Representatives Joe Barton and Michael Burgess of Texas and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee introduced H.R. 6144, the Better Use of Light Bulbs Act. It would repeal the section of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 that, beginning in 2012, requires lightbulbs that use 30 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs. None of the standard incandescents currently available would meet this requirement. The phase-out of inefficient bulbs is gradual—the 60-watt incandescent, the most commonly used bulb, can be sold until 2014.
“Washington banned a perfectly good product and fired hard-working Americans based on little more than their own whim and the silly notion that they know better than the American consumer,” said the representatives in a press release. “Now, hundreds more Americans are looking for work while assembly lines in China are churning out fluorescent bulbs for the U.S. market.”
The vast majority of CFLs are manufactured in China and most incandescents are no longer made in the U.S., says Alex Boesenberg, manager of technical projects for the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, a trade group. Linear fluorescents are the exception. Light-emitting diode bulbs are the next big thing in lighting, with manufacturers claiming they rival the look, dimming ability, and light quality of incandescent bulbs yet use much less energy and last 25 to 50 times longer.
Some LEDs, the electronic device mounted in the bulb, are made in the U.S., according to Boesenberg, and the final assembly of the LED bulb is largely done here. But he cautions that this is a prototype industry and once it becomes more of a large scale production, manufacturing will take place wherever it’s most cost effective.
The bill was referred to committee but with Congress leaving town soon for the mid-term elections, its fate is uncertain. If it's not taken up in the lame duck session following the election, its chances are dim.
—Kimberly Janeway
Acually, tf you stop to read incandecent light bulb packages the GE bulbs are made in China and are more expensive than the generic bulbs made here in the US
By American
None, because legislators never change.
Once again, we should encourage manufacturers to build their products here, taking back manufacturing jobs. Also, while I use florescent almost exclusively in my condo, I am not wild about doing away with regular light bulbs. I like the ability to put a regular bulb in a fixture if needed, such as during a power problem with our aging power grid - regular light bulbs are available in "tough service" versions that put out a bit less light, but are more robust - meaning they may work during power problems where other bulbs may not.
We have a CFL manufacturing company here in California. The republicans are once again, misinformed. There are only 200 people employed in the manufacture of incandescent bulbs here in America.
What, somebody is manufacturing LED bulbs in the United States? Quick! We need to regulate them and tax them before they can make a profit! Down with profit! Down with jobs! Yay government!
The problem with cfl's are many, primarily they are made using mercury a deadly posion and these idiot polititians don't think of how to dispose of them before they create this stupid law. A law in which eliminates jobs and does nothing for the environment. Stupid f'n liberals I can't wait until November so they all can be voted out.
Octopus,
"Stupid f'n liberals I can't wait until November so they all can be voted out."
If you would actually read the article, you would see that it was republicans.
Tough service bulbs are designed for withstanding vibration. It has nothing to do with working during a power brownout. They have a higher voltage rating, which makes them "tougher" at normal voltages.
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