March ’23 at-a-glance … energy

NAFEM engages on potential ENERGY STAR^® requirements for products sold in Colorado; New Mexico considering similar approach

NAFEM is in conversation with the Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) about Colorado House Bill 23-1161 that would require certain products sold or leased in the state on or after Jan. 1, 2024 to meet ENERGY STAR program requirements. This includes commercial hot food holding cabinets (version 2.0) and commercial ovens (version 2.2). In April 2019, NAFEM, CRA and the National Restaurant Association advocated against a similar bill (19-1231) that was passed addressing then-current ENERGY STAR requirements for commercial dishwashers, fryers, hot food holding cabinets and steam cookers. NAFEM expressed its concern then that, “while the bill is well-intended and NAFEM’s support for ENERGY STAR is strong, it raises several issues that could undermine this valuable, national program.” The Colorado House Energy & Environment Committee referred the bill to the Committee on Appropriations earlier this month. New Mexico House Bill 185 also proposed to require that commercial appliances included in the ENERGY STAR program meet those criteria to be sold in the state.