On September 25, 2023, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers and efficiency and consumer organizations and utilities, submitted a joint letter to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) recommending new and amended efficiency standards for various home appliances to the Department for consideration. Subsequently, DOE has received a letter in support of the joint recommendation from the States of California, Massachusetts, and New York. 

In this rulemaking, under the authority provided by 42 U.S.C. 6295(p)(4), DOE is considering issuing a direct final rule amending the energy conservation standards for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers. DOE must determine whether the standard levels were proposed by groups that are of fairly representative points of view. DOE must also evaluate whether the recommended standard achieves the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is technologically feasible and economically justified and results in significant energy conservation.