The California Energy Commission voted unanimously Wednesday afternoon to pull the plug on some TVs that eat too much energy. However, several people in Bakersfield think the new law goes too far.
Energy Commissioners say the new TV ban will save Californians one billion dollars a year in electricity costs, but some customers told 17 News they don't want the government telling them what kind of TV to buy. Martin Garcia will likely buy an energy efficient LCD flat screen TV, but he disagrees with the new state law that forces him to do so.
"It's good for the environment and I'm all for it but I hate for the government telling you what kind of TV you should have in your home," Garcia said.
Bill Lamarre agrees.
"Where's it going to stop with the restriction if it keeps going on and on and on and on?" Lamarre questioned.
However, Jim Miller sees things differently.
"I mean, I have a 7-year-old kid," Miller explained. "I want to make sure he has a nice clean environment to live in when he gets older."
The law would ban all TVs under 58 inches that energy commissioners say are inefficient. The LG 42-inch LCD is a big seller, and under the new law, it has to use less than 183 watts, which it does. That brand will stay on the shelves. However, the less expensive Panasonic 42-inch plasma will have to go.
"It's $599 as opposed to $899--big difference in price," Best Buy saleswoman Adrienne Villanueve said. "But when you look at the wattage rating on one of the Panosonic TVs, it's 283 watts, which is way over...and will be banned."
The law won't go into effect until 2011, and the Energy Commission argues many TVs have already passed the test.
"There are already 1,000 models on the market today that meet the 2011 standards," Commissioner Karen Douglas said.
This law is the first of its kind in the nation, and California lawmakers say they are paving the way for a national ban on energy-hogging big screens. Therefore, the commission voted to tighten the rules further in 2013.
