California Considers Efficiency Standards for Over a Dozen New Products

Standards Could Save Consumers Over $1 Billion in Energy Costs Annually

San Francisco, CA (March 25, 2013) – The California Energy Commission announced on Friday, the next steps in a rulemaking that could set new standards for 16 new products, including consumer electronics, lighting, and water using products like faucets, among others.

NRDC’s preliminary analysis shows that such new standards could potentially save Californians in excess of $1 billion a year through lower utility energy costs and prevent the release of millions of tons of CO2, the main heat trapping pollutant responsible for climate change.

According to the California Energy Commission’s own estimates, standards have saved Californians $39 billion to date, and shaved $2.6 billion off their electricity and natural gas bills in 2010 – that’s $200 per year in savings for California households.

Following is a statement by Noah Horowitz, senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“Time and again we have seen that efficiency standards lead to increased innovation and the lowest cost solutions where everyone wins – the consumer, the manufacturer and the environment. Since we pay for the electricity bill, ensuring that manufacturers make products that use energy efficiently goes a long way to keeping money in our pocketbooks while reducing energy demand and protecting the environment. We look forward to working with the Commission and stakeholders on win-win solutions that benefit business, consumers and the environment.”

For more information, see Noah Horowitz’s blog: http://bit.ly/10dmDPM