On August 8, 2005 President Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005), which had passed both the Senate and House of Representatives the previous week.  Estimated to cost about $14.5 billion over 10 years, EPAct 2005 is the biggest overhaul of national energy policy since 1992.  EPAct 1992 required the phased elimination of several populat types of fluorescent and incandescent lamps, and began the deregulation process of the $300 billion electric power industry.  EPAct 2005 is considered to be less ambitious on energy's demand side than its supply side, but does include a number of energy conservation provisions supported by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), several of which are of great interest to the lighting industry.

EPAct 2005 contains a significant provision that includes a tax dedution of up toe $1.80 per square foot ofor building owners to encourage investment in energy-efficient building systems.  This porvision, estimated by Congress to cost $243 million and anticipated to stimulate widespread investment, is supported by NEMA and various industry, efficiency, advocacy and environmental organizations.

To read the final conference report of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 click here.

For a summary of the $14.5 billion tax title in HR6 click here.

For an overview of how the Energy Policy Act impacts the lighting industry, please read: The Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Lighting Industry Whitepaper