Brief Description: Creating a preference for high-efficiency lighting in state government.

Sponsors: Representatives Chase, Williams, Morrell, Hasegawa, Hudgins, Campbell, Kagi and Upthegrove.

Hearing Date: 1/22/08

Staff: Kara Durbin (786-7133).

Background:

In 2001, the Legislature enacted legislation containing provisions related to energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy. In its legislative findings, the Legislature recognized that buildings, facilities, and equipment owned by state government consume significant amounts of energy and that energy conservation actions that provide for the efficient use of energy will reduce the cost of state government.

Energy Conservation: State agencies and schools districts are required to: (1) conduct preliminary energy surveys and audits of their buildings; and (2) implement cost-effective conservation improvements in order to minimize energy consumption and related environmental impacts, as well as reduce operating costs.

The Department of General Administration tracks and reports the installation of any energy conservation measures that result from the surveys or audits.

Summary of Bill:

When a state agency purchases or requires a bid for the purchase of an indoor lamp, the state agency must exercise a preference for solid-state lighting if:

• The use of solid-state lighting is technically feasible; and
• The price is competitive with consideration given to the long-term cost-effectiveness and savings of solid-state lighting.

If solid-state lighting is not technically feasible or cost effective for a particular application, the state agency must exercise a preference for using a fluorescent lamp if:

• The use of a fluorescent lamp is technically feasible; and
• The price is competitive with consideration given to the long-term cost-effectiveness and savings of fluorescent lamps.

The goal for state agencies is that one-hundred of their purchased indoor lamps be in the form of
high-efficiency lighting. The Department of General Administration must prepare an annual report to the Legislature on the state's progress in meeting this goal.

High-efficiency lighting is defined as fluorescent lamp or solid-state lighting. Solid-state lighting is defined as a device that uses a type of light-emitting diodes, rather than electrical filaments or gas.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 16, 2008.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.