83 FR 11738 - Notice of Decision and Order Granting Individual Waivers to Apple Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Poin2 Lab and Hefei Bitland Information Technology Co., From the Department of Energy External Power Supplies Test Procedure
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 52 (March 16, 2018)
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 52 (March 16, 2018)
| Page Range | 11738-11740 | |
| FR Document | 2018-05364 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 52 (Friday, March 16, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 11738-11740] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-05364] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [Case Numbers EPS-001, EPS-002, EPS-003, and EPS-004] Notice of Decision and Order Granting Individual Waivers to Apple Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Poin2 Lab and Hefei Bitland Information Technology Co., From the Department of Energy External Power Supplies Test Procedure AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy (DOE). ACTION: Notice of decision and order. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice announces a Decision and Order granting Apple, Inc. (``Apple''), Microsoft Corporation (``Microsoft''), Poin2 Lab (``Poin2'') and Hefei Bitland Information Technology Co. Ltd. (``Bitland'') individual waivers from specified portions of the DOE test procedure for determining the energy efficiency of external power supplies. The petitioners are required to test and rate specifically identified external power supply basic models in accordance with the alternate test procedure described in the Decision and Order. DATES: The Decision and Order is applicable as of March 16, 2018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Lucy deButts, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Office, EE-5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 287-1604. Email: [email protected]. Mr. Michael Kido, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, Mail Stop GC-33, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0103. Telephone: (202) 586-8145. Email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 8, 2017 and June 22, 2017, the Information Technology Industry Council (``ITI''), on behalf of four petitioners Apple, Microsoft, Poin2, and Bitland--filed individual petitions for waiver under 10 CFR 430.27 from the current DOE test procedure for EPSs for several basic models of adaptive EPSs. On July 24, 2017, DOE published a notice announcing its receipt of the petitions for waiver, which also granted the petitioners interim waivers. In that notice, DOE also solicited comments from interested parties on all aspects of the petition and specified an alternate test procedure that must be followed for testing and certifying the specific basic models for which the petitioners requested a waiver. 82 FR 34294. On March 16, 2018, DOE publishes the notice announcing a Decision and Order granting a waiver to the petitioners. Issued in Washington, DC, on March 9, 2018. Kathleen B. Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Case #EPS-001, EPS-002, EPS-003, EPS-004 Decision and Order I. Background and Authority The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as amended (``EPCA'' or ``the Act''),\1\ Public Law 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6291-6317, as codified), among other things, authorizes DOE to regulate the energy efficiency of a number of consumer products and industrial equipment. Title III, Part B \2\ of EPCA established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles, a program that includes external power supplies (``EPSs''), which are the subject of this Order. (42 U.S.C. 6291(36); 42 U.S.C. 6295(u)) Under EPCA, DOE's energy conservation program consists essentially of four parts: (1) testing, (2) labeling, (3) Federal energy conservation standards, and (4) certification and enforcement procedures. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute as amended through the Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015, Public Law 114-11 (April 30, 2015). \2\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, Part B was redesignated as Part A. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Federal testing requirements consist of test procedures that manufacturers of covered products must use as the basis for: (1) certifying to DOE that their products comply with the applicable energy conservation standards adopted pursuant to EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6295(s)), and (2) making representations about the efficiency of those products (42 U.S.C. 6293(c)). Similarly, DOE must use these test procedures to determine whether a product complies with relevant standards promulgated under EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6295(s)) Under 42 U.S.C. 6293, EPCA sets forth the criteria and procedures DOE is required to follow when prescribing or amending test procedures for covered products. EPCA requires that test procedures prescribed or amended under this section must be reasonably designed to produce test results which reflect the energy efficiency, energy use or estimated annual operating cost of covered products during a representative average use cycle or period of use and requires that test procedures not be unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) The test procedure for external power supplies is contained in the Code of Federal Regulations (``CFR'') at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix Z, ``Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of External Power Supplies'' (``Appendix Z''). Under 10 CFR 430.27, any interested person may submit a petition for waiver from DOE's test procedure requirements. DOE will grant a waiver from the test procedure requirements if DOE determines either that the basic model for which the waiver was requested contains a design characteristic that prevents testing of the basic model according to the prescribed test procedures, or that the prescribed test procedures evaluate the basic model in a manner so unrepresentative of its true energy or water consumption characteristics as to provide materially inaccurate comparative data. 10 CFR 430.27(f)(2). DOE may grant the waiver subject to conditions, including adherence to alternate test procedures. Id. II. Petition for Waiver: Assertions and Determinations On June 8, 2017 and June 22, 2017, the Information Technology Industry Council (``ITI''), on behalf of four petitioners--Apple, Microsoft, Poin2, and Bitland--filed individual petitions for waiver under 10 CFR 430.27 from the current DOE test procedure for EPSs for several basic models of adaptive EPSs.\3\ The petitioners stated that the specified basic models meet the provisions of the International Electrotechincal Commission's ``Universal serial bus interfaces for data and power--Part 1-2: Common components--USB Power Delivery'' (``IEC 62680-1-2:2017'') specification.\4\ All four waiver petitions were nearly [[Page 11739]] identical in that they focused on each company's respective basic models of adaptive EPSs that utilize the IEC 62680-1-2:2017 specification and provided the same rationale for why the waiver and the suggested alternative test method detailed in each petition is necessary.\5\ The IEC specification describes the particular architecture, protocols, power supply behavior, connectors, and cabling necessary for managing power delivery over a universal serial bus (``USB'') connection at power levels of up to 100 watts (``W''). The purpose behind this specification is to help provide a standardized approach for power supply and peripheral developers to ensure backward compatibility while retaining product design and marketing flexibility. See generally, IEC 62680-1-2:2017 (Abstract) (describing the standard's general provisions and purpose). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ The following are the basic models for which the petitioners seeks a waiver: Apple--A1718, A1719, A1540; Microsoft--AC-100; Poin2--A16-045N1A; Bitland--A045R053L. \4\ International Electrotechnical Commission Universal serial bus interfaces for data and power-- Part 1-2: Common components--USB Power Delivery specification, available at https://webstore.iec.ch/publication/26174/. \5\ The petitions are available at https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EERE-2017-BT-WAV-0043. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the view of the petitioners, applying the DOE test procedure to the adaptive EPS basic models identified in their individual petitions would yield results that would be unrepresentative of the active-mode efficiency of those products. The DOE test procedure requires that the average active-mode efficiency for adaptive EPSs \6\ be measured by testing the unit twice--once at the highest achievable output voltage (``V'') and once at the lowest. The test procedure requires that active-mode efficiency be measured at four loading conditions relative to the nameplate output current of the EPS. See generally 10 CFR 430.23(bb) and Appendix Z. The lowest achievable output voltage supported by the IEC 62680-1-2:2017 specification is 5V and the nameplate current at this voltage output is 3 amps (''A''), resulting in a power output of 15W. The petitioners contend that while the IEC 62680-1-2:2017 specification requires the tested EPS to support this power output, the 15W at 5V condition will be rarely used and only for brief periods of time. Accordingly, the petitioners assert that the DOE test procedure's measurement of efficiency at this power level is unrepresentative of the true energy consumption of these EPSs. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \6\ An adaptive EPS is an EPS that can alter its output voltage during active-mode based on an established digital communication protocol with the end-use application without user-generated action. 10 CFR 430.2. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consequently, the petitioners seek a waiver from DOE to permit them to use an alternative test procedure to measure the energy efficiency of the specified adaptive EPSs by testing these devices at the lowest voltage, 5V, at an output power of 10W instead of 15W. Under the current test procedure, when testing an adaptive EPS at the lowest achievable output voltage, the measured average active mode efficiency is equal to the average efficiency of the EPS tested at 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% of the nameplate output current of the EPS at that voltage. Appendix Z, sections 2.f and 4(a)(i)(E), and Table 1. Thus, for an adaptive EPS with a lowest output voltage of 5V and a nameplate output current of 3A (resulting in a 15W output at 100% of the nameplate output current), the average active mode efficiency at the lowest output voltage would be equal to the average of the efficiencies when testing at 15W, 11.25W, 7.5W, and 3.75W. The petitioners suggested that these requirements be modified for their products when calculating the average active mode efficiency--namely, by using the average of four loading conditions representing the same respective percentages of an output current of 2A. Doing so would mean that the average active mode efficiency would equal the average of the efficiencies when testing at 10W, 7.5W, 5W, and 2.5W. The petitioners suggested taking the results from this alternative approach and comparing them against the DOE efficiency requirements at 10W. The petitioners assert that the test procedure for the lowest voltage level does not reflect actual field usage of these products. The IEC 62680-1-2:2017 specification requires USB-compliant products to support 15W at 5V but, according to the petitioners, adaptive EPSs operating at 5V do not exceed 10W for almost all usage conditions. Petitioners state that when charging a product that supports the USB power delivery requirements and is sold or intended to be used with the EPS, the IEC 62680-1-2:2017-compliant EPS charges at 5V only with a dead battery or fully charged battery (and then at 0.5A or less). At other times when more power is needed, petitioners state that the EPS will use a higher voltage rail (greater than 5V). (A ``voltage rail'' refers to a single voltage provided by the relevant power supply unit through a dedicated circuit/wire used for that voltage.) The petitioners also state that the same holds true for other end-use products that support the USB power delivery requirements manufactured by each of the respective manufacturers. The petitioners provided data to demonstrate that when using an adaptive EPS that supports the IEC 62680-1-2:2017 specification to charge an end-use product of a manufacturer different from the one who manufactured the EPS, it is likely that the product would charge at less than 10W at 5V, or may even be capable of exploiting the ability of an adaptive EPS to provide higher voltages for faster charging. The only occurrence where the adaptive EPS would be used at the full 15W at 5V is in the rare instance when used with an end-use product that does not support the USB power delivery requirements, but instead supports the ability to draw 3.0A at 5V. Accordingly, the petitioners assert that the current DOE test procedure, which requires that efficiency be measured above 10W at the lowest voltage condition, results in a measurement that is grossly unrepresentative of the actual energy consumption characteristics of the adaptive EPS being tested. On July 24, 2017, DOE published a notice announcing its receipt of the petitions for waiver, which also granted the petitioners interim waivers, solicited comments from interested parties on all aspects of the petition and specified an alternate test procedure that must be followed for testing and certifying the specific basic models for which the petitioners requested a waiver. 82 FR 34294. DOE did not receive any comments on the notice of petitions for waiver. Based on the information provided by the petitioners, DOE has determined that the current test procedure at Appendix Z would evaluate the specified adaptive EPS basic models in a manner so unrepresentative of their true energy consumption characteristics as to provide materially inaccurate comparative data. This Decision and Order specifies that each petitioner test and rate these basic models in a manner identical to that which was provided in the interim waiver. Each petitioner sought a test procedure waiver for certain basic models. This Decision and Order applies only to the basic models listed within this document and does not extend to any other basic models. Consistent with 10 CFR 430.27(j), not later than 60 days after March 16, 2018 any manufacturer currently distributing in commerce in the United States a product employing a technology or characteristic that results in the same need for a waiver from the applicable test procedure must submit a petition for waiver. Manufacturers not currently distributing such a product in commerce in the United States must petition for and be granted a waiver prior to the distribution in commerce of that product in the United States. [[Page 11740]] Manufacturers may also submit a request for interim waiver pursuant to the requirements of 10 CFR 430.27. III. Consultations With Other Agencies In accordance with 10 CFR 430.27(f)(2), DOE consulted with the Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'') staff concerning the petitioners' petition for waiver. The FTC staff did not have any objections to granting waivers to petitioners. IV. Order After careful consideration of all the material that was submitted by and on behalf of Apple, Inc. (``Apple''), Microsoft Corporation (``Microsoft''), Poin2 Lab (``Poin2''), and Hefei Bitland Information Technology Co. Ltd. (``Bitland'') in this matter, DOE grants a waiver regarding the below specified basic models. Therefore, in accordance with 10 CFR 430.27, it is ORDERED that: (1) Apple, Microsoft, Poin2, and Bitland must test and rate the external power supply basic models listed in paragraphs (1)(A) through (1)(D) of this section in accordance with the alternate test procedure set forth in paragraph (2) of this section. (A) Apple must test and rate the EPSs of Apple brand basic models A1718, A1719, A1540 as set forth in paragraph (2) of this section. (B) Microsoft must test and rate the EPSs of Microsoft brand basic model AC-100 as set forth in paragraph (2) of this section. (C) Poin2 must test and rate the EPSs of Chicony brand basic model A16-045N1A as set forth in paragraph (2) of this section. (D) Bitland must test and rate the EPSs of Chicony brand basic model A045R053L as set forth in paragraph (2) of this section. (2) The alternate test procedure for the basic models listed in paragraphs (1)(A) through (1)(D) of this section is the test procedure for EPSs prescribed by DOE at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix Z, except that under section 4(a)(i)(E) and Table 1 of Appendix Z, the adaptive EPSs must be tested such that when testing at the lowest achievable output voltage (i.e., 5V), the Nameplate Output Current shall be 2A (which corresponds to an output power of 10W at the 100% loading condition). The 75%, 50%, and 25% loading conditions shall be scaled accordingly and the nameplate output power of such an EPS, at the lowest output voltage, shall be equal to 10W. (3) Representations. Apple, Microsoft, Poin2, and Bitland must make representations about the energy use of the adaptive external power supply basic models identified in paragraph (1) of this section for compliance, marketing, or other purposes only to the extent that such products have been tested in accordance with the provisions outlined above and such representations fairly disclose the results of such testing in accordance with 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix Z and 10 CFR 429.37. (4) These waivers shall remain in effect consistent with the provisions of 10 CFR 430.27. (5) These waivers are issued on the condition that the statements, representations, and documentation provided on behalf of and by the petitioners are valid. DOE may revoke or modify these waivers at any time if it determines the factual basis underlying the petitions for waiver is incorrect, or the results from the alternate test procedure are unrepresentative of the basic models' true energy consumption characteristics. 10 CFR 430.27(k)(1). Likewise, any of the petitioners may request that DOE rescind or modify the waiver if the petitioner discovers an error in the information provided to DOE as part of its petition, determines that the waiver is no longer needed, or for other appropriate reasons. 10 CFR 430.27(k)(2) (6) Granting of these waivers does not release Apple, Microsoft, Poin2, or Bitland from the certification requirements set forth at 10 CFR part 429. Signed in Washington, DC, on March 9, 2018. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Kathleen B. Hogan, Ph.D. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. [FR Doc. 2018-05364 Filed 3-15-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
![11738 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 52 / Friday, March 16, 2018 / Notices
Issued in Washington, DC, March 12, 2018. announcing its receipt of the petitions required to follow when prescribing or
Thomas Reilly, for waiver, which also granted the amending test procedures for covered
Assistant General Counsel for International petitioners interim waivers. products. EPCA requires that test
and National Security Programs. In that notice, DOE also solicited procedures prescribed or amended
[FR Doc. 2018–05361 Filed 3–15–18; 8:45 am] comments from interested parties on all under this section must be reasonably
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
aspects of the petition and specified an designed to produce test results which
alternate test procedure that must be reflect the energy efficiency, energy use
followed for testing and certifying the or estimated annual operating cost of
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY specific basic models for which the covered products during a
petitioners requested a waiver. 82 FR representative average use cycle or
[Case Numbers EPS–001, EPS–002, EPS– 34294. On March 16, 2018, DOE
003, and EPS–004] period of use and requires that test
publishes the notice announcing a procedures not be unduly burdensome
Notice of Decision and Order Granting Decision and Order granting a waiver to to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) The
Individual Waivers to Apple Inc., the petitioners. test procedure for external power
Microsoft Corporation, Poin2 Lab and Issued in Washington, DC, on March 9, supplies is contained in the Code of
Hefei Bitland Information Technology 2018. Federal Regulations (‘‘CFR’’) at 10 CFR
Co., From the Department of Energy Kathleen B. Hogan, part 430, subpart B, appendix Z,
External Power Supplies Test Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy ‘‘Uniform Test Method for Measuring
Procedure Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable the Energy Consumption of External
Energy. Power Supplies’’ (‘‘Appendix Z’’).
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Under 10 CFR 430.27, any interested
Renewable Energy, Department of Case #EPS–001, EPS–002, EPS–003,
person may submit a petition for waiver
Energy (DOE). EPS–004
from DOE’s test procedure
ACTION: Notice of decision and order. Decision and Order requirements. DOE will grant a waiver
I. Background and Authority from the test procedure requirements if
SUMMARY: This notice announces a DOE determines either that the basic
Decision and Order granting Apple, Inc. The Energy Policy and Conservation
model for which the waiver was
(‘‘Apple’’), Microsoft Corporation Act of 1975, as amended (‘‘EPCA’’ or
requested contains a design
(‘‘Microsoft’’), Poin2 Lab (‘‘Poin2’’) and ‘‘the Act’’),1 Public Law 94–163 (42
characteristic that prevents testing of the
Hefei Bitland Information Technology U.S.C. 6291–6317, as codified), among
basic model according to the prescribed
Co. Ltd. (‘‘Bitland’’) individual waivers other things, authorizes DOE to regulate
test procedures, or that the prescribed
from specified portions of the DOE test the energy efficiency of a number of
test procedures evaluate the basic model
procedure for determining the energy consumer products and industrial
in a manner so unrepresentative of its
efficiency of external power supplies. equipment. Title III, Part B 2 of EPCA
true energy or water consumption
The petitioners are required to test and established the Energy Conservation
Program for Consumer Products Other characteristics as to provide materially
rate specifically identified external inaccurate comparative data. 10 CFR
power supply basic models in Than Automobiles, a program that
includes external power supplies 430.27(f)(2). DOE may grant the waiver
accordance with the alternate test subject to conditions, including
procedure described in the Decision and (‘‘EPSs’’), which are the subject of this
Order. (42 U.S.C. 6291(36); 42 U.S.C. adherence to alternate test procedures.
Order. Id.
6295(u)) Under EPCA, DOE’s energy
DATES: The Decision and Order is
conservation program consists II. Petition for Waiver: Assertions and
applicable as of March 16, 2018.
essentially of four parts: (1) testing, (2) Determinations
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. labeling, (3) Federal energy conservation
Lucy deButts, U.S. Department of On June 8, 2017 and June 22, 2017,
standards, and (4) certification and the Information Technology Industry
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and enforcement procedures.
Renewable Energy, Building Council (‘‘ITI’’), on behalf of four
The Federal testing requirements
Technologies Office, EE–5B, 1000 petitioners—Apple, Microsoft, Poin2,
consist of test procedures that
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, and Bitland—filed individual petitions
manufacturers of covered products must
DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202) 287– for waiver under 10 CFR 430.27 from
use as the basis for: (1) certifying to DOE
1604. Email: AS_Waiver_Requests@ the current DOE test procedure for EPSs
that their products comply with the
ee.doe.gov. for several basic models of adaptive
applicable energy conservation
Mr. Michael Kido, U.S. Department of EPSs.3 The petitioners stated that the
standards adopted pursuant to EPCA (42
Energy, Office of the General Counsel, specified basic models meet the
U.S.C. 6295(s)), and (2) making
Mail Stop GC–33, Forrestal Building, provisions of the International
representations about the efficiency of
1000 Independence Avenue SW, Electrotechincal Commission’s
those products (42 U.S.C. 6293(c)).
Washington, DC 20585–0103. ‘‘Universal serial bus interfaces for data
Similarly, DOE must use these test
Telephone: (202) 586–8145. Email: and power—Part 1–2: Common
procedures to determine whether a
Michael.Kido@hq.doe.gov. components—USB Power Delivery’’
product complies with relevant
(‘‘IEC 62680–1–2:2017’’) specification.4
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 8, standards promulgated under EPCA. (42
All four waiver petitions were nearly
2017 and June 22, 2017, the Information U.S.C. 6295(s))
Technology Industry Council (‘‘ITI’’), on Under 42 U.S.C. 6293, EPCA sets forth
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
3 The following are the basic models for which
behalf of four petitioners Apple, the criteria and procedures DOE is the petitioners seeks a waiver: Apple—A1718,
Microsoft, Poin2, and Bitland—filed A1719, A1540; Microsoft—AC–100; Poin2—A16–
individual petitions for waiver under 10 1 All references to EPCA in this document refer 045N1A; Bitland—A045R053L.
CFR 430.27 from the current DOE test to the statute as amended through the Energy 4 International Electrotechnical Commission
Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015, Public Law Universal serial bus interfaces for data and power—
procedure for EPSs for several basic 114–11 (April 30, 2015). Part 1–2: Common components—USB Power
models of adaptive EPSs. On July 24, 2 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the Delivery specification, available at https://
2017, DOE published a notice U.S. Code, Part B was redesignated as Part A. webstore.iec.ch/publication/26174/.
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![11740 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 52 / Friday, March 16, 2018 / Notices
Manufacturers may also submit a basic models identified in paragraph (1) consumption of specified combination
request for interim waiver pursuant to of this section for compliance, illuminated exit signs basic models.
the requirements of 10 CFR 430.27. marketing, or other purposes only to the Acuity is required to test and rate the
extent that such products have been specified basic models of its
III. Consultations With Other Agencies
tested in accordance with the provisions combination illuminated exit signs in
In accordance with 10 CFR outlined above and such representations accordance with the alternate test
430.27(f)(2), DOE consulted with the fairly disclose the results of such testing procedure described in the Decision and
Federal Trade Commission (‘‘FTC’’) staff in accordance with 10 CFR part 430, Order.
concerning the petitioners’ petition for subpart B, appendix Z and 10 CFR DATES: The Decision and Order is
waiver. The FTC staff did not have any 429.37. effective on March 16, 2018.
objections to granting waivers to (4) These waivers shall remain in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
petitioners. effect consistent with the provisions of Ms. Lucy deButts, U.S. Department of
IV. Order 10 CFR 430.27. Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and
(5) These waivers are issued on the Renewable Energy, Building
After careful consideration of all the condition that the statements, Technologies Office, EE–5B, 1000
material that was submitted by and on representations, and documentation Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
behalf of Apple, Inc. (‘‘Apple’’), provided on behalf of and by the DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202) 287–
Microsoft Corporation (‘‘Microsoft’’), petitioners are valid. DOE may revoke or 1604. Email: AS_Waiver_Requests@
Poin2 Lab (‘‘Poin2’’), and Hefei Bitland modify these waivers at any time if it ee.doe.gov.
Information Technology Co. Ltd. determines the factual basis underlying Ms. Jennifer Tiedeman, U.S.
(‘‘Bitland’’) in this matter, DOE grants a the petitions for waiver is incorrect, or Department of Energy, Office of the
waiver regarding the below specified the results from the alternate test General Counsel, GC–33, 1000
basic models. Therefore, in accordance procedure are unrepresentative of the Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
with 10 CFR 430.27, it is ORDERED basic models’ true energy consumption DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202) 287–
that: characteristics. 10 CFR 430.27(k)(1). 6111. Email: Jennifer.Tiedeman@
(1) Apple, Microsoft, Poin2, and Likewise, any of the petitioners may hq.doe.gov.
Bitland must test and rate the external request that DOE rescind or modify the
power supply basic models listed in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April
waiver if the petitioner discovers an 17, 2013, Acuity filed a petition for
paragraphs (1)(A) through (1)(D) of this error in the information provided to
section in accordance with the alternate waiver from the applicable illuminated
DOE as part of its petition, determines exit sign test procedure set forth in 10
test procedure set forth in paragraph (2) that the waiver is no longer needed, or
of this section. CFR 431.204. Acuity submitted an
for other appropriate reasons. 10 CFR updated petition for waiver in a letter
(A) Apple must test and rate the EPSs
430.27(k)(2) dated March 22, 2016 and further
of Apple brand basic models A1718,
(6) Granting of these waivers does not supplemented its filing in an email
A1719, A1540 as set forth in paragraph
release Apple, Microsoft, Poin2, or submitted May 1, 2017. On June 7, 2017,
(2) of this section.
Bitland from the certification DOE published a notice announcing its
(B) Microsoft must test and rate the
requirements set forth at 10 CFR part receipt of the petition for waiver. 82 FR
EPSs of Microsoft brand basic model
429. 26469. In that notice, DOE also solicited
AC–100 as set forth in paragraph (2) of
this section. Signed in Washington, DC, on March 9, comments from interested parties on all
(C) Poin2 must test and rate the EPSs 2018. aspects of the petition and specified an
of Chicony brand basic model A16– lllllllllllllllllllll alternate test procedure that must be
045N1A as set forth in paragraph (2) of Kathleen B. Hogan, Ph.D. followed for testing and certifying the
this section. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy specific basic models for which Acuity
(D) Bitland must test and rate the Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable requested a waiver. Id. On March 16,
EPSs of Chicony brand basic model Energy. 2018, DOE publishes this notice
A045R053L as set forth in paragraph (2) [FR Doc. 2018–05364 Filed 3–15–18; 8:45 am] announcing a Decision and Order
of this section. BILLING CODE 6450–01–P granting a waiver to Acuity. The notice
(2) The alternate test procedure for the includes a copy of the Decision and
basic models listed in paragraphs (1)(A) Order DOE issued to Acuity.
through (1)(D) of this section is the test DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Issued in Washington, DC, on March 9,
procedure for EPSs prescribed by DOE 2018.
at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix [Case Number IES–001]
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Z, except that under section 4(a)(i)(E) Notice of Decision and Order Granting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy
and Table 1 of Appendix Z, the adaptive a Waiver to Acuity Brands Lighting, Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
EPSs must be tested such that when Inc. From the Department of Energy Energy.
testing at the lowest achievable output Illuminated Exit Signs Test Procedure
voltage (i.e., 5V), the Nameplate Output Case #IES–001 Decision and Order
Current shall be 2A (which corresponds AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and I. Background and Authority
to an output power of 10W at the 100% Renewable Energy, Department of
loading condition). The 75%, 50%, and Energy. The Energy Policy and Conservation
25% loading conditions shall be scaled Act of 1975 (‘‘EPCA’’ or ‘‘the Act’’),1
ACTION: Notice of decision and order.
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
accordingly and the nameplate output Public Law 94–163 (42 U.S.C. 6291–
power of such an EPS, at the lowest SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of 6317, as codified), among other things,
output voltage, shall be equal to 10W. Energy (‘‘DOE’’) announces a Decision authorizes the U.S. Department of
(3) Representations. Apple, Microsoft, and Order granting Acuity Brands 1 All references to EPCA in this document refer
Poin2, and Bitland must make Lighting, Inc. (Acuity) a waiver from to the statute as amended through the EPS
representations about the energy use of specified portions of the DOE test Improvement Act of 2017, Public Law 115–115
the adaptive external power supply procedure for determining the energy (January 12, 2018).
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Document Created: 2018-03-16 01:12:05
Document Modified: 2018-03-16 01:12:05
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of decision and order. | |
| Dates | The Decision and Order is applicable as of March 16, 2018. | |
| Contact | Ms. Lucy deButts, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Office, EE-5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 287-1604. Email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 11738 |
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