Congress bans incandescent bulbs

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

In addition to raising auto fuel efficiency standards 40 percent, an energy bill passed by Congress yesterday bans the incandescent light bulb by 2014.

President Bush signed the 822-page measure into law today after it was sent up Pennsylvania Avenue in a Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle. The House passed the bill by a 314-100 vote after approval by the Senate last week.

Rep. John D. Dingell, D-Mich., chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said the legislation will boost the energy efficiency of "almost every significant product and tool and appliance that we use, from light bulbs to light trucks."

The phase-out of incandescent light is to begin with the 100-watt bulb in 2012 and end in 2014 with the 40-watt.

All light bulbs must use 25 percent to 30 percent less 2014. By 2020, bulbs must be 70 percent more efficient than they are today.

Australia was the first country to announce an outright ban by 2010.

Critics of Thomas Edison's invention argue it uses more energy to produce light than the compact fluorescent, or CFL, bulb.

While standard light bulbs cost about 50 cents, the spiral CFL sells for about $3. Advocates argue, however, the CFL lasts five years longer and uses about 75 percent less energy.

But as WND reported, the presence of small amounts of highly toxic mercury in CFLs poses problems for consumers when breakage occurs and for disposal when bulbs eventually burn out. The potential environmental hazard created by the mass introduction of billions of CFLs with few disposal sites and a public unfamiliar with the risks is great.

Consumers generally are unaware of the risks of CFLs, and recycling experts say the solutions are at least five years away.

The Department of Energy, nevertheless, is encouraging citizens to take a pledge to replace at least one incandescent bulb with a CFL.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article....RTICLE_ID=59298

Snopes on CFLs

[dalegg 143]

President Bush signed the 822-page measure into law today after it was sent up Pennsylvania Avenue in a Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle. The House passed the bill by a 314-100 vote after approval by the Senate last week.

That liberal

[zqt3344 21]

This sort of thing started few years ago, try and find a ceiling fan now that does not have candelabras bulbs only, you cannot. The new ceiling fans will not have fitting for regular bulb size whether CFL or incandescent. This started last year in beginning of 2007 and by end of year and currently you cannot find a one that will let you put in regular size CFL or incandescent bulbs. Was told by electric suppliers that within next 3-5 years no electric light fitting will be able to use regular size bulbs or CFL anymore, so who knows, we shall see if this is a good idea or not or works. I would really like to know if these CFLs save much energy after all or put out as much light as incandescent bulbs do or if this is another "Hug a Tree" liberal spin just to create a new market for some GREEN product that is worthless and harmful to us after all when we have to dispose of it!

In addition to raising auto fuel efficiency standards 40 percent, an energy bill passed by Congress yesterday bans the incandescent light bulb by 2014.

President Bush signed the 822-page measure into law today after it was sent up Pennsylvania Avenue in a Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle. The House passed the bill by a 314-100 vote after approval by the Senate last week.

Rep. John D. Dingell, D-Mich., chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said the legislation will boost the energy efficiency of "almost every significant product and tool and appliance that we use, from light bulbs to light trucks."

The phase-out of incandescent light is to begin with the 100-watt bulb in 2012 and end in 2014 with the 40-watt.

All light bulbs must use 25 percent to 30 percent less 2014. By 2020, bulbs must be 70 percent more efficient than they are today.

Australia was the first country to announce an outright ban by 2010.

Critics of Thomas Edison's invention argue it uses more energy to produce light than the compact fluorescent, or CFL, bulb.

While standard light bulbs cost about 50 cents, the spiral CFL sells for about $3. Advocates argue, however, the CFL lasts five years longer and uses about 75 percent less energy.

But as WND reported, the presence of small amounts of highly toxic mercury in CFLs poses problems for consumers when breakage occurs and for disposal when bulbs eventually burn out. The potential environmental hazard created by the mass introduction of billions of CFLs with few disposal sites and a public unfamiliar with the risks is great.

Consumers generally are unaware of the risks of CFLs, and recycling experts say the solutions are at least five years away.

The Department of Energy, nevertheless, is encouraging citizens to take a pledge to replace at least one incandescent bulb with a CFL.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article....RTICLE_ID=59298

Snopes on CFLs

[Reba 2]

yes, they put out just as much light as an incadescent, and yes, they do save money on your electric bill. Even just switch one or two out and you'll notice a difference. Over the lifetime of one CFL, you can save about $300 on your electric bill.

LCD lights will save you even more. And don't have mercury in them, so there are no similar repercussions with disposal. None of our CFLs have burned out yet though, so I'm not worried about disposal for another 3 or 4 years or so.

[pedroh 21]

so unamerican...

it's unamerican to save money and make efficient stuff.. let's waste!! its America!! we got everything!! (dont we LOL)

[Aubrey 10]

The Department of Energy, nevertheless, is encouraging citizens to take a pledge to replace at least one incandescent bulb with a CFL.

I'd consider myself environmentally conscious, but I absolutely will not use fluorescent light bulbs. They give me migraine headaches. Others, too. Even the FDA acknowledges this link in some people... I hope they get to working on making more LEDs available or I guess I'll be using candles to light up my room at night

[pedroh 21]

LED's is the futureeez

[Kathryn41 3,205]

We have switched over all of the standard lightbulbs inside to CFLs - they work fine and definitely last longer. My husband wasn't too sure about it at first, was expecting problems with light levels and such but he has had none. Haven't got anything similar for the outside floods though. . . I agree, LEDs will be the way to go.

Edited June 17, 2008 by Kathryn41

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

LED's is the futureeez

True.

I use CFLs right now for the time being though. Even while I'm renting. I'll just take them with me when I buy a house.

[almaty 19]

i am in the process of slowing changing as the bulbs burn out.....i do not think, i change the one in the dog area..cause it is a heat lamp...for winter....

[Krikit 1,164]

I'd consider myself environmentally conscious, but I absolutely will not use fluorescent light bulbs. They give me migraine headaches. Others, too. Even the FDA acknowledges this link in some people... I hope they get to working on making more LEDs available or I guess I'll be using candles to light up my room at night

I get headaches from them too. You have to buy the full spectrum natural daylight bulbs to avoid the headaches.

[rika60607 215]

I wanted to be Green and got one CFL.

It totally sucks. It does not give the 100W it promises, I'd estimate it gives 40W. Strange.

May be it's because it is French CFL.

We have switched over all of the standard lightbulbs inside to CFLs - they work fine and definitely last longer. My husband wasn't too sure about it at first, was expecting problems with light levels and such but he has had none. Haven't got anything similar for the outside floods though. . . I agree, LEDs will be the way to go.

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

I wanted to be Green and got one CFL.

It totally sucks. It does not give the 100W it promises, I'd estimate it gives 40W. Strange.

May be it's because it is French CFL.

well that's why, it's french and they use metric.

[Dan J 277]

I wanted to be Green and got one CFL.

It totally sucks. It does not give the 100W it promises, I'd estimate it gives 40W. Strange.

May be it's because it is French CFL.

We have switched over all of the standard lightbulbs inside to CFLs - they work fine and definitely last longer. My husband wasn't too sure about it at first, was expecting problems with light levels and such but he has had none. Haven't got anything similar for the outside floods though. . . I agree, LEDs will be the way to go.

Light bulbs are measured in the power they use, not the amount of light they give off. Light output is measured in lumens, and a 100W lightbulb should give about 1700 lumens. A CFL with the same light output should be around 24-30w

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

I wanted to be Green and got one CFL.

It totally sucks. It does not give the 100W it promises, I'd estimate it gives 40W. Strange.

May be it's because it is French CFL.

We have switched over all of the standard lightbulbs inside to CFLs - they work fine and definitely last longer. My husband wasn't too sure about it at first, was expecting problems with light levels and such but he has had none. Haven't got anything similar for the outside floods though. . . I agree, LEDs will be the way to go.

Light bulbs are measured in the power they use, not the amount of light they give off. Light output is measured in lumens, and a 100W lightbulb should give about 1700 lumens. A CFL with the same light output should be around 24-30w

you just had to come along and ruin my fun