House blocks enforcement of light bulb standards

[The Straight Story]

House blocks enforcement of light bulb standards
By Pete Kasperowicz - 07/10/13 12:58 PM ET

The House on Wednesday voted to block the enforcement of light bulb standards that many say would effectively force people to buy more expensive compact fluorescent bulbs.

Just like last year, Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) proposed the language as an addition to the energy and water spending bill. His language prohibits the use of any funds at the Department of Energy to implement the standards.

Burgess said the federal government should not use regulations to impose standards that force consumers to buy the pricier bulbs, and said the market should be allowed to sort it out.

"If the new energy-efficient light bulbs save money, and if they're better for the environment, we should trust our constituents to make the choice on their own move toward these bulbs," he said. "Let the market decide."

The government was authorized to impose standards for bulbs under the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, although Congress has delayed implementation of the standards for several years.

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/310167-house-again-blocks-enforcement-of-light-bulb-standards

[think]

1. I agree with the Republicans on this as long as

they promise the bulbs will last as long as this one:

http://www.centennialbulb.org/

http://www.snopes.com/science/lightbulb.asp

[Gravitycollapse]

2. That usually only works on industrial bulbs that are never turned off.

[think]

5. Ya, my point was ill made. It was a slight jab at

planned obsolescence rather than a practical solution.

Kind of off message. sorry...

[lighthouse10]

17. Why Major Manufacturers Welcomed the Ban

Incandescents lasting 20 000 hours can and are being made for industry (eg mines)
The current 1000 hr life of banned incandescents is by agreement among GE, Philips and Osram/Sylvania for the consumer market
The same manufacturers lobbied for and welcomed the current ban on generic patent expired simple bulbs (why welcome what you can or can't make?
http://ceolas.net/#phoebuspol

[VanillaRhapsody]

3. Not surprised

as they are stuck on stupid....

[davidpdx]

4. WE WANT OUR FREEDOMBULBS DAMMIT

The fascists are telling us what lightblubs we have to use and blah blah blah blah

[Llewlladdwr]

6. I'm actually glad to see this.

I much prefer incandescents to CFLs.

[Sherman A1]

9. Agreed

CFLs are great in many areas, but for somethings I still want incandescents.

[Matariki]

7. You can't throw them away into regular garbage because of the mercury

and they are butt ugly and put out wavering ugly light. I'm definitely not a fan of compact fluorescents.

On the other hand, LEDs rock and I'm gradually replacing all my lights with them.

[Lee-Lee]

13. I agree

LED's are far better.

Once the price on LED's gets down, I expect incandescent bulbs will die a natural death.

Sadly, an unintended consequence of this is that all the incandescent bulb factories in the USA closed due to the new laws coming in, so now any bulbs out there are imports. Some of those were good paying jobs we lost.

[olddots]

8. we only use aroma theory candles

[MadrasT]

10. Good

I like the quality of light produced by incandescent bulbs much better

[RedCappedBandit]

11. Can't have regulations impeding the free market!

[Spider Jerusalem]

12. CFL's last much longer than incandescents and use much less energy for the same luminance.

Not only is it better for the environment, it lowers electric bills and means one spends less on light bulbs. This is stupidity masquerading as concern for individual choice. (Incandescent bulbs are banned here; it doesn't seem to be a problem for anyone.)

[Lee-Lee]

15. My biggest problems

Are the environmental concerns disposing of them, and the fact that they take 5 minutes to get bright when they are outside on a cold day.

[kentuck]

14. At least they can vote on something!

light bulbs, huh? Good to get the important shit out of the way.

[reformist2]

16. Does this mean that 100-watt incandescents will be on the shelves again?? My stash is running low!