California's Plan for Cutting Energy Costs

It has come to this? Quite honestly, as I monitor California politics, I find myself repeatedly asking myself this question. In an effort to cut energy costs, Governor Schwarzenegger has joined with the State Energy Commission in an effort to ban large televisions.

From the Daily Telegraph:

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the state's governor, has supported controversial proposals by the California's energy commission to impose strict energy consumption limits on TVs with screens that are more than 40 inches wide.

The commission claims that California's estimated 35 million televisions and related gadgets account for about 10 per cent of household energy consumption in the state.

Experts say that the large LCD or plasma screen sets can use three times as much power as traditional models.

Some TV manufacturers are fighting the plan but have reportedly said little to sway the commission, which could vote on it within weeks.

The new law, the first of its kind in America, would set maximum energy consumption standards for TVs that would be implemented over two years from January 2011.

Similar energy requirements have applied for decades to electrical appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners.

 Well, good luck to you governor. As you attempt to save some money cutting energy costs, you continue to undermine the state's economy.