The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended, (EPCA) requires that no later than three years after the issuance of a final determination not to amend standards, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) must publish either a notice of determination that standards do not need to be amended, or a notice of proposed rulemaking including new proposed energy conservation standards. DOE is undertaking this rulemaking to determine whether amending energy conservation standards for dishwashers is technologically feasible, economically justified, and would result in significant energy savings. In the proposed rule, DOE tentatively concludes that the proposed standards represent the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is technologically feasible and economically justified and result in the significant conservation of energy.

Additionally, EPCA directs DOE to provide interested persons an opportunity to present oral and written comments on matters related to any energy conservation standard proposed rule. To satisfy this requirement, DOE held an initial public meeting in February 2021 to discuss preliminary materials and a second meeting in June 2023 to specifically discuss the proposed rule. DOE intends address any feedback provided during the March 2023 public meeting in subsequent materials.