Opinion: Energy efficiency rules have saved consumers money. We need more of them.

To the editor: Paul Bledsoe, in documenting the already huge cost of climate change impacts in our nation, also notes climate denialists’ concern about the economic costs of laws that aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions. But such laws can be very beneficial to the economy. (“As Trump ignores record temperatures, taxpayers are footing the (huge) bill for climate change,� Opinion, Jan. 25)

Consider the refrigerator. With federal energy-efficiency standards, modern refrigerators use only about 25% of the energy they used in 1975. Meanwhile, refrigerator purchase cost has actually dropped by a factor of more than four while average interior volumes have risen from 19 to 22 cubic feet.

Government estimates show that today’s refrigerators save consumers about $20 billion a year in energy costs. At the same time they hugely reduce greenhouse gas emissions, for which they were indirectly responsible.

Just put on hold by Republicans are new efficiency standards for related products: portable air conditioners, freezers and walk-in coolers. It would be crazy not to apply these new standards.

Riley Newman, Irvine

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