WASHINGTON (CN) — The Department of Energy adopted new energy efficiency standards for fluorescent lights that the department says will save enough energy over the next 30 years to power 28 million homes.
The first efficiency standards for fluorescent light ballasts were adopted in 2000 and the process for adopting the new standards began in 2008.
The energy savings would reduce emissions carbon dioxide by between 27 and 106 million metric tons, nitrogen oxides by between 22,000 and 39,000 tons and mercury by between .40 and 1.47 tons.
All lamp ballasts produced in or imported into the United States must comply with the new standards by Nov. 14, 2014.
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