Tuesday
Nov032009
Lawmakers Seek Stricter Standards For Outdoor Lighting
A bipartisan, bicameral collection of lawmakers announced Tuesday that they will be pursuing legislation to increase the efficiency standards for outdoor lighting fixtures.
“Outdoor lighting consumes the equivalent of the output of about 50 coal plants,” said Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) during an afternoon press conference. “Preliminary estimates are that this agreement will defer the need to build 6 to 8 new plants.”
Although the specific vehicle for the legislation has not yet been decided, Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) expressed confidence that it will ultimately receive bipartisan backing in both chambers.
“Not a lot of folks ... think cap-and-trade will get to the President’s desk this year,” said Upton. “One of the reasons is, at least thus far, it has not been bipartisan. It has been partisan. This issue ... really is bipartisan.”
“It’s gonna happen,” Upton added.
According to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, the legislation will save the U.S. $2.8-5.1 billion anually by 2030.
“Outdoor lighting consumes the equivalent of the output of about 50 coal plants,” said Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) during an afternoon press conference. “Preliminary estimates are that this agreement will defer the need to build 6 to 8 new plants.”
Although the specific vehicle for the legislation has not yet been decided, Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) expressed confidence that it will ultimately receive bipartisan backing in both chambers.
“Not a lot of folks ... think cap-and-trade will get to the President’s desk this year,” said Upton. “One of the reasons is, at least thus far, it has not been bipartisan. It has been partisan. This issue ... really is bipartisan.”
“It’s gonna happen,” Upton added.
According to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, the legislation will save the U.S. $2.8-5.1 billion anually by 2030.
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Bingaman, NEMA, fred upton, jeff bingaman in Congress
Bingaman, NEMA, fred upton, jeff bingaman in Congress
Reader Comments (2)
There are consequences to the widespread use of blue-white luminaires currently in production.
http://docs.darksky.org/PR/PR_Blue_White_Light.pdf
The human and environmental impacts need to be considered.
Lamp efficacy, luminaire efficacy, and luminaire efficiency need to be clearly defined. They are not the same. The recent House Resolution H2454 did not adequately define "luminaire efficacy" and that left gaping holes in the legislation. NEMA's Target Efficacy Rating is a much better definition. The most efficient lamp source, whether it be a HID or SSL, is a waste of energy if the fixture is poorly designed to light the target area.