Attention NEWS AND ASSIGNMENT Editors:
Officials at the California Energy Commission are available for comment
regarding the State's stand on the Bush Administration's expected
announcement today to roll back the energy efficiency of air
conditioners.
Art Rosenfeld, Energy Commissioner will be available by phone from
Berkeley. Scott Matthews, Deputy Director for Efficiency and Demand
Analysis will field questions in person or by phone from the Commission.
Rosenfeld and Matthews will explain why it is not a good idea for
Washington to require that the cheapest air conditioners built starting
in 2006 and beyond be 20 percent more efficient, instead of being 30
percent more efficient as required by the Clinton Administration.
In California, for example, air conditioners are big power consumers.
Air conditioning uses 30 percent of all electricity in the State during
hot summer afternoons. That's roughly a consumption of 16,000 megawatts
of electricity - a huge chunk that affects the power grid when
electricity demand peaks.
More efficient air conditioners mean fewer power outages and less need
for new power plants.
To set up interviews, please call the Media and Public Communications
Office at (916) 654-4989.
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