Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Clothes Dryers and Room Air Conditioners

In a direct final rule published on April 21, 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) adopted amended energy conservation standards for residential clothes dryers and room air conditioners. As required by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), DOE also published simultaneously a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) that proposed identical energy efficiency standards. The standards set forth in the direct final rule and NOPR were identical to the standards provided in the consensus agreement that served as the basis for those rulemaking actions. The consensus agreement also provided specific compliance dates for both products. In the direct final rule and NOPR, however, DOE provided for a compliance date 3 years after the date of publication in the Federal Register, or April 21, 2014. As such, the compliance date of the direct final rule and NOPR did not correspond with the consensus agreement. DOE now amends the compliance dates set forth in the direct final rule and corresponding NOPR to be consistent with the compliance dates set out in the consensus agreement. Elsewhere in today's Federal Register, DOE also published a document confirming adoption of the standards set forth in the direct final rule and confirming the effective date of the direct final rule.