California pushes to ban energy-sucking HDTVs

Planning to buy a larger-than-life flat-screen TV? If you live on the Left Coast, you may have to change your plans. California energy regulators a trying to ban the sale of electricity-sucking televisions and adopt efficiency requirements for flat-screen TVs.

If the California Energy Commission continues with the proposal, retailers would have to sell TVs with strict energy requirements spearheaded by the federal Energy Star program beginning in 2011. This program is destined to save a lot of energy that would have been thrown away.

But, how much energy are we talking?

According to a Los Angeles Times article, the regulations are designed to shave $8.1 billion off Californians' electricity bills over a 10-year-period. That's about $30 per set per year, commission officials contend. Karen Douglas, commission Chairwoman says, "Increased efficiency is the most cost-effective way of meeting our renewable-energy goals."

Californians must be used to the energy regulations by now. The residents have regulations on dishwashers, washing machines, and other household appliances. However, many argue that the new regulations will stall technological innovations that have improved TV set quality. The regulations will also limit consumer choice.

"Independent studies show millions in tax revenue and thousands of jobs are at stake," says Doug Johnson, senior director of technology policy at the Consumer Electronics Association. Many jobs could be lost. Television prices will increase, and home theaters wholesalers and installers will be out of work. Consumers would therefore have to buy un-regulated TVs though out-of-state online vendors... this would deprive CA of its much needed corporate income and sales tax revenue.

Why television sets? The article reports that many of the 40-inch-and-larger sets, which use liquid crystal or plasma technology consume vast amounts of electricity. The average plasma screen uses more than three times as much energy as a bulky, old-fashioned cathode-ray-tube TV. This calls for a change in CA, especially since California's energy needs are so vast. At this point, CA imports 30% of its electricity from out of state.

Many flat-screen TV makers already meet the new regulations, and say they'll have no problem hitting the new energy efficiency threshold. Buyers of the TVs wouldn't see a price increase. When talking about huge flat-screen television sets, an Associated Press article highlights Noah Horowitz, a senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council. She says, "These are the SUVs of the industry, they use more energy than the smaller ones. They are used in bars, hotels, and can easily be on for 12 hours a day."

To learn more about the TV energy-regulation proposal, click here.