HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1004

As Reported by House Committee On:

Technology, Energy & Communications

Title: An act relating to adding products to the energy efficiency code.

Brief Description: Adding products to the energy efficiency code.

Sponsors: Representatives Morris, Chase, Morrell, Upthegrove, Hudgins and Moeller.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Technology, Energy & Communications: 1/26/09, 2/4/09 [DPS].

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives McCoy, Chair; Eddy, Vice Chair; Crouse, Ranking Minority Member; Carlyle, Finn, Hasegawa, Herrera, Hudgins, Jacks, Morris, Takko and Van De Wege.

Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Haler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Condotta, Hinkle and McCune.

Staff: Kara Durbin (786-7133)

Background:

In 2005 the Legislature adopted 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 the Legislature 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.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

Minimum efficiency standards and testing methods are established for seven categories of electrical products that may be sold, offered, or installed in the state:(1) wine chillers sold for use by an individual;(2) internal illumination of certain cabinets and wine chillers that are not consumer products;(3) hot water dispensers and mini-tank electric water heaters;

(4) bottle-type water dispensers and point-of-use water dispensers;

(5) pool heaters, pool pump motors, and portable electric spas;(6) tub spout diverters and showerhead-tub spout diverters; and(7) 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.

Efficiency standards 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.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill adds testing standards for wine chillers, bottle-type water dispensers, hot water dispensers, mini-tank electric water heaters, portable electric spas, and commercial hot food holding cabinets.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) California, Oregon, and Washington have been leading the effort to get new products added to the state efficiency standards. Most of the standards in this bill have been adopted in California. Oregon has adopted standards for inverters for televisions and laptops, and California is currently writing new rules for them. Standards for these inverters are not included in this bill, but if we can reach an agreement on this issue, it might make sense to include them.

These efficiency standards will deliver cost effective energy statewide. Washington lost ground by not passing this bill last year. Oregon and California adopted these standards years ago. Energy efficient products save money in the long run. We would be supportive of including any efficiency standards already in place in California and Oregon that are not included in this bill.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Morris, prime sponsor; Carrie Dolwick, NW Energy Coalition.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.