Congress May Rescue the Worst Bulbs
In 2007, the Bush administration signed bipartisan legislation to improve light bulb efficiency by 30% between 2012 and 2014. The legislation does not ban incandescent bulbs; it just requires them to be more efficient. It also exempts small bulbs under 40 watts, large bulbs over 150 watts and 3-way bulbs until 2020.
Bulb manufacturers have figured out how to make some incandescent bulbs 30% more efficient. This Bush-era legislation continues to have the support from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA); however, Congress is now having second thoughts and may repeal the legislation and preclude states from enacting similar legislation.
If you have a conservative representative in Washington, encourage him or her to support the original Bush legislation. NEMA is the trade association of the electrical manufacturing industry. They continue to support the 2007 law: http://www.nema.org/media/pr/20100921a.cfm
The counterpoint, which I am not unsympathetic to, is provided by Texas congressman Joe Barton, “From the health insurance you’re allowed to have, to the car you can drive, to the light bulbs you can buy, Washington is making too many decisions that are better left to you and your family.”
However, our children and grandchildren, as well as American industry, will be better off if we make the sacrifice and phase in more efficient bulbs over the next 8 years.
