Tell the Energy Department to save money and energy by strengthening lighting efficiency standards

The Department of Energy is working on a new lighting standard that could save 50 billion kilowatt hours per year by 2020. That's roughly the amount of energy produced by 20 average size power plants -- enough to run 4.4 million homes every year. The new standard could save $55 billion dollars in energy costs and keep 11 tons of mercury out of the air over 30 years.

These remarkable savings can come just from increasing the efficiency of light bulbs -- not the traditional incandescent bulbs that you have already replaced, but the tube-shaped fluorescent bulbs found in most offices and the recessed, reflector lights or "cans" that many people have in their homes.

Shortly before leaving office, the Bush administration proposed a new standard for these bulbs that left half of the potential savings on the table and failed to close a key loophole that omits many bulbs from the standard entirely. President Obama, who promised during his campaign to "make America the most efficient country in the world," has the opportunity to have his Energy Department set a standard that would save more energy than any in history.

The Energy Department is currently accepting public comments on the proposed new standard.

What to do:
Send a message urging the new leaders at the Department of Energy to strengthen the proposed lamp standards and close the loopholes.

This is an ongoing pledge that should be fulfilled as often as possible.

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Comments, Suggestions and Stories

Joycey Berry Canton, NC @ 07:31PM PT Jun 07

Thank you for making the pledge "Tell the Energy Department to save money and energy by strengthening lighting efficiency standards"

th a n k s

. . .for taking action

Click here to return to NRDC's Action Center to see other actions you can take.
Carolyn Turner Raleigh, NC @ 06:55AM PT Feb 28

I stongly support the NRDC's iniciatives. Thanks for starting this one, Manuela.
Ani L. Schwartz Arroyo Seco, NM @ 12:11PM PT Feb 24

I hope they won't completely do away with the old style lightbulbs. I use them for little localized heaters in the fall, spring, winter in my apt, in the water pump house, for my little earthworm "farm" and for starting seeds indoors in the "spring", otherwise, it would be very difficult to grow vegies. Even so, I cannot grow beans or squash or ochra or a whole bunch of things that need a longer growing season and/or a warmer one. I cannot afford to buy a bunch of heaters and it is COLDER here in the winter and the winters are getting longer in the high mountain desert these days. "Global Warming" is a misnomer. A more accurate term would be "Climate Disruption".
leatrice brantley ft lauderdale, FL @ 08:28AM PT Feb 24
Pledge fulfilled Feb 24!

Good one and very easy to fulfill.
Manuela Rodrigues Tampa, FL @ 07:53AM PT Feb 24

Initiated this Pledge!