DOE Proposes New Energy Standards for Battery Chargers

March 20, 2023 by Dan McCue
DOE Proposes New Energy Standards for Battery Chargers
Department of Energy (Photo by Dan McCue)

WASHINGTON — The Department of Energy this past week proposed a new energy conservation rule for battery chargers for consumer products.

A public meeting via webinar has been scheduled on Thursday, April 27, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. More information can be found here.

Webinar registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants will be published on DOE’s website.

Specifically, the DOE is proposing new multi-metric energy conservation standards for battery chargers. 

The proposed standards, which are expressed in max active charge energy and max standby and off modes power values, are shown in the accompanying table.

These proposed standards, if adopted, would apply to all battery chargers manufactured in, or imported into, the United States starting on the date two years after the publication of the final rule for this rulemaking.

The DOE has estimated that the total conversion costs associated with bringing products into compliance is $398.2 million.

But the DOE also contends that the proposed energy conservation standards for battery chargers would save a significant amount of energy. 

Relative to the case without amended standards, the lifetime energy savings for battery chargers purchased in the 30-year period that begins in the anticipated year of compliance with the amended standards (2027-2056) amount to 1.2 quadrillion British thermal units, or quads. 

This represents a savings of 17.6% relative to the energy use of these products in the case without amended standards.

The cumulative net present value of total consumer benefits of the proposed standards for battery chargers ranges from $3.7 billion (at a 7% discount rate) to $7.5 billion (at a 3% discount rate). 

This NPV expresses the estimated total value of future operating-cost savings minus the estimated increased product costs for battery chargers purchased in 2027-2056.

In addition, the proposed standards for battery chargers are projected to yield significant environmental benefits. DOE estimates that the proposed standards would result in cumulative emission reductions (over the same period as for energy savings) of 40 million metric tons.

For additional information contact Jeremy Dommu, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Office, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121 or via email at [email protected]., or Melanie Lampton, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (240) 751-5157. Email: [email protected].

For further information on how to submit a comment, review other public comments and the docket, or participate in the public meeting, contact the Appliance and Equipment Standards Program staff at (202) 287-1445.

The department will accept comments, data and information regarding this notice of proposed rulemaking no later than May 15, 2023.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and at https://twitter.com/DanMcCue

A+
a-
  • battery chargers
  • Energy Department
  • regulations
  • In The News

    Health

    Voting

    Regulation

    Biden Announcing New Rule to Protect Consumers Who Purchase Short-Term Health Insurance Plans

    President Joe Biden on Thursday announced new steps to protect consumers who buy short-term health insurance plans that critics say amount to junk. A... Read More

    President Joe Biden on Thursday announced new steps to protect consumers who buy short-term health insurance plans that critics say amount to junk. A new rule finalized by the Democratic president's administration will limit these plans to just three months. And the plans can only be renewed for a maximum... Read More

    March 26, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    Consumers Warned to Avoid Certain Topical Pain Relief Products 

    WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration warned consumers on Tuesday not to use certain over-the-counter pain relief products marketed... Read More

    WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration warned consumers on Tuesday not to use certain over-the-counter pain relief products marketed for topical use before, during or after certain cosmetic procedures. The warning came after the agency issued warning letters to six companies for marketing these products... Read More

    March 21, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    DOJ, 16 States Sue Apple Over Alleged Smartphone Monopoly

    WASHINGTON — The Justice Department and 16 state attorneys general sued Apple on Thursday accusing the Cupertino, California-based tech giant... Read More

    WASHINGTON — The Justice Department and 16 state attorneys general sued Apple on Thursday accusing the Cupertino, California-based tech giant of operating an illegal monopoly in the smartphone market. According to the lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in New Jersey, Apple has used the... Read More

    Trump Suggests He'd Support a National Ban on Abortions Around 15 Weeks of Pregnancy

    NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that he’d support a national ban on abortions around 15 weeks of pregnancy, voicing... Read More

    NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that he’d support a national ban on abortions around 15 weeks of pregnancy, voicing for the first time support for a specific limit on the procedure. The Republican former president has taken credit for striking down a federally guaranteed right... Read More

    March 15, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    EPA Sets Tougher Limits on Gas Used to Sterilize Medical Devices

    WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday finalized tougher restrictions on ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing gas commonly used to... Read More

    WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday finalized tougher restrictions on ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing gas commonly used to sterilize medical devices. The new standards specifically target commercial sterilization facilities. The agency called them “the strongest measures in U.S. history to reduce emissions of EtO,”... Read More

    March 15, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    EPA Proposes New Limits on Gas Distribution Facilities

    WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday finalized a rule strengthening toxic air pollution standards at gasoline distribution facilities,... Read More

    WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday finalized a rule strengthening toxic air pollution standards at gasoline distribution facilities, including storage tanks, loading operations and equipment leaks.  The action — from which gas stations are exempt — is expected to reduce emissions of air toxics,... Read More

    News From The Well
    scroll top