The Department of Energy has one of the richest and most diverse histories in the Federal Government. Although only in existence since 1977, the Department traces its lineage to the Manhattan Project effort to develop the atomic bomb during World War II and to the various energy-related programs that previously had been dispersed throughout various Federal agencies.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today adopted two new rules for light bulbs, also known as general service lamps, that will conserve energy and help consumers save on their energy bills. The first rule establishes a revised definition of general service lamps while the second implements the minimum standard of 45 lumens per watt for light bulbs that meet the revised definition. These rules are part of 100 energy efficiency actions the Biden Administration is completing this year, which together will save families $100 every year.
Once these light bulb rules are in place, DOE expects consumers to save nearly $3 billion per year on their utility bills. In addition to delivering significant cost savings for households, schools, and businesses, these energy efficiency actions also advance President Biden’s climate goals. Over the next 30 years, the rules are projected to cut carbon emissions by 222 million metric tons — an amount equivalent to the emissions generated by 28 million homes in one year. LED lightbulbs also last 25 to 50 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
“By raising energy efficiency standards for lightbulbs, we’re putting $3 billion back in the pockets of American consumers every year and substantially reducing domestic carbon emissions,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “The lighting industry is already embracing more energy efficient products, and this measure will accelerate progress to deliver the best products to American consumers and build a better and brighter future.”
The new definition issued today will become effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, while the implementation of the Congressional efficacy standard will become effective 75 days after publication in the Federal Register. DOE has concurrently announced an enforcement policy that allows for a managed transition helping entities all along the distribution chain, including manufacturers, importers, private labelers, distributors, and retailers adjust their production and inventory. The enforcement policy contains two parts: a period of enforcement leniency and a period of progressive enforcement with an emphasis on transitioning production first.
Additionally, DOE will host a webinar on May 4, 2022 at 2 pm ET to discuss the enforcement policy and answer questions from regulated entities. For more details, read the full enforcement policy.
DOE’s Building Technologies Office implements minimum energy conservation standards for more than 60 categories of appliances and equipment.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a pre-publication Federal Register notice proposing to amend energy conservation standards for room air conditioners, and also announces a webinar to receive comment on these proposed standards and associated analyses and results. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), prescribes standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including room air conditioners. EPCA also requires DOE to periodically determine whether more-stringent standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result in significant energy savings.
- DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this NOPR until 60 days after date of publication in the Federal Register. DOE will send a follow-up e-mail once the notice publishes to announce the closing date of the comment period.
- Interested persons may submit comments identified by docket number EERE-2014-BT-STD-0059, by email (RoomAC2014STD0059@ee.doe.gov), Federal eRulemaking portal (http://www.regulations.gov).
- DOE will hold a webinar on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Click here to register for the webinar.
- Foreign Nationals interested in participating in this webinar, must be screened by DOE Headquarters Security prior to being granted access. Please email Regina.Washington@ee.doe.gov to complete the necessary documentation at least two weeks prior to scheduled meeting date.
- Additional webinar registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants will be published on DOE’s website: https://energy.gov/eere/buildings/public-meetings-and-comment-deadlines
- Find product information for Room Air Conditioners including current standards and test procedures, statutory authority, waivers, exceptions and contact information.
This is part of an effort by DOE to notify all interested persons of recently issued Federal Register notices and other significant program developments under the Appliance and Equipment Standards Program.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued pre-publication Federal Register notice determining that the updated model building energy codes, the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2019, will increase energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings, respectively. DOE analysis estimates the following national average savings for buildings meeting the updated code (as compared to the previous respective edition).
- 2021 IECC: 9.4 percent site energy savings
- Standard 90.1-2019: 4.7 percent site energy savings
Upon publication of this affirmative determination, each State must review and certify their state building codes relative to the updated editions of the IECC and Standard 90.1. Each notice provides further guidance on State code review processes and associated certifications.
- Certification statements provided by States shall be submitted two years after the notice has published in the Federal Register. DOE will send a follow-up email to announce the closing date once each notice has published.
- Supporting technical analysis, as well as links to the Federal docket and public comments received, are available at: https://www.energycodes.gov/development/determinations.
- Certification Statements must be addressed to the Building Technologies Office – Building Energy Codes Program Manager, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, EE-5B, Washington, DC 20585.
This email is part of an effort by DOE to notify all interested persons of significant program developments under the Building Energy Codes Program.
The Building Energy Codes Program
The U.S. Department of Energy supports the advancement of building energy codes. Modern building codes and standards offer cost-effective solutions, contributing to lower utility bills for homes and businesses, and helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Learn more at energycodes.gov.
Neenah Inc. [Whiting, WI] attained 50001 Ready and enhanced its ongoing efforts to streamline daily operations at the mill, reduced its energy footprint, and capitalized on utility incentives to save energy. Read more >>
Harbec Inc. [Ontario, NY], a small specialty plastics manufacturing facility certified to ISO 50001 and SEP, shared its solution on how to determine energy performance improvement despite a mix of purchased and renewable energy sources. Read more >>
See all 50001 Ready partners and SEP certified facilities.
50001 TIPS & RESOURCES
Specialized skills and experience are critical to setting up an energy management system (EnMS) that can continuously maximize, sustain, and build savings. You can now easily find a 50001 Certified Practitioner in Energy Management Systems (50001 CP EnMS), thanks to high-quality training and certification programs.
Who can help me set up an energy management system?
- Hire an Expert. Organizations can confidently set up an ISO 50001 energy management system guided by a 50001 CP EnMS. Find one.
- Build Internal Capacity. Organizations can send staff to a training session or arrange in-house training to develop an internal team of experts to deliver EnMS benefits at multiple facilities through Georgia Tech Professional Education program. Send two or more people to training from your organization and Georgia Tech offers a 10% discount.
- Classroom training involves in-person attendance at a four-day course. Participants learn the essentials to get your organization on the road to continuous savings.
- Online training offers your staff the flexibility to fit learning around their busy schedules.
- In-house ISO 50001 training by a 50001 EnMS Qualified Instructor can prepare your entire team to become experts in EnMS implementation. Talk to your instructor about tailoring course content and timing to the needs of your organization.
- Certification exam to earn the trusted 50001 CP EnMS credential (optional).
50001 IN ACTION
DOE Aligning ISO 50001 Programs to Revised Standard
DOE is now updating its ISO 50001 tools and programs to reflect recent revisions to the ISO 50001:2018 standard, published on August 21, 2018. For participants in DOE’s 50001 Ready and SEP programs who wish to start using the revised standard, revised guidance will be available soon. Read more >>
How Hilton is Going Green with ISO 50001
Energy spend is a hotel’s second-highest operating cost. Hilton—a participant of DOE’s SEP program with six SEP-certified sites—has achieved significant energy reductions through low-cost, high-impact steps, and a portfolio-wide certification to ISO 50001. Read more >>
Training Opportunity: North American 50001 Ready Supply Chain Initiative
DOE is recruiting original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their suppliers to receive training on the ISO 50001 energy management system to achieve savings. Cohorts of OEM and their suppliers will receive best-in-class ISO 50001 training through a series of in-person and remote training sessions over 12 months provided by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, a North American intergovernmental organization. Read more >>
Training Opportunity: Southeast Energy Management Cohort Program
DOE’s 50001 Ready program is being leveraged by the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GAMEP) to bring energy savings to medium and large manufacturers located in the Southeast. GAMEP offers a one year-long training, technical assistance, and coaching experience to facilities with ISO management system experience to train workforce on energy management and earn DOE’s 50001 Ready recognition. Being subsidized by the GAMEP, companies joining pay only $8,000 (a $30,000 value). Apply soon, the program begins in January 2019. Read more >>
UPCOMING EVENTS
Update on ISO 50001:2018 Training
October 8, 2018-June 18, 2019 – Are you already using ISO 50001 and want details on changes in the 2018 version? Take this two-hour training course offered by Georgia Tech’s Professional Education program with knowledge checks to get updates and define the next steps to update your energy management system. This training is useful to staff in companies using energy management and auditors, as well as practitioners assisting organizations with energy management, such as the 50001 Certified Practitioners in Energy Management. Register two or more people from your organization and Georgia Tech offers a 10% group discount. Read more >>
50001 Ready Utility Network Series
November 28, 2018 – Join DOE’s forum for utilities, public benefit administrators (PBAs), third party implementers, consultants, and regulators to interact, share success stories, and learn how to leverage 50001 Ready. November’s session provides an overview of new features in the 50001 Ready Navigator for utilities and implementers, such as a new 50001 Ready Navigator Workbook and functionality to manage a cohort of customers implementing ISO 50001. Read more >>
ISO 50001 Lead Auditor Classroom Training
December 3-6, 2018 – Auditors who want to expand their expertise to ISO 50001 have training opportunities available in late 2018 through Georgia Tech’s Professional Education program. This training prepares professionals for the certification exam. Read more >>
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We are looking for facilities, best practices, and outstanding achievements to feature in our newsletters! Contact us at 50001Ready@lbl.gov if you would like to share your story.
The global ISO 50001 energy management system standard was updated on August 21, 2018 to increase its clarity and applicability for businesses and organizations around the world, and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is following suit. ISO 50001 is a voluntary global standard for energy management systems in industrial, commercial and institutional facilities. Given the value of ISO 50001 as a business-friendly, low-cost pathway to continuous improvements in energy performance, DOE is now updating its ISO 50001 tools and programs to reflect these recent revisions to the ISO 50001:2018 standard.
America’s industrial, commercial, and institutional organizations that implemented energy management systems using the original ISO 50001 standard have achieved validated energy performance improvements averaging 4.5% annually. More importantly, DOE analysis indicates that these savings persist over time given how a 50001 energy management system becomes an integral part of an organization’s business practice and culture.
“ISO 50001:2018 places a stronger emphasis on the role of top management because of its importance to instilling an organizational culture change,” stated Roland Risser, Chair of the ISO technical committee that developed the standard. “It is also now aligned with ISO’s requirements for management system standards, making it easier to integrate into an organization’s existing management systems.”
DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy administers two major programs to support U.S. adoption of ISO 50001. DOE’s 50001 Ready program is a no-cost, self-guided program that provides DOE recognition to U.S. organizations that self-attest to meeting the ISO 50001 standard. DOE’s Superior Energy Performance (SEP) program provides tools, protocols, and recognition for organizations that certify to ISO 50001 and obtain third-party validation of their energy performance improvements. Participants in both DOE programs may use ISO 50001:2018 immediately, though the three-year transition period (ending August 20, 2021) gives organizations flexibility in scheduling their changeover.
The ISO 50001:2018 revisions are designed to increase compatibility with other ISO management system standards, such as ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 as well as the following improvements:
- Alignment with ISO’s “high-level structure” to readily integrate with other management system standards to better analyze risk, trends, competitiveness, and other strategic business issues.
- Greater focus on the demonstration of continual, measurable improvements in energy performance.
- Normalization of variables affecting energy performance (supported by the 50001 Ready Navigator tool (Task 9) and EnPI Lite Tool).
- Clarified terms, definitions, and content organization.
Establishing an ISO 50001 energy management system to maximize, sustain, and improve savings over time requires commitment and a broad range of skills. Facilities interested in ISO 50001, or energy management best practices, are encouraged to seek professional training to build their workforce through the 50001 Certified Practitioners in Energy Management Systems (50001 CP EnMS). Classroom training and online training is available. In addition, the Institute of Energy Management Professionals (IEnMP) maintains an up-to-date list of certified 50001 CP EnMS professionals and 50001 EnMS Qualified Instructors to provide support in implementing or receiving training on ISO 50001.
The U.S. ANSI Technical Advisory Group (TAG) continues to spearhead the development and revisions of ISO 50001 through staffing key roles on the international Technical Committee 301 (ISO TC 301) for energy management. The ISO TC 301 members include the U.S. government; major industrial, commercial and technology companies; and other stakeholders. These members join the U.S. TAG to help shape the direction of, and to gain early insight on, proposed changes of ISO 50001 and related standards. DOE supports the TAG’s call for greater U.S. corporate participation and support and welcomes companies and individuals to join the U.S. TAG/TC 301.
For more information, members of the U.S. ANSI Technical Advisory Group (TAG) - the U.S. working group supporting the development of the ISO 50001 standard - produced a free recorded webinar that reviewed the key changes in ISO 50001:2018.
DOE’s Superior Energy Performance (SEP) and 50001 Ready program are administered by DOE to support U.S. manufacturing, commercial, and institutional facilities in their efforts to increase productivity and reduce energy use through the ISO 50001 standard. Learn more about SEP and 50001 Ready.