ASSEMBLY PANEL CLEARS WATSON COLEMAN/ GREENSTEIN BILL CREATING ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS FOR APPLIANCES

Measure Would Include More Appliances under Federal ENERGY STAR Standards

(TRENTON) - An Assembly committee today released legislation Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman and Assemblywoman Linda R. Greenstein sponsored to create energy efficiency standards for a variety of appliances.

"With concerns about global warming, air quality, and public health continually on the rise across the country, we need to do everything we can in New Jersey to save energy and protect the environment," said Watson Coleman (D-Mercer). "Energy efficiency shouldn't be a catchphrase, it should be our rallying cry."

The Watson Coleman/Greenstein measure (A-1763) would require the state Board of Public Utilities (BPU), the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), in consultation with the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), to establish minimum energy efficiency standards for selected commercial and residential appliances and equipment sold or installed in New Jersey.  The standards, which would be based on the most recent energy efficiency guidelines under the federal ENERGY STAR program, would include products and appliances such as bottle-type water dispensers and commercial hot food holding cabinets.

"Since we are the most densely populated state in the union, New Jersey has become a national leader in many pro-environmental initiatives," said Greenstein (D-Middlesex/Mercer). "By aggressively expanding ENERGY STAR compliance here, we can help influence energy conservation policies nationwide."

Watson Coleman and Greenstein noted that in 2005 alone, the federal ENERGY STAR program helped prevent the production of 35 million metric tons of greenhouse gasses and saved Americans $12 billion on their utility bills. 

The legislation would permit the BPU, every three years, to propose new products to be added to the ENERGY STAR designation list.

The measure would not apply to new products manufactured in state and sold out-of-state; new products manufactured out-of-state, sold at wholesale in-state, for final use out-of-state; products installed in pre-fabricated homes at the time of construction; and products designed expressly for installation and use in recreational vehicles.

The panel released the measure 7-0.  It now heads to the Assembly Speaker who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.

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