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EPCA, as amended, authorizes the Secretary to determine whether establishing energy conservation standards for commercial and industrial pumps is technically feasible and economically justified and would save a significant amount of energy.  On June 13, 2013, DOE published a notice of intent to establish a negotiated rulemaking working group for the commercial and industrial pumps rulemaking under the Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (ASRAC) in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and the Negotiated Rulemaking Act (NRA) to negotiate proposed Federal standards for the energy efficiency of commercial and industrial pumps (78 FR 44036). The purpose of the working group was to discuss and, if possible, reach consensus on a proposed rule for the energy efficiency of commercial and industrial pumps. The working group negotiated standard levels that were accepted by ASRAC on July 7, 2014.  As a result, DOE has proposed to adopt the working groups' recommendations.

Statement of Need:

EPCA authorizes DOE to establish minimum energy efficiency standards for certain appliances and commercial equipment, including Commercial and Industrial Pumps.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

Title III, Part C of EPCA, Public Law 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6311-6317), established the Energy Conservation Program Certain Industrial Equipment. Pursuant to EPCA, any new or amended energy conservation standard that DOE prescribes for certain equipment, such as commercial and industrial pumps, shall be designed to achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is technologically feasible and economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6313(a)(6)(A)(ii)(II)). Furthermore, the new or amended standard must result in a significant conservation of energy. (42 U.S.C. 6313(a)(6)(A)(ii)(II)).

Alternatives:

EPCA requires DOE, in conducting a rulemaking to consider standards for commercial and industrial equipment, including pumps, to establish standards that achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that the Secretary determines is technologically feasible and economically justified. In making this determination, DOE conducts a thorough analysis of the alternative standard levels, including the existing standard, based on the criteria specified by the statute.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

DOE finds that the benefits to the Nation of the proposed energy standards for Commercial and Industrial Pumps (such as energy savings, consumer average lifecycle cost savings, an increase in national net present value, and emission reductions) outweigh the burdens (such as loss of industry net present value). DOE estimates that energy savings from electricity will be 0.28 quads over 30 years and the benefit to the Nation will be between $0.41 billion to $1.11 billion.

Risks: