New California Washing Machine Efficiency Standards Will Save Water and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The California Energy Commission recently won a court decision that will allow the state to set higher water efficiency standards for clothes washers. This is a great victory for water efficiency and the California standards should set the bar for a national mandate.

Before I divulge the details of the decision, I have to remark how significant it is that the California Energy Commission is the agency filing the lawsuit. This action - along with the decision to prioritize clothes washers with energy efficiency rebate funds - shows that the California Energy Commission has an incredible grasp of the water-energy nexus and is eager to address California's water and energy challenges through innovative, integrated approaches.

As I tried to explain during our Portland workshop, the potential to save energy in the water and wastewater sectors means that new sources of funding from energy interests will make their way into the water sector. Recognizing this opportunity, it will be important for river protection groups to makes sure that this new funding stream goes towards projects that have both water and energy benefits. For instance, funds could go toward improving customer end-use water efficiency as opposed to, say, using all the money to only improve pumping efficiency (which does not have a direct water benefit).

But I digress. Among the notable factoids of the new washing machine standards is that they will eventually save enough water to meet the annual water needs of a city the size of San Diego. Here's California's press release on the decision:

SACRAMENTO -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger lauded the California Energy Commission for its successful challenge to the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) denial of California's washing machine efficiency standards. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco yesterday overturned DOE's 2006 denial of an Energy Commission waiver request that would have required more efficient washing machines statewide. The Court ordered DOE to reconsider its action.

"This is a victory for all Californians. Water is a major and perpetual issue for California - every drop counts," said Karen Douglas, California Energy Commission Chairman. "Clothes washers that use less according to these standards will eventually save enough to supply a city the size of San Diego every year," she commented.

Filed in the court in April 2007, the Energy Commission's suit looked to overturn the DOE action, arguing that the state's washing machine standards would save substantial amounts of electricity, natural gas and water. The standards will also enhance efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. The Energy Commission's petition to DOE, and its lawsuit, were supported by California's local water and energy utilities.

Under state legislation passed in 2002, the Energy Commission established standards to ensure washing machines sold in California after 2007 use no more than 8.5 gallons of water per cubic foot of washing machine capacity, later decreased to six gallons by 2010.

Water efficient washing machines will use on average only 21.1 gallons per wash, or 8,271 gallons a year - compared to typical models that used an average of 39.2 gallons per wash or 15,366 gallons a year for a normal household three years ago.

While the consumer on average will pay $130 more for a washing machine, savings during the life of the machine will average $242 in lower energy costs and water bills.

In its testimony, the Energy Commission noted that in addition to consumers, the standards will also benefit local governments as decreased water and electrical use reduces the need for additional generation of power.

A copy of the court's opinion is available at: www.energy.ca.gov/appliances/clotheswashers/