# 2026-02936: Small Electric Motors Skip New Efficiency Mandates

2026-02936, Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Small Electric Motors, is a Federal Register rule from Energy Department published 2026-02-13, effective 2026-03-16 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-02936
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-02936
- Title: Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Small Electric Motors
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Energy Department
- Citation: 91 FR 6743
- Published: 2026-02-13
- Effective: 2026-03-16
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 1904-AF39
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

Small Electric Motors Skip New Efficiency Mandates

## Summary

The Department of Energy looked into making small electric motors more energy-efficient but decided it’s not worth the extra cost right now. So, no new rules will be added, and current standards stay the same. This decision kicks in on March 16, 2026, keeping things steady for manufacturers and users without extra expenses.

## Abstract

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended ("EPCA"), prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including small electric motors ("SEMs"). EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") to periodically determine whether more-stringent standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result in significant conservation of energy. In this final determination, DOE has determined that more-stringent energy conservation standards for SEMs would not be cost-effective and, therefore, DOE has determined that energy conservation standards for SEMs should not be amended.

## Effects PRIA read

- No Change to Small Motor Efficiency Rules: benefit, low. If you make or use small electric motors (SEMs), the Department of Energy decided not to raise efficiency standards now, so the current federal standards stay in place. This final determination takes effect on March 16, 2026, and DOE says no new SEM rules will be added that would raise costs for ma…
- Small Business Impact Certification: benefit, low. DOE certified that this final determination will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, so it did not prepare a final regulatory flexibility analysis. If you run a small company that makes SEMs, DOE concluded you will not face significant new economic burd…
- No New Reporting or Paperwork Burden: benefit, low. DOE says this final determination imposes no new information collection or recordkeeping requirements, so OMB clearance is not needed. If you manufacture or sell SEMs, you will not have to fill out new federal forms or keep new records because of this decision.

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## Sources
- [2026-02936 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/13/2026-02936/energy-conservation-program-energy-conservation-standards-for-small-electric-motors)
- [2026-02936 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-02-13/pdf/2026-02936.pdf)

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- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-02936 (as of 2026-06-11).