In an effort to reduce pollution and improve energy efficiency, a city committee passed the second half of an ordinance Wednesday that would require some Madison buildings to use environmentally friendly light bulbs.

The Housing Committee referred the ordinance to the City Council for approval, which mandates all light bulbs in Madison tenant buildings with more than three units to install compact fluorescent light bulbs in every unit’s light fixtures. CFLs have efficiency of at least 30 lumens per watt.

According to Jennifer Feyerherm of the Sierra Club, CFLs cost between $1 and $2 and use three-quarters less energy than incandescent bulbs. CFLs can last for 10 years, she said, while incandescent bulbs have a standard life of three to four months.

The light bulb rule would take affect June 1, 2009.

This comes as the second half of an ordinance passed in early March requiring some residential buildings to use CFLs in common areas.

“This ordinance will reduce electricity enough to power over 4,100 homes, cut global warming pollution by 35,000 tons and will save over $2 million per year in energy costs alone for tenants and landlords,” Feyerherm said.

Members of the committee raised concerns with the disposal process of CFLs because they contain a small amount of mercury powder on the coils. Mercury is poisonous in soluble forms.

Ald. Brenda Konkel, District 2, said the city should have plenty of time to spread awareness of how to recycle the bulbs since the ordinance would not be effective until 2009.

Burnt-out CFL bulbs must be recycled, Feyerherm said, adding all businesses that sell them are required to take the expired bulbs back.

The Environmental Protection Agency has guidelines regarding what to do in case the light bulbs break, Feyerherm said, adding people should open a window to air out the room and clean up the shards of glass with wet paper towel.

Carter Dedolph from Wisconsin Energy Corporation said WEC is trying to support a statewide efficiency program by offering to switch all incandescent light bulbs in four-unit dwellings to CFL bulbs for free. This service would be offered until the city passes the light bulb requirement, he said.

Officials from Madison and Dane County have shown a vested interest in cutting energy output, Feyerherm said.

Feyerherm said she met with representatives from the city of Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin and Madison Gas and Electric Wednesday morning to “try to figure out the forward-thinking solution for Madison.”

Representatives addressed the three coal plants between the UW campus and the Capitol, putting forth options to consolidate the plants and provide a more efficient heating system for UW and city buildings, she said.

According to Feyerherm, an energy proposal representatives are crafting at the meeting will be released at the end of May.

“This needs to be a very public process,” Feyerherm said, referring to how Madison can increase its energy efficiency. “This is the community’s chance to help decide our energy future.”