.48826 Federal Register

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Conservation and

Renewable Energy

Energy Conservation Program for

Consumer Products; Finding of No

Significant Impact

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Finding of No Significant Impact

(FONSI) on proposed rulemaking for

energy conservation standards-for 3

types of consumer products.

SUMMARY: The Energy Policy and

Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended

by the National Energy Conservation

Policy Act (NECPA) and the National

Appliance Energy Conservation Act

(NAECA), 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. As a general matter, these

Federal standards preempt State and

local standards and any other State and

local requirements with respect to

energy efficiency or energy use of these

products. Among other things, NAECA

requires DOE to consider amending the

energy conservation standards for

refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and

freezers; to establish standards for small

gas furnaces; and to consider

establishing energy conservation

standards for television sets.

In accordance with NAECA, the

Department has reviewed possible

standards for refrigerators, refrigeratorfreezers and freezers, small gas furnaces

and television sets as discussed in

today's notice of proposed rulemaking.

For refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers

and freezers, the Department is

proposing a range of standards that

includes not increasing the stringency of

the standard level. DOE is soliciting

comments and information from the

public to be considered in promulgating

the final rule. As discussed in the

proposed rule, the final rule will specify

a specific level for refrigerators,

refrigerator-freezers and freezers.

For small gas furnaces, the

Department is proposing to determine

that standards would result in a

significant conservation of energy and

be economically justified. Therefore, the

Department is today proposing to amend

10 CFR Part 430 to add standards for

this product.

Finally, for television sets, the

Department is proposing to determine

that an energy conservation standard

would result in a significant

conservation of energy but would not be

Vol..._53, No. .232 / Friday, December 2, 1988 / Notices

economically justified. Therefore, the

Department is proposing to,amend Part

430 to include a determination of no

standard for. television sets. '.

Based on an Environmental

Assessment (EA), DOE has determined

that none of the proposed standards,

including the "no standard" for

television sets, are amajor federal

action significantly affecting the quality

of the human environment within the

meaning of the National Environmental

Policy Act (NEPA). Therefore an

Environmental Impact Statement will

not be prepared. The EA is part of the

Technical Support Document for the

proposed standards and is available on

request at the following address.

Public Availability

Hearings and Dockets Branch, Office

of Conservation, and Renewable Energy,

U.S. Department of Energy, Docket

Number CE-RM-87-102,1000

Independence Avenue SW., Room OB-.

025, Washington, DC 20585: (202)-586-

9320.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michael J. McCabe, U.S. Department of

Energy, Office of Conservation and

Renewable Energy, Forrestal Building,

Mail Station CE-132, 1000

Independence Avenue, SW.,

Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-9127.

Donald E. Henninger, U.S. Department

of Energy, Office of NEPA Project

Assistance, Forrestal Building, Mail

Station EH-25, 1000 Independence

Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585,

(202) 586-4600.

Martha S. Crosland, U.S. Department of

Energy, Office of General Counsel,

Forrestal Building, Mail Station GC11, 1000 Independence Avenue SW.,

Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-6947.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE

prepared an Environmental Assessment

(EA) on the proposed standards

pursuant to the National Environmental

Policy Act of 1969, as amended, Pub. L.

91-190, 40 U.S.C..4221 at seq., and the

implementing regulations of the Council

on. Environmental Quality (40 CFR Parts

1500 through 1808). The EA addresses

the possible incremental environmental

effects attributable to the application of

the proposed standards to the design of

refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and

freezers; and small gas furnaces. The EA

also looked at the impact of energy

conservation standards for television

sets. As discussed in the General

Findings, the "no standard" standard for

televisions will not change the status

quo and therefore will not result in any

environmental impact. The effect of the

proposed standards range from no

change to a slight improvement in the

outdoor environment as discussed in the

General Findings below.

Approach Used in the. Analysis

This assessment evaluates the

environmental impacts resulting from

the proposed setting:of new or amended

energy-efficiency standards for

refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, .

freezers, and small gas furnaces and the

proposed setting of no standards for

television sets in accordance with the

NAECA. A .complete description of the

Engineering and Economic Analysis of

the proposed standards may be found in

the Technical Support Document.(TSD).

The two main environmental concerns

addressed are emissions from fossil fuel

fired electricity generation and the

chlorofluorocarbons used in the

production of rigid insulation foam,

Four of the fourteen scenarios for

product design changes described in the

Engineering Analysis of the TSD were

chosen for study based on their relative

importance as design measures. Values

for energy savings that result from

product design changes are also taken

from the TSD.

An in-depth analysis of particulate

emissions is not included in this

assessment because particulate

emissions are relatively small compared

to sulfur and nitrogen oxide emissions.

Current electricity generating methods

are far cleaner than those of the past. In

1984, power plants contributed only 7

percent of U.S. total particulate

emissions as compared to contributions

of 83-percent and 34 percent to total SO.-

and NOz emissions, respectively (EPA,

1986).

General Findings

1. Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers

and Freezers

The proposed standards for

refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and

freezers range from retaining the

federally mandated standards contained

in NAECA, up to three-more stringent

standards. The greatest impacts of the

proposed standards, other than the

minimum NAECA standards, are the

result of generating less electricity.

Power plants' main environmental

effects on air and water result from

emissions of sulfur oxides(SO1),

nitrogen oxides (NO.), and carbon

dioxide (COZ). All SO,, and NO.,

emissions are expressed in thei

equivalent weights of SO2 and NO2,

respectively. Carbon dioxide emissions

are commonly expressed as tons of

carbon. Additionally, there would be

some shifting of CFC use. General

findings are summarized below:

CE-RM-87-102 COMMENT 03

·federal R~giElter I Vol.,~p3" No.23Z I .Friday, December 2~ 19.88 I Notices 

- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY . 

Office of Conservation and 

Renewable Energy . 

Energy Conservation Program for 

Consumer Products; Finding of No 

Significant Impact 

AGENCY: Department of Energy. 

ACTION: Finding of No Significant Impact 

(FONSI) on proposed rulemaking for 

energy conservation standards· for 3 

types of consumer products. 

SUMMARY: The Energy Policy and 

Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended 

by the National Energy Conservation 

Policy Act (NECPA) and the National 

Appliance Energy Conservation Act 

(NAECA), 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. As a general matter, these 

Federal standards preempt State and 

local standards and any other State and 

local requirements with respect to 

energy efficiency or energy use of these 

products. Among other things. NAECA 

.requiJ'es DOE to consider amending the 

energy conservation standards·for 

refrigerators. refrigerator-freezers. and 

freezers; to establish standards for small 

gas furnaces; and to consider 

establishing energy conservation 

standards for television sets. 

In accordance with NAECA, the 

Department has reviewed possible 

sw.ndards for refrigerators. refrigeratorfr'ezers and freezers. small gas furnaces 

and television sets as discussed in 

today's notice of proposed rulemaking. 

For refrigerators. refrigerator-freezers 

and freezers. the Department is 

proposing a range of standards that 

includes not increasing the stringency of 

the standard level. DOE is soliciting 

comments and information from the 

public to be considered in promulgating 

the final rule. As discussed in the 

proposed rule, the final rule will specify 

a specific level for refrigerators. 

refrigerator-freezers and freezers. 

For small gas furnaces. the 

Department is proposing to determine 

that standards· would result in a . 

significant conservation of energy and 

be economically justified. Therefore, the 

Department is today proposing to amend 

10 CFR Part 430 to add standards for 

this product. 

Finally. for television sets, the 

Department is proposing to determine 

that an energy conservation standard 

would result in a significant 

conservation of energy but would not be 

economically justified. T~erefore. the 

Department is proposing to amend Part 

430 to include a determinatio.nof no 

standard for. television se~. . 

Based on an Environmental 

.Assessrrient (EA),DOE has determined 

that none of the propol?ed standards, 

including the Uno standard" for .. 

television sets. are a major federal 

action significantly affecting the quality 

of the human environment within the 

meaning of the National Environmental 

Policy Act (NEPAl. Therefore an 

Environmental Impact Statement will 

not be prepared. The EA is part of the 

Technical Support Document for the 

proposed standards and is avaHable on 

request at the following address. 

Public Availability 

Hearings and Dockets Branch. Office 

of Conservation and Renewable Energy, 

U.S. Department of Energy. Doc;ket 

NUD1ber~~-87-102,loo0 

Independence Avenue SW.t Room as025. Washington. DC 20585: (202)586-

9320. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Michael J. McCabe. U.S. Department of 

Energy. Office of.Conservation and 

Renewable Energy, Forrestal Building, 

Mail Station CE-132. 1000 

Independence Avenue. SW .• 

Washington. DC 20585. (202) 586-9127. 

Donald E. Henninger. U.S. Department 

of Energy. Office of NEPA Project 

Assistance. Forrestal Building, Mail 

station EH-25. 1000 Independence 

Avenue SW .• Washington, DC 20585, 

(202) 586-4600. . 

Martha S. Crosland. U.S. Department of 

Energy. Office of General Counsel. 

Forrestal Building. Mail Station GC11. 1000 Independence Avenue SW., 

Washington. DC 20585. (202) 586-6947. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE 

prepared an Environmental Assessment 

(EA) on the proposed standards 

pursuant to the National Environmental 

Policy Act of 1969. as amended, Pub. L. 

91-190,40 U.S.C . . 4221et seq., and the 

implementing regulations of the Council 

on Environmental Quality (40CFR Parts 

1500 through 1808). The EA addresses 

the possible incremental environmental 

effects attributable to the application of 

the proposed standards to the design of 

refrigerators. refrigerator-freezers, and 

freezers; and small gas furnaces. The EA 

also looked at the impact of energy 

conservation standards for television 

sets. As discussed in the General 

Findings. the "no standard" standard for 

televisions will not change the status 

quo and therefore will not result in any 

environmental impact. The effect of the 

proposed standards range from no 

change to a slight improvement in the 

outdoor environment as discussed in the 

General Findings below. 

Approach Used in the. AnaiS'sis 

This assessment evaluates the 

emironmental impacts resulting frO!l;1 

the proposed setting:of new or amended 

energy-efficiency standards for 

refrigerators; refrigerator-freezE;!rs, . . 

freezers. and small gas furnaces and the 

proposed setting of no standards for 

television sets in accordance \'lTith the . 

NAECA. A complete description of the 

Engineering and Economic Analysis of 

the proposed standards may be found in! 

the Technical Support Document (TSD). 

The two main environmental concerns 

addressed are emissions from fossH fuel 

fired electricity generation and the 

chlorofluorocarbons used in the 

production of rigid insulation foam. 

Four of the fourteen ·scenarios for 

product design changes described in the 

Engineermg Analysis of the TSD were 

chosen for study based on their relative 

importance as design measures. Values 

for energy savings that result from 

product design chaIiges are also taken 

from the TSD. 

An in-depth analysis of particulate 

emissions is not included in this 

assessment because particulate 

emissions are relatively small compared! 

to sulfur and nitrogen oxide emissions. 

Current electricity generating methods 

are far cleaner than those of the past. In 

1984, power plants contributed only 7 

percent of U.S. total particulate 

emissions as compared to contributions 

of 83·percent and 34 percent to total SO: 

and NO:! emissions. respectively (EPA, 

1986). 

General Findings 

1. Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers 

and Freezers 

The proposed standards for 

refrigerators. refrigerator-freezers. and 

freezers range from retaining the 

federally mandated standards contained 

in NAECA. up to three more stringent 

standards. The greatest impacts of the 

proposed standards. other than the 

minimum NAECA standards. are the 

. result of generating less electricity. 

Power plants' main environmental 

·effects on air and water result from 

emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx). 

nitrogen oxides (NO,,). and carbon 

dioxide (CO:!). All SOx and NQ •• 

emissions are expressed in the. 

equivalent weights of 802 and N02. 

respectively. Carbon dioxide emissions 

are commonly expressed as tons of 

carbon. Additionally. there would be 

some shifting of CFC use. General 

findings are summarized below: . 
Federal Register / Vol. 53, No. 232 / Friday, December 2, 1988 ' j Notices 48827

A. Sulfur Dioxide

The greatest decrease in air pollution,

will occur for sulfur dioxide. The

possible reductions range from no

change up to 151;000 tons or 0.9 percent

of the U.S. S02 emissions expected to be

emitted by power plants by the year

2010 for the most stringent standard.

proposed."

B. Nitrogen Dioxide

The possible reductions in NO2 range

from no change up to 100,000 tons or 1.0

percent of the total NOs emissions

expected to be emitted by power plants

by the year 2010 for the most stringent

standard proposed.'

C. Carbon Dioxide

The possible reductions'in CO2 range

from no change up to the equivalent of

9,180,000 tons. or 0.2 percent of the

worldwide CO: emissions for the year

2010 for the most stringent standard

proposed.'

D. Chlorofluorocarbons

An additional effect of some design

change scenarios is. an increased

consumption of CFC's. CFC-11 is

contained in the rigid foam insulation

used in the appliances and CFC-12 is

i The upper levels are interpolated from data in

Table 5.8 of the Technical Support Document for

energy savings and Tables 1, 2, 5, and a of the

Environmental Assessment for pollutant reductions.

The interpolation is madebetween standard level 1

(engineering level 3) and standard level 4

(engineering level 8).

Ibid.

Ibid,

the heat exchange fluid used in

refrigerators and freezers. The possible

increased use ranges from no change to

one percent of the 1985 total United

States CFC-11 and CFC-12 consumption

for the most stringent standards

proposed. However, since CFC

production has been limited, any extra

consumption would have to-come from

other uses and would not result in a net

increase in CFC production.

None of the environmental impacts

from the savings of SO2, NO2, or C02

from the range of proposed standards

are considered to be significant.

2. Small Gas Furnaces

The greatest impact of the proposed

standard for small gas furnaces is a

decrease'in electricity consumption as

some households shift from electric

heating to small gas furnaces and

decreases in gas and oil burned in.

homes. General findings are summarized

below:

A. Sulfur Dioxide

The reduction in SO2 would be 6800

tons or 4.2 percent of the emissions

estimated to come from residential fuel

combustion during 2010.

B. Nitrogen Dioxide

The redaction in NO2 would be 5100

tons or 1.3 percent of the emissions

estimated to come from residential fuel

combustion during 2010.

C: Carbon Dioxide

The reduction in CO., would be

equivalent to 569,000 tons of carbon or

.01 percent of the .worldwide CO2

emissions for the year 2010.

None of the environmental impacts

from the savings of SO,; NO,, or COs

from the proposed standard are

considered to be significant.

3. Television Sets

The proposed "no standard" standard

for television sets results: in no impact

on the environment since it will not

change the status quo. DOE is unaware

of any State or. local energy

conservation. standards concerning

television sets that would be preempted

by the no standard" standard. The only

state standard for television sets of

which DOE is aware is the New York

State standard that bans the "instanton" feature of tube "type televisions.

However, since tube 'type television sets

are no longer manufactured,. such

standards currently have no effect.

Determination

Based upon the -EA, DOE has

determined that the proposed interim

standards do not constitute a major

federal action significantly affecting the

quality of the human environment,

within the meaning of NEPA.. Therefore,

an Environmental Impact Statement is

not required.

Issued in Washington, DC, November 7.

1988.

Ernest C. Baynard 117,

Assistant Secretary, Environment, Safety and

Health.

[FR Doc. 88-277598 Filed 12-1-88; 8:45 am] .

BILLING CODE 8450-01-M,

CE-RM-87-102 COMMENT 03

Federal Register I Vol. 53. No.. 232 I Friday, December 2. 1988/ No.tices 48827 

A. Sulfur Dioxide 

The greatest decrease in air pollution 

will occur for sulfur dioXide. The 

possible reductions range from no, 

change up to 151;000 tons Dr 0.9 percent 

of the U.S. S02 emissions expected to be 

emitted by power plan~s by the yea:r 

2010 for the most stringent standard, 

'proposed. 1 " ' 

B. Nitrogen Dioxide 

The possible reductions in N02 range 

from no change up to 100,000 tons or 1.0 

" percent of the total NG.! emissions, ' 

expected to be emitted by power plants 

by the year 2010 for the most stringent 

standard proposed. 2 

C. Carbon Dioxide 

The possible redu~tionsin CG.! range 

from no change up to the equivalent of 

" 9,180,000 tons or 0.2 percent of the ' 

worldwide CO2 emissions for the year 

2010 for the most stringent standard 

proposed. 5 

D. ChlOl;'l'Ifluorocarbons 

An additional effect of some design 

change scenarios is an increased 

consumption of CFC·s. CFC-l1 is 

con~ained in th,e rigid foam insulation 

used in the appliances and CFC-12 is 

, I The upper levels are interpolated from data in, 

Table 5.S oftha Technical Support Document for 

energy savings snd Tables 1. 2. S. and 6 of the 

, Environmental Assessment for pollutant reduction~. 

The interpolation is made 'between: standard hivel1 

(engineering level 3) and'standard le\'e! <I . 

(engineering'leveIS). 

, "Ibid. 

• Ibid, 

= 

the heat exchange fluid ,used in 

refrigerators and freezers. The possible 

increased use ranges from no change to 

one percent of the 1985 total United 

States CFC-ll and CFC-12 consumption 

for the most stringent standards 

proposed. However, since CFC 

production has been limited, any extra 

consumption would have to· come from 

other uses imd would not result in a net 

increase in CFC production. 

None ofthe environmental impacts 

, from the savings of S02, NG.!. or CG.! 

from the range of proposed standards 

are considered to be significant. 

2. Sinall Gas Furnaces 

The greatest impact of the proposed 

standard for small gas furnaces is a 

decrease in electricity consumption as 

some households shift from electric 

heating to small gas furnaces and 

decreases in gas and oil burned in 

homes. General findings are summarized 

below:' 

A. Sulfur Dioxide 

The reduction in S~ would be 6BOO 

tons or 4.2 percent of the emissions 

estimated to come from residential fuel 

combustiondurlng 2010. 

B. Nitrogen Dioxide 

The reduction in NCh would ,be 5100 

tons or 1.3 percent of the emissions 

estimated to come from residential fuel 

combustion dUring 2010. 

C. Carbon Dioxide 

The reduction in CO2 would be 

eqUivalent tc! 569,000 ions of carbon or 

.. : .>" 

.01 percent of the woddwide CG.! 

emissions for the year 2010. 

None of the environmental impacts 

from the savings of sOa; NG.i, or CG.! 

from the proposed standard are 

considered to be significant. 

a. Television Se.ts 

The proposed "no standard!' standard 

for television sets results,in no impact 

on the environment since it will not 

change the status quq. DOE is unaware 

of any State or local ,energy 

conservEition stanclards concerning 

television s.ets that would be preempted 

by the ~'no standard" standard. The only 

state standard for television sets of 

which DOE is aware iii the New York 

State standard that bans the "instanton" featurepf tube type televisions .. 

However, since tube type television sets 

are no longer manufactured,; such 

standards currently have no effect. 

Determination ., 

Based upon the EA, DOE has 

determined that the. proposed interim 

standards do not constitute a major 

federal action si8l1ificantly affecting the 

quality of the human environment, 

within the meanirigof NEPA. therefore, 

an Environmental Impact Statement is 

not required. 

Issued iIi Washington, DC, November 7. 

1968. 

Ernest C. Baynard lU, 

,Assistdn't Secretarv. Ellvironmellt, Safety and 

,Health. ' • , 

[FR Doc. '66-27596 Filed 12-1-.86; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6450~1-M, 

:., ' 

I: .~ .. '.: ,.' 

:'" ...... ,' .... .