S. 2017 would amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to provide for national energy efficiency standards for general service incandescent lamps.
Detailed Summary
Energy Efficient Lighting for a Brighter Tomorrow Act of 2007 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to establish new efficiency standards for incandescent lighting.
Redefines the term "general service incandescent lamp." Requires general service incandescent lamps, intermediate base incandescent lamps, and candelabra base incandescent lamps to meet specified lamp efficacy, maximum wattage, and Color Rendering Index (CRI) standards. Requires a specified maximum wattage and CRI for certain frosted, clear, and soft white lamps and modified spectrum lamps.
Authorizes any person to petition to the Secretary of Energy to: (1) exempt types of general service lamps from efficiency requirements; and (2) establish standards for lamp types that are excluded from the definition of general service lamps.
Requires the Secretary, by specified dates, to initiate rulemakings concerning energy efficiency standards for general service incandescent lamps, rough service lamps, vibration service lamps, three-way incandescent lamps, 150-watt general service incandescent lamps, and shatter-resistant lamps. Sets forth specific efficiency standards that become effective if the Secretary fails to complete such rulemakings on specified dates.
Requires the Secretary to initiate rulemakings concerning lamp labeling.
Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct an annual assessment of the market for general service lamps and compact fluorescent lamps; and (2) carry out an awareness, information, and education program to help consumers understand lamp labels and make energy-efficient lighting choices.
Provides for a state preemption rule for energy conservation standards for general service incandescent lamps, intermediate base incandescent lamps, and candelabra base lamps.
Makes it unlawful for any manufacturer, distributor, retailer, or private labeler to distribute adapters that: (1) allow incandescent lamps that do not have medium screw bases to be installed into fixtures or lampholders with such base sockets; and (2) have a voltage range that includes 110 and 130 volts.
Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a lighting technology research and development program.
Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress a report describing recommendations relating to the means by which the federal government may reduce or prevent the release of mercury during the manufacture, transportation, storage, or disposal of light bulbs.
Sets forth requirements concerning metal halide lamp fixtures and ballasts. Provides for a preemption rule for regulations concerning such fixtures adopted by the California Energy Commission on or before January 1, 2011.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 9/12/2007: Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Date of scheduled hearing. SD-366. 10:00 a.m.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
Leroy Bartolomei
I am very concerned about the "Energy Efficient Lighting for a Brighter Tomorrow Act of 2007." In general, I support the bill, but am concerned that the bill is not considering a serious drawback to compact fluorescnet lamps (CFLs). CFLs contain 4mg of mercury and whereas the bill encourages, if not requires, consumers to purchase CFLs it does nothing to address the serious and potentially huge safety and hazardous waste disposal problems associated with CFLs. The safety problem relates to toxicity and cleanup problems associated with lamps that get broken during use. The hazardous waste disposal problem has to do with how the consumer disposes of CFLs that fail and the environmental issues associated with disposal. In my opinion, encouraging people to substitue CFLs for incandescent trades one problem (energy inefficiency) for another (public safety and hazardous waste.