Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Revision to References for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector To Incorporate Latest Edition of Certain Industry, Consensus-Based Standards, 58154-58156 [2017-26084]

Download as PDF 58154 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 236 / Monday, December 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules Associate Register of Copyrights, by email at sdam@loc.gov, Regan A. Smith, Deputy General Counsel, by email at resm@loc.gov, or Anna Chauvet, Assistant General Counsel, by email at achau@loc.gov, or any of them by telephone at 202–707–8350. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 1, 2017, the Office issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (‘‘NPRM’’) on proposed rules governing the royalty reporting practices of cable operators under section 111 and proposed revisions to the Statement of Account forms, and on proposed amendments to the Statement of Account filing requirements.1 The NPRM addresses certain issues outlined by a 2006 notice of inquiry published by the Office,2 which received comments from multiple parties,3 as well as additional issues that have subsequently arisen. While the NPRM is primarily focused on reporting practices for the cable license, some of the rules proposed by the NPRM would also apply to remitters making use of the section 119 (satellite) or chapter 10 (‘‘DART’’) licenses.4 The Office welcomed public input on the proposed changes set forth in the NPRM, as well as other suggestions on streamlining or otherwise improving reporting practices for the section 111 license. regulatory language. Any such communication may occur before and after public comments are submitted to the Office, but before a final rule has issued. Parties wishing to participate in informal discussions with the Office should submit a written request using the contact information above. The primary means to communicate views in the course of the rulemaking will, however, continue to be through the submission of written comments. In other words, informal communication will supplement, not substitute for, the written record. Should a party meet with the Office regarding this rulemaking, the participating party will be responsible for submitting a list of attendees and written summary of any oral communication to the Office, which will be made publicly available on the Office’s Web site or regulations.gov. In sum, while the Office is establishing the option of informal meetings in this rulemaking, it will require that all such communications be on the record to ensure the greatest possible transparency. Dated: December 6, 2017. Sarang V. Damle, General Counsel and Associate Register of Copyrights. [FR Doc. 2017–26631 Filed 12–8–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 1410–30–P A. Reply Comments The Office has determined that interested parties should be given an opportunity to address the proposed regulation and any comments submitted in response to the NPRM before the Office adopts a final rule. Accordingly, the Office concludes that reply comments would be appropriate. Interested parties must submit written reply comments in accordance with the deadline specified in the DATES section above. Reply commenters should limit their remarks to the issues or concerns presented in the initial comments. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS B. Ex-Parte Communication Typically, the Office’s communications with participants about ongoing rulemakings do not include discussions about the substance of the proceeding apart from the noticed phases of written comments. The Office has determined that informal communication with interested parties might be beneficial in this rulemaking, such as to discuss nuances of proposed 1 82 FR 56926 (Dec. 1, 2017). FR 45749 (Aug. 10, 2006). 3 The initial and reply comments have been posted on the Office’s Web site at https://copyright. gov/rulemaking/section111. 4 82 FR at 56935–36. 2 71 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:10 Dec 08, 2017 Jkt 244001 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 82 [EPA–HQ–OAR–2017–0472; FRL–9968–23– OAR] RIN 2060–AT53 Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Revision to References for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector To Incorporate Latest Edition of Certain Industry, Consensus-Based Standards Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. AGENCY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to modify the use conditions required for use of three flammable refrigerants, isobutane (R–600a), propane (R–290), and R–441A, in new household refrigerators, freezers, and combination refrigerators and freezers under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. The use conditions, which address safe use of flammable refrigerants, would reflect the incorporation by reference of an SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 updated standard from Underwriters Laboratories. In the ‘‘Rules and Regulations’’ section of this Federal Register, we are modifying these use conditions as a direct final rule without a prior proposed rule. If we receive no adverse comment, we will not take further action on this proposed rule. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before January 25, 2018. Any party requesting a public hearing must notify the contact listed below under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT by December 18, 2017. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OAR–2017–0472, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or withdrawn. EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e., on the Web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit https:// www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epadockets. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chenise Farquharson, Stratospheric Protection Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs (Mail Code 6205T), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202–564–7768; email address: farquharson.chenise@epa.gov. Notices and rulemakings under EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy program are available on EPA’s Stratospheric Ozone Web site at https:// www.epa.gov/snap/snap-regulations. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. What is EPA proposing? This action proposes to revise the use conditions for three flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants, isobutane (R– 600a), propane (R–290), and R–441A, used in new household refrigerators, freezers, and combination refrigerators E:\FR\FM\11DEP1.SGM 11DEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 236 / Monday, December 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules and freezers under EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. This action would replace four of the five use conditions in our previous hydrocarbon refrigerants rules (76 FR 78832, December 20, 2011; 80 FR 19454, April 10, 2015) with the updated Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard 60335–2–24 (2nd edition, April 28, 2017), ‘‘Household and Similar Electrical Appliances—Safety— Part 2–24: Particular Requirements for Refrigerating Appliances, Ice-Cream Appliances and Ice-Makers.’’ UL Standard 60335–2–24 supersedes the current edition of UL Standard 250 (10th edition, August 25, 2000), ‘‘Household Refrigerators and Freezers,’’ which EPA previously incorporated by reference in the use conditions of the acceptability listings for these three refrigerants (76 FR 78832, December 20, 2011; 80 FR 19454, April 10, 2015). The use conditions would include a charge limit of 150 grams (5.29 ounces) for each separate refrigerant circuit in a refrigerator or freezer, consistent with UL Standard 60335–2–24. The use conditions that would be replaced are reflected in the provisions of UL Standard 60335–2–24 and would be redundant of the standard. Elsewhere in this Federal Register, EPA is taking this action as a direct final rule without prior proposal because EPA views this as a noncontroversial revision and anticipates no adverse comments. This action does not place any significant burden on the regulated community and ensures consistency with industry standards. We have explained our reasons for this action in the preamble to the direct final rule. If we receive no adverse comment, we will not take further action on this proposed rule. If we receive adverse comment, we will withdraw the direct final rule and it will not take effect. We would address all public comments in any subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. We will not institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time. For further information, please see the information provided in the ADDRESSES section of this document. If requested by the date specified in the DATES section of this notice, EPA will hold a public hearing to accept oral testimony on this proposal on or before December 26, 2017 in Washington, DC. EPA will post all information regarding 58155 any public hearing on this proposed action, including whether a hearing will be held, its location, date, and time, if applicable, and any updates online at https://www.epa.gov/snap. In addition, you may contact Ms. Chenise Farquharson at (202) 564–7768 or by email at farquharson.chenise@epa.gov with public hearing requests and inquiries. EPA does not intend to publish any future notices in the Federal Register regarding a public hearing on this proposed rule and directs all inquiries regarding a hearing to the Web site and contact person identified above. II. Does this action apply to me? This notice of proposed rulemaking would regulate the use of three flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants, isobutane (R–600a), propane (R–290), and the hydrocarbon blend R–441A, in new household refrigerators, freezers, and combination refrigerators and freezers. Table 1 identifies industry subsectors that might want to explore the use of these flammable refrigerants in this end-use or that might work with equipment using these refrigerants in the future. Regulated entities may include: TABLE 1—POTENTIALLY REGULATED ENTITIES BY NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE Category NAICS code 333415 Industry ............................... Industry ............................... daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS Industry ............................... 335222 811412 This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be regulated by this action. This table lists the types of entities that EPA is now aware could potentially be regulated by this action. Other types of entities not listed in the table could also be regulated. To determine whether your entity is regulated by this action, you should carefully examine the applicability criteria found in 40 CFR part 82. If you have questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews Additional information about these statutes and Executive Orders can be found at https://www.epa.gov/lawsregulations/laws-and-executive-orders. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:10 Dec 08, 2017 Jkt 244001 Description of regulated entities Manufacturers of Refrigerators, Freezers, and Other Refrigerating or Freezing Equipment, Electric or Other (NESOI); Heat Pumps Not Elsewhere Specified or Included; and Parts Thereof. Household Refrigerator and Home Freezer Manufacturing. Appliance Repair and Maintenance. A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review This action is not a significant regulatory action and was therefore not submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. B. Executive Order 13771: Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs This action is not expected to be an Executive Order 13771 regulatory action because this action is not significant under Executive Order 12866. C. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) This action does not impose any new information collection burden under the PRA. OMB has previously approved the information collection requirements contained in the existing regulations and has assigned OMB control number 2060–0226. This rule contains no new PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 requirements for reporting or recordkeeping. D. Regulatory Flexibility Act I certify that this action will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the RFA. In making this determination, the impact of concern is any significant adverse economic impact on small entities. An agency may certify that a rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities if the rule relieves regulatory burden, has no net burden or otherwise has a positive economic effect on the small entities subject to the rule. The use conditions of this rule would apply to manufacturers of new household refrigerators and freezers, that choose to use flammable refrigerants. This action would allow equipment manufacturers to use flammable refrigerants at a higher charge size than previously allowed in E:\FR\FM\11DEP1.SGM 11DEP1 58156 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 236 / Monday, December 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules new household refrigerators and freezers but does not mandate such use; the change to the use conditions allows more flexibility for manufacturers in the design of equipment and thus reduces regulatory burden to the regulated community. In some cases, it may reduce costs by allowing manufacturers to design equipment with a single, larger refrigerant circuit instead of multiple, smaller refrigerant circuits for the same piece of equipment. E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) This action does not contain any unfunded mandate as described in UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531–1538, and does not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. The action imposes no enforceable duty on any state, local or tribal governments or the private sector. F. Executive Order 13132: Federalism This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. G. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments This action does not have tribal implications as specified in Executive Order 13175. It will not have substantial direct effects on tribal governments, on the relationship between the Federal government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal government and Indian tribes, as specified in Executive Order 13175. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this action. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS H. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental Health and Safety Risks This action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it is not economically significant as defined in Executive Order 12866, and because EPA does not believe the environmental health or safety risks addressed by this action present a disproportionate risk to children. This action’s health and risk assessments are contained in risk screens for the various substitutes.1 2 3 1 ICF, 2017a. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Household Refrigerators and Freezers; Substitute: Propane (R–290). 2 ICF, 2017b. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Household Refrigerators and Freezers; Substitute: Isobutane (R–600a). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:10 Dec 08, 2017 Jkt 244001 The risk screens are available in the docket for this rulemaking. that the UL standard being incorporated by reference is reasonably available. I. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use K. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations The human health or environmental risk addressed by this action will not have potential disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority, lowincome or indigenous populations. This action’s health and environmental risk assessments are contained in the risk screens for the various substitutes. The risk screens are available in the docket for this rulemaking. This action is not a ‘‘significant energy action’’ because it is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution or use of energy. J. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) and 1 CFR Part 51 This action involves a technical standard. EPA is proposing to revise the use conditions for the household refrigerators and freezers end-use by incorporating by reference the UL Standard 60335–2–24, ‘‘Safety Requirements for Household and Similar Electrical Appliances, Part 2: Particular Requirements for Refrigerating Appliances, Ice-Cream Appliances and Ice-Makers’’ (2nd edition, April 2017), which establishes requirements for the evaluation of household and similar electrical appliances, and safe use of flammable refrigerants. UL Standard 60335–2–24 supersedes the current edition of UL Standard 250, Supplement A, ‘‘Requirements for Refrigerators and Freezers Employing a Flammable Refrigerant in the Refrigerating System’’ (10th Edition, August 2000. EPA’s revision to the use conditions will replace the 2000 UL standard 250 with the 2017 UL standard 60335–2–24. This standard is available at https:// standardscatalog.ul.com/standards/en/ standard_60335–2–24_2, and may be purchased by mail at: COMM 2000, 151 Eastern Avenue, Bensenville, IL 60106; Email: orders@shopulstandards.com; Telephone: 1–888–853–3503 in the U.S. or Canada (other countries dial 1–415– 352–2178); Internet address: https:// www.shopulstandards.com/Product Detail.aspx?productId=UL60335-2-24_ 2_B_20170428(ULStandards2). The cost of UL 60335–2–24 is $454 for an electronic copy and $567 for hardcopy. UL also offers a subscription service to the Standards Certification Customer Library (SCCL) that allows unlimited access to their standards and related documents. The cost of obtaining this standard is not a significant financial burden for equipment manufacturers and purchase is not required for those selling, installing and servicing the equipment. Therefore, EPA concludes 3 ICF, 2017c. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Household Refrigerators and Freezers; Substitute: R–441A. PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 82 Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, Air pollution control, Incorporation by reference, Recycling, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Stratospheric ozone layer. Dated: November 20, 2017. E. Scott Pruitt, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2017–26084 Filed 12–8–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 131 [EPA–HQ–OW–2017–0303; FRL–9971–30– OW] RIN 2040–AF71 Proposed Withdrawal of Certain Federal Water Quality Criteria Applicable to California: Lead, Chlorodibromomethane, and Dichlorobromomethane Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to amend the federal regulations to withdraw certain human health (water and organisms) water quality criteria and certain freshwater acute and chronic aquatic life water quality criteria, applicable to certain waters of California because California adopted, and EPA approved, criteria for these parameters that are considered protective of the uses for the waterbodies. The EPA is providing an opportunity for public comment to this proposed withdrawal of certain federally promulgated criteria. The withdrawal will enable California to implement their EPA-approved water quality criteria. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\11DEP1.SGM 11DEP1

Agencies

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 236 (Monday, December 11, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58154-58156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26084]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 82

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2017-0472; FRL-9968-23-OAR]
RIN 2060-AT53


Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Revision to References for 
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector To Incorporate Latest Edition 
of Certain Industry, Consensus-Based Standards

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to 
modify the use conditions required for use of three flammable 
refrigerants, isobutane (R-600a), propane (R-290), and R-441A, in new 
household refrigerators, freezers, and combination refrigerators and 
freezers under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. 
The use conditions, which address safe use of flammable refrigerants, 
would reflect the incorporation by reference of an updated standard 
from Underwriters Laboratories. In the ``Rules and Regulations'' 
section of this Federal Register, we are modifying these use conditions 
as a direct final rule without a prior proposed rule. If we receive no 
adverse comment, we will not take further action on this proposed rule.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before January 25, 2018. 
Any party requesting a public hearing must notify the contact listed 
below under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT by December 18, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2017-0472, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or withdrawn. EPA 
may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit 
electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business 
Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted 
by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be 
accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the 
official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish 
to make. EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents 
located outside of the primary submission (i.e., on the Web, cloud, or 
other file sharing system). For additional submission methods, the full 
EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia 
submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please 
visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chenise Farquharson, Stratospheric 
Protection Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs (Mail Code 6205T), 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-564-7768; email address: 
[email protected]. Notices and rulemakings under EPA's 
Significant New Alternatives Policy program are available on EPA's 
Stratospheric Ozone Web site at https://www.epa.gov/snap/snap-regulations.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. What is EPA proposing?

    This action proposes to revise the use conditions for three 
flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants, isobutane (R-600a), propane (R-
290), and R-441A, used in new household refrigerators, freezers, and 
combination refrigerators

[[Page 58155]]

and freezers under EPA's Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) 
program. This action would replace four of the five use conditions in 
our previous hydrocarbon refrigerants rules (76 FR 78832, December 20, 
2011; 80 FR 19454, April 10, 2015) with the updated Underwriters 
Laboratories (UL) Standard 60335-2-24 (2nd edition, April 28, 2017), 
``Household and Similar Electrical Appliances--Safety--Part 2-24: 
Particular Requirements for Refrigerating Appliances, Ice-Cream 
Appliances and Ice-Makers.'' UL Standard 60335-2-24 supersedes the 
current edition of UL Standard 250 (10th edition, August 25, 2000), 
``Household Refrigerators and Freezers,'' which EPA previously 
incorporated by reference in the use conditions of the acceptability 
listings for these three refrigerants (76 FR 78832, December 20, 2011; 
80 FR 19454, April 10, 2015). The use conditions would include a charge 
limit of 150 grams (5.29 ounces) for each separate refrigerant circuit 
in a refrigerator or freezer, consistent with UL Standard 60335-2-24. 
The use conditions that would be replaced are reflected in the 
provisions of UL Standard 60335-2-24 and would be redundant of the 
standard. Elsewhere in this Federal Register, EPA is taking this action 
as a direct final rule without prior proposal because EPA views this as 
a noncontroversial revision and anticipates no adverse comments. This 
action does not place any significant burden on the regulated community 
and ensures consistency with industry standards. We have explained our 
reasons for this action in the preamble to the direct final rule.
    If we receive no adverse comment, we will not take further action 
on this proposed rule. If we receive adverse comment, we will withdraw 
the direct final rule and it will not take effect. We would address all 
public comments in any subsequent final rule based on this proposed 
rule.
    We will not institute a second comment period on this action. Any 
parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this 
time. For further information, please see the information provided in 
the ADDRESSES section of this document.
    If requested by the date specified in the DATES section of this 
notice, EPA will hold a public hearing to accept oral testimony on this 
proposal on or before December 26, 2017 in Washington, DC. EPA will 
post all information regarding any public hearing on this proposed 
action, including whether a hearing will be held, its location, date, 
and time, if applicable, and any updates online at https://www.epa.gov/snap. In addition, you may contact Ms. Chenise Farquharson at (202) 
564-7768 or by email at [email protected] with public hearing 
requests and inquiries. EPA does not intend to publish any future 
notices in the Federal Register regarding a public hearing on this 
proposed rule and directs all inquiries regarding a hearing to the Web 
site and contact person identified above.

II. Does this action apply to me?

    This notice of proposed rulemaking would regulate the use of three 
flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants, isobutane (R-600a), propane (R-
290), and the hydrocarbon blend R-441A, in new household refrigerators, 
freezers, and combination refrigerators and freezers. Table 1 
identifies industry subsectors that might want to explore the use of 
these flammable refrigerants in this end-use or that might work with 
equipment using these refrigerants in the future. Regulated entities 
may include:

  Table 1--Potentially Regulated Entities by North American Industrial
                   Classification System (NAICS) Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Description of
              Category                  NAICS code    regulated entities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry............................          333415  Manufacturers of
                                                       Refrigerators,
                                                       Freezers, and
                                                       Other
                                                       Refrigerating or
                                                       Freezing
                                                       Equipment,
                                                       Electric or Other
                                                       (NESOI); Heat
                                                       Pumps Not
                                                       Elsewhere
                                                       Specified or
                                                       Included; and
                                                       Parts Thereof.
Industry............................          335222  Household
                                                       Refrigerator and
                                                       Home Freezer
                                                       Manufacturing.
Industry............................          811412  Appliance Repair
                                                       and Maintenance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a 
guide for readers regarding entities likely to be regulated by this 
action. This table lists the types of entities that EPA is now aware 
could potentially be regulated by this action. Other types of entities 
not listed in the table could also be regulated. To determine whether 
your entity is regulated by this action, you should carefully examine 
the applicability criteria found in 40 CFR part 82. If you have 
questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular 
entity, consult the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section.

III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Additional information about these statutes and Executive Orders 
can be found at https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/laws-and-executive-orders.

A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive 
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

    This action is not a significant regulatory action and was 
therefore not submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for review.

B. Executive Order 13771: Reducing Regulation and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs

    This action is not expected to be an Executive Order 13771 
regulatory action because this action is not significant under 
Executive Order 12866.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

    This action does not impose any new information collection burden 
under the PRA. OMB has previously approved the information collection 
requirements contained in the existing regulations and has assigned OMB 
control number 2060-0226. This rule contains no new requirements for 
reporting or recordkeeping.

D. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    I certify that this action will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities under the RFA. In 
making this determination, the impact of concern is any significant 
adverse economic impact on small entities. An agency may certify that a 
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities if the rule relieves regulatory burden, has no 
net burden or otherwise has a positive economic effect on the small 
entities subject to the rule.
    The use conditions of this rule would apply to manufacturers of new 
household refrigerators and freezers, that choose to use flammable 
refrigerants. This action would allow equipment manufacturers to use 
flammable refrigerants at a higher charge size than previously allowed 
in

[[Page 58156]]

new household refrigerators and freezers but does not mandate such use; 
the change to the use conditions allows more flexibility for 
manufacturers in the design of equipment and thus reduces regulatory 
burden to the regulated community. In some cases, it may reduce costs 
by allowing manufacturers to design equipment with a single, larger 
refrigerant circuit instead of multiple, smaller refrigerant circuits 
for the same piece of equipment.

E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)

    This action does not contain any unfunded mandate as described in 
UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538, and does not significantly or uniquely affect 
small governments. The action imposes no enforceable duty on any state, 
local or tribal governments or the private sector.

F. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have 
substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between 
the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

G. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments

    This action does not have tribal implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13175. It will not have substantial direct effects on 
tribal governments, on the relationship between the Federal government 
and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities 
between the Federal government and Indian tribes, as specified in 
Executive Order 13175. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to 
this action.

H. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health and Safety Risks

    This action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it is 
not economically significant as defined in Executive Order 12866, and 
because EPA does not believe the environmental health or safety risks 
addressed by this action present a disproportionate risk to children. 
This action's health and risk assessments are contained in risk screens 
for the various substitutes.\1 2 3\ The risk screens are available in 
the docket for this rulemaking.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ ICF, 2017a. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Household 
Refrigerators and Freezers; Substitute: Propane (R-290).
    \2\ ICF, 2017b. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Household 
Refrigerators and Freezers; Substitute: Isobutane (R-600a).
    \3\ ICF, 2017c. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Household 
Refrigerators and Freezers; Substitute: R-441A.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use

    This action is not a ``significant energy action'' because it is 
not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, 
distribution or use of energy.

J. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) and 1 CFR 
Part 51

    This action involves a technical standard. EPA is proposing to 
revise the use conditions for the household refrigerators and freezers 
end-use by incorporating by reference the UL Standard 60335-2-24, 
``Safety Requirements for Household and Similar Electrical Appliances, 
Part 2: Particular Requirements for Refrigerating Appliances, Ice-Cream 
Appliances and Ice-Makers'' (2nd edition, April 2017), which 
establishes requirements for the evaluation of household and similar 
electrical appliances, and safe use of flammable refrigerants. UL 
Standard 60335-2-24 supersedes the current edition of UL Standard 250, 
Supplement A, ``Requirements for Refrigerators and Freezers Employing a 
Flammable Refrigerant in the Refrigerating System'' (10th Edition, 
August 2000. EPA's revision to the use conditions will replace the 2000 
UL standard 250 with the 2017 UL standard 60335-2-24. This standard is 
available at https://standardscatalog.ul.com/standards/en/standard_60335-2-24_2, and may be purchased by mail at: COMM 2000, 151 
Eastern Avenue, Bensenville, IL 60106; Email: 
[email protected]; Telephone: 1-888-853-3503 in the U.S. or 
Canada (other countries dial 1-415-352-2178); Internet address: https://www.shopulstandards.com/ProductDetail.aspx?productId=UL60335-2-24_2_B_20170428(ULStandards2). The cost of UL 60335-2-24 is $454 for an 
electronic copy and $567 for hardcopy. UL also offers a subscription 
service to the Standards Certification Customer Library (SCCL) that 
allows unlimited access to their standards and related documents. The 
cost of obtaining this standard is not a significant financial burden 
for equipment manufacturers and purchase is not required for those 
selling, installing and servicing the equipment. Therefore, EPA 
concludes that the UL standard being incorporated by reference is 
reasonably available.

K. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

    The human health or environmental risk addressed by this action 
will not have potential disproportionately high and adverse human 
health or environmental effects on minority, low-income or indigenous 
populations. This action's health and environmental risk assessments 
are contained in the risk screens for the various substitutes. The risk 
screens are available in the docket for this rulemaking.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 82

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Air pollution control, Incorporation by reference, Recycling, Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements, Stratospheric ozone layer.

    Dated: November 20, 2017.
E. Scott Pruitt,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2017-26084 Filed 12-8-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

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