California Energy Commission Votes on Television Energy Efficiency Standards
On November 18, 2009, after a two-week delay to consider submissions of interested parties, the California Energy Commission (CEC) voted to enforce new standards to improve the energy efficiency of new televisions sold in the state. The CEC's TV standards will be the first at the state level.
The first standards will be effective in 2011 and require most TVs sold in the state to consume an average of 33 percent less electricity than those sold today. In 2013, the standard will expand to cover a greater swath of the TV market and require TVs to consume an average of 49 percent less electricity.
In the past, the federal government's own test procedure for TV energy efficiency has pre-empted any state regulation of televisions. Last month, however, the U.S. Department of Energy repealed its regulations, which it said were not appropriate for measuring the efficiency of modern TV sets. The agency also signaled its intention to adopt new federal TV test methods, as well as a federal TV energy efficiency standard, though it will likely be years before these could take effect. Until then, California can implement its own TV standards.
Many groups were instrumental in shaping or supporting the passage of the new California standards. In addition to the California Energy Commission itself, the Alliance recognizes the important roles of Alliance Associates Pacific Gas & Electric Company, the Natural Resources Defense Council and technology company 3M.
For more information on California’s energy efficiency standard proposal for televisions, see our announcement from September or read the CEC’s Frequently Asked Questions on the proposed standard.
