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Amendments to Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 direct DOE to conduct two rulemaking cycles to evaluate energy conservation standards for GSLs, the first of which must be initiated no later than January 1, 2014 (42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(6)(A)-(B)).  EPCA specifically states that the scope of the rulemaking is not limited to incandescent lamp technologies. EPCA also states that DOE must consider in the first rulemaking cycle the minimum backstop requirement of 45 lumens per watt for general service lamps (GSLs) effective January 1, 2020. This rulemaking constitutes DOE's first rulemaking cycle.

Statement of Need:

DOE is directed under EPCA to establish standards for GSL’s, and that DOE complete the rulemaking by January 1, 2017.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

Amendments to EPCA in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) directed DOE to conduct two rulemaking cycles to evaluate energy conservation standards got GSL’s (42 U.S.C. 6295(i)(6)(A)-(B)).  Furthermore, pursuant to EPCA, any new or amended energy conservation standard that the Department of Energy (DOE) prescribes for certain products, such as general service lamps, shall be designed to achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is technologically feasible and economically justified (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(2)(A)) and result in a significant conservation of energy (42 U.S.C. 6295(o)(3)(B)).

Alternatives:

The statute requires DOE to conduct rulemakings to review standards and to revise standards to achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that the Secretary determines is technologically feasible and economically justified.  In making this determination, DOE conducts a thorough analysis of the alternative standard levels, including the existing standard, based on the criteria specified in the statute.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

DOE finds that the benefits to the Nation of the proposed energy standards for General Service Lamps outweigh the burdens.  DOE estimates that energy savings will be .85 quads over 30 years and the net benefit to the Nation will be between $4.4 billion and $9.1 billion.

Risks: