Ellmers legislation to update EPS energy efficiency standards passes House

The House of Representatives approved legislation on Monday that was introduced by U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC) to update energy efficiency standards and to provide clarity to lighting manufacturers.

The External Power Supply (EPS) Improvement Act, H.R. 4444, would clarify a provision of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that relates to energy efficiency standards for EPS. In the 2005 bill, Congress directed the Department of Energy (DoE) to establish energy efficiency standards for EPS for the first time, but the technology has since changed.

“This policy provides clarity in the marketplace for manufacturers, encourages innovation within the lighting sector and lowers energy prices for American families and businesses,” Ellmers, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power, said. “It’s a win-win, and I’m grateful for the work of my colleague, Rep. [Diana] DeGette (D-CO), and the Energy and Commerce Committee for their leadership in moving this legislation.” 

While finalizing a rule for energy efficiency standards in 2014, the DoE said that specific lighting products like light emitting diodes (LED) and organic light emitting diodes (OLED) that didn’t exist in 2005 would be classified as EPS.

EPS energy efficiency standards, however, were based on a single stage power conversion, which makes it impossible for two-stage power conversion designs like LED and OLED to meet those standards.

“As a member of the Energy and Power Subcommittee, I have a responsibility to keep policy up-to-date with advancements made in the industry,” Ellmers said. “H.R. 4444 allows us to make these necessary updates. This pro-consumer, pro-manufacturing legislation will exempt certain lighting technologies from a misguided regulation issued by the DoE.”

Passage of the bill would protect 3,000 jobs at lighting companies in North Carolina alone, Ellmers added.