Press Releases
05/03/2019
ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG OPPOSES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY PROPOSAL TO END COST-SAVING ENERGY STANDARDS FOR LIGHTBULBS
(Hartford, CT) -- Attorney General William Tong today joined a coalition of 17 attorneys general in filing a comment letter opposing the Department of Energy’s (DOE) proposal to overturn energy efficiency requirements for certain lightbulbs. The proposal by DOE would exclude decorative general service and incandescent lightbulbs from meeting heightened minimum energy efficiency requirements. These requirements – which create significant energy savings for consumers – were imposed by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act during the Obama Administration. In the letter, the Attorneys General assert that DOE’s proposal would hurt consumers who would no longer receive the economic benefits from these savings.
"Consumers pay too much as it is for electricity. It makes absolutely no sense to push inefficient light bulbs back into the market. This proposal by DOE is shortsighted and wrongheaded and should be rescinded," said Attorney General Tong.
The coalition of attorneys general urges the DOE to maintain the stricter definitions enacted by the Obama Administration in 2017, which included recessed lights and decorative lightbulbs, such as candelabras and globe lamps. The original rule prohibits retailers from selling lightbulbs, including recessed lights and decorative bulbs that do not meet the minimum standard of 45 lumens per watt. In its current proposal, the DOE would remove recessed lights and decorative lightbulbs from those defined under the rule. The proposal would cost consumers $12 billion each year in lost electricity savings by 2025, or $100 per household per year.
The Attorneys General assert that by reversing the 2017 Lamp Rules, DOE would enact a less stringent standard in violation of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. In addition, the Attorneys General point out that DOE’s proposal is unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act.
A copy of the letter can be found here.
Attorneys General of California, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Vermont, Washington, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the District of Columbia, and the City of New York joined the comment letter.
Assistant Attorney General Robert Snook assisted the Attorney General in this matter.
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