WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate has passed bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Ron Johnson (R-WI) that would help save taxpayer dollars by directing the General Services Administration (GSA) to install the most life-cycle cost effective and energy-efficient lighting in public buildings advanced in the Senate. The legislation now moves to the United States House of Representatives for consideration.
“By using more efficient lighting, the federal government can save taxpayer dollars in the long run by reducing its energy usage,” said Senator Peters. “This commonsense bipartisan bill will also ensure the government decreases its carbon footprint and helps combat climate change. Now that this bill has passed the Senate, I urge my colleagues in the House to pass it as soon as possible.”
“Energy efficient lighting systems could save taxpayer dollars by reducing overall energy usage,” said Senator Johnson. “This legislation would help decrease energy usage and diminish wasteful spending across the vast federal bureaucracy.”
The Bulb Replacement Improving Government with High-Efficiency Technology (BRIGHT) Act requires the GSA Administrator to ensure that public buildings are using the most life-cycle cost effective and energy-efficient technology to the extent practicable when performing normal maintenance, altering or constructing public buildings. The bill also requires GSA to issue guidance to federal agencies, and state, local and Tribal entities to further streamline efficiency and effectiveness across government. GSA previously released a series of reports that calculated that switching to LED lightbulbs would result in millions of dollars in cost-savings due to their superior lifespan and energy efficiency. Federal law does not currently require the government to maximize long-term cost and energy savings across lighting products.
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