Television Power

California appears poised to ban energy-guzzling big screen televisions.  In response to protests from the usual suspects, energy Commissioner Julia Levin trots out the standard environmentalist boilerplate rhetoric, without noticing that it doesn't, er, apply:

"We would not propose TV efficiency standards if we thought there was any evidence in the record that they will hurt the economy," said Commissioner Julia Levin, who has been in charge of the two-year rule-making procedure. "This will actually save consumers money and help the California economy grow and create new clean, sustainable jobs."

Really?  America hasn't manufactured televisions in a few decades.  How exactly is this going to create new, clean, sustainable jobs?  Will people be so depressed by their terrible picture quality that they'll finally get off the couch and invent that perpetual motion machine?

Update:  Commenter Joe says  "Not true. Sony manufactured HDTVs in Westmoreland County, PA through March 1, 2009. Sony still conducts some operations there and is planning to do so through next spring, when it will shutter its plant completely."