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Statement of Need: EPCA requires minimum energy efficiency standards for appliances, which has the effect of eliminating inefficient appliances and equipment from the market.

Summary of the Legal Basis: EPCA establishes initial energy efficiency standards for most types of major residential appliances and certain commercial equipment. EPCA generally requires DOE to subsequently undertake rulemaking, at specified times, to determine whether the standard for a covered product should be made more stringent. Pursuant to EPCA, the Department has conducted prior energy efficiency standards rulemakings for residential electric and gas ranges and ovens, as well as dishwashers. In addition, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 amended EPCA to authorize the Department to establish standards for energy (and water, where appropriate) used in the operation of dehumidifiers and commercial clothes washers, as well as to authorize the Department to conduct rulemakings to assess whether higher standards are appropriate.

Alternatives: The statute requires the Department to conduct rulemakings to review standards and to revise standards to achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that the Secretary determines is technologically feasible and economically justified. In making this determination, the Department conducts a thorough analysis of the alternative standard levels, including the existing standard, based on the criteria specified by statute.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: The standard levels for residential electric and gas ranges and ovens, microwave ovens, and commercial clothes washers set forth in the notice of proposed rulemaking, if adopted, would result in energy savings of .75 quadrillion BTUs of energy (quads) over 30 years.