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### NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JohnB. Townsend II, 202/586-5806 October 15, 1999 

# Industry,Efficiency Advocates Reach New Agreement on Energy Efficient Lighting Standards Agreement Will Result inSignificantEnergy Savings, EmissionReductions U.S. Secretary ofEnergy Bill Richardson today announced that a new agreement has been reached to improve the energy efficiency offluorescent 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 ofall electricity consumed in the United States, and as a nation, we spend billions on it each year," said Secretary ofEnergy Bill Richardson. "This agreement is a victory for consumers, forthe environment and for industry." The Secretary praised industry representatives and the efficiency advocates fortheir efforts in improving the energy efficiency standards for lighting products. Adoption ofthe efficiency standards is expected to save between 2 and 5 quads ofenergy 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-yearperiod. 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 ofthe electricity to the higher levels needed to light the fluorescent tube. The efficiency oftheballasts has a direct impact on energy consumption. Electronic ballasts are far more efficient than older, magnetic ballasts. Improved efficiency ofelectronic ballasts will save money and reduce energy use in lighting applications. R-99-280 (MORE) 

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I* U.S. Departmentof Energy Office of Public Affairs * Washington, DC20585 · 

### NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: John B. Townsend II, 202/586-5806 

# /L/-LL

FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE October 15, 1999 

# Industry, EfficiencyAdvocates Reach New Agreement on EnergyEfficientLighting Standards Agreement WillResultin SignificantEnergySavings, Emission Reductions 

# u.s. Secretary ofEnergyBill Richardson today announced that anew agreement has been reached to improve the energy efficiency offluorescent lighting in commercial and industrial applications. The agreement, worked outbetween lamp ballastmanufacturers and energy efficiency advocates, marks a turning point intheprocessby which energy efficiency standards are set. "Lighting accounts for 20percent to 25 percent ofall electricity consumed intheUnited States, and as anation, we spend billions on it each year," said Secretary ofEnergy 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 improvingthe energy efficiency standards for lighting products. Adoption ofthe efficiency standards is expected to save between 2 and 5 quads ofenergy over a 30-yearperiod, orenough 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 emissionsby 108,000

- 235,000 tons over a 30-yearperiod. That's the same as eliminatingthe emissions of27

- 58 million cars in a single year. Electronic ballasts are majorcomponents in fluorescent light fixtures. They increase the frequency ofthe electricityto the higher levels needed to light the fluorescent tube. The efficiency oftheballastshas a direct impact on energy consumption. Electronicballasts are far more efficient than older, magnetic ballasts. Improved efficiency ofelectronicballasts will save money and reduce energy use in lighting applications. 

### R-99-280 (MORE) 

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Printed with soy Inkon recycled paper .1 U.S. Departmentof Energy Office of PublicAffairs • Washington, DC20585 •

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### While the agreement is subject to a final rulemaking by DOE, it is expected thatthejoint recommendations will be accepted and written into the final standards. Under the terms ofthe 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 ofthe "replacement" market, the magnetic ballasts will be available until 2010 forbuilding 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 forresidential ballasts as well as market-driven initiatives. DOE has authority to set minimum efficiency standards for lamp ballasts as well as avariety ofother 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 ofEnergy (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 akey role in providing CleanEnergy for the21st Century.

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-2- While the agreement is subject to a final rulemaking by DOE, it is expected that thej<;>int recommendations will be accepted and written into the final standards. Underthe terms ofthe agreement, new efficiency standards for electronic ballasts will go into effect on April 1, 2005. Afterthat time, all fluorescent lamp ballastsproducedby lighting manufacturers for the commercial and industrial "new construction orrenovation"market must be energy efficient electronic ballasts that meet the new standards, ratherthan the olderless-efficient magnetic ballasts. In the case ofthe "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 ofotherresidential 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 ofEnergy (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 promotedby the department will playakey role in providing Clean Energy for the 21st Century.-DOER-99-280