BILL REQ. #:  Z-0210.3 

Read first time 01/12/2005.   Referred to Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications.

     AN ACT Relating to energy efficiency; adding a new chapter to Title 19 RCW; and prescribing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that:
     (1) Efficiency standards for certain products sold or installed in the state assure consumers and businesses that such products meet minimum efficiency performance levels thus saving money on utility bills.
     (2) Efficiency standards save energy and reduce pollution including global warming emissions and other environmental impacts associated with the production, distribution, and use of electricity and natural gas.
     (3) Efficiency standards contribute to the economy of Washington by helping to better balance energy supply and demand, thus reducing pressure for higher natural gas and electricity prices. By saving consumers and businesses money on energy bills, efficiency standards help the state and local economy, since energy bill savings can be spent on local goods and services.
     (4) Efficiency standards can make electricity systems more reliable by reducing the strain on the electricity grid during peak demand periods. Furthermore, improved energy efficiency can reduce or delay the need for new power plants, power transmission lines, and power distribution system upgrades.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Automatic commercial ice cube machine" means a factory-made assembly, not necessarily shipped in one package, consisting of a condensing unit and ice-making section operating as an integrated unit with means for making and harvesting ice cubes. It may also include integrated components for storing or dispensing ice, or both.
     (2) "Ballast" means a device used with an electric discharge lamp to obtain necessary circuit conditions, such as voltage, current, and waveform, for starting and operating the lamp.
     (3) "Commercial clothes washer" means a soft mount horizontal or vertical-axis clothes washer that: (a) Has a clothes container compartment no greater than 3.5 cubic feet in the case of a horizontal-axis product or no greater than 4.0 cubic feet in the case of a vertical-axis product; and (b) is designed for use by more than one household, such as in multifamily housing, apartments, or coin laundries.
     (4) "Commercial prerinse spray valve" means a handheld device designed and marketed for use with commercial dishwashing and warewashing equipment and that sprays water on dishes, flatware, and other food service items for the purpose of removing food residue prior to their cleaning.
     (5)(a) "Commercial refrigerators and freezers" means refrigerators, freezers, or refrigerator-freezers designed for use by commercial or institutional facilities for the purpose of storing or merchandising food products, beverages, or ice at specified temperatures that: (i) Incorporate most components involved in the vapor-compression cycle and the refrigerated compartment in a single cabinet; and (ii) may be configured with either solid or transparent doors as a reach-in cabinet, pass-through cabinet, roll-in cabinet, or roll-through cabinet.
     (b) "Commercial refrigerators and freezers" does not include: (i) Products with 85 cubic feet or more of internal volume; (ii) walk-in refrigerators or freezers; (iii) consumer products that are federally regulated pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Sec. 6291 et seq.; (iv) products without doors; or (v) freezers specifically designed for ice cream.
     (6) "Compensation" means money or any other valuable thing, regardless of form, received or to be received by a person for services rendered.
     (7) "Department" means the department of community, trade, and economic development.
     (8)(a) "Digital television adapter" means an electronic product for which the sole purpose is the conversion of digital video terrestrial broadcast signals to analog national television system committee video signals for use by an analog device such as a television.
     (b) "Digital television adapter" does not include cable or satellite television set-top boxes.
     (9) "High-intensity discharge lamp" means a lamp in which light is produced by the passage of an electric current through a vapor or gas, and in which the light-producing arc is stabilized by bulb wall temperature and the arc tube has a bulb wall loading in excess of three watts per square centimeter.
     (10) "Illuminated exit sign" means an internally illuminated sign that is designed to be permanently fixed in place to identify a building exit and consists of an electrically powered integral light source that illuminates the legend "EXIT" and any directional indicators and provides contrast between the legend, any directional indicators, and the background.
     (11)(a) "Low-voltage dry-type distribution transformer" means a distribution transformer that: (i) Has an input voltage of 600 volts or less; (ii) is air cooled; (iii) does not use oil as a coolant; and (iv) is rated for operation at a frequency of 60 hertz.
     (b) "Low-voltage dry-type transformer" does not include: (i) Transformers with multiple voltage taps, with the highest voltage tap equaling at least twenty percent more than the lowest voltage tap; or (ii) transformers, such as those commonly known as drive transformers, rectifier transformers, auto transformers, uninterruptible power system transformers, impedance transformers, regulating transformers, sealed and nonventilating transformers, machine tool transformers, welding transformers, grounding transformers, or testing transformers, that are designed to be used in a special purpose application and are unlikely to be used in general purpose applications.
     (12) "Metal halide lamp" means a high-intensity discharge lamp in which the major portion of the light is produced by radiation of metal halides and their products of dissociation, possibly in combination with metallic vapors.
     (13) "Metal halide lamp fixture" means a light fixture designed to be operated with a metal halide lamp and a ballast for a metal halide lamp.
     (14) "Pass-through cabinet" means a commercial refrigerator or freezer with hinged or sliding doors on both the front and rear of the unit.
     (15) "Probe-start metal halide ballast" means a ballast used to operate metal halide lamps which does not contain an igniter and which instead starts lamps by using a third starting electrode "probe" in the arc tube.
     (16) "Reach-in cabinet" means a commercial refrigerator or freezer with hinged or sliding doors or lids, but does not include roll-in or roll-through cabinets or pass-through cabinets.
     (17)(a) "Roll-in cabinet" means a commercial refrigerator or freezer with hinged or sliding doors that allow wheeled racks of product to be rolled into the unit.
     (b) "Roll-through cabinet" means a commercial refrigerator or freezer with hinged or sliding doors on two sides of the cabinet that allow wheeled racks of product to be rolled through the unit.
     (18)(a) "Single-voltage external AC to DC power supply" means a device that: (i) Is designed to convert line voltage alternating current input into lower voltage direct current output; (ii) is able to convert to only one DC output voltage at a time; (iii) is sold with, or intended to be used with, a separate end-use product that constitutes the primary power load; (iv) is contained within a separate physical enclosure from the end-use product; (v) is connected to the end-use product via a removable or hard-wired male/female electrical connection, cable, cord, or other wiring; and (vi) has a nameplate output power less than or equal to 250 watts.
     (b) "Single-voltage external AC to DC power supply" does not include: (i) Products with batteries or battery packs that physically attach directly to the power supply unit; (ii) products with a battery chemistry or type selector switch and indicator light; or (iii) products with a battery chemistry or type selector switch and a state of charge meter.
     (19) "State-regulated incandescent reflector lamp" means a lamp that is not colored or designed for rough or vibration service applications, that has an inner reflective coating on the outer bulb to direct the light, an E26 medium screw base, and a rated voltage or voltage range that lies at least partially within 115 to 130 volts, and that falls into one of the following categories:
     (a) A bulged reflector or elliptical reflector bulb shape and which has a diameter which equals or exceeds 2.25 inches;
     (b) A reflector, parabolic aluminized reflector, or similar bulb shape and which has a diameter of 2.25 to 2.75 inches.
     (20) "Torchiere" means a portable electric lighting fixture with a reflective bowl that directs light upward onto a ceiling so as to produce indirect illumination on the surfaces below. "Torchiere" may include downward directed lamps in addition to the upward, indirect illumination.
     (21) "Traffic signal module" means a standard (a) 8-inch or 200 mm or (b) 12-inch or 300 mm traffic signal indication, consisting of a light source, a lens, and all other parts necessary for operation.
     (22) "Transformer" means a device consisting of two or more coils of insulated wire and that is designed to transfer alternating current by electromagnetic induction from one coil to another to change the original voltage or current value.
     (23)(a) "Unit heater" means a self-contained, vented fan-type commercial space heater that uses natural gas or propane, and that is designed to be installed without ducts within a heated space.
     (b) "Unit heater" does not include any products covered by federal standards established pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Sec. 6291 et seq. or any product that is a direct vent, forced flue heater with a sealed combustion burner.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) This chapter applies to the following types of new products sold, offered for sale, or installed in the state: (a) Automatic commercial ice cube machines; (b) commercial clothes washers; (c) commercial prerinse spray valves; (d) commercial refrigerators and freezers; (e) digital television adapters; (f) illuminated exit signs; (g) low-voltage dry-type distribution transformers; (h) metal halide lamp fixtures; (i) single-voltage external AC to DC power supplies; (j) state-regulated incandescent reflector lamps; (k) torchieres; (l) traffic signal modules; (m) unit heaters; and (n) any other products designated by the department under section 6 of this act. This chapter applies equally to products whether they are sold, offered for sale, or installed as a stand-alone product or as a component of another product.
     (2) This chapter does not apply to (a) new products manufactured in the state and sold outside the state, (b) new products manufactured outside the state and sold at wholesale inside the state for final retail sale and installation outside the state, (c) products installed in mobile manufactured homes at the time of construction or (d) products designed expressly for installation and use in recreational vehicles.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   The legislature establishes the following minimum efficiency standards for the types of new products set forth in section 3 of this act.
     (1)(a) Automatic commercial ice cube machines must have daily energy use and daily water use no greater than the applicable values in the following table:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   (1) On or after January 1, 2007, no new commercial clothes washer, commercial prerinse spray valve, commercial refrigerator or freezer, digital television adapter, illuminated exit sign, low-voltage dry-type distribution transformer, single-voltage external AC to DC power supply, state-regulated incandescent reflector lamp, torchiere, traffic signal module, or unit heater may be sold or offered for sale in the state unless the efficiency of the new product meets or exceeds the efficiency standards set forth in the rules adopted under section 4 of this act. On or after January 1, 2008, no new automatic commercial ice cube machine or metal halide lamp fixtures may be sold or offered for sale in the state unless the efficiency of the new product meets or exceeds the efficiency standards set forth in the rules adopted under section 4 of this act.
     (2) On or after January 1, 2008, no new commercial clothes washer, commercial prerinse spray valve, commercial refrigerator or freezer, digital television adapter, illuminated exit sign, low-voltage dry-type distribution transformer, single-voltage external AC to DC power supply, state-regulated incandescent reflector lamp, torchiere, traffic signal module, or unit heater may be installed for compensation in the state unless the efficiency of the new product meets or exceeds the efficiency standards set forth in the rules adopted under section 4 of this act. On or after January 1, 2009, no new automatic commercial ice cube machine or metal halide lamp fixtures may be installed for compensation in the state unless the efficiency of the new product meets or exceeds the efficiency standards set forth in the rules adopted under section 4 of this act.
     (3) Standards for metal halide lamp fixtures and state-regulated incandescent reflector lamps are effective on the dates in subsections (1) and (2) of this section or on the dates standards for these products are effective in California, whichever is later. Washington standards for metal halide lamp fixtures and state-regulated incandescent reflector lamps only apply to classes of these products covered by standards in effect in California.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   In January 2010, and every four years thereafter, the department shall enter into a rule making to update and modify the rules, specifications, and cost-effective minimum energy efficiency standards of the products listed in this chapter. The department is authorized in this rule making to establish state minimum energy efficiency standards for additional nonfederally covered products that are cost-effective to consumers, are commercially available from multiple manufacturers, achieve electric and/or natural gas savings, and exist as a standard in at least one other state in the United States.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   (1) The manufacturers of products covered by this chapter must test samples of their products in accordance with the test procedures under this chapter or those specified in the state building code. The department may adopt test procedures for determining the energy efficiency of the products covered by section 3 of this act if the procedures are not provided for in section 4 of this act or in the state building code. The department shall adopt United States department of energy approved test methods, or in the absence of test methods, other appropriate nationally recognized test methods. The department may adopt updated test methods when new versions of test procedures become available.
     (2) Manufacturers of new products covered by section 3 of this act, except for single-voltage external AC to DC power supplies, shall certify to the department that the products are in compliance with this chapter. This certification must be based on test results unless neither this chapter nor the department has specified a test method. The department shall establish rules governing the certification of these products and may coordinate with the certification programs of other states and federal agencies with similar standards.
     (3) Manufacturers of new products covered by section 3 of this act shall identify each product offered for sale or installation in the state as in compliance with this chapter by means of a mark, label, or tag on the product and packaging at the time of sale or installation. The department shall establish rules governing the identification of these products and packaging, which shall be coordinated to the greatest practical extent with the labeling programs of other states and federal agencies with equivalent efficiency standards.
     (4) The department may test products covered by section 3 of this act. If products so tested are found not to be in compliance with the minimum efficiency standards established under section 4 of this act, the department shall: (a) Charge the manufacturer of the product for the cost of product purchase and testing; and (b) make information available to the public on products found not to be in compliance with the standards.
     (5) With prior notice and at reasonable and convenient hours, the department may cause periodic inspections to be made of distributors or retailers of new products covered by section 3 of this act in order to determine compliance with this chapter.
     (6) The department shall investigate complaints received concerning violations of this chapter. Any manufacturer, distributor, or retailer who violates this chapter shall be issued a warning by the director of the department for any first violation. Repeat violations are subject to a civil penalty of not more than two hundred fifty dollars. Each violation constitutes a separate offense, and each day that the violation continues is a separate offense. Penalties assessed under this subsection are in addition to costs assessed under subsection (4) of this section.
     (7) The department may adopt rules as necessary to ensure the proper implementation and enforcement of this chapter.
     (8) The proceedings relating to certification of products or imposing penalties for violations of this chapter are governed by the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 9   Sections 1 through 8 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 19 RCW.