[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