File #: Res 1979-2009    Version: * Name: Ensuring that the Energy Star Program remains the gold standard for energy efficient products.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Environmental Protection
On agenda: 5/20/2009
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling on the United States Congress to enact legislation ensuring that the Energy Star Program remains the gold standard for energy efficient products.
Sponsors: Melinda R. Katz, Gale A. Brewer, Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, Lewis A. Fidler, Letitia James, Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., James Sanders, Jr., Kendall Stewart, Thomas White, Jr.
Council Member Sponsors: 9

Res. No. 1979

 

Resolution calling on the United States Congress to enact legislation ensuring that the Energy Star Program remains the gold standard for energy efficient products.

 

By Council Members Katz, Brewer, Ferreras, Fidler, James, Recchia Jr., Sanders Jr.,  Stewart and White, Jr.

 

                     Whereas, The Energy Star program is a voluntary labeling program, administered jointly by the United States Department of Energy and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, that helps consumers to identify energy efficient products; and

Whereas, Since its introduction in 1992, the Energy Star program has gained popularity among consumers looking to purchase energy efficient appliances, office equipment, home electronics, and other products; and

Whereas, By educating consumers regarding the energy efficiency of their purchases, the Energy Star program has saved consumers billions of dollars on energy bills and has driven the development of energy-saving technologies; and

Whereas, The standards for Energy Star products have, however, been criticized recently by such groups as Consumer Reports and the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy; and

                     Whereas, These groups argue that some Energy Star standards are out-of-date and updated too infrequently for the standards to represent truly efficient products, that some product testing conditions are not consistent with real-world use of the products, and that manufacturers are allowed to test their own products for compliance; and

                     Whereas, The Energy Star label is widely accepted as an indicator of a high-efficiency product, and has been incorporated into many states’ legislation, including the State of New York, as a compliance standard for energy efficiency; and

Whereas, It is essential that the Energy Star label be meaningful and up-to-date, representing a high level of energy efficiency; and

Whereas, United States Senators Bingaman and Murkowski have introduced the “Appliance Standards Improvement Act of 2009” to the United States Senate; and

Whereas, The Act would require that Energy Star standards be reviewed for possible updates every three years or when the Energy Star market share of a product category reaches thirty-five percent, and would require third-party verification and certification of Energy Star products; and

Whereas, The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has heard this bill, but neither the Senate nor the House of Representatives has voted on it; and

Whereas, The Congress of the United States should act quickly to strengthen the Energy Star program; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Congress to enact legislation ensuring that the Energy Star Program remains the gold standard for energy efficient products.

 

LS# 7327

STW

4/14/09