[Federal Register: March 29, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 61)]
[Notices]
[Page 15192-15193]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29mr02-57]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
[Docket No. EE-RM/TP-02-001]
RIN 1904-AB12
Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test Procedure
for Refrigerators and Refrigerator-Freezers
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of extension of interim waiver.
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SUMMARY: On August 3, 2001, the Department of Energy (DOE) published a
Federal Register Notice granting an application for Interim Waiver to
Electrolux Home Products (Electrolux) and published a Petition for
Waiver from the DOE refrigerator and refrigerator-freezer test
procedure. In today's action, DOE is extending the interim waiver for
180 days, or until July 25, 2002.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Raymond at (202) 586-9611, E-
mail: michael.raymond@ee.doe.gov, or Francine Pinto, Esq., (202) 586-
7432, E-mail: Francine.Pinto@HQ.DOE.GOV.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 30, 2001, DOE issued an interim
waiver from the DOE refrigerator and refrigerator-freezer test
procedure to Electrolux. (66 FR 40689). Pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(h),
``an interim waiver will terminate 180 days after issuance or upon the
determination on the Petition for Waiver, whichever occurs first. An
interim waiver may be extended by DOE for 180 days. Notice of such
extension and/or any modification of the terms or duration of the
interim waiver shall be published in the Federal Register, and shall be
based on relevant information contained in the record and any comments
received subsequent to issuance of the interim waiver.'' The 180-day
period for the interim waiver ended on January 26, 2002.
Since DOE intends to promptly amend its refrigerator and
refrigerator-freezer test procedures so as to eliminate any need for
continuation of the waiver, DOE has determined that it is appropriate
to grant an extension of the interim waiver to Electrolux for an
additional 180 days, or until July 25, 2002. Before that date, DOE will
publish a direct final rule amending the refrigerator and refrigerator-
freezer test procedure so as to permit all interested parties to
calculate the long-time automatic defrost test period in the
[[Page 15193]]
same manner recommended by the Association of Home Appliance
Manufacturers (AHAM) in its comment on Electrolux's petition. AHAM
commented that the four-hour limitation of the test should commence
when the defrost heater is initiated, rather than at the beginning of
the second part of the two-part test period. AHAM stated that it has
had discussions with its members regarding its proposed change, and is
not aware of anyone who disagrees with its position.
DOE views this change to the test procedure as noncontroversial and
does not anticipate any adverse comments. In fact, all comments
received subsequent to issuance of the interim waiver were favorable to
this change to the test procedure. At the same time as the publication
of the direct final rule, DOE will issue a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NOPR) with the same amendment as contained in the direct
final rule so that if adverse comments are received the comments can be
addressed in a subsequent final rule based on the NOPR.
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 25, 2002.
David K. Garman,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 02-7590 Filed 3-28-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P