Statement: State Senate Passed Appliance Efficiency Standards (A5160/S3324) by a 24-13 vote

Media Contacts
Emma Horst-Martz

Advocate, PennPIRG

Updated Appliance Efficiency Standards will bring monthly savings to consumers

NJPIRG

TRENTON – New Jersey is another step closer to adopting new energy efficiency standards for major everyday appliances. A5160, sponsored by Assemblymembers DeAngelo, Conaway, and its Senate substitute S3324 sponsored by Senators Smith and Bateman, passed the Senate today (25-13). The bill will now move to Governor Murphy’s desk.

“Passing S3324 into law would ensure that we save energy, water and consumer dollars. By implementing better appliance efficiency standards, we can make meaningful progress toward reducing energy burdens, generating big savings for consumers, and cleaning the air we breathe,” said NJPIRG associate Rachel Vresilovic.

The bill will update efficiency standards for a set of 17 household and commercial appliances such as light fixtures and showerheads. The standards have not been updated in New Jersey since 2005. The legislation would require products sold and installed in the state to use less energy and water than they need to operate. 

This is good news for consumers who will benefit from $132 million a year in savings on their monthly utility bills when using appliances with the new standards in the future. This number will increase each year as more people buy and use efficient appliances, providing an even bigger benefit to low income households and people of color who often spend a higher percentage of their income on energy bills. 

Using less energy in our homes and businesses will reduce emissions as well. If the new standards are passed, New Jersey would cut 178,000 metric tons of CO2 — the equivalent of taking 72,000 cars off the road. Lowering greenhouse gas emissions will have positive health impacts on New Jerseyans for years to come. 

The consumer benefits and reduction in harmful emissions prompted NJPIRG to support the legislation, alongside a broad coalition of health, safety, and environmental organizations. 

NJPIRG congratulates the primary sponsors and members of the Assembly and Senate who voted in favor of this important legislation, helping to reduce harmful air pollution, and save New Jersey consumers money.

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