Biden Energy Department clamps down on fluorescent light bulbs with new proposal
Jeremy Beaman
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The Department of Energy proposed new regulations Monday designed to discourage the use of compact fluorescent light bulbs, adding to the dozens of rulemakings introduced under President Joe Biden to impose tighter efficiency rules for common household products.
The new proposed rule would require a near tripling of the efficiency levels for bulbs, raising the minimum level from 45 to over 120 lumens per watt. The department said its rule would spark a transition from compact fluorescents to more efficient LED bulbs “that the lighting industry is already embracing,” helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change.
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The DOE had already finalized a new rule earlier this year to phase out inefficient incandescent bulbs by raising the efficiency minimum to 45 lumens per watt.
“Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of more than 110 energy efficiency actions taken by the Administration to help lower energy costs and keep money in the pockets of American families while reducing our nation’s carbon footprint,” said Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm.
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The department estimated its proposed rule could cumulatively reduce the emission of 131 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and 903 thousand tons of methane over 30 years, or a volume roughly equivalent to the electricity use of 29 million homes in one year.
The cost of compliance for manufacturers was estimated to be approximately $407 million.
Other consumer products targeted by the Biden DOE’s energy efficiency rulemakings have included clothes dryers, pool heaters, and consumer furnaces.