Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-In Coolers and Freezers

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, requires the Department of Energy (DOE), among other things, to prescribe performance-based energy conservation standards for walk- in coolers and walk-in freezers. On June 3, 2014, DOE complied with this requirement. Recent litigation regarding these standards resulted in a settlement agreement between DOE and the other parties to that litigation. Consistent with the parties’ settlement agreement, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit subsequently vacated six specific standards set forth in the June 2014 rule. DOE is amending the CFR to reflect the court’s order vacating the six standards found in DOE’s regulations pertaining to certain refrigeration systems used in walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer applications.