[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 133 (Wednesday, August 9, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S12109]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      CODES AND STANDARDS PROGRAM

 Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, today I rise in support of the 
Codes and Standards Program as mandated under the Energy Policy Act of 
1992. Federal appliance efficiency standards were established because 
manufacturers wanted one federal standard as opposed to 50 different, 
and perhaps inconsistent, standards.
  The consumer benefits from the Codes and Standards program. The 
program establishes minimum energy conservation standards for a variety 
of electrical components, electrical consumer goods and building codes.
  The effects of the Codes and Standards program are significant. For 
example, new energy standards for clothes washers have the potential to 
save consumers up to two-thirds of their current energy and water costs 
before the end of the decade.
  The appliance standards adopted to date will save consumers a net of 
$132 billion over the lifetime of the affected products.
  What is good for the consumer is good for the industry. The further 
benefits of this program are: The standards also decrease pressure on 
utilities to build new power plants; preserve precious natural fuel 
resources; promote greater water conservation in drought stricken 
states; make U.S. products more competitive in domestic markets against 
foreign competition.
  I know that the industry has raised significant criticisms of the 
Department of Energy. As a result, the Department has organized 
workshops and public meetings with manufacturers to work towards 
consensus. I support continuing a consensus approach to revising 
standards.
  Today, the Senate has accepted an amendment that will preclude the 
proposal, issuance or prescription of rules on new or amended appliance 
and equipment standards for one year. After this limited time period 
for technical review, I urge my colleagues to remain firmly in support 
of the Codes and Standards program.


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