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The efficiency of contemporary appliances compared to the same appliances of 15 to 30 years ago is simply amazing. The government regulations that have lead to this situation are probably the most outstandingly successful government regulations of all time.
Purist libertarians might claim that the efficiency we see today would have happened anyway or might have gone even further without the government making things "stupider." I suppose the oil and automobile companies would have worked together to phase out lead, and the A/C and aerosol manufacturers would have phased out CFCs too thanks to the invisible hand of the market. But I'm glad I didn't have to hold my breath.
While every single new breed of appliances might not always be perfect, on the whole, the system has worked exceedingly well and society (rich, poor, and in between) has benefited enormously.
