Corporation Counsel James E. Johnson Announces that New York City Has Joined a Coalition to Sue Department of Energy for Rollback of Energy Efficiency Standards for Lightbulbs

November 4, 2019

On his first official day in office, Corporation Counsel Johnson announced that New York City has joined a coalition of 16 states in filing a lawsuit against the Department of Energy (DOE) challenging its final rule rolling back energy efficiency standards for certain lightbulbs. Led by Attorneys General of New York State and California, the lawsuit alleges that the rollback of the energy efficiency requirements for certain lightbulbs would unlawfully delay the adoption of energy efficiency goals, undermine state and local energy policy, and increase consumer and environmental costs.

Corporation Counsel James E. Johnson said: “The DOE’s final rule will hurt consumers and the environment. We have a duty to join this coalition and protect New York’s goals to reduce greenhouse emissions and safeguard our environment. The rollback of a regulation that makes appliances more efficient and less expensive is not only impractical for consumers, it is unlawful.”

“The Trump administration continues to undermine the work, small and large, that is necessary to confront our climate crisis,” said Daniel Zarrilli, NYC's Chief Climate Policy Advisor and OneNYC Director. “Here in New York City, we will continue to fight back against these reckless actions as we invest in the climate solutions that are allowing us to end our reliance on fossil fuels and pursue a just transition to a clean energy economy.”

Additionally, the coalition submitted comments opposing DOE’s related proposal to not amend (and strengthen) energy efficiency standards for common pear-shaped incandescent light bulbs. According to DOE’s own analysis, if DOE were to adopt strengthened energy efficiency standards for these bulbs, the net present value of the benefits to the nation would equal up to $4.171 billion.

By reversing the 2017 rules, the DOE is enacting a less stringent standard in violation of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. This action is arbitrary, capricious, and unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Coalition members: California; Colorado; Connecticut; District of Columbia (Washington D.C.); Illinois; Massachusetts; Maryland; Maine; Michigan; Minnesota; New Jersey; Nevada; New York; New York City; Oregon; Vermont; Washington.

Contact: 212-356-4000