Four states act to phase out inefficient lighting

A wave of states took action this spring to reduce energy waste by phasing out inefficient fluorescent lighting.

• Colorado became the 3rd US state to enact clean lighting legislation, after Vermont and California took similar action last year.  Colorado’s new law sets phase out dates for linear & compact fluorescent lightbulbs – ensuring the state’s clean lighting transition in 2025.
• Rhode Island passed legislation to phase out inefficient fluorescents in favor of LEDs. The bill was signed into law by Governor Dan McKee on June 22, 2023.
• Maine passed a bill to phase out toxic, inefficient fluorescent lighting by 2026 – resulting in up to $216 million in utility bill savings statewide by 2050.
• Hawaii passed a new law that will transition the state away from inefficient fluorescent lighting, toward efficient, clean LEDs.  Governor Josh Green signed the bill on July 5th, bringing significant energy savings to Hawaiian residents.

Meanwhile, Oregon’s clean lighting bill is just steps away from becoming law. Once signed by Governor Tina Kotek, Oregon residents can expect to save $49 million in electric bills by 2030, increasing to $617 million by 2050 thanks to more efficient LED technology.

And in Massachusetts, lawmakers are holding hearings this week on An Act Relative to Clean Lighting (H 777 |SB 538) sponsored by Rep. Cutler and Sen. Moran.

At the bill hearing, Environment Massachusetts acting director, Johanna Neumann said “Given the widespread availability of non-toxic and more efficient lighting options, we respectfully request a favorable report to protect our environment and public health.”