FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2000

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
Guillermo Meneses, 202/586-5806

Fluorescent Lighting Ballasts To Be
More Energy Efficient

New Energy Efficient Standards Will Significantly
Reduce Electricity Use and Air Pollution

U.S. Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson today announced the adoption of new standards to improve the energy efficiency of fluorescent lamp ballasts in commercial and industrial applications. The savings from existing and new appliance standards, including today's fluorescent lamp ballasts standards, should be approximately 18 quads by 2020 -- more energy than used by all U.S. homes in one year.

"The savings from the new fluorescent lamp standards will be enough to supply power to 13 million homes across the country for one full year," said Secretary Richardson. "Lighting accounts for approximately 14 percent of all electricity consumed in the United States."

The efficiency of electronic ballasts, a major component in fluorescent light fixtures, has a direct impact on energy consumption. Electronic ballasts are far more efficient than magnetic ballasts, because they raise the electrical frequency to levels that improve the efficiency of the fluorescent tube. Since 1989, existing lighting and appliance efficiency standards have saved 3.8 quads and significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

The new standards are based on an agreement between the lighting industry and energy efficiency advocates that mark a more open, negotiated process for setting higher efficiency standards. Parties to the agreement include the Natural Resources Defense Council, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, the Alliance to Save Energy, the Oregon Department of Energy, and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

The new standards are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 19 million metric tons of carbon and by 60,000 tons of nitrous oxide over the next 20 years -- the equivalent of eliminating the emissions of 1 million cars for 15 years.

The new standards will go into effect on April 1, 2005. After that time, fluorescent lamp ballasts produced by lighting manufacturers for commercial and industrial new construction or the renovation market must be electronic ballasts that meet the new standards. Magnetic ballasts will be available until 2010 for building owners to maintain current systems.

More information on the department's programs to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, appliances and lighting can be found at http://www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/ or call 800-363-3732.