Legislation + Regulation

The National Electrical Code (NEC) updates every three years. David summarizes four changes in this code cycle (2023 edition of the NEC) that impact lighting.

On October 28th, the US DOE issued new guidance for the industry to comply with the GSL & GSIL certification requirements and timing. Back in May, the DOE issued two final rules for these lamps. These rules changed which lamps have to be certified to DOE.

Energy Code Ace has created a summary of California Title 24 code changes for Non-Residential Buildings. The 2022 Title 24, Part 6 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Energy Code or Title 24, Part 6) updates the 2019 Energy Code.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Final Rule on 40 CFR 751 Subpart E – Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic (PBT) Chemicals under Section 6 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is beginning to impact lighting manufacturers in the DIY big box channel. 

On September 30th, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB2406 into law, protecting importers from the imposition of unfair fees and trade practices. The bill limits the damages of detention and demurrage fees imposed by international ocean carriers.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to notify interested parties of DOE’s intent to immediately commence on-the-record hearings before Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) in civil penalty cases for violations of DOE’s conservation standards and certification requirements. This NOI also provides procedural details that will govern these hearings.

Both houses of Congress have passed The BRIGHT Act to ensure federal buildings utilize energy-efficient lighting. The House passed the bill on September 14, 2022, and the Senate passed the bill on March 30, 2022. The bill still requires the signature of President Biden before it becomes law.

On September 18, 2022, California banned fluorescent lamps, both CFLs and linear fluorescent lamps, joining Vermont’s ban in May, and the EU’s ban in December. California went beyond Vermont’s ban on 4’ lamps, by banning linear fluorescent tubes up to 8’ long.I chased down the legislative details for you.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 was signed into law on August 16, 2022. Among the provisions included in this bill is the expansion of the Section 179D tax deduction for building energy efficiency. Thousands of commercial building owners have utilized the 179D tax deduction since its inception in 2005, and this expansion potentially allows for many more to not only utilize the deduction but also claim larger amounts than previously available.