[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     BETTER USE OF LIGHT BULBS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 11, 2011

  Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
opposition to H.R. 2417, the so-called Better Use of Light Bulbs (BULB) 
Act.
  H.R. 2417 would repeal the lighting energy efficiency standards set 
in the Energy Independence Security Act (EISA) of 2007. This would be a 
major setback in improving energy efficiency in homes and buildings 
across the country. Commercial and residential lighting consume over 20 
percent of all electricity generated in the United States. The new 
lighting standards will help to ensure that more energy efficient light 
bulbs, including incandescents and LEDs, are available to consumers in 
order to reduce energy use.
  The BULB Act would also repeal California's state standards on 
lighting efficiency that went into effect earlier this year. In a 
letter from California Senator Darrell Steinberg, President pro 
Tempore, Senator Alex Padilla, Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, 
Utilities and Communications, and Senator Fran Pavley, Chair of the 
Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water, opposing H.R. 2417, 
they note that the state's standards could save California consumers 
$35.6 million in electrical costs.
  Mr. Speaker, the current lighting standard has generated domestic 
jobs as companies have created new and innovative lighting options for 
consumers. For example, Philips Lumileds Lighting Company has a 
manufacturing facility that makes LEDs for energy efficient LED light 
bulbs in San Jose, California. This facility creates hundreds of local 
jobs, while traditional incandescent light bulbs are mainly 
manufactured abroad. The EISA energy efficiency standard is an 
opportunity for the United States to build a domestic manufacturing 
industry, generating jobs and economic activity.
  H.R. 2417 is a job killer, and I urge my colleagues to join me in 
voting no on H.R. 2417.

                          ____________________