During today’s Diane Rehm Show on NPR, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) announced the availability of The 5 Ls of Lighting: The Consumer’s Guide to Choosing Energy-Efficient Lighting.

This educational guide to the transition to more energy-efficient lighting can be downloaded at www.lightbulboptions.org.  

The 5 Ls of Lighting provides a brief overview of the fundamental information about the new lighting energy efficiency standards that roll out nationwide starting January 2012 and that began in California in January of this year. The five Ls in the title stand for location, lumens, light bulbs, label, and law.

“It is essential that consumers are provided with the correct information about the transition to more energy-efficient lighting,” said NEMA President and CEO Evan R. Gaddis. “There have been media reports about the lighting transition that have been inaccurate, and have caused confusion. We want to set the record straight, and The 5 Ls of Lighting does just that.”

This guide empowers consumers with the knowledge they need to take advantage of new light bulb technologies. It explains the implementation dates of the law and highlights the variety of light bulb options available. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 is neither a ban on incandescent light bulbs nor a compact florescent lamp (CFL) mandate.

“This is a simple and clear tool to help consumers understand the lighting transition. The 5 Ls of Lighting is the master key for consumers to access the innovation that is provided in a variety of new technologies,” said NEMA Vice President of Government Relations Kyle Pitsor. “With expanded lighting options, consumers can use this tool to read package labels and differentiate among light bulb technologies to select the best option for their needs.”

Media, utilities, retailers, and government are encouraged to use the framework of The 5 Ls of Lighting to educate the American public about the transition to more energy-efficient lighting.