Blog | ASAP Appliance Standard Awareness Project

How States Delivered Strong Federal Battery Charger Standards

In June, new national efficiency standards that build on prior state standards took effect. These standards reduce the energy wasted by all kinds of battery-powered devices, from electric shavers, to smart phones, to golf carts (but not electric cars). The new federal standards show how strong national standards can build on the success of state-level policy to drive big energy and dollar savings.

Will Trump's DOE soon propose rolling back light bulb standards? Here’s what’s at stake

The Trump administration will soon release a proposed rule on light bulb standards. The details are under wraps, but manufacturers have lobbied for an illegal rollback of strong standards with which they must comply beginning in 2020. Our new issue brief shows what’s at stake.

Appliance standards create jobs — in every US state

National standards that require appliances and equipment to be more energy efficient do more than save energy and reduce utility bills. They also spur economic growth and create jobs — a lot of jobs. In fact, our new report reveals that they created or sustained nearly 300,000 jobs in 2016 and are projected to support 553,000 jobs in 2030. These jobs benefit every US state.

Vermont Doubles Down on Efficiency Standards, Enacts New Law

Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed 16 new state appliance efficiency standards into law on May 21, making the Green Mountain state the first to enact ASAP’s current set of recommended state standards.

Lighting standards loophole jeopardizes energy and cost savings for fluorescent tubes

A legal loophole has already denied American consumers expected energy savings from efficiency standards on fluorescent tubes. Unless it is closed, this loophole threatens additional missed savings, particularly for households and small businesses. General service fluorescent lamps (fluorescent tubes) are ubiquitous in U.S. commercial buildings but also common in homes.

As federal efforts lag, states are picking up the slack on appliance standards

With a little more than a year elapsed since President Trump’s inauguration, progress on federal appliance standards has slowed to a crawl, while state efforts are picking up steam. Although the administration affirmed or completed several important Obama-era standards during its first months, others remain in limbo.

Manufacturers are beating new efficiency standards for commercial ice makers

Manufacturers are not just meeting, but beating new efficiency standards for commercial ice makers that take effect on January 28. This is good news for the restaurants, hotels, convenience stores, and other businesses that use ice makers since more-efficient equipment means lower utility bills.

A new spin on clothes washer efficiency coming in January 2018

As of January 1, 2018, newly-manufactured clothes washers used in homes, multi-family buildings, and laundromats will be more energy- and water-efficient. For residential washers, the new efficiency standards are the latest in a series of improvements over the last 30 years that have resulted in dramatic decreases in energy and water use.

New walk-in cooler standards will save businesses up to $6000, but some standards are on hold

On Monday, June 5, the first efficiency performance standards will take effect for walk-in coolers and freezers. These standards will yield big savings for the supermarkets, restaurants, convenience stores, and other businesses that use walk-ins. But additional savings are on hold, waiting for action by the Trump administration.