SENATE BILL REPORT
2ESHB 1100
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Energy, Environment & Telecommunications, February 24, 2016
Title: An act relating to creating new appliance efficiency standards.
Brief Description: Creating new appliance efficiency standards.
Sponsors: House Committee on Technology & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Morris, S. Hunt, Hudgins, Ormsby and Fey).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/12/15, 50-47; 6/28/15, 57-40; 2/12/16, 55-40.
Committee Activity: Energy, Environment & Telecommunications: 2/23/16, 2/24/16 [DPA, DNP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT & TELECOMMUNICATIONS |
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators Ericksen, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; McCoy, Ranking Minority Member; Brown, Cleveland, Habib and Ranker.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senator Honeyford.
Staff: Jan Odano (786-7486)
Background: Efficiency Standards for Electrical Products. Federal law generally allows states to establish minimum energy efficiency standards for electrical products that are not currently addressed in federal law. The National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987 established minimum efficiency standards for many common household appliances. Congress set initial federal energy efficiency standards and established schedules for the U.S. Department of Energy to review and update these standards. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) added standards for some fluorescent and incandescent reflector lamps, plumbing products, electric motors, commercial water heaters, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. EPAct also allowed for the future development of standards for many other products.
California's Appliance Efficiency Regulations include standards for both federally regulated appliances and non-federally regulated appliances. The standards within these regulations apply to appliances that are sold or offered for sale in California, except those sold wholesale in California for final retail sale outside the state and those designed and sold exclusively for use in recreational vehicles or other mobile equipment.
Washington law sets minimum energy efficiency standards for several categories of electrical products sold, offered for sale, or installed in the state, including the following:
automatic commercial ice cube machines;
commercial refrigerators and freezers;
certain incandescent reflector lights;
hot water dispensers and mini-tank electric water heaters;
wine chillers used by individuals; and
commercial hot-food holding cabinets.
The Department of Commerce (Commerce) may recommend updates to the energy efficiency standards and test methods for products listed under the energy efficiency laws. Commerce may also recommend establishing state standards for additional non-federally covered products. In making its recommendations, Commerce must use the following criteria: (1) multiple manufacturers produce products that meet the proposed standard at the time of recommendation; (2) products meeting the proposed standard are available at the time of recommendation; (3) the products are cost effective to consumers on a life-cycle cost basis using average Washington resource rates; (4) the utility of the energy-efficient product meets or exceeds the utility of the comparable product available for purchase; and (5) the standard exists in at least two other states in the U.S.
Summary of Bill (Recommended Amendments): Minimum efficiency standards for consumer and non-consumer battery charger systems, battery backup supplies, and uninterruptible power supplies are established. The minimum efficiency standards for these products are incorporated by reference to the California Code of Regulations Title 20, section 1605, as of the effective date of the bill. Large and small battery charger systems must meet energy efficiency requirements as specified in the California Code of Regulations Title 20, section 1604.
Large and small battery charger systems, battery backup supplies, and uninterruptible power supplies manufactured after January 1, 2018, may not be sold or offered for sale or installed for compensation in the state on or after January 1, 2019, unless the new product meets or exceeds the efficiency standards.
Certain battery charger systems are exempt from meeting the efficiency standard for battery charger systems. They include battery charger systems for the following:
motor vehicles powered by an electric motor drawing current from rechargeable storage batteries, fuel cells, or other portable sources of electrical current, autoettes, golf carts, personal assistive electric mobility devices, other low-speed vehicles, and larger industrial motive equipment;
certain medical devices approved for human use under the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and listed and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a medical device;
a battery or batteries in an illuminated exit sign; and
certain stationary power applications.
Battery analyzers and voltage-independent or voltage and frequency-independent uninterruptible power supplies are also exempt.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT & TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE (Recommended Amendments): Expires the act contingent on the United States Department of Energy or the state of California adopting rules or enacting legislation regulating battery charger system energy efficiency.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The bill establishes efficiency standards for limited battery chargers and will save consumers money. These efficiency measures is one of the reasons why WA can maintain some of the lowest cost electricity. This bill is focused on a narrow subset of appliances and will benefit consumers and save them money.
CON: This will negatively impact some manufacturers. We need to have consistent standards across the nation. This is not consistent with California law. California has some of these standards in place but they are being changed. Those laws were flawed when originally adopted in 2012 and are now being worked on to correct a technical issue. Also, US DOE is establishing a standard for EE for battery chargers.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Tony Usibelli, Dept of Commerce; joni Bosh, NW Energy Coalition.
CON: Mark Johnson, Washington Retail Association; Charlie Brown, Consumer Technology Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.