[Federal Register: November 9, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 217)]
[Notices]
[Page 63563-63564]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09no07-48]
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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: Antonio.Bouza@ee.doe.gov. 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