The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) recently filed written comments with the Department of Energy (DOE), criticizing its proposed rule to force consumers to adopt LED bulbs, arguing that the market is trending that way on its own, but that consumers should have options.
"The speed with which prices for common LED bulbs have declined and the corresponding consumer acceptance of this technology have exceeded manufacturers' expectations," NEMA President and CEO Kevin Cosgriff said. "Based on current trends, which we expect to continue, the LED lamp is expected to replace most general-service (compact fluorescent -- CFL) and halogen bulbs in the coming years. Importantly, this will occur without any unnecessary governmental action.”
For the first time, the first three months of 2016 saw LED shipments exceeding those of CFL bulbs, the NEMA Lamp Index said. LED sales now represent 26 percent of the market and have been steadily increasing each quarter.
“Market transformation occurs and in fact is enhanced when consumers have a range of technology choices among quality lighting products,” Cosgriff said. “Rather than the DOE prescribing one technology over all others by fiat, this seems like a good time for government to let the citizens decide the composition of lighting products' use in their homes, the pace of change to more efficient options, and how best to manage their own pocketbooks."
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