Sacramento - AB 1109 by Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) passed out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee last Thursday and will be heard by the full Assembly this week.  The bill calls on the California Energy Commission to set performance standards designed to substantially reduce California’s energy consumption for lighting over the next 10 years – with a goal of improving the efficiency of indoor lighting by 50% and commercial and outdoor lighting by 25%.  The bill also requires manufacturers to reduce levels of toxic mercury and lead found in lighting products and provide for their proper recycling and disposal.

“California has long been a leader in energy efficiency, recycling, and most recently efforts to combat global climate change,” said Huffman.  “AB 1109 builds on that legacy of leadership by addressing one of the greatest unnecessary producers of greenhouse gasses – inefficient lighting technologies.  By passing and implementing this bill we could reduce CO2 emissions by six million metric tons per year, as well as save California residential and business ratepayers more than $3 billion annually in avoided energy costs.”

Supporters of AB 1109 include Philips Lighting Company, OSRAM Sylvania, Southern California Edison, and numerous environmental groups.

“AB 1109 proposes a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to energy conservation and pollution reduction for lighting,” said Mark Murray, Executive Director of Californians Against Waste, a nonprofit environmental advocacy organization and sponsor of the bill.  “By taking this step, California can conserve resources and protect the environment in this state as well as create a model for other state’s and the nation.”

In a letter of support for AB 1109, Philips Lighting Company, the world’s largest manufacturer of light bulbs and lighting products write, “California can, by enactment of energy efficiency legislation for lighting, lead the way toward nationwide energy efficiency standards with enormous environmental and economic benefit.”