New Energy Efficient Lighting Bill to Phase out Traditional Light Bulbs
Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) has introduced legislation to phase out traditional light bulbs and replace them with newer ones that burn just as brightly but use much less energy. What he is calling the “Energy Efficient Lighting for a Brighter Tomorrow Act” will require that the transition take place beginning in 2012 and is estimated to continue through 2014. It is estimated that the change to more efficient light bulbs will save U.S. residents up to $6 billion a year in electricity costs.
“The Energy Efficient Lighting for a Brighter Tomorrow Act (S. 2017) provides a reasonable process for light bulb manufacturers to plan for and implement major changes,” Sen. Bingaman said
The bill outlines that the current 40, 60, 75 and 100-watt incandescent bulbs will be phased out and replaced by lower wattage bulbs that produce the same or better lighting. It is expected that these replacement lights will include new technologies like LED lighting systems, better incandescent bulbs and compact fluorescent lamps.
The nation’s national energy consumption will be dramatically effected if this bill passes. It can be estimated that the removal of traditional light bulbs could save 88 billion kilowatt hours of electricity a year. Philips Lighting, Osram Sylvania and General Electric have all been engaged in outlining the proposed phasing out process.
You can read the full press release issued by the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
