2015 -- H 5670

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LC001317

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- MINIMUM ENERGY AND

WATER EFFICIENCY STANDARDS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Handy, Ajello, Regunberg, Amore, and Lombardi

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2015

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND

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GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 140.5

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MINIMUM ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENCY STANDARDS

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     42-140.5-1. General purpose. -- This chapter establishes minimum efficiency standards

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for certain products sold or installed in the state.

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     42-140.5-2. Findings. -- The legislature finds that:

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     (1) Efficiency standards for certain products sold or installed in the state assure

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consumers and businesses that such products meet minimum efficiency performance levels thus

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reducing energy and water waste, and saving money on utility bills.

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     (2) Such efficiency standards save energy and thus reduce pollution and other

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environmental impacts associated with the production, distribution, and use of electricity and

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natural gas.

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     (3) Such water efficiency standards save water and thus reduce the strain on the water

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supply. Furthermore, improved water efficiency can reduce or delay the need for infrastructure

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improvements.

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     (4) Such efficiency standards can make electricity systems more reliable by reducing the

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strain on the electricity grid during peak demand periods. Furthermore, improved efficiency can

 

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reduce or delay the need for new power plants, power transmission lines, and power distribution

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system upgrades.

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     (5) Efficiency standards contribute to the economy of this state by helping to better

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balance supply and demand for both energy and water, thus reducing pressure for higher natural

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gas, electricity, and water prices. By saving consumers and businesses money on utility bills,

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efficiency standards help the state and local economy, since utility bill savings can be spent on

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local goods and services.

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     42-140.5-3. Definitions. – (a) As used in this chapter:

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     (1) The following definitions apply to battery charger systems:

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     (i) "Battery" or "battery pack" means an assembly of one or more rechargeable cells

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intended to provide electrical energy to a product, and may be in one of the following forms:

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     (A) Detachable battery. A battery that is contained in a separate enclosure from the

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product and is intended to be removed or disconnected from the product for recharging; or

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     (B) Integral battery. A battery that is contained within the product and is not removed

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from the product for charging purposes.

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     (ii) "Battery charger system" (BCS) means a battery charger coupled with its battery or

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batteries or battery chargers coupled with their batteries, which together are referred to as battery

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charger systems. This term covers all rechargeable batteries or devices incorporating a

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rechargeable battery and the chargers used with them. Battery charger systems include, but are

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not limited to:

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     (A) Electronic devices with a battery that are normally charged from ac line voltage or dc

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input voltage through an internal or external power supply and a dedicated battery charger;

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     (B) The battery and battery charger components of devices that are designed to run on

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battery power during part or all of their operations;

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     (C) Dedicated battery systems primarily designed for electrical or emergency backup;

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and

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     (D) Devices whose primary function is to charge batteries, along with the batteries they

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are designed to charge. These units include chargers for power tool batteries and chargers for

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automotive, AA, AAA, C, D, or 9 V rechargeable batteries, as well as chargers for batteries used

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in larger industrial motive equipment and à la carte chargers.

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     (E) The charging circuitry of battery charger systems may or may not be located within

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the housing of the end-use device itself. In many cases, the battery may be charged with a

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dedicated external charger and power supply combination that is separate from the device that

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runs on power from the battery.

 

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     (2) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of energy resources as defined in chapter

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140.4 of title 42.

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     (3) The following definitions apply to commercial dishwashers:

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     (i) "Chemical sanitizing (low temp) machine" means a warewashing machine that applies

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potable water and a chemical sanitizing solution to the surfaces of wares to achieve sanitization.

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     (ii) "Commercial dishwasher" means a machine designed to clean and sanitize plates,

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glasses, cups, bowls, utensils, and trays by applying sprays of detergent solution (with or without

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blasting media granules) and a sanitizing final rinse.

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     (iii) "Hot water sanitizing (high temp) machine" means a warewashing machine that

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applies potable hot water to the surfaces of wares to achieve sanitization.

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     (iv) "Multiple tank conveyor dishwasher" means a conveyor type machine that has one or

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more tanks for wash water and one or more tanks for pumped rinse water, followed by a final

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sanitizing rinse. This type of machine may include one or more pre-washing sections before the

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washing section. Multiple tank conveyor dishwashers can be either chemical or hot water

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sanitizing, with an internal or external booster heater for the latter.

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     (v) "Single tank conveyor dishwasher" means a warewashing machine that employs a

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conveyor or similar mechanism to carry dishes through a series of wash and rinse sprays within

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the machine. Specifically, a single tank conveyor machine has a tank for wash water followed by

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a final sanitizing rinse and does not have a pumped rinse tank. This type of machine may include

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a pre-washing section before the washing section. Single tank conveyor dishwashers can be either

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chemical or hot water sanitizing, with an internal or external booster heater for the latter.

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     (vi) "Stationary rack, single tank, door type dishwasher" means a machine in which a

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rack of dishes remains stationary within the machine while subjected to sequential wash and rinse

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sprays. This definition also applies to machines in which the rack revolves on an axis during the

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wash and rinse cycles. Subcategories of stationary rack, single tank, door type machines include:

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single and multiple wash tank, double rack, pot, pan and utensil washers, chemical dump type and

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hooded wash compartment (hood type). Stationary rack, single tank, door type models can be

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either chemical or hot water sanitizing, with an internal or external booster heater for the latter.

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     (vii) "Under counter dishwasher" means a machine with an overall height of thirty-eight

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inches (38") or less, in which a rack of dishes remains stationary within the machine while being

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subjected to sequential wash and rinse sprays, is designed for wash cycles of ten (10) minutes or

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less, and is designed to be installed under food preparation workspaces. Under counter

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dishwashers can be either chemical or hot water sanitizing, with an internal booster heater for the

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latter.

 

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     (4) "Compensation" means money or any other valuable thing, regardless of form,

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received or to be received by a person for services rendered.

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     (5) "Dual flush tank-type water closet" means a tank-type water closet incorporating a

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feature that allows the user to flush the water closet with either a reduced or a full volume of

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water.

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     (6) The following definitions apply to high light output double-ended quartz halogen

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lamps:

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     (i) "High light output double-ended quartz halogen lamp" means a lamp that:

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     (A) Is designed for general outdoor lighting purposes;

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     (B) Contains a tungsten filament;

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     (C) has a rated initial lumen value of greater than six thousand (6,000) and less than forty

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thousand (40,000) lumens;

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     (D) Has at each end a recessed single contact, R7s base;

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     (E) Has a maximum overall length (MOL) between four (4) and eleven (11) inches;

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     (F) Has a nominal diameter less than three quarters (3/4) inch (T6);

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     (G) Is designed to be operated at a voltage not less than one hundred ten (110) volts and

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not greater than two hundred (200) volts or is designed to be operated at a voltage between two

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hundred thirty-five (235) volts and three hundred (300) volts;

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     (H) Is not a tubular quartz infrared heat lamp; and

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     (I) Is not a lamp marked and marketed as a stage and studio lamp with a rated life of five

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hundred (500) hours or less.

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     (ii) "Tubular quartz infrared heat lamp" means a double-ended quartz halogen lamp that:

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     (A) Is marked and marketed as an infrared heat lamp; and

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     (B) Radiates predominately in the infrared radiation range and in which the visible

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radiation is not of principle interest.

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     (6) "Lavatory faucet" means a plumbing fitting designed for installation at a washbowl or

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basin in a room containing a water closet, and includes associated faucet accessories such as flow

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restrictors, flow regulators, aerator devices, and laminar devices, except that such term does not

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include fittings designed to be installed in non-residential bathrooms that are exposed to walk-in

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traffic

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     (7) "Portable electric spa" means a factory-built electric spa or hot tub, supplied with

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equipment for heating and circulating water.

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     (8) The following definitions apply to room air cleaners:

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     (i) "Room air cleaner" means an electric cord-connected, portable appliance with the

 

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primary function of removing particulate matter from the air and which can be moved from room

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to room.

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     (ii) "Combination product" means a room air cleaner that includes a secondary function,

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other than air cleaning technology, within the same housing such as a humidifier or dehumidifier.

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     (iii) "Ozone generator" means a device intended to reduce or eliminate microorganisms

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within a room solely by means of introducing ozone into the room environment.

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     (iv) "Clean air delivery rate" (CADR) means the measure of the delivery of specified,

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particulate-free air produced by a household electric, cord-connected room air cleaner.

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     (v) "Standby mode" means the lowest power consumption mode which cannot be

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switched off (influenced) by the user and that may persist for an indefinite time when an air

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cleaner unit is connected to the main electricity supply and used in accordance with the

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manufacturer’s instructions.

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     (vi) "Standby power" means the average power in standby mode, measured in watts.

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     (8) "Urinal" means a plumbing fixture that receives only liquid body waste and conveys

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the waste through a trap into a drainage system, except that such term does not include fixtures

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designed for installation in prisons.

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     (9) "Water closet" means a plumbing fixture with a water-containing receptor that

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receives liquid and solid body waste and upon actuation conveys the waste through an integral

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trap into a drainage system, except that such term does not include fixtures designed for

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installation in prisons.

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     42-140.5-4. Scope.-- (a) The provisions of this chapter apply to the following types of

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new products sold, offered for sale, or installed in the state:

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     (1) Battery charger systems, except those:

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     (i) Used to charge a motor vehicle that is powered by an electric motor drawing current

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from rechargeable storage batteries, fuel cells, or other portable sources of electrical current, and

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which may include a nonelectrical source of power designed to charge batteries and components

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thereof. This exception does not apply to autoettes, electric personal assistive mobility devices,

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golf carts, or low speed vehicles;

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     (ii) That are classified as Class II or Class III devices for human use under the Federal

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Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and require U.S. Food and Drug Administration listing and

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approval as a medical device;

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     (iii) Used to charge a battery or batteries in an illuminated exit sign;

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     (iv) With input that is three (3) phase of line-to-line three hundred (300) volts root mean

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square or more and is designed for a stationary power application;

 

LC001317 - Page 5 of 11

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     (v) That are battery analyzers; or

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     (vi) That are voltage independent or voltage and frequency independent uninterruptible

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power supplies as defined by IEC 62040-3 ed. 2.0 (March 2011);

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     (2) Commercial dishwashers in the following categories:

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     (i) Chemical sanitizing (low temp)

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     (ii) Hot water sanitizing (high temp);

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     (iii) Multiple tank conveyors;

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     (iv) Single tank conveyor;

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     (v) Stationary rack, single tank, door type; and

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     (vi) Under counter;

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     (3) High light output double-ended quartz halogen lamps;

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     (4) Lavatory faucets;

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     (5) Portable electric spas;

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     (6) Room air cleaners, except those that are combination products or ozone generators;

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     (7) Urinals;

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     (8) Water closets:

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     (9) Water coolers, including both bottled (including compartment-type) and bottle-less,

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but excluding units that provide pressurized water; and

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     (10) Any other products as may be designated by the commissioner in accordance with §

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42-140.5-7.

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     (b) The provisions of this chapter do not apply to:

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     (1) New products manufactured in the state and sold outside the state;

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     (2) New products manufactured outside the state and sold at wholesale inside the state for

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final retail sale and installation outside the state;

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     (3) Products installed in mobile manufactured homes at the time of construction; or

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     (4) Products designed expressly for installation and use in recreational vehicles.

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     42-140.5-5. Standards. – (a) Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this

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chapter, the commissioner establishing minimum efficiency standards for the types of new

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products set forth in § 42-140.5-4.

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     (b) The regulations shall provide minimum efficiency standards for the following:

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     (1) Battery charger systems.

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     (2) Commercial dishwashers which shall meet the water consumption requirements of

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Version 1.1 of the ENERGY STAR program product specifications for commercial dishwashers

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in effect on October 11, 2007, as measured in accordance with the test methods prescribed in

 

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Version 2.0 of the ENERGY STAR program product specifications for commercial dishwashers

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in effect on February 1, 2013.

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     (3) High light output double-ended quartz halogen lamps shall have a minimum

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efficiency of:

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     (i) Twenty-seven (27) lumens per watt for lamps with a minimum rated initial lumen

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value greater than six thousand (6,000) and a maximum initial lumen value of fifteen thousand

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(15,000); and

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     (ii) Thirty-four (34) lumens per watt for lamps with a rated initial lumen value greater

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than fifteen thousand (15,000) and less than forty thousand (40,000); as measured in accordance

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with IESNA LM-45-00, "Approved method for electrical and photometric measurements of

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general service incandescent filament lamps."

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     (4) Lavatory faucets shall have a maximum water use of one and one-half (1.5) gallons

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per minute when tested at a flowing water pressure of sixty (60) pounds per square inch in

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accordance with the flow rate test procedure prescribed in appendix S to subpart B of part 430 of

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title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations – "Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Water

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Consumption of Faucets and Showerheads."

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     (5) Portable electric spas shall have a normalized standby power not greater than 5(V 2/3)

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watts, where V=the fill volume in gallons (The 2/3 is a superscript: means "V to the two-thirds

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power").

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     (6) Room air cleaners shall meet the following requirements:

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     (i) Produce a minimum 50 CADR for dust;

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     (ii) Achieve calculated CADR/Watt equal to or greater than 2.0 CADR/Watt (Dust);

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     (iii) For ozone emitting models, measured ozone shall be less than or equal to fifty (50)

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parts per billion (ppb);

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     (iv) Measured standby power shall be less than or equal to two (2) Watts; as measured in

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accordance with the test criteria prescribed in Version 1.2 of the ENERGY STAR program

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product specifications for room air cleaners in effect on July 1, 2004.

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     (7) Urinals:

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     (i) Urinals, except for floor mounted urinals, shall have a maximum water use of one

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hundred twenty-five thousandths (0.125) gallons per flush when tested in accordance with the

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water consumption test prescribed in appendix T to subpart B of part 430 of title 10 of the Code

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of Federal Regulations – "Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Water Consumption of Water

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Closets and Urinals."

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     (ii) Floor mounted urinals shall have a maximum water use of five tenths (0.5) gallons

 

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per flush when tested in accordance with the water consumption test prescribed in appendix T to

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subpart B of part 430 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations – "Uniform Test Method for

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Measuring the Water Consumption of Water Closets and Urinals."

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     (8) Water Closets

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     (i) Water closets, except for dual flush tank-type water closets, shall have a maximum

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water use of one and three tenths (1.3) gallons per flush when tested in accordance with the water

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consumption test prescribed in appendix T to subpart B of part 430 of title 10 of the Code of

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Federal Regulations – "Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Water Consumption of Water

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Closets and Urinals."

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     (ii) Dual flush tank-type water closets shall have a maximum effective water use of one

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and three tenths (1.3) gallons per flush when tested in accordance with the water consumption test

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prescribed in appendix T to subpart B of part 430 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations –

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"Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Water Consumption of Water Closets and Urinals."

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     42-140.5-6. Implementation. – (a) On or after January 1, 2017, no battery charger

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system, commercial dishwasher, lavatory faucet, high light output double-ended quartz halogen

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lamp, portable electric spa, room air cleaner, urinal, or water closet may be sold or offered for

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sale in the state unless the efficiency of the new product meets or exceeds the efficiency standards

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set forth in the regulations adopted pursuant to § 42-140.5-5. Except that as to any battery charger

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system for which § 42-140.5-5 requires compliance beginning on January 1, 2018, no such

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battery charger system may be sold or offered for sale in the state on or after January 1, 2018,

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unless it meets or exceeds the efficiency standards set forth in the regulations adopted pursuant to

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§ 42-140.5-5.

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     (b) One year after the date upon which the sale or offering for sale of certain products

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becomes subject to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, no such products may be

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installed for compensation in the state unless the efficiency of the new product meets or exceeds

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the efficiency standards set forth in the regulations adopted pursuant to § 42-140.5-5.

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     42-140.5-7. New and revised standards. – (a) The commissioner may adopt regulations,

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to establish increased efficiency standards for the products listed in § 42-140.5-4. The

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commissioner may also establish standards for products not specifically listed in § 42-140.5-4. In

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considering such new or amended standards, the commissioner shall set efficiency standards upon

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a determination that increased efficiency standards would serve to promote energy or water

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conservation in the state and would be cost-effective for consumers who purchase and use such

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new products, provided that no new or increased efficiency standards shall become effective

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within one year following the adoption of any amended regulations establishing such increased

 

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efficiency standards.

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     42-140.5-8. Testing, certification, labeling and enforcement. – (a) The manufacturers

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of products covered by this chapter shall test samples of their products in accordance with the test

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procedures adopted pursuant to this chapter or those specified in the state building code. The

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commissioner shall adopt by rule, test procedures for determining the energy efficiency of the

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products covered by § 42-140.5-4 if such procedures are not provided for in § 42-140.5-5 of this

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chapter or in chapter 273 of title 23. The commissioner shall adopt U.S. Department of Energy

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approved test methods, or in the absence of such test methods, other appropriate national or state

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test methods. The commissioner may adopt updated test methods when new versions of test

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procedures become available.

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     (b) Manufacturers of new products covered by § 42-140.5-4 shall certify to the

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commissioner that such products are in compliance with the provisions of § 42-140.5-4. Such

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certifications shall be based on test results. The commissioner shall promulgate regulations

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governing the certification of such products and shall coordinate with the certification programs

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of other states and federal agencies with similar standards.

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     (c) Manufacturers of new products covered by § 42-140.5-4 shall identify each product

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offered for sale or installation in the state as in compliance with the provisions of this chapter by

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means of a mark, label, or tag on the product and packaging at the time of sale or installation. The

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commissioner shall promulgate regulations governing the identification of such products and

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packaging, which shall be coordinated to the greatest practical extent with the labeling programs

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of other states and federal agencies with equivalent efficiency standards. The commissioner shall

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allow the use of existing marks, labels, or tags which connote compliance with the efficiency

23

requirements of this chapter.

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     (d) The commissioner may test products covered by § 42-140.5-4. If products so tested

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are found not to be in compliance with the minimum efficiency standards established under § 42-

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140.5-5, the commissioner shall:

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     (1) Charge the manufacturer of such product for the cost of product purchase and testing;

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and

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     (2) Make information available to the attorney general and the public on products found

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not to be in compliance with the standards.

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     (e) With prior notice and at reasonable and convenient hours, the commissioner may

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cause periodic inspections to be made of distributors or retailers of new products covered by § 42-

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140.5-4 in order to determine compliance with the provisions of this chapter. The commissioner

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shall also coordinate with the appropriate building inspector regarding inspections prior to

 

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occupancy of newly constructed buildings containing new products that are also covered by

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chapter 27.3 of title 23.

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     (f) The commissioner shall investigate complaints received concerning violations of this

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chapter and shall report the results of such investigations to the attorney general. The attorney

5

general may institute proceedings to enforce the provisions of this chapter. Any manufacturer,

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distributor, or retailer, or any person who installs a product covered by this chapter for

7

compensation, who violates any provision of this chapter shall be issued a warning by the

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commissioner for any first violation. Repeat violations shall be subject to a civil penalty of not

9

more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250). Each violation shall constitute a separate offense, and

10

each day that such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense. Penalties assessed under

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this subsection are in addition to costs assessed under subsection (d) of this section.

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     (g) The commissioner may adopt such further regulations as necessary to ensure the

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proper implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.

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     42-140.5-9. Severability of provisions. – The provisions of this chapter shall be

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severable and if the application of any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section or part of

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this chapter shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment

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shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the application of any other clause, sentence, paragraph,

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subdivision, section or part of this chapter.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC001317

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- MINIMUM ENERGY AND

WATER EFFICIENCY STANDARDS

***

1

     This act would set specific, up-to-date standards for selected commercial and residential

2

products. These energy and water efficiency standards are based on ENERGY STAR

3

specifications or on standards adopted by various states.

4

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001317

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