[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 5, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-8122]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 5, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

10 CFR Part 430

[Docket No. EE-RM-90-201]

 

Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Publication of a finding of no significant impact for 
environmental assessment DOE/EA-0819.

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SUMMARY: On March 4, 1994, the Department published a Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking on Energy Efficiency Standards for eight appliance 
types (59 FR 10464). As part of the analysis supporting that Notice, 
the Department prepared an Environmental Assessment (DOE/EA-0819), 
which was printed within Volume I of the Technical Support Document 
that was prepared for that rulemaking proposal. Today's action makes 
publically available the Finding of No Significant Impact that had been 
prepared for that Environmental Assessment. It is printed in its 
entirety.


    Issued in Washington, DC, March 17, 1994.
Frank M. Stewart, Jr.,
Chief of Staff, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Finding of No Significant Impact--Energy Conservation Program for 
Consumer Products

    The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended by the National 
Energy Conservation Policy Act, the National Appliance Energy 
Conservation Act of 1987, and the National Appliance Energy 
Conservation Amendments of 1988, 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-
0819, DOE has determined that the proposal of any of the candidate 
amended energy efficiency standards for the eight appliances 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).
    Public Availability: Copies of the EA are available from the 
Hearings and Dockets Branch, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable 
Energy, EE-43, room 6B-025, U.S. Department of Energy, Docket Number 
EE-RM-90-201, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, 20585, 
(202) 586-9320.
    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, (202) 586-9127.
    For further information regarding the DOE NEPA process, contact: 
Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Oversight (EH-25), U.S. 
Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20585, (202) 586-4600 or (800) 472-2756.
    Description of the Proposed Action: The proposed action is the 
establishment of revised energy conservation standards for room air 
conditioners, water heaters, direct heating equipment, mobile home 
furnaces, kitchen ranges and ovens, pool heaters and fluorescent lamp 
ballasts, and to consider standards for televisions.
    Environmental Impacts: The EA evaluates the environmental impacts 
of a range of new candidate energy conservation standards for eight 
types of household appliances. The results are presented for each 
potential standard level for each of the eight appliance types. 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 standards for each product were finalized, 
i.e., the ``no action'' alternative.
    The main environmental concern is emissions from fossil-fueled 
electricity generation. Most of the design options for the eight 
appliances would result in decreased electricity use and, therefore, a 
reduction of 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. Design 
options for many of the appliances (i.e., gas and oil water heaters, 
gas pool heaters, direct heating equipment, mobile home furnaces, and 
gas ranges and ovens) would also reduce in-home fuel consumption, 
resulting in lower in-home emissions from fuel-burning appliances.
    Although the quantity of raw materials used per appliance would 
remain relatively constant, in most scenarios increased initial prices 
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 a 
standard-induced decrease in electricity generation would be minor 
compared to effects on SO2, NO2, and CO2, any reduction 
would possibly be beneficial to the quality of surface water. Since the 
total amount of particulates emitted would decrease, it is very likely 
that fewer particulates would reach the surface water.
    Reductions in particulate emissions accompanied by drecases in 
SO2 and NO2 would have other beneficial effects on the 
environment. The resultant improvement to 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.
    Reduced in-home fuel consumption of gas or oil would decrease the 
impact of combustion on indoor air quality. Indoor air problems are 
usually due to a combination of factors, including a tight house 
envelope, insufficient ventilation for cooking appliances, presence of 
sources such as cigarette smokers or formaldehyde-containing products, 
and radon diffusion from soil. In comparison to the above factors, and 
because fuel-burning appliances are normally vented to the outside, the 
projected changes in home fuel-burning appliance use is expected to 
have little effect on indoor air quality.
    Determination: Based upon the EA, DOE has determined that the 
proposal of any of the candidate amended energy-efficiency standards 
for room air conditioners, water heaters, direct heating equipment, 
mobile home furnaces, kitchen ranges and ovens, pool heaters, 
fluorescent lamp ballasts, and television sets would not consitute a 
major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human 
environment, within the meaning of NEPA. Therefore, an EIS for the 
proposed action is not required.


    Issued in Washington, DC, this 4th day of December 1992.
Paul L. Ziemer,
Assistant Secretary, Environment, Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 94-8122 Filed 4-4-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P