NEW YORK, NY – Governor Kathy Hochul has supported replacing incandescent light bulbs with LEDs for years. She has hosted lightbulb giveaways and other incentive programs to urge New Yorkers to switch.
Now, the administration of President Joe Biden has made it easier for Hochul to achieve her energy reduction goals.
Starting on August 1st, a federal ban on the sale of incandescent lightbulbs will take effect in the United States.
The action follows a controversial change earlier this month that targeted pizzerias and restaurants with coal-fired ovens.
Last year, the Department of Energy decided to approve new light bulb rules, scheduled to come into force on August 1st. These rules require light bulbs to meet a higher minimum standard of emitting 45 lumens per watt, a significant increase compared to the 12 to 18 lumens per watt found in traditional incandescent bulbs.
Under the new regulations, retailers will be prohibited from selling light bulbs that do not meet the new standard, including incandescent bulbs. However, households currently using light bulbs that fall short of the new requirement will not be obligated to replace them.
The main purpose behind this decision is to conserve energy and provide cost-saving benefits to consumers. Energy-efficient bulbs, such as LEDs, consume at least 75% less energy and have significantly longer lifespans compared to incandescent bulbs. This results in reduced energy bills and a positive impact on the environment.
The effort to phase out less efficient bulbs began with former President George W. Bush, who introduced the Energy Independence and Security Act in 2007. The act aimed to improve household light bulb efficiency by about 25% but did not outright ban incandescent bulbs.
Subsequent efforts were made by former President Obama in 2017, who added two new regulations to the act, intending to phase out incandescent bulbs and other specialty bulbs by January 2020.
However, during President Trump’s tenure, the Department of Energy halted the implementation of these regulations in 2019. President Trump opposed using energy-efficient bulbs and other environmental regulations, citing concerns about their appearance when used.
As of August 1st, the new rules will be in effect, promoting energy conservation and encouraging the use of more efficient lighting options to benefit both consumers and the environment.