This is so heavily forwarded I can't tell where
it started, but it seems appropriate, and for once we have time to
actually write the letters.
In June of this year, the Department of Energy
(DOE) will
make a decision on efficiency standards for light bulbs, a major
decision
which could save 50 billion kilowatt hours of electricity per
year by
2020, and save consumers $70 billion over 30 years. In addition,
it
could eliminate more than 800 million metric tons of carbon
dioxide
emissions, the equivalent annual emissions of 172 coal-fired power
plants.
Unfortunately, the rule proposed by the previous administration falls
far short
and leaves significant energy and cost savings on the table.
Your opportunity to reduce global warming
emissions and
save consumers billions of dollars is NOW. Please write a letter to the
DOE asking
them to demonstrate that they are serious about climate change. Urge
them to
adopt the more stringent standards for the fluorescent tube and
incandescent
reflector lamp rulemaking to gain the maximum benefits for consumers.
President Obama has committed to making the US the
most
energy efficient country in the world and has appointed a scientist and
energy
efficiency advocate to lead the Department of Energy. If ever there
were a time
for consumers to voice their opinions and have them heard, that time is
now.
Please edit the attached letter to reflect your concerns and send to
the
Department of Energy. Thank you. ..... Charlie
SAMPLE LETTER:
February xx, 2009
Honorable Steven Chu
Secretary
U.S. Department of Energy
1000 Independence Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20585-0121
Re: Fluorescent Tube and Incandescent Lamps
Rulemaking
Docket #: EE-2006-STD- 0131
Dear Secretary Chu,
I am writing to urge you to strengthen the
lighting
efficiency standards proposed by the previous administration.
These new standards, due to be completed in June,
will cover
fluorescent tube lamps, including the four foot long light bulbs found
in
millions of office light fixtures, and incandescent reflector lamps,
the very
common cone-shaped light bulbs used in “recessed can” light fixtures
and track
lighting. With more than 500 million fluorescent tube lamps and 265
million
incandescent reflector lamps sold annually in the U.S., new standards
for these
products have the potential to deliver more energy and cost savings
than any
other ever established by the Department of Energy.
Based on the Department of Energy’s analysis,
strong
standards for these lamps could save about 50 billion kilowatt hours
per year
by 2020, enough to meet the annual electricity needs of 4.4 million
typical
American homes. Over thirty years, strong standards could net
consumers and
businesses nearly $70 billion in savings and fight global warming by
eliminating 800 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
However, the
previous administration’s proposal sacrifices as much as half of
these
savings. Even more savings are lost because the reflector lamp proposal
includes a huge loophole which leaves out about 40% of all sales.
During the presidential campaign last year,
President Obama
promised to work to “make America the most energy efficient country in
the
world.” As president, he has committed to meet or beat all deadlines
for new
appliance and lighting standards, citing their importance for saving
consumers
money, spurring innovation and saving energy. By making these new
lighting
standards as strong as possible and closing the loophole in the
reflector lamp
standard, you can take a huge first step to meeting the president’s
commitments.
Sincerely,