2007 ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND SECURITY ACT

2007 Energy Independence and Security Act In December, the 2007 Energy Bill, officially know as the "Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007" was sign into law by President Bush. After much negotiation throughout the year, it contained most of the energy efficiency provisions supported by industry for incandescent A-line lamps and incandescent reflector lamps. Other provisions contained within the bill include regulations for ballasts used in Metal Halide Fixtures and increased efficiency requirements for federal buildings. It also included a provision requiring electric motors to meet standards in NEMA MG-1 within three years.

A-Line Lamps
The incandescent A-line regulations primarily affect the common 40W, 60W, 75W and 100W incandescent lamps. It requires an increase in efficiency by approximately 30% starting in 2012 by requiring a reduction in lamp wattage while maintaining lumen levels. GE is developing High Efficiency Incandescent technology to meet these new standards.

Most Specialty and Decorative lighting sources are not regulated and will continue to be sold.

The new standards are shown in the chart below.

Today's
Wattage		 Maximum Rated
Wattage		 Lumen Range* Minimum Life Effective Date**
100W 72W 1490-2600 1000 Hrs 1/1/2012
75 W 53 W 1050-1489 1000 Hrs 1/1/2013
60 W 43 W 750-1049 1000 Hrs 1/1/2014
40 W 29 W 310-749 1000 Hrs 1/1/2014

* Reduced by 25% for Modified Spectrum (Reveal) Lamps.
** CA and NV can adopt standards one year earlier. All other states preempted.



Incandescent Reflector Lamps
All R20, R30, R40, PAR20, PAR30, PAR38, BR30, BR40, ER30, ER40, and BPAR must meet Halogen efficiency levels except:

  • Lamps rated at 50 watts or less that are ER30, BR30, BR40, or, ER40 lamps.
  • Lamps rated at 65 watts that are BR30, BR40 or ER40 lamps.
  • R20 incandescent reflector lamps rated 45 watts or less.

Will be implemented nationally during the first 6 months of 2008.



Metal Halide Fixtures
Metal Halide lamp fixtures designed to be operated with lamps rated greater than or equal to 150 watts but less than or equal to 500 watts shall contain a pulse start metal halide ballast with a minimum ballast efficiency of 88 percent, magnetic probe-start ballast with a minimum efficiency of 94 percent, a non-pulse start electronic ballast with a minimum ballast efficiency of 92% for wattages greater than 250 watts; and a minimum ballast efficiency of 90% for wattages less than or equal to 250 watts.

Exceptions: Fixtures with regulated lag ballasts; fixtures that use electronic ballasts that operate at 480 volts; fixtures that are rated for 150 watt lamps, are rated for use in wet locations; and contain a ballast that is rated to operate at ambient air temperatures of 50 C.

Effective January 1st, 2009.



Use of Energy Efficient Lighting Fixtures and Bulbs in Federal Buildings
Construction, Alteration, and Acquisition of Public buildings - Each public building constructed, altered, or acquired by the Administrator or General Services shall be equipped, to the maximum extent feasible as determined by the Administrator, with lighting fixtures and bulbs that are energy efficient.

Maintenance of Public Buildings - Each fixture or bulb that is replaced by the administrator in the normal course of maintenance of public buildings shall be replaced, to the maximum extent feasible, with a lighting fixture or bulb that is energy efficient.

Effective 1 year after enactment.