The LA Times reports that the California Energy Commission (CEC) has unanimously voted to enforce energy efficiency standards for the TV industry covering all TVs sold in the state starting on January 1, 2011 and requiring a reduction in current power use by a third. The standards will get stricter on January 1, 2013 when 50% power savings are mandated compared to current energy usage.

The goal is to save California residents money on their electric bills and to reduce the amount of energy consumed across the state according to the CEC. The commission points out that the new standards don’t affect any TVs being sold now or sets already in homes.

CEC Commissioner James Boyd said, "It's absolutely undeniable the benefits that this has for the people of California. Efficiency is the cheapest and simplest way to save our citizens money, to provide a good quality of life and to drive our economy."

The CEC estimates that by reducing the energy requirements of the TVs by a third, per the 2011 requirements, consumers will save an average of $30 per year on their utility bills. That isn't a lot of savings, but cumulatively across the state, the savings will add up to enough power to run 864,000 single-family homes. That is equivalent to adding a new 615-megawatt gas-fired power plant.

Not everyone supported the commission's goals though. PC World reports that the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) was against the new standards. The CEA fears that the new standards will drive prices up and stifle innovation.

The CEC points out that the new regulations are similar to those of the EPA's Energy Star 4.0 standards. The big difference is that the Energy Star 4.0 standards are voluntary and the CEC standards will be required on all sets sold within California or over the internet shipped to the state.