U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Building Technologies Office – Appliance & Equipment Standards

Distribution Transformers

This page describes rulemaking activities and regulations regarding energy efficiency, test procedures, and compliance and enforcement for certain distribution transformers.

Statutory Authority

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) of 1975 established an energy conservation program for major household appliances. The National Energy Conservation Policy Act of 1978 amended EPCA to add Part C of Title III, which established an energy conservation program for certain industrial equipment. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 amended EPCA to add certain commercial equipment, including distribution transformers.

Energy Conservation Standards Rulemaking

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a final rule in October 2007 that established energy conservation standards for liquid-immersed and medium-voltage dry-type distribution transformers. 72 FR 58190 (October 12, 2007); see 10 CFR 431.196(b)-(c). During the course of that rulemaking, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005), Pub. L. 109–58, amended EPCA to set standards for low-voltage dry-type distribution transformers. (EPACT 2005, Section 135(c); codified at 42 U.S.C. 6295(y)) Consequently, DOE removed these transformers from the scope of that rulemaking. 72 FR at 58191 (October 12, 2007). Prior to publishing the energy conservation standard, DOE published a final rule test procedure for distribution transformers on April 27, 2006. 71 FR at 24972 (April 27, 2006); see Appendix A to Subpart K of 10 CFR 431.

DOE has initiated a new rulemaking to review and amend the energy conservation standards in effect for distribution transformers. This new rulemaking includes liquid-immersed, medium-voltage dry-type, and low-voltage dry-type distribution transformers. In this rulemaking, DOE is also clarifying the current test procedure for distribution transformers. After reviewing comments, DOE may initiate a new test procedure rulemaking.

On July 29, 2011, DOE gave notice that it intends to establish a negotiated rulemaking subcommittee under the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Advisory Committee (ERAC) in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and the Negotiated Rulemaking Act (NRA) to negotiate proposed Federal standards for the energy efficiency of liquid-immersed and medium-voltage dry-type distribution transformers. Energy Efficiency Standards for Distribution Transformers: Notice of Intent To Negotiate Proposed Rule, Federal Register, July 29, 2011.

On August 12, 2011, DOE gave notice that it intends to establish a negotiated rulemaking subcommittee under the ERAC in accordance with the FACA and the NRA to negotiate proposed Federal standards for the energy efficiency of low-voltage dry-type distribution transformers. Notice of Intent to Negotiate Proposed Rule on Energy Efficiency Standards for Distribution Transformers, August 12, 2011. Also, please note that the docket number for this notice is EERE-2011-BT-STD-0051.

Publication of the proposed rule for energy conservation standards for liquid-immersed, medium-voltage dry-type, and low-voltage dry-type distribution transformers fulfills DOE's obligation under a court order to publish proposed standards by February 1, 2012.

On this page you will find information on these rulemakings, other documentation, and materials associated with the prior energy conservation standards rulemaking and test procedure rulemaking.

Proposed Rulemaking

  • Notice of Public Meeting and Supplemental Analysis: The Department of Energy (DOE) will hold a public meeting on June 20, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the U.S. Department of Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 8E-089, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. The purpose of the public meeting is to discuss whether certain types of liquid-immersed distribution transformers, which are part of the same equipment class in the current rulemaking, should be separated into distinct equipment classes. Energy Conservation Standards for Distribution Transformers: Public Meeting and Availability of Supplementary Analysis.

    Public Meeting Agenda: If you wish to attend the meeting, please notify Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945. For additional information, see section II, Public Participation, in the Notice of Public Meeting.

    Presentation:

    Webinar: Interested parties who are not able to attend the public meeting are invited to participate in the Webinar, to be broadcast live from the public meeting. Space is limited. You may reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/744561425.  

    Transcript:

  • Summary of Supplemental Analysis for Distribution Transformers: In support of the Proposed Rulemaking for Distribution Transformers, DOE has prepared a Supplemental Analysis, dated May 29, 2012, as a new Appendix 1-A to the Distribution Transformer Technical Support Document.

  • Trial Standard Level to the Supplemental Analysis for Distribution Transformers: In addition to the Supplemental Analysis, dated May 29, 2012, DOE has prepared additional analysis for an additional trial standard level for liquid-immersed distribution transformers. Trial Standard Level to the Supplemental Analysis for Distribution Transformers, June 18, 2012.

  • Life-cycle Cost Spreadsheet: In support of the Supplemental Analysis for Distribution Transformers, DOE is releasing a revised Life-Cycle Cost Analysis spreadsheet for liquid-immersed 500 kVA pole-mounted distribution transformer, represented by design line 3. This spreadsheet has been revised to include calculations to estimate the installation costs associated with utility pole replacement.

    The methodology used for these calculations is described in chapter 6, Markups for Equipment Price Determination, of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) Technical Support Document (TSD).

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Public Meeting

After a regulatory action has been issued, Section 6(a)(3)(E) of EO 12866 requires agencies to identify in a complete, clear, and simple manner, the substantive changes between the draft submitted to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review and the action subsequently announced, and identify those changes in the regulatory action that were made at the suggestion or recommendation of OIRA. The documents at the links below are intended to comply with this requirement.


Negotiated Rulemaking Activity


Preliminary Analysis


Previous Rulemakings


Test Procedure


Certification, Compliance and Enforcement Requirements

The Department published a Final Rule on January 5, 2010, which adopts regulations to implement reporting requirements for energy conservation standards and energy use. The Final Rule also addresses other matters concerning compliance, certification and enforcement procedures. The Department published a Technical Amendment on January 28, 2010 that corrects cross-referencing errors in the final rule.


Contact Information

James Raba
Project Manager
(202) 586-8654