HIGH-EFFICIENCY LIGHT BULBS IN STATE BUILDINGS

House Bill 5316

Sponsor:  Rep. Fred Miller

Committee:  Appropriations

Complete to4-16-08

A SUMMARY OF HOUSEBILL 5316 AS INTRODUCED10-16-07

The bill would amend the Management and Budget Act (1984 PA 431,MCL 18.1241b) to require all buildings and facilities owned or operated by this state to use high-efficiency light bulbs, when replacing an existing (and presumably burnt out) light bulb or installing a new light bulb.  A high-efficiency light bulb would be one that has a luminous efficacy of at least 50 lumens per watt.  (A lumen is a measure of the amount of light emitted.)

Additionally, the bill would require all buildings and facilities owned or operated by the state to use electronic ballasts when replacing an existing magnetic ballast or when an electronic ballast is needed to support a new high-efficiency light bulb.  (Ballasts control the current and voltage of the bulb.) 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The fiscal impact for HB 5316 is indeterminate at this time.  The purchasing cost of high efficiency light bulbs is greater than existing light bulbs.  Therefore, the expense to the State ofMichigan for light bulbs is likely to increase.  However, there is expected to be savings generated by the increased energy efficiency of the high efficiency light bulbs in comparison to the current light bulbs.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

For further information concerning lighting efficiency see,

Lighting Efficiency Standards in the EnergyIndependence and Security Act of 2007:  Are Incandescent Light Bulbs "Banned"?.  Congressional Research Service.  Available on-line at:  http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RS22822_20080228.pdf

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs):  Issues with Use and Disposal. Congressional Research Service. Available on-line at http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RS22807_20080213.pdf

                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                   Fiscal Analyst:   Kim O'Berry

                                                                                                                           Mark Wolf

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.