The California Energy Commission has agreed on new legislation to control the energy efficiency standard of TVs sold in the US state.
The TV Energy-Efficiency Standard, due to come into effect in 2011, says that new TVs on sale in California should consume 33 per cent less electricity by 2011 and 49 per cent less by 2013.
This will mean that a 42in screen on sale in the all but bankrupt Sunshine State will be required to use 183W of power or less by 2011 and 115W or less by 2013.
The ruling will only apply to new TVs on sale; existing pre-owned models will be unaffected. Strangely though, the ruling does not affect the largest models, and only applies to TVs of 58in and less.
A statement from the commission says: "When these standards are implemented… new TVs sold in California will be the most energy efficient in the nation.
After ten years, the commission estimates the regulations will save $8.1 billion in energy costs and save enough energy to power 864,000 single-family homes".