A California board voted to enact tougher energy efficiency standards for lightbulbs, pushing back against a rollback from the Trump administration.
A new rule from the Department of Energy (DOE) eliminates energy efficiency standards for half the bulbs on the market, a move critics say will make the U.S. a dumping ground for energy-sucking, cost-ineffective bulbs.
Multiple state and environment and consumer groups have already sued over the DOE rule, citing a portion of law that bars “backsliding” on energy efficiency standards.
But the California decision represents another instance of the state pushing ahead with greener policies than the Trump administration, using the size of its population to push companies to make more environmentally friendly products.
The state is also in a battle with President Trump
Donald John TrumpRepublicans consider skipping witnesses in Trump impeachment trial Bombshell Afghanistan report bolsters calls for end to 'forever wars' Lawmakers dismiss Chinese retaliatory threat to US tech MORE over vehicle emissions standards.
California has argued it needs to tougher standards to battle poor air quality, but the Trump administration has said auto manufacturers will produce better, cleaner, safer cars if they only have to meet one national standard.
