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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Socioeconomic impact study. Appliance Efficiency program: refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, freezers, room air conditioners, central air conditioners

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7108283

In response to Section 25402 of the Public Resources Code, the California Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission has initiated the Appliance Efficiency Program. The first appliances to be regulated under the law are refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, freezers, and air conditioners. In this report, an investigation is made to determine if the proposed standards will cause any significant adverse socio-economic impacts. The study primarily emphasized those impacts occurring in California. The analysis of impacts outside of the state will be focused only on those readily identifiable adverse impacts that are potentially significant. A series of workshops and two public hearings have been held to allow public participation. Following a complete investigation of the probable impact on manufacturers, consumers, sales, and employment, it is concluded that the standards will cause adverse socio-economic impact in California for those on low income, will cause a short-run reduction of the dollar sales of these appliances, and will cause a short-run reduction of national employment. Informing the public on the benefits of buying a high-efficiency appliance should reduce these impacts. (MCW)

Research Organization:
California Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, Sacramento (USA)
OSTI ID:
7108283
Report Number(s):
NP-21878
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English