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New Oregon Energy Efficiency Bill Signed into Law; Portable Electric Spas Covered

Oregon’s governor, Ted Kulongoski, signed into law July 27 fifteen pieces of legislation, including a new energy efficiency bill (SB 375) covering, among other products, portable electric spas. The law becomes effective January 1, 2008. The new law builds on energy efficiency standards set in 2005 and establishes minimum energy efficiency standards for various products. For a copy of the law, go to:

http://www.leg.state.or.us/07reg/measures/sb0300.dir/sb0375.en.html

APSP continues to work with PG&E to develop a regulation supporting a detailed testing protocol. The outcome of this work is expected to result in a joint APSP/PG&E spa clarification letter to the CEC regarding Title 20 in California in the short term, and the new APSP-14 Standard for Energy Efficiency of Self-Contained Portable Electric Spas and Hot Tubs (reported on last issue), which can then be referenced in other states’ energy regulations. APSP will pro-actively work with other states that have pending energy efficiency regulations based on CEC Title 20 for portable spas and pumps/motors and ask that they hold off on development of new regulations in order to reference the new APSP-14 Standard for the Energy Efficiency of Self-Contained Portable Electric Spas and Hot Tubs when it is available. Click here to view the cautionary letter to the states.

As reported previously in IC, the APSP-14 standard will cover the test procedures for determining the energy efficiency of self-contained portable electric spas and hot tubs. The intent of the test procedures is to influence the design and construction specifications of portable electric spas to maximize energy efficiency.