When Are Incandescent Bulbs Banned - Banned incandescent bulbs are coming to the United States….eventually. This question of when the incandescent bulbs are being banned has been asked many times. To be honest, I thought there was a simple answer.
Turns out, the answer to this question isn’t so simple here in the United States. in fact, it is rather congested and mixed up. The rest of the world seems to be quite clear on where they stand on incandescent bulbs, but not the United States. The rest of the world seems to be banning these bulbs without hesitation because of their harmful nature.
When Are Incandescent Bulbs Banned
When Are Incandescent Bulbs Banned
In 2007, the United States did pass a piece of legislation against the incandescent light bulbs. The act was called the “Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007″. Signed by George W. Bush, the act aimed to rid the country of incandescent bulbs in phases.
By 2012 to 2014, the act requires all general purpose light bults to produce 310-2600 lumens of light to be at least 30% more energy efficient. This is similar to the curren halogen lamps. 2012 will start the beginning of this roll out with 100 watt bulbs, then 40 watt bulbs by 2014.
The second tier of regulation rolls out by 2020. They will require all general purpose light bulbs to produce at least 45 lumens per watt.
Source for above information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase-out_of_incandescent_light_bulbs
This may all seem confusing enough, but it is not over with yet. It appears each state has control over their roll out of the ban of incandescent bulbs as well. Therefore, you may want to check with your state government to find out the exact date of the ban in your area.
Not Everyone is for the Incandescent Bulbs Being Banned
Not everyone is against the incandescent bulbs being banned. In fact, there is one republican that feels this ban is pointless and goes against America.
Take a listen to Texas Representative Ted Poe discuss the issue of the incandescent bulbs being banned and why it is actually harmful to the United States.
If you gave Mr. Poe a chance to talk about the energy, then you hear him discuss how the ban of incandescent light bulbs forces people purchase florescent bulbs. These florescent bulbs are all created in China, every single one of them, therefore, it does no good for the USA economy, but there is so much more to this as the representative explains.
What do you think about the incandescent bulbs being banned in the United States? Should our government even be bother with sort of legislation or should we continue to allow the free market to do its bidding and let the pieces fall where they may? - When Are Incandescent Bulbs Banned
The free market fails to price in the cost of the environment, and even the long-term cost of natural resources.
The CFL’s are more efficient. Therefore we need less energy if we do a wholesale swich, away from incandescents. This saves burning coal (mostly), and the consumer from paying higher energy costs. It also means less carbon being pumped into the atmosphere.
The LED is 8 times less energy intensive than the incandecsent, and can be used effectively in almost every application now.
It just makes sense to use less energy.
China may have a labor advantage over the US now, but things change rapidly. A declining dollar, rising yuan and Chinese living standards, and a jump in the price of oil, may all make manufacturing more attractive domestically in the years ahead.
As for Mr. Poe, let’s see who contributes to his re-election campaigns. That might answer why his head is in the clouds on a smart move to energy efficiency.