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“Well the vote just happened and now the most power hungry television sets will be banned from sale here in California stores. The state Energy Commission just voted on a first of its kind mandate to lower electricity use. Televisions sold here in California will have to be more energy efficient beginning in 2011. The requirement will be even tougher in 2013.” (KCAL)
In a unanimous vote the California Energy Commission decided to require that new TVs sold in California reduce electricity consumption 33 percent by 2011 and 49 percent by 2013. The decision seems to be pleasing those concerned with energy-efficiency and lowering expenses, but not TV manufacturers and electronic retailers in California.
We are looking at perspectives from The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, KOVR, and NBC Nightly News.
First we turn to The Wall Street Journal who says the state of California has been imposing energy standards for years, and they say it’s been beneficial to the state’s citizens so far.
“California has been setting efficiency standards for appliances and other devices for more than 35 years. State officials say the standards have resulted in better products and have left $56 billion in residents’ wallets, in avoided energy costs.”
And while the new standards might save residents some money on their electric bill, a senior vice president from Sony Electronics wasn’t seeing any savings. The New York Times quotes a letter from him to the California Energy Commission.
“Television manufacturers will see an increase in the cost of compliance due to increased research and development, component sourcing, design and development.”
TV manufacturers aren’t the only concerned party within the electronics business. Sacramento’s CBS affiliate, CBS 13 talked to an electronics storeowner who thinks the efficiency standards will hurt his business and others.
“Our customers who read reviews and really want the latest gadgets will probably order it online from out-of-state retailers and there’s no way the state of California can stop that.”
The state of California recognizes that the energy standards will have an effect on manufacturers, but predicts an even larger benefit, which CNBC reports.
“Now manufacturers are saying this will force them to make televisions with poorer picture quality and fewer options that other TV’s in the U.S. have, but state regulators are saying this could cut California's power bill by a billion dollars a year.”
NBC Nightly News talked with a representative of the Consumer Electronics Association. The CEA says that making manufacturers to meet the new guidelines will simply stifle innovation.
“You have this regulation coming basically out of nowhere, not based on science, not based on facts, but based on some emotional appeal that we have to start to regulating every product in the home.”
California became the first state to have such energy efficiency standards on TVs, but now more states are considering following in California’s footsteps.
What are your thoughts? Is California’s attempt to become greener all good or could it present too big of a harm to the electronics industry?
Writer: Joe Henke
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