Feds set efficiency standards for light bulbs, ice-makers

The Energy Department set new efficiency standards for certain light bulbs and commercial ice-makers, which it said would save consumers and businesses billions of dollars.

The rules are the ninth and 10th efficiency standards from the Energy Department this year for appliances and equipment, fulfilling the Obama administration’s goal of making final 10 efficiency rules in 2014.

“As part of President Obama’s climate action plan, the Energy Department set an ambitious goal of finalizing 10 energy efficiency standards this year, and with the new efficiency standards for general service fluorescent lamps and automatic commercial ice makers, we have reached that goal,” Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said in a Wednesday statement.

“The Energy Department is committed to building on this progress, and will continue to develop standards that move the U.S. closer to a low-carbon future.”

The light rules apply to general service fluorescent lamps, the long, straight lamps used in homes, restaurants, factories and other places.

Energy said the light regulation will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 90 million tons and save $15 billion on electricity bills by 2030.

Congress blocked funding earlier this month for enforcement of some of the Energy Department’s light bulb efficiency rules, but the agency said that provision only applies to standards for incandescent bulbs.

The standards for commercial ice-makers, meanwhile, will avoid 4 million tons of carbon pollution and reduce electricity bills by $600 million.

Taken together, the 10 efficiency rules from 2014 will prevent the release of 435 million tons of carbon dioxide and save $78 billion in energy costs, the agency said.