Better Use of Light Bulbs Act

Floor Speech

Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2417, the so-called Better Use of Light Bulbs (BULB) Act.

H.R. 2417 would repeal the lighting energy efficiency standards set in the Energy Independence Security Act (EISA) of 2007. This would be a major setback in improving energy efficiency in homes and buildings across the country. Commercial and residential lighting consume over 20 percent of all electricity generated in the United States. The new lighting standards will help to ensure that more energy efficient light bulbs, including incandescents and LEDs, are available to consumers in order to reduce energy use.

The BULB Act would also repeal California's state standards on lighting efficiency that went into effect earlier this year. In a letter from California Senator Darrell Steinberg, President pro Tempore, Senator Alex Padilla, Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications, and Senator Fran Pavley, Chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water, opposing H.R. 2417, they note that the state's standards could save California consumers $35.6 million in electrical costs.

Mr. Speaker, the current lighting standard has generated domestic jobs as companies have created new and innovative lighting options for consumers. For example, Philips Lumileds Lighting Company has a manufacturing facility that makes LEDs for energy efficient LED light bulbs in San Jose, California. This facility creates hundreds of local jobs, while traditional incandescent light bulbs are mainly manufactured abroad. The EISA energy efficiency standard is an opportunity for the United States to build a domestic manufacturing industry, generating jobs and economic activity.

H.R. 2417 is a job killer, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting no on H.R. 2417.

Source