The DOE announced plans to raise efficiency standards for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers that would require an energy-use reduction of 20% to 25% by 2014.

According to the department, the reduction would save nearly 4.5 quadrillion BTUs over 30 years, would eliminate the need for 4.2 gigawatts of generating capacity (equal to eight to nine coal-fired power plants) by 2043, and would reduce CO2 emissions by 305 million metric tons between 2014 and 2043.

The change is open for public comment through Nov. 26, and a public meeting will be held Oct. 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Washington, D.C. The final ruling is expected by December.

The full Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is available here.