Email This Article Print This Article TV Energy Efficiency Standards Set in California NY, MA and WA bills seek to replicate Jan 14, 2010 NCEL participant and New York State Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh has introduced legislation to mirror television energy efficiency standards that were adopted by California in November 2009. The California standards require TV’s with a 58-inch screen or less to consume 33% less ener¬gy by January 2011 and 49% less energy by 2013. "Consumers deserve technology that will enable them to enjoy the most innovative products while keeping their energy costs down and contributing less to carbon emissions and the burden placed on the power grid," said New York State Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh. "Federal guidelines establish commendable energy efficiency standards for televisions, but compliance is voluntary, and spotty at best. State legislators need not wait for manufacturers to voluntarily do right by consumers and the environment; we can and will enact mandatory standards now in our own states that will eventually become the norm everywhere." Televisions in California now account for 8-10 percent of a home’s energy use. In the 1990’s TV’s accounted for 3 to 4 percent of home’s energy use, according to news reports. The California Energy Commission’s “fact sheet”, which is attached, claims that there are 1000 models already for sale that meet the standards that go into effect in 2011, and they are of no greater cost than inefficient models. The California Energy Commission’s list of those televisions that already meet the standards is attached. Similar legislation to adopt California’s TV standards has been introduced in Massachusetts, H3124 by NCEL participant Representative Frank Smizik, and in Washington, HB2146 by NCEL participants Representatives Jeff Morris, Maralyn Chase, Dawn Morrell, and Dave Upthegrove. Both of these bills include televisions as part of broader energy efficiency standards legislation. Massachusetts Representative Smizik’s bill also sets standards for bottle-type water dispensers, commercial hot food holding cabinets, compact audio products, DVD players, DVD recorders, hot tubs, floor & table lamps, and other products, as determined by the state Energy Resources Commissioner, using over 50 kilowatts hours per year. Washington’s bill adds standards for ceiling fans, space heaters, compact audio products, DVD players, DVD recorders, and certain transformers and external power adapters. The section in Washington’s bill that deals with TV standards is pasted below along with links to New York’s, Massachusetts’, and Washington’s complete bills. States have a history of leading the way on energy efficiency standards for appliances, often forcing the Federal government to set one national standard for certain products based on standards set by the states. For general information on state energy efficiency appliance standards and policies, visit the Appliance Standards Awareness Project’s website: http://www.standardsasap.org/state/index.htm For lots more information about California’s television energy efficiency standards, visit the California Energy Commission’s website: http://www.energy.ca.gov/appliances/2009_tvregs/index.html Story on California’s Standards: California adopts first-in-nation rules to cut energy use by new TVs California FAQ’s: http://www.energy.ca.gov/appliances/tv_faqs.html To view a copy of New York Assemblymember Kavanagh’s bill, A9387, use this link: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A09387 To view a copy of Massachusetts Representative Smizik’s energy efficiency appliance bill, H3124, use this link: http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/186/ht03pdf/ht03124.pdf TV Language from Washington, HB2146, below and a link to entire bill: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2416&year=2009 (17)(a) Televisions manufactured on or after January 1, 2011, but before January 1, 2013, with a screen size less than or equal to one thousand four hundred square inches must meet the requirements specified in the California Code of Regulations, Title 20, section 1605.3 in effect as of the effective date of this section. (b) Televisions manufactured on or after January 1, 2013, with a screen size less than or equal to one thousand four hundred square inches must meet the requirements specified in the California Code of Regulations, Title 20, section 1605.3 in effect as of the effective date of this section. (c) Televisions covered under (a) or (b) of this subsection must be tested in accordance with the method specified in the California Code of Regulations, Title 20, section 1604 in effect as of the effective date of this section, if these test methods are not preempted by federal law. Attachments:  2009-09-25_TV_Model_List.pdf  TV_Standards_Facts.pdf Email This Article Print This Article

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