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California Could Ban Big TVs in Next 2 Months
The new regulations, if passed, would effectively ban the sale of 100 percent of plasmas over 60 inches.
Remember the ban that the California Energy Commission (CEC) proposed on "energy zapping" TVs back in January? The one that would start on Jan. 1, 2011.
The CEC is apparently set to have the language finalized for the new regulations in the next two weeks. Then there will be a 45-day comment period, and then it could be the law.
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) testified about the adverse effects of such a regulation, but it appears those arguments are being ignored.
The state of California has produced a list of TVs (pdf) that comply with the Tier 1 (effective January 2011 with 1 watt standby power draw and 0.20 watts per square inch + 32 watts) and Tier 2 (effective January 2013 with 1 watt standby power draw and 0.12 watts per square inch + 25 watts) green proposals. But integrators and custom retailers in the state still may soon find a chunk of their revenue disappearing.
The state says it is not "a ban" and has posted an FAQ on its Web site. Its list of complying manufacturers includes LG, Vizio, JVC, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, Mitsubishi, and others.
But according to Darren Reaman, director of public policy for CEDIA, the proposed law, which has the support of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, would effectively ban the sale (not the purchase) of 25 percent of LCDs and plasma big-screen TVs and 100 percent of plasmas over 60 inches in California. However, there's nothing stopping consumers from buying non-compliant TVs out of state or on the Internet.
“The CEC is in the business of creating regulations," Reaman says. "It has already done this to washers, dryers and refrigerators. Next on it list is TVs. The frustrating part is that the CEC thinks the consumer electronics industry is the same as those other industries. And it does not have a full understanding of how the custom installation business works."
“If consumers want the TVs, they will be able to get them, only California will lose out on the sales tax revenue," Reaman adds. "It's the wrong solution."
Reaman also questions the future of 3D technology. "Will 3D technology not work on new TVs sold in California?" he asks. "Who knows."
He points out that many CE pros use big TVs as their "foot in the door" with homeowners. Reaman says the regulation especially hurts custom dealers.
Shawn Worst of Evolution Home Theatre in San Diego agrees. "There couldn't be a worse time to do this," he says. "They just don't get it. I don't know what percentage of business I will lose, but whatever it is, it will hurt. We need to squash this."
A grass roots effort is being organized by a group called Californians for Smart Energy, which both CEDIA and CEA are supporting. More information can be found at www.casmartenergy.com.
The CEC is apparently set to have the language finalized for the new regulations in the next two weeks. Then there will be a 45-day comment period, and then it could be the law.
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) testified about the adverse effects of such a regulation, but it appears those arguments are being ignored.
The state of California has produced a list of TVs (pdf) that comply with the Tier 1 (effective January 2011 with 1 watt standby power draw and 0.20 watts per square inch + 32 watts) and Tier 2 (effective January 2013 with 1 watt standby power draw and 0.12 watts per square inch + 25 watts) green proposals. But integrators and custom retailers in the state still may soon find a chunk of their revenue disappearing.
Is This a Ban?
The state says it is not "a ban" and has posted an FAQ on its Web site. Its list of complying manufacturers includes LG, Vizio, JVC, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, Mitsubishi, and others.
But according to Darren Reaman, director of public policy for CEDIA, the proposed law, which has the support of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, would effectively ban the sale (not the purchase) of 25 percent of LCDs and plasma big-screen TVs and 100 percent of plasmas over 60 inches in California. However, there's nothing stopping consumers from buying non-compliant TVs out of state or on the Internet.
“The CEC is in the business of creating regulations," Reaman says. "It has already done this to washers, dryers and refrigerators. Next on it list is TVs. The frustrating part is that the CEC thinks the consumer electronics industry is the same as those other industries. And it does not have a full understanding of how the custom installation business works."
“If consumers want the TVs, they will be able to get them, only California will lose out on the sales tax revenue," Reaman adds. "It's the wrong solution."
The Future of 3D Technology
Reaman also questions the future of 3D technology. "Will 3D technology not work on new TVs sold in California?" he asks. "Who knows."
He points out that many CE pros use big TVs as their "foot in the door" with homeowners. Reaman says the regulation especially hurts custom dealers.
Shawn Worst of Evolution Home Theatre in San Diego agrees. "There couldn't be a worse time to do this," he says. "They just don't get it. I don't know what percentage of business I will lose, but whatever it is, it will hurt. We need to squash this."
A grass roots effort is being organized by a group called Californians for Smart Energy, which both CEDIA and CEA are supporting. More information can be found at www.casmartenergy.com.
California TV Ban
| California TV Ban Even Worse Than We Thought The California Energy Commission's ruling treats all TVs the same, regardless of the application. California retailers will suffer. California Passes Ban on Inefficient TVs The California Energy Commission votes 5-0 to approve the nation's first efficiency regulations for TVs up to 58 inches. Stricter standards take effect Jan. 1, 2011. CEA Reacts to California TV Ban "CEA is extremely disappointed in the CEC's decision to regulate TV energy use. Simply put, this is bad policy - dangerous for the California economy, dangerous for technology innovation and dangerous for consumer freedom." Discuss: Your Thoughts on the California TV Ban If you're a California-based CE pro, how will this impact your business? If you're not based in California, do you even care? Battle Continues Over California TV Restrictions CEA claims proposed restrictions would cost California residents money, while the CEC claims the restrictions could save millions. Proposed California TV Ban Omits Big-Screen TVs California Energy Commission, for now, will not propose restricting the sale of big-screen TVs that don't meet energy efficiency standards. Blog: Help Fight California's TV Ban Integrators across the country need to rally to fight a proposed regulation that would ban the sale of big-screen TVs in California. California Could Ban Big TVs in Next 2 Months The new regulations, if passed, would effectively ban the sale of 100 percent of plasmas over 60 inches. California Drafting Strict TV Energy Laws California is drafting legislation that will restrict the sale of certain power-zapping plasmas and LCDs in the state starting in 2011. | |
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About the Author
Jason Knott, Editor, CE Pro
Jason has covered low-voltage electronics as an editor since 1990. He joined EH Publishing in 2000, and before that served as publisher and editor of Security Sales, a leading magazine for the security industry. He served as chairman of the Security Industry Association’s Education Committee from 2000-2004 and sat on the board of that association from 1998-2002. He is also a former board member of the Alarm Industry Research and Educational Foundation. He is currently a member of the CEDIA Education Action Team for Electronic Systems Business. Jason graduated from the University of Southern California.
3 Comments (displayed in order by date/time)
Buy a TV, go to jail. Liberals know best, consumers are idiots.
Not enough problems in California?
Page 1 of 1 comment pages
This is the typical FUD (Fear, uncertainty, doubt) that I see over and over from CE-Pros. This law has good intent for improving energy efficiency and without it the manufacturers don’t have the motivation to make the improvements themselves. Custom installers exacerbate the problem by insulating the end user from the buying process where factors such as power consumption are considered.
I have a 2005 Pioneer Elite 50” plasma TV. Boy does it heat up my theater room. You walk up close to it and you can feel the heat radiating off of it. When you consider that an air conditioner is only about 30% efficient, that means that a 300 watt TV takes another 1000 watts of energy to remove that heat from the room! With all the equipment in a typical home theater, one is sure to need AC on, even in moderate weather, so this wattage multiplier comes into play often. That is why I support emphasis on energy efficiency for the TV - often the highest power single item.