DOE Proposes New Energy Efficiency Exemption for External Power Supplies

The Department of Energy on Nov. 18 issued a proposed rule (here) that would codify an exemption from energy efficiency requirements for certain external power supplies sold as service and spare parts. The exemption, which was established in law by the EPS Service Parts Act of 2014, applies to external power supplies manufactured between 2016 and 2020, and made available as a spare part for an end-use product manufactured before Feb. 10, 2016, the date that new energy efficiency standards for external power supplies would otherwise come into effect. DOE is also proposing to require that importers and domestic manufacturers annually report to the agency the total units of exempt EPSs sold as service and spare parts that do not meet the 2016 standards. Comments on the proposed rule are due Dec. 17.