Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Republican House Aims to Stop Light Bulb Efficiency Law


Republican House Aims to Stop Light Bulb Efficiency Law

My husband has, at least since I’ve known him, always expressed an interest in wanting to go into politics.  I don’t know why, but he has.  He probably never will, considering all of the other things he’s got going and all the others he is trying to get going and my lack of absolute support (since I know he doesn’t really want to do it anyway).  I have another reason why he shouldn’t do it, and it’s the topic of this post.  Let me just say that I thought they (our current politicians) went over this already last year, and again earlier this year, but politicians are always trying to be heroes and trying to take credit for every little thing they can.

Republicans in the U.S. House have adopted a provision aimed at saving the traditional incandescent light bulb from extinction.  It’s probably too little, too late though, considering manufacturers across the country have already retooled in anticipation of the enactment of the energy bill signed by former President George W. Bush in 2007.  The first phase went into effect this year and governs the energy usage of light bulbs – effectively banning incandescent bulbs.

The provision was voted in by voice and is part of a larger energy-spending bill.

Those behind the bill say the kind of bulb you use to brighten your home should be up to you, not the government.  But companies like Philips and GE have already retooled their plants to produce CFLs, LEDs and a halogen version of the traditional “pear-shaped” incandescent bulb you’re probably reading this under right now.

The bill underlying all of this – H.R. 5325 – puts about $32.1 billion behind energy and water-development programs.  That’s $965 million less than what President Barack Obama has requested for the same thing, according to the House Appropriations Committee.  The underlying bill puts more money into fossil-fuel programs than the president’s budget does.

The president’s advisers have recommend he veto the bill because of cuts to efficiency and clean-energy programs, including the Advanced Research Project Agency – Energy that funds innovative technologies, and language aimed at keeping Yucca Mountain in Nevada a viable repository for the country’s nuclear waste.

Either way, I am already buying LEDs.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-06/house-adopts-measure-to-halt-light-bulb-efficiency-law.html

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