Calif. imposes battery charger energy standards

(AP) -- California will require cellphones, tablets and hundreds of other electronic devices to have energy-efficient battery chargers beginning next year.

Despite objections by consumer product makers, the California Energy Commission voted 3-0 on Thursday to regulate the power-sapping chargers that waste as much as 60 percent of the electricity they consume.

The Los Angeles Times reports the regulations are the nation's first to impose standards on chargers.

The standards target an estimated 170 million chargers described as "vampires" because they continuously draw power from the grid when plugged into the wall, even if no device is connected to the charger.

The regulations are expected to save enough electricity to power 350,000 homes. The commission says $306 million is expected to be shaved off residential and commercial electricity bills each year.

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