Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) today announced its involvement in a ground-breaking consensus agreement for Federal outdoor lighting energy efficiency standards. This agreement was announced by Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) on Tuesday, November 3^rd, and recognized industry and energy advocates on a process to promote standards that will save substantial energy. Approximately 22 percent of all electricity generated in the United States is used for lighting, and outdoor lighting represents about 20 percent of that total. Acuity Brands was a primary stakeholder involved in the development of these standards which promote the purchase of high-efficiency outdoor lighting for roadways, streets, and parking lots across the US. In addition, these standards will mandate the use of lighting controls for outdoor lighting.

The proposed legislation is a step in a multi-stage rulemaking that will progress over the next several months. It is expected to reduce carbon emissions between 4.4 and 8.0 million metric tons annually, which is equivalent to removing between 3.0 and 5.4 million automobiles from the roads each year.

Acuity Brands has a long tradition of transforming building efficiency and has a demonstrated commitment to environmental advocacy. Acuity Brands has LEED^® Silver and Gold certified facilities and is a member of both the US Green Building Council and the Clinton Climate Initiative.

“This agreement represents a significant step in promoting high-efficiency outdoor lighting, without creating undesirable consequences impacting visual quality or light pollution,” said Cheryl English, Vice President, Industry and Market Development for Acuity Brands Lighting. “Acuity Brands has invested in the development of a broad range of energy-efficient luminaires and lighting controls to support proactive energy and climate change policy. This proposed legislation represents one of many ways our company focuses on reducing carbon emissions.”

About Acuity Brands

Acuity Brands, Inc., the parent company of Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc. and other subsidiaries, is one of the world's leading providers of lighting fixtures and related products and services with fiscal year 2009 net sales of over $1.6 billion. The Company’s brands include Lithonia Lighting^®, Holophane^®, Peerless^®, Mark Architectural Lighting™, Hydrel^®, American Electric Lighting^®, Gotham^®, Carandini^®, RELOC^®, MetalOptics^®, Antique Street Lamps™, Tersen™, Synergy^® Lighting Controls, Sensor Switch^® , Lighting Control & Design™, and ROAM^®. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Acuity Brands employs approximately 6,000 associates and has operations throughout North America and in Europe and Asia.