The California Energy Commission (CEC) is likely to adopt energy efficiency guidelines on computers by the end of the year. A San Diego Union-Tribune story posted at techwire.net says that the CEC estimates that the rules will add $18 to the price of a computer — but that the extra cost will more than be made up for by savings in energy.

The size of the California market is expected to drive that state’s change across the rest of the industry. The story says that questions remain about the need for the new rules and whether the computer industry will resist. The main target is desktops, but the rules also will extend to power use settings on laptops and computer monitors, the story says.

Driving efficiencies in power-hungry computing gear is one of the most important elements in heading off what could be a crisis in the near-term future.