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:

Technology, Energy & Communications: 2/16/06, 2/23/06 [DPA].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY, ENERGY & COMMUNICATIONS

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Morris, Chair; Kilmer, Vice Chair; Crouse, Ranking Minority Member; Haler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Ericks, Hankins, Hudgins, P. Sullivan, Sump, Takko and Wallace.

Staff: Kara Durbin (786-7133).

Background:

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

   (1)   illuminated exit signs, such as those used in public buildings to mark exit doors;
   (2)   low-voltage dry-type distribution transformers, which are devices that reduce        electrical voltage and are often found in electrical closets of office buildings;
   (3)   torchieres, which are portable lamps used to provide indirect lighting; and
   (4)   traffic signal modules, which are used in street and highway traffic signals.

Federal Efficiency Standards
In October of 2005, the U.S. Department of Energy published energy efficiency standards for several electrical products, including standards for illuminated exit signs, low-voltage dry-type distribution transformers, torchieres, and traffic signal modules. The federal standards for these four products are identical to the state's standards, and the federal standards expressly preempt the state's standards.

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

Summary of Amended Bill:

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.

State efficiency standards for certain incandescent reflector lamps are modified to conform with California's proposed efficiency standards.

Application dates for selling products that are still covered by state efficiency law are changed. New products, except commercial ice-makers, metal halide lamp fixtures, and single-voltage external AC to DC power supply, 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, metal halide lamp fixtures, and single-voltage external AC to DC power supply is on or after January 1, 2008.

Application dates for installing products that are still covered by state efficiency law are changed. 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 installing new ice-makers and metal halide lamp fixtures that are manufactured on or after January 1, 2008, is January 1, 2009.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The amended bill changes the date of manufacture requirement for the sale of single-voltage external AC to DC power supply from January 1, 2007, to January 1, 2008.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: This is a clean-up bill. These products are adequately covered by federal law. California is on the verge of adopting incandescent lamp standards identical to those contained in the bill. This also clarifies that the date of manufacture is the applicable date for compliance.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Senator Morton, prime sponsor; and Charlie Brown, National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.