Oregon Adopts New Energy Efficiency Standards for Eleven Products
In 2020, the Oregon Department of Energy led a rulemaking process to develop new energy efficiency standards for 11 products, including computers and computer monitors, commercial dishwashers, commercial fryers, and others.
In 2020, the Oregon Department of Energy led a rulemaking process to develop new energy efficiency standards for 11 products, including computers and computer monitors, commercial dishwashers, commercial fryers, and others. The Oregon Legislature took up a bill during the 2021 session to formally adopt the efficiency standards, and they were signed into law by Governor Brown on June 1. Most of the Oregon standards will go into effect for products manufactured after January 1, 2022 (with the exception of high-CRI lamps, which is one year later).
As technology improves over time, household and commercial equipment is becoming more efficient – which reduces both consumer energy costs and cuts down on harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Setting minimum standards for products and appliances ensures Oregonians can access the most efficient options available on the market (and ultimately lower their energy bills). Some energy efficiency standards are set at the federal level, but Oregon also looks at potential state standards for products that don’t yet have a national standard. Oregon and our west coast neighbors have historically been leaders in both building energy codes and setting efficiency standards for products – some may even go on to be adopted at the national level.
While Oregon has been setting standards since 2005, this latest round of standards was also supported by Governor Brown’s climate change Executive Order 20-04, which directed agencies to take actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our state. ODOE was asked to update efficiency standards at least to levels equivalent to the most stringent among our west coast neighbors. Dive in to Oregon’s Administrative Rules to see more details on the existing and new standards.
Energy efficiency is an important part of Oregon’s energy landscape, and in 2018, ODOE reported on potential savings from adopting additional energy standards. We estimate that the 11 new standards adopted in 2021 will lead to saving nearly $30 million in annual energy costs for Oregonians by 2025, and $100 million by 2035. The standards will also cut annual greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2025 – and over 100,000 by 2035.
As directed in the Executive Order, ODOE will continue to periodically review efficiency standards for potential updates in the future. Interested in learning even more about energy efficiency in Oregon? Check out our 2020 Biennial Energy Report online and sign up to receive email updates for future rulemaking efforts.