Energy

CFA Calls on the Senate to Pass Appliance Efficiency Standards and to Resist Repeal of Lighting Standards

 |  Press Release

Washington, DC – Today, the Consumer Federation of America called upon the Senate to support and promote increased energy efficiency standards for home appliances.

Dr. Mark Cooper, Director of Research for the Consumer Federation of America, testified before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on the consumer benefits of appliance energy efficiency contained in S. 398, the Implementation of Consensus Agreement Act of 2011 (INCAAA), and urged the Senate to reject S. 395, the Better Use of Light Bulb Act (BULB) which repeals lighting standards that were adopted by the Congress and signed into law in 2007.

In 2009, household expenditures on home energy, for electricity and natural gas, and other heating fuels, were $2,000, equal to household expenditures on gasoline for the first time ever.

CFA called on the Senate for decisive action in support of increased energy efficiency standards on all fronts.

CFA strongly supports S.398, INCAAA because:

  • Consumers want standards for home appliances and more efficient appliances.
  • Fair and effective standards have been agreed to by both manufacturers and consumer groups that support energy efficiency, including CFA.
  • Appliance energy efficiency standards will save consumers money.
  • Energy efficiency standards are technology neutral and pro-competitive.
  • S.398 sets the minimum levels of performance that have been agreed to, but does not dictate how those are to be reached.
  • S. 398 encourages private sector firms to compete on the most cost-effective and innovative ways to meet those standards.
  •  Energy efficiency standards are the most effective way to correct the undervaluation of energy efficiency in the residential market.

CFA submitted the results of a national random sample survey that virtually all respondents believe increased energy efficiency in appliances is good for consumers and almost three quarters of the respondents support appliance efficiency standards.

“The public wants policymakers in Washington to work together to solve the nation’s energy challenges.  Remarkably, both the industry and proponents of energy efficiency, including consumer groups, have agreed on standards and efficiency.  We urge the Senate to not stand in the way of this extraordinary win-win for everyone and approve S. 398,” said Dr. Cooper.