2014 -- S 2685

========

LC004646

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- MINIMUM ENERGY AND

WATER EFFICIENCY STANDARDS

     

     Introduced By: Senator V. SusanSosnowski

     Date Introduced: March 05, 2014

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1

     SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND

2

GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

3

CHAPTER 140.5

4

MINIMUM ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENCY STANDARDS

5

     42-140.5-1. General purpose. -- This chapter establishes minimum efficiency standards

6

for certain products sold or installed in the state.

7

     42-140.5-2. Findings. -- The legislature finds that:

8

     (1) Efficiency standards for certain products sold or installed in the state assure

9

consumers and businesses that such products meet minimum efficiency performance levels thus

10

reducing energy and water waste, and saving money on utility bills.

11

     (2) Such efficiency standards save energy and thus reduce pollution and other

12

environmental impacts associated with the production, distribution, and use of electricity and

13

natural gas.

14

     (3) Such water efficiency standards save water and thus reduce the strain on the water

15

supply. Furthermore, improved water efficiency can reduce or delay the need for infrastructure

16

improvements.

17

     (4) Such efficiency standards can make electricity systems more reliable by reducing the

18

strain on the electricity grid during peak demand periods. Furthermore, improved efficiency can

 

1

reduce or delay the need for new power plants, power transmission lines, and power distribution

2

system upgrades.

3

     (5) Efficiency standards contribute to the economy of this state by helping to better

4

balance supply and demand for both energy and water, thus reducing pressure for higher natural

5

gas, electricity, and water prices. By saving consumers and businesses money on utility bills,

6

efficiency standards help the state and local economy, since utility bill savings can be spent on

7

local goods and services.

8

     42-140.5-3. Definitions. – (a) As used in this chapter:

9

     (1) The following definitions apply to battery charger systems:

10

     (i) "Battery" or "battery pack" means an assembly of one or more rechargeable cells

11

intended to provide electrical energy to a product, and may be in one of the following forms:

12

     (A) Detachable battery. A battery that is contained in a separate enclosure from the

13

product and is intended to be removed or disconnected from the product for recharging; or

14

     (B) Integral battery. A battery that is contained within the product and is not removed

15

from the product for charging purposes.

16

     (ii) "Battery charger system (BCS)" means a battery charger coupled with its battery or

17

batteries or battery chargers coupled with their batteries, which together are referred to as battery

18

charger systems. This term covers all rechargeable batteries or devices incorporating a

19

rechargeable battery and the chargers used with them. Battery charger systems include, but are

20

not limited to:

21

     (A) Electronic devices with a battery that are normally charged from ac line voltage or dc

22

input voltage through an internal or external power supply and a dedicated battery charger;

23

     (B) The battery and battery charger components of devices that are designed to run on

24

battery power during part or all of their operations;

25

     (C) Dedicated battery systems primarily designed for electrical or emergency backup;

26

and

27

     (D) Devices whose primary function is to charge batteries, along with the batteries they

28

are designed to charge. These units include chargers for power tool batteries and chargers for

29

automotive, AA, AAA, C, D, or 9 V rechargeable batteries, as well as chargers for batteries used

30

in larger industrial motive equipment and à la carte chargers.

31

     (E) The charging circuitry of battery charger systems may or may not be located within

32

the housing of the end-use device itself. In many cases, the battery may be charged with a

33

dedicated external charger and power supply combination that is separate from the device that

34

runs on power from the battery.

 

LC004646 - Page 2 of 10

1

     (2) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of energy resources as defined in chapter

2

42-140.4.

3

     (3) The following definitions apply to commercial dishwashers:

4

     (i) "Chemical sanitizing (low temp) machine" means a warewashing machine that applies

5

potable water and a chemical sanitizing solution to the surfaces of wares to achieve sanitization.

6

     (ii) "Commercial dishwasher" means a machine designed to clean and sanitize plates,

7

glasses, cups, bowls, utensils, and trays by applying sprays of detergent solution (with or without

8

blasting media granules) and a sanitizing final rinse.

9

     (iii) "Hot water sanitizing (high temp) machine" means a warewashing machine that

10

applies potable hot water to the surfaces of wares to achieve sanitization.

11

     (iv) "Multiple tank conveyor dishwasher" means a conveyor type machine that has one or

12

more tanks for wash water and one or more tanks for pumped rinse water, followed by a final

13

sanitizing rinse. This type of machine may include one or more pre-washing sections before the

14

washing section. Multiple tank conveyor dishwashers can be either chemical or hot water

15

sanitizing, with an internal or external booster heater for the latter.

16

     (v) "Single tank conveyor dishwasher" means a warewashing machine that employs a

17

conveyor or similar mechanism to carry dishes through a series of wash and rinse sprays within

18

the machine. Specifically, a single tank conveyor machine has a tank for wash water followed by

19

a final sanitizing rinse and does not have a pumped rinse tank. This type of machine may include

20

a pre-washing section before the washing section. Single tank conveyor dishwashers can be either

21

chemical or hot water sanitizing, with an internal or external booster heater for the latter.

22

     (vi) "Stationary rack, single tank, door type dishwasher" means a machine in which a

23

rack of dishes remains stationary within the machine while subjected to sequential wash and rinse

24

sprays. This definition also applies to machines in which the rack revolves on an axis during the

25

wash and rinse cycles. Subcategories of stationary rack, single tank, door type machines include:

26

single and multiple wash tank, double rack, pot, pan and utensil washers, chemical dump type and

27

hooded wash compartment ("hood type"). Stationary rack, single tank, door type models can be

28

either chemical or hot water sanitizing, with an internal or external booster heater for the latter.

29

     (vii) "Under counter dishwasher" means a machine with an overall height of thirty-eight

30

inches (38") or less, in which a rack of dishes remains stationary within the machine while being

31

subjected to sequential wash and rinse sprays, is designed for wash cycles of ten (10) minutes or

32

less, and is designed to be installed under food preparation workspaces. Under counter

33

dishwashers can be either chemical or hot water sanitizing, with an internal booster heater for the

34

latter.

 

LC004646 - Page 3 of 10

1

     (4) "Compensation" means money or any other valuable thing, regardless of form,

2

received or to be received by a person for services rendered.

3

     (5) "Dual flush tank-type water closet" means a tank-type water closet incorporating a

4

feature that allows the user to flush the water closet with either a reduced or a full volume of

5

water.

6

     (6) The following definitions apply to high light output double-ended quartz halogen

7

lamps:

8

     (i) "High light output double-ended quartz halogen lamp" means a lamp that:

9

     (A) Is designed for general outdoor lighting purposes;

10

     (B) Contains a tungsten filament;

11

     (C) has a rated initial lumen value of greater than six thousand (6,000) and less than forty

12

thousand (40,000) lumens;

13

     (D) Has at each end a recessed single contact, R7s base;

14

     (E) Has a maximum overall length (MOL) between four (4) and eleven (11) inches;

15

     (F) Has a nominal diameter less than three quarters (3/4) inch (T6);

16

     (G) Is designed to be operated at a voltage not less than one hundred ten (110) volts and

17

not greater than two hundred (200) volts or is designed to be operated at a voltage between two

18

hundred thirty-five (235) volts and three hundred (300) volts;

19

     (H) Is not a tubular quartz infrared heat lamp; and

20

     (I) Is not a lamp marked and marketed as a stage and studio lamp with a rated life of five

21

hundred (500) hours or less.

22

     (ii) "Tubular quartz infrared heat lamp" means a double-ended quartz halogen lamp that:

23

     (A) Is marked and marketed as an infrared heat lamp; and

24

     (B) Radiates predominately in the infrared radiation range and in which the visible

25

radiation is not of principle interest.

26

     (6) "Lavatory faucet" means a plumbing fitting designed for installation at a washbowl or

27

basin in a room containing a water closet, and includes associated faucet accessories such as flow

28

restrictors, flow regulators, aerator devices, and laminar devices, except that such term does not

29

include fittings designed to be installed in non-residential bathrooms that are exposed to walk-in

30

traffic

31

     (7) "Portable electric spa" means a factory-built electric spa or hot tub, supplied with

32

equipment for heating and circulating water.

33

     (8) The following definitions apply to room air cleaners:

34

     (i) "Room air cleaner" means an electric cord-connected, portable appliance with the

 

LC004646 - Page 4 of 10

1

primary function of removing particulate matter from the air and which can be moved from room

2

to room.

3

     (ii) "Combination product" means a room air cleaner that includes a secondary function,

4

other than air cleaning technology, within the same housing such as a humidifier or dehumidifier.

5

     (iii) "Ozone generator" means a device intended to reduce or eliminate microorganisms

6

within a room solely by means of introducing ozone into the room environment.

7

     (iv) "Clean air delivery rate (CADR)" means the measure of the delivery of specified,

8

particulate-free air produced by a household electric, cord-connected room air cleaner.

9

     (v) "Standby mode" means the lowest power consumption mode which cannot be

10

switched off (influenced) by the user and that may persist for an indefinite time when an air

11

cleaner unit is connected to the main electricity supply and used in accordance with the

12

manufacturer’s instructions.

13

     (vi) "Standby power" means the average power in standby mode, measured in watts.

14

     (8) "Urinal" means a plumbing fixture that receives only liquid body waste and conveys

15

the waste through a trap into a drainage system, except that such term does not include fixtures

16

designed for installation in prisons.

17

     (9) "Water closet" means a plumbing fixture with a water-containing receptor that

18

receives liquid and solid body waste and upon actuation conveys the waste through an integral

19

trap into a drainage system, except that such term does not include fixtures designed for

20

installation in prisons.

21

     42-140.5-4. Scope.-- (a) The provisions of this chapter apply to the following types of

22

new products sold, offered for sale, or installed in the state:

23

     (1) Battery charger systems, except those:

24

     (i) Used to charge a motor vehicle that is powered by an electric motor drawing current

25

from rechargeable storage batteries, fuel cells, or other portable sources of electrical current, and

26

which may include a nonelectrical source of power designed to charge batteries and components

27

thereof. This exception does not apply to autoettes, electric personal assistive mobility devices,

28

golf carts, or low speed vehicles;

29

     (ii) That are classified as Class II or Class III devices for human use under the Federal

30

Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and require U.S. Food and Drug Administration listing and

31

approval as a medical device;

32

     (iii) Used to charge a battery or batteries in an illuminated exit sign;

33

     (iv) With input that is three (3) phase of line-to-line three hundred (300) volts root mean

34

square or more and is designed for a stationary power application;

 

LC004646 - Page 5 of 10

1

     (v) That are battery analyzers; or

2

     (vi) That are voltage independent or voltage and frequency independent uninterruptible

3

power supplies as defined by IEC 62040-3 ed. 2.0 (March 2011);

4

     (2) Commercial dishwashers in the following categories:

5

     (i) Chemical sanitizing (low temp)

6

     (ii) Hot water sanitizing (high temp);

7

     (iii) Multiple tank conveyors;

8

     (iv) Single tank conveyor;

9

     (v) Stationary rack, single tank, door type; and

10

     (vi) Under counter;

11

     (3) High light output double-ended quartz halogen lamps;

12

     (4) Lavatory faucets;

13

     (5) Portable electric spas;

14

     (6) Room air cleaners, except those that are combination products or ozone generators;

15

     (7) Urinals;

16

     (8) Water closets:

17

     (9) Water coolers, including both bottled (including compartment-type) and bottle-less,

18

but excluding units that provide pressurized water; and

19

     (10) Any other products as may be designated by the commissioner in accordance with §

20

42-140.5-7.

21

     (b) The provisions of this chapter do not apply to:

22

     (1) New products manufactured in the state and sold outside the state;

23

     (2) New products manufactured outside the state and sold at wholesale inside the state for

24

final retail sale and installation outside the state;

25

     (3) Products installed in mobile manufactured homes at the time of construction; or

26

     (4) Products designed expressly for installation and use in recreational vehicles.

27

     42-140.5-5. Standards. – (a) Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this

28

chapter, the commissioner establishing minimum efficiency standards for the types of new

29

products set forth in § 42-140.5-4.

30

     (b) The regulations shall provide minimum efficiency standards for the following:

31

     (1) Battery charger systems.

32

     (2) Commercial dishwashers which shall meet the water consumption requirements of

33

Version 1.1 of the ENERGY STAR program product specifications for commercial dishwashers

34

in effect on October 11, 2007, as measured in accordance with the test methods prescribed in

 

LC004646 - Page 6 of 10

1

Version 2.0 of the ENERGY STAR program product specifications for commercial dishwashers

2

in effect on February 1, 2013.

3

     (3) High light output double-ended quartz halogen lamps shall have a minimum

4

efficiency of:

5

     (i) Twenty-seven (27) lumens per watt for lamps with a minimum rated initial lumen

6

value greater than six thousand (6,000) and a maximum initial lumen value of fifteen thousand

7

(15,000); and

8

     (ii) Thirty-four (34) lumens per watt for lamps with a rated initial lumen value greater

9

than fifteen thousand (15,000) and less than forty thousand (40,000); as measured in accordance

10

with IESNA LM-45-00, "Approved Method for Electrical and Photometric Measurements of

11

General Service Incandescent Filament Lamps."

12

     (4) Lavatory faucets shall have a maximum water use of 1.5 gallons per minute when

13

tested at a flowing water pressure of sixty (60) pounds per square inch in accordance with the

14

flow rate test procedure prescribed in Appendix S to Subpart B of Part 430 of Title 10 of the

15

Code of Federal Regulations – "Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Water Consumption of

16

Faucets and Showerheads."

17

     (5) Portable electric spas shall have a normalized standby power not greater than 5(V 2/3)

18

watts, where V=the fill volume in gallons (The 2/3 is a superscript: means "V to the two-thirds

19

power").

20

     (6) Room air cleaners shall meet the following requirements:

21

     (i) Produce a minimum 50 CADR for dust;

22

     (ii) Achieve calculated CADR/Watt equal to or greater than 2.0 CADR/Watt (Dust);

23

     (iii) For ozone emitting models, measured ozone shall be less than or equal to fifty (50)

24

parts per billion (ppb);

25

     (iv) Measured standby power shall be less than or equal to two (2) Watts; as measured in

26

accordance with the test criteria prescribed in Version 1.2 of the ENERGY STAR program

27

product specifications for room air cleaners in effect on July 1, 2004.

28

     (7) Urinals:

29

     (i) Urinals, except for floor mounted urinals, shall have a maximum water use of one

30

hundred twenty-five thousandths (0.125) gallons per flush when tested in accordance with the

31

water consumption test prescribed in Appendix T to Subpart B of Part 430 of Title 10 of the Code

32

of Federal Regulations – "Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Water Consumption of Water

33

Closets and Urinals."

34

     (ii) Floor mounted urinals shall have a maximum water use of five tenths (0.5) gallons

 

LC004646 - Page 7 of 10

1

per flush when tested in accordance with the water consumption test prescribed in Appendix T to

2

Subpart B of Part 430 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations – "Uniform Test Method for

3

Measuring the Water Consumption of Water Closets and Urinals."

4

     (8) Water Closets

5

     (i) Water closets, except for dual flush tank-type water closets, shall have a maximum

6

water use of one and three tenths (1.3) gallons per flush when tested in accordance with the water

7

consumption test prescribed in Appendix T to Subpart B of Part 430 of Title 10 of the Code of

8

Federal Regulations – "Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Water Consumption of Water

9

Closets and Urinals."

10

     (ii) Dual flush tank-type water closets shall have a maximum effective water use of one

11

and three tenths (1.3) gallons per flush when tested in accordance with the water consumption test

12

prescribed in Appendix T to Subpart B of Part 430 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations

13

– "Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Water Consumption of Water Closets and Urinals."

14

     42-140.5-6. Implementation. – (a) On or after January 1, 2016, no battery charger

15

system, commercial dishwasher, lavatory faucet, high light output double-ended quartz halogen

16

lamp, portable electric spa, room air cleaner, urinal, or water closet may be sold or offered for

17

sale in the state unless the efficiency of the new product meets or exceeds the efficiency standards

18

set forth in the regulations adopted pursuant to § 42-140.5-5. Except that as to any battery charger

19

system for which § 42-140.5-5 requires compliance beginning on January 1, 2017, no such

20

battery charger system may be sold or offered for sale in the state on or after January 1, 2017,

21

unless it meets or exceeds the efficiency standards set forth in the regulations adopted pursuant to

22

§ 42-140.5-5.

23

     (b) One year after the date upon which the sale or offering for sale of certain products

24

becomes subject to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, no such products may be

25

installed for compensation in the state unless the efficiency of the new product meets or exceeds

26

the efficiency standards set forth in the regulations adopted pursuant to § 42-140.5-5.

27

     42-140.5-7. New and revised standards. – (a) The commissioner may adopt regulations,

28

to establish increased efficiency standards for the products listed in § 42-140.5-4. The

29

commissioner may also establish standards for products not specifically listed in § 42-140.5-4. In

30

considering such new or amended standards, the commissioner shall set efficiency standards upon

31

a determination that increased efficiency standards would serve to promote energy or water

32

conservation in the state and would be cost-effective for consumers who purchase and use such

33

new products, provided that no new or increased efficiency standards shall become effective

34

within one year following the adoption of any amended regulations establishing such increased

 

LC004646 - Page 8 of 10

1

efficiency standards.

2

     42-140.5-8. Testing, certification, labeling and enforcement. – (a) The manufacturers

3

of products covered by this chapter shall test samples of their products in accordance with the test

4

procedures adopted pursuant to this chapter or those specified in the state building code. The

5

commissioner shall adopt by rule, test procedures for determining the energy efficiency of the

6

products covered by § 42-140.5-4 if such procedures are not provided for in § 42-140.5-5 of this

7

chapter or in chapter 273 of title 23. The commissioner shall adopt U.S. Department of Energy

8

approved test methods, or in the absence of such test methods, other appropriate national or state

9

test methods. The commissioner may adopt updated test methods when new versions of test

10

procedures become available.

11

     (b) Manufacturers of new products covered by § 42-140.5-4 shall certify to the

12

commissioner that such products are in compliance with the provisions of § 42-140.5-4. Such

13

certifications shall be based on test results. The commissioner shall promulgate regulations

14

governing the certification of such products and shall coordinate with the certification programs

15

of other states and federal agencies with similar standards.

16

     (c) Manufacturers of new products covered by § 42-140.5-4 shall identify each product

17

offered for sale or installation in the state as in compliance with the provisions of this chapter by

18

means of a mark, label, or tag on the product and packaging at the time of sale or installation. The

19

commissioner shall promulgate regulations governing the identification of such products and

20

packaging, which shall be coordinated to the greatest practical extent with the labeling programs

21

of other states and federal agencies with equivalent efficiency standards. The commissioner shall

22

allow the use of existing marks, labels, or tags which connote compliance with the efficiency

23

requirements of this chapter.

24

     (d) The commissioner may test products covered by § 42-140.5-4. If products so tested

25

are found not to be in compliance with the minimum efficiency standards established under § 42-

26

140.5-5, the commissioner shall:

27

     (1) Charge the manufacturer of such product for the cost of product purchase and testing;

28

and

29

     (2) Make information available to the attorney general and the public on products found

30

not to be in compliance with the standards.

31

     (e) With prior notice and at reasonable and convenient hours, the commissioner may

32

cause periodic inspections to be made of distributors or retailers of new products covered by § 42-

33

140.5-4 in order to determine compliance with the provisions of this chapter. The commissioner

34

shall also coordinate with the appropriate building inspector regarding inspections prior to

 

LC004646 - Page 9 of 10

1

occupancy of newly constructed buildings containing new products that are also covered by

2

chapter 27-3 of title 23.

3

     (f) The commissioner shall investigate complaints received concerning violations of this

4

chapter and shall report the results of such investigations to the attorney general. The attorney

5

general may institute proceedings to enforce the provisions of this chapter. Any manufacturer,

6

distributor, or retailer, or any person who installs a product covered by this chapter for

7

compensation, who violates any provision of this chapter shall be issued a warning by the

8

commissioner for any first violation. Repeat violations shall be subject to a civil penalty of not

9

more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250). Each violation shall constitute a separate offense, and

10

each day that such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense. Penalties assessed under

11

this subsection are in addition to costs assessed under subsection (d) of this section.

12

     (g) The commissioner may adopt such further regulations as necessary to ensure the

13

proper implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.

14

     42-140.5-9. Severability of provisions. – The provisions of this chapter shall be

15

severable and if the application of any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section or part of

16

this chapter shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment

17

shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the application of any other clause, sentence, paragraph,

18

subdivision, section or part of this chapter.

19

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC004646

========

 

LC004646 - Page 10 of 10

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- MINIMUM ENERGY AND

WATER EFFICIENCY STANDARDS

***

1

     This act would set specific, up-to-date standards for selected commercial and residential

2

products. These energy and water efficiency standards are based on ENERGY STAR

3

specifications or on standards adopted by various states.

4

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC004646

========

 

LC004646 - Page 11 of 10