Bill Text: NJ A2145 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Requires gradual replacement of incandescent light bulbs in public school buildings with compact fluorescent light bulbs whenever possible.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-02-11 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee [A2145 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2010-A2145-Introduced.html

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ASSEMBLY, No. 2145

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

214th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 11, 2010

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  WAYNE P. DEANGELO

District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Requires gradual replacement of incandescent light bulbs in public school buildings with compact fluorescent light bulbs whenever possible.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  

An Act concerning the replacement of incandescent light bulbs in public school buildings and supplementing Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    a.  Within three years after the date of enactment of this act, notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, a board of education shall, whenever possible, replace all incandescent light bulbs used in public school buildings with compact fluorescent light bulbs.

     b.    Commencing three years after the date of enactment of this act, notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, a board of education shall purchase compact fluorescent light bulbs for use in public school buildings to the maximum extent practicable.

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill requires boards of education to replace all incandescent light bulbs in public school buildings with compact fluorescent light bulbs whenever possible within the next three years.  Commencing three years after the date of enactment of this bill into law, the bill would require the purchase of compact fluorescent light bulbs for use in public school buildings to the maximum extent practicable.  This bill is consistent with a law enacted in 2007 requiring all incandescent light bulbs used in buildings owned by the State to be replaced by compact fluorescent light bulbs.

     The State has an interest in reducing energy consumption, which reduces costs and decreases emissions of greenhouse gases, thereby improving the health and welfare of the State's citizens.  According to the Board of Public Utilities, compact fluorescent light bulbs utilize 75 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs. Moreover, compact fluorescent light bulbs last up to 10 times longer and can help users save $30 or more in energy costs over the life of the bulb. 

     According to the United States Department of Energy, schools spend more on energy than on any other expense except personnel.  Energy is one of the few expenses a school can reduce without sacrificing educational quality.  Thus, the replacement of incandescent bulbs in the State's public schools with compact fluorescent bulbs will not only be cost effective, but will also save energy and benefit the environment.