[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 184 (Monday, September 25, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 65628-65635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-20628]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 184 / Monday, September 25, 2023 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 65628]]



DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 431

[EERE-2017-BT-STD-0022]
RIN 1904-AE47


Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for 
Automatic Commercial Ice Makers

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

ACTION: Notification of data availability and request for comment.

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

SUMMARY: On May 11, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') 
published a notice of proposed rulemaking (``NOPR''), in which DOE 
proposed new and amended energy conservation standards for automatic 
commercial ice makers. In this notification of data availability 
(``NODA''), DOE is updating its analysis for automatic commercial ice 
makers based on information DOE received related to harvest rate 
cutoffs in response to DOE's May 11, 2023 NOPR. DOE requests comments, 
data, and information regarding the updated analysis.

DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this 
NODA no later than October 25, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov under docket 
number EERE-2017-BT-STD-0022. Follow the instructions for submitting 
comments. Alternatively, interested persons may submit comments, 
identified by docket number EERE-2017-BT-STD-0022, by any of the 
following methods:
    (1) Email: [email protected]. Include the docket number 
EERE-2017-BT-STD-0022 in the subject line of the message.
    (2) Postal Mail: Appliance and Equipment Standards Program, U.S. 
Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-5B, 
1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: 
(202) 287-1445. If possible, please submit all items on a compact disc 
(``CD''), in which case it is not necessary to include printed copies.
    (3) Hand Delivery/Courier: Appliance and Equipment Standards 
Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, 950 
L'Enfant Plaza SW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 
287-1445. If possible, please submit all items on a CD, in which case 
it is not necessary to include printed copies.
    No telefacsimiles (``faxes'') will be accepted. For detailed 
instructions on submitting comments and additional information on this 
process, see section III of this document.
    Docket: The docket for this activity, which includes Federal 
Register notices, comments, and other supporting documents/materials, 
is available for review at 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-0022. The docket web page contains instructions on how 
to access all documents, including public comments, in the docket. See 
section III of this document for information on how to submit comments 
through www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    Ms. Julia Hegarty, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Office, EE-5B, 
1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: 
(202) 586-0729. Email: [email protected].
    Ms. Kristin Koernig, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the 
General Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-3595. Email: 
[email protected].
    For further information on how to submit a comment or review other 
public comments and the docket, contact the Appliance and Equipment 
Standards Program staff at (202) 287-1445 or by email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Background
II. Discussion
    A. Engineering Analysis
    1. Efficiency Analysis
    a. Baseline Energy Use
    b. Higher Efficiency Levels
    B. Efficiency Levels
    C. Shipments Analysis
    D. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analysis
    E. Manufacturer Impact Analysis
    F. National Impact Analysis
    G. Energy Use Equations
III. Public Participation

I. Background

    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 C of EPCA \2\ established the Energy 
Conservation Program for Certain Industrial Equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6311-
6317) This includes automatic commercial ice maker (``ACIM'') 
equipment, the subject of this rulemaking.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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 reflects 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 C was redesignated Part A-1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On May 11, 2023, DOE published a NOPR (``May 2023 ACIM NOPR'') 
proposing to establish new and amended standards for automatic 
commercial ice makers. 88 FR 30508. DOE proposed that compliance with 
the new and amended standards would be required 3 years after the 
publication date of the final rule, should DOE finalize the proposed 
standards. 88 FR 30508, 30510. The technical support document (``TSD'') 
that presented the methodology and results of the May 2023 ACIM NOPR 
analysis is available at www.regulations.gov/document/EERE-2017-BT-STD-0022-0032.
    On June 14, 2023, DOE held a public webinar (``June 2023 Public 
Webinar'') in which it presented a general overview of the topics 
addressed in this rulemaking, allowed time for prepared

[[Page 65629]]

general statements by participants, and encouraged all interested 
parties to share their views on issues affecting this rulemaking.
    Upon consideration of the views shared in the June 2023 Public 
Webinar and public comments DOE received in response to the May 2023 
ACIM NOPR, DOE is considering changes to some of the equipment classes 
discussed in the May 2023 ACIM NOPR. This NODA presents alternative 
equipment classes under consideration as well as updated efficiency 
levels, life-cycle costs (``LCC''), payback periods (``PBP''), and 
manufacturer impact analysis (``MIA'') results for these equipment 
classes. DOE is requesting comments, data, and information regarding 
the updated analysis.
    DOE notes that it is continuing to consider all of the stakeholder 
comments received in response to the May 2023 ACIM NOPR and the June 
2023 Public Webinar in further development of the rulemaking. 
Furthermore, as noted in the May 2023 ACIM NOPR, based on consideration 
of the public comments DOE receives in response to this document and 
related information collected and analyzed during the course of this 
rulemaking effort, DOE may adopt energy efficiency levels that are 
either higher or lower than the proposed standards, or some combination 
of level(s) that incorporate the proposed standards in part.

II. Discussion

    In the following sections, DOE details its updated analysis for 
automatic commercial ice makers.

A. Engineering Analysis

1. Efficiency Analysis
    DOE reviewed public comments from the June 2023 Public Webinar and 
in response to the May 2023 ACIM NOPR related to harvest rate cutoffs.
    In this NODA, DOE updates the analysis for two directly analyzed 
equipment classes and two secondary equipment classes and creates four 
new secondary equipment classes as a result of the updated analysis in 
response to DOE's review of comments related to harvest cutoff rates. 
These updated equipment classes are listed in Table II.1 and Table 
II.2. DOE also updates the map of secondary classes to the associated 
directly analyzed equipment class as presented in Table II.3 based on 
the new and updated equipment classes. DOE bases these updates on 
public comments DOE received in response to the May 2023 ACIM NOPR and 
the June 2023 Public Webinar. Specifically, comments from the Air 
Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (``AHRI'') \3\ and 
Hoshizaki America, Inc., (``Hoshizaki'') \4\ indicated that a harvest 
rate of up to 1,500 pounds per day (``lb/day'') for automatic 
commercial ice makers using R-290 is not feasible in all cases for the 
500-gram R-290 charge limit and that the baseline levels for automatic 
commercial ice makers, which DOE based on design changes made by 
manufacturers in response to the December 2022 EPA NOPR, are not 
consistent with testing on the equipment. In response to the May 2023 
ACIM NOPR, AHRI and Hoshizaki stated that some manufacturer design 
plans are speculating at 1,000 lb/day for batch type ice makers and 
1,200 lb/day for continuous type ice makers. (AHRI, No. 50 at p. 5; 
Hoshizaki, No. 47 at p. 3) \5\ Hoshizaki commented in the June 2023 
Public Webinar that Hoshizaki's research and work towards switching 
condensers points to 1,000 lb/day for batch type ice makers and 1,200 
lb/day for continuous type ice makers rather than the harvest rate of 
up to 1,500 pounds per day lb/day in the May 2023 ACIM NOPR. 
(Hoshizaki, No. 55 at pp. 20-21) Hoshizaki suggested that the May 2023 
ACIM NOPR should be reviewed for this discrepancy and reflect curves 
that will meet these criteria and allow for achievable standards. 
(Hoshizaki, No. 47 at p. 3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See www.regulations.gov/comment/EERE-2017-BT-STD-0022-0050.
    \4\ See www.regulations.gov/comment/EERE-2017-BT-STD-0022-0047 
for comments in response to the May 2023 ACIM NOPR. See 
www.regulations.gov/document/EERE-2017-BT-STD-0022-0055 for comments 
provided in the June 2023 Public Webinar.
    \5\ The parenthetical reference provides a reference for 
information located in the docket of DOE's rulemaking to develop 
energy conservation standards for automatic commercial ice makers. 
(Docket No. EERE-2017-BT-STD-0022, which is maintained at 
www.regulations.gov). The references are arranged as follows: 
(commenter name, comment docket ID number, page of that document).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    After consideration of these public comments, DOE has updated the 
May 2023 ACIM NOPR analysis to reflect the harvest rate cutoff for R-
290 at 1,000 lb/day for batch type ice makers and 1,200 lb/day for 
continuous type ice makers.

                            Table II.1--Batch Equipment Classes Analyzed in This NODA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Harvest rate (lb/24     Directly analyzed
            Equipment type                Condenser cooling type            hours)             equipment class
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ice-Making Head.......................  Water....................  >=785 and <=1,000.
                                                                   >1,000 and <1,500.......             [check]
                                        Air......................  >=727 and <=1,000.
                                                                   >1,000 and <1,500.......             [check]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                         Table II.2--Continuous Equipment Classes Analyzed in This NODA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Harvest rate (lb/24      Directly analyzed
            Equipment type                Condenser cooling type             hours)             equipment class
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ice-Making Head.......................  Water....................  >=801 and <=1,200.
                                                                   >1,200 and <1,500........
                                        Air......................  >=820 and <=1,200.
                                                                   >1,200 and <1,500........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Table II.3--Map of Secondary Classes to the Associated Directly Analyzed
                      Equipment Class in This NODA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Associated directly analyzed
       Secondary equipment class                 equipment class
------------------------------------------------------------------------
B-IMH-W (>=785 and <=1,000)............  B-IMH-W (>=300 and <785).
B-IMH-W (>=1,500 and <2,500)...........  B-IMH-W (>1,000 and <1,500).

[[Page 65630]]

 
B-IMH-W (>=2,500 and <4,000)...........  B-IMH-W (>1,000 and <1,500).
B-IMH-A (>=727 and <=1,000)............  B-IMH-A (>=300 and <727).
B-IMH-A (>=1500 and <4,000)............  B-IMH-A (>1,000 and <1,500).
C-IMH-W (>=801 and <=1,200)............  C-IMH-W (>50 and <801).
C-IMH-W (>1,200 and <1,500)............  C-IMH-W (>50 and <801).
C-IMH-A (>=820 and <=1,200)............  C-IMH-A (>=310 and <820).
C-IMH-A (>1,200 and <1,500)............  C-IMH-A (>=310 and <820).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE requests comment on the equipment class and secondary mapping 
updates in this NODA.
a. Baseline Energy Use
    For this NODA, DOE updates the baseline for the two directly 
analyzed equipment classes shown in Table II.4. For these classes, DOE 
considers the current standards as the baseline energy use instead of 
an energy use reduction below the DOE energy conservation standard 
because DOE has tentatively determined that a harvest rate of up to 
1,500 lb/day for automatic commercial ice makers using R-290 is not 
feasible in all cases. Consistent with the May 2023 ACIM NOPR, DOE 
expects that the baseline level for these equipment classes is equal to 
the current DOE ACIM energy conservation standard level, and that 
equipment costs and manufacturer investments required to comply with 
the refrigerant restrictions proposed in the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency's NOPR published on December 15, 2022 (see 87 FR 
76738) will be in effect prior to the time of compliance for the 
proposed amended DOE ACIM standards.

                    Table II.4--Baseline Energy Use of Directly Analyzed Classes in This NODA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Representative harvest    Energy use reduction
               Directly analyzed equipment class                          rate            below DOE standard (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B-IMH-W (>1,000 and <1,500)...................................                     1470                        0
B-IMH-A (>1,000 and <1,500)...................................                     1331                        0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE requests comment on the baseline energy use updates in this 
NODA.
b. Higher Efficiency Levels
    For the two directly analyzed classes presented in Table II.1, DOE 
maintains the same design options, design option energy use reduction 
methodology, and design option cost methodology as the May 2023 ACIM 
NOPR. See 87 FR 30508, 30534-30535.

B. Efficiency Levels

    Table II.5 and Table II.6 present the results of the NODA 
engineering analysis for each directly analyzed equipment class.

                                 Table II.5--Cost-Efficiency Results for B-IMH-W
                                               [>1,000 and <1,500]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Energy         % Energy use
  consumption    reduction (from      Manufacturer      Manufacturer              Design option change
 (kWh/100 lb)       baseline)       production cost    selling price
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          4.01                0.0          $2,125.34        $2,656.68
          4.01                0.1           2,136.81         2,671.01  SPM -> PSC Pump Motor.
          3.85                4.0           2,406.81         3,008.51  Drain Water Heat Exchanger.
          3.85                4.2           2,446.47         3,058.09  PSC -> ECM Pump Motor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Representative Harvest Rate = 1,470 lb/24 hours.


                                 Table II.6--Cost-Efficiency Results for B-IMH-A
                                               [>1,000 and <1,500]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Energy         % Energy use
  consumption    reduction (from      Manufacturer      Manufacturer              Design option change
 (kWh/100 lb)       baseline)       production cost    selling price
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          4.71                0.0          $2,052.12        $2,565.16
          4.56                3.3           2,080.20         2,600.25  SPM > PSC Condenser Fan Motor.
          4.38                7.0           2,187.52         2,734.40  PSC -> ECM Condenser Fan Motor.
          4.34                8.0           2,219.29         2,774.11  Tube & Fin to Microchannel Condenser.
          4.33                8.1           2,230.75         2,788.44  SPM -> PSC Pump Motor.
          4.18               11.4           2,500.75         3,125.94  Drain Water Heat Exchanger.
          4.17               11.5           2,540.41         3,175.52  PSC -> ECM Pump Motor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Representative Harvest Rate = 1,470 lb/24 hours.


[[Page 65631]]

    DOE requests comment on the efficiency levels presented in this 
NODA.

C. Shipments Analysis

    This NODA uses the same volume of shipments as the May 2023 ACIM 
NOPR. See 88 FR 30508, 30544-30545. However, with the equipment class 
restructuring, shipment volumes for affected equipment classes were 
redistributed as applicable to the equipment class changes.

D. 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 
automatic commercial ice makers presented in this NODA. For this NODA 
analysis, DOE uses the same inputs and assumptions as in the May 2023 
ACIM NOPR LCC analysis (see 88 FR 30508, 30539-30540), including using 
the Annual Energy Outlook 2022 (``AEO2022'') \6\ for energy price 
projections. Details of the analysis inputs and methodology are 
available in chapter 8 of the TSD for the May 2023 ACIM NOPR 
analysis.\7\ Subsequent rulemaking analyses will be updated with the 
most recent data releases (e.g., AEO2023).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ Available at www.eia.gov/outlooks/aeo/index.php.
    \7\ Available at www.regulations.gov/document/EERE-2017-BT-STD-0022-0036.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As stated in the May 2023 ACIM NOPR, DOE's LCC analysis considers 
the projected distribution (market shares) of equipment efficiencies 
under the no-new-standards case (i.e., the case without amended or new 
conservations standards). 88 FR 30508, 30539. As part of the equipment 
class restructuring of this NODA, the efficiency distributions also 
changed. The estimated market shares of this NODA for the no-new-
standards case for automatic commercial ice makers are shown in Table 
II.7.\8\ The efficiency level distribution values were developed by a 
review of the DOE Compliance Certification Database (``CCD'').\9\ This 
NODA uses the same CCD data set that was used in the May 2023 ACIM 
NOPR. Manufacturers are required to submit their data annually on 
August 1 to CCD to certify compliance. Although this NODA publishes 
after the most recent annual reporting date, using a revised 
distribution dataset based on the latest certifications could change 
other values not part of this NODA. DOE sorted the portion of equipment 
in CCD that corresponds with energy use values from the engineering 
analysis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ In the May 2023 ACIM NOPR, this was Table IV.10.
    \9\ Department of Energy-Office of Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy. U.S. Department of Energy's Compliance 
Certification Database. Available at www.regulations.doe.gov/certification-data/#q=Product_Group_s%3A* (Ice Makers--Automatic 
Commercial).
    \10\ To compare these NODA MIA results to the May 2023 ACIM NOPR 
MIA results, refer to Table V.10 in the May 2023 ACIM NOPR.

  Table II.7--Efficiency Level Distribution Within Each Equipment Class in No-New-Standards Case for Automatic
                                           Commercial Ice Makers \10\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            EL 0     EL 1     EL 2     EL 3     EL 4     EL 5     EL 6     EL 7
             Equipment class                (%)      (%)      (%)      (%)      (%)      (%)      (%)      (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B-IMH-W (>=300 and <785)................       37       11        0       52        0        0        0        0
B-IMH-W (>1,000 and <1,500).............       10       24        0       67        0        0        0        0
B-IMH-A (>=300 and <727)................       24        0       12        0       30        0       34        0
B-IMH-A (>1,000 and <1,500).............       59       12        0        0       26        0        3        0
B-RC(NRC)-A (>=988 and <4,000)..........       20        0       36        0        0        0       43        0
B-SC-A (Portable ACIM) (<=38)...........       67       11       11       11        0        0        0        0
B-SC-A (Refrigerated Storage ACIM)......       82        6        6        6        0        0        0        0
B-SC-A (<=50)...........................       30       10       10       10       10       10       10       10
B-SC-A (>50 and <134)...................       71        2        2        2        2        0       22        0
B-SC-A (>=200 and <4,000)...............       91        0        0        0        4        0        4        0
C-IMH-W (>50 and <801)..................       91        0        9        0        0        0        0        0
C-IMH-A (>=310 and <820)................       40        2       18        5        0       35        0        0
C-RC&RC-A (>=800 and <4,000)............       50       17        0        0        0       33        0        0
C-SC-A (>50 and <149)...................       91        0        0        2        0        6        0        0
C-SC-A (>=149 and <700).................       71        0       18        0        0       10        0        0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the May 2023 ACIM NOPR, DOE published a series of tables (V.3 
through V.32) depicting the LCC and PBP for the trial standard levels 
(``TSLs'') considered for each equipment class. 88 FR 30508, 30560-
30567. In the second table, impacts are measured relative to the 
efficiency distribution in the no-new-standards case in the compliance 
year (2027). Because some consumers purchase equipment with higher 
efficiency in the no-new-standards case, the average savings are less 
than the difference between the average LCC of the baseline equipment 
and the average LCC at each TSL. Id.
    The results of this NODA analysis are presented in Table II.8 
through Table II.11. In the first of each pair of tables, the simple 
payback is measured relative to the baseline equipment. In the second 
table, impacts are measured relative to the efficiency distribution in 
the no-new-standards case in the compliance year (see section II.C of 
this document). Because some consumers purchase equipment with higher 
efficiency in the no-new-standards case, the average savings are less 
than the difference between the average LCC of the baseline equipment 
and the average LCC at each efficiency level. The savings refer only to 
consumers who are affected by a standard at a given efficiency level.

[[Page 65632]]

Those who already purchase equipment with an efficiency at or above a 
given efficiency level are not affected. Consumers for whom the LCC 
increases at a given efficiency level experience a net cost.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ Table II.8 corresponds with Table V.5 from the May 2023 
ACIM NOPR. This NODA presents new harvest range and the related 
values from the harvest range change.
    \12\ Table II.9 corresponds with Table V.6 from the May 2023 
ACIM NOPR. This NODA presents new harvest range and the related 
values from the harvest range change.
    \13\ Table II.10 corresponds with Table V.9 from the May 2023 
ACIM NOPR. This NODA presents new harvest range and the related 
values from the harvest range change.

                                                   Table II.8--Average LCC and PBP Results for B-IMH-W
                                                                [>1,000 and <1,500] \11\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Average costs (2022$)
                                                  Efficiency   ----------------------------------------------------------------    Simple      Average
                      TSL                            level                       First year's      Lifetime                       payback      lifetime
                                                                Installed cost  operating cost  operating cost        LCC         (years)      (years)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Baseline
1.............................................               0       $5,747.89       $6,690.38      $48,928.54      $54,676.44          0.0          8.5
2.............................................               0        5,747.89        6,690.38       48,928.54       54,676.44          0.0          8.5
3.............................................               0        5,747.89        6,690.38       48,928.54       54,676.44          0.0          8.5
4.............................................               3        6,283.96        6,646.28       48,622.68       54,906.63         12.2          8.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the
  baseline equipment.


                Table II.9--Average LCC Savings Relative to the No-New-Standards Case for B-IMH-W
                                            [>1,000 and <1,500] \12\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Life-cycle cost savings
                                                                     -------------------------------------------
                         TSL                            Efficiency       Average LCC       Percent of consumers
                                                           level         savings * **      that experience net
                                                                           (2022$)                 cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...................................................               0              $0.00                        0
2...................................................               0               0.00                        0
3...................................................               0               0.00                        0
4...................................................               3           (227.40)                       31
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Values in parentheses are negative numbers.
** The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers.


                                                  Table II.10--Average LCC and PBP Results for B-IMH-A
                                                                [>=1,000 and <1,500] \13\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Average costs (2022$)
                                                  Efficiency   ----------------------------------------------------------------    Simple      Average
                      TSL                            level                       First year's      Lifetime                       payback      lifetime
                                                                Installed cost  operating cost  operating cost        LCC         (years)      (years)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Baseline
1.............................................               1       $5,602.02       $2,429.82      $17,168.02      $22,770.04          1.3          8.5
2.............................................               2        5,738.78        2,388.52       16,921.62       22,660.40          2.4          8.5
3.............................................               4        5,861.72        2,376.04       16,835.03       22,696.75          3.4          8.5
4.............................................               6        6,378.01        2,337.78       16,569.66       22,947.67          6.4          8.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The results for each TSL are calculated assuming that all consumers use equipment at that efficiency level. The PBP is measured relative to the
  baseline equipment.


               Table II.11--Average LCC Savings Relative to the No-New-Standards Case for B-IMH-A
                                            [>=1,000 and <1,500] \14\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Life-cycle cost savings
                                                                     -------------------------------------------
                         TSL                            Efficiency       Average LCC       Percent of consumers
                                                           level         savings * **      that experience net
                                                                           (2022$)                 cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...................................................               1            $193.03                        0
2...................................................               2             269.97                        3
3...................................................               4             232.99                       10

[[Page 65633]]

 
4...................................................               6            (81.06)                       71
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Values in parentheses are negative numbers.
** The savings represent the average LCC for affected consumers.

    This NODA only presents changes compared to the May 2023 ACIM NOPR. 
No changes occurred in Tables V.19 through V.32 of the May 2023 ACIM 
NOPR and, thus, those equipment classes are not presented in this NODA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ Table II.11 corresponds with Table V.9 from the May 2023 
ACIM NOPR. This NODA presents new harvest range and the related 
values from the harvest range change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

E. Manufacturer Impact Analysis

    DOE presents the Government Regulatory Impact Model (``GRIM'') 
results analyzing the impacts of the updated analysis discussed in this 
NODA. The GRIM results summarize the estimated financial impacts of 
potential new and amended energy conservation standards on 
manufacturers of ACIM equipment, as well as the conversion costs that 
DOE estimates manufacturers of ACIM equipment would incur at each TSL. 
The methodology and assumptions used in the MIA did not change from the 
May 2023 ACIM NOPR except for the analytical changes previously 
described in prior sections (i.e., updates stemming from revisions to 
the R-290 harvest rate cutoffs,\15\ changes to equipment class harvest 
rates to accommodate the new harvest rate cutoffs, and the equipment 
class mapping of primary and secondary equipment classes). Table II.12 
presents the MIA results. Details of the MIA inputs and methodology are 
available in chapter 12 of the TSD for the May 2023 ACIM NOPR.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ The R-290 harvest rate cutoff for batch automatic 
commercial ice makers was revised to 1,000 lb/day from 1,500 lb/day. 
The R-290 harvest rate cutoff for continuous automatic commercial 
ice makers was revised to 1,200 lb/day from 1,500 lb/day.
    \16\ Available at www.regulations.gov/document/EERE-2017-BT-STD-0022-0032.

                                                 Table II.12--Manufacturer Impact Analysis Results \17\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    No-new-
                                     Unit          standards          TSL 1                  TSL 2                  TSL 3                  TSL 4
                                                     case
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INPV........................  2022$ Million.....        95.9  90.2 to 90.9.........  87.5 to 88.9.........  80.5 to 82.9.........  52.7 to 71.3
Change in INPV *............  %.................  ..........  (6.0) to (5.2).......  (8.7) to (7.3).......  (16.0) to (13.6).....  (45.1) to (25.7)
Free Cash Flow (2026).......  2022$ Million.....         9.4  7.1..................  6.1..................  2.8..................  (2.4)
Change in Free Cash Flow      %.................  ..........  (24.3)...............  (35.4)...............  (70.0)...............  (126.0)
 (2026) *.
Equipment Conversion Costs..  2022$ Million.....  ..........  4.6..................  7.0..................  11.9.................  20.5
Capital Conversion Costs....  2022$ Million.....  ..........  1.8..................  2.4..................  6.1..................  11.6
Total Conversion Costs......  2022$ Million.....  ..........  6.4..................  9.4..................  18.0.................  32.1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Parentheses denote negative (-) values.

F. National Impact Analysis

    This NODA uses the same volume of shipments as the May 2023 ACIM 
NOPR. See 88 FR 30508, 30578. However, with the equipment class 
restructuring, shipment volumes for affected equipment classes were 
redistributed as applicable to the equipment class changes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ To compare these NODA MIA results to the May 2023 ACIM NOPR 
MIA results, refer to Table V.40 in the May 2023 ACIM NOPR.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

G. Energy Use Equations

    Based on the updated analysis presented in this NODA, DOE has 
updated the proposed energy use equations in Table II.13 and Table 
II.14.

                                       Table II.13--Batch Type Ice Makers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Harvest rate (lb ice/24    Maximum energy use *
            Equipment type                 Type of cooling               hours)              (kWh/100 lb ice)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ice-Making Head......................  Water..................  >=785 and <=1,000......            4.13-0.00028H
Ice-Making Head......................  Water..................  >1,000 and <1,500......            4.42-0.00028H
Ice-Making Head......................  Air....................  >=727 and <=1,000......            5.09-0.00063H
Ice-Making Head......................  Air....................  >1,000 and <1,500......            5.17-0.00063H
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* H = harvest rate in pounds per 24 hours, indicating the energy use for a given harvest rate.


                                     Table II.14--Continuous Type Ice Makers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Harvest rate (lb ice/24    Maximum energy use *
            Equipment type                 Type of cooling               hours)              (kWh/100 lb ice)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ice-Making Head......................  Water..................  >=801 and <=1,200......                     4.10
Ice-Making Head......................  Water..................  >1,200 and <1,500......                     4.34

[[Page 65634]]

 
Ice-Making Head......................  Air....................  >=820 and <=1,200......                     3.91
Ice-Making Head......................  Air....................  >1,200 and <1,500......                     4.67
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* H = harvest rate in pounds per 24 hours, indicating the energy use for a given harvest rate.

    DOE requests comment on the energy use equations presented in this 
NODA.

III. Public Participation

    DOE requests comment on the updated equipment classes, efficiency 
levels, no-new-standards case market shares, LCC, PBP, and MIA results, 
and energy use equations for automatic commercial ice makers presented 
in this NODA. As noted in the May 2023 ACIM NOPR, DOE may adopt energy 
efficiency levels that are either higher or lower than the proposed 
standards, or some combination of level(s) that incorporate the 
proposed standards in part.
    DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this NODA 
no later than the date provided in the DATES section at the beginning 
of this document. Interested parties may submit comments, data, and 
other information using any of the methods described in the ADDRESSES 
section at the beginning of this document.
    Submitting comments via www.regulations.gov. The 
www.regulations.gov web page will require you to provide your name and 
contact information. Your contact information will be viewable to DOE 
Building Technologies staff only. Your contact information will not be 
publicly viewable except for your first and last names, organization 
name (if any), and submitter representative name (if any). If your 
comment is not processed properly because of technical difficulties, 
DOE will use this information to contact you. If DOE cannot read your 
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, DOE may not be able to consider your comment.
    However, your contact information will be publicly viewable if you 
include it in the comment itself or in any documents attached to your 
comment. Any information that you do not want to be publicly viewable 
should not be included in your comment, nor in any document attached to 
your comment. Otherwise, persons viewing comments will see only first 
and last names, organization names, correspondence containing comments, 
and any documents submitted with the comments.
    Do not submit to www.regulations.gov information for which 
disclosure is restricted by statute, such as trade secrets and 
commercial or financial information (hereinafter referred to as 
Confidential Business Information (``CBI'')). Comments submitted 
through www.regulations.gov cannot be claimed as CBI. Comments received 
through the website will waive any CBI claims for the information 
submitted. For information on submitting CBI, see the Confidential 
Business Information section.
    DOE processes submissions made through www.regulations.gov before 
posting. Normally, comments will be posted within a few days of being 
submitted. However, if large volumes of comments are being processed 
simultaneously, your comment may not be viewable for up to several 
weeks. Please keep the comment tracking number that www.regulations.gov 
provides after you have successfully uploaded your comment.
    Submitting comments via email, hand delivery/courier, or postal 
mail. Comments and documents submitted via email, hand delivery/
courier, or postal mail also will be posted to www.regulations.gov. If 
you do not want your personal contact information to be publicly 
viewable, do not include it in your comment or any accompanying 
documents. Instead, provide your contact information in a cover letter. 
Include your first and last names, email address, telephone number, and 
optional mailing address. The cover letter will not be publicly 
viewable as long as it does not include any comments.
    Include contact information each time you submit comments, data, 
documents, and other information to DOE. If you submit via postal mail 
or hand delivery/courier, please provide all items on a CD, if 
feasible, in which case it is not necessary to submit printed copies. 
No faxes will be accepted.
    Comments, data, and other information submitted to DOE 
electronically should be provided in PDF (preferred), Microsoft Word or 
Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file format. Provide documents that 
are not secured, that are written in English, and that are free of any 
defects or viruses. Documents should not contain special characters or 
any form of encryption and, if possible, they should carry the 
electronic signature of the author.
    Campaign form letters. Please submit campaign form letters by the 
originating organization in batches of between 50 to 500 form letters 
per PDF or as one form letter with a list of supporters' names compiled 
into one or more PDFs. This reduces comment processing and posting 
time.
    Confidential Business Information. Pursuant to 10 CFR 1004.11, any 
person submitting information that he or she believes to be 
confidential and exempt by law from public disclosure should submit via 
email two well-marked copies: one copy of the document marked 
``confidential'' including all the information believed to be 
confidential, and one copy of the document marked ``non-confidential'' 
with the information believed to be confidential deleted. DOE will make 
its own determination about the confidential status of the information 
and treat it according to its determination.
    It is DOE's policy that all comments may be included in the public 
docket, without change and as received, including any personal 
information provided in the comments (except information deemed to be 
exempt from public disclosure).

Signing Authority

    This document of the DOE was signed on September 19, 2023, by 
Jeffrey Marootian, Principal Deputy 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 DOE. This administrative process in no way 
alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the 
Federal Register.


[[Page 65635]]


    Signed in Washington, DC, on September 19, 2023.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2023-20628 Filed 9-22-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P