With all the eggnog celebrations about the two month extension of the payroll tax cut, few have remembered that a funny thing occurred on the way to passing the gazillion dollar appropriations bill to keep the government open through the fiscal year (yes, that really happened). We will eventually learn about the "non-earmarks" it contains, but one thing was left off: funding to implement a law written by Rep. Fred Upton and me to create U.S. jobs, save billions for consumers and cash-strapped communities, and remove tons of carbon from the atmosphere in the process.
With support from "radical" corporations like GE and Siemens and "subversive" industry groups like the National Electrical Manufacturers Association and American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, we negotiated an agreement on indoor lighting standards (modeled after a landmark California statute). It became part of the 2007 Energy Act, which was signed into law by the "left-leaning" George W. Bush. Those standards don't ban anything, but they would phase out the famously inefficient 100-watt incandescent bulb by next year while setting the stage for new efficient bulb production in the U.S. -- and the many jobs that entails.
All of this proved to be too much for the Tea Party and its supporters in Congress, who know a dark plot by Big Government to penetrate every American home and abolish consumer choice when they see it. In a one-two punch, Rep. Joe Barton rolled out the Better Use of Light Bulbs -- that would be BULB -- Act, while Rep. Michele Bachmann introduced the Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act. (Just this summer she said, "President Bachmann will allow you to buy any light bulb you want.") Take that, bulb haters! Then, Fred Upton was heckled by his colleagues as he sought the Energy and Commerce Committee gavel for his "sinister" role in the conspiracy. Score again, defenders of bulb choice! And now, the lightning strike: a 9-month freeze on implementing indoor lighting standards created in 2007. Nine months?
According to a senior industry executive, delaying the entry of better bulbs into the market is equal to imposing a $200 tax on every family in the country. Touché, Party of Tea! And pity the misguided Americans who have flocked by the thousands in recent years to big box stores to take part in free light bulb exchanges. What were they thinking? Have they all drunk the Kool Aid, too?
Jane Harman, a Democrat, represented California's 36th District for 9 terms. She left in February to succeed Lee Hamilton as head of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Big Carbon's Sock Puppets Declare War on America and the Planet
Rocky Kistner: New Energy Efficient Lighting Puts People to Work
Spending bill blocks light bulb standards - Darren Samuelsohn ...
Congress Delays New Light Bulb Standards | Fox News
House Blocks Funding For New Light Bulb Standards : The Two ...
Cutting of funds for enforcement of new light bulb efficiency ...
Light Bulb Standards Killed: Who's Running This Country, Barack ...
I totally buy the reported savings of $200 per family per year. We converted to high efficiency bulbs years ago and they have paid for themselves many times over. The bulbs do contain a tiny amount of mercury,...about 1/700th as much as a serving of tuna fish. Note, however, that a typically incandescent bulb powered from a coal burning plant will emit more mercury into the environment than a broken CFL will.
Those of you that are of the school that says "you can take my 100 watt incandescent bulb away from me when you pry it from my dead hands" are just tilting at windmills.
BTW Jane if you're reading these comments, our federal government is already in de facto bankruptcy with no credible (in fact no period) plan to repay their debts. There isn't any money for this chrapp. If/when government paychecks start bouncing, how many people do you think are going to be worried about light bulbs?
We learned cigarettes cause cancer.
We will one day know incandescent lights contributed greatly to our climate change.
I don't blame us for using them or loving them - they give great light.
But their time has come.
I think the end of the Edison bulb is near anyway.There are other alternatives,like LED lighting,and there is nano technology that can produce wallpaper that can absorb light during the day,and light the room at night,and yes it can be dimmed or turned off.
It is not in the interest of many of our corporations in the energy sector to produce products that have a long lifespan,or are built with future generations in mind.That is the main problem in my view,and untill we have the leadership,it will remain business as usual..
although this site is a blog where people can voice their opinions freely, YOU must provide all references, citations, links and refer to applicable state and federal legislation sections for your future posts.
Too bad no one has figured out how to recycle/repurpose all the finger pointing and excuse making that goes on in DC. Not an efficient use of energy. At least put up some wind energy generators near the Congressional buildings.
Legislating efficient uses of energy? Oh, no we can't! (Not as long as lobbyists occupy DC.)
Will you stooges in Washington give it up?
Light bulbs are not going to save the planet nor the economy.
Take a deep breath. Have some egg nog or sing some carols. (Do something a bit different, than over-reacting to the drama at AOLpo.) Come back and then add two more cents to the discouse here.
Be well and Happy Holidays! (Or do you need to take offense at my omission of Christmas?)
Frankly, the thought of replacing a relatively benign bulb with a toxic, Mercury-filled one repulses me.
FACT is that CFLs USE LESS ENERGY. They do last longer. That SAVES PEOPLE MONEY. ( I happen to believe verifiable and documented claims, not some unknown vested interest here.) Energy that for the moment, is produced by coal in this country - but not for much longer. Saving money and saving the environment by using less coal generated electricity. Bad for the coal energy producers like the Koch brothers, who are invested in that form of making money. Can't please everyone. You're not a Koch-head are you?
That you are repulsed is so sad. Very unfortunate. Just sayin'. Hopefully, you'll find a way to continue. Or was that a cheap form of humor? repulsed? opposite charges? Get it? Oh no! I said cheap! Hope that doesn't tread too heavily on your sensibilities. Nothing but the best for you.
My basement lights when turned on are dark for about 5 minutes.
Winning yet?