FINAL BILL REPORT

ESHB 1004

C 501 L 09

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Adding products to and removing products from the energy efficiency code.

Sponsors: House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications (originally sponsored by Representatives Morris, Chase, Morrell, Upthegrove, Hudgins and Moeller).

House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications

Senate Committee on Environment, Water & Energy

Background:

In 2005 legislation was adopted establishing minimum energy efficiency standards and testing procedures for 12 electrical products that were not covered by federal law. The efficiency standards apply to products sold, offered for sale, or installed in the state.

The 12 electrical products were:

• automatic commercial ice cube machines, such as those found in motels and restaurants;

• commercial clothes washers, such as those found in apartments and coin laundries;

• commercial pre-rinse spray valves, such as those used in restaurants to remove food residue from plates prior to their cleaning;

• commercial refrigerators and freezers, such as those used in large institutional kitchens;

• illuminated exit signs, such as those used in public buildings to mark exit doors;

• low-voltage dry-type distribution transformers, which are devices that reduce electrical voltage and are often found in electrical closets of office buildings;

• metal halide lamp fixtures, such as those found on the high ceilings of industrial buildings and gymnasiums;

• single-voltage external AC to DC power supplies, such as the small boxes attached to power cords that allow battery-operated appliances to use power from electrical outlets;

• incandescent reflector lamps, such as the light bulbs that are typically used in "recessed can" lights;

• torchieres, which are portable lamps used to provide indirect lighting;

• traffic signal modules, which are used in street and highway traffic signals; and

• commercial space heaters that use natural gas or propane.

In 2006 legislation removed efficiency standards for the following four products, which had been preempted by federal law: illuminated exit signs, low-voltage dry-type distribution transformers, torchieres, and traffic signal modules. The state's efficiency standards for certain incandescent reflector lamps were changed to conform with proposed California standards.New products, except commercial ice-makers, single-voltage external AC to DC power supplies, and halide lamps, that are manufactured on or after January 1, 2007, may not be sold if they do not meet or exceed specified energy efficiency standards. The applicable manufacturing date for new ice-makers, single-voltage external AC to DC power supplies, and halide lamps is on or after January 1, 2008.New products, except commercial ice-makers and metal halide lamp fixtures, that are manufactured on or after January 1, 2007, may not be installed for compensation on or after January 1, 2008, if they do not meet the specified standards. The applicable date for new ice-makers and halide lamps that are manufactured on or after January 1, 2008, is January 1, 2009.

Summary:

Minimum efficiency standards and testing methods are established for six categories of electrical products that may be sold, offered, or installed in the state:

• wine chillers sold for use by an individual;

• hot water dispensers and mini-tank electric water heaters;

• bottle-type water dispensers and point-of-use water dispensers;

• pool heaters, pool pump motors, and portable electric spas;

• tub spout diverters and showerhead-tub spout diverters; and

• commercial hot food holding cabinets.

These products, if manufactured on or after January 1, 2010, must meet or exceed the specified efficiency standards in order to be: (1) sold or offered in the state; or (2) installed for compensation in the state after January 1, 2011.

Technical efficiency standards and testing methods for these products are adopted by reference from the California Administrative Code as of the effective date of the act.

Efficiency standards and associated definitions for metal halide lamp fixtures, single-voltage external AC to DC power supplies, commercial clothes washers, commercial pre-rinse spray valves, and unit heaters are removed from state law due to federal preemption.

Votes on Final Passage: