2024-24154. Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Clothes Washers

Table II.1—Recommended Amended Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Clothes Washers

Product class	Minimum energy efficiency ratio (lb/kWh/cycle)	Minimum water efficiency ratio (lb/gal/cycle)	Compliance date
Top-Loading, Ultra-Compact (less than 1.6 ft3 capacity)	3.79	0.29	March 1, 2028.
Top-Loading, Standard-Size (1.6 ft3 or greater capacity)	4.27	0.57
Front-Loading, Compact (less than 1.6 ft3 capacity)	5.02	0.71
Front-Loading, Standard-Size (1.6 ft3 or greater capacity)	5.52	0.77
Semi-Automatic Clothes Washers	2.12	0.27

After carefully considering the recommended energy conservation standards for RCWs 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 March 15, 2024 (“March 2024 Direct Final Rule”). 89 FR 19026. 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 19113-19120. Accordingly, DOE adopted the recommended efficiency levels for RCWs as the amended standard levels in the March 2024 Direct Final Rule. Id.

The standards adopted in the March 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 March 1, 2028. The March 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 84067)

Table II.2—Amended Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Clothes Washers

[Compliance starting March 1, 2028]

Product class	Minimum energy efficiency ratio (lb/kWh/cycle)	Minimum water efficiency ratio (lb/gal/cycle)
Automatic Clothes Washers:
Top-Loading Ultra-Compact (less than 1.6 ft3 capacity)	3.79	0.29
Top-Loading Standard-Size (1.6 ft3 or greater capacity) 1	4.27	0.57
Front-Loading Compact (less than 3.0 ft3 capacity) 2	5.02	0.71
Front-Loading Standard-Size (3.0 ft3 or greater capacity) 3	5.52	0.77
Semi-Automatic Clothes Washers	2.12	0.27
1  The energy conservation standards in this table do not apply to top-loading standard-size clothes washers with an average cycle time less than 30 minutes.
2  The energy conservation standards in this table do not apply to front-loading clothes washers with a capacity greater than or equal to 1.6 ft3 and less than 3.0 ft3 with an average cycle time of less than 45 minutes.
3  The energy conservation standards in this table do not apply to front-loading standard-size clothes washers with an average cycle time less than 45 minutes.

As required by EPCA, DOE also simultaneously published a NOPR proposing the identical standard levels contained in the March 2024 Direct Final Rule. 89 FR 18836. DOE considered whether any adverse comment received during the 110-day comment period following the publication of the March 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 March 2024 Direct Final Rule from the interested parties listed in Table III.1.^[7]

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

Commenter(s)	Abbreviation	Comment No. in the Docket	Commenter type
The Attorneys General of the States of Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia	AGs of FL et al	526	State Government Officials.
The Attorney General of the State of Montana	AG of MT	529	State Government Official.
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers	AHAM	525	Trade Association.
Anonymous	Anonymous	530	Individual.
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	527	Advocacy Organizations.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and California Energy Commission	NYSERDA and CEC	519	State Agencies.
Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Reports, Green Energy Consumers Alliance, National Consumer Law Center, and U.S. Public Interest Research Group	CFA et al	528	Advocacy Organizations.
Rebekah Finn	Finn	524	Individual.
Martina Gómez de la Torre	Gómez de la Torre	516	Individual.
Emma Leamy	Leamy	518	Individual.
Representative Stephanie Bice	Rep. Bice	517	Federal Government Official.
Bill Word and David Daquin	Word and Daquin	* 521, 522	Individual.
* Comments No. 521 and 522 are identical. DOE cites comment No. 521 in this document.