Efficient appliances, lights touted as way state can save money

Orlando Sentinel

Wednesday, July 2, 2003

Efficient appliances, lights touted as way state can save money

By Bob Mahlburg | Tallahassee Bureau

Posted July 1, 2003

TALLAHASSEE -- Consumer and environmental groups urged Gov. Jeb Bush on Monday to adopt mandatory state energy standards for items such as floor lamps, ceiling fans and highway-traffic signals in a move they say would save billions of dollars for consumers and taxpayers.

The push, similar to federal standards requiring fuel-efficient cars, would mean $3 billion in savings for government and Florida residents over 25 years, eliminate the need for several new power plants and reduce air pollution, they say.

Energy-saving products, from LED-lighted traffic signals and building exit signs to more efficient appliances, would cost more to buy but some could pay for themselves in as little as a year with lower energy costs, backers say.

"I think these numbers are very conservative," said Dominic Calabro, president of Florida TaxWatch, which backs the push. "We think it would save the state millions of dollars and consumers even more. This is more important than ever as the state struggles with its budget."

The plan would require firms that manufacture products that don't meet the state standard to change them or stop making them.

Energy savings also could be a boon to business, said Bill Jones of the Florida Public Interest Foundation. For example, a commercial office building with 50 exit signs would save $10,000 by replacing 40-watt bulb fixtures with an LED model. He said the LED sign costs $62 at Lowes, compared with just $20 for the bulb type, but the LED model saves $50 on electricity in the first year alone and won't burn out for at least 10 years.

Holly Binns of Public Interest Research Group said standards established by Florida and other states in the 1980s helped persuade the federal Environmental Protection Agency to set voluntary energy standards for washing machines and other appliances that bear "EnergyStar" labels.

Gov. Bush, who signed a bill last week encouraging hybrid electric cars and has called for an annual 5 percent a year reduction in energy use by state agencies, likes the idea of saving energy, a spokeswoman said. The Republican governor often is critical of big government and business regulations. But Bush spokeswoman Alia Faraj made no such comments about the energy plan.

"These are thoughtful recommendations, and they will be forwarded on to the Department of Environmental Protection for review," Faraj said.

Backers said they expected no fallout from forcing firms to stop producing items that fail to meet government standards. Some manufacturers support mandatory standards.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with it if we can save energy," said Mel Zucker of KSM Electronics, former head of the South Florida Manufacturers Association. "It really doesn't cost manufacturers any more. You're making something more efficient. It could hurt a smaller company if they don't have the technological capability of making the changeover, but there should be ways the government can help the small company, whether it's special loans or grants."

Jim Presswood of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, said energy saved by using efficient products could allow Florida to avoid building three power plants over 25 years. That would cut air pollution equivalent to that from 500,000 cars, he said.

Bob Mahlburg can be reached at 850-222-5564 or bmahlburg@orlandosentinel.com.