[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 13, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7759-H7760]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
BULB REPLACEMENT IMPROVING GOVERNMENT WITH HIGH-EFFICIENCY TECHNOLOGY
ACT
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (S. 442) to amend title 40, United States Code, to require the
Administrator of General Services to procure the most lifecycle cost
effective and energy efficient lighting products and to issue guidance
on the efficiency, effectiveness, and economy of those products, and
for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 442
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Bulb Replacement Improving
Government with High-efficiency Technology Act'' or the
``BRIGHT Act''.
SEC. 2. GUIDANCE.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Administrator of General Services shall--
(1) issue guidance to Federal agencies for the procurement
and use of the most life-cycle cost effective and energy
efficient lighting systems (as determined in accordance with
section 3313 of title 40, United States Code) to increase the
efficiency, effectiveness, and economy of the Federal
Government; and
(2) publish on the internet or otherwise make available to
State, local, and Tribal entities information on ways to
improve efficiency, effectiveness, and economy by procuring
and using the most life-cycle cost effective and energy
efficient lighting systems (as determined in accordance with
section 3313 of title 40, United States Code).
SEC. 3. PROCUREMENT OF LIFE-CYCLE COST EFFECTIVE AND ENERGY
EFFICIENT LIGHTING SYSTEMS.
(a) In General.--Section 3313 of title 40, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (h);
(2) by redesignating subsections (d) through (g) as
subsections (f) through (i), respectively;
(3) by striking the section designation and heading and all
that follows through the end of subsection (c) and inserting
the following:
``Sec. 3313. Procurement of life-cycle cost effective and
energy efficient lighting systems
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' means the
Administrator of General Services.
``(2) Lighting system.--The term `lighting system' means
the elements required to maintain a desired light level,
including lamps, light fixtures, fixture distribution,
sensors and control technologies, interior design elements,
and daylighting sources.
``(b) Procurement.--
[[Page H7760]]
``(1) In general.--To the maximum extent practicable, the
Administrator shall--
``(A) procure the most life-cycle cost effective and energy
efficient lighting systems; and
``(B) ensure that procurements after the date of enactment
of the BRIGHT Act of lighting systems or the individual
components of lighting systems maximize life-cycle cost
effectiveness and energy efficiency.
``(2) Use.--Each public building constructed, altered,
acquired, or leased by the Administrator shall be equipped,
to the maximum extent practicable as determined by the
Administrator, with the most life-cycle cost effective and
energy efficient lighting systems for each application.
``(c) Maintenance of Public Buildings.--Each individual
component of a lighting system, including a lamp or fixture,
that is replaced by the Administrator in the normal course of
maintenance of public buildings shall be replaced, to the
maximum extent practicable, with the most life-cycle cost
effective and energy efficient lighting system possible for
the application.
``(d) Considerations.--
``(1) Contracting options.--In carrying out this section,
the Administrator shall consider appropriate contracting
options for the procurement of the most life-cycle cost
effective and energy efficient lighting systems.
``(2) Procurement and use.--In making a determination under
this section concerning the practicability of procuring and
installing the most life-cycle cost effective and energy
efficient lighting system, the Administrator shall consider--
``(A) the compatibility of the lighting system with
existing equipment, including consideration of a cost
effective retrofit;
``(B) whether procurement and use of the lighting system
could result in interference with productivity;
``(C) the aesthetics relating to the use of the lighting
system; and
``(D) such other factors as the Administrator determines to
be appropriate.
``(e) Life-Cycle Cost Effective.--The Administrator shall
use the procedures and methods established under section
544(a) of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (42
U.S.C. 8254(a)) in determining whether a lighting system is
life-cycle cost effective.'';
(4) in subsection (f) (as so redesignated)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``lighting fixture or bulb'' and inserting ``lighting
system'';
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``the fixture or bulb
is'' and inserting ``the lighting system or the individual
components of the lighting system are''; and
(C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``fixture or bulb'' and
inserting ``lighting system'';
(5) in subsection (g) (as so redesignated), by inserting
``procurement and'' before ``use in public buildings''; and
(6) in subsection (h) (as so redesignated), by inserting
``procurement and'' before ``use of energy efficient''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 33 of
title 40, United States Code, is amended by striking the item
relating to section 3313 and inserting the following:
``3313. Procurement of life-cycle cost effective and energy efficient
lighting systems.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) and the gentleman from Arkansas
(Mr. Crawford) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia.
General Leave
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on S. 442.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia?
There was no objection.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 442, the BRIGHT Act. The
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee marked up the companion
bill, H.R. 7636, introduced by Representative Titus, earlier this
summer.
This legislation encourages the General Services Administration to
use the most up-to-date and efficient lighting for all routine
maintenance, alterations, and construction and gives GSA the
flexibility to choose the most efficient option for each installation.
Additionally, this bill asks that GSA provide guidance to Federal
agencies and State, local, and Tribal entities on how cost-effective
and energy-efficient lighting systems can help achieve broader
efficiency goals.
{time} 1545
While the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 did include
guidelines for energy-efficient light bulb utilization, GSA managers
are not incentivized to choose the most energy and cost-efficient
options in procurements.
By directing GSA to acquire and use the most cost-and energy-
efficient lighting systems practicable over the life cycles of the
systems, this legislation aims to maximize resource conservation and
use of taxpayer dollars in all GSA lighting procurements.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, S. 442, the BRIGHT Act, ensures the General Services
Administration, GSA, updates building lighting systems with the most
life cycle cost-effective and energy-efficient options, so long as the
change does not interfere with productivity and is a cost-effective
retrofit.
It also requires GSA to issue guidance to other Federal agencies on
deploying these lighting systems and make the information available to
State, local, and Tribal government entities.
Updating outdated lighting systems with the most cost-effective and
energy-efficient options will lessen the Federal Government's energy
bill, saving taxpayers money. Efficient lighting systems tend to be
lower-cost solutions with higher return on investment. This is
commonsense legislation that ensures that lighting updates are made
only if a retrofit is cost-effective.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the legislation, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the
gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus).
Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, based on the bipartisan backing in the House and the
Senate, I think it is appropriate to say we can call this bill a bright
idea. It will make public buildings more energy efficient and ensure
that taxpayer dollars are being spent as judiciously as possible.
Simply put, the BRIGHT Act directs the GSA to procure the most life
cycle cost-effective and energy-efficient lighting in public buildings
to the extent practicable.
Recognizing that each installation is unique, and that technology is
ever changing, this bill doesn't endorse, nor does it prohibit any
specific technology, but rather, guides the GSA to purchase and pursue
the most efficient option which will save millions when fully
implemented.
For example, simply replacing compact fluorescent downlight lamps and
linear fluorescent lamps with LEDs could save taxpayers up to $15.6
million every year.
I am proud to sponsor the House companion to this House Resolution
that is led by Senators Peters and Johnson. It promotes taxpayer
savings at all levels of government and is good for the planet.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it.
Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I yield myself
such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, the BRIGHT Act will implement only cost-
effective retrofits that will save taxpayers money and lower the
Federal Government's energy bill.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I yield back the
balance of my time
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge my colleagues to support
this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, S. 442.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. ROY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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