FINAL BILL REPORT

HJM 4018

BYRepresentatives Todd and Nelson

Petitioning the federal department of energy to adopt revised energy standards for appliances which conform to the national appliance energy conservation act.

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

Senate Committee on Energy & Utilities

AS PASSED LEGISLATURE

BACKGROUND:

Energy conservation through the use of energy efficient home appliances constitutes a significant quantity of energy that can be liberated for other uses. This can be accomplished at less expense than by acquiring new energy production facilities to produce the same amount of energy.  The environmental impacts of conservation measures are substantially less than through most generating facilities.

This was recognized by Congress in enactment of the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987, PL 100-12.  This act set initial appliance standards and required review and possible raising of the standards in 1989 by the U.S. Department of Energy.  The act specifies that the standards should require the greatest level of efficiency that is cost-effective.  This review is in progress.  The Northwest Power Planning Council believes that the department is inclining toward less than optimum energy efficiency standards.

SUMMARY:

The U.S. Department of Energy is urged, in its ongoing review, to adopt the highest level of energy efficiency that is cost-effective for certain specified appliances.  The levels of efficiency are specified in relation to efficiency levels defined and characterized by the department in its review proceedings.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 98   0

      Senate    44     0