The California Energy Commission passed a new policy this week that would require all TVs sold in the Golden State to meet specific energy-efficiency standards. The law is the first of its kind in the country and is projected to save the state over $1 billion in annual energy costs.

Beginning January 2011, new standards will take effect that prevent the sale of energy-sucking televisions with screen sizes 58" and smaller, requiring new models to consume 33% less electricity by 2011 and 49% less by 2013.

As the standard for television size has grown, so has the energy consumption of the appliances, increasing from 3-4% in the 90s to 8-10% in 2008. Without intervention, this number is expected to climb to 18% in 2023, according to the commission. The new standards will reduce energy consumption, thereby lowering energy bills. It will also help avoid the construction of a new power plant and reduce carbon dioxide gas emissions.

The regulations include both liquid-crystal display and plasma HD TVs and the old-fashioned cathode ray tube and rear-projection sets.

"The real winners of these new TV energy efficiencies are California consumers, who will be saving billions of dollars and conserving energy while preserving their choice to buy any size or type of TV," Energy Commission Chairman Karen Douglas said in a statement.

Some retail groups and trade associations aren't exactly fans of the new regulations, claiming it needlessly limits consumer freedom, and has potential to cause employee layoffs.

"Manufacturers are already making energy-efficient models, so imposing regulations is absolutely unnecessary, " said Jason Oxman, senior vice-president of industry affairs for the Consumer Electronics Association, which represents companies within the consumer technology industry.

The regulations don't require consumers to get rid of their current TV sets, and wouldn't prohibit them from buying less energy-efficient models online or across state borders (though we can't imagine why you would want an energy wasting model vs. a more eco-friendly option.)

via CNN