Regulation - LGIC
Proposal to amend O. Reg. 404/12 (Energy Efficiency & Appliances and Products) under the Green Energy Act, 2009
Regulation Number(s):
404/12
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Green Energy Act, 2009
Summary of Decision:
On May 21 2015, the Ministry of Energy posted a proposal to amend O. Reg. 404/12, Energy Efficiency - Products and Appliances (Regulation).
The proposal was to update the Regulation with new or enhanced efficiency standards for 20 products, six of which were new products.
As a result of further review and consideration of proposed changes and in response to stakeholder comments, two new products (uninterruptible power supplies and commercial gas fryers) that were going to be added to the Regulation were deferred and not included in the regulatory amendment. Since these products are not regulated by any other jurisdiction in North America, regulating these products at this time would cause undue burden on manufacturers and potential increased costs for Ontario consumers.
On December 11, 2015, Ontario filed O. Reg. 412/15, which amended O. Reg. 404/12 (Amendment). This Amendment included new or enhanced efficiency standards for 18 products and came into effect on January 1, 2016. A link to the official regulation is provided in the "Additional Information" section of this notice.
The proposal was to update the Regulation with new or enhanced efficiency standards for 20 products, six of which were new products.
As a result of further review and consideration of proposed changes and in response to stakeholder comments, two new products (uninterruptible power supplies and commercial gas fryers) that were going to be added to the Regulation were deferred and not included in the regulatory amendment. Since these products are not regulated by any other jurisdiction in North America, regulating these products at this time would cause undue burden on manufacturers and potential increased costs for Ontario consumers.
On December 11, 2015, Ontario filed O. Reg. 412/15, which amended O. Reg. 404/12 (Amendment). This Amendment included new or enhanced efficiency standards for 18 products and came into effect on January 1, 2016. A link to the official regulation is provided in the "Additional Information" section of this notice.
Further Information:
Link to Environmental Registry
Proposal Number:
13-ENE006
Posting Date:
December 27, 2013
Summary of Proposal:
The proposal would only be considered in the event the Government of Canada moves forward with its proposal to harmonize its GSL MEPS with DOE's GSL MEPS.
Specifically, it is proposed that the following halogen GSLs manufactured prior to December 31, 2014 would be required to meet the following efficiency standard or requirement:
Equivalent Traditional Incandescent Light Bulb: 100 W
Halogen Light Bulb:
Standard Spectrum (lumen range) ≥1490 and ≤2600
Modified Spectrum (lumen range) ≥1118 and ≤1950
Efficiency Standard or Requirement: Maximum Wattage of Bulb: 72 W
Equivalent Traditional Incandescent Light Bulb: 75 W
Halogen Light Bulb:
Standard Spectrum (lumen range) ≥1050 and <1490
Modified Spectrum (lumen range) ≥1050 and <1118
Efficiency Standard or Requirement: Maximum Wattage of Bulb: 53 W
Note: This would primarily affect available GSL halogen replacement light bulbs for the typical 100W and 75W equivalent medium screw-base, "pear shaped" (A-19) incandescent light bulbs that do not meet the efficiency standards currently set out in O. Reg. 404/12.
This amendment would not apply for these halogen GSLs if manufactured after December 31, 2014. The current GSL MEPS taking effect on January 1, 2014 would then apply.
It is not proposed to amend MEPS for the typical GSL halogen replacement 60W and 40W equivalent light bulbs; they will be required to meet the GSL MEPS that take effect December 31, 2014.
Other GSLs covered under O. Reg. 404/12 would not be impacted by this amendment; the current MEPS would continue to apply. Traditional incandescent light bulbs do not meet the current MEPS and would not be affected by this proposal.
Purpose:
On October 5, 2013, the Government of Canada published in the Canada Gazette a proposal to amend Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations to harmonize GSL MEPS with DOE.
Ontario proposes this amendment because the Government of Canada's actions were announced with no advance notice and the proposal will help reduce confusion in the market place and allow consumers time to adapt to the transition from inefficient incandescent to more energy efficient alternatives. Also, by amending the prescribed efficiency standard or requirement for certain halogen light bulbs manufactured prior to December 31, 2014, Ontario would be giving industry additional time to supply Ontario's market with more products compliant with Ontario's regulation.
The province expects to offset most of the growth in electricity demand to 2032 using conservation programs and improved codes and standards. This will lessen the need for new supply. Ontario will continue to show leadership in establishing minimum efficiency requirements for products and appliances. Ontario is committed to further enhancing efficiencies of lighting products and the use of more energy-efficient alternatives, such as LEDs or compact fluorescents where choices are available to consumers.
The proposed amendment would reduce energy savings in the short term, but new general service lighting efficiency standards will still result in an estimated 5.7 terawatt-hours of electricity savings in the residential and commercial sectors per year by 2030, equivalent to taking about 590,000 homes off the grid.
Specifically, it is proposed that the following halogen GSLs manufactured prior to December 31, 2014 would be required to meet the following efficiency standard or requirement:
Equivalent Traditional Incandescent Light Bulb: 100 W
Halogen Light Bulb:
Standard Spectrum (lumen range) ≥1490 and ≤2600
Modified Spectrum (lumen range) ≥1118 and ≤1950
Efficiency Standard or Requirement: Maximum Wattage of Bulb: 72 W
Equivalent Traditional Incandescent Light Bulb: 75 W
Halogen Light Bulb:
Standard Spectrum (lumen range) ≥1050 and <1490
Modified Spectrum (lumen range) ≥1050 and <1118
Efficiency Standard or Requirement: Maximum Wattage of Bulb: 53 W
Note: This would primarily affect available GSL halogen replacement light bulbs for the typical 100W and 75W equivalent medium screw-base, "pear shaped" (A-19) incandescent light bulbs that do not meet the efficiency standards currently set out in O. Reg. 404/12.
This amendment would not apply for these halogen GSLs if manufactured after December 31, 2014. The current GSL MEPS taking effect on January 1, 2014 would then apply.
It is not proposed to amend MEPS for the typical GSL halogen replacement 60W and 40W equivalent light bulbs; they will be required to meet the GSL MEPS that take effect December 31, 2014.
Other GSLs covered under O. Reg. 404/12 would not be impacted by this amendment; the current MEPS would continue to apply. Traditional incandescent light bulbs do not meet the current MEPS and would not be affected by this proposal.
Purpose:
On October 5, 2013, the Government of Canada published in the Canada Gazette a proposal to amend Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations to harmonize GSL MEPS with DOE.
Ontario proposes this amendment because the Government of Canada's actions were announced with no advance notice and the proposal will help reduce confusion in the market place and allow consumers time to adapt to the transition from inefficient incandescent to more energy efficient alternatives. Also, by amending the prescribed efficiency standard or requirement for certain halogen light bulbs manufactured prior to December 31, 2014, Ontario would be giving industry additional time to supply Ontario's market with more products compliant with Ontario's regulation.
The province expects to offset most of the growth in electricity demand to 2032 using conservation programs and improved codes and standards. This will lessen the need for new supply. Ontario will continue to show leadership in establishing minimum efficiency requirements for products and appliances. Ontario is committed to further enhancing efficiencies of lighting products and the use of more energy-efficient alternatives, such as LEDs or compact fluorescents where choices are available to consumers.
The proposed amendment would reduce energy savings in the short term, but new general service lighting efficiency standards will still result in an estimated 5.7 terawatt-hours of electricity savings in the residential and commercial sectors per year by 2030, equivalent to taking about 590,000 homes off the grid.
Contact Address:
Effective Date:
December 11, 2015
Decision:
Approved