In July, Rhode Island and Maine both passed appliance and equipment efficiency standards laws that will save consumers energy and money while reducing greenhouse gas and other emissions.
Rhode Island’s “Appliance and Equipment Energy and Water Efficiency Standards Act of 2021” (H5966/S0339), passed by the legislature and signed by Governor McKee, establishes minimum efficiency standards for 15 household and commercial products, such as restaurant equipment, gas fireplaces, water coolers, and showerheads. The Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP) estimates that these standards will save customers $10 million in utility bills in 2025, growing to $44 million in annual savings in 2035. Also, from 2023 to 2035 ASAP estimates avoiding a cumulative 256,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide as well as tons of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.
Further north, in Maine, Governor Mills signed LD940, establishing appliance energy and water efficiency standards for ten household and commercial products, such as computers and monitors, water coolers, and faucets. ASAP estimates that these standards, which will take effect in January 2023, will save customers increasing amounts, growing to $36 million on their 2035 utility bills. Also, cumulatively, 200,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions will be avoided through that year.
A growing number of states are looking to appliance and equipment energy and water efficiency standards to help consumers save money and support air quality and climate protection objectives. Please see ASAP for more about state and federal appliance standards.