HIGH-EFFICIENCY LIGHT BULBS IN STATE BUILDINGS

House Bill 5316 (Substitute H-2)

Sponsor:  Rep. Fred Miller

Committee:  Appropriations

Complete to4-23-08

A SUMMARY OF HOUSEBILL 5316 (H-2) AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE4-23-08

The substitute bill would amend the Management and Budget Act (1984 PA 431) to require all buildings and facilities owned by the 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.  Standard incandescent light bulbs generally have an efficacy of less than 20 lumens per watt, while the standard fluorescent light bulbs (tubes) that are more commonly used in commercial buildings have an luminous efficacy ranging from 50 to 100 lumens per watt.)

Additionally, the bill would require all buildings and facilities owned 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.)

However, if the replacement of an existing bulb or ballast requires a "major renovation" or other cost-prohibitive structural modification, the high efficiency bulbs or electronic ballasts would be installed as part of the next major building renovation. 

Finally, the bill provides that if the state leases a building or facility it shall, whenever feasible, lease a building or facility with high-efficiency lighting. 

MCL 18.1241b

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

Specifier Reports:  Electronic Ballasts. Lighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Available at http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/NLPIP/PDF/VIEW/SREB2.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.