California to Ban Energy-Hogging TVs?

BusinessWeek just ran an interesting article about California's push to ban energy-hungry big-screen televisions. State regulators have been talking about a ban for some time, but the issue is apparently coming to a head, as BusinessWeek reported that the state could put new guidelines in place as early as today. If this happens, retailers and television manufacturers would have until 2011 to respond.

The California standards, as proposed, would not apply to televisions larger than 58 inches, meaning manufacturers could sell really big sets with no worries. California is not proposing the elimination of existing televisions.

The state's argument is that many sets already meet the power consumption guidelines that it plans to implement and that consumers would not pay more for energy-efficient televisions. The state estimates the new guidelines will save $912.1 million per year in avoided electrical bills.

The Consumer Electronics Association, predictably, has a differing viewpoint. It argues that the proposed guidelines will result in the loss of 4,600 retail jobs in California because consumers will go out of state or online to buy models that are not available in California. The CEA also argues that those who buy energy-efficient televisions pay an average of $167 more than those who don't.

While I'm a proponent of green technology and preserving the environment, I'm torn on this issue. It is true that guidelines like these will encourage manufacturers to produce an abundance of energy-efficient sets in short order, but the decision to ignore televisions larger than 58 inches seems arbitrary and counterproductive. Also, considering the energy worries that our nation has, televisions seem like relatively minor offenders. BusinessWeek reports that a 42-inch plasma running an average of four and a half hours per day uses only $54 in energy every year. If those numbers are correct, one wonders what the television industry did to invite California's wrath, as the state is still loaded with people driving gas-guzzling SUVs to and from work.

This seems like one of those topics that could generate a great discussion, so be sure to post your thoughts below.