[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 217 (Friday, November 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63563-63564]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-22004]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Finding of No Significant Impact: Energy Conservation Program for 
Commercial Equipment, Distribution Transformers

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
Energy.

ACTION: Finding of No Significant Impact for Energy Conservation 
Standards for distribution transformers.

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SUMMARY: The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended, prescribes 
energy conservation standards for certain consumer products and 
commercial equipment. Part C of Title III (42 U.S.C. 6311-6317) 
establishes a program for ``Certain Industrial Equipment,'' which 
includes distribution transformers. The Department of Energy (DOE) is 
directed to administer an energy conservation program for this product. 
Based on an Environmental Assessment (EA), DOE/EA-1565, which is 
published as part of the Distribution Transformer Technical Support 
Document (TSD), DOE has determined that the adoption of energy 
efficiency for liquid-immersed distribution transformers and medium-
voltage dry-type distribution transformers, as adopted by the Final 
Rule entitled the ``Energy Conservation Program for Commercial 
Equipment: Distribution Transformers Energy Conservation Standards; 
Final Rule,'' published on October 12, 2007 (72 FR 58190), 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 the TSD, as well as the complete docket 
for the distribution transformer rulemaking can be reviewed at the U.S. 
Department of Energy, Resource Room of the Building Technologies 
Program, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington, DC (202) 586-2945, 
between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. Please call Ms. Brenda Edwards-Jones at the above telephone 
number for additional information regarding visiting the Resource Room. 
You may also obtain copies of certain previous rulemaking documents 
from this proceeding (i.e., Framework Document, advance notice of 
proposed rulemaking (ANOPR), notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR or 
proposed rule)), draft analyses, public meeting materials, and related 
test procedure documents from the Office of Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy's Web site at http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/commercial/distribution_transformers.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Antonio Bouza, Project Manager, 
Energy Conservation Standards for Distribution Transformers, Docket No. 
EE-RM/STD-00-550, U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121, (202) 586-4563, e-
mail: [email protected]. For further information regarding the 
DOE NEPA process contact: Ms. Othalene Lawrence, EERE NEPA Compliance 
Officer (EE-3C), U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-
0119, (202) 586-8596.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Description of the Final Rule: The final rule published on October 
12, 2007 established an energy conservation standard for liquid-
immersed distribution transformers and medium-voltage dry-type 
distribution transformers. 72 FR 58190.
    Environmental Impacts: The EA and TSD evaluate the environmental 
impacts of a range of energy conservation standards for distribution 
transformers. The results are presented for each TSL that DOE 
considered in this rulemaking. Each TSL was considered as 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 main environmental impact is decreased emissions from fossil-
fueled electricity generation. All of the minimum efficiency levels 
that were considered for this commercial product would result in 
decreased electricity use and, therefore, a reduction in power plant 
emissions. The adopted energy conservation standard will generally 
decrease air pollution by decreasing future energy demand. The 
environmental analysis considers carbon dioxide (CO2) 
nitrogen oxides (NOX), mercury (Hg) and sulfur dioxide 
(SO2).
    The results of the analysis show an estimated cumulative reduction 
of 250 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions for liquid-immersed and 
medium-voltage dry-type distribution transformers between 2010 and 
2038.

[[Page 63564]]

Because emissions of NOX, Hg and SO2 from power 
plants are capped by clean air legislation, physical emissions from 
electricity generation will be only minimally affected by distribution 
transformers energy conservation standards. The maximum NOX, 
Hg and SO2 allowed by law will most likely still be 
produced, but because these emissions are traded, and if emissions are 
lowered due to the reduction in power generation, then the cost of 
emission credits may decrease slightly. Therefore, the EA did not 
consider changes in power sector emissions because they will be 
negligible.
    Determination: Based upon the EA, DOE has determined that the 
adoption of the final rule energy conservation standard for 
distribution transformers 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, and the 
Department is issuing this FONSI.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 1, 2007.
Alexander A. Karsner,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. E7-22004 Filed 11-8-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P