DOE Proposes Energy Conservation Standards for Electric Motors

On December 15, 2023, the Department of Energy (DOE) proposed amended energy conservation standards for a subset of electric motors. This rulemaking falls under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), which prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment. EPCA requires DOE to periodically determine whether more stringent standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result in significant energy savings.

As part of this proposed rulemaking, DOE analyzed the benefits and burdens of four trial standard levels (TSLs) of efficiency. In the context of this rulemaking governing electric motors, efficiency standards are expressed in terms of average full-load efficiency. The scenarios explored by DOE range from TSL 4, the maximum technologically feasible energy efficiency, to TSL 1, the least rigorous standard, which is set at the current industry baseline. "DOE has tentatively determined that TSL 2 represents the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is technologically feasible and economically justified." TSL 2 aligns with the December 2022 recommendations of the Electric Motors Working Group, a convening of representatives from the motors industry, energy efficiency organizations and utilities.

If adopted at TSL 2, DOE estimates that the proposed standards would result in cumulative emission reductions (between 2029–2058) of 160.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, 43.8 thousand tons of sulfur dioxide, 299.8 thousand tons of nitrogen oxides, 1,362.2 thousand tons of methane, 1.4 thousand tons of nitrous oxide, and 0.3 tons of mercury.

DOE is accepting comments, data, and information regarding this proposed rule until February 13, 2024. DOE will hold a public meeting on this proposed rule on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Washington, DC, which will also be broadcast as a webinar.