Nov. 5--The acrimonious fight over first-in-the-nation energy-efficiency standards for TVs will go on for another two weeks.

The California Energy Commission was scheduled to vote on proposed energy-efficiency standards for televisions Wednesday at its regularly scheduled meeting in Sacramento. But a series of objections from the Consumer Electronics Association, filed in the final minutes of a 45-day public comment period, forced a delay in a process that has already gone on for nearly two years.

"It's very disappointing that they waited until the last minute to submit their comments, and it's consistent with their ongoing efforts to derail this process," said Noah Horowitz, senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council in San Francisco. "As NRDC has stated throughout this process, TV energy use is a significant source of energy use in the state, and we fully support the commission's proposed efficiency standards for new TVs."

The California Energy Commission announced proposed energy-efficiency standards for televisions in September after an 18-month public process that included utilities, TV manufacturers, environmental advocates, retailers and consumer groups. Utilities such as PG&E and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, as well as several environmental groups, support the regulations, but the Consumer Electronics Association has been vociferously opposed.

The standards would require televisions measuring up to 58

inches to use 30 percent less electricity by 2011 and 50 percent less by 2013. Several televisions already on the market today easily beat the 2013 standards.

A 45-day public review and comment period closed at 5 p.m. Monday.

But at 4:55 p.m., the Consumer Electronics Association e-mailed a 91-page document to the energy commission reiterating its objections. In addition, 26 comments from individuals and businesses were received Monday.

"Five minutes before the close of business, we received comments from the CEA, as well as 26 others," said energy commission spokesman Adam Gottleib. "This is a rule-making process like any other, and we are providing due diligence and careful review."

Doug Johnson, spokesman for the electronics association, said the regulations are unnecessary. "We urged the CEC to take a bold step and work cooperatively with our industry to realize the desired energy savings without harming the economy, impeding technological progress, or limiting consumer freedom to enjoy home entertainment," he said.

Contact Dana Hull at 408-920-2706.

-----

To see more of the San Jose Mercury News, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.mercurynews.com.

Copyright (c) 2009, San Jose Mercury News, Calif.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

NYSE:PCG,

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.