California Sets First-In-The-Nation Energy Restrictions On Computers

The State of California is setting the first mandatory energy restrictions in the nation for new computers and monitors.

The California Energy Commission approved the guidelines Wednesday.

Pierre Delforge is with the Natural Resources Defense Council, a group that was pushing for the restrictions.

He says the new standards are not as strict as his group was hoping, but he understands it's a balanced approach that also takes into account requests from manufacturers and businesses.

"The Commission had to find a fair compromise and I think they did in this case, but you know there's still work to do to continue to evolve these standards," said Delforge.

The first reduction will go into effect in 2018, with rules covering workstations and small-scale servers.

Restrictions for notebook and desktop computers will hit the year after that.

Energy standards for larger-scale computers will go into effect in 2021.

The Energy Commission says consumers will save more money in energy costs than they'll spend on the more-efficient models.

Delforge says California's new standards could end up saving energy beyond the state's borders, as computer makers adjust the standards for sale nationwide.