Proposed Federal Legislation to Preserve Old Incandescent Lights Burns Out

July 13th, 2011 by Tina Casey

Like an old incandescent light bulb, the notorious BULB Act finally fizzled in the House of Representatives last night, our friends over at Think Progress report. The proposed legislation would have repealed energy efficiency standards for light bulbs that were set back in 2007. The bill required a 2/3 majority to pass and it failed, gaining only 233 votes in favor with 193 opposed.

Provoking Outrage Over Energy Efficiency

The 2007 law did not ban incandescent light bulbs, as BULB Act supporters suggested. Instead, it phased in new energy efficiency standards for incandescent lights, basically forcing manufacturers to invest some money in R&D. The result is that today consumers have a greater range of light bulb choices: LEDs, CFLs, bulbs that look and act like incandescent bulbs but are not, and even modded-out incandescent bulbs that meet the new efficiency standards. So, what’s the buzz?

Political Theater Over Home Lighting

The BULB Act was a classic piece of political theater. Like all successful political theater, it was designed to evoke a gut reaction, and did it ever. People sure do get upset when you mess with their home lighting, as demonstrated by a number of colorful anecdotes that surfaced in the media. However, reports of widespread anxiety over the loss of incandescent lights were greatly exaggerated. In reality, it appears that most U.S. households are interested in checking out new, money saving technologies. More to the point, manufacturers have already moved on and are opening new factories in the U.S. putting people to work making new energy efficient light bulbs.

There May Be Life in the Old Bulb Yet

The BULB Act is done, but meanwhile on the state level a number of lawmakers are doggedly pursuing legislative remedies of their own in order to keep incandescent bulbs in the hands of the shrinking number of consumers who really want them, so stay tuned.

Image: Old light bulb by nannetteturner on flickr.com.

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Tags: BULB Act, CFLs, incandescent light bulbs, light bulb ban, political theater

About the Author

Tina Casey Tina Casey specializes in military and corporate sustainability, advanced technology, emerging materials, biofuels, and water and wastewater issues. Tina’s articles are reposted frequently on Reuters, Scientific American, and many other sites. Views expressed are her own. Follow her on Twitter @TinaMCasey and Google+.

georgeandgracie

I’d like to learn more about the “modded out” energy-efficiency incandescents. Where can I read about them or even buy them?
Anonymous

It’s going to be interesting to see how states try to get around the federal law. Federal law trumps state law.

Getting rid of the least efficient bulbs will apparently allow us to close about 30 coal plants. And that’s not a bad thing….