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The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) of 1975 established an energy conservation program for major household appliances. Section 135(c)(4) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 amended section 325 of EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6295) by adding subsection (u) for battery chargers and external power supplies. Battery chargers are devices that charge batteries for consumer products, including chargers embedded in consumer products. External power supplies are devices that convert household electric current into DC current or lower-voltage AC current in order to operate consumer products.
Subsection (u) of EPCA directs the Secretary to specify definitions and test procedures for measuring the energy consumption of battery chargers and external power supplies, after providing notice and an opportunity for comment. In establishing these test procedures, the Secretary is directed to consider existing definitions and test procedures that measure energy consumption in standby mode and other modes.
In addition, subsection (u) of EPCA directs the Secretary to issue a determination, by August 8, 2008, whether energy conservation standards shall be developed for battery chargers and external power supplies. In the determination, the Department will assess the current and projected market for battery chargers and external power supplies. This assessment will include estimates of potential energy savings from technical improvements to battery chargers and external power supplies and will suggest product classes for energy conservation standards.
Finally, subsection (u) of EPCA requires that the Department hold a scoping workshop to discuss and receive comments on plans for developing energy conservation standards for battery chargers and external power supplies.
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Some of the following documents are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.
Background
- Battery Charger and External Power Supply excerpts from the Energy Policy Act of 2005, August 8, 2005 (PDF 205 KB)
- Report to Congress on Appliance Energy Efficiency Rulemakings, including Battery Chargers and External Power Supplies, January 31, 2006 (PDF 924 KB)
Federal Register Documents
The test procedure for battery chargers and external power supplies is part of a rulemaking process establishing test procedures for several products contained in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. To facilitate review of the certain portions of this Final Rule, the Department highlighted the terms 'battery charger' and 'external power supply' throughout the Final Rule.
- Final Rule, EPACT 2005 Test Procedures, Federal Register, December 8, 2006 (PDF 706 KB)
- Notice of Public Meeting and Availability of Two Documents Relating to DOE's Plans for Developing Energy Conservation Standards for Battery Chargers and External Power Supplies, Federal Register, December 29, 2006 (PDF 55 KB)
Determination Analysis
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT) directs DOE to determine whether energy conservation standards are warranted for battery chargers and external power supplies. As part of that process, EPACT requires that DOE hold a scoping workshop not later than February 8, 2007, to discuss and receive comments on plans for developing energy conservation standards for energy use of battery chargers and external power supplies.
DOE has scheduled a scoping workshop to discuss plans for developing energy conservation standards for battery chargers and external power supplies. In addition, DOE has prepared two documents that constitute supporting material for this scoping workshop. The first is called "Plans for Developing Energy Conservation Standards for Battery Chargers and External Power Supplies." This document describes the procedural and analytical approach DOE anticipates using to evaluate whether energy conservation standards are warranted for battery chargers and external power supplies, and to develop such standards should DOE make a positive determination. The second is called "The Current and Projected Future Market for Battery Chargers and External Power Supplies." This document presents an initial market and technology assessment for battery chargers and external power supplies. It also discusses potential product classes and criteria DOE is considering in establishing product classes.
- Plans for Developing Energy Conservation Standards for Battery Chargers and External Power Supplies (PDF 565 KB)
- The Current and Projected Future Market for Battery Chargers and External Power Supplies (PDF 1.6 MB)
Meeting Material
How to Submit Comments
You may submit comments electronically, by mail, or by courier. Wherever possible, comments in the electronic format should carry the electronic signature of the author. Absent an electronic signature, comments submitted electronically must be followed and authenticated by submitting a signed original paper document.
Email
BCEPSTP@ee.doe.gov
Mail
Ms. Brenda Edwards-Jones
U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program
1000 Independence Avenue S.W., Mailstop EE-2J
Washington, D.C., 20585
Courier
Ms. Brenda Edwards-Jones
U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program
1000 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 1J-018
Washington, D.C., 20585
Telephone: 202-586-2945
All comments (electronic and hardcopy) should clearly identify the Docket number, which is EE-2006-TP-0123 for the test procedure and EE-2006-DET-0136 for the determination analysis.
Contact Information
Victor Petrolati
Project Manager
(202) 586-4549
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