The European Commission and EPA will create new energy efficiency standards for office
equipment under the EU-US Energy Star Programme.
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, file)
Although many Europeans may think America is lacking sufficient ambition to address climate change, the European Commission and the U.S Environmental Protection Agency last week agreed to create new energy efficiency standards for computers, copiers and printers under the EU-US Energy Star Programme.
“The new criteria are an important contribution to reach the EU’s energy efficiency targets”, said Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs. “Energy Star is a successful example of energy efficiency cooperation with the US, delivering concrete energy and CO2 savings worldwide”.
The US Environmental Protection Agency developed the new efficiency standards together with EU Member States and it is expected that the new criteria, effective from July 1, will prompt electricity savings during the next four to six years that is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of Ireland.
The EU 20/20/20 climate and energy package aim to reduce Europe’s emission by 20 %, increase the share of renewables with 20%, and reach 20% energy efficiency by 2020.
Introduced in 1992, ENERGY STAR is a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products. The joint program of the U.S Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S Department of Energy delivered savings of about $19 billion in 2008.
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