NEMA urges DoE to reconsider stance on exclusive LED bulb adoption

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) filed a comment with the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) last week, urging the organization to reconsider its proposed law to mandate the exclusive adoption of LED bulbs.

NEMA said that U.S. lighting manufacturers believe that consumers should have options when selecting the bulbs they want to use in their homes. The market has already begun to show increasing favor for LED bulbs, and NEMA was outraged that the DoE would attempt to alter a functional market and deny consumers the right of choice.

“The speed with which prices for common LED bulbs have declined and the corresponding consumer acceptance of this technology have exceeded manufacturers’ expectations,” NEMA President and CEO Kevin J. Cosgriff said. “Based on current trends, which we expect to continue, the LED lamp is expected to replace most general-service CFL and halogen bulbs in the coming years. Importantly, this will occur without any unnecessary governmental action. Market transformation occurs and in fact is enhanced when consumers have a range of technology choices among quality lighting products.

“Rather than the DoE prescribing one technology over all others by fiat, this seems like a good time for government to let the citizens decide the composition of lighting products’ use in their homes, the pace of change to more efficient options, and how best to manage their own pocketbooks. It seems to us it would be wiser for the DoE to take into account already-occurring market changes and respect the consumer’s right to decide which light bulb options meet her or his specific lighting needs.”

NEMA suggested that the DoE select an alternative path if it seeks to more rapidly expand the adoption of clean energy solutions. The DoE will make its final ruling by January.