[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 3 (Monday, January 22, 2001)]
[Page 181]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on New Energy Efficiency Standards for Appliances

January 18, 2001

    I am pleased that the Department of Energy is today establishing 
four new energy efficiency standards for appliances that will save 
consumers and businesses more than $19 billion over the next 30 years. 
These standards once again demonstrate that environmental protection and 
economic growth go hand in hand. By reducing electricity use, the 
standards will not only make our electricity system more reliable but 
also will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air 
pollutants. I applaud the leadership and hard work of Energy Secretary 
Bill Richardson and his staff for bringing these consumer savings and 
environmental benefits to the American public.
    These new standards for clothes washers, water heaters, residential 
heat pumps and central air conditioners, and commercial heating and 
cooling equipment are a critical part of our broader effort to address 
the greatest environmental challenge of the 21st century: global 
warming. The world's leading scientists have established that our 
climate is changing, that the rate of change is increasing, that human 
activities are a significant factor in climate change, and that climate 
change is likely to have many negative impacts on our environment and 
society.
    As part of our effort to combat global warming, this administration 
has launched more than 50 major initiatives to improve energy efficiency 
and develop clean energy sources. Along with the new standards announced 
today, higher energy efficiency standards for appliances established by 
this administration will save consumers more than $10 billion and avoid 
carbon dioxide emissions of more than 225 million metric tons by 2010. 
We also made the Federal Government more efficient--in 1999 alone, we 
reduced our annual energy bill by $800 million. By 2010, these Federal 
energy savings will reduce annual emissions by an amount equal to taking 
1.7 million cars off the road.
    I am proud of the progress we have made and am confident that it 
will serve as a foundation upon which our Nation can continue to meet 
the profound challenge of climate change.