Dec 19 -- Biden-Harris Administration Proposes Raising Efficiency Standard for Light Bulbs [press release]
The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), today proposed stronger efficiency standards for light bulbs, also known as general service lamps, to conserve energy and cut energy bills for American families and consumers. . . .
Today’s proposed rule significantly raises the minimum lightbulb efficiency level, from 45 to over 120 lumens per watt for the most common bulbs. Earlier this year, DOE implemented a near-term phaseout of inefficient incandescent bulbs. Today’s new rule will accelerate the transition away from compact fluorescent bulbs as well, toward more efficient and long-lasting LED bulbs that deliver significant savings and that the lighting industry is already embracing. DOE estimates that the new rule, if adopted within the proposed timeframe, will deliver consumer benefits of up to $20 billion dollars and conserve roughly 4 quadrillion British thermal units of energy in the 30 years after its implementation.
The new rule also advances President Biden’s goal to achieve a net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050. DOE estimates that over 30 years, the proposed standards would result in cumulative emission reductions of 131 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and 903 thousand tons of methane—an amount roughly equal to the electricity use of 29 million homes in one year.
DOE will host a webinar on February 1, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. ET to solicit feedback on DOE’s proposed rulemaking from interested parties. Visit the general service lamp rulemaking page to find out more information about webinar registration and this rulemaking.
Press release:
https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-proposes-raising-efficiency-standard-light-bulbs
2) Appliance and Equipment Standards Rulemakings and Notices
DOE has issued a pre-publication Federal Register notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) pertaining to energy conservation standards for general service lamps (GSLs). The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), directs DOE to initiate two rulemaking cycles for GSLs that, among other requirements, determine whether standards in effect for GSLs should be amended. EPCA also requires DOE to periodically determine whether more-stringent, standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result in significant energy savings. In this NOPR, DOE proposes amended standards for GSLs pursuant to its statutory authority in EPCA, and also announces a webinar to receive comments on its proposal and associated analyses and results.
DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this NOPR until 75 days after date of publication in the Federal Register. DOE will send a follow-up e-mail once the notice publishes to announce the closing date of the comment period.
Interested persons may submit comments identified by docket number EERE-2022-BT- STD-0022, by email (GSL2022STD0022@ee.doe.gov), Federal eRulemaking portal (
http://www.regulations.gov).
DOE will hold a webinar on Wednesday, February, 1, 2023, from 1 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/standards.aspx?productid=4
3) Draft proposed rule (FRN):
https://energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022-12/gsl-ecs-nopr.pdf [298 pages]
EPCA requires the Attorney General to provide DOE a written determination of whether the proposed standard is likely to lessen competition. The U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division invites input from market participants and other interested persons with views on the likely competitive impact of the proposed standard.
