Sacramento, CA — Leading consumer groups today urged the California Energy Commission (CEC) to move as quickly as possible to finalize California’s first-in-the-nation proposed energy efficiency standards for computers and monitors. In comments filed by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), Consumers Union, Consumer Action and Consumer Federation of California with the CEC, the groups concluded that the energy savings projection of over $400 million annually on electricity bills was probably too low.
The comments point out that the urgency for action has grown with energy consumption of personal electronic devices proliferating substantially due to both increased hours spent on devices and more individuals using them.
The filing highlights that the proposed standards pass the consumer pocketbook test with flying colors. The benefits far exceed the costs and they are product-neutral, technology-neutral, pro-competitive, responsive to consumer needs and responsive to industry needs. The CEC has refined and improved the standard to take into account the legitimate concerns of industry, and now the CEC can move ahead on these much needed standards.
In addition, the groups also underscore that “California frequently provides leadership in developing beneficial rules and we believe this is an important area for it to do so. While the proposal is justified…by saving Californians over $400 million annually, it will deliver benefits nation-wide, directly as a spillover effect of causing more efficient products to be put into the marketplace and sold, and indirectly by showing the way for others to follow.”
The public comment period for the revised proposed standards closes today. It is hoped that the CEC will adopt the final standards by the end of the year and that they will go into effect in 2018.
The full comments from the Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Federation of California, Consumers Union and Consumer Action are provided here.
Contact: Mark Cooper 301-384-2204; Mel Hall-Crawford 805-245-0523
The Consumer Federation of America is an association of more than 250 nonprofit consumer organizations that was established in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, advocacy, and education.
Consumer Action is a California-based non-profit organization established in 1971, which focuses on consumer education that empowers low- and moderate-income and limited-English-speaking consumers to financially prosper.
Consumers Union (CU) is the policy and advocacy arm of Consumer Reports. Consumers Union works for clean and affordable energy, telecommunications reform, health reform, food and product safety, and financial reform. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website, and other publications.
The Consumer Federation of California is a non-profit advocacy organization. Since 1960, it has been a powerful voice for consumer rights. CFC campaigns for state and federal laws that place consumer protection ahead of corporate profit and also appears before state agencies in support of consumer regulations.