Dim Bulb Despots
Despite a provision rolled into a year-end spending bill that blocked funding for enforcement of new light bulb efficiency standards, the twisty tyranny of bulbs will still start phasing in as scheduled on Jan. 1.
The new energy law requires that incandescent light bulbs be 30 percent more efficient starting in 2012. Critics of the mandate logically argue the new rules will effectively curtail consumer choice, as traditional incandescent bulbs are pushed out of the market by an influx of pricier, but more efficient, LED and CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs.
This from The Hill:
“The [spending bill] cut funding for enforcement, however the law is still in effect,” said Jack Gillis, spokesman for the Consumer Federation of America. “It is our expectation that companies will still comply with the law.”
…
The GOP-backed measure to cut funding for enforcing the light bulb standards “probably is not going to have much impact,” [Steven Nadel, executive director of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy], said.
While the measure prevents DOE from enforcing the standards through fiscal year 2012, Nadel said that states can still require companies to follow the efficiency rules.
Gillis, of the Consumer Federation of America, added that individual companies can pressure other companies to comply with the standards in order to keep a level playing field.
He said the light bulb standards got caught up in a growing wave of Republican disdain for federal regulations.
“The bottom line is the light bulb became a political victim,” Gillis said. “It was portrayed as an example of overzealous regulation, when in fact none of that is actually true.”
Yes, of course, not true at all. Move along and clear your fretful minds from any notion of capricious government regulation ever being overzealous. Nothing to see here, especially not huddled around a ditzy, dim and high-priced light bulb you’ve been forced to buy.
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