Once again, it is all about the money. The republicans need the money from their donors to stay in power and they behave like any commercial spokesperson making a commercial for a private company. This is what they are being paid for.
all appliances have efficiency rating on how much it costs on average to run them per year. A smart consumer could choose models that save them money, a not so smart consumer or consumer that DGAF may choose otherwise. States that are trying to reach global climate eneergy goals could charge some sort of Luxury tax or fee on inefficeint models that don't hlep the state meet their energy goals. The feds could apply fed standards and then individual states could layer on their standards as well.
We should just tell Republicans that we are, in fact, coming for their appliances. You thought we were playing around when we tried to reduce pizza oven emissions? That was merely testing the waters. We're coming for your fridges. After that, your dishwashers. Heck, even your toasters aren't safe from our insidious efficiency!
Be afraid of saving money and the planet! Be very, very afraid!
One thing that stood out to me is just how reactionary this is. Like mentioned, appliance efficiency standards are generally supported by manufacturers and had support from past Republican administrations.
Just a total reactionary world view in service of tearing down any progress whatsoever to fuel more fossil fuel usage, that I won't even call "policy".
In a sane media environment, these folks would get no traction and look completely absurd. In 1972 the avg fridge used 2000 kWh/yr ($330/yr at current avg US residential rates). Now it's 500 kWh, yes a 75% reduction. So now, most folks won't even notice the difference between a more efficient fridge and one that just meets the current standard. So I was a bit surprised to see any attempt to make the standard tighter. But the tech does exist (variable compressor) and it's in the fridge in my kitchen, and as an additional benefit it's almost silent. But the total savings available is indeed much less than it was in 1972, which is an argument against the degrowther types who argue against renewable power expansion by saying "We haven't done enough conservation and efficiency..."
Good research, thanks for the links. Another good summary of the benefits is at:
Thank you for continuing the audio option for the newsletter!
Once again, it is all about the money. The republicans need the money from their donors to stay in power and they behave like any commercial spokesperson making a commercial for a private company. This is what they are being paid for.
"The GOP effort to dismantle efficiency regulations might make more sense if the appliance manufacturing industry stood behind it. But it doesn’t."
Emily and Arielle - I like the new audio option. So far Arielle is winning the smoothest-reader contest, but both of you are great journalists!
Ha! I just did one take, I had to get to an event. I'll program some more time in to edit next time.
all appliances have efficiency rating on how much it costs on average to run them per year. A smart consumer could choose models that save them money, a not so smart consumer or consumer that DGAF may choose otherwise. States that are trying to reach global climate eneergy goals could charge some sort of Luxury tax or fee on inefficeint models that don't hlep the state meet their energy goals. The feds could apply fed standards and then individual states could layer on their standards as well.
We should just tell Republicans that we are, in fact, coming for their appliances. You thought we were playing around when we tried to reduce pizza oven emissions? That was merely testing the waters. We're coming for your fridges. After that, your dishwashers. Heck, even your toasters aren't safe from our insidious efficiency!
Be afraid of saving money and the planet! Be very, very afraid!
Thank you for continuing this coverage!
One thing that stood out to me is just how reactionary this is. Like mentioned, appliance efficiency standards are generally supported by manufacturers and had support from past Republican administrations.
Just a total reactionary world view in service of tearing down any progress whatsoever to fuel more fossil fuel usage, that I won't even call "policy".
I love the audio option, thank you!
In a sane media environment, these folks would get no traction and look completely absurd. In 1972 the avg fridge used 2000 kWh/yr ($330/yr at current avg US residential rates). Now it's 500 kWh, yes a 75% reduction. So now, most folks won't even notice the difference between a more efficient fridge and one that just meets the current standard. So I was a bit surprised to see any attempt to make the standard tighter. But the tech does exist (variable compressor) and it's in the fridge in my kitchen, and as an additional benefit it's almost silent. But the total savings available is indeed much less than it was in 1972, which is an argument against the degrowther types who argue against renewable power expansion by saying "We haven't done enough conservation and efficiency..."
Good research, thanks for the links. Another good summary of the benefits is at:
https://appliance-standards.org/blog/how-your-refrigerator-has-kept-its-cool-over-40-years-efficiency-improvements
This shows the purchase price went down too, but a great deal of that is that most manufacturing went overseas.