WASHINGTON, D.C. – Legislation authored by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) 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 has advanced in the Senate. The legislation was approved by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where Peters serves as Chair.
“Using cost-effective, energy-efficient lighting and fixtures in federal buildings will help our government save taxpayer dollars in the long run,” said Senator Peters. “This commonsense legislation will help our government combat climate change in a cost effective and simple way.”
“Energy-efficient lighting systems will help to reduce overall energy usage and could save taxpayers millions of dollars,” said Senator Johnson. “This legislation would help reduce energy usage and reduce 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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