BILL NUMBER: AB 213	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Ridley-Thomas

                        FEBRUARY 2, 2015

   An act to add Section 25402.12 to the Public Resources Code,
relating to energy.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 213, as introduced, Ridley-Thomas. Energy efficiency: light
emitting diode (LED) lighting products.
   Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission to prescribe energy efficiency standards,
including standards applicable to lighting products.
   This bill would prohibit the commission from adopting a color
rendering index (CRI) value greater than the CRI value set forth in
the United State Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star program,
as of January 1, 2015, as a part of energy efficiency standards for
lighting products, unless the commission makes certain findings.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  (a) The Legislature finds and declares both of the
following:
   (1) Historically, the energy efficiency standards prescribed by
the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission
pursuant to Section 25402 of the Public Resources Code have reduced
energy consumption, saved consumers money, and promoted adoption of
advanced technology. The commission's efforts have led the nation in
energy conservation.
   (2) However, the commission's recent and pending regulatory
actions pertaining to light emitting diode (LED) lighting products
will have the opposite effect by imposing restrictions on those
lighting products that will needlessly raise the price of lamps,
reduce energy savings, and retard the adoption of advanced technology
products by consumers.
   (b) It is the intent of the Legislature to do both of the
following:
   (1) Reaffirm its support for progressive energy efficiency
standards, including those applicable to lighting products, but not
if those standards make LED lighting products too expensive,
sacrifice energy savings, and discourage purchase and adoption by
consumers.
   (2) Adjust modestly standards applicable to LED light products to
save consumers money, promote energy savings, reduce electricity
bills, and encourage the adoption of LED lighting products by
consumers.
  SEC. 2.  Section 25402.12 is added to the Public Resources Code, to
read:
   25402.12.  (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms
mean the following:
   (1) "Energy Star program" means the United States Environmental
Protection Agency Energy Star program.
   (2) "LED lighting products" has the same meaning as "LED light
engine," "LED light engine with integrated heat sink," or "LED
luminaries" as defined in subdivision (n) of Section 1602 of Title 20
of the California Code of Regulations.
   (b) The commission shall not adopt a color rendering index (CRI)
value greater than the CRI value set forth in the Energy Star
program, as of January 1, 2015, as a part of energy efficiency
standards for LED lighting products, unless the commission makes all
of the following findings:
   (1) Peer reviewed studies demonstrate that a CRI value greater
than that required by the Energy Star program will increase the rate
of consumer adoption and produce greater sales of LED lighting
products.
   (2) Peer reviewed studies demonstrate that energy efficiency gains
from consumer adoption of LED lighting products using a CRI value
greater than that required by the Energy Star program will exceed the
energy efficiency gains that would result from consumer adoption of
LED lighting products meeting the standards set forth in the Energy
Star program.
   (3) Peer reviewed studies demonstrate that consumers are willing
to pay an increased purchase price for LED lighting products with a
CRI value greater than that required by the Energy Star program. The
commission shall determine how much more a higher CRI LED lighting
product will cost a typical California homeowner as compared to a
comparable LED lighting product meeting the standards set forth in
the Energy Star program.
   (4) Peer reviewed studies demonstrate that consumers are willing
to pay higher electricity bills to use lower efficiency LED lighting
products with a CRI value greater than that required by the Energy
Star program. The commission shall determine the average increase in
electricity costs for a typical California homeowner that would
result from the use of a higher CRI LED lighting product as compared
to a comparable LED lighting product meeting the standards set forth
in the Energy Star Program.
   (c) Subdivision (b) shall apply to all of the following:
   (1) Voluntary performance specifications for LED lighting
products, including those used by the commission or other public
agencies in rebate programs.
   (2) Standards prescribed pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section
25402 for LED lighting products.
   (3) Standards prescribed pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b) of
Section 25402 for LED lighting products.