In December, the California Energy Commission adopted strong CALPIRG-backed energy efficiency standards for nearly two dozen types of common appliances.

During public hearings on the standards, CALPIRG advocates testified in support of strong standards and delivered to the Energy Commission more than 1,500 public comments signed by CALPIRG members.

With new standards in place, California’s ratepayers will save more than $200 million a year.

As a whole, the state will also save enough energy to power more than 90 percent of the homes in San Francisco every single year.

“The great thing about these standards is that they create a win-win situation for consumers,” said Steve Blackledge, CALPIRG’s legislative director.

“Our appliances will waste less energy and will save us money on our utility bills. But at the same time, using less energy moves us all closer to true energy independence.”