ENERGY EFFICIENCY—Diane E. Brown, Executive Director of Arizona PIRG (left) and Rep. Lucy Mason (R-Prescott) discuss policy to save consumers and businesses money through energy efficiency.

Gov. Signs Energy-Efficient Appliance Bill

On April 25, Gov. Napolitano signed HB 2390, Arizona PIRG’s top priority legislation, which sets minimum energy efficiency standards on 12 products not currently covered by federal energy efficiency standards. The bill was sponsored and championed by Rep. Lucy Mason (R-Prescott) and will help Arizona’s businesses and consumers save money, water and energy.

“This legislation is a win-win proposition for Arizona businesses, consumers and the environment,” said Rep. Mason. “We estimate that the energy effi cient products will save businesses and consumers in Arizona over $680 million on their energy bills. At the same time, the products will reduce water consumption in Arizona by over 15 billion gallons during 2008-2020.”

The products covered in the bill include commercial refrigerators, freezers, packaged air conditioning equipment, clothes washers, ice makers and pre-rinse spray valves used in commercial kitchens; and torchiere light fixtures, illuminated exit signs, traffic signals, external power supplies, low voltage drytype distribution transformers, metal halide lamp fixtures and unit heaters.

HB 2390 was supported by Salt River Project, Southwest Gas, Tucson Electric Power, four Commissioners from the Arizona Corporation Commission, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP), Arizona PIRG, Residential Utility Consumers Office (RUCO), Arizona Consumers Council, Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association, League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Arizona Multihousing Association, and the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), a national association of manufacturers.

Gift Cards To Disclose Fees And Expiration Dates

On May 20, Gov. Napolitano signed the Arizona PIRG-backed SB 1299 into law requiring gift cards sold in Arizona to clearly and conspicuously disclose their expiration date and information on relevant fees. The bill was sponsored and championed by Sen. Barbara Leff (R -Paradise Valley).

The legislation requires the information to be conspicuously disclosed even in the case of a paper certifi cate or through electronic or computer means to the consumer prior to purchase. The bill also requires verbal disclosure for purchases for consumers who purchase a gift card by telephone.

According to the National Retail Federation, consumers spent an estimated $17 billion on gift cards during the 2004 holiday season. Other studies have indicated that consumers may not be aware of costs and penalties associated with gift cards such as expiration dates, hidden fees, and dormancy charges.

Arizona PIRG Education Fund Educates On Energy Star

The Arizona PIRG Education Fund is working with the Consumer Federation of America and the U.S. EPA’s Energy Star program to help Arizonans save money and energy.

By declaring July 2005 Energy Star Month, Gov. Napolitano helped highlight the availability and cost-effectiveness of Energy Starqualified products. Energy Starqualified products can be found when shopping for appliances, electronics, windows, doors, cooling and heating equipment. They can save up to 30 percent, or $450, on the average household’s $1,500 annual energy bills.

With the help of Energy Star, Americans in 2004 saved enough energy to power 24 million homes and avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 20 million cars—all while saving $10 billion.