H.R. 5057, "EPS Service Parts Act of 2014"

 

On July 9, 2014, Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) introduced H.R. 5057, the EPS Service Parts Act of 2014.  External power supplies (EPS) are the block boxes that convert household electric current into the type of current needed to operate a consumer product, such as a laptop computer or smart phone.  The 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act established energy efficiency standards for EPS.  The Act also created an exemption for service and spare parts.  The Department of Energy (DOE) issued updated efficiency standards in February 2014.  The rulemaking did not include an exemption for service and spare parts.  

 

The bill establishes a four-year exemption from the 2014 efficiency standard for EPS service and spare parts, which will still be required to meet the 2007 standards.  Under the bill, DOE may require manufacturers of exempted products to report the number of units shipped as service and spare parts in order to track the use of the exemption.  In addition, the bill provides DOE with the authority to limit the exemption through rulemaking if the Secretary determines that the exemption is resulting in a significant reduction in the energy savings that otherwise would have been achieved from the 2014 efficiency standard.  The bill provides DOE with the authority to establish similar exemptions for spare parts in future amended EPS efficiency standards and to require reporting on the number of units shipped under such exemptions.

 

On September 11, 2014, the House passed the bill by voice vote.