From the NJ Senate Democrats

  TRENTON – In an effort to improve New Jersey’s energy and water efficiency, earlier this week the Senate advanced legislation sponsored by Senator Bob Smith, which would establish minimum energy and water efficiency standards for appliances sold in the State.

     The bill, S3324, would require certain products sold, offered for sale or leased in the state to meet or exceed efficiency standards. The energy and water efficiency standards in the bill would be based on various sources including specifications from federal programs such as ENERGY STAR and WaterSense, and from criteria developed and adopted by the California Energy Commission.

     “By 2050, our goal as a state is to greatly diminish our emissions, and this bill will bring us one step closer to achieving that goal,” said Senator Smith (D-Middlesex / Somerset). “These new standards will not only help us decrease how much harmful emissions we emit, but we can help both homeowners and the State conserve water and electricity, ensuring consumers will save money over time by remaining efficient. Higher efficiency standards for our products will be a great asset for our residents and the environment.”

     Products regulated under the bill would include goods such as new air purifiers, certain fluorescent lamps, certain commercial kitchen appliances, computers, monitors, showerheads, toilets, urinals, portable electric spas, residential ventilating fans, and water coolers.

     The bill was released from the Senate by a vote of 26-13.