California Adopts the Most Advanced TV Efficiency Standards in the World

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (November 18, 2009) – By a unanimous 5-0 vote, today the California Energy Commission adopted the most advanced TV energy efficiency standards in the world. This move will ensure all televisions sold in California will use less energy and reduce consumer energy costs, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

The new standards will make new TVs 30-50 percent more efficient and put almost a billion dollars a year back into the California economy in the form of lower electricity bills. The electricity saved will be equal to the amount used by all the homes in Oakland and Anaheim annually. The new standard will also eliminate the need for California to build a new, large-sized 500 MW power plant, reducing carbon emissions equal to removing 500,000 cars from the road.

Following is a statement by Noah Horowitz, senior scientist with the NRDC:

“With today’s decision, Californians will still get that great “hi def” picture without suffering the burden of skyrocketing electricity bills.

“By simply establishing minimum energy efficiency standards for new TVs, we can cut the state’s electricity use by almost 1 percent. The benefits are massive as we’ll save the same amount of electricity each year as that used by all the homes in Anaheim and Oakland. It’s a simple solution with major payback for both consumers and the State.

“With today's pioneering decision, California is once again leading the way on energy efficiency standards. The newly adopted California TV standards will be the most advanced in the world. If history repeats itself, we expect many policy makers around the world to establish similar standards in the not too distant future.”

For more information read NRDC’s TV efficiency standards Q&A at: http://docs.nrdc.org/energy/files/ene_09091801b.pdf and check Noah Horowitz's blog.