Oregon Public Broadcasting

California has become the first state in the nation to ban some power hungry televisions from store shelves.

Now, environmentalists in the Northwest are wondering whether to follow suit, as Ethan Lindsey reports.

The California Energy Commission unanimously approved a regulation to cap high definition TV energy use by up to a third. Less efficient T-Vs will be banned from retail stores.

Doug Johnson looks at tech policy for the Consumer Electronics Association.  He says consumers in northern California will now drive over the border, to, say, Ashland, to buy a cheaper plasma TV.

Doug Johnson: “As a number of retailers have pointed out, actually this will create an incentive for out-of-state and online purchases. So, local consumers in Oregon and local businesses in Oregon could benefit.”

But California is such a market monolith, manufacturers may limit their production to TVs that meet higher standards.

Oregon Democrats say like when California enacted higher tailpipe and appliance standards – Oregon should do the same.

Portland Democratic state senator Jackie Dingfelder says she doesn’t want Oregon to become a “dumping ground” of energy inefficient televisions.