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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 12 TO CHAPTER 52, TITLE 48 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OF GENERAL SERVICE INCANDESCENT LIGHT BULBS IN THIS STATE AFTER DECEMBER 31, 2017, UNLESS A MANUFACTURER OF THE LIGHT BULBS CAN DEMONSTRATE TO THE STATE ENERGY OFFICE THAT THE LIGHT BULB IS THIRTY-THREE PERCENT MORE EFFICIENT THAN A LIGHT BULB AVAILABLE FOR SALE TO THE PUBLIC AFTER JUNE 30, 2007, AND BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2018, AND TO DEFINE "GENERAL SERVICE INCANDESCENT LIGHT BULB".
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds that:
(1) it is critical that this State and nation find ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions which is considered to be the greatest threat to worsening climate change conditions in the world;
(2) reducing energy consumption by ending the use of incandescent light bulbs can significantly help efforts to lower carbon dioxide emissions because fewer coal-powered plants, believed to be the greatest contributor to carbon dioxide emissions, would be needed to generate energy;
(3) alternative energy-saving saving light bulbs are currently available on the market which last up to ten times longer and use at least two-thirds less energy than an incandescent light bulb; and
(4) the State should follow the lead of recent efforts in Europe to phase out the use of incandescent light bulbs over a ten year period in favor of other energy-saving saving light bulbs and new technologies being developed by light bulb manufacturers.
SECTION 2. Chapter 52, Title 48 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
Section 48-52-1210. (A) Beginning after December 31, 2017, a general service incandescent light bulb may not be sold in this State unless the manufacturer of a general service incandescent light bulb can demonstrate to the State Energy Office that the light bulb is thirty-three percent more efficient than a general service incandescent light bulb available for sale to the public after June 30, 2007, and before January 1, 2018.
(B)(1) For purposes of this section, 'general service incandescent light bulb' means a standard incandescent lamp that:
(a) is intended for general service applications;
(b) has a medium screw base;
(c) has a wattage rating that is no less than twenty-five watts and no greater than one hundred fifty watts;
(d) has a voltage range that is, at least partially, within one hundred ten and one hundred thirty volts;
(e) has an A-15, A-19, A-21, A-23, A-25, PS-25, PS-30, BT-14.5, BT-15, CP-19, TB-19, CA-22, or equivalent shape as defined in ANSI C78.20-2003; and
(f) has a bulb finish that is frosted, clear, enhanced spectrum, or soft white.
(2) The following incandescent lamps are not a 'general service incandescent light bulb': appliance, black light, bug, colored, infrared, left-hand thread, marine, marine signal service, mine service, plant light, reflector, rough service, shatter resistant, sign service, silver bowl, showcase, traffic signal, and vibration service or vibration resistant."
SECTION 3. Upon approval by the Governor, this act takes effect July 1, 2007.
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