PennEnvironment urges officials to adopt energy-saving standards for common products

Policy would cut carbon pollution by 507 thousand metric tons

PennEnvironment

PHILADELPHIA—  PennEnviroment joined environmental and consumer allies to press the state legislature to adopt appliance efficiency standards on products, including dishwashers, commercial fryers, water coolers and faucets. The new standards would reduce climate-altering carbon dioxide pollution, smog-forming emission and save water resources.  

Adopting the recommended standards in Pennsylvania would annually prevent 507 thousand metric tons of climate-altering carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere — the equivalent of taking over 110,000 cars off of the road each year. The standards would also prevent pollution from nitrogen oxides (smog-causing pollution) and sulfur dioxide (a fine particulate pollution).

“Appliance efficiency standards are a sensible and significant way to improve the health of both people and the planet,” said Allie Astor, Clean Energy Associate, Environment America. “Applying these common sense measures will take a big bite out of pollution by reducing the amount of unnecessary energy wasted by common products.”

These standards would result in annual savings of approximately 865 gigawatts of electricity in Pennsylvania by 2025, according to the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, a national organization working to advance, win and defend new efficiency standards for appliances, equipment and lighting. That’s enough to power over 83,100 typical households, according to PennEnvironment calculations.

Annual water savings are estimated to be 6,312 million gallons by 2025, enough to meet the annual water consumption needs of 57,643 average U.S. households. In addition, by 2025 this measure will save Pennsylvania consumers $217 million dollars annually.

“Appliance standards are the best climate and energy policy you’ve never heard of,” said Marianne DiMascio, State Policy Director at the Appliance Standards Awareness Project. “People are always surprised to learn how much energy, water, and money is saved just by increasing the minimum efficiency of common items such as computers, faucets, water coolers and lighting, among others.”

“Energy efficiency receives broad public support, and these appliance standards offer a win-win opportunity,” Astor added. “Consumers will pay less for their energy needs, while cutting down on dangerous chemicals that severely endanger our communities and climate. This legislative session provides us with the perfect opportunity to take action.”