WASHINGTON -- Sen. Dianne Feinstein is encouraging the Obama administration to adopt new energy efficiency standards for televisions, similar to those just approved in her home state of California. California’s regulations, approved Wednesday, will require all new televisions up to 58 inches to be more efficient, beginning in 2011. Feinstein told Energy Secretary Steven Chu in a letter that Congress authorized his department to set energy standards for household appliances, but that the department has not done so for televisions. Energy consumption for appliances with energy standards has steadily declined over the past few decades, while the energy consumed by televisions has risen, especially in recent years. The Democratic senator said increasing the efficiency of televisions would be one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce energy consumption.
