President Biden is going after light bulbs in an effort to make them more efficient. The Biden administration did so by finalizing new lightbulb efficiency rules.
The new rule, which was first introduced in 2022, will more than double the required lumens for lightbulbs from 45 lumens per watt to more than 120 lumens per watt.
A lumen is the unit of measurement for light intensity.
Andrew deLaski, the executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, shared in a statement that with technology advancing, standards have to rise.
“LED technology has gotten even better in recent years, and these standards will ensure that all products on the market catch up with the latest efficiency advances,” deLaski said. “With dozens of light bulbs in each home across the country, these standards will reduce household energy costs and climate pollution from power plants.”
ASAP and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, two major energy efficiency lobbying groups, have praised the rule change, saying it will cut American utility bills by up to $27 billion, citing Energy Department estimates.
The change is also expected to be a positive for the fight against climate change, as the estimates say it will prevent the release of 70 million metric tons of carbon emissions over the next 30 years.
Ben Somberg, the communications director for the ACEEE, shared in a statement to The Hill that the main effect of the rule will be to improve the energy efficiency of light-emitting diode, or LED bulbs.
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm shared in a statement the importance of the rule, saying it will “slash energy costs” for Americans and “cut harmful carbon emissions.”
“Under President Biden and as directed by Congress, DOE is following the lead of lightbulb manufacturers, helping American families flip the switch on massive energy savings through strengthened energy efficiency standards,” Granholm said.