New Energy Standards for Appliances OKd

President Clinton approved new energy standards for four types of appliances Thursday, and the administration estimated they would save trillions of gallons of water and reduce demands on the nation’s power system.

The new standards apply to central air conditioners, heat pumps, water heaters and clothes washing machines used in the home as well as commercial heating and cooling equipment.

“By reducing electricity use, the standards will not only make our electricity system more reliable, but also will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollutants,” Clinton said in a statement.

The Energy Department estimates that taken together, energy savings generated by the new standards will alleviate the need to build 91 new 400-megawatt power plants.

“The world’s leading scientists have established that our climate is changing, that the rate of change is increasing, that human activities are a significant factor in climate change, and that climate change is likely to have many negative impacts on our environment and society,” Clinton said.

The Appliance Standards Awareness Project, a coalition with representatives from environmental and consumer groups and state government and utilities, praised the new standards.

“This is a home run,” said project director Andrew deLaski. “This common-sense efficiency standard will save consumers billions of dollars, slash power plant pollution and help ease the long-term power crunch.”

The Energy Department says:

* Standards for residential central air conditioners and heat pumps, which take effect in January 2006, are projected to save enough energy to light all U.S. homes for 3.3 years.

* By 2030, the washing machine standards will cut water use by 10.5 trillion gallons and save enough electricity to light all American homes for 4.3 years.

* Standards for home water heaters go into effect in 2004 and will increase the efficiency by 4% for electric water heaters and 8% for gas water heaters.

* Over 25 years, the standards for commercial heating, air conditioning and water heating equipment, which take effect in 2003, are expected to save U.S. businesses about $900 million.