Feinstein calls for national standards for TVs

California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein has issued a call for national energy efficiency standards for televisions, one day after the California Energy Commission approved a measure that would require televisions to reduce current energy consumption by one-third by 2011 and by one-half by 2013. 

Television usage accounts for nearly 10 percent of all household energy consumption. 
 
On Wednesday, Feinstein sent a letter urging Dr. Steven Chu, secretary of the Department of Energy, to follow California's lead by setting a rigorous national efficiency standard.

On a unanimous vote, the California Energy Commission required all new televisions up to 58 inches be more energy efficient, beginning in 2011. The requirement will be tougher in 2013, with only a quarter of all TVs currently on the market meeting that standard.

The concern is that the energy draw will rise by as much as 8 percent a year as consumers buy larger televisions, add more to their homes and watch them longer.

Commissioners say energy efficiency standards are the cheapest and easiest way to save electricity.