New energy standards will enrich Florida

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A Tallahassee Democrat editorial endorses a report by the Florida Public Interest Research Group, Florida Public Interest Foundation, and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy recommending new energy efficiency standards for appliances and equipment. The editorial argues that adopting standards for 10 products could save Florida consumers and taxpayers $3 billion between 2005 and 2030 while reducing pollution and electricity bills.

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New energy standards will enrich Florida
A TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT EDITORIAL

The term "energy efficiency" doesn't have an urgent ring to it, at least not until dollars and cents are involved. For Floridians, the bottom line could be $3 billion.

That's how much consumers and taxpayers could save between 2005 and 2030 if the state adopted new energy efficiency standards for common appliances and equipment. The report was released Monday by the Florida Public Interest Research Group, the Florida Public Interest Foundation and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

The changes aren't radical, but they potentially add up to significantly less pollution and lower electricity bills: using fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent ones; converting traffic light technology; installing ceiling fans with a less energy-gobbling motors.

Gov. Jeb Bush should adopt this utterly practical, fiscally sound plan by directing the Department of Community Affairs to set energy efficient standards for just 10 products including ceiling fans, commercial clothes washers, commercial refrigerators and freezers, emergency EXIT signs, and satellite and digital TV converter boxes.

And in the interest of a leaner government - one of the governor's priorities - the state itself would save $800,000 a year by adopting some of the suggested standards.

To read the full report, "Energy Efficient Florida," go to: www.floridapirg.org/reports.