Notice of Interim Waiver and Request for Waiver From Panasonic Appliances Refrigeration Systems Corporation of America Corporation (PAPRSA) From the Department of Energy Refrigerator and Refrigerator-Freezer Test Procedures

This notice announces receipt of a request for an extension to hybrid basic model PR6180WBC of a previously granted waiver and for an interim waiver from Panasonic Appliances Refrigeration Systems Corporation of America (Case No. RF-043) with respect to the U.S. Department of Energy's electric refrigerator and refrigerator-freezer test procedures. Panasonic seeks to apply the alternative test procedure for measuring the energy usage of similar hybrid wine chiller/beverage center basic models, which DOE required in response to prior waiver requests. Because of a an error discovered in the equation used to calculate the energy usage of these products, DOE has rescinded the prior waivers and is proposing to correct this equation to ensure the accuracy of the calculations provided under the alternative test procedure. DOE solicits comments on its proposed modifications to correct the procedure contained in prior waivers issued to PAPRSA. DOE has issued an interim waiver for hybrid basic model PR6180WBC and all other PAPRSA hybrid basic models previously subject to a waiver.