Brief Description: Modifying energy efficiency provisions.

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

Hearing Date: 2/16/06

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 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 and metal halide lamp fixtures, 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 metal halide lamp fixtures 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.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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