Apparently, the GOP-dominated House has something against those nasty, energy-saving light bulbs. Or at least federal regulations that make them standard. The House has voted this morning to de-fund the Department of Energy regulations, enacted in 2007 and signed by George W. Bush, that require incandescent light bulbs to be 30% more efficient. 10 Republicans voted against the bill, 5 Democrats voted for it.
The estimated savings to the consumer through 2020 is estimated to be between $6-$12 billion, so why on earth would the Republicans get rid of these standards? The Houston Chronicle’s website quotes Texas Representative Michael Burgess in support of his amendment to the 2012 Energy and Water Appropriations Act: “If a manufacturer should choose to continue to make 100-watt bulbs, they would be permitted under this language, as there is clearly a market based on the thousands of consumers who have contacted Congress upset about their inability to buy 100-watt light bulbs,” Burgess said. “This is about the consumer driving the market, not the federal government deciding the market.”
Really? “Thousands of consumers” have nothing better to do than complain to Congress about not being able to buy a light bulb that wastes energy and burns out quickly? Congress, in the middle of a debt ceiling/budget fight/unemployment/sluggish economy/energy dependence morass thinks the best thing to do is reduce efficiency? Pathetic.