### .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 possiblestandards 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: 

### ·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 ofEnergy.

ACTION: Finding ofNo SignificantImpact (FONSI) on proposed rulemaking for energy conservation standards·for 3 types ofconsumer products.

SUMMARY: The Energy Policy 

### and Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended by the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA) andthe National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA), prescribes energy conservation standards for certain majorhousehold appliances, and requires the Department ofEnergy (DOE) to administer 

### an energy conservationprogram 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 ofthese 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 Departmenthas reviewedpossible sw.ndards for refrigerators. refrigeratorfr'ezers and freezers. small gas furnaces and television sets as discussed in today'snotice ofproposed rulemaking.

For refrigerators. refrigerator-freezers and freezers. the Department is proposing a range ofstandards 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 ofenergy and be economicallyjustified. Therefore, the Department is today proposing to amend 10 CFR Part430 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 ofenergy but would not be economically justified.**T~erefore.** the Department is proposing to amend Part 430 to include a determinatio.nofno standardfor. television**se~.** .

Based on anEnvironmental .Assessrrient (EA),DOE has determined that none ofthe propol?ed standards, including 

### the Uno standard" for

.. television sets. are a major federal action significantly affecting the quality 

### ofthe human environment within the meaning ofthe National Environmental 

### Policy Act (NEPAl. Therefore 

### an Environmental Impact Statementwill
not be prepared. The EA is part ofthe Technical Support Document for the proposed standards 

### and is avaHable on request at the following address.

Public Availability

Hearings andDockets Branch. Office 

### ofConservation and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department 

### ofEnergy. Doc;ket**NUD1ber~~-87-102,loo0** IndependenceAvenue 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. DonaldE. Henninger. U.S. Department

ofEnergy. Office ofNEPA Project Assistance. ForrestalBuilding, 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 anEnvironmental 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

. . 

### 4221etseq., and the implementing regulations ofthe 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 ofenergy 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 ofthe 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:ofnew or amended energy-efficiency standards for refrigerators;refrigerator-freezE;!rs,

. . freezers. and small gas furnaces and the proposed setting ofno 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 ofrigid insulationfoam.

Four ofthe fourteen ·scenarios for product design changes described 

### in the Engineermg Analysis ofthe 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 ofparticulate emissions is not included in this
assessmentbecause particulate emissions are relatively small compared!
to sulfur and nitrogen oxide emissions. Current electricity generating methods

are far cleanerthan those ofthe past. In 1984, powerplants contributed only 7 percent ofU.S. total particulate emissions as compared to contributions of83·percent and 34 percent to total 

### SO: and NO:! emissions. respectively (EPA, 1986).

General Findings



### 1. Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers 

### andFreezers

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 ofthe proposed standards. other thanthe minimum NAECA standards. are the

.result 

### ofgenerating less electricity. Power plants' main environmental ·effects on air and waterresult 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 summarizedbelow:

.

### 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 YorkState 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, AssistantSecretary, Environment, Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 88-277598 Filed 12-1-88; 8:45 am] .

BILLING CODE 8450

-01-M, 

### 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 ofthe 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 tonsor0.2 percent ofthe '

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 ofCFC·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 ofthe

, 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 ofthe 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 consumptionwould have to·come from other uses 

### imd would notresult in a net increase in CFC production.

None ofthe environmental impacts

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

from the range ofproposed standards 

## are considered to be significant.

2. 

### Sinall Gas

### Furnaces

The greatest impactof 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. Generalfindings are summarized below:'

A. 

### Sulfur Dioxide

The reduction in**S~** would be 6BOO
tons or4.2 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 ofthe emissions estimated to come from residential fuel combustion dUring 2010.

C. Carbon Dioxide

The reductionin CO2 wouldbe eqUivalent 

### tc! 569,000 ions of carbon or



### ..:.>" .01 percent ofthe woddwide CG.! emissions 

### for the year 2010.

None ofthe 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 thatwould be preempted 

### by the**~'no** standard" standard. The only
state standard for television sets of whichDOE is aware iii the New York State standard that bans the "instanton" featurepf tube type televisions

.. However, since tube type television sets

are nolonger 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 ofthe human environment, within the meanirigof NEPA. therefore,

anEnvironmental Impact Statementis
not required.

Issued iIi Washington, DC, November 7. 1968. Ernest C. Baynard lU, ,Assistdn'tSecretarv. Ellvironmellt, Safetyand ,Health. ' •

,

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

BILLING CODE**6450~1-M,**

:., '

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

:'"

...... ,'

.... .