In written comments filed with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), U.S. lighting manufacturers said consumers should have multiple options when selecting the type of light bulbs to purchase. NEMA’s comments took issue with requirements in a proposed energy efficiency rule aimed at forcing the exclusive adoption of LED bulbs.
The proposed rule would implement an efficiency standard for general-service lamps that would effectively eliminate energy-efficient halogen bulbs, compact-fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and many specialty incandescent bulbs starting in 2020.
NEMA pointed to the investment and jobs at stake from hastening a transition. Halogen bulbs have been widely available since 2012, and the industry invested millions of dollars to produce these incrementally more efficient bulbs in the U.S., employing hundreds of people. The DOE also seeks to regulate a variety of decorative light bulbs, such as those used for chandeliers, requiring that they be LED-only by 2020 — regardless of whether acceptable replacements are technically feasible, NEMA said.
The NEMA Lamp Index reveals that in the first three months of 2016 LED shipments exceeded compact fluorescent (CFL) ones for the first time and by a comfortable margin. Now representing 26% of general-service light bulb shipments, LED sales have been accelerating consistently quarter-over-quarter, while shares of CFL and incandescent bulbs have declined.
“The speed with which prices for common LED bulbs have declined and the corresponding consumer acceptance of this technology have exceeded manufacturers’ expectations,” said NEMA President and CEO Kevin Cosgriff. “Based on current trends, which we expect to continue, the LED lamp is expected to replace most general-service CFL and halogen bulbs in the coming years. Importantly, this will occur without any unnecessary governmental action.”
In its comments, NEMA encouraged the DOE to adopt new energy conservation standards for general-service LED lamps and some specialty lamps where it was economically justified and technologically feasible.
The DOE will publish the final ruling before Jan. 1, 2017.
