(US) Government promises to boost household appliance efficiency

[jpak]

http://www.sunjournal.com/index.php?t=3&storyid=185186

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Energy Department has agreed to boost energy efficiency requirements for nearly two dozen household appliances and equipment from dishwashers to fluorescent lamps as part of a court settlement after years of inaction.

<snip>

The agreement, filed in the U.S. District Court in New York and announced Monday, settles a lawsuit filed last year by environmental groups, 15 states and the city of New York over delays in improving federal appliance efficiency requirements.

Kit Kennedy, an attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, which was among those who brought the lawsuit, called the agreement an "historic opportunity" to save consumers energy costs.

<snip>

She said the new requirements, once fully in place, could save enough energy to meet the needs of 12 million households and avoid building dozens of new power plants.

<more>

edit: added more info...

[hatrack]

1. "after years of inaction" . . . "could" . . . "once fully in place" . . .

Nice idea - shame it took six years.

[jpak]

2. and ChimpCo had to be taken to court to do this...

Also, 12 million households is ~10% of all US households - this is really a significant step in the right direction.

:hi:

[JohnWxy]

3. No small victory, this. Increasing efficiency of appliances is the most cost effective way

of reducing fossil fuel use & GHG emmisions.

Some GOOD news!