Energy & Environment — What new Biden administration lightbulb rules mean for consumers

Presented by AFPM —

View Online Energy & Environment Energy & Environment   PRESENTED BY  The Big Story  What new LED lightbulb standards mean for American households New standards for light-emitting diode (LED) lightbulbs announced by the Biden administration last week will likely mean measurable savings for American households, but experts say the bulbs last so long it may be years before consumers notice the benefits. © AP Photo The Biden administration's final rule for LED bulbs, announced Friday, more than doubles the energy efficiency requirements for the bulbs, taking them from 45 lumens (the unit of measurement for brightness) per watt to over 120 lumens. The Energy Department has projected the rule will result in about $27 billion in total savings and prevent the release of 70 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions over a thirty-year period.   "LED lightbulbs, which are now the norm, will get more energy efficient and therefore use less electricity," Andrew deLaski, executive director at the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, told The Hill in an interview.   Specifically, he said, Americans will save about a dollar per bulb under normal usage conditions, which comes out to a $50 annual savings in a typical household with about two dozen lightbulbs.   "It takes some time, and the reason it takes some time is LED lightbulbs last a long time," he added. In many cases, he said, LED bulbs can last as long as 10 years before burning out, compared to the now phased-out incandescent bulbs, which typically lasted no more than a year.   "Small savings add up, is the moral of the story," he said.   Read more at TheHill.com. Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, we're Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: 2023 was record year for wind installations: Research Last year saw record wind power installations worldwide, with a total of 117 gigawatts in new capacity, according to a report published Tuesday by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).  Full Story Switching to greener wastewater treatment could save billions: Study Switching to greener wastewater treatment approaches could slash carbon emissions and save the country $15.6 billion, a new study has found.  Full Story How to watch the Lyrids meteor shower Only a little over a week after one astronomical marvel caused millions of people to look to the skies in awe, a meteor shower is about to dazzle those viewing the night sky.  Full Story A MESSAGE FROM AFPM Liquid fuels drive a sustainable future. America's refiners are making renewable fuels that can deliver upwards of 80 percent lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. Cutting emissions without requiring expensive infrastructure updates. In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill: From rats to foxes: How gentrification transforms cities' wildlife populations Low-income urban residents get rats and pigeons. But when the wealthy move in, they get species like rabbits and flying squirrels. As gentrification displaces lower-income people from American neighborhoods, … Full Story What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: 'Water is more valuable than oil': the corporation cashing in on America's drought (The Guardian)   Streams that supply drinking water in danger following 2023 Supreme Court decision that stripped wetlands protections: Report (ABC News) The U.N. Secretary-General's Searing Message for the Fossil-Fuel Industry (The New Yorker)  On Tap  Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: The Senate Environment & Public Works Committee will hold a hearing Wednesday on the nomination of Christopher T. Hanson to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing on the White House's fiscal 2025 budget request for the Interior Department. The House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies will hold a hearing on the White House's fiscal 2025 budget request for the Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works and the Bureau of Reclamation. The House Natural Resources Committee's Subcommittee on Federal Lands will hold a legislative hearing on a forest management bill sponsored by Committee Chair Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.). A MESSAGE FROM AFPM Liquid fuels drive a sustainable future. America's refiners are making renewable fuels that can deliver upwards of 80 percent lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. Cutting emissions without requiring expensive infrastructure updates. What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: New York judge says Trump can't attend Supreme Court arguments on presidential immunity The New York judge overseeing former President Trump's hush money trial said Monday that Trump cannot attend arguments on presidential immunity at the Supreme Court next week. Read more Juror dismissed from hush money trial said seeing Trump in person was 'jarring' A juror who was dismissed from the New York hush money trial said seeing former President Trump in person on Tuesday was a "jarring" experience. Read more Opinions in The Hill  Op-ed related to energy & environment submitted to The Hill: Expect financial fallout when the fossil fuel bubble finally bursts   You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Energy & Environment page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  1625 K Street NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20006 Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

If you believe this has been sent to you in error, please safely unsubscribe.