Show Appliance Makers l Pledge to Increase Energy Efficiency seven Fifty-seven major appliance manufacturers have agreed to support a 11 voluntary program aimed at achieving a 20 per percent percent percent cent average reduction in the energy consumption of new household appliances by 1980 according to Assistant Secretary Secre- Secre x tary of Commerce Betsy Ancker Ancker Johnson for 93 These These firms firms account per cent of the retail sales of the appliances covered In the Commerce Departments Department's Voluntary Voluntary Voluntary Vol Vol- Program for Appliance Efficiency she saidI said I believe that the program will make a It significant contribution contribution contribution contri contri- in achieving President Fords Ford's goal of reducing our dependence on foreign energy sources the assistant secretary secretary secre secre- tary said In addition consumers consumers con con- sumers will benefit from the program directly by reduced energy costs cots resulting from operation operation operation op op- of more efficient anceS ances ance The program established by hy President Ford early this year ear called for n a 20 per cent average reduction in energy consumption consumption tion lion of all major major appliances appliances by 1980 and for agreements by hy major appliance manufacturers to comply with the goals goah If agreement could not be he obtained in six months dent Ford said he would re request request request re- re quest legislation to establish mandatory appliance efficiency standards Because of the fa favorable favorable fa- fa Industry response the assistant secretary stated staled that legislation would not he be needed The 57 37 companies supporting support support- supporting ing the program represent all categories of appliances for which energy efficiency goals arc being set Electric appliances appliances ances in the program ate arc room air conditioners refrigerators combination refrigerator freez ers freezers clothes washers dishwashers and television re re- re Appliances that use e either cither lher ga gas or electricity are arc water water water wa wa- ter heaters clothes dryers and kitchen ranges and ovens |