Peters and Johnson Bipartisan Legislation to Save Taxpayer Dollars by Ensuring Public Buildings Use Energy-Efficient Lighting Signed into Law

Press Release

Bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Ron Johnson (R-WI) that would help save taxpayer dollars by directing the General Services Administration (GSA) to install the most life-cycle cost effective and energy-efficient lighting in public buildings has been signed into law. The new law was led through the House by U.S. Representative Dina Titus (D-NV-01).

"Requiring federal agencies to use energy-efficient lighting will not just help reduce costs and save taxpayer dollars, but it will also ensure the government is more energy efficient," said Senator Peters. "I applaud President Biden for signing this important legislation into law and will continue working to maximize long-term cost and energy savings in the federal government."

"I am pleased to see the Bulb Replacement Improving Government with High-Efficiency Technology (BRIGHT) Act signed into law," said Senator Johnson. "Energy efficient lighting systems will save taxpayer dollars by reducing overall energy usage. This legislation will help decrease energy usage and diminish wasteful spending across the vast federal bureaucracy."

"Energy-efficient lighting systems will save taxpayers millions of dollars and reduce overall energy use in federal facilities," said Rep. Titus. "I'm glad this bipartisan legislation was signed into law by President Biden. It is yet another step we can take in our attack on climate change. Doing well by doing good."

The Bulb Replacement Improving Government with High-Efficiency Technology (BRIGHT) Act requires the GSA Administrator to ensure that public buildings are using the most life-cycle cost effective and energy-efficient technology to the extent practicable when performing normal maintenance, or altering or constructing public buildings. The law also requires GSA to issue guidance to federal agencies, and state, local and Tribal entities to further streamline efficiency and effectiveness across government. GSA previously released a series of reports that calculated that switching to LED lightbulbs would result in millions of dollars in cost-savings due to their superior lifespan and energy efficiency. Federal law does not currently require the government to maximize long-term cost and energy savings across lighting products.

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