Summary of HB05217

• Establishes minimum energy efficiency standards for 23 categories of new products sold in Connecticut, including commercial appliances, lighting fixtures, HVAC equipment, and consumer electronics, effective on various dates between 2006 and 2011.

• Adds definitions and efficiency standards for compact audio players, digital versatile disc players and recorders, and televisions, requiring compliance with California Code of Regulations specifications by January 1, 2011.

• Authorizes the Office of Policy and Management to designate additional products for efficiency standards and adopt standards from Multi-State Appliance Standards Collaborative member states within six months of their adoption if they meet cost-effectiveness and energy conservation criteria.

• Requires manufacturers to certify product compliance with efficiency standards (except for certain categories), submit products for testing using Department of Energy-approved methods, and allows the Attorney General to enforce violations with civil penalties up to $250 per violation per day.

• Directs the Office of Policy and Management to review and increase efficiency standards biennially if determined to promote energy conservation and be cost-effective, with at least one-year notice before new standards take effect.