LongeCity - US Government Banning Incandescent Light Bulbs

Effective New Years Day 2012, it will be illegal to manufacture 100 watt incandescent light bulbs in the United States.

Public Law number 110-140, or the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, would gradually phase out incandescent light in the United States in the next few years. After the 100 watt bulb is phased out, they will phase out the 75 watt bulb, then the 60 watt bulb, and so forth. This is a terrible idea. A Costco where I live already does not carry incandescent lights.

Fluorescent lights have a negative impact on health. Americans should have a right to use the kind of lights they feel are best in their own homes.

Who introduced this law?

Representative Nick J. Rahall of West Virginia, Democrat

Who voted for this law?

In the United States Senate:

http://www.senate.go...on=1&vote=00226

In the United States House of Representatives:

http://clerk.house.g...007/roll040.xml

It was signed into law by then President George W. Bush

For general information including the text of the bill, go here:

http://thomas.loc.go...y/z?d110:H.R.6:

Recently, some Republicans in Congress defunded enforcement of the law, but it is still in effect.

If you think you are smart enough to chose your own lightbulbs, write to your congressperson and let them know. A snail mail letter has the most effect. If you can, write to the President too.

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

To find out who your Senator is and/or their mailing address go to:

http://www.senate.go...enators_cfm.cfm

If you know his or her name you could also write to them at:

United States Senate

Washington D.C. 20510

To find your Representative in the House go to:

https://writerep.hou...p/welcome.shtml

If you know his or her name you could also write to them at:

United States House of Representatives

Washington DC 20515

In researching this article I talked to store managers at three stores, and two online lightbulb merchants, among other sources. The voting record and legislative history is from the Library of Congress's website.

UPDATE: A bill that would have repealed the ban on incandescent light bulbs was defeated in the House, but not by that much. Keep writing to your congresspeople.

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