The Department of Energy (DOE) issued a proposal which would make it easier for manufacturers of appliances subject to federal energy efficiency requirements to acquire a temporary exemption from federal test procedure requirements. Manufactures can request an interim waiver of those requirements during the time that DOE is evaluating and making a final determination on a waiver application. Under the proposed rule, the interim waiver request would be deemed granted if DOE does not respond to it within 30 days.