California Could Ban Big TVs in Next 2 Months

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.

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.