As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release.
SALEM—The
Governor is poised to sign a bill this afternoon, sponsored by
Representative Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland), that would set higher
energy-efficiency standards for 11 industrial and residential products,
marking implementation for a significant component of Governor
Kulongoski’s roadmap for cutting global warming pollution.
By
2020, the increased energy efficiency would save enough electricity to
power 50,000 homes and would cut commercial-sector natural gas
consumption by 3%. In doing so, the bill will reduce global warming
pollution by the equivalent of taking 70,000 cars off the road and
saves Oregon businesses and consumers nearly $250 million.
“This
bill makes clean energy choices that are a win-win for our environment
and our economy,” said Jeremiah Baumann, a clean energy advocate for
OSPIRG. “Energy-efficient appliances are available now that make big
cuts in global warming pollution and save business and consumers
hundreds of millions of dollars. Thanks to this bill, they’ll be on
sale in Oregon.”
Using
less energy is a step advocated by global warming experts as critical
for cutting the warming trend. The products that would be more
energy-efficient under the bill include torchiere lamps used in
people’s homes, coin-operated washing machines, and commercial
refrigerators and lighting.
OSPIRG
thanked Rep. Jackie Dingfelder for introducing the bill, as well as
Senator Jason Atkinson (R-Grants Pass) and Representative Bob Jenson
(R-Pendleton) for co-sponsoring the bill, and Oregon Citizens’ Utility
Board, for their work advocating in the legislature for the measure.
Full list of products covered by the bill:
Commercial clothes-washers
Commercial ice-makers
Commercial refrigerators & freezers
Commercial unit heaters
Traffic signals
Illuminated exit signs
Pre-rinses spray nozzles
Metal halide lamps
Reflector lights
Torchiere lamps
External power supplies
OSPIRG
is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public interest advocacy organization that
works for environmental protection, a fair, sustainable economy, and a
responsive, democratic government. OSPIRG has more than 33,000 members
statewide.
