Incandescent Lightbulb Update

In last year’s Earth Day issue of our newsletter, we told our readers about the planned phase-out of the sale of 100-watt incandescent lightbulbs in the US.  An energy law passed in 2007 required that all lightbulbs for sale in our country needed to be 25% to 35% more efficient by January 1, 2012.

Manufacturers were to start phasing out production and sale incandescent bulbs, beginning with the 100 watt models, in favor of the more energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL), LED lighting, and halogen   bulbs as of the beginning of this year.

Unfortunately, the measure has lost its teeth, due to a lack of funding. The budget passed last December failed to include any appropriations to enforce the measure, and some politicians are now rallying around the issue as a case of “Big Government” telling citizens what type of lighting they can have.

Just once, it would be nice to see the American public do something good for the environment without having to have legislation passed to force them to do so.  Other countries, from Australia to the European Union countries have already either outlawed incandescent lightbulbs, or taken steps to phase-out their use.  Let’s be good global neighbors and do the right thing for once, without it becoming a hot button, election year political issue.

To find out more, check out the article on National Public Radio’s website http://www.npr.org/2011/12/22/144136516/future-dim-for-100-watt-bulb-despite-congress-stall.