*
THE NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY ACT

The National Energy Policy Act of 1992 has eliminated the manufacturing of standard florescent lamps most commonly used in commercial, industrial and retail applications. Upgrading fluorescent lighting systems will now operate using up to 40% less energy then their inefficient counterparts while providing an improved quality of light.

Retrofitting or "upgrading" inefficient lighting systems is an excellent means to reduce operating costs while improving working environments. Federal Energy Legislation makes common standard wattage and even some reduced wattage fluorescents and directional lamps obsolete.

In an effort to conserve the nation's energy resources and after nearly two years of debate in the House and Senate, President Bush signed the National Energy Policy Act into law on October 24, 1992. The Act, which represents over 1,500 pages of legislation, effects every aspect of energy consumption, conservation, distribution and efficiency. The specific effect on the lighting industry has been that common lamp types, such as incandescent and fluorescent lamps, must meet minimum efficiency standards based on lumens per watt (LPW), or be permanently obsolete. It is important to note that while the National Energy Policy Act regulates only lamp manufacturers, groups such as lighting designers, distributors, end users, and retail consumers are all effected by the changes and ramifications brought about by this legislation.

FLUORESCENT ... WHAT PASSES?
No full wattage fluorescent F40, F96 or F96/HO type passes unless it has a Color Rendering Index (CRI) of 69 or higher and meets the minimum LPW requirement. Lamps with a CRI of 82 or higher are exempt from the LPW standard. Some of the more popular fluorescent lamps that do not pass are as follows:

F40/CW FB40/CW F96T12/CW FB40/WW F40/LW F96T12/WW/HO
F40/W F40/WW F96T12/W/HO F40/WWX FB40/LW F96T12/CW/HO

INCANDESCENT WHAT PASSES?
No incandescent R or PAR type lamps meet the LPW requirement. Therefore, all R30, R40 and PAR38, including super savers, do not pass. A few lamps, namely the ER and BR lamps with a diameter less than 2.75 inches and colored lamps, are exempt. As with fluorescents, many popular incandescent lamps do not pass, such as:

75PAR38 150PAR38 75R30 150R40 150/120PAR38/SS 75/65PAR38/SS

ENACTMENT OF LEGISLATION
The new efficiency standards were implemented at the manufacturing level, requiring manufacturers to no longer manufacture, import or sell lamps that do not meet the new efficiency standards. The enactment dates for fluorescent F96 types was April 1994, for fluorescent F40 types -November 1995 and for incandescent reflector types - November 1995.

Products that do not meet the efficiency standard are no longer available from manufacturers. Inventory in distribution is the only product available that does not meet the LPW standards. Once this inventory is gone, there will be no more of these products available.

Therefore, now is the best time for companies to be planning to improve their lighting systems. Companies can, in fact, gain substantial benefits by bringing their lighting up to the new Federal standards. By taking advantage of recent technological breakthroughs in lighting, companies can:

* Substantially reducing overall lighting costs while improving lighting quality.
* Enhance the appearance of their workplace with deluxe color lighting that gives furnishings, decor and people a more attractive and appealing look.
* Improve light levels for safety and productivity.

SO WHAT'S THE NEXT STEP?
Begin by retrofitting your fluorescent lighting system to new, "state-of-the-art" electronic ballasts and "T8" lamps and your exit signs to an L.E.D. light source that only burns 1.8 watts. Both will meet the new energy efficient standards while at the same time enhance your workplace and increase your bottom line.