As the new home of WashPIRG's environmental work, Environment Washington can be contacted regarding this news release.
OLYMPIA—By a vote of
85-13, the Washington House of Representatives passed legislation to make certain
appliances and machinery sold in Washington more energy efficient. The bill,
ESHB 1062, establishes minimum efficiency standards on 12 appliances not already
covered by federal efficiency standards. The Washington Department of Community,
Trade and Economic Development estimated that the legislation will save Washington
consumers and businesses over $500 million and 1.7 billion gallons of water
by 2020.
"This is a common sense
policy that is good for consumers, good for businesses, and good for farmers,"
said Robert Pregulman, Executive Director of WashPIRG. "Efficiency is our
cleanest and cheapest source of energy."
Starting in 2007, the bill
requires that the following items meet stringent efficiency standards: automatic
commercial ice cube machines, commercial clothes washers, commercial pre-rinse
spray valves, commercial refrigerators and freezers, illuminated exit signs,
low-voltage distribution transformers, metal halide lamp fixtures, single-voltage
external AC to DC power supplies, incandescent reflector lamps, torchiers, traffic
signals, and unit heaters.
Thus far, similar standards
have been adopted in California, Maryland, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Legislatures
in Arizona and Colorado passed bills and sent them to their governors for signing.
Legislatures in Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, New York, and Pennsylvania
are considering similar legislation.
The Senate passed the bill
by a vote of e 34-15 earlier this month. It now goes to Governor Gregoire's
desk for her signature.
"It is refreshing to
see the legislature act in a bipartisan manner to advance practical solutions
to Washington's economic and environmental challenges," said Pregulman.
"This legislation will ease our demand for energy and cut utility costs
for all of us.
