### 79666 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 246 / Thursday, December 22, 2011 / Notices

1 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, Part B was re-designated Part A. (6) Annual Estimated Number of Total Responses: 303;

(7) Annual Estimated Number of Burden Hours: 6,437;

(8) Annual Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: $0.

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7256; 48 CFR
970.0370–1.

Issued in Washington, DC, on December 16, 2011. Patrick M. Ferraro, Acting Director, Office of Procurement and Assistance Management (OPAM).
[FR Doc. 2011–32806 Filed 12–21–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 6450–01–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY**
**Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy** 
**[Case No. CW–021]**
**Decision and Order Granting a Waiver to LG from the Department of Energy**  **Residential Clothes Washer Test Procedure** 

**AGENCY :**  Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy.

**ACTION :**  Decision and Order.

**SUMMARY :**  The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of the decision and order (Case No. CW–021) that grants to LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc. (LG) a waiver from the DOE clothes washer test procedure for determining the energy consumption of clothes washers for the basic models set forth in its petition for waiver. Under today’s decision and order, LG shall be required to test and rate these clothes washers using an alternate test procedure that takes their large capacities into account when measuring energy consumption.

**DATES :**  This Decision and Order is effective December 22, 2011.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Dr. Michael G. Raymond, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. Telephone: (202) 586–9611, Email: mail to: Michael.Raymond@ee.doe.gov

.

Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, Mail Stop GC–71, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585– 0103. Telephone: (202) 586–7796, Email: mail to: Elizabeth.Kohl@hq.doe.gov

. **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR 430.27(l)), DOE gives notice of the issuance of its decision and order as set forth below. The decision and order grants LG a waiver from the applicable clothes washer test procedure in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1 for certain basic models of clothes washers with capacities greater than 3.8 cubic feet, provided that LG tests and rates such products using the alternate test procedure described in this notice. Today’s decision prohibits LG from making representations concerning the energy efficiency of these products unless the product has been tested consistent with the provisions and restrictions in the alternate test procedure set forth in the decision and order below, and the representations fairly disclose the test results.

Distributors, retailers, and private labelers are held to the same standard when making representations regarding the energy efficiency of these products. 42 U.S.C. 6293(c).

Issued in Washington, DC, on December 16, 2011. Kathleen B. Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Decision and Order

In the Matter of: LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc. (Case No. CW–021). I. Background and Authority

Title III, Part B of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), Public Law 94–163 (42 U.S.C. 6291– 6309, as codified) established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles, a program covering most major household appliances, which includes the residential clothes washers that are the focus of this notice. 1 Part B includes definitions, test procedures, labeling provisions, energy conservation standards, and the authority to require information and reports from manufacturers. Further, Part B authorizes the Secretary of Energy to prescribe test procedures that are reasonably designed to produce results which measure energy efficiency, energy use, or estimated operating costs, and that are not unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)). The testprocedure for automatic and semiautomatic clothes washers is set forth in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1.

DOE’s regulations for covered products contain provisions allowing a person to seek a waiver from the test procedure requirements for a particular basic model for covered consumer products when (1) the petitioner’s basic model for which the petition for waiver was submitted contains one or more design characteristics that prevent testing according to the prescribed test procedure, or (2) when prescribed test procedures may evaluate the basic model in a manner so unrepresentative of its true energy consumption characteristics as to provide materially inaccurate comparative data. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(1). Petitioners must include in their petition any alternate test procedures known to the petitioner to evaluate the basic model in a manner representative of its energy consumption characteristics. 10 CFR 430.27(b)(1)(iii).

The Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (the Assistant Secretary) may grant a waiver subject to conditions, including adherence to alternate test procedures. 10 CFR 430.27(l). Waivers remain in effect pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 430.27(m).

Any interested person who has submitted a petition for waiver may also file an application for interim waiver of the applicable test procedure requirements. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(2). The Assistant Secretary will grant an interim waiver request if it is determined that the applicant will experience economic hardship if the interim waiver is denied, if it appears likely that the petition for waiver will be granted, and/or the Assistant Secretary determines that it would be desirable for public policy reasons to grant immediate relief pending a determination on the petition for waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(g).

On December 23, 2010, DOE issued enforcement guidance for large-capacity clothes washers. This guidance can be found on DOE’s Web site at http:// energy.gov/sites/prod/files/gcprod/ documents/LargeCapacityRCW

_ guidance

_ 122210.pdf

. II. LG’s Petition for Waiver: Assertions and Determinations

On October 3, 2011, LG submitted the instant petition for waiver and application for interim waiver (petition) from the test procedure applicable to automatic and semi-automatic clothes washers set forth in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1. LG requested a waiver to test specified basic models of its residential clothes washers with basket volumes greater than 3.8 cubic feet on the basis of the test procedures contained in 10 CFR part 430, Subpart B, Appendix J1, with a revised Table 5.1 which extends the range of container volumes beyond 3.8 cubic feet. LG’s instant petition and DOE’s grant of interim waiver were published in the


### 79667 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 246 / Thursday, December 22, 2011 / Notices

Federal Register on October 18, 2011. 76 FR 64330. DOE received no comments on the LG petition.

LG’s petition seeks a waiver from the DOE test procedure because the mass of the test load used in the procedure, which is based on the basket volume of the test unit, is currently not defined for basket sizes greater than 3.8 cubic feet. The basic models specified in LG’s February 2011 petition have capacities larger than 3.8 cubic feet. In addition, if the current maximum test load mass is used to test these products, the tested energy use would be less than the actual energy usage and could evaluate the basic model in a manner so unrepresentative of its true energy consumption characteristics as to provide materially inaccurate comparative data.

Table 5.1 of Appendix J1 defines the test load sizes used in the test procedure as linear functions of the basket volume. LG requests that DOE grant a waiver for testing and rating based on a revised Table 5.1, the same table as set forth in the waiver granted to LG on April 19, 2011 (76 FR 21879). The table is identical to the Table 5.1 found in DOE’s clothes washer test procedure Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR). 75 FR 57556 (Sept. 21, 2010).

DOE has determined that it is in the public interest to have similar products tested and rated for energy consumption on a comparable basis. Previously, DOE granted a test procedure waiver to Whirlpool for specified Whirlpool’s clothes washer models with container capacities greater than 3.8 cubic feet. 75 FR 69653 (Nov. 15, 2010). This notice contained an alternate test procedure, which extended the linear relationship between maximum test load size and clothes washer container volume in Table 5.1 to include a maximum test load size of 15.4 pounds (lbs) for clothes washer container volumes of 3.8 to 3.9 cubic feet. This extended Table 5.1 was set forth in DOE’s September 2010 NOPR. On December 10, 2010, DOE granted a similar waiver to General Electric Company (GE), which used the same alternate test procedure. 75 FR 76968. DOE has also granted waivers to Electrolux (76 FR 11440 (Mar. 2, 2011)), LG (76 FR 11233 (Mar. 1, 2011)); (76 FR 21879 (Apr. 19, 2011)) and Samsung (76 FR 13169 (Mar. 10, 2011); 76 FR 50207 (Aug. 12, 2011)).

DOE notes that its supplemental proposed rule ( http://www.eere.energy. gov/buildings/appliancestandards/ residential/pdfs/rcw

_ tp

_snopr.pdf ) to amend the test procedures for clothes washers makes slight adjustments to Table 5.1 to correct for rounding errors. (76 FR 49238, Aug. 9, 2011). The alternate test procedure set forth in this decision and order adopts this updated table. III. Consultations with Other Agencies

DOE consulted with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) staff concerning the LG petition for waiver. The FTC staff did not have any objections to granting a waiver to LG.

IV. Conclusion

After careful consideration of all the material that was submitted by LG, the waivers granted to Whirlpool, GE, Samsung and Electrolux, as well as previously to LG, the clothes washer test procedure rulemaking, and consultation with the FTC staff, it is ordered that:

(1) The petition for waiver submitted by the LG Electronics America, Inc. (Case No. CW–021) is hereby granted as set forth in the paragraphs below.

(2) LG shall be required to test and rate the following LG models according to the alternate test procedure set forth in paragraph (3) below.

Model Brand

WT6001H* ................. LG. WT5170H* ................. LG. WM3470H*** ............. LG. WM4070H*** ............. LG. 4153#21# .................. Kenmore. 4154#21# .................. Kenmore.

(3) LG shall be required to test the products listed in paragraph (2) above according to the test procedures for clothes washers prescribed by DOE at 10 CFR part 430, appendix J1, except that the expanded Table 5.1 below shall be substituted for Table 5.1 of appendix J1.



### TABLE 

### 5.1—T EST 

### L OAD 

### S IZES

Container volume Minimum load Maximum load Average load

cu. ft. Liter lb kg lb kg lb ≥ < ≥ <

0–0.8 0–22.7 ....................................................................................... 3.00 1.36 3.00 1.36 3.00 1.3 6 0.80–

0.90 22.7–25.5 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 3.50 1.59 3.25 1.47

0.90–

1.00 25.5–28.3 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 3.90 1.77 3.45 1.56

1.00–

1.10 28.3–31.1 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 4.30 1.95 3.65 1.66

1.10–

1.20 31.1–34.0 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 4.70 2.13 3.85 1.75

1.20–

1.30 34.0–36.8 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 5.10 2.31 4.05 1.84

1.30–

1.40 36.8–39.6 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 5.50 2.49 4.25 1.93

1.40–

1.50 39.6–42.5 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 5.90 2.68 4.45 2.02

1.50–

1.60 42.5–45.3 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 6.40 2.90 4.70 2.13

1.60–

1.70 45.3–48.1 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 6.80 3.08 4.90 2.22

1.70–

1.80 48.1–51.0 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 7.20 3.27 5.10 2.31

1.80–

1.90 51.0–53.8 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 7.60 3.45 5.30 2.40

1.90–

2.00 53.8–56.6 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 8.00 3.63 5.50 2.49


### 79668 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 246 / Thursday, December 22, 2011 / Notices

TABLE 

### 5.1—T EST 

### L OAD 

### S IZES

### —Continued

Container volume Minimum load Maximum load Average load

cu. ft. Liter lb kg lb kg lb ≥ < ≥ <

2.00–

2.10 56.6–59.5 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 8.40 3.81 5.70 2.59

2.10–

2.20 59.5–62.3 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 8.80 3.99 5.90 2.68

2.20–

2.30 62.3–65.1 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 9.20 4.17 6.10 2.77

2.30–

2.40 65.1–68.0 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 9.60 4.35 6.30 2.86

2.40–

2.50 68.0–70.8 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 10.00 4.54 6.50 2.95

2.50–

2.60 70.8–73.6 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 10.50 4.76 6.75 3.06

2.60–

2.70 73.6–76.5 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 10.90 4.94 6.95 3.15

2.70–

2.80 76.5–79.3 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 11.30 5.13 7.15 3.24

2.80–

2.90 79.3–82.1 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 11.70 5.31 7.35 3.33

2.90–

3.00 82.1–85.0 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 12.10 5.49 7.55 3.42

3.00–

3.10 85.0–87.8 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 12.50 5.67 7.75 3.52

3.10–

3.20 87.8–90.6 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 12.90 5.85 7.95 3.61

3.20–

3.30 90.6–93.4 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 13.30 6.03 8.15 3.70

3.30–

3.40 93.4–96.3 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 13.70 6.21 8.35 3.79

3.40–

3.50 96.3–99.1 .................................................................................. 3.00 1.36 14.10 6.40 8.55 3.88

3.50–

3.60 99.1–101.9 ................................................................................ 3.00 1.36 14.60 6.62 8.80 3.99

3.60–

3.70 101.9–104.8 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 15.00 6.80 9.00 4.08

3.70–

3.80 104.8–107.6 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 15.40 6.99 9.20 4.17

3.80–

3.90 107.6–110.4 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 15.80 7.16 9.40 4.26

3.90–

4.00 110.4–113.3 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 16.20 7.34 9.60 4.35

4.00–

4.10 113.3–116.1 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 16.60 7.53 9.80 4.45

4.10–

4.20 116.1–118.9 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 17.00 7.72 10.00 4.54

4.20–

4.30 118.9–121.8 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 17.40 7.90 10.20 4.63

4.30–

4.40 121.8–124.6 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 17.80 8.09 10.40 4.72

4.40–

4.50 124.6–127.4 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 18.20 8.27 10.60 4.82

4.50–

4.60 127.4–130.3 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 18.70 8.46 10.85 4.91

4.60–

4.70 130.3–133.1 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 19.10 8.65 11.05 5.00

4.70–

4.80 133.1–135.9 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 19.50 8.83 11.25 5.10

4.80–

4.90 135.9–138.8 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 19.90 9.02 11.45 5.19

4.90–

5.00 138.8–141.6 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 20.30 9.20 11.65 5.28

5.00–

5.10 141.6–144.4 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 20.70 9.39 11.85 5.38

5.10–

5.20 144.4–147.2 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 21.10 9.58 12.05 5.47

5.20–

5.30 147.2–150.1 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 21.50 9.76 12.25 5.56

5.30–

5.40 150.1–152.9 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 21.90 9.95 12.45 5.65


### 79669 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 246 / Thursday, December 22, 2011 / Notices

TABLE 

### 5.1—T EST 

### L OAD 

### S IZES

### —Continued

Container volume Minimum load Maximum load Average load

cu. ft. Liter lb kg lb kg lb ≥ < ≥ <

5.40–

5.50 152.9–155.7 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 22.30 10.13 12.65 5.75

5.50–

5.60 155.7–158.6 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 22.80 10.32 12.90 5.84

5.60–

5.70 158.6–161.4 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 23.20 10.51 13.10 5.93

5.70–

5.80 161.4–164.2 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 23.60 10.69 13.30 6.03

5.80–

5.90 164.2–167.1 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 24.00 10.88 13.50 6.12

5.90–

6.00 167.1–169.9 .............................................................................. 3.00 1.36 24.40 11.06 13.70 6.21

N OTES : (1) All test load weights are bone dry weights. (2) Allowable tolerance on the test load weights are ± 0.10 lbs (0.05 kg).

(4) Representations. LG may make representations about the energy use of its clothes washer products for compliance, marketing, or other purposes only to the extent that such products have been tested in accordance with the provisions outlined above and such representations fairly disclose the results of such testing.

(5) This waiver shall remain in effect consistent with the provisions of 10 CFR 430.27(m).

(6) This waiver is issued on the condition that the statements, representations, and documentary materials provided by the petitioner are valid. DOE may revoke or modify this waiver at any time if it determines the factual basis underlying the petition for waiver is incorrect, or the results from the alternate test procedure are unrepresentative of the basic models’ true energy consumption characteristics.

(7) This waiver applies only to those basic models set out in LG’s October 3, 2011 petition for waiver. Grant of this waiver does not release a petitioner from the certification requirements set forth at 10 CFR part 429.

Issued in Washington, DC, on December 16, 2011. Kathleen B. Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2011–32808 Filed 12–21–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY** 

**Federal Energy Regulatory Commission** 

**[Docket No. CP12–24–000]**
**ANR Pipeline Company; Notice of Application for Abandonment** 

Take notice that on December 5, 2011, ANR Pipeline Company (ANR), 717 Texas Street, Houston, Texas 77002– 2761, filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission an application under section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act seeking authority to abandon its present and any future obligation to perform transportation service through approximately 8.5 miles of 20-inch pipeline extending from High Island Block A–531 to High Island Block A– 555, located in federal waters, offshore Texas, all as more fully set forth in the application which is on file with the Commission and open to public inspection. This filing is available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission’s Web site web at http://www.ferc.gov using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC
at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call toll-free, (886) 208–3676 or TYY, (202)
502–8659.

Any questions regarding the application should be directed to Rene Staeb, Manager, Project Determinations & Regulatory Administration, ANR Pipeline Company, 717 Texas Street, Houston, Texas 77002–2761, or telephone (832) 320–5215 or fax (832) 320–6215 or by email Rene

_ Staeb@transcanada.com. Pursuant to section 157.9 of the Commission’s rules, 18 CFR 157.9, within 90 days of this Notice the Commission staff will either: Complete its environmental assessment (EA) and place it into the Commission’s public record (eLibrary) for this proceeding; or issue a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review. If a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review is issued, it will indicate, among other milestones, the anticipated date for the Commission staff’s issuance of the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) or EA for this proposal. The filing of the EA in the Commission’s public record for this proceeding or the issuance of a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review will serve to notify federal and state agencies of the timing for the completion of all necessary reviews, and the subsequent need to complete all federal authorizations within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff’s FEIS or EA.

There are two ways to become involved in the Commission’s review of this project. First, any person wishing to obtain legal status by becoming a party to the proceedings for this project should, on or before the comment date stated below file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211) and the Regulations under the NGA (18 CFR 157.10). A person obtaining party status will be placed on the service list maintained by the Secretary of the Commission and will receive copies of all documents filed by the applicant and by all other parties. A party must submit seven copies of filings made in the