Hawaii advances energy efficiency measure
The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) is lauding the Hawaii state legislature’s efforts to advance a bill adopting minimum efficiency standards for common household products.
“This bill is huge for Hawaii,” Annie Gilleo, senior manager of state policy at ACEEE, said. “It is projected to save Hawaiians up to $38 million on their utility bills in 2025 and will reduce water consumption in the state by 1.5 billion gallons. As consumers purchase more efficient products, the year-over-year savings are projected to grow even more. By 2035, the savings are projected to reach more than $75 million and 3.2 billion gallons of water each year.”
The measure would apply to products such as computers, faucets, and showerheads. Gov. David Ige is expected to sign the bill into law while adding the measure is based on standards set by the California Energy Commission (CEC), allowing Hawaii to use CEC’s database of existing, compliant products and expediting the standards’ rollout.
The legislation requires the department of business, economic development, and tourism to adopt minimum appliance efficiency standards for certain products sold or installed in the State that are substantially equivalent to existing appliance efficiency standards established in California and by the federal government.
