California May Ban Big Screen TVs

State legislators in California are drafting regulations that may prevent California retailers from selling power-sucking big screen TVs by 2011. It's a move that, according to EcoGeek, may eliminate plasma screen TVs from the market there, as they're less efficient than LCDs (though, inch-for-inch, both TVs are more efficient than cathode ray TVs - they're just bigger). Retailers are upset that the regulations would send customers to neighboring states, or online, for purchases.

Says the LA Times:

The consumer electronics industry opposes the regulations, expected to pass in mid-2009, and claims that they could remove some TVs from store shelves and slightly boost sticker prices.

But the California Energy Commission is looking for ways to relieve the strain on the power grid. Officials say the standards, once fully in place, would reduce the state's annual energy needs by an amount equivalent to the power consumed by 86,400 homes.

During a peak viewing time when most sets are on, such as the Super Bowl, TVs in the state collectively suck up the equivalent of 40% of the power generated by the San Onofre nuclear power station running at full capacity. Televisions account for about 10% of the average Californian's monthly household electricity bill.

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/fresh-greens/2009/1/6/california-may-ban-big-screen-tvs.html

Just re-name California the CAN"T DO STATE.