We support energy efficiency measures based on sound policy that won't harm California's economy, small businesses or consumers.

The TV industry is constantly evolving and increasing energy efficiency in response to consumer demand and technological developments – not regulations.

• In less than two years, the energy efficiency of Energy Star digital TVs has improved by more than 41 percent.

• 20 percent of flat panel TVs in 2008 had green features, and this number is expected to rise to 70 percent by 2012 and 100% by 2014.

The facts show that voluntary efforts, in concert with reasonable regulations requiring forced mode menus and automatic shut-off, will result in savings at least as great as those anticipated by the CEC - without harming California's economy, consumers, small businesses or industry innovation. We urge the CEC to:

• Support compliance with the federal Energy Star program. In just the first years of the Energy Star 3.0 program for TVs, manufacturers reduced power consumption on average by 29.3%, and improved efficiency by 41.4%. CEA encourages the CEC to continue to monitor the successes of the manufacturing industry in lowering energy consumption, and consult with the industry on ways to improve performance.

• Adopt mandatory functional requirements that will lower energy consumption. CEA supports a Commission adoption of two regulatory requirements that digital TVs sold in California include "forced menus" and automatic shut-off. These features can reduce energy consumption by 190 GWh per year or more, without mandating unrealistic performance levels.

• Educate consumers about energy efficient use of TVs. The greatest and fastest gains can be achieved by changing consumers' behavior with respect to the tens of millions of TVs already in their homes. Simple steps such as encouraging consumers to lower the brightness settings of their current TVs and to turn off TVs not in use can save as much as 555 GWh per year – more than half of what the Commission estimates its regulations would achieve. CEC should support and defer to the Federal Trade Commission's ("FTC") efforts already well underway to adopt nationwide uniform energy use labeling standards for electronics products, including digital TVs.

• Reward consumers for buying energy-efficient televisions. Incentive and rebate programs can reduce energy use by encouraging consumers to trade-in or retire less efficient TVs for newer, more energy-efficient models. Such efforts are estimated by California utilities and CEA to reduce energy consumption by as much as 70 GWh per year.

Learn more by checking out the full Fraunhofer USA study, which is part of the CEA's overall public comments, starting on page 54.

ENERGY STAR Televisions FAQ's About Buying Green Electronics Reducing Your Home's Electricity Use Study: 100% of Flat Panel Displays to be "Green" by 2014