Information on the Department of Energy's Analyses To Determine the Need for Appliance Efficiency Standards

The National Energy Conservation Policy Act directs the Secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE) to prescribe minimum energy efficiency standards for 13 types of products. The standards are to assure that covered products made available to consumers meet a specific level of energy efficiency, thus eliminating the less efficient products from the marketplace. The Act requires that any standard prescribed be technologically feasible, economically justified, and result in significant conservation of energy. Since DOE has completed three separate analyses to support a final rule on appliance efficiency standards, GAO was asked to provide information on these efforts.