Once, Inc., a technology company specializing in photobiology and optogenetics, announced the submission of its Petition to the California Energy Commission (CEC) to repeal the 2016 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Standards). The Standards pose additional requirements for lighting companies and fall in line with the scientifically disputed view that lighting operating under 200 Hz is unpleasant to humans due to flicker and less energy efficient. The Standards impose additional data reporting requirements that would increase the cost of production, which ultimately translates to an increase in cost to the consumer.

ONCE believes the CEC Standards harm the consumers, small business, and the market overall. As an AC-based LED lighting company with over 150 patents and patent applications, ONCE is interested in defending its intellectual property. But more importantly, ONCE wants to protect its consumers, fellow small businesses, and the market from the inevitable negative consequences these Standards cause.

On March 1, 2016, ONCE submitted a Petition to the California Building Standards Commission and the CEC demanding the repeal of the 2016 Building Energy Efficiency Standards. ONCE previously met with the CEC via teleconference in an attempt to change the Standards, but the CEC was uncooperative.  ONCE hopes this Petition will lead to the repeal of the unnecessary and outdated flicker requirements under the newly adopted CEC Standards.