens
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Maximum allowable
                    Product class                       average standby
                                                         power (watts)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PC 1: Microwave-Only Ovens and Countertop Convection                 0.6
 Microwave Ovens.....................................
PC 2: Built-In and Over-the-Range Convection                         1.0
 Microwave Ovens.....................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Annualized Benefits and Costs of the Adopted Standards
    The benefits and costs of the adopted standards can also be 
expressed in terms of annualized values. The annualized net benefit is 
(1) the annualized national economic value (expressed in 2020$) of the 
benefits from operating products that meet the adopted standards 
(consisting primarily of operating cost savings from using less 
energy), minus increases in product purchase costs, and (2) the 
annualized monetary value of the climate and health benefits.
    Table V.27 shows the annualized values for microwave ovens under 
TSL 2, expressed in 2021$. The results under the primary estimate are 
as follows.
    Using a 7-percent discount rate for consumer benefits and costs and 
NOX and SO2 reductions, and the 3-percent 
discount rate case for GHG social costs, the estimated cost of the 
adopted standards for microwave ovens is $4.3 million per year in 
increased equipment installed costs, while the estimated annual 
benefits are $19.5 million from

[[Page 39956]]

reduced equipment operating costs, $5.2 million in GHG reductions, and 
$6.9 million from reduced NOX and SO2 emissions. 
In this case, the net benefit amounts to $27.3 million per year.
    Using a 3-percent discount rate for all benefits and costs, the 
estimated cost of the adopted standards for microwave ovens is $4.3 
million per year in increased equipment costs, while the estimated 
annual benefits are $23.5 million in reduced operating costs, $5.2 
million from GHG reductions, and $9.2 million from reduced 
NOX and SO2 emissions. In this case, the net 
benefit amounts to $33.5 million per year.

           Table V.27--Annualized Benefits and Costs of Adopted Standards (TSL 2) for Microwave Ovens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Million 2021$/year
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Low-net-        High-net-
                                                                      Primary        benefits        benefits
                                                                     estimate        estimate        estimate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                3% discount rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Operating Cost Savings.................................            23.5            22.2            25.0
Climate Benefits *..............................................             5.2             5.1             5.4
Health Benefits **..............................................             9.2             9.0             9.4
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total Benefits[dagger]......................................            37.9            36.3            39.8
Consumer Incremental Product Costs [Dagger].....................             4.3             4.4             4.1
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Net Benefits................................................            33.5            31.9            35.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                7% discount rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consumer Operating Cost Savings.................................            19.5            18.6            20.5
Climate Benefits * (3% discount rate)...........................             5.2             5.1             5.4
Health Benefits **..............................................             6.9             6.7             7.1
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total Benefits [dagger].....................................            31.6            30.4            32.9
Consumer Incremental Product Costs [Dagger].....................             4.3             4.3             4.1
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Net Benefits................................................            27.3            26.0            28.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: This table presents the costs and benefits associated with microwave ovens shipped in 2026-2055. These
  results include benefits to consumers which accrue after 2055 from the products shipped in 2026-2055. The
  Primary, Low Net Benefits, and High Net Benefits Estimates utilize projections of energy prices from the
  AEO2022 Reference case, Low Economic Growth case, and High Economic Growth case, respectively. In addition,
  incremental equipment costs reflect a medium decline rate in the Primary Estimate, a low decline rate in the
  Low Net Benefits Estimate, and a high decline rate in the High Net Benefits Estimate. The methods used to
  derive projected price trends are explained in sections IV.F.1 and IV.H.1 of this document. Note that the
  Benefits and Costs may not sum to the Net Benefits due to rounding.
* Climate benefits are calculated using four different estimates of the global SC-GHG (see section IV.L of this
  document). For presentational purposes of this table, the climate benefits associated with the average SC-GHG
  at a 3-percent discount rate are shown, but the Department does not have a single central SC-GHG point
  estimate, and it emphasizes the importance and value of considering the benefits calculated using all four
  sets of SC-GHG estimates. On March 16, 2022, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals (No. 22-30087) granted the
  Federal government's emergency motion for stay pending appeal of the February 11, 2022, preliminary injunction
  issued in Louisiana v. Biden, No. 21-cv-1074-JDC-KK (W.D. La.). As a result of the Fifth Circuit's order, the
  preliminary injunction is no longer in effect, pending resolution of the Federal government's appeal of that
  injunction or a further court order. Among other things, the preliminary injunction enjoined the defendants in
  that case from ``adopting, employing, treating as binding, or relying upon'' the interim estimates of the
  social cost of greenhouse gases--which were issued by the Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of
  Greenhouse Gases on February 26, 2021--to monetize the benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As
  reflected in this rule, DOE has reverted to its approach prior to the injunction and presents monetized
  benefits where appropriate and permissible under law.
** Health benefits are calculated using benefit-per-ton values for NOX and SO2. DOE is currently only monetizing
  (for SO2 and NOX) PM2.5 precursor health benefits and (for NOX) ozone precursor health benefits, but will
  continue to assess the ability to monetize other effects such as health benefits from reductions in direct
  PM2.5 emissions. See section IV.L of this document for more details.
[dagger] Total benefits for both the 3-percent and 7-percent cases are presented using the average SC-GHG with 3-
  percent discount rate, but the Department does not have a single central SC-GHG point estimate.
[Dagger] Costs include incremental equipment costs as well as installation costs.

VI. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review

A. Review Under Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 14094

    Executive Order (``E.O.'') 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and 
Review,'' 58 FR 51735 (Oct. 4, 1993), as supplemented and reaffirmed by 
E.O. 13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review, 76 FR 3821 
(Jan. 21, 2011) and E.O. 14094, ``Modernizing Regulatory Review,'' 88 
FR 21879 (April 11, 2023), requires agencies, to the extent permitted 
by law, to (1) propose or adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned 
determination that its benefits justify its costs (recognizing that 
some benefits and costs are difficult to quantify); (2) tailor 
regulations to impose the least burden on society, consistent with 
obtaining regulatory objectives, taking into account, among other 
things, and to the extent practicable, the costs of cumulative 
regulations; (3) select, in choosing among alternative regulatory 
approaches, those approaches that maximize net benefits (including 
potential economic, environmental, public health and safety, and other 
advantages; distributive impacts; and equity); (4) to the extent 
feasible, specify performance objectives, rather than specifying the 
behavior or manner of compliance that regulated entities must adopt; 
and (5) identify and assess available alternatives to direct 
regulation, including providing economic incentives to encourage the 
desired behavior, such as user fees or marketable permits, or providing 
information upon which choices can be made by the public. DOE 
emphasizes as well that E.O. 13563 requires agencies to

[[Page 39957]]

use the best available techniques to quantify anticipated present and 
future benefits and costs as accurately as possible. In its guidance, 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (``OIRA'') in the 
Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') has emphasized that such 
techniques may include identifying changing future compliance costs 
that might result from technological innovation or anticipated 
behavioral changes. For the reasons stated in this preamble, this final 
regulatory action is consistent with these principles.
    Section 6(a) of E.O. 12866 also requires agencies to submit 
``significant regulatory actions'' to OIRA for review. OIRA has 
determined that this final rule does not constitute a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under section 3(f) of E.O. 12866. Accordingly, this 
action was not submitted to OIRA for review under E.O. 12866.

B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires 
preparation of an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (``IRFA'') 
and a final regulatory flexibility analysis (``FRFA'') for any rule 
that by law must be proposed 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 E.O. 13272, ``Proper Consideration of Small Entities in Agency 
Rulemaking,'' 67 FR 53461 (Aug. 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 
rulemaking process. 68 FR 7990. DOE has made its procedures and 
policies available on the Office of the General Counsel's website 
(www.energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel).
    DOE reviewed this final rule under the provisions of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act and the procedures and policies published on February 
19, 2003. DOE certifies that this final rule would not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
The factual basis of this certification is set forth in the following 
paragraphs.
    For manufacturers of microwave ovens, the SBA has set a size 
threshold, which defines those entities classified as ``small 
businesses'' for the purposes of the statute. DOE used the SBA's small 
business size standards to determine whether any small entities would 
be subject to the requirements of the rule. (See 13 CFR part 121.) The 
size standards are listed by NAICS code and industry description and 
are available at www.sba.gov/document/support-table-size-standards. 
Manufacturing microwave ovens is classified under NAICS 335220, ``Major 
Household Appliance Manufacturing.'' The SBA sets a threshold of 1,500 
employees or fewer for an entity to be considered as a small business 
for this category.
    DOE identified manufacturers using DOE's CCD,\62\ the California 
Energy Commission's Modernized Appliance Efficiency Database System 
(``MAEDbS''),\63\ and prior microwave oven rulemakings. DOE used the 
publicly available information and subscription-based market research 
tools (e.g., reports from DB Hoovers \64\) to identify 37 companies 
that sell microwave ovens covered by this rulemaking in the United 
States. Of these 37 companies that sell microwave ovens in the United 
States, 19 are private labelers. These private labelers out-source the 
manufacturing of the microwave ovens to other companies. Therefore, DOE 
estimates there are 18 original equipment manufacturers (``OEMs'') that 
manufacture microwave ovens covered by this rulemaking. Of the 18 OEMs, 
DOE was not able to identify any OEMs of microwave ovens covered by 
this rulemaking with fewer than 1,500 total employees (including parent 
companies and subsidiaries), and that are domestically located. 
Therefore, DOE did not identify any companies that meet SBA's 
definition of a ``small business.''
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    \62\ DOE's Compliance Certification Database is available at 
www.regulations.doe.gov/ccms (last accessed January 11, 2023).
    \63\ California Energy Commission's MAEDbS is available at 
cacertappliances.energy.ca.gov/Login.aspx (last accessed January 11, 
2023).
    \64\ D&B Hoovers reports can be accessed at: app.dnbhoovers.com.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE did not receive any comments on the August 2022 SNOPR, which 
stated that there were not any small businesses that manufactured 
microwave ovens sold in the United States. Therefore, DOE concludes and 
certifies that this final rule would not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities and has not prepared a 
FRFA for this rulemaking.

C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act

    Manufacturers of microwave ovens must certify to DOE that their 
products comply with any applicable energy conservation standards. In 
certifying compliance, manufacturers must test their products according 
to the DOE test procedures for microwave ovens, 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 
microwave ovens. (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 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.

D. 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 rule 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 B5.1 because it is a 
rulemaking that establishes energy conservation standards for consumer 
products or industrial equipment, none of the exceptions identified in 
B5.1(b) apply, no extraordinary circumstances exist that require 
further environmental analysis, and it meets the requirements for 
application of a categorical exclusion. 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 
environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement.

E. Review Under Executive Order 13132

    E.O. 13132, ``Federalism,'' 64 FR 43255 (Aug. 10, 1999), imposes 
certain requirements on Federal 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

[[Page 39958]]

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 has examined this 
rule and has determined that it would 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) 
Therefore, no further action is required by Executive Order 13132.

F. Review Under Executive Order 12988

    With respect to the review of existing regulations and the 
promulgation of new regulations, section 3(a) of E.O. 12988, ``Civil 
Justice Reform,'' 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. 61 FR 
4729 (Feb. 7, 1996). Regarding the review required by section 3(a) and 
section 3(b) of E.O. 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 E.O. 12988 requires executive 
agencies to review regulations in light of applicable standards in 
section 3(a) and section 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 E.O. 12988.

G. 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 likely to result 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 ``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 them. On March 18, 1997, DOE published 
a statement of policy on its process for intergovernmental consultation 
under UMRA. 62 FR 12820. DOE's policy statement is also available at 
www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/gcprod/documents/umra_97.pdf.
    DOE has concluded that this final rule may require expenditures of 
$100 million or more in any one year by the private sector. Such 
expenditures may include (1) investment in research and development and 
in capital expenditures by microwave ovens manufacturers in the years 
between the final rule and the compliance date for the new standards 
and (2) incremental additional expenditures by consumers to purchase 
higher-efficiency microwave ovens, starting at the compliance date for 
the applicable standard.
    Section 202 of UMRA authorizes a Federal agency to respond to the 
content requirements of UMRA in any other statement or analysis that 
accompanies the final rule. (2 U.S.C. 1532(c)) The content requirements 
of section 202(b) of UMRA relevant to a private sector mandate 
substantially overlap the economic analysis requirements that apply 
under section 325(o) of EPCA and Executive Order 12866. The 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section and the TSD for this final rule 
respond to those requirements.
    Under section 205 of UMRA, the Department is obligated to identify 
and consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives before 
promulgating a rule for which a written statement under section 202 is 
required. (2 U.S.C. 1535(a)) DOE is required to select from those 
alternatives the most cost-effective and least burdensome alternative 
that achieves the objectives of the rule unless DOE publishes an 
explanation for doing otherwise, or the selection of such an 
alternative is inconsistent with law. In accordance with 42 U.S.C. 
6295(m), this final rule establishes amended energy conservation 
standards for microwave ovens that are designed to achieve the maximum 
improvement in energy efficiency that DOE has determined to be both 
technologically feasible and economically justified, as required by 
6295(o)(2)(A) and 6295(o)(3)(B). A full discussion of the alternatives 
considered by DOE is presented in chapter 17 of the TSD for this final 
rule.

H. 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 rule would 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.

I. Review Under Executive Order 12630

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

J. Review Under the 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 Federal agencies to 
review most disseminations of information to the public under 
information quality guidelines established by each agency pursuant to 
general guidelines issued by OMB. OMB's guidelines were published

[[Page 39959]]

at 67 FR 8452 (Feb. 22, 2002), and DOE's guidelines were published at 
67 FR 62446 (Oct. 7, 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 
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.

K. Review Under Executive Order 13211

    E.O. 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 OIRA at OMB, 
a Statement of Energy Effects for any significant energy action. A 
``significant energy action'' is defined as any action by an agency 
that promulgates 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 should the proposal be implemented, and of 
reasonable alternatives to the action and their expected benefits on 
energy supply, distribution, and use.
    DOE has concluded that this regulatory action, which sets forth 
amended energy conservation standards for microwave ovens, is not a 
significant energy action because the standards are not likely to have 
a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of 
energy, nor has it been designated as such by the Administrator at 
OIRA. Accordingly, DOE has not prepared a Statement of Energy Effects 
on this final rule.

L. Information Quality

    On December 16, 2004, OMB, in consultation with the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy (``OSTP''), issued its Final Information 
Quality Bulletin for Peer Review (``the Bulletin''). 70 FR 2664 (Jan. 
14, 2005). The Bulletin establishes that certain scientific information 
shall be peer reviewed by qualified specialists before it is 
disseminated by the Federal Government, including influential 
scientific information related to agency regulatory actions. The 
purpose of the Bulletin is to enhance the quality and credibility of 
the Government's scientific information. Under the Bulletin, the energy 
conservation standards rulemaking analyses are ``influential scientific 
information,'' which the Bulletin defines as ``scientific information 
the agency reasonably can determine will have, or does have, a clear 
and substantial impact on important public policies or private sector 
decisions.'' 70 FR 2664, 2667.
    In response to OMB's Bulletin, DOE conducted formal peer reviews of 
the energy conservation standards development process and the analyses 
that are typically used and prepared a report describing that peer 
review.\65\ Generation of this report involved a rigorous, formal, and 
documented evaluation using objective criteria and qualified and 
independent reviewers to make a judgment as to the technical/
scientific/business merit, the actual or anticipated results, and the 
productivity and management effectiveness of programs and/or projects. 
Because available data, models, and technological understanding have 
changed since 2007, DOE has engaged with the National Academy of 
Sciences to review DOE's analytical methodologies to ascertain whether 
modifications are needed to improve DOE's analyses. DOE is in the 
process of evaluating the resulting report.\66\
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    \65\ The 2007 ``Energy Conservation Standards Rulemaking Peer 
Review Report'' is available at energy.gov/eere/buildings/downloads/energy-conservation-standards-rulemaking-peer-review-report-0 (Last 
accessed January 23, 2023).
    \66\ The report is available at www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/review-of-methods-for-setting-building-and-equipment-performance-standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

M. Congressional Notification

    As required by 5 U.S.C. 801, DOE will report to Congress on the 
promulgation of this rule prior to 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).

VII. 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 430

    Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business 
information, Energy conservation, Household appliances, Imports, 
Intergovernmental relations, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
and Small businesses.

Signing Authority

    This document of the Department of Energy was signed on April 20, 
2023, by Francisco Alejandro Moreno, 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 June 13, 2023.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, DOE amends part 430 of 
chapter II, subchapter D, of title 10 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations, as set forth below:

PART 430--ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS

0
1. The authority citation for part 430 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 6291-6309; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.


0
2. Section 430.32 is amended by revising paragraph (j)(3) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  430.32  Energy and water conservation standards and their 
compliance dates.

* * * * *
    (j) * * *
    (3) Microwave ovens:
    (i) Microwave-only ovens and countertop convection microwave ovens 
manufactured on or after June 17, 2016, and before June 22, 2026, shall 
have an average standby power not more than 1.0 watt. Built-in and 
over-the-range convection microwave ovens manufactured on or after June 
17, 2016, and before June 22, 2026, shall have an average standby power 
not more than 2.2 watts.
    (ii) Microwave-only ovens and countertop convection microwave ovens 
manufactured on or after June 22, 2026, shall have an average standby 
power not more than 0.6 watts. Built-in and over-the-range convection 
microwave ovens manufactured on or after June 22, 2026,

[[Page 39960]]

shall have an average standby power not more than 1.0 watt.
* * * * *

    Note: The following letter will not appear in the Code of 
Federal Regulations.

U.S. Department of Justice
Antitrust Division
Jonathan S. Kanter
Assistant Attorney General
Main Justice Building
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
(202) 514-2401/(202) 616-2645 (Fax)


XXXX XX, 2023

Ami Grace-Tardy
Assistant General Counsel for Legislation, Regulation and Energy 
Efficiency
U.S. Department of Energy
Washington, DC 20585
[email protected]

    Dear Assistant General Counsel Grace-Tardy:
    I am responding to your August 25, 2022 letter seeking the views of 
the Attorney General about the potential impact on competition of 
proposed energy conservation standards for microwave ovens. Your 
request was submitted under Section 325(o)(2)(B)(i)(V) of the Energy 
Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (EPCA), 42 U.S.C. 
6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(V) and 42 U.S.C. 6316(a), which requires the Attorney 
General to make a determination of the impact of any lessening of 
competition that is likely to result from the imposition of proposed 
energy conservation standards. The Attorney General's responsibility 
for responding to requests from other departments about the effect of a 
program on competition has been delegated to the Assistant Attorney 
General for the Antitrust Division in 28 CFR 0.40(g). The Assistant 
Attorney General for the Antitrust Division has authorized me, as the 
Policy Director the Antitrust Division, to provide the Antitrust 
Division's views regarding the potential impact on competition of 
proposed energy conservation standards on his behalf.
    In conducting its analysis, the Antitrust Division examines whether 
a proposed standard may lessen competition, for example, by 
substantially limiting consumer choice or increasing industry 
concentration. A lessening of competition could result in higher prices 
to manufacturers and consumers. We have reviewed the proposed standards 
contained in the Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (87 FR 
52282 August 24, 2022), and the related technical support documents. We 
also reviewed the transcript from the public meeting held on October 
11, 2022, and reviewed public comments submitted by industry members in 
response to DOE's Request for Information in this matter.
    Based on the information currently available, we do not believe 
that the proposed energy conservation standards for microwave ovens are 
likely to have a significant adverse impact on competition.

    Sincerely,

David G.B. Lawrence,

Policy Director.

[FR Doc. 2023-12958 Filed 6-16-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P