Energy

Court Orders Four Energy Efficiency Rules That Will Save Consumers $8.5 Billion to Go Into Effect

Rules Will Reduce Energy Costs of Four Products—A Win for Consumers

 |  Press Release

Washington, D.C. – A U.S. district court handed down a ruling yesterday that will save consumers approximately $8.5 billion over thirty years.  The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and the Texas Ratepayers Organization to Save Energy (Texas ROSE) were parties to the lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Energy’s delay of four energy efficiency rules affecting portable air conditioners, uninterruptible power supplies, air compressors, and commercial packaged boilers. The court ordered DOE to go forward and publish the rules in the Federal Register within 28 days.

“When products are more energy efficient, consumers benefit directly through lower electricity bills or indirectly through the lower cost of goods and services”, said Mel Hall-Crawford, CFA’s Director of Energy Programs. “There was no reason for these rules to have been held up–it’s been over a year since they were finalized and should have been published in the Federal Register.  DOE’s inaction has delayed energy savings from being passed on to consumers”, she added.

“The court’s order is an important step forward in saving Americans money on energy costs.  Thanks to the district court, DOE must follow the law and publish the efficiency standards for these products,” said Carol Biedrzycki, Executive Director of Texas ROSE.

CFA estimates that when you add public health and environmental benefits to the consumer pocketbook savings, the total net societal benefits is $21 billion over 30 years. “This is an important victory for consumers, the environment and our economy,” said Hall-Crawford.

Contact: 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.

Texas Ratepayers’ Organization to Save Energy (Texas ROSE) is a non-profit membership organization that represents the interests of millions of Texas families, many of them low-income, on a broad range of energy and utility issues.