Upton Energy Saving Amendment Included in 3 More Spending Bills

Press Release

Upton Energy Saving Amendment Included in 3 More Spending Bills

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved Congressman Fred Upton's (R-St. Joseph) bipartisan amendment to three additional spending bills to require the federal government to purchase energy efficient light bulbs. Upton, a senior member of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, and California Democrat Jane Harman are leading the effort to promote energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Upton's amendment to the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill, HR 2771, requires the federal government to purchase energy efficient light bulbs in all legislative branch buildings, including the U.S. Capitol and Congressional office buildings.

In addition to the Legislative Branch spending bill, the amendment was also included in the Energy and Water Appropriations Act, H.R. 2641, and the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Act, H.R. 2764. The light bulb language has also been included in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs spending bill, H.R. 2642, and the Homeland Security spending bill, H.R. 2638, which both passed the House last week.

"Soon, we will shine new light on the halls of Congress," said Upton. "Changing our nation's energy habits needs to start at the top - with the Federal Government. As Congress continues to debate climate change legislation and ways to promote energy efficiency, it is imperative that the federal government set the proper example and lead the way in common-sense conservation measures. By upgrading to 'Energy Star' light bulbs, we will help preserve energy resources and reduce the risks of global warming, all the while saving tens of millions of taxpayer dollars. The U.S. Capitol should be a shining example of how we all can take small steps to make a significant difference in energy conservation and the cutting of greenhouse gases."

Upton and Harman intend to introduce the bipartisan amendment to every appropriations bill, requiring that each agency, department, and office within the Federal Government, beginning October 1, 2007, purchase light bulbs that meet the Department of Energy's "Energy Star" efficiency ratings.

ENERGY STAR qualified light bulbs:

* Use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.
* Save $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb's lifetime.
* Produce about 75 percent less heat, so they're safer to operate and can cut energy costs associated with home cooling.
* Are available in different sizes and shapes to fit in almost any fixture, for indoors and outdoors.

Current incandescent bulbs on store shelves are obsolete and highly inefficient - only 10% of the energy consumed by each bulb is for light with 90% wasted on unnecessary heat. Upton intends to modify the amendment in conference to ensure the historical preservation of some of the lighting fixtures in the U.S. Capitol.

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