AG protesting plan to overturn light efficiency requirements

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan is opposing a proposal by the U.S. Department of Energy to overturn energy efficiency requirements for multiple types of household lightbulbs.

Donovan says the efficiency requirements were adopted in 2017 and would save consumers an estimated $12 billion in electricity costs a year and an estimated 34 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2025.

He is joining a coalition of 15 states, Washington D.C. and New York City to oppose the proposal.

Donovan says the rollback would increase greenhouse gas emissions and increase Vermonters' electric bills.

He says the Department of Energy proposal would significantly limit the lightbulbs subject to conservation standards by changing the definitions used to decide which lamps would be covered by the efficiency standards.