Title: An act relating to energy efficiency.

Brief Description: Modifying energy efficiency provisions.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Water, Energy & Environment (originally sponsored by Senators Morton and Poulsen).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Water, Energy & Environment: 2/2/06 [DPS].

Passed Senate: 2/14/06, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WATER, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6840 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Poulsen, Chair; Rockefeller, Vice Chair; Morton, Ranking Minority Member; Delvin, Fraser, Honeyford, Mulliken, Pridemore and Regala.

Staff: William Bridges (786-7424)

Background: State Efficiency Standards. In early 2005, the Legislature adopted minimum energy efficiency standards for 12 electrical products, which were not at that time covered by federal law. The following four products were included in the state standards:

• 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;
• torchieres, which are portable lamps used to provide indirect lighting; and
• traffic signal modules, which are used in street and highway traffic signals.

Federal Efficiency Standards. In October 2005, the U.S. Department of Energy published efficiency standards for the products mentioned above that are identical to the state's standards. The federal standards preempt the state's standards.

California Efficiency Standards. The California Energy Commission is considering the adoption of efficiency standards for certain types of incandescent reflector lamps. These standards are not as stringent as the current Washington standards for the same products.

Summary of Bill: Removing and Changing Certain State Efficiency Standards. Efficiency standards for the following four products, which have been preempted by federal law, are removed from state 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 are changed to conform with the proposed California standards.

Application dates for selling products that are still covered by state law. New products, except commercial ice-makers and halide lamps, that are manufactured on or after January 1, 2007, may not be sold if they do not meet or exceed the specified standards. The applicable manufacturing date for new ice-makers and halide lamps is on or after January 1, 2008.

Application dates for installing products that are still covered by state law. 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.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This is a clean-up bill that makes Washington standards consistent with federal and California standards. Any attempts to open up this bill for other exemptions will be opposed.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Charlie Brown, National Electrical Manufacturers Assoc.