§17243 Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prizes

Summary

Within 1 year after December 19, 2007, the Secretary must set up and give Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prizes for new solid‑state (LED) lamps. Three prizes are defined. One is for a 60‑watt incandescent replacement that must make more than 900 lumens while using no more than 10 watts, be over 90 lumens per watt, have color rendering index above 90, color temperature 2,750–3,000 K, keep 70% of its light past 25,000 hours in normal home use, have a soft A19 light pattern, fit A19 maximum dimensions per ANSI C78.20–2003 figure C78.20–211, use a single medium screw base, and show mass production by making commercial quality control lots that meet these specs. A PAR 38 halogen replacement must meet similar rules but produce at least 1,350 lumens, use no more than 11 watts, be over 123 lumens per watt, match PAR 38 shape per ANSI C78–21–2003 figure C78.21–238, and meet the same life and socket requirements. A Twenty‑First Century Lamp Prize requires more than 1,200 lumens, over 150 lumens per watt, color rendering index above 90, 2,800–3,000 K color, and lifetime over 25,000 hours. The Secretary can take and use public or private money for the prizes without extra appropriation and without a fiscal year limit, but private donors cannot enter the contest. A non‑federal technical review committee will check entrants’ data. The Secretary may hire a third party to run the awards. Companies must be incorporated and based in the United States. Individuals must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Prize amounts, if funds are available, are $10,000,000 for the 60‑watt prize, $5,000,000 for the PAR 38 prize, and $5,000,000 for the Twenty‑First Century prize. After each prize is awarded, the Secretary and the GSA Administrator should set governmentwide buying guidelines to replace the old lamps in federal buildings within 5 years, unless they waive it for cost reasons and report that waiver to Congress yearly. GSA must report to the Energy Information Administration about federal lighting purchases starting within 2 years after December 19, 2007, and each year after. A Bright Tomorrow Lighting permanent fund in the Treasury will hold appropriations and allowed private contributions to pay the prizes. Sums needed to run the program are authorized.