[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11228-11233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-4485]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
[Case No. CW-018]
Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Notice of
Petition for Waiver of LG Electronics USA, Inc. From the Department of
Energy Residential Clothes Washer Test Procedure, and Grant of Interim
Waiver
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of petition for waiver and application for interim
waiver, notice of grant of interim waiver, and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt of and publishes the LG
Electronics USA, Inc. (LG) petition for waiver and application for
interim waiver (hereafter, ``petition'') from specified portions of the
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure for determining the
energy consumption of clothes washers. Today's notice also grants an
interim waiver of the clothes washer test procedure. Through this
notice, DOE also solicits comments with respect to the LG petition.
DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, and information with respect to
the LG petition until, but no later than March 31, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by case number CW-018,
by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
E-mail: [email protected] Include ``Case No.
CW-018'' in the subject line of the message.
Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy,
Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J/1000 Independence Avenue,
SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-2945. Please
submit one signed original paper copy.
Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, SW.,
Suite 600, Washington, DC 20024. Please submit one signed original
paper copy.
Instructions: All submissions received should include the agency
name and case number for this proceeding. Submit electronic comments in
WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, Portable Document Format (PDF), or text
(American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)) file
format and avoid the use of special characters or any form of
encryption. Wherever possible, include the electronic signature of the
author. DOE does not accept telefacsimiles (faxes).
Any person submitting written comments must also send a copy to the
petitioner, pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(d). The contact information for
the petitioner is: John I. Taylor, Vice President, Government Relations
and Communications, LG Electronics USA, Inc., 1776 K Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20006; (202) 719-3490; Email: [email protected].
According to 10 CFR 1004.11, any person submitting information that
he or she believes to be confidential and exempt by law from public
disclosure should submit two copies to DOE: one copy of the document
including all the information believed to be confidential, and one copy
of the document 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.
[[Page 11229]]
Factors of interest to DOE when evaluating requests to treat
submitted information as confidential include: (1) A description of the
items; (2) whether and why such items are customarily treated as
confidential within the industry; (3) whether the information is
generally known by or available from other sources; (4) whether the
information has previously been made available to others without
obligation concerning its confidentiality; (5) an explanation of the
competitive injury to the submitting person which would result from
public disclosure; (6) a date upon which such information might lose
its confidential nature due to the passage of time; and (7) why
disclosure of the information would be contrary to the public interest.
Docket: For access to the docket to review the background documents
relevant to this matter, you may visit the U.S. Department of Energy,
950 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., (Resource Room of the Building Technologies
Program), Washington, DC, 20024; (202) 586-2945, between 9 a.m. and 4
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Available
documents include the following items: (1) This notice; (2) public
comments received; (3) the petition for waiver and application for
interim waiver; and (4) prior DOE waivers and rulemakings regarding
similar clothes washer products. Please call Ms. Brenda Edwards at the
above telephone number for additional information regarding visiting
the Resource Room.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Michael G. Raymond, U.S. Department of Energy, Building
Technologies Program, Mail Stop EE-2J, Forrestal Building, 1000
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202)
586-9611. E-mail: [email protected].
Ms. Jennifer Tiedeman, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General
Counsel, Mail Stop GC-71, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue,
SW., Washington, DC 20585-0103. Telephone: (202) 287-6111. E-mail:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background and Authority
Title III, Part B of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975
(EPCA), Public Law 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309, as codified),
established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other
Than Automobiles, a program covering most major household appliances,
which includes the clothes washers that are the focus of this
notice.\1\ Part B includes definitions, test procedures, labeling
provisions, energy conservation standards, and the authority to require
information and reports from manufacturers. Further, Part B authorizes
the Secretary of Energy to prescribe test procedures that are
reasonably designed to produce results which measure energy efficiency,
energy use, or estimated operating costs, and that are not unduly
burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)). The test procedure for
automatic and semi-automatic clothes washers is contained in 10 CFR
part 430, subpart B, appendix J1.
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\1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code,
Part B was re-designated Part A.
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The regulations set forth in 10 CFR part 430.27 contain provisions
that enable a person to seek a waiver from the test procedure
requirements for covered consumer products. A waiver will be granted by
the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (the
Assistant Secretary) if it is determined that the basic model for which
the petition for waiver was submitted contains one or more design
characteristics that prevents testing of the basic model according to
the prescribed test procedures, or if the prescribed test procedures
may evaluate the basic model in a manner so unrepresentative of its
true energy consumption characteristics as to provide materially
inaccurate comparative data. 10 CFR 430.27(l). Petitioners must include
in their petition any alternate test procedures known to the petitioner
to evaluate the basic model in a manner representative of its energy
consumption. 10 CFR 430.27(b)(1)(iii). The Assistant Secretary may
grant the waiver subject to conditions, including adherence to
alternate test procedures. 10 CFR 430.27(l). Waivers remain in effect
pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 430.27(m).
The waiver process also allows the Assistant Secretary to grant an
interim waiver from test procedure requirements to manufacturers that
have petitioned DOE for a waiver of such prescribed test procedures. 10
CFR 430.27(a)(2). An interim waiver remains in effect for 180 days or
until DOE issues its determination on the petition for waiver,
whichever is sooner. DOE may extend an interim waiver for an additional
180 days. 10 CFR 430.27(h).
On December 23, 2010, DOE issued enforcement guidance on the
application of recently granted waivers for large-capacity clothes
washers and announced steps to improve the waiver process and refrain
from certain enforcement actions. This guidance can be found on DOE's
Web site at http://www.gc.energy.gov/1661.htm.
II. Application for Interim Waiver and Petition for Waiver
On September 24, 2010, LG filed an initial petition for waiver and
application for interim waiver from the test procedure applicable to
automatic and semi-automatic clothes washers set forth in 10 CFR part
430, subpart B, appendix J1. In particular, LG requested a waiver to
test its clothes washers with basket volumes greater than 3.8 cubic
feet on the basis of the aforementioned residential test procedures,
using a revised Table 5.1 which extends the range of container volumes
beyond 3.8 cubic feet. This petition was granted on November 24, 2010.
75 FR 71680. On January 19, 2011, LG filed the instant petition for
waiver and application for interim waiver to expand the number of
models subject to the alternative test procedure set forth in the
company's September 2010 petition for waiver.
LG's current petition seeks a waiver from the DOE test procedure
because the mass of the test load used in the procedure, which is based
on the basket volume of the test unit, is currently not defined for
basket sizes greater than 3.8 cubic feet. LG manufactures basic models
with capacities greater than 3.8 cubic feet, and it is for these basic
models that LG seeks a waiver from DOE's test procedure.
Table 5.1 of Appendix J1 defines the test load sizes used in the
test procedure as linear functions of the basket volume. LG requests
that DOE grant a waiver for testing and rating based on a revised Table
5.1, the same table as set forth in the interim waiver granted to LG on
November 24, 2010. 75 FR 71680. The table is identical to the Table 5.1
found in DOE's recently published clothes washer test procedure Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR). 75 FR 57556 (September 21, 1010).
An interim waiver may be granted if it is determined that the
applicant will experience economic hardship if the application for
interim waiver is denied, if it appears likely that the petition for
waiver will be granted, and/or the Assistant Secretary determines that
it would be desirable for public policy reasons to grant immediate
relief pending a determination of the petition for waiver. (10 CFR
430.27(g)). DOE has determined that LG's application for interim waiver
does not provide sufficient market, equipment price, shipments, and
other manufacturer impact information to permit DOE to evaluate the
economic hardship LG
[[Page 11230]]
might experience absent a favorable determination on its application
for interim waiver. Previously, however, DOE granted an interim test
procedure waiver to Whirlpool for three of Whirlpool's clothes washer
models with container capacities greater than 3.8 cubic feet. 71 FR
48913 (August 22, 2006). The notice contained an alternate test
procedure, which extended the linear relationship between maximum test
load size and clothes washer container volume in Table 5.1 to include a
maximum test load size of 15.4 pounds (lbs) for clothes washer
container volumes of 3.8 to 3.9 cubic feet. On September 16, 2010, DOE
granted interim waivers to General Electric (75 FR 57915 (September 23,
2010)) and Samsung (75 FR 57937 (September 23, 2010)) for similar
products. GE's waiver was granted on December 10, 2010. 75 FR 76968. As
stated above, DOE granted a previous interim waiver to LG on November
24, 2010.
The current DOE test procedure specifies test load sizes only for
machines with capacities up to 3.8 cubic feet, and DOE believes that
extending the linear relationship between test load size and container
capacity to larger capacities is valid. In addition, testing a basic
model with a capacity larger than 3.8 cubic feet using the current
procedure could evaluate the basic model in a manner so
unrepresentative of its true energy consumption as to provide
materially inaccurate comparative data. Based on these considerations,
and the interim waivers granted to LG, Whirlpool, Samsung and GE, it
appears likely that the petition for waiver will be granted. As a
result, DOE grants an interim waiver to LG for of the basic models of
clothes washers with container volumes greater than 3.8 cubic feet
specified in its petition for waiver, pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(g). DOE
also provides for the use of an alternative test procedure extending
the linear relationship between test load size and container capacity,
described below. Therefore, it is ordered that:
The application for interim waiver filed by LG is hereby granted
for the specified LG clothes washer basic models, subject to the
specifications and conditions below.
1. LG shall not be required to test or rate the specified clothes
washer products on the basis of the test procedure under 10 CFR part
430 subpart B, appendix J1.
2. LG shall be required to test and rate the specified clothes
washer products according to the alternate test procedure as set forth
in section IV, ``Alternate Test Procedure.''
The interim waiver applies to the following basic model groups:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model Brand
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WM3360H***................................ LG
WM3550H***................................ LG
WM3150H**................................. LG
WM3975H***................................ LG
WM3985H***................................ LG
WT4901C*.................................. LG
294700.................. Kenmore
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE makes decisions on waivers and interim waivers for only those
models specifically set out in the petition, not future models that may
or may not be manufactured by the petitioner. LG may submit a new or
amended petition for waiver and request for grant of interim waiver, as
appropriate, for additional models of clothes washers for which it
seeks a waiver from the DOE test procedure. In addition, DOE notes that
grant of an interim waiver or waiver does not release a petitioner from
the certification requirements set forth at 10 CFR 430.62.
III. Alternate Test Procedure
EPCA requires that manufacturers use DOE test procedures to make
representations about the energy consumption and energy consumption
costs of products covered by the statute. (42 U.S.C. 6293(c))
Consistent representations are important for manufacturers to use in
making representations about the energy efficiency of their products
and to demonstrate compliance with applicable DOE energy conservation
standards. Pursuant to its regulations applicable to waivers and
interim waivers from applicable test procedures at 10 CFR 430.27, DOE
will consider setting an alternate test procedure for LG in a
subsequent Decision and Order.
The alternate procedure approved today is intended to allow LG to
make valid representations regarding its clothes washers with basket
capacities larger than provided for in the current test procedure. This
alternate test procedure is based on the expanded Table 5.1 of Appendix
J1 submitted by LG. As noted above, the Table 5.1 submitted by LG in
its petition is the same Table 5.1 that appears in DOE's clothes washer
test procedure NOPR. 75 FR 57556 (September 21, 1010). The NOPR Table
5.1 uses the accurate conversion factor 0.45359237 employed by LG and
Samsung to convert test loads from pounds to kilograms. The rounding
errors contained in earlier LG petitions for waiver are not present in
LG's current petition.
During the period of the interim waiver granted in this notice, LG
shall test its clothes washer basic models according to the provisions
of 10 CFR part 430 subpart B, appendix J1, except that the expanded
Table 5.1 below shall be substituted for Table 5.1 of appendix J1.
Table 5.1--Test Load Sizes
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Container volume Minimum load Maximum load Average load
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
cu. ft. liter
----------------------------------------------- lb kg lb kg lb kg
[gteqt] < [gteqt] <
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0-0.8 0-22.7 3.00 1.36 3.00 1.36 3.00 1.36
0.80-0.90..................... 22.7-25.5 3.00 1.36 3.50 1.59 3.25 1.47
0.90-1.00..................... 25.5-28.3 3.00 1.36 3.90 1.77 3.45 1.56
1.00-1.10..................... 28.3-31.1 3.00 1.36 4.30 1.95 3.65 1.66
1.10-1.20..................... 31.1-34.0 3.00 1.36 4.70 2.13 3.85 1.75
1.20-1.30..................... 34.0-36.8 3.00 1.36 5.10 2.31 4.05 1.84
1.30-1.40..................... 36.8-39.6 3.00 1.36 5.50 2.49 4.25 1.93
1.40-1.50..................... 39.6-42.5 3.00 1.36 5.90 2.68 4.45 2.02
1.50-1.60..................... 42.5-45.3 3.00 1.36 6.40 2.90 4.70 2.13
1.60-1.70..................... 45.3-48.1 3.00 1.36 6.80 3.08 4.90 2.22
1.70-1.80..................... 48.1-51.0 3.00 1.36 7.20 3.27 5.10 2.31
1.80-1.90..................... 51.0-53.8 3.00 1.36 7.60 3.45 5.30 2.40
1.90-2.00..................... 53.8-56.6 3.00 1.36 8.00 3.63 5.50 2.49
[[Page 11231]]
2.00-2.10..................... 56.6-59.5 3.00 1.36 8.40 3.81 5.70 2.59
2.10-2.20..................... 59.5-62.3 3.00 1.36 8.80 3.99 5.90 2.68
2.20-2.30..................... 62.3-65.1 3.00 1.36 9.20 4.17 6.10 2.77
2.30-2.40..................... 65.1-68.0 3.00 1.36 9.60 4.35 6.30 2.86
2.40-2.50..................... 68.0-70.8 3.00 1.36 10.00 4.54 6.50 2.95
2.50-2.60..................... 70.8-73.6 3.00 1.36 10.50 4.76 6.75 3.06
2.60-2.70..................... 73.6-76.5 3.00 1.36 10.90 4.94 6.95 3.15
2.70-2.80..................... 76.5-79.3 3.00 1.36 11.30 5.13 7.15 3.24
2.80-2.90..................... 79.3-82.1 3.00 1.36 11.70 5.31 7.35 3.33
2.90-3.00..................... 82.1-85.0 3.00 1.36 12.10 5.49 7.55 3.42
3.00-3.10..................... 85.0-87.8 3.00 1.36 12.50 5.67 7.75 3.52
3.10-3.20..................... 87.8-90.6 3.00 1.36 12.90 5.85 7.95 3.61
3.20-3.30..................... 90.6-93.4 3.00 1.36 13.30 6.03 8.15 3.70
3.30-3.40..................... 93.4-96.3 3.00 1.36 13.70 6.21 8.35 3.79
3.40-3.50..................... 96.3-99.1 3.00 1.36 14.10 6.40 8.55 3.88
3.50-3.60..................... 99.1-101.9 3.00 1.36 14.60 6.62 8.80 3.99
3.60-3.70..................... 101.9-104.8 3.00 1.36 15.00 6.80 9.00 4.08
3.70-3.80..................... 104.8-107.6 3.00 1.36 15.40 6.99 9.20 4.17
3.80-3.90..................... 107.6-110.4 3.00 1.36 15.80 7.16 9.40 4.26
3.90-4.00..................... 110.4-113.3 3.00 1.36 16.20 7.34 9.60 4.35
4.00-4.10..................... 113.3-116.1 3.00 1.36 16.60 7.53 9.80 4.45
4.10-4.20..................... 116.1-118.9 3.00 1.36 17.00 7.72 10.00 4.54
4.20-4.30..................... 118.9-121.8 3.00 1.36 17.40 7.90 10.20 4.63
4.30-4.40..................... 121.8-124.6 3.00 1.36 17.80 8.09 10.40 4.72
4.40-4.50..................... 124.6-127.4 3.00 1.36 18.20 8.27 10.60 4.82
4.50-4.60..................... 127.4-130.3 3.00 1.36 18.70 8.46 10.80 4.91
4.60-4.70..................... 130.3-133.1 3.00 1.36 19.10 8.65 11.00 5.00
4.70-4.80..................... 133.1-135.9 3.00 1.36 19.50 8.83 11.20 5.10
4.80-4.90..................... 135.9-138.8 3.00 1.36 19.90 9.02 11.40 5.19
4.90-5.00..................... 138.8-141.6 3.00 1.36 20.30 9.20 11.60 5.28
5.00-5.10..................... 141.6-144.4 3.00 1.36 20.70 9.39 11.90 5.38
5.10-5.20..................... 144.4-147.2 3.00 1.36 21.10 9.58 12.10 5.47
5.20-5.30..................... 147.2-150.1 3.00 1.36 21.50 9.76 12.30 5.56
5.30-5.40..................... 150.1-152.9 3.00 1.36 21.90 9.95 12.50 5.65
5.40-5.50..................... 152.9-155.7 3.00 1.36 22.30 10.13 12.70 5.75
5.50-5.60..................... 155.7-158.6 3.00 1.36 22.80 10.32 12.90 5.84
5.60-5.70..................... 158.6-161.4 3.00 1.36 23.20 10.51 13.10 5.93
5.70-5.80..................... 161.4-164.2 3.00 1.36 23.60 10.69 13.30 6.03
5.80-5.90..................... 164.2-167.1 3.00 1.36 24.00 10.88 13.50 6.12
5.90-6.00..................... 167.1-169.9 3.00 1.36 24.40 11.06 13.70 6.21
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: (1) All test load weights are bone dry weights.
(2) Allowable tolerance on the test load weights are 0.10 lbs (0.05 kg).
IV. Summary and Request for Comments
Through today's notice, DOE announces receipt of LG's petition for
waiver from certain parts of the test procedure that apply to clothes
washers and grants an interim waiver to LG. DOE is publishing LG's
petition for waiver in its entirety pursuant to 10 CFR
430.27(b)(1)(iv). The petition contains no confidential information.
The petition includes a suggested alternate test procedure to measure
the energy consumption of clothes washers with capacities larger than
the 3.8 cubic feet specified in the current DOE test procedure. DOE is
interested in receiving comments from interested parties on all aspects
of the petition, including the suggested alternate test procedure and
any other alternate test procedure.
Pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(b)(1)(iv), any person submitting written
comments to DOE must also send a copy to the petitioner, whose contact
information is included in the ADDRESSES section above.
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 23, 2011.
Cathy Zoi,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc., 1000 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ
07632
January 19, 2011
The Honorable Catherine Zoi, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, United States Department of Energy, Mail Station EE-
10, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20585
Re: Petition for Waiver and Application for Interim Waiver, Test
Procedure for Clothes Washers
Dear Assistant Secretary Zoi: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG)
respectfully submits this Petition for Waiver and Application for
Interim Waiver, pursuant to 10 C.F.R. Sec. 430.27, as related to DOE's
test procedure for clothes washers. DOE has already granted LG an
interim waiver relating to testing of certain models. 75 Fed. Reg.
71680 (Nov. 24, 2010). The current Petition and Application would
expand the number of models subject to the grant of a waiver. LG
requests expedited treatment of the Petition and Application.
[[Page 11232]]
LG is a manufacturer of clothes washers and other products sold
worldwide, including in the United States. LG's U.S. operations are LG
Electronics USA, Inc., with headquarters at 1000 Sylvan Avenue,
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 (tel. 201-816-2000). Its worldwide
headquarters are located at LG Twin Towers 20, Yoido-dong, Youngdungpo-
gu Seoul, Korea 150-721; (tel. 011-82-2-3777-1114); URL:
http.www.LGE.com. LG's principal brands include LG[reg] and OEM brands,
including GE[reg] and Kenmore[reg].
The test procedure under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act
(EPCA), 42 U.S.C. Sec. 6291 et seq., provides for clothes washers to
be tested with specified allowable test load sizes. See 10 C.F.R. Pt.
430, Subpt. B, App. J1, Table 5.1. The largest average load under Table
5.1 is 9.20 lbs. LG believes that it is appropriate for DOE to grant a
waiver that would allow for testing and rating of specified models (see
Appendix 1 hereto) with larger test loads where the model has a
container volume that is greater than the largest volume shown on Table
5.1.
DOE has already granted waivers and/or interim waivers to a number
of manufacturers, including LG, Whirlpool, General Electric, Samsung,
and Electrolux for testing with larger test loads for specified models
with container volumes in excess of 3.8 cubic feet. 75 Fed. Reg. 71680
(Nov. 24, 2010) (LG); id. 57915 (Sept. 23, 2010) (GE); id. 57937 (Sept.
23, 2010) (Samsung); id. 69653 (Nov. 15, 2010) (Whirlpool); id. 76962
(Dec. 10, 2010) (Electrolux); id. 76968 (Dec. 10, 2010) (GE); id. 81258
(Dec. 27, 2010) (Electrolux); 71 Fed. Reg. 48913 (Aug. 22, 2006)
(Whirlpool). The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) has
submitted comments to DOE suggesting that the DOE test procedure be
amended to provide for testing with loads in excess of those shown in
Table 5.1 when testing is done on clothes washers with volumes in
excess of 3.8 cubic feet. See AHAM Comments on the Framework Document
for Residential Clothes Washers; EERE-2008-BT-STD-0019; RIN 1904-AB90,
at Appendix B--AHAM Proposed Changes to J1 Table 5.1 (Oct. 2, 2009). In
addition, DOE has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing to
amend the DOE test procedure to adopt the AHAM proposed Table 5.1. 75
Fed. Reg. 57556 (Sept. 21, 2010). Further, DOE has issued a guidance
document indicating the appropriateness of waivers for testing with
larger test loads for clothes washers with volumes in excess of 3.8
cubic feet. DOE, GC Enforcement Guidance on the Application of Waivers
and on the Waiver Process (Dec. 23, 2010), at http://www.gc.energy.gov/documents/LargeCapacityRCW_guidance_22210.pdf.
LG requests that DOE grant a waiver for testing and rating based on
the revised Table 5.1 in Appendix 2 hereto. This is the Table 5.1 as
already set forth in the interim waiver granted to LG for certain
models. See 75 Fed. Reg. 71680 (Nov. 24, 2010). The revised Table 5.1
should be applied to LG's testing and rating of other models as
specified in Appendix 1 hereto.\1\
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\1\ All LG models are measured in accordance with DOE's final
guidance for measuring clothes container capacity under the test
procedure in 10 CFR part 430, Subpart B, Appendix J1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The waiver should continue until DOE adopts an applicable amended
test procedure.
LG also requests an interim waiver for its testing and rating of
the foregoing models. The petition for waiver is likely to be granted,
as evidenced not only by its merits, but also because DOE has granted
waivers and/or interim waivers to LG, Whirlpool, GE, Samsung, and
Electrolux and has proposed a corresponding amendment to its test
procedure. Hence, grant of an interim waiver for LG is appropriate.
We would be pleased to discuss this request with DOE and provide
further information as needed.
LG requests expedited treatment of the Petition and Application. In
that regard, DOE has stated in its December 23, 2010 Enforcement
Guidance (supra) that it ``commits to act promptly on waiver
requests.'' LG appreciates this commitment by DOE.
We hereby certify that all manufacturers of domestically marketed
units of the same product type have been notified by letter of this
petition and application, copies of which letters are set forth in
Appendix 3 hereto.
Sincerely,
John I. Taylor,
Vice President, Government Relations and Communications, LG
Electronics USA, Inc., 1776 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20006,
Phone: 202-719-3490, Fax: 847-941-8177, Email: [email protected]
Of counsel: John A. Hodges, Wiley Rein LLP, 1776 K Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20006, Phone: 202-719-7000, Fax: 202-719-7049, Email:
[email protected]
Appendix 1
The waiver and interim waiver requested herein should apply to
testing and rating of the following model series of LG-manufactured
clothes washers. Please note that the actual model numbers will vary to
account for such factors as year of manufacture, product color, or
other features. Nonetheless, they will always have volumes in excess of
3.8 cubic feet.
(In the chart below, `` '' represents a number; ``*''
represents a letter.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model Brand
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WM3360H***................................ LG.
WM3550H***................................ LG.
WM3150H**................................. LG.
WM3975H***................................ LG.
WM3985H***................................ LG.
WT4901C*.................................. LG.
294700.................. Kenmore.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix 2
Table 5.1--Test Load Sizes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Container volume Minimum load Maximum load Average load
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
cu. ft. >= < liter >= < lb kg lb kg lb kg
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-0.8 0-22.7 3.00 1.36 3.00 1.36 3.00 1.36
0.80-0.90..................... 22.7-25.5 3.00 1.36 3.50 1.59 3.25 1.47
0.90-1.00..................... 25.5-28.3 3.00 1.36 3.90 1.77 3.45 1.56
1.00-1.10..................... 28.3-31.1 3.00 1.36 4.30 1.95 3.65 1.66
1.10-1.20..................... 31.1-34.0 3.00 1.36 4.70 2.13 3.85 1.75
1.20-1.30..................... 34.0-36.8 3.00 1.36 5.10 2.31 4.05 1.84
1.30-1.40..................... 36.8-39.6 3.00 1.36 5.50 2.49 4.25 1.93
1.40-1.50..................... 39.6-42.5 3.00 1.36 5.90 2.68 4.45 2.02
1.50-1.60..................... 42.5-45.3 3.00 1.36 6.40 2.90 4.70 2.13
1.60-1.70..................... 45.3-48.1 3.00 1.36 6.80 3.08 4.90 2.22
1.70-1.80..................... 48.1-51.0 3.00 1.36 7.20 3.27 5.10 2.31
[[Page 11233]]
1.80-1.90..................... 51.0-53.8 3.00 1.36 7.60 3.45 5.30 2.40
1.90-2.00..................... 53.8-56.6 3.00 1.36 8.00 3.63 5.50 2.49
2.00-2.10..................... 56.6-59.5 3.00 1.36 8.40 3.81 5.70 2.59
2.10-2.20..................... 59.5-62.3 3.00 1.36 8.80 3.99 5.90 2.68
2.20-2.30..................... 62.3-65.1 3.00 1.36 9.20 4.17 6.10 2.77
2.30-2.40..................... 65.1-68.0 3.00 1.36 9.60 4.35 6.30 2.86
2.40-2.50..................... 68.0-70.8 3.00 1.36 10.00 4.54 6.50 2.95
2.50-2.60..................... 70.8-73.6 3.00 1.36 10.50 4.76 6.75 3.06
2.60-2.70..................... 73.6-76.5 3.00 1.36 10.90 4.94 6.95 3.15
2.70-2.80..................... 76.5-79.3 3.00 1.36 11.30 5.13 7.15 3.24
2.80-2.90..................... 79.3-82.1 3.00 1.36 11.70 5.31 7.35 3.33
2.90-3.00..................... 82.1-85.0 3.00 1.36 12.10 5.49 7.55 3.42
3.00-3.10..................... 85.0-87.8 3.00 1.36 12.50 5.67 7.75 3.52
3.10-3.20..................... 87.8-90.6 3.00 1.36 12.90 5.85 7.95 3.61
3.20-3.30..................... 90.6-93.4 3.00 1.36 13.30 6.03 8.15 3.70
3.30-3.40..................... 93.4-96.3 3.00 1.36 13.70 6.21 8.35 3.79
3.40-3.50..................... 96.3-99.1 3.00 1.36 14.10 6.40 8.55 3.88
3.50-3.60..................... 99.1-101.9 3.00 1.36 14.60 6.62 8.80 3.99
3.60-3.70..................... 101.9-104.8 3.00 1.36 15.00 6.80 9.00 4.08
3.70-3.80..................... 104.8-107.6 3.00 1.36 15.40 6.99 9.20 4.17
3.80-3.90..................... 107.6-110.4 3.00 1.36 15.80 7.16 9.40 4.26
3.90-4.00..................... 110.4-113.3 3.00 1.36 16.20 7.34 9.60 4.35
4.00-4.10..................... 113.3-116.1 3.00 1.36 16.60 7.53 9.80 4.45
4.10-4.20..................... 116.1-118.9 3.00 1.36 17.00 7.72 10.00 4.54
4.20-4.30..................... 118.9-121.8 3.00 1.36 17.40 7.90 10.20 4.63
4.30-4.40..................... 121.8-124.6 3.00 1.36 17.80 8.09 10.40 4.72
4.40-4.50..................... 124.6-127.4 3.00 1.36 18.20 8.27 10.60 4.82
4.50-4.60..................... 127.4-130.3 3.00 1.36 18.70 8.46 10.80 4.91
4.60-4.70..................... 130.3-133.1 3.00 1.36 19.10 8.65 11.00 5.00
4.70-4.80..................... 133.1-135.9 3.00 1.36 19.50 8.83 11.20 5.10
4.80-4.90..................... 135.9-138.8 3.00 1.36 19.90 9.02 11.40 5.19
4.90-5.00..................... 138.8-141.6 3.00 1.36 20.30 9.20 11.60 5.28
5.00-5.10..................... 141.6-144.4 3.00 1.36 20.70 9.39 11.90 5.38
5.10-5.20..................... 144.4-147.2 3.00 1.36 21.10 9.58 12.10 5.47
5.20-5.30..................... 147.2-150.1 3.00 1.36 21.50 9.76 12.30 5.56
5.30-5.40..................... 150.1-152.9 3.00 1.36 21.90 9.95 12.50 5.65
5.40-5.50..................... 152.9-155.7 3.00 1.36 22.30 10.13 12.70 5.75
5.50-5.60..................... 155.7-158.6 3.00 1.36 22.80 10.32 12.90 5.84
5.60-5.70..................... 158.6-161.4 3.00 1.36 23.20 10.51 13.10 5.93
5.70-5.80..................... 161.4-164.2 3.00 1.36 23.60 10.69 13.30 6.03
5.80-5.90..................... 164.2-167.1 3.00 1.36 24.00 10.88 13.50 6.12
5.90-6.00..................... 167.1-169.9 3.00 1.36 24.40 11.06 13.70 6.21
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
(1) All test load weights are bone dry weights.
(2) Allowable tolerance on the test load weights are 0.10 lbs (0.05 kg).
[FR Doc. 2011-4485 Filed 2-28-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P