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

Summary of the Legal Basis: Title III of EPCA sets forth a variety of provisions designed to improve energy efficiency. Part A of title III (42 U.S.C. 6291 to 6309) provides for the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other than Automobiles. EPCA directs DOE to conduct a rulemaking to establish energy conservation standards for battery chargers or determine that no energy conservation standard is technically feasible and economically justified (42 U.S.C. 6295 (u)(1)(E)(i)-(ii)and (w)(3)(D)). In addition to the existing general definition of "external power supply," EPCA defines a "Class A external power supply" (42 U.S.C. 6291(36)(C)) and sets efficiency standards for those products (42 U.S.C. 6295(u)(3)). EPCA directs DOE to publish a final rule to determine whether amended standards should be set for external power supplies or classes of external power supplies. If such determination is positive, DOE would include any amended or new standards as part of that final rule. DOE completed this determination in 2012. 75 FR 27170 (May 14, 2010)

Alternatives: The statute requires DOE 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, 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 believes that the benefits to the Nation of the proposed energy standards for battery chargers and external power supplies (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 2.16 quads over 30 years and the benefit to the Nation will be between $6.68 billion and $12.44 billion