GROUNDBREAKING PROVISION TO INCREASE LIGHT BULB EFFICIENCY PASSES HOUSE

Harman-authored legislation establishes new standards to increase efficiency over the next 12 years, reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Washington, D.C. Progress towards the use of more environmentally friendly light bulbs in America took a major step forward today when the House included a provision to increase bulb efficiency over the next 12 years as part of comprehensive energy legislation that passed the House by a vote of 235 to 181.  Spearheaded by Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice) and Fred Upton (R-MI), similar light bulb efficiency provisions were also included in energy legislation that passed the House this summer.

“Since most Americans still use essentially the same incandescent light bulbs invented by Thomas Edison more than 120 years ago, this is vital legislation,” Harman said. “The provision will bring energy efficient alternatives to the forefront and fundamentally change the way we light our homes and businesses. With the help of Rep. Upton and Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Barbara Boxer, America is taking a major step to solve the cataclysmic challenge of our times: global warming.”

First introduced as separate legislation in March, Harman worked closely with environmental organizations and industry groups to develop broadly supported light bulb efficiency standards that would decrease carbon emissions by reducing energy consumption.

“The energy efficiency standards for light bulbs in the House energy bill will not only save consumers and businesses money on their energy bills, but also significantly reduce global warming pollution,” said Karen Wayland, Legislative Director of the Natural Resources Defense Council.  “Experts estimate the standards will decrease global warming pollution by more than 100 million tons, which works out to roughly 1 percent of emissions produced in the United States in 2005.   We applaud Representatives Harman and Upton for their leadership in having the standards included in the energy bill.”

The provisions passed today would phase out the 100 watt incandescent bulb by 2012, and phase out remaining inefficient incandescent bulbs by 2014. By 2020, the bill requires that light bulbs be at least 3 times more efficient as today’s incandescent, paving the way for the use of the super-efficient LEDs that will light our future. The bill gives the Department of Energy (DOE) the authority to craft a rule to give the lighting industry the flexibility to sell a range of bulbs.  The rule must save as much energy as a flat requirement that all bulbs be 3 times more efficient than today’s bulbs.  If DOE fails to act, the flat requirement will automatically become law. The bill also requires that DOE find ways to minimize the amount of mercury in compact fluorescent bulbs and provides incentives for high-efficiency lighting to be manufactured in the United States.

Lawrence Bender, Oscar award-winning producer of An Inconvenient Truth and co-founder of an organization, 18seconds.org, dedicated to the promotion of energy efficient light bulbs, said “Congresswoman Harman has been a champion on this issue from the beginning. She’s taken this ambitious idea and carried it all the way through to significant legislation. With this light bulb provision—and the energy bill in general—America moves one step closer to reducing its carbon footprint and becoming energy independent.” 

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