Pennsylvania businesses are expected to be a major benefactor to these new standards, and are projected to collectively save an estimated $68.2 million per year on average over the next two decades on energy costs due to the new requirements.
“These updated standards will save consumers money for years to come, just by using more efficient appliances. It’s a clear win for Pennsylvanians’ wallets,” said PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center Deputy Director Flora Cardoni. “For Pennsylvania residents and businesses, the prospect of sustained annual utility bill savings is welcome news.”
The savings projections are published by ASAP and PIRG, Environment America’s sister organization, as part of their new policy analysis, Reducing Costs Across America: New Appliance Standards Save Consumers Money in Every State.
Under President Joe Biden, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has updated energy efficiency standards for a range of appliances.
The final standards for commercial unitary air conditioners and heat pumps, and for circulator pumps, reflect recommendations from a federal advisory committee that includes manufacturer, advocacy, State, and utility representatives. [Read more here]
The final standards for dishwashers and miscellaneous refrigeration products (e.g. wine coolers) reflect a joint recommendation from a wide range of stakeholders, including the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, Consumer Federation of America, and energy efficiency advocates. [Read more here]
“Consumers are going to save money year after year thanks to efficiency standards set during the Biden administration,” said Andrew deLaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project. “Whether you’re replacing a water heater or a clothes dryer, these standards are going to ensure you get a better product that doesn’t leave you with needlessly high utility bills.”
“The Biden administration’s updated appliance efficiency standards will help Pennsylvanians live longer, healthier lives,” said Cardoni.
PIRG has long advocated for more efficient appliances, alongside ASAP, the Consumer Federation of America, Climate Action Campaign and others.
Most recently, U.S. PIRG Education Fund and its sister organizations Environment America Research & Policy Center and Environment America, urged the Biden administration to finalize strong and long overdue updates to efficiency standards.
Strong energy efficiency standards, alongside solutions for pollution across other agencies, will significantly reduce climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions in Pennsylvania and help the Biden administration meet its goal of cutting climate pollution in half by the end of the decade, relative to 2005 levels.
Click Here for a copy of the report.
[Posted: August 27, 2024] PA Environment Digest
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