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NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

John B. Townsend II, 202/586-5806 October 15, 1999

Industry, Efficiency Advocates Reach New Agreement on

Energy Efficient Lighting Standards

Agreement Will Result in Significant Energy Savings, Emission Reductions

U.S. Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson today announced that a new agreement has been

reached to improve the energy efficiency of fluorescent lighting in commercial and industrial

applications. The agreement, worked out between lamp ballast manufacturers and energy

efficiency advocates, marks a turning point in the process by which energy efficiency standards

are set.

"Lighting accounts for 20 percent to 25 percent of all electricity consumed in the United States,

and as a nation, we spend billions on it each year," said Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson.

"This agreement is a victory for consumers, for the environment and for industry." The Secretary

praised industry representatives and the efficiency advocates for their efforts in improving the

energy efficiency standards for lighting products.

Adoption of the efficiency standards is expected to save between 2 and 5 quads of energy over a

30-year period, or enough energy to supply 12 to 26 million homes in the U.S. for one year. The

agreement is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33 - 72 million metric tons and

nitrous oxide emissions by 108,000 - 235,000 tons over a 30-year period. That's the same as

eliminating the emissions of 27 - 58 million cars in a single year.

Electronic ballasts are major components in fluorescent light fixtures. They increase the

frequency of the electricity to the higher levels needed to light the fluorescent tube. The

efficiency of the ballasts has a direct impact on energy consumption. Electronic ballasts are far

more efficient than older, magnetic ballasts. Improved efficiency of electronic ballasts will save

money and reduce energy use in lighting applications.

R-99-280 (MORE)

@ Printed with soy Ink on recycled paper

I* U.S. Department of Energy Office of Public Affairs * Washington, DC 20585 ·

EE-RM-STD-98-440 COMMENT 14LL

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: 

John B. Townsend II, 202/586-5806 

/L/-LL 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

October 15, 1999 

Industry, Efficiency Advocates Reach New Agreement on 

Energy Efficient Lighting Standards 

Agreement Will Result in Significant Energy Savings, Emission Reductions 

u.s. Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson today announced that a new agreement has been 

reached to improve the energy efficiency of fluorescent lighting in commercial and industrial 

applications. The agreement, worked out between lamp ballast manufacturers and energy 

efficiency advocates, marks a turning point in the process by which energy efficiency standards 

are set. 

"Lighting accounts for 20 percent to 25 percent of all electricity consumed in the United States, 

and as a nation, we spend billions on it each year," said Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson. 

"This agreement is a victory for consumers, for the environment and for industry." The Secretary 

praised industry representatives and the efficiency advocates for their efforts in improving the 

energy efficiency standards for lighting products. 

Adoption of the efficiency standards is expected to save between 2 and 5 quads of energy over a 

30-year period, or enough energy to supply 12 to 26 million homes in the U.S. for one year. The 

agreement is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33 - 72 million metric tons and 

nitrous oxide emissions by 108,000 - 235,000 tons over a 30-year period. That's the same as 

eliminating the emissions of27 - 58 million cars in a single year. 

Electronic ballasts are major components in fluorescent light fixtures. They increase the 

frequency of the electricity to the higher levels needed to light the fluorescent tube. The 

efficiency of the ballasts has a direct impact on energy consumption. Electronic ballasts are far 

more efficient than older, magnetic ballasts. Improved efficiency of electronic ballasts will save 

money and reduce energy use in lighting applications. 

R-99-280 (MORE) 

* Printed with soy Ink on recycled paper 

.1 U.S. Department of Energy Office of Public Affairs • Washington, DC 20585 • 
EE-RM/STD-408-4M |0

-2-

While the agreement is subject to a final rulemaking by DOE, it is expected that the joint

recommendations will be accepted and written into the final standards. Under the terms of the

agreement, new efficiency standards for electronic ballasts will go into effect on April 1, 2005.

After that time, all fluorescent lamp ballasts produced by lighting manufacturers for the

commercial and industrial "new construction or renovation" market must be energy efficient

electronic ballasts that meet the new standards, rather than the older less-efficient magnetic

ballasts. In the case of the "replacement" market, the magnetic ballasts will be available until

2010 for building owners to repair current systems.

Residential ballasts will be exempt from these standards. However, parties to the agreement will

also support efforts by DOE to evaluate the residential lighting market including consideration of

standards for residential ballasts as well as market-driven initiatives. DOE has authority to set

minimum efficiency standards for lamp ballasts as well as a variety of other residential and

commercial appliances and equipment.

Parties to the agreement include the Natural Resources Defense Council, American Council for

an Energy-Efficient Economy, the Alliance to Save Energy, the Oregon Department of Energy

(representing the states), the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (represented by

ballast manufacturers Philips, Magnetec, Osram Sylvania and Motorola), lamp manufacturers,

luminaire manufacturers and ballast component suppliers.

DOE researches, develops, and deploys clean, efficient and renewable energy technologies to

help meet America's energy needs while protecting the environment and strengthening the

economy. Energy technologies supported and promoted by the department will play a key role in

providing Clean Energy for the 21st Century.

-DOER-99-280

EE-RM-STD-98-440 COMMENT 14LL

EE--RM/STD-98-440 

-2-

While the agreement is subject to a final rulemaking by DOE, it is expected that the j<;>int 

recommendations will be accepted and written into the final standards. Under the terms of the 

agreement, new efficiency standards for electronic ballasts will go into effect on April 1, 2005. 

After that time, all fluorescent lamp ballasts produced by lighting manufacturers for the 

commercial and industrial "new construction or renovation" market must be energy efficient 

electronic ballasts that meet the new standards, rather than the older less-efficient magnetic 

ballasts. In the case of the "replacement" market, the magnetic ballasts will be available until 

2010 for bui lding owners to repair current systems. 

Residential ballasts will be exempt from these standards. However, parties to the agreement will 

also support efforts by DOE to evaluate the residential lighting market including consideration of 

standards for residential ballasts as well as market-driven initiatives. DOE has authority to set 

minimum efficiency standards for lamp ballasts as well as a variety of other residential and 

commercial appliances and equipment. 

Parties to the agreement include the Natural Resources Defense Council, American Council for 

an Energy-Efficient Economy, the Alliance to Save Energy, the Oregon Department of Energy 

(representing the states), the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (represented by 

ballast manufacturers Philips, Magnetec, Osram Sylvania and Motorola), lamp manufacturers, 

luminaire manufacturers and ballast component suppliers. 

DOE researches, develops, and deploys clean, efficient and renewable energy technologies to 

help meet America's energy needs while protecting the environment and strengthening the 

economy. Energy technologies supported and promoted by the department will playa key role in 

providing Clean Energy for the 21 st Century. 

-DOER-99-280