DOE to Prohibit Energy Star Labels on Certain LG Refrigerators
DOE announced that certain LG French-door refrigerator-freezers are banned from using the Energy Star label, effective January 2, 2010. DOE's announcement is part of a broader effort at the agency to expand enforcement efforts for Energy Star and appliance standards programs.
DOE is proceeding with this action after multiple independent labs confirmed that when certain LG French-door refrigerator-freezers are tested, they do not qualify for Energy Star. In November 2008, DOE and LG entered into an agreement that was intended to let LG transition away from test procedures that significantly underestimated the amount of energy that certain LG French-door refrigerator-freezers would consume during normal use. Because recent testing confirms that problems persist, DOE exercised its right to give notice and terminate the agreement. As a result of DOE's actions, LG has now sued the department in federal court. The DOE says it will defend its actions in federal court. See the DOE press release and the Energy Star Web site.
EIA: U.S. GHG Decreased 2.2% in 2008
Total U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) dropped to the equivalent of 7,053 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2008, a 2.2% decrease, according to a report from DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The drop was largely due to a 2.9% decrease in energy-related CO2 emissions, which EIA attributes to record-high oil prices for much of the year, followed by a decline in economic activity. That decline is expected to continue this year, as the EIA's "Short Term Energy Outlook," released on December 8, projects a 6.1% decrease in energy-related CO2 emissions.
A healthier economy so far results emission increases - EIA projects a 1.5% increase in energy-related CO2 in 2010. Since 1990, U.S. emissions have grown at an average annual rate of 0.7%. See the EIA press release, the greenhouse gas report, and the "Short-Term Energy Outlook."
The U.S. EPA officially declared that GHG threaten the public health and welfare of US residents, which means they fit within the Clean Air Act's definition of air pollutants and are subject to regulation. This "endangerment finding" covers six key greenhouse gases: CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.
The finding itself doesn't impose emissions requirements, but it allows the EPA to finalize its proposed GHG standards for light-duty vehicles. Although it opens the six greenhouse gases to regulation under the Clean Air Act, the Obama Administration prefers a legislative solution to the problem of climate change. See the EPA press release and the endangerment finding.
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EREE Network News is a weekly publication of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
