The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 requires electronic devices to meet certain efficiency standards while in “no-load” mode. The requirements apply to security and life safety devices — such as video surveillance and access control systems — even though they are always in “active” mode. To correct this, SIA assembled a coalition that includes both industry and environmental groups, including the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), to draft legislative language and advocate for a fix. Bingaman included the measure in Section 4 of the “National Energy Efficiency Enhancement Act of 2010” (S. 3059), which would make technical corrections to EISA. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), the committee’s ranking Republican, and Senator Bob Menendez, (D-NJ), co-sponsored the bill.

“This technical amendment from Chairman Bingaman and Senators Murkowski and Menendez strikes the right balance for all interested parties,” said Mark Visbal, SIA director of research and technology.