Connecticut and nine other states reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy to develop new energy efficiency standards for commercial appliances in 2014.
The deal stemmed from DOE’s 18-month delay on issue new standards for walk-in coolers and freezers, electric motors, commercial refrigeration equipment, and metal halide lamps.
Connecticut urged DOE to hurry up as energy efficiency is a significant portion of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s comprehensive energy strategy. With better efficiency standards, those four commercial appliances could eliminate 2.2 million metric tons of air pollution and save $156 million in energy costs.
In the agreement, DOE committed to issuing proposed new standard between August and November for the four categories and finalizing them by May.
