2024-23908. Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Dishwashers

Table II.1—Recommended Amended Energy Conservation Standards for Dishwashers

Product class	Maximum estimated annual energy use (kWh/year)	Maximum per-cycle water consumption (gal/cycle)	Compliance date
Standard-Size Dishwasher (≥8 place settings plus 6 serving pieces)	223	3.3	3 years after publication of the direct final rule.
Compact-Size Dishwasher (<8 place settings plus 6 serving pieces)	174	3.1

After carefully considering the recommended energy conservation standards for dishwashers in the Joint Agreement, DOE determined that these recommendations were in accordance with the statutory requirements of 42 U.S.C. 6295(p)(4) for the issuance of a direct final rule and published a direct final rule on April 24, 2024 (“April 2024 Direct Final Rule”). 89 FR 31398. DOE evaluated whether the Joint Agreement satisfies 42 U.S.C. 6295(o), as applicable, and found that the recommended standard levels would, among other things, result in significant energy savings and are technologically feasible and economically justified. Id. at 89 FR 31471-31478. Accordingly, DOE adopted the recommended efficiency levels for dishwashers as the amended standard levels in the April 2024 Direct Final Rule. Id.

The maximum EAEU and maximum water consumption standards adopted in the April 2024 Direct Final Rule apply to product classes listed in Table II.2 and that are manufactured in, or imported into, the United States starting on April 23, 2027. The April 2024 Direct Final Rule provides a detailed discussion of DOE's analysis of the benefits and burdens of the amended standards pursuant to the criteria set forth in EPCA. Id. ( print page 83613)

Table II.2—Amended Energy Conservation Standards for Dishwashers

[Compliance Starting April 23, 2027]

Product class	Estimated annual energy use (kWh/year)	Per-cycle water consumption (gal/cycle)
Standard-size 1 (≥8 place settings plus 6 serving pieces) 2	223	3.3
Compact-size (<8 place settings plus 6 serving pieces) 2	174	3.1
1  The energy conservation standards in this table do not apply to standard-size dishwashers with a cycle time for the normal cycle of 60 minutes or less.
2  Place settings are as specified in AHAM DW-1-2020 (which is incorporated by reference, see § 430.3) and the test load is as specified in section 2.4 of appendix C2 to subpart B of part 430.

As required by EPCA, DOE also simultaneously published a NOPR proposing the identical standard levels contained in the April 2024 Direct Final Rule. 89 FR 31096. DOE considered whether any adverse comment received during the 110-day comment period following the publication of the April 2024 Direct Final Rule provided a reasonable basis for withdrawal of the direct final rule under the provisions in 42 U.S.C. 6295(p)(4)(C).

III. Comments on the Direct Final Rule

As discussed in section I of this document, not later than 120 days after publication of a direct final rule, DOE shall withdraw the direct final rule if: (1) DOE receives one or more adverse public comments relating to the direct final rule or any alternative joint recommendation; and (2) based on the rulemaking record relating to the direct final rule, DOE determines that such adverse public comments or alternative joint recommendation may provide a reasonable basis for withdrawing the direct final rule. (42 U.S.C. 6295(p)(4)(C)(i))

DOE received comments in response to the April 2024 Direct Final Rule from the interested parties listed in Table III.1.^[5]

Table III.1—List of Commenters With Written Submissions in Response to the April 2024 Direct Final Rule

Commenter(s)	Abbreviation	Comment number in the docket	Commenter type
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers	AHAM	76	Trade Association.
Appliance Standards Awareness Project, Alliance for Water Efficiency, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Reports, Earthjustice, National Consumer Law Center, Natural Resources Defense Council, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company	ASAP et al.	74	Advocacy Organizations.
Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Reports, Green Energy Consumers Alliance, National Consumer Law Center, and U.S. Public Interest Research Group	CFA et al.	75	Advocacy Organizations.
Chris Bruno	Bruno	70	Individual.
Clean Future	Clean Future	71, 72	Advocacy Organization.
Bill Word and David Daquin	Word and Daquin	* 68, 69	Individual.
* Comments No. 68 and 69 are identical. DOE cites comment 68 in this document.