Reagan Signs Bill Setting Appliance Efficiency Standards

President Reagan signed legislation on Tuesday requiring national energy conservation standards for large appliances.

The efficiency standards apply to 12 specific classes of major home appliances, the White House said in an announcement. They affect such appliances as refrigerators, stoves and air conditioners.

The House approved the measure earlier this month, after similar action by the Senate.

Supporters said the conservation measures mandated by the legislation will save enough energy through the year 2000 to equal the output of 22 power plants.

Rep. Sam Gejdenson (D-Conn.) said the law will save consumers from $28 billion to $30 billion in energy costs by the end of the century.

But opponents argued that the minimum energy standards will increase the costs of the appliances and entice foreign competition into the market.