Calif. requires TVs to be more energy efficient
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Power-hungry TVs will be banned from store shelves in California after state regulators Wednesday adopted a first-in-the-nation mandate to reduce electricity demand. On a unanimous vote, the California Energy Commission required all new televisions up to 58 inches to be more energy efficient, beginning in 2011. The requirement will be tougher in 2013, with only a quarter of all TVs currently on the market meeting that standard. The commission estimates that TVs account for about 10 percent of a home’s electricity use. The concern is that the energy draw will rise by as much as 8 percent a year as consumers buy larger televisions, add more to their homes and watch them longer. Commissioners say energy efficiency standards are the cheapest and easiest way to save electricity. ‘‘We have every confidence this industry will be able to meet the rule and then some,’’ Energy Commissioner Julia Levin sai.
» Full StoryFactory production dips; wholesale inflation muted
WASHINGTON — A decline in factory production in October signals that consumers and businesses remain cautious in their spending, with the economic recovery likely to be sluggish.
At the same time, the weak economy is taming inflation.
Retail sales figures point
WASHINGTON — Improved retail sales gave Wall Street a boost Monday but provided little hope for a robust holiday shopping season that might invigorate the economic recovery.
» Full StoryWeak dollar no quick fix for narrowing trade gap
WASHINGTON — A weaker dollar may boost the nation’s economy by increasing exports and narrowing the trade gap — but that won’t happen anytime soon.
» Full StoryDisney posts surprise uptick in 4Q net income
LOS ANGELES — The Walt Disney Co. posted a surprise 18 percent increase in fourth-quarter earnings Thursday in a sign the company is beginning to emerge from an advertising market hit hard by the recession.
» Full StoryBuffett, Gates tell students the worst is behind us
NEW YORK — Capitalism is still alive and well, say the world’s two richest men, despite lingering shocks from the longest, deepest recession since the Great Depression.
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