Title: An act relating to encouraging energy efficiency.

Brief Description: Encouraging energy efficiency.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Apps Subcom GG (originally sponsored by Representatives Morris, Morrell and Hudgins).

Brief History:

Technology, Energy & Communications: 1/23/08, 2/1/08 [DPS];

Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Audit Review: 2/5/08, 2/7/08[DP2S(w/o sub TEC)].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/18/08, 95-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY, ENERGY & COMMUNICATIONS

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives McCoy, Chair; Eddy, Vice Chair; Crouse, Ranking Minority Member; McCune, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Hankins, Herrera, Hudgins, Hurst, Kelley, Morris, Takko and Van De Wege.

Staff: Scott Richards (786-7156).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON GENERAL GOVERNMENT & AUDIT REVIEW

Majority Report: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass and do not pass the substitute bill by Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Linville, Chair; Ericks, Vice Chair; Blake, Lantz, Liias, Miloscia, Morris, Nelson and Van De Wege.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Armstrong, Ranking Minority Member; Skinner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Chandler and Kretz.

Staff: Owen Rowe (786-7391).

Background:

Compact fluorescent lights or other fluorescent light bulbs are an energy-efficient lighting option. These light bulbs are more energy efficient than incandescent light bulbs, requiring less energy to provide the same amount of light. The use of fluorescent light bulbs, compared to incandescent light bulbs, reduces the release of mercury and greenhouse gases emissions from coal-burning power plants. Additionally, fluorescent light bulbs last up to 10 times longer than incandescent light bulbs.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, federal regulations require "commercial and industrial entities to manage mercury-containing light bulbs as a hazardous waste after they burn out. However, households are exempt from these regulations. Some states like California and Massachusetts and counties may have more stringent requirements than the federal regulations. In these states, you must either take the fluorescent light bulb to a household hazardous waste collection facility or to a recycling facility."

Summary of Engrossed Second Substitute Bill:

Work Group on Collection and Recycling of End-of-Life General Purpose Lights
The Department of Ecology, in consultation with the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, must convene a work group with representatives of the lighting industry, environmental organizations, fluorescent lamp retailers, waste haulers, lamp recyclers, and local governments to consider and make recommendations on the following issues:

• the most effective, cost-efficient, and convenient method for the consumer to provide for the proper collection and recycling of any end-of-life general purpose lights;
• methods to educate consumers about the proper management of, and collection of, end-of-life general purpose lights; and
• designation on the general purpose light and light packaging regarding the proper recycling.

By December 1, 2008 the Department of Ecology must report its findings and recommendations for implementing and financing a recycling program for fluorescent lamps to the appropriate committees of the Legislature.

The term "general purpose lights" means lamps, bulbs, tubes, or other electric devices that provide functional illumination for indoor residential, indoor commercial, and outdoor use. Excluded from the definition of "general purpose lights" are the following specialty lighting: appliance, black light, bug, colored, infrared, left-hand thread, marine, marine signal service, mine service, plant light, reflector, rough service, shatter resistant, sign service, silver bowl, showcase, three-way, traffic signal, and vibration service or vibration resistant. "General purpose lights" also do not include lights needed to provide special needs lighting for individuals with exceptional needs.

The bill contains legislative findings that encourage the use of energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs and the proper handling and recycling of these bulbs at the end of their useful life in order to eliminate hazardous substances from entering the environment.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (Technology, Energy & Communications)

(In support) This bill is modeled after California's law to improve energy efficiency of lighting and reduce toxic wastes from various electronic devices. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 may preempt California's lighting standard and what is proposed in this bill. However, the federal act does not regulate certain specialty bulbs and it may be worth including these bulbs in this bill. There is strong support for the creation of a work group to make recommendations on the recycling of bulbs.

(Opposed) None.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Audit Review)

None.

Persons Testifying: (Technology, Energy & Communications) Representative Morris, prime sponsor; and Carrie Dolwick, Northwest Energy Coalition.

Persons Testifying: (Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Audit Review) None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: (Technology, Energy & Communications) None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: (Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Audit Review) None.