By Sarah Szabo

The home theater experience has become a favorite pastime for many consumers, and also a source of pride. Each year, the consumer technology industry introduces innovative, exciting (and also more energy-efficient) HDTVs and home theater systems. And as consumers, we have access to a virtually endless selection of new options and the latest products.

That is, unless you live in California.

California consumers may soon have restricted options in their choice of HDTVs – a limit imposed by the state’s government. The California Energy Commission (CEC) has drafted a proposal that would effectively ban California retailers from selling many televisions that are available to consumers in the other 49 states.  Sound too crazy to be true?  Read on.

If this proposal is adopted, 25 percent of televisions could be pulled off of California retailers’ shelves, resulting in fewer choices and higher prices for California consumers.  The local California economy will suffer even more as banned products translate into lost jobs and closed stores for retailers, who won’t be able to compete against online or out-of-state stores that can still sell the TVs that California consumers demand. Estimates show that California could lose $50 million annually in tax revenue and face the elimination of 4,600 retail jobs. Not the best approach during an economic downturn.

So why is the California government considering such a move?  In theory, it wants to ensure that TVs are more energy efficient.  But in reality, this new regulation will actually REDUCE the number of TV models available to consumers in California while threatening the effectiveness of programs that are putting more energy efficient TVs on store shelves every day.  There are already effective government standards in place for TV energy efficiency through programs such as Energy Star, and TV manufacturers are addressing market demand for energy efficient TVs by offering a wide range of models that meet or exceed those standards. And while energy consumption is a serious issue, TVs actually consume less than five percent of a household’s electricity use, much less that the total consumed by either, heating, cooling, lighting or refrigeration in the home.

As a consumer in the market for a new HDTV, the idea of government restricting the main source of entertainment in my home is more than a bit disturbing. And I’m not alone. A recent article in the OC Register surrounding the CEC’s proposal generated more than 100 comments from concerned California consumers.

Energy consumption is an important issue. But unnecessary regulation that negatively impacts consumer choice and the local economy – and reduces the effectiveness of programs that are helping our environment today — is not a feasible solution.