An Editorial by The Designers Lighting Forum
The most recent congressional action regarding lighting efficiency sets a new low for bad judgment, cynicism, and immorality – hard as that might be to accomplish.
The action, of course, is the rider shackled to interim funding legislation and force-fed to an unwilling administration. The rider postpones funding for DOE enforcement of the lighting efficiency standards that take effect in 2012.
The action shows bad judgment because the underlying legislation – The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007,– is good both for individual consumers and for the United States overall. Numerous headlines to the contrary , the law does not ban incandescent lighting; nor does it mandate replacement by CFL or LED lamps. Instead, it raises the efficacy, reduces the wattage, and maintains the brightness of the most popular incandescent lamps, a savings of about 28% in electricity.
Significantly, incandescent lamps that meet these standards are now available in stores. Even at a price of $1.75 each, these lamps, which use halogen technology, save consumers more than 15% in their total cost, including purchase and electricity consumption*. And they enjoy a one-third longer life. Savings for consumers; reduction in electricity usage for the United States . . . truly good outcomes.
For those who like the color and dimming quality of the latest in LED lamps – and recognize the value of their long life – this option saves $95 over the life of the LED lamp (including its purchase price of about $30 today)*.
If the energy standards are good, why is there such vituperative antipathy and willful misinformation (from some political corners)? Although there are thoughtful voices arguing in favor of the benefits of incandescent lighting and the option to use it where appropriate, this is not the issue. Nor can it be a philosophical opposition to energy regulation, per se. After all, we accept limitations on our “freedom” to waste resources in many areas: home insulation, appliance standards, automobile fuel efficiency, to name a few obvious examples. Sadly, energy efficiency in lighting has become hostage to cynics who have consistently distorted the facts and misled the public in an effort to grab electoral advantage. And, who pays the ransom . . . we all do.
What makes this cynical maneuver immoral is its suggestion that breaking the law (by manufacturing or, more likely, importing, lamps that no longer meet standards) can be done with impunity because there is no funding for enforcement. That this comes from elected members of the legislature itself should be intolerable.
In the face of ill-considered, cynical, and immoral action, what should we in the lighting community do?
- Lead by demonstrating energy-effective lighting at every opportunity.
- Contribute to the development of the most thoughtful lighting energy standards.
- Speak out in favor of sound energy policy and against opposition to it.
- Repudiate those whose actions in this arena harm our country.
We in the Designers Lighting Forum of New York are committed to sustainable lighting – designs and technology that meet diverse human needs with the least impact on the environment.