BILL ANALYSIS
AB 228
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 27, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Nancy Skinner, Chair
AB 228 (Huffman) - As Amended: April 20, 2009
SUBJECT : Energy: outdoor lighting efficiency
SUMMARY : Encourages accelerated adoption of minimum energy
efficiency standards for outdoor lighting by the California
Energy Commission (CEC).
EXISTING LAW :
1)Requires the CEC to adopt minimum energy efficiency standards
for all general-purpose lights. The standards are to be
structured so that standards, along with programs and
activities will reduce the average statewide electrical energy
consumption from outdoor lighting by not less than 25% from
2007 levels by 2018.
2)Requires the CEC to consult with the Caltrans to ensure that
outdoor lighting standards that affect the department are
compatible with the department's policies and standards for
safety.
THIS BILL :
1)Requires that instead of adopting minimum energy efficiency
standards for outdoor lighting that would reduce consumption
of outdoor lighting by 25% by 2018 that the CEC adopt
standards that would reduce consumption by 25% as soon as
practicable, but no later than 2018.
2)Clarifies that when adopting the outdoor lighting standards
the CEC shall have the authority to include efficiency
standards for outdoor lighting systems.
3)Eliminates the requirement that the CEC consult with Caltrans
when adopting outdoor lighting standards.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS :
AB 228
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According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 22 percent of U.S.
electricity generation is consumed for lighting and 18% of all
lighting is outdoor lighting. Upgrading to longer-lasting, more
efficient lights provides significant economic and environmental
benefits, including reducing energy demand and related CO2
emissions. Major outdoor lighting for areas such as parking
lots, shopping centers, roads and freeways consumes huge amounts
of electricity. Most of these lights are inefficient, outdated
technologies and waste money and precious energy resources. New
technologies in both lights and lighting systems offer an
opportunity to reduce consumption. Requiring higher efficiency
standards, and accelerating the standards for outdoor lights,
provides economic and environmental benefits.
AB 1109 (Huffman), Chapter 534, Statutes of 2007, required the
CEC to adopt minimum efficiency standards for both indoor and
outdoor lighting by January 1, 2008. The bill required that the
standards for outdoor lighting should result in a 25% decrease
in electricity usage by 2017. The CEC has adopted specific
standards for general-purpose light bulbs (which included bulbs
used in outdoor lighting). However, to meet the 25% reduction,
the CEC may be required to implement standards for entire
lighting systems that will reduce overall usage.
AB 228 requires that the CEC adopt standards to meet the 25%
goal as soon as practicable. According to CEC staff, the 2017
time frame is already an aggressive goal and they do not believe
the goal can be met sooner.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
Breathe California
Philips Lighting Company
Sierra Club California
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Lawrence Lingbloom / NAT. RES. / (916)
319-2092