Washington, DC – Today Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01) introduced the Bulb Replacement Improving Government with High-Efficiency Technology (BRIGHT) Act. This legislation would direct the General Services Administration (GSA) to install the most life-cycle cost effective and energy-efficient lighting in public buildings. It would also require GSA to issue guidance further streamlining efficiency and effectiveness across federal agencies and state, local, and Tribal entities.

“Energy-efficient lighting systems will help save taxpayers millions of dollars and reduce overall energy usage which is critical for addressing climate change,” said Rep. Titus. “This bipartisan legislation will make our public buildings more efficient and ensure that every dollar is being spent as judiciously as possible.”

By prioritizing maximum efficiency, the BRIGHT Act will produce significant energy savings, amounting to millions of dollars in annual cost-savings. The BRIGHT Act would cement and further the GSA’s progress in using LEDs, maximizing taxpayer savings by setting lasting energy and cost efficiency lighting guidance for all relevant products and components.

Background

Guidelines for energy-efficient light bulb use already exist from the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), but GSA and its facilities managers are not incentivized to maximize cost efficiency. By directing GSA to acquire and use the most life-cycle cost and energy-efficient lighting systems practicable, this legislation aims to provide lasting guidance that will maximize resource conservation and the use of taxpayer dollars in all lighting GSA obtains.

The BRIGHT Act’s Senate companion was sponsored by Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), voice voted out of Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) on November 3, 2021, and passed out of the Senate by unanimous consent on March 30, 2022.

Full text of the bill can be found here.

A section-by-section summary of the bill can be found here.