[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 81 (Monday, April 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 23117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-10889]
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 81 / Monday, April 28, 1997 /
Notices
[[Page 23117]]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Finding of No Significant Impact; Energy Conservation Program for
Consumer Products
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, DOE.
ACTION: Finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for amended energy
conservation standards for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and
freezers.
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SUMMARY: The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended by the
National Energy Conservation Policy Act and the National Appliance
Energy Conservation Act, and the National Appliance Energy Conservation
Amendments, prescribes energy conservation standards for certain major
household appliances, and requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to
administer an energy conservation program for these products. Based on
an Environmental Assessment (EA), DOE/EA-1138, DOE has determined that
the adoption of the amended energy efficiency Standard Level 1 for
refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers, as modified for the
Final Rule, would not be a major Federal action significantly affecting
the quality of the human environment within the meaning of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Therefore, an environmental
impact statement (EIS) is not required, and the Department is issuing
this finding of no significant impact (FONSI).
ADDRESSES: Copies of the EA and modified emission reduction tables for
the Final Rule are available from: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Forrestal Building, Mail
Station EE-43, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585,
(202) 586-9127.
FOR FURTHER PROGRAM INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Barry P. Berlin, Office of
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE-43), U.S. Department of
Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121, (202)
586-9127.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE DOE NEPA PROCESS, CONTACT: Carol
Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Assistance (EH-42), 1000
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0119, (202) 586-4600.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION: The action is the establishment of
revised energy conservation standards for refrigerators, refrigerator-
freezers, and freezers.
Environmental Impacts
The EA evaluates the environmental impacts of a range of new energy
conservation standards for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and
freezers. The results are presented for each potential standard level.
Each potential standard level is an alternative action, and the
environmental impacts of each alternative are compared to what would be
expected to happen if no new standard were adopted, i.e., the ``no
action'' alternative. The amended standard being finalized today is a
small modification of one of the standard levels that had been
proposed.
The main environmental concern is emissions from fossil-fueled
electricity generation. Most of the design options for this appliance
product category would result in decreased electricity use and,
therefore, a reduction in power plant emissions. The proposed
efficiency standards would generally decrease air pollution by
decreasing future energy demand. The greatest decreases in air
pollution would be for sulfur oxides, listed in equivalent weight of
sulfur dioxide, or SO2. Reductions of nitrogen oxides and carbon
dioxide would also occur, and are listed by weight of NOX and
CO2, respectively.
Although the quantity of raw materials used per appliance would
remain relatively constant, in most scenarios initial price increases
from standards are expected to reduce slightly the number of appliances
sold, which would result in small decreases in the total amount of raw
materials used. The main effect of this decreased appliance production
would be the SO2 decreases from avoided fuel burning at power
plants. The environmental contribution from reduced steel production is
not included in the estimates for net SO2 decreases resulting from
design changes in these products.
Although the effects on particulate emissions related to the
standard-induced decrease in electricity generation would be minor
compared to effects on SO2, NOX, and CO2, any reduction
would possibly be beneficial to the quality of surface water. Since the
total amount of particulate emitted would decrease, it is very likely
that less particulate would reach surface water.
Reduction in particulate emissions accompanied by decreases in
SO2 and NOX would have other beneficial effects on the
environment. The resultant improvement in air quality and the decreased
potential for acid rain formation could help improve the quality of
wetlands and fish and wildlife as well as aid in the preservation of
historical and archaeological sites.
Determination
Based upon the EA, DOE has determined that the adoption of the
amended energy-efficiency standards for refrigerators, refrigerator-
freezers, and freezers would not constitute a major Federal action
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, within
the meaning of NEPA. Therefore, an EIS is not required.
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 23, 1997.
Christine A. Ervin,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 97-10889 Filed 4-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
