Legislation + Regulation

New fluorescent ballast energy efficiency regulations took effect in November. The new rules expand previous regulations to cover seven classes of T12, T8 and T5 fluorescent lamp ballasts. Outdoor sign and residential-­only ballasts, exempted from previous DOE ballast regulations, are now covered and will be significantly affected.
 Exempted are dimming ballasts that dim to 50 [...]

In 2009, DOE issued energy standards for commercial general-service fluorescent lamps that took effect July 14, 2012 and eliminated a majority of 4-ft. linear and 2-ft. U-shaped T12 lamps and many 8-ft. T12 and T12HO lamps from the market. Exceptions include lamps with a CRI rating of 87 or higher, lamps designed to operate in [...]

The Senate Finance Committee recently voted to approve a two-year extension of the Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction, also known as Section 179D, as part of the Expiring Provisions Improvement Reform and Efficiency (EXPIRE) Act. The provision allows a taxpayer to take a deduction equal to commercial building energy-efficiency expenditures made by the taxpayer [...]

I recently wrote an article for the Lighting Controls Association covering new energy efficiency standards for metal halide luminaires announced by the U.S. Department of Energy. The new rules, which take effect in three years, will be disruptive to the metal halide luminaire market. Read it here.

The Department of Energy has issued a final rule regarding the request for exclusion of 100W R20 short incandescent reflector lamps from energy conservation standards. These lamps are popular in pool and spa applications. Click here to learn more about the rulemaking.

In the August 2013 issue of LD+A, Jody Good makes the case that growing complexity in the lighting industry is creating a compelling imperative for licensing lighting designers. Check it out here. What do you think?

The Department of Energy (DOE) recently published a Federal Register notice of proposed rulemaking regarding energy conservation standards for metal halide luminaires. 78 FR 51463 (August 20, 2013). The deadline for public comments is October 21, 2013. You can submit comments here.

Sen. Cynthia Creem of the Massachusetts State Senate has introduced SD 844, which was spearheaded by an industry coalition led by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) to reduce nighttime skyglow and light trespass in Massachusetts while ensuring that customer choice and proper [...]

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 regulated 40-100W incandescent general-service lamps, requiring the lamp to either operate at a higher efficacy or cease being able to be manufactured or imported. In 2012, 100W lamps became affected; in 2013, 75W lamps are now under regulation. For those wishing to retain incandescent lamps, there are [...]