This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains notices to the public of the proposedissuance of rules and regulations. Thepurpose of these notices is to give interestedpersons an opportunity to participate in therule making prior to the adoption of the finalrules.Proposed RulesFederal Register57378 
Vol. 86, No. 197 
Friday, October 15, 2021 
1All references to EPCA in this document refer 
to the statute as amended through the Energy Act 
of 2020, Public Law 116–260 (Dec. 27, 2020). DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 
10 CFR Part 430 
[EERE–2017–BT–STD–0003] 
RIN 1904–AD80 
Energy Conservation Program: Energy 
Conservation Standards for Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, and Freezers, Webinar and Availability of the Preliminary Technical Support Document 
AGENCY : Office of Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy, Department of Energy. 
ACTION : Notification of a webinar and 
availability of preliminary technical 
support document. 
SUMMARY : The U.S. Department of 
Energy (‘‘DOE’’ or ‘‘the Department’’) will hold a webinar to discuss and receive comments on the preliminary analysis it has conducted for purposes of evaluating energy conservation standards for refrigerators, refrigerator- freezers, and freezers. The webinar will cover the analytical framework, models, and tools used to evaluate potential standards for these products; the results of preliminary analyses performed for these products; the potential energy conservation standard levels derived from these analyses that could be considered for these products should DOE determine that proposed amendments are necessary; and any other issues relevant to the evaluation of energy conservation standards for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers. 
DATES : 
Meeting: DOE will hold a webinar on 
Wednesday, December 1, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. See section IV, ‘‘Public Participation,’’ for webinar registration information, participant instructions and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants. 
Comments: Written comments and 
information will be accepted on or before, December 29, 2021. ADDRESSES : Interested persons are 
encouraged to submit comments using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments. Alternatively, interested persons may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE–2017–BT–STD–0003 and/or RIN number 1904–AD80, by any of the following methods: 
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: 
www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments. 
2. Email: To 
ConsumerRefrigFreezer2017STD0003@ee.doe.gov. Include docket number 
EERE–2017–BT–STD–0003 in the subject line of the message. 
No telefacsimiles (‘‘faxes’’) will be 
accepted. For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional information on this process, see section IV of this document. 
Although DOE has routinely accepted 
public comment submissions through a variety of mechanisms, including the Federal eRulemaking Portal, email, postal mail, or hand delivery/courier, the Department has found it necessary to make temporary modifications to the comment submission process in light of the ongoing corona virus 2019 (COVID– 19) pandemic. DOE is currently suspending receipt of public comments via postal mail and hand delivery/ courier. If a commenter finds that this change poses an undue hardship, please contact Appliance Standards Program staff at (202) 586–1445 to discuss the need for alternative arrangements. Once the COVID–19 pandemic health emergency is resolved, DOE anticipates resuming all of its regular options for public comment submission, including postal mail and hand delivery/courier. 
Docket: The docket for this activity, 
which includes Federal Register notices, comments, public meeting transcripts, and other supporting documents/materials, is available for review at www.regulations.gov. All 
documents in the docket are listed in the www.regulations.gov index. 
However, some documents listed in the index, such as those containing information that is exempt from public disclosure, may not be publicly available. 
The docket web page can be found at 
www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE- 2017-BT-STD-0003. The docket web 
page contains instructions on how to access all documents, including public comments in the docket. See section IV for information on how to submit comments through www.regulations.gov. 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT : 
Dr. Stephanie Johnson, U.S. 
Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies, EE–2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202) 287– 1943. Email: ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov. 
Mr. Michael Kido, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Office of the General Counsel, GC–33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202) 586–8145. Email: Michael.Kido@hq.doe.gov. 
For further information on how to 
submit a comment, review other public comments and the docket, or participate in the webinar, contact the Appliance and Equipment Standards Program staff at (202) 287–1445 or by email: ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov. 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION : 
Table of Contents 
I. Introduction 
A. Authority 
B. Rulemaking Process 
II. Background 
A. Current Standards B. Current Process 
III. Summary of the Analyses Performed by 
DOE 
A. Engineering Analysis B. Markups Analysis C. Energy Use Analysis D. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period 
Analyses 
E. National Impact Analysis 
IV. Public Participation 
A. Participation in the Webinar 
B. Procedure for Submitting Prepared 
General Statements for Distribution 
C. Conduct of the Webinar D. Submission of Comments 
V. Approval of the Office of the Secretary 
I. Introduction 
A. Authority 
The Energy Policy and Conservation 
Act, as amended (‘‘EPCA’’),1authorizes 
the United States Department of Energy 
(‘‘DOE’’) to regulate the energy 
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2For editorial reasons, upon codification in the 
U.S. Code, Part B was redesignated Part A. 
3Written comments on the subjects described in 
this document are encouraged. To help inform 
interested parties and to facilitate this process, an agenda, a preliminary technical support document, and briefing materials are all available for review at: www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_
standards/ standards.aspx?productid=37&action=viewlive. 4On January 20, 2021, the President issued 
Executive Order 13990, Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis. Exec. Order No. 13,990, 86 FR 7037 (Jan. 25, 2021) (‘‘E.O. 13990’’). E.O. 13990 affirms the Nation’s commitment to empower our workers and communities; promote and protect our public health and the environment; and conserve our national treasures and monuments. To that end, the stated policies of E.O. 13990 include: Improving public health and protecting our environment; ensuring access to clean air and water; and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. E.O. 13990 section 1. Section 2 of E.O. 13990 directs agencies, in part, to immediately review all existing regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies, and any other similar agency actions (‘‘agency actions’’) promulgated, issued, or adopted between January 20, 2017, and January 20, 2021, that are or may be inconsistent with, or present obstacles to, the policy set forth in the Executive Order. E.O. 13990 section 2. In addition, section 2(iii) of E.O. 13990 specifically directs DOE to, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, publishing for notice and comment a proposed rule suspending, revising, or rescinding the updated Process Rule. In response to this directive, DOE has undertaken a review of the updated Process Rule at this time. See 86 FR 18901 (April 12, 2021) (proposing revisions to the current Process Rule). See also 86 FR 35668 (July 7, 2021) (proposing further revisions to the Process Rule). efficiency of a number of consumer 
products and certain industrial equipment. (42 U.S.C. 6291–6317) Title III, Part B
2of EPCA established the 
Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles. These products include refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers, the subject of this document. (42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(1)) 
EPCA prescribed energy conservation 
standards for these products (42 U.S.C. 6295(b)(1)–(2)), and directed DOE to conduct three cycles of rulemakings to determine whether to amend these standards. (42 U.S.C. 6295(b)(3)(A)(i), (b)(3)(B), and (b)(4)) DOE has completed these rulemakings. 
EPCA further provides that, not later 
than 6 years after the issuance of any final rule establishing or amending a standard, DOE must publish either a notification of determination that standards for the product do not need to be amended, or a notice of proposed rulemaking (‘‘NOPR’’) including new proposed energy conservation standards (proceeding to a final rule, as appropriate). (42 U.S.C. 6295(m)(1)) Not later than three years after issuance of a final determination not to amend standards, DOE must publish either a notice of determination that standards for the product do not need to be amended, or a NOPR including new proposed energy conservation standards (proceeding to a final rule, as appropriate). (42 U.S.C. 6295(m)(3)(B)) 
Under EPCA, any new or amended 
energy conservation standard must be designed to achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that DOE determines is technologically feasible and economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(A)) Furthermore, the new or amended standard must result in a significant conservation of energy. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)(B)) 
DOE is publishing this Preliminary 
Analysis to collect data and information to inform its decision consistent with its obligations under EPCA.
3 
B. Rulemaking Process 
DOE must follow specific statutory 
criteria for prescribing new or amended standards for covered products, including refrigerators, refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers. EPCA requires that any new or amended energy conservation standard prescribed by the Secretary of Energy (‘‘Secretary’’) be designed to achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency (or water efficiency for certain products specified by EPCA) that is technologically feasible and economically justified. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(A)) Furthermore, DOE may not adopt any standard that would not result in the significant conservation of energy. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)) The Secretary may not prescribe an amended or new standard that will not result in significant conservation of energy, or is not technologically feasible or economically justified. (Id.) 
On February 14, 2020, DOE published 
an update to its procedures, interpretations, and policies for consideration in new or revised energy conservation standards and test procedure, i.e., ‘‘Procedures, 
Interpretations, and Policies for Consideration of New or Revised Energy Conservation Standards and Test Procedures for Consumer Products and Certain Commercial/Industrial Equipment’’ (see 10 CFR part 430, subpart C, appendix A (‘‘Process Rule,’’)).
485 FR 8626. In the current 
Process Rule, DOE applies a significance threshold for energy savings under which DOE employs a two-step approach that considers both an absolute site energy savings threshold and a percentage reduction threshold in the energy use of the covered product (or equipment). See Process Rule, Sec. 6(b). 
DOE first evaluates the projected 
energy savings from a potential maximum technologically feasible (‘‘max-tech’’) standard over a 30-year period against a site-based energy savings threshold of 0.3 quad. Process Rule, Sec. 6(b)(2). If the 0.3 quad threshold is not met, DOE then compares the max-tech savings to the total energy usage of the covered product to calculate a percentage reduction in energy usage. Process Rule, Sec. 6(b)(3). If this comparison does not yield a reduction in site energy use of at least 10 percent over a 30-year period, the analysis will end and DOE will propose to determine that no significant energy savings would likely result from setting new or amended standards. Process Rule, Sec. 6(b)(4). If either one of the thresholds is reached, DOE will conduct analyses to ascertain whether a standard can be prescribed that produces the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is both technologically feasible and economically justified and still constitutes significant energy savings at the level determined to be economically justified. Process Rule, Sec. 6(b)(5). This two-step approach currently serves as the means for enabling DOE to help ensure it avoids setting a standard that ‘‘will not result in significant conservation of energy.’’ (42 U.S.C. 
6295(o)(3)(B)) 
EPCA defines ‘‘energy efficiency’’ as 
the ratio of the useful output of services from a consumer product to the energy use of such product, measured 
according to the Federal test procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6291(5), emphasis added) EPCA defines ‘‘energy use’’ as the quantity of energy directly consumed by a consumer product at point of use, as measured by the Federal test procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6291(4)) Further, EPCA uses a household energy consumption metric as a threshold for setting standards for newly covered products. See 42 U.S.C. 6295(l)(1). See also 42 U.S.C. 6292(b) (authorizing the Secretary to classify a type of consumer product as a covered product provided certain criteria are met). Given this context, DOE relies on site energy as the appropriate metric for evaluating the significance of energy savings. 
To determine whether a standard is 
economically justified, EPCA requires that DOE determine whether the benefits of the standard exceed its burdens by considering, to the greatest extent practicable, the following seven factors: 
(1) The economic impact of the standard 
on the manufacturers and consumers of the 
products subject to the standard; 
(2) The savings in operating costs 
throughout the estimated average life of the covered products in the type (or class) 
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compared to any increase in the price, initial 
charges, or maintenance expenses for the covered products that are likely to result from the standard; 
(3) The total projected amount of energy (or 
as applicable, water) savings likely to result 
directly from the standard; 
(4) Any lessening of the utility or the 
performance of the products likely to result from the standard; (5) The impact of any lessening of 
competition, as determined in writing by the 
Attorney General, that is likely to result from the standard; 
(6) The need for national energy and water 
conservation; and 
(7) Other factors the Secretary of Energy 
(Secretary) considers relevant. 
(42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(i)(I)–(VII)) DOE fulfills these and other 
applicable requirements by conducting 
a series of analyses throughout the rulemaking process. Table I.1 shows the individual analyses that are performed to satisfy each of the requirements within EPCA. 
TABLE I.1—EPCA R EQUIREMENTS AND CORRESPONDING DOE A NALYSIS  
EPCA requirement Corresponding DOE analysis 
Significant Energy Savings ..................................................................................................... .... •Shipments Analysis. 
•National Impact Analysis. 
•Energy Use Analysis. 
Technological Feasibility ...................................................................................................... ....... •Market and Technology Assessment. 
•Screening Analysis. 
•Engineering Analysis. 
Economic Justification: 
1. Economic impact on manufacturers and consumers ...................................................... •Manufacturer Impact Analysis. 
•Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analysis. 
•Life-Cycle Cost Subgroup Analysis. 
•Shipments Analysis. 
2. Lifetime operating cost savings compared to increased cost for the product ................ •Markups for Product Price Analysis. 
•Energy Use Analysis. 
•Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period Analysis. 
3. Total projected energy savings ....................................................................................... •Shipments Analysis. 
•National Impact Analysis. 
4. Impact on utility or performance ..................................................................................... •Screening Analysis. 
•Engineering Analysis. 
5. Impact of any lessening of competition .......................................................................... •Manufacturer Impact Analysis. 
6. Need for national energy and water conservation .......................................................... •Shipments Analysis. 
•National Impact Analysis. 
7. Other factors the Secretary considers relevant .............................................................. •Employment Impact Analysis. 
•Utility Impact Analysis. 
•Emissions Analysis. 
•Monetization of Emission Reductions Benefits. 
•Regulatory Impact Analysis. 
Further, EPCA establishes a rebuttable 
presumption that a standard is 
economically justified if the Secretary finds that the additional cost to the consumer of purchasing a product complying with an energy conservation standard level will be less than three times the value of the energy savings during the first year that the consumer will receive as a result of the standard, as calculated under the applicable test procedure. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(B)(iii)) 
EPCA also contains what is known as 
an ‘‘anti-backsliding’’ provision, which prevents the Secretary from prescribing any amended standard that either increases the maximum allowable energy use or decreases the minimum required energy efficiency of a covered product. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(1)) Also, the Secretary may not prescribe an amended or new standard if interested persons have established by a preponderance of the evidence that the standard is likely to result in the unavailability in the United States in any covered product type (or class) of performance characteristics (including reliability), features, sizes, capacities, and volumes that are substantially the same as those generally available in the United States. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(4)) 
Additionally, EPCA specifies 
requirements when promulgating an energy conservation standard for a covered product that has two or more subcategories. DOE must specify a different standard level for a type or class of product that has the same function or intended use, if DOE determines that products within such group: (A) Consume a different kind of energy from that consumed by other covered products within such type (or class); or (B) have a capacity or other performance-related feature which other products within such type (or class) do not have and such feature justifies a higher or lower standard. (42 U.S.C. 6295(q)(1)) In determining whether a performance-related feature justifies a different standard for a group of products, DOE must consider such factors as the utility to the consumer of the feature and other factors DOE deems appropriate. Id. Any rule prescribing 
such a standard must include an explanation of the basis on which such higher or lower level was established. (42 U.S.C. 6295(q)(2)) 
Finally, pursuant to the amendments 
contained in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (‘‘EISA 2007’’), Public Law 110–140, any final rule for new or amended energy conservation standards promulgated after July 1, 2010, is required to address standby mode and off mode energy use. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(3)) Specifically, when DOE adopts a standard for a covered product after that date, it must, if justified by the criteria for adoption of standards under EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)), incorporate standby mode and off mode energy use into a single standard, or, if that is not feasible, adopt a separate standard for such energy use for that product. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(3)(A)–(B)) DOE’s current test procedures for refrigerators, refrigerator- freezers, and freezers measure the energy use of these products during extended time periods that include periods when the compressor and other key components are cycled off. All of the energy these products use during the ‘‘off cycles’’ is already included in the 
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measurements. By measuring the energy 
use during ‘‘off cycles,’’ the current test procedures already address EPCA’s requirement to include standby mode and off mode energy consumption in the overall energy descriptor. As a result, DOE’s current energy conservation standards and any amended energy conservation standards would account for such energy use. 
Before proposing a standard, DOE 
seeks public input on the analytical 
framework, models, and tools that DOE intends to use to evaluate standards for the product at issue and the results of the preliminary analyses DOE 
performed for the product. 
DOE is examining whether to amend 
the current standards pursuant to its obligations under EPCA. This document announces the availability of the preliminary technical support document (‘‘TSD’’), which details the preliminary analyses and summarizes the preliminary results of DOE’s analyses. In addition, DOE is announcing a public 
meeting to solicit feedback from interested parties on its analytical framework, models, and preliminary results. II. Background 
A. Current Standards 
In a final rule published on 
September 15, 2011 (‘‘September 2011 
Final Rule’’), DOE prescribed the current energy conservation standards for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers manufactured on and after September 15, 2014. 76 FR 57516. These standards are set forth in DOE’s regulations at 10 CFR part 430, section 32(a) and are repeated in Table II.1. 
TABLE II.1—F EDERAL ENERGY CONSERVATION STANDARDS FOR REFRIGERATORS , REFRIGERATOR -FREEZERS , AND 
FREEZERS  
Product class Equations for maximum energy use 
(kWh/yr) 
Based on AV 
(ft3) Based on av 
(L) 
1. Refrigerator-freezers and refrigerators other than all-refrigerators with manual defrost ................... 7.99AV + 225.0 0.282av + 225.0 
1A. All-refrigerators—manual defrost ..................................................................................................... 6.79AV + 193.6 0.240av + 193.6 
2. Refrigerator-freezers—partial automatic defrost ................................................................................ 7.99AV + 225.0 0.282av + 225.0 
3. Refrigerator-freezers—automatic defrost with top-mounted freezer without an automatic icemaker 8.07AV + 233.7 0.285av + 233. 7 
3–BI. Built-in refrigerator-freezer—automatic defrost with top-mounted freezer without an automatic 
icemaker.9.15AV + 264.9 0.323av + 264.9 
3I. Refrigerator-freezers—automatic defrost with top-mounted freezer with an automatic icemaker 
without through-the-door ice service.8.07AV + 317.7 0.285av + 317.7 
3I–BI. Built-in refrigerator-freezers—automatic defrost with top-mounted freezer with an automatic 
icemaker without through-the-door ice service.9.15AV + 348.9 0.323av + 348.9 
3A. All-refrigerators—automatic defrost .................................................................................................. 7.07AV + 201.6 0.250av + 201.6 
3A–BI. Built-in All-refrigerators—automatic defrost ................................................................................ 8.02AV + 228.5 0.283av + 228.5 
4. Refrigerator-freezers—automatic defrost with side-mounted freezer without an automatic ice-
maker.8.51AV + 297.8 0.301av + 297.8 
4–BI. Built-In Refrigerator-freezers—automatic defrost with side-mounted freezer without an auto-
matic icemaker.10.22AV + 357.4 0.361av + 357.4 
4I. Refrigerator-freezers—automatic defrost with side-mounted freezer with an automatic icemaker 
without through-the-door ice service.8.51AV + 381.8 0.301av + 381.8 
4I–BI. Built-In Refrigerator-freezers—automatic defrost with side-mounted freezer with an automatic 
icemaker without through-the-door ice service.10.22AV + 441.4 0.361av + 441.4 
5. Refrigerator-freezers—automatic defrost with bottom-mounted freezer without an automatic ice-
maker.8.85AV + 317.0 0.312av + 317.0 
5–BI. Built-In Refrigerator-freezers—automatic defrost with bottom-mounted freezer without an auto-
matic icemaker.9.40AV + 336.9 0.332av + 336.9 
5I. Refrigerator-freezers—automatic defrost with bottom-mounted freezer with an automatic ice-
maker without through-the-door ice service.8.85AV + 401.0 0.312av + 401.0 
5I–BI. Built-In Refrigerator-freezers—automatic defrost with bottom-mounted freezer with an auto-
matic icemaker without through-the-door ice service.9.40AV + 420.9 0.332av + 420.9 
5A. Refrigerator-freezer—automatic defrost with bottom-mounted freezer with through-the-door ice 
service.9.25AV + 475.4 0.327av + 475.4 
5A–BI. Built-in refrigerator-freezer—automatic defrost with bottom-mounted freezer with through-the- 
door ice service.9.83AV + 499.9 0.347av + 499.9 
6. Refrigerator-freezers—automatic defrost with top-mounted freezer with through-the-door ice serv-
ice.8.40AV + 385.4 0.297av + 385.4 
7. Refrigerator-freezers—automatic defrost with side-mounted freezer with through-the-door ice 
service.8.54AV + 432.8 0.302av + 432.8 
7–BI. Built-In Refrigerator-freezers—automatic defrost with side-mounted freezer with through-the- 
door ice service.10.25AV + 502.6 0.362av + 502.6 
8. Upright freezers with manual defrost ................................................................................................. 5.57AV + 193.7 0.197av + 193.7 
9. Upright freezers with automatic defrost without an automatic icemaker ........................................... 8.62AV + 228.3 0.305av + 228.3 
9I. Upright freezers with automatic defrost with an automatic icemaker ............................................... 8.62AV + 312.3 0.305av + 312.3 
9–BI. Built-In Upright freezers with automatic defrost without an automatic icemaker ......................... 9.86AV + 260.9 0.348av + 260.9 
9I–BI. Built-in upright freezers with automatic defrost with an automatic icemaker .............................. 9.86AV + 344.9 0.348av + 344.9 
10. Chest freezers and all other freezers except compact freezers ...................................................... 7.29AV + 107.8 0.257av + 107.8 
10A. Chest freezers with automatic defrost ........................................................................................... 10.24AV + 148.1 0.362av + 148.1 
11. Compact refrigerator-freezers and refrigerators other than all-refrigerators with manual defrost ... 9.03AV + 252.3 0.319av + 252.3 
11A.Compact all-refrigerators—manual defrost ..................................................................................... 7.84AV + 219.1 0.277av + 219.1 
12. Compact refrigerator-freezers—partial automatic defrost ................................................................ 5.91AV + 335.8 0.209av + 335.8 
13. Compact refrigerator-freezers—automatic defrost with top-mounted freezer .................................. 11.80AV + 339.2 0.417av + 339.2 
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5Because the projected price of standards- 
compliant products is typically higher than the 
price of baseline products, using the same markup for the incremental cost and the baseline cost would result in higher per-unit operating profit. While such an outcome is possible, DOE maintains that in markets that are reasonably competitive it is unlikely that standards would lead to a sustainable increase in profitability in the long run. TABLE II.1—F EDERAL ENERGY CONSERVATION STANDARDS FOR REFRIGERATORS , REFRIGERATOR -FREEZERS , AND 
FREEZERS —Continued 
Product class Equations for maximum energy use 
(kWh/yr) 
Based on AV 
(ft3) Based on av 
(L) 
13I. Compact refrigerator-freezers—automatic defrost with top-mounted freezer with an automatic 
icemaker.11.80AV + 423.2 0.417av + 423.2 
13A. Compact all-refrigerators—automatic defrost ................................................................................ 9.17AV + 259.3 0.324av + 259.3 
14. Compact refrigerator-freezers—automatic defrost with side-mounted freezer ................................ 6.82AV + 456.9 0.241av + 456.9 
14I. Compact refrigerator-freezers—automatic defrost with side-mounted freezer with an automatic 
icemaker.6.82AV + 540.9 0.241av + 540.9 
15. Compact refrigerator-freezers—automatic defrost with bottom-mounted freezer ............................ 11.80AV + 339.2 0.417av + 339.2 
15I. Compact refrigerator-freezers—automatic defrost with bottom-mounted freezer with an auto-
matic icemaker.11.80AV + 423.2 0.417av + 423.2 
16. Compact upright freezers with manual defrost ................................................................................ 8.65AV + 225.7 0.306av + 225.7 
17. Compact upright freezers with automatic defrost ............................................................................. 10.17AV + 351.9 0.359av + 351.9 
18. Compact chest freezers .................................................................................................................... 9.25AV + 136.8 0.327av + 136.8 
AV = Total adjusted volume, expressed in ft3, as determined in appendices A and B of subpart B of 10 CFR pat 430. 
av = Total adjusted volume, expressed in Liters. 
B. Current Process 
On November 15, 2019, DOE 
published a request for information 
(‘‘RFI’’) to collect data and information to help DOE determine whether amended standards for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers would result in a significant amount of additional energy savings and whether those standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified. 84 FR 62470 (‘‘November 2019 RFI’’). 
Comments received to date as part of 
the current process have helped DOE identify and resolve issues related to the preliminary analyses. Chapter 2 of the preliminary TSD summarizes and addresses the comments received. 
III. Summary of the Analyses 
Performed by DOE 
For the products covered in this 
preliminary analysis, DOE conducted in-depth technical analyses in the following areas: (1) Engineering; (2) markups to determine product price; (3) energy use; (4) life cycle cost (‘‘LCC’’) and payback period (‘‘PBP’’); and (5) national impacts. The preliminary TSD that presents the methodology and results of each of these analyses is available at www.regulations.gov/ docket/EERE-2017-BT-STD-0003. 
DOE also conducted, and has 
included in the preliminary TSD, several other analyses that support the major analyses or are preliminary analyses that will be expanded if DOE determines that a NOPR is warranted to propose amended energy conservation standards. These analyses include: (1) The market and technology assessment; (2) the screening analysis, which contributes to the engineering analysis; and (3) the shipments analysis, which 
contributes to the LCC and PBP analysis and the national impact analysis (‘‘NIA’’). In addition to these analyses, DOE has begun preliminary work on the manufacturer impact analysis and has identified the methods to be used for the consumer subgroup analysis, the emissions analysis, the employment impact analysis, the regulatory impact analysis, and the utility impact analysis. DOE will expand on these analyses in the NOPR should one be issued. 
A. Engineering Analysis 
The purpose of the engineering 
analysis is to establish the relationship 
between the efficiency and cost of refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers. There are two elements to consider in the engineering analysis; the selection of efficiency levels to analyze (i.e., the ‘‘efficiency analysis’’) and the 
determination of product cost at each efficiency level (i.e., the ‘‘cost 
analysis’’). In determining the performance of higher-efficiency products, DOE considers technologies and design option combinations not eliminated by the screening analysis. 
For each product class, DOE estimates the baseline cost, as well as the incremental cost for the product/ equipment at efficiency levels above the baseline. The output of the engineering analysis is a set of cost-efficiency ‘‘curves’’ that are used in downstream analyses (i.e., the LCC and PBP analyses 
and the NIA). 
See Chapter 5 of the preliminary TSD 
for additional detail on the engineering analysis. 
B. Markups Analysis 
The markups analysis develops 
appropriate markups (e.g., retailer markups, distributor markups, 
contractor markups) in the distribution chain and sales taxes to convert manufacturer production cost (‘‘MPC’’) estimates derived in the engineering analysis to consumer prices, which are then used in the LCC and PBP analysis and in the manufacturer impact analysis. At each step in the distribution channel, companies mark up the price of the product to cover business costs and profit margin. 
DOE developed baseline and 
incremental markups for each actor in the distribution chain. Baseline markups are applied to the price of products with baseline efficiency, while incremental markups are applied to the difference in price between baseline and higher-efficiency models (the incremental cost increase). The incremental markup is typically less than the baseline markup and is designed to maintain similar per-unit operating profit before and after new or amended standards.
5 
Chapter 6 of the preliminary TSD 
provides details on DOE’s development of markups for refrigerators, refrigerator- freezers, and freezers. 
C. Energy Use Analysis 
The purpose of the energy use 
analysis is to determine the annual 
energy consumption of refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers at different efficiencies in representative 
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6The NIA accounts for impacts in the 50 states 
and U.S. territories. U.S. single-family homes, multi-family 
residences, and commercial buildings, and to assess the energy savings potential of increased efficiencies for these products. The energy use analysis estimates the range of energy use of refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers in the field (i.e., as they are 
actually used by consumers). The energy use analysis provides the basis for other analyses DOE performed, particularly assessments of the energy savings and the savings in consumer operating costs that could result from adoption of amended or new standards. 
Chapter 7 of the preliminary TSD 
addresses the energy use analysis. 
D. Life-Cycle Cost and Payback Period 
Analyses 
The effect of new or amended energy 
conservation standards on individual consumers usually involves a reduction in operating cost and an increase in purchase cost. DOE used the following two metrics to measure consumer impacts: 
•The LCC is the total consumer 
expense of an appliance or product over the life of that product, consisting of total installed cost (manufacturer selling price, distribution chain markups, sales tax, and installation costs) plus operating costs (expenses for energy use, maintenance, and repair). To compute the operating costs, DOE discounts future operating costs to the time of purchase and sums them over the lifetime of the product. 
•The PBP is the estimated amount of 
time (in years) it takes consumers to recover the increased purchase cost (including installation) of a more- efficient product through lower operating costs. DOE calculates the PBP by dividing the change in purchase cost at higher efficiency levels by the change in annual operating cost for the year that amended or new standards are assumed to take effect. 
Chapter 8 of the preliminary TSD 
addresses the LCC and PBP analyses. 
E. National Impact Analysis 
The NIA estimates the national energy 
savings (‘‘NES’’) and the net present 
value (‘‘NPV’’) of total consumer costs and savings expected to result from amended standards at specific efficiency levels (referred to as candidate standard levels).
6DOE calculates the NES and 
NPV for the potential standard levels considered based on projections of annual product shipments, along with the annual energy consumption and total installed cost data from the energy use and LCC analyses. For the present 
analysis, DOE projected the energy savings, operating cost savings, product costs, and NPV of consumer benefits over the lifetime of refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers sold from 2027 through 2056. 
DOE evaluates the impacts of new or 
amended standards by comparing a case without such standards with standards- case projections. The no-new-standards case characterizes energy use and consumer costs for each product class in the absence of new or amended energy conservation standards. For this projection, DOE considers historical trends in efficiency and various forces that are likely to affect the mix of efficiencies over time. DOE compares the no-new-standards case with projections characterizing the market for each product class if DOE adopted new or amended standards at specific energy efficiency levels for that class. For each efficiency level, DOE considers how a given standard would likely affect the market shares of those products with efficiencies greater than the standard. 
DOE uses a spreadsheet model to 
calculate the energy savings and the national consumer costs and savings 
from each efficiency level. Interested parties can review DOE’s analyses by changing various input quantities within the spreadsheet. The NIA spreadsheet model uses typical values (as opposed to probability distributions) as inputs. Critical inputs to this analysis include shipments projections, estimated product lifetimes, product installed costs and operating costs, product annual energy consumption, the base case efficiency projection, and discount rates. 
DOE estimates a combined total of 
3.34 quads of site energy savings would result at the max-tech efficiency levels for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers. Combined site energy savings at Efficiency Level 1 for all product classes are estimated to be 1.01 quads. Therefore, DOE has determined that the potential available energy savings for refrigerators, refrigerator- freezers, and freezers are more than the 0.3 quads of site energy threshold established by the Process Rule and thus are considered significant under EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)(B)) 
Chapter 10 of the preliminary TSD 
addresses the NIA. 
IV. Public Participation 
DOE invites public participation in 
this process through participation in the 
webinar and submission of written comments and information. After the webinar and the closing of the comment period, DOE will consider all timely- submitted comments and additional 
information obtained from interested parties, as well as information obtained through further analyses. Following such consideration, the Department will publish either a determination that the standards for refrigerators, refrigerator- freezers, and freezers need not be amended or a NOPR proposing to amend those standards. The NOPR, should one be issued, would include proposed energy conservation standards for the products covered by that rulemaking, and members of the public would be given an opportunity to submit written and oral comments on the proposed standards. 
A. Participation in the Webinar 
The time and date for the webinar 
meeting are listed in the 
DATES section 
at the beginning of this document. 
Webinar registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants will be published on DOE’s website:www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/ public-meetings-and-comment- deadlines. Participants are responsible 
for ensuring their systems are compatible with the webinar software. 
B. Procedure for Submitting Prepared 
General Statements for Distribution 
Any person who has an interest in the 
topics addressed in this notice, or who is representative of a group or class of persons that has an interest in these 
issues, may request an opportunity to make an oral presentation at the webinar. Such persons may submit such request to ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov. Persons who wish to speak 
should include with their request a computer file in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or text (ASCII) file format that briefly describes the nature of their interest in this rulemaking and the topics they wish to discuss. Such persons should also provide a daytime telephone number where they can be reached. 
Persons requesting to speak should 
briefly describe the nature of their interest in this rulemaking and provide a telephone number for contact. DOE requests persons selected to make an oral presentation to submit an advance copy of their statements at least two weeks before the webinar. At its discretion, DOE may permit persons who cannot supply an advance copy of their statement to participate, if those persons have made advance alternative arrangements with the Building Technologies Office. As necessary, requests to give an oral presentation 
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should ask for such alternative 
arrangements. 
C. Conduct of the Webinar 
DOE will designate a DOE official to 
preside at the webinar and may also use 
a professional facilitator to aid discussion. The meeting will not be a judicial or evidentiary-type public hearing, but DOE will conduct it in accordance with section 336 of EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6306). A court reporter will be present to record the proceedings and prepare a transcript. DOE reserves the right to schedule the order of presentations and to establish the procedures governing the conduct of the webinar. There shall not be discussion of proprietary information, costs or prices, market share, or other commercial matters regulated by U.S. anti-trust laws. After the webinar and until the end of the comment period, interested parties may submit further comments on the proceedings and any aspect of the rulemaking. 
The webinar will be conducted in an 
informal, conference style. DOE will present summaries of comments received before the webinar, allow time for prepared general statements by participants, and encourage all interested parties to share their views on issues affecting this rulemaking. Each participant will be allowed to make a general statement (within time limits determined by DOE), before the discussion of specific topics. DOE will permit, as time permits, other participants to comment briefly on any 
general statements. 
At the end of all prepared statements 
on a topic, DOE will permit participants to clarify their statements briefly. Participants should be prepared to answer questions by DOE and by other participants concerning these issues. DOE representatives may also ask questions of participants concerning other matters relevant to this rulemaking. The official conducting the webinar/public meeting will accept additional comments or questions from those attending, as time permits. The presiding official will announce any further procedural rules or modification of the above procedures that may be needed for the proper conduct of the webinar. 
A transcript of the webinar will be 
included in the docket, which can be viewed as described in the Docket section at the beginning of this notice. In addition, any person may buy a copy of the transcript from the transcribing reporter. D. Submission of Comments 
DOE invites all interested parties, 
regardless of whether they participate in 
the public meeting, to submit in writing by December 29, 2021, comments and information on matters addressed in this notification and on other matters relevant to DOE’s consideration of amended energy conservations standards for refrigerators, refrigerator- freezers, and freezers. Interested parties may submit comments, data, and other information using any of the methods described in the 
ADDRESSES section at 
the beginning of this document. 
Submitting comments via 
www.regulations.gov. The 
www.regulations.gov web page will 
require you to provide your name and contact information. Your contact information will be viewable to DOE Building Technologies staff only. Your contact information will not be publicly viewable except for your first and last names, organization name (if any), and submitter representative name (if any). If your comment is not processed properly because of technical difficulties, DOE will use this information to contact you. If DOE cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, DOE may not be able to consider your comment. 
However, your contact information 
will be publicly viewable if you include it in the comment itself or in any documents attached to your comment. Any information that you do not want to be publicly viewable should not be included in your comment, nor in any document attached to your comment. If this instruction is followed, persons viewing comments will see only first and last names, organization names, correspondence containing comments, and any documents submitted with the comments. 
Do not submit to 
www.regulations.gov. information for 
which disclosure is restricted by statute, such as trade secrets and commercial or financial information (hereinafter referred to as Confidential Business Information (CBI). Comments submitted through www.regulations.gov cannot be 
claimed as CBI. Comments received through the website will waive any CBI claims for the information submitted. For information on submitting CBI, see the Confidential Business Information section. 
DOE processes submissions made 
through www.regulations.gov before 
posting. Normally, comments will be posted within a few days of being submitted. However, if large volumes of comments are being processed simultaneously, your comment may not be viewable for up to several weeks. Please keep the comment tracking number that www.regulations.gov provides after you have successfully uploaded your comment. 
Submitting comments via email. 
Comments and documents submitted via email also will be posted to www.regulations.gov. If you do not want 
your personal contact information to be publicly viewable, do not include it in your comment or any accompanying documents. Instead, provide your contact information in a cover letter. Include your first and last names, email address, telephone number, and optional mailing address. The cover letter will not be publicly viewable as long as it does not include any comments. 
Include contact information each time 
you submit comments, data, documents, and other information to DOE. No faxes will be accepted. 
Comments, data, and other 
information submitted to DOE electronically should be provided in PDF (preferred), Microsoft Word or Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file format. Provide documents that are not secured, that are written in English, and that are free of any defects or viruses. Documents should not contain special characters or any form of encryption and, if possible, they should carry the electronic signature of the author. 
Campaign form letters. Please submit 
campaign form letters by the originating organization in batches of between 50 to 500 form letters per PDF or as one form letter with a list of supporters’ names compiled into one or more PDFs. This reduces comment processing and posting time. 
Confidential Business Information. 
Pursuant to 10 CFR 1004.11, any person submitting information that he or she believes to be confidential and exempt by law from public disclosure should submit via email two well-marked copies: One copy of the document marked ‘‘confidential’’ including all the information believed to be confidential, and one copy of the document marked ‘‘non-confidential’’ with the information believed to be confidential deleted. DOE will make its own determination about the confidential status of the information and treat it according to its determination. 
It is DOE’s policy that all comments 
may be included in the public docket, without change and as received, including any personal information provided in the comments (except information deemed to be exempt from public disclosure). 
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1Sections 3652 (a) through (c) of title 39 of the 
United States Code describes reports that the Postal 
Service is required to provide to the Commission to enable the evaluation of Postal Service compliance with the requirements and standards of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA). Section 3652(e) authorizes the Commission to prescribe the form and content of the Postal Service’s reports and to initiate proceedings to improve the quality, accuracy and completeness of the data provided. 
2See Docket No. RM2011–3, Notice and Order of 
Proposed Rulemaking on Periodic Reporting, November 18, 2010 (Order No. 589). The Notice and Order of Proposed Rulemaking on Periodic Reporting was published in the Federal Register on November 24, 2010. See 79 FR 71643 (November 
24, 2010). 
3See Docket No. RM2011–3, Order Setting Near- 
Term Priorities and Requesting Related Reports, January 18, 2013 (Order No. 1626). 
4Order No. 1626 at 3. Within those four study 
areas, the Commission identified specific issues that were more appropriately considered in the medium-term or long-term. See, e.g., id. at 7 (whether the regression model of purchased transportation cost variability would benefit from further refinement). 
5See Docket No. RM2015–7, Order Approving 
Analytical Principles Used in Periodic Reporting (Proposal Thirteen), October 29, 2015 (Order No. 2792). A second proposed change to city carrier street time analytical principles was rejected. See 
Docket No. RM2015–2, Order Denying Changes in Analytical Principles Used in Periodic Reporting (Proposal Nine), September 22, 2016 (Order No. 3526). 
6See Docket No. RM2014–6, Order on Analytical 
Principles Used in Periodic Reporting (Proposals Three through Eight), September 10, 2014, at 15, 27 (Order No. 2180). 
7See Docket No. RM2011–3, Order Closing 
Docket, November 3, 2015, at 5 (Order No. 2798). At the time it closed the docket, the Commission stated its anticipation that studies of cost attribution of postmaster and window service time might be revisited in future dockets after full implementation of the Postal Service’s POStPlan. Order No. 2798 at 5. POStPlan was an initiative by the Postal Service ‘‘to match post office retail hours with workload.’’ Docket No. N2012–2, Advisory Opinion on Post Office Structure Plan, August 23, 2012. The Postal Service subsequently submitted a proposal to change the analytical principles involving postmaster cost variabilities. See Docket No. 
RM2020–2, Petition of the United States Postal Service for the Initiation of a Proceeding to Consider Proposed Changes in Analytical Principles (Proposal Ten), November 29, 2019. That proposal is discussed infra. 
8See Docket No. PI2017–1, Notice and Order 
Establishing Docket Concerning City Carrier Special Purpose and Letter Route Costs and to Seek Public Comment, May 31, 2017, at 65–66 (Order No. 3926). The Notice and Order Establishing Docket Concerning City Carrier Special Purpose and Letter Route Costs and to Seek Public Comment was published in the Federal Register on June 6, 2017. See 82 FR 26146 (June 6, 2017). 
9Docket No. PI2017–1, Interim Order, November 
2, 2018 (Order No. 4869). V. Approval of the Office of the 
Secretary 
The Secretary of Energy has approved 
publication of this notification of a webinar and availability of preliminary technical support document. 
Signing Authority 
This document of the Department of 
Energy was signed on October 7, 2021, 
by Kelly Speakes-Backman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary 
of Energy. That document with the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the document in electronic format for publication, as an official document of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the Federal Register. 
Signed in Washington, DC, on October 8, 
2021. 
Treena V. Garrett, Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. 
Department of Energy. 
[FR Doc. 2021–22317 Filed 10–14–21; 8:45 am] 
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P 
POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION 
39 CFR Part 3055 
[Docket No. RM2022–1; Order No. 6004] 
Service Performance and Customer 
Satisfaction Reporting 
AGENCY : Postal Regulatory Commission. 
ACTION : Notice of proposed rulemaking. 
SUMMARY : The Commission is 
considering possible improvements to the quality, accuracy, or completeness of data provided by the Postal Service in its annual compliance reports. This notice informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps. 
DATES : Comments are due: March 25, 
2022. 
ADDRESSES : Submit comments 
electronically via the Commission’s Filing Online system at http://www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit 
comments electronically should contact the person identified in the 
FOR FURTHER  
INFORMATION CONTACT section by 
telephone for advice on filing alternatives. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT : 
David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 202–789–6820. 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION : 
Table of Contents 
I. Background 
II. Developments Since the Conclusion of the 
Docket No. RM2011–3 Rulemaking 
III. Procedures To Be Followed in This 
Proceeding 
IV. Ordering Paragraphs 
Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3652(e), the 
Commission is establishing this 
proceeding to consider possible improvements to the quality, accuracy, or completeness of data provided by the Postal Service in its annual compliance reports.
1 
I. Background 
This is the second such proceeding 
initiated by the Commission.2In the 
first proceeding, the Commission identified four study areas as near-term priorities for further research.
3Those 
four study areas were: The reestimation of volume variability of city carrier street time; the recalculation of the cost elasticity of purchased highway transportation capacity; the recalculation of postmaster cost variability; and the reestimation of product shares of window service costs.
4 
Two of the four study areas produced 
changes to the analytical principles being used by the Postal Service. The first of those changes involved city carrier street time and consisted of an update of the city carrier letter route street time model.
5The second change involved purchased highway transportation and consisted of an update of the estimated variabilities of purchased highway transportation costs.
6By the time Docket No. RM2011– 
3 was closed, two of the study areas (those involving postmaster cost variabilities and window service costs) had produced no changes to existing analytical principles.
7 
II. Developments Since the Conclusion of the Docket No. RM2011–3 Rulemaking 
A. City Carrier Street Time 
On May 31, 2017, the Commission 
established Docket No. PI2017–1 to 
evaluate the Postal Service’s progress in its ongoing efforts to update its city carrier cost models and data collection capabilities.
8The proceedings in this 
docket focused on the feasibility of a top-down, single-equation model to improve the Postal Service’s variability estimates of city carrier cost drivers. On November 2, 2018, the Commission issued an interim order directing the Postal Service to provide an expanded dataset of city carrier delivery data and to report quarterly on the status of developing the expanded dataset.
9On 
February 27, 2020, the Postal Service filed its fifth and final report on the status of its efforts to develop an 
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