Energy Program News

As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release.

SALEM—The Oregon House of Representatives voted 56 to 1 in favor of a bill to set higher energy-efficiency standards for 11 industrial and residential products, marking final passage for a significant component of Governor Kulongoski's roadmap for cutting global warming pollution.

"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 one step advocated by experts in global warming as critical for cutting the warming trend. The bill sets minimum energy-efficiency standards for a list of products that includes torchiere lamps used in people's homes, coin-operated washing machines, and industrial refrigerators and lighting.

The standards phase in starting in 2007, and by 2020 would save enough electricity to power 50,000 homes and would cut commercial-sector natural gas consumption by 3%. "Saving that much energy is the equivalent, in terms of reducing global warming pollution, as taking 70,000 cars off the road," said Baumann.

The bill holds good news for the consumers and business that buy the products: net savings by 2020 are estimated ate $246 million. "More money in the pockets of Oregon businesses and consumers means more money in the local economy rather than sent to out-of-state energy providers," said Baumann.

OSPIRG thanked Rep. Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland), for introducing the bill, Senator Jason Atkinson (R-Grants Pass) and Representative Bob Jenson (R-Pendleton), for co-sponsoring the bill, the 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
Traffic signals
Exit signs
Pre-rinses spray nozzles
Metal halide lamps
Reflector lights
Commercial unit heaters
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.