Draft EA for Final Rule, 10 CFR Part 435, “Energy Efficiency Standards for the Design and Construction of New Federal Low-Rise Residential Buildings’ Baseline Standards Update”
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
September 8, 2021
minute read time
This EA evaluates the potential environmental impacts of DOE’s Proposed Action to update, by rule, energy efficiency standards for new Federal low rise residential buildings. The Proposed Action would update the baseline Federal energy efficiency performance standards, found in 10 CFR 435, to the latest current model industry code, based on a finding that it is cost-effective and saves energy compared to the previous version of the model industry code, as required by 42 U.S.C. 6831 et seq. In this EA, DOE also evaluates the impacts that could occur if DOE were not to adopt the latest current model industry code as the energy efficiency baseline standard for new Federal low-rise residential buildings (the No Action Alternative).