5. Lighting as an LIEE Measure

While we have often criticized LIEE programs for over-emphasizing lighting - long considered a "low hanging fruit" for LIEE service delivery - we found in our decision on the large IOUs (D.08-11-031) that low-income customers can still achieve significant energy savings from lighting. We also allowed substantial funding for CFLs because of legislative changes that will soon preclude usage of lighting that is not energy efficient:

Significant state and federal legislation will mandate energy efficient and non-toxic lighting fixtures starting in 2011, as we discuss in detail below. We need to prepare low-income customers to meet these mandates by installing CFLs now so that customers are familiar with new kinds of lighting when such lighting becomes mandatory. We cannot expect our low-income customers to make an easy switch to energy efficient lighting if we do not prepare them in advance. However, we are not convinced the LIEE program should subsidize CFLs to the low-income community beyond 2011.

We take the same position here, and allow the SMJUs to use CFLs in their LIEE programs because energy-efficient lighting continues to deliver significant energy savings for low-income customers.

However, the SMJUs should also focus on the new legislation discussed in the large IOU decision. AB 1109 (Huffman) provides for a phase-out of non-energy-efficient as well as toxic light bulbs between now and 2012. While the legislation will go into effect in 2012, the legislation mandates that several state agencies begin work on preparing to meet the new standards during the 2009-2011 period. We have instructed the IOUs to stay abreast of the legislation, and require the SMJUs to do the same. To minimize burdens on the SMJUs, we will designate a contact for them in the Energy Division whom they can consult for guidance.

We expect the SMJUs to be prepared to make any transition the legislation mandates so that before the new requirements go into effect, the SMJUs begin to phase out non-conforming light bulbs, and inform customers about how to dispose of bulbs containing toxic materials. The Energy Division may give the SMJUs additional guidance as time passes.