Bulb Replacement Improving Government with High-Efficiency Technology Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 442) to amend title 40, United States Code, to require the Administrator of General Services to procure the most lifecycle cost effective and energy efficient lighting products and to issue guidance on the efficiency, effectiveness, and economy of those products, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: S. 442

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Bulb Replacement Improving Government with High-efficiency Technology Act'' or the ``BRIGHT Act''. SEC. 2. GUIDANCE.

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of General Services shall--

(1) issue guidance to Federal agencies for the procurement and use of the most life-cycle cost effective and energy efficient lighting systems (as determined in accordance with section 3313 of title 40, United States Code) to increase the efficiency, effectiveness, and economy of the Federal Government; and

(2) publish on the internet or otherwise make available to State, local, and Tribal entities information on ways to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and economy by procuring and using the most life-cycle cost effective and energy efficient lighting systems (as determined in accordance with section 3313 of title 40, United States Code). SEC. 3. PROCUREMENT OF LIFE-CYCLE COST EFFECTIVE AND ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTING SYSTEMS.

(a) In General.--Section 3313 of title 40, United States Code, is amended--

(1) by striking subsection (h);

(2) by redesignating subsections (d) through (g) as subsections (f) through (i), respectively;

(3) by striking the section designation and heading and all that follows through the end of subsection (c) and inserting the following: ``Sec. 3313. Procurement of life-cycle cost effective and

energy efficient lighting systems

``(a) Definitions.--In this section:

``(1) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' means the Administrator of General Services.

``(2) Lighting system.--The term `lighting system' means the elements required to maintain a desired light level, including lamps, light fixtures, fixture distribution, sensors and control technologies, interior design elements, and daylighting sources.

``(b) Procurement.--

``(1) In general.--To the maximum extent practicable, the Administrator shall--

``(A) procure the most life-cycle cost effective and energy efficient lighting systems; and

``(B) ensure that procurements after the date of enactment of the BRIGHT Act of lighting systems or the individual components of lighting systems maximize life-cycle cost effectiveness and energy efficiency.

``(2) Use.--Each public building constructed, altered, acquired, or leased by the Administrator shall be equipped, to the maximum extent practicable as determined by the Administrator, with the most life-cycle cost effective and energy efficient lighting systems for each application.

``(c) Maintenance of Public Buildings.--Each individual component of a lighting system, including a lamp or fixture, that is replaced by the Administrator in the normal course of maintenance of public buildings shall be replaced, to the maximum extent practicable, with the most life-cycle cost effective and energy efficient lighting system possible for the application.

``(d) Considerations.--

``(1) Contracting options.--In carrying out this section, the Administrator shall consider appropriate contracting options for the procurement of the most life-cycle cost effective and energy efficient lighting systems.

``(2) Procurement and use.--In making a determination under this section concerning the practicability of procuring and installing the most life-cycle cost effective and energy efficient lighting system, the Administrator shall consider--

``(A) the compatibility of the lighting system with existing equipment, including consideration of a cost effective retrofit;

``(B) whether procurement and use of the lighting system could result in interference with productivity;

``(C) the aesthetics relating to the use of the lighting system; and

``(D) such other factors as the Administrator determines to be appropriate.

``(e) Life-Cycle Cost Effective.--The Administrator shall use the procedures and methods established under section 544(a) of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 8254(a)) in determining whether a lighting system is life-cycle cost effective.'';

(4) in subsection (f) (as so redesignated)--

(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``lighting fixture or bulb'' and inserting ``lighting system'';

(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``the fixture or bulb is'' and inserting ``the lighting system or the individual components of the lighting system are''; and

(C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``fixture or bulb'' and inserting ``lighting system'';

(5) in subsection (g) (as so redesignated), by inserting ``procurement and'' before ``use in public buildings''; and

(6) in subsection (h) (as so redesignated), by inserting ``procurement and'' before ``use of energy efficient''.

(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 33 of title 40, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 3313 and inserting the following: ``3313. Procurement of life-cycle cost effective and energy efficient lighting systems.''.

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Ms. NORTON. 442.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 442, the BRIGHT Act. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee marked up the companion bill, H.R. 7636, introduced by Representative Titus, earlier this summer.

This legislation encourages the General Services Administration to use the most up-to-date and efficient lighting for all routine maintenance, alterations, and construction and gives GSA the flexibility to choose the most efficient option for each installation.

Additionally, this bill asks that GSA provide guidance to Federal agencies and State, local, and Tribal entities on how cost-effective and energy-efficient lighting systems can help achieve broader efficiency goals.

While the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 did include guidelines for energy-efficient light bulb utilization, GSA managers are not incentivized to choose the most energy and cost-efficient options in procurements.

By directing GSA to acquire and use the most cost-and energy- efficient lighting systems practicable over the life cycles of the systems, this legislation aims to maximize resource conservation and use of taxpayer dollars in all GSA lighting procurements.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Ms. NORTON. Titus).

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Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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