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U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) of 1975, Pub. L. 94-163, (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309) established an energy conservation program for major household appliances. Additional amendments to EPCA have given DOE the authority to regulate the energy efficiency of many products, including certain fluorescent lamp ballasts. Amendments to EPCA in the National Appliance Energy Conservation Amendments of 1988, P.L. 100-357, established energy conservation standards for certain fluorescent lamp ballasts. (42 U.S.C. 6295(g)(5)) These same amendments also directed DOE to 1) conduct two rulemaking cycles to determine whether to amend these standards and 2) for each rulemaking cycle, determine whether the standards in effect for fluorescent lamp ballasts should be amended so that they would be applicable to additional fluorescent lamp ballasts. (42 U.S.C. 6295(g)(7)(A)-(B))

On September 19, 2000, DOE published a final rule which completed the first of the two rulemaking cycles to evaluate and amend the energy conservation standards for fluorescent lamp ballasts. 65 FR 56740. Supplementary energy conservation standards for fluorescent lamp ballasts that operate certain additional types of fluorescent lamps (i.e., 'energy saver' versions of full-wattage ballasts, such as the F34T12 ballast) were established under Section 135(c)(2) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005), Pub. L. 109-58. (42 U.S.C. 6295(g)(8)(A))

On December 19, 2007, the President signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007) (Pub. L. 110-140) which makes numerous amendments to EPCA and directs DOE to undertake several new rulemakings for appliance energy efficiency standards. EISA 2007 did not amend standards for fluorescent lamp ballasts, but instead directs DOE to consider standby mode and off mode energy use for these ballasts. More specifically, DOE is directed to amend its test procedure for fluorescent lamp ballasts to incorporate a measure of standby mode and off mode energy consumption by March 31, 2009. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(B)(ii)) In addition, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6295(o), DOE is directed to incorporate standby mode and off mode energy use in any amended (or new) standard adopted after July 1, 2010.

DOE has completed the second rulemaking to review and amend the energy conservation standards in effect for fluorescent lamp ballasts under section 325(g)(7)(B) of EPCA. DOE has also completed a rulemaking to amend its test procedure for fluorescent lamp ballasts for active mode energy consumption. Additionally, as required by EISA 2007, DOE has completed a rulemaking to amend its test procedure for fluorescent lamp ballasts to incorporate a measure of standby mode and off mode energy use. On this page you will find information on these rulemakings, other documentation, and materials associated with the prior energy conservation standards rulemaking.

Test Procedures

Active Mode

Standby Mode and Off Mode

Energy Conservation Standards

Final Rule

After a regulatory action has been issued, Section 6(a)(3)(E) of EO 12866 requires agencies to identify in a complete, clear, and simple manner, the substantive changes between the draft submitted to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review and the action subsequently announced, and identify those changes in the regulatory action that were made at the suggestion or recommendation of OIRA. The documents at the links below are intended to comply with this requirement.

Notice of Data Availability

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

Preliminary Analysis

Framework

Previous Rulemakings

Legislative Language and Standards

Contact Information

Lucy deButts
Lighting Standards Project Manager