New regs for Wednesday: Ships, fluorescent lamps, dehumidifiers

Wednesday’s edition of the Federal Register contains new regulations limiting oil pollution from ships, as well as energy conservation standards for fluorescent lamps, dehumidifiers, high-intensity discharge lamps, and commercial furnaces.

Here’s what is happening:

Ships: The Coast Guard is moving forward with new oil pollution regulations for ships to match with international standards.

The new rules will “minimize the amount of pollution produced by ships at sea and protect mariners,” the agency wrote.

The rules go into effect in 90 days.

Fluorescent lamps: The Department of Energy is moving forward with new test procedures for fluorescent lamp ballasts.

The fluorescent lamp test procedures will measure energy consumption of any of these devices manufactured after Nov. 14, 2014 to determine whether they comply with applicable energy conservation standards.

The Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy proposed the rule last October.

The changes go into effect in 30 days.

Dehumidifiers: The Department of Energy is considering new test procedures for whole-home dehumidifiers.

The Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is proposing new test procedures for measuring the energy use of these dehumidifiers to determine whether they comply with applicable energy conservation standards.

The public has 30 days to comment.

High-intensity discharge lamps: The Department of Energy will reconsider energy conservation standards for high-intensity discharge lamps.

The Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy determined in October that efficiency rules for these devices would not be “technologically feasible” or “economically justified.”

But the DOE announced Tuesday it is reopening the public comment period for an additional 30 days after environmental groups complained.

Furnaces: The Department of Energy is considering more stringent energy conservation standards for commercial warm air furnaces.

The Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy proposed Tuesday new efficiency rules for these furnaces.

The public has 60 days to comment.