In testimony at a hearing held today by the Senate Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Innovation to explore energy efficiency technologies and programs, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®) urged Congress to support innovation, industry-led standards and voluntary initiatives such as the federal Energy Star program to encourage energy efficiency in the consumer technology sector.
"Energy Star has a long and established track record of success," said Douglas Johnson, CEA's senior director of technology policy and international affairs. "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that the Energy Star program for consumer electronics and residential office equipment has saved 18.8 billion kilowatts of energy and avoided emission totaling 3.8 million metric tons of carbon equivalent," he added.
On behalf of the consumer electronics industry, Johnson expressed concern that state-level energy efficiency standards have the potential to undermine the national Energy Star program. "The success of the Energy Star program is in part due to its voluntary nature, and its criteria are the result of broad industry participation, careful negotiation, and recognition of market and technological facts and limitations," he explained.
"The consumer electronics industry has been proactive in promoting energy efficiency and conservation through research, industry-led standards and consumer education," said Johnson. CEA's new consumer education initiative, myGreenElectronics.org, features common-sense consumer tips for saving energy with electronics and an energy calculator that enables consumers to calculate and better understand how much is required to power their household electronics on average.
Johnson also cited an independent analysis commissioned by CEA on the energy use of consumer electronics. "CEA conducts research and analysis to ensure that policy makers and the public have accurate information. Many estimates of consumer electronics energy consumption still rely on data developed in the late 1990s. Yet, consumer electronics products have changed dramatically over the last decade, and their energy consumption characteristics have improved, particularly due to innovation as well as the success of the Energy Star program," he said.
"Electronics are part of the energy-saving solution," Johnson concluded. "Home networking products help save energy by providing increased control over home heating, cooling and lighting systems. Information technology and telecommunications products allow teleworking and remote access to information and entertainment, which save fuel and reduce carbon emissions," he noted.
About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 2,100 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, digital imaging, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $140 billion in annual sales. CEA's resources the consumer electronics industry. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Defining Tomorrow's Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.
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