California Assembly Bill AB213 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 213AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 6, 2015 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Ridley-Thomas FEBRUARY 2, 2015 An act to add Section 25402.12 to the Public Resources Code, relating to energy. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 213, as amended, Ridley-Thomas. Energy efficiency: light emitting diode (LED) lighting products. Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to prescribe energy efficiency standards, including standards applicable to lighting products. This bill would prohibit the commission from adopting a color rendering index (CRI) value greater than the CRI value set forth in the United State Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star program,  as of January 1, 2015,  as a part of energy efficiency standards for lighting products, unless the commission makes certain findings. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. (a) The Legislature finds and declares both of the following: (1) Historically, the energy efficiency standards prescribed by the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission pursuant to Section 25402 of the Public Resources Code have reduced energy consumption, saved consumers money, and promoted adoption of advanced technology. The commission's efforts have led the nation in energy conservation. (2) However, the commission's recent and pending regulatory actions pertaining to light emitting diode (LED) lighting products will have the opposite effect by imposing restrictions on those lighting products that will needlessly raise the price of lamps, reduce energy savings, and retard the adoption of advanced technology products by consumers. (b) It is the intent of the Legislature to do both of the following: (1) Reaffirm its support for progressive energy efficiency standards, including those applicable to lighting products, but not if those standards make LED lighting products too expensive, sacrifice energy savings, and discourage purchase and adoption by consumers. (2) Adjust modestly standards applicable to LED light products to save consumers money, promote energy savings, reduce electricity bills, and encourage the adoption of LED lighting products by consumers. SEC. 2. Section 25402.12 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read: 25402.12. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms mean the following: (1) "Energy Star program" means the United States Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star program. (2) "LED lighting products" has the same meaning as "LED light engine," "LED light engine with integrated heat sink," or "LED luminaries" as defined in subdivision (n) of Section 1602 of Title 20 of the California Code of Regulations. (b) The commission shall not adopt a color rendering index (CRI) value greater than the CRI value set forth in the Energy Star program,  as of January 1, 2015,  as a part of energy efficiency standards for LED lighting products, unless the commission makes all of the following findings: (1)  Peer reviewed studies   Studies  demonstrate that a CRI value greater than that required by the Energy Star program will increase the rate of consumer adoption and produce greater sales of LED lighting products. (2)  Peer reviewed studies   Studies  demonstrate that energy efficiency gains from consumer adoption of LED lighting products using a CRI value greater than that required by the Energy Star program will exceed the energy efficiency gains that would result from consumer adoption of LED lighting products meeting the standards set forth in the Energy Star program. (3)  Peer reviewed studies   Studies  demonstrate that consumers are willing to pay an increased purchase price for LED lighting products with a CRI value greater than that required by the Energy Star program. The commission shall determine how much more a higher CRI LED lighting product will cost a typical California homeowner as compared to a comparable LED lighting product meeting the standards set forth in the Energy Star program. (4)  Peer reviewed studies   Studies  demonstrate that consumers are willing to pay higher electricity bills to use lower efficiency LED lighting products with a CRI value greater than that required by the Energy Star program. The commission shall determine the average increase in electricity costs for a typical California homeowner that would result from the use of a higher CRI LED lighting product as compared to a comparable LED lighting product meeting the standards set forth in the Energy Star Program. (c) Subdivision (b) shall apply to all of the following: (1) Voluntary performance specifications for LED lighting products, including those used by the commission or other public agencies in rebate programs. (2) Standards prescribed pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 25402 for LED lighting products. (3) Standards prescribed pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 25402 for LED lighting products.