Among the many consumer products that got caught up in the political maelstrom of the Trump administrations -- dishwashers, shower heads, automobiles -- light bulbs were a prominent one.
The former president rescinded a plan put in place under President Obama that would have increased the efficiency of bulbs, one of an estimated 40 measures that were squashed as part of his anti-regulation policies.
“Trump made deregulation a hallmark of his administration and a lot of those were ill conceived from the standpoint of resource conservation and the ability of domestic manufacturers being able to meet new performance standards,” said Eileen Lee, vice president of energy and environmental policy for the National Multifamily Housing Council, in a recent statement.
She specifically referenced light bulbs: “Domestic manufacturers had already found a way to make more efficient and competitive light bulb products and then had the rug pulled out from under them with the withdrawal of the efficiency standard, so we are going to see some of those appliance standards reinstated.”
The NMHC referenced a study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy that found that emissions could be cut by 3.5 billion metric tons by 2050 if all those appliance standards, including the ones involving bulbs, are reinstated.
The American Lighting Association supports energy efficiency but also wants to see consistency in federal regulations. On its website, the ALA addresses the issue: “The lighting industry is a proven leader in producing energy-efficient, high-quality products that consumers are demanding. Manufacturers are energized by these market forces and are eager to produce the best innovative products.
“However, the pace and frequency of government regulations creates challenges that hinder product advancement. Manufacturers are doing all they can to comply with the ever-changing benchmarks, but comprehensive reform is needed. ALA supports reforming the current revolving nature of the regulatory process through legislation that seeks to modernize the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, which was originally signed into law in 1975.”
Under a new president, there are likely to be more changes as Biden has called for a review of all Trump-era actions regarding climate change issues, instructing agencies to notify the Office of Management & Budget within 30 days of his inauguration -- a deadline that passed last month -- of a preliminary list of actions that will be subject to review. The list is likely to be long.