HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 1003

As Passed House:

February 26, 2011

Title: An act relating to efficiency standards for consumer products.

Brief Description: Establishing energy efficiency standards for consumer products.

Sponsors: House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications (originally sponsored by Representatives Morris, Stanford, Frockt, Moeller and Upthegrove).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Technology, Energy & Communications: 1/19/11, 2/2/11 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/26/11, 56-41.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives McCoy, Chair; Jacks, Vice Chair; Crouse, Ranking Minority Member; Billig, Carlyle, Eddy, Frockt, Kelley, Liias and Morris.

Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Short, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Dahlquist, Harris, McCune and Nealey.

Staff: Kara Durbin (786-7133).

Background:

Washington law sets minimum energy efficiency standards for nine categories of electrical products sold, offered for sale, or installed in the state:

• automatic commercial ice cube machines;

• certain wine chillers;

• commercial hot food holding cabinets;

• commercial refrigerators and freezers;

• tub spout diverters;

• certain incandescent reflector lights;

• pool heaters, residential pool pumps, and portable electrical spas;

• hot water dispensers and mini-tank electric water heaters; and

• bottle-type and point-of-use water dispensers.

Federal law generally allows states to establish minimum energy efficiency standards for electrical products that are not currently addressed in federal law.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

Minimum efficiency standards are established for the following electrical products manufactured on or after January 1, 2012, that are sold or offered for sale in the state:

• compact audio products;

• digital versatile disc (DVD) players and digital versatile disc recorders (DVRs); and

• state-regulated external power supplies.

These products may not be installed for compensation in the state on or after January 1, 2013, unless they meet the specified efficiency standards.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Washington has long been a leader in energy efficiency standards. The televisions standards in the bill are based on the 2010 California standards that are already in place. Energy efficiency is the cheapest, least cost resource and helps us meet greenhouse gas emission limits. Once states adopt energy efficiency standards for products, generally the Department of Energy will consider adopting a federal standard.

(With concerns) Set-top boxes appear to meet the standards in the bill, but technology changes rapidly. It would be helpful to have a cable industry equipment expert weigh in.

(Opposed) We are very concerned about a state-by-state approach to energy efficiency standards. It is difficult for multi-state retailers to comply with different states' standards, and it ultimately drives up the cost for consumers. While we support energy efficiency, we support an incentives-based approach rather than a regulatory approach. Every other state has rejected this regulatory approach in recognition that this is a very dynamic industry. Televisions are changing very quickly. We are willing to work with the sponsor to come up with an incentives-based approach. We prefer a national approach to energy efficiency standards.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Morris, prime sponsor; and Kim Drury, Northwest Energy Coalition.

(With Concerns) Ron Main, Broadband Communications Association.

(Opposed) Charlie Brown, Consumer Electronics Association; Mark Johnson, Washington Retail Association; and Chris McCabe, Association of Washington Business.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.