The new specifications also require that a set use less than a single watt when in sleep or standby mode--usually referred to colloquially as being "turned off."

While the change in energy consumption is a dramatic one, manufacturers are ready for the switch. Already, the 2010 models for Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, and Vizio are Energy Star 4.0 compliant.

Television manufacturers don't have to comply with Energy Star rules to sell their wares in the United States, but they'll have to come close to that in California.

Last year the introduced regulations, going into effect at the beginning of 2011, that come very close to Energy Star requirements. Effectively speaking, only Energy Star sets will be sellable in the golden state.