EPA "Green Lights" Program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Green Lights Program is a breath of fresh air for the nation's environmental health and economic growth. Green Lights, a voluntary program that encourages the widespread use of energy efficient lighting, is proving that environmental groups and industry can work together to create a cost-efficient and environmentally-aware America.

As part of this unique partnership, Green Lights participants - including corporations, environmental groups, electric utilities, and state, city and local governments - have come together to promote the widespread use of efficient lighting systems that reduce pollution. By investing in these technologies, Green Lights participants realize average returns of 25 percent, with average savings in lighting electricity bills of 50 percent or more. Through the use of these technologies, partners are reducing emissions of pollutants associated with global warming, acid rain, and smog.

As the first of similar market-driven, non-regulatory "green" programs sponsored by EPA, Green Lights is revolutionizing the way America cleans up the environment. To become a Green Lights Partner, an organization signs a Memorandum Of Understanding or MOU with EPA. In the MOU, Green Lights participants agree to survey their facilities and, within 5 years of signing the MOU, to upgrade 90% of their square footage, where it's profitable and where lighting quality is maintained or improved. Participants also agree to appoint an implementation manager who oversees participation in the program. The MOU also states EPA's commitment to Green Lights partners. EPA provides partners with the following products, information, and services.

• Decision Support System - This is a state-of-the-art computer software package that enables partners to survey lighting systems in facilities, assess lighting options, and select the best energy-efficient upgrade.
• Financing Registries - These are user-friendly computer data bases for every third party financing program available.
• Ally Programs - This is a program where allies including lighting manufacturers, lighting management companies, and electric utilities have agreed to educate customers about energy-efficient lighting.
• Endorser Program - Endorsers are membership associations and other organizations that promote Green Lights.
• Public Recognition - Green Lights places public-service advertising in major magazines, newspaper articles, reports on new lighting technologies, a newsletter, and other materials. To encourage participants to promote their own Green Lights activities, EPA distributes ready-to-use promotional materials.

In addition, EPA contracts and grants provide other services. The Lighting Services Group provides technical support, including a technical services hotline, workshops, and a comprehensive Lighting Upgrade Manual. The National Lighting Product Information Program serves as "consumer reports" of lighting, making valuable product information available. If you or your organization is interested in participating the Green Lights program you can contact EPA at the address and phone number listed here.