Light bulbs get Congressional reprieve
Good news for survivalists and others who’ve been hoarding incandescent light bulbs — Congress has given the 19th Century technology at least one more year of shelf life.
Let there be cheap light, said Thomas Edison, who perfected the production of the incandescent bulb more than 70 years after its invention.
Traditional light bulbs (the kind featured over a cartoon character’s head when he gets an idea) were marked for extinction via a 2007 law that banned their manufacture and sale after Jan. 1, 2012. Congress’ light bulb reprieve was tucked into a 1,200-page omnibus spending bill passed by Congress Thursday night.
This was odd legislation considering the replacement technology, compact fluorescent lamps, while much cheaper to operate, are far more expensive and contain chemicals toxic to humans.
I personally like CFLs, but many hate them, saying the light they produce is too unnatural or even gives them headaches.
But, the CFL on my porch has been on non-stop for at least two years.
Newer technology, LED lightbulbs, are even more expensive, but are even cheaper to operate and provide better light. I have a 12-watt led lightbulb that retails for about $25, but is supposed to last years and save enough energy to eventually pay for itself. It provides the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent, but takes a disconcerting half-second to light my bathroom.
Since many manufacturers have quit making the uber-cheap incandescent bulbs, their days are probably numbered no matter what Congress does next year. America’s last traditional light bulb plant closed last year, effectively shipping 200 jobs overseas.
Hmmmm … maybe making laws that dictate what consumers can and can’t buy in the Home Depot lighting aisle isn’t such a bright idea.
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75 comments Add your comment
Recycling??
December 16th, 2011
4:40 pm
Because no one’s life is being micromanaged by the government in this case
Telling us what lightbulbs we can use is not micromanagement???? Billy, I think you’ve been hittin’ the Oxyclean a little too hard this afternoon
BILLY MAYS HERE
December 16th, 2011
4:43 pm
Craig
December 16th, 2011
4:39 pm
BILLY MAYS HERE, that’s your opinion, which normally would affect me in no way. Except the government doesn’t engage in opinion. And summarily dismissing the objection again does nothing to justify the intrusion. This is the problem with the modern state, wherein it is believed that average citizens (the real 99%) are too “stupid” or “idiotic” to manage their own affairs. The solution? Government “experts” and other intellectual elites (the real 1%) must constantly tell us how to muddle our way through life. I, for one, hold my liberties in higher regard. No one here is saying that we should get rid of government (a common straw-man retort), but some folks just don’t seem to be willing to allow that government doesn’t need to solve all of our problems.
It’s your opinion that government is “micromanaging” peoples’ lives because they are phasing out certain kinds of light bulbs.
That is an opinion, and you are entitled to your incorrect opinions.
BILLY MAYS HERE
December 16th, 2011
4:45 pm
Add your comment
Recycling??
December 16th, 2011
4:40 pm
Telling us what lightbulbs we can use is not micromanagement???? Billy, I think you’ve been hittin’ the Oxyclean a little too hard this afternoon
You can buy various brands and styles of light bulbs, from LEDs to CFLs and halogens.
Get a grip.
Craig
December 16th, 2011
4:48 pm
BILLY, your smug arrogance gives observation to my point more “tidily” than I could ever explain it. The scary part for the rest of us “stupid” people is that you actually believe that government endorsement of your opinion puts an end to all other forms of reasoning.
BILLY MAYS HERE
December 16th, 2011
4:55 pm
I’m not arrogant, I’m right.
BILLY MAYS HERE
December 16th, 2011
4:58 pm
Seriously, y’all are getting bent out of shape over LIGHT BULBS. Soon you’ll have to use cheaper, more energy efficient, (dare I say better) types of bulbs. And you’re complaining about it.
This is what you have reduced your own lives to.
Some people have to be dragged into the future, kicking and screaming.
Craig
December 16th, 2011
5:05 pm
Calling out a voice from the past, “There you go again.” We’re being trivial for getting bent out of shape over LIGHT BULBS. If it is so trivial, why is the government involved again? I’ve already acknowledged that the technology is here to stay. Great. No problem.
It looks like you’re just running in circles now.
Bluot
December 16th, 2011
5:13 pm
Billy Mays told the Indians to stop complaining about the disease ridden blankets the government was giving them. The government was just trying to keep them warm, they needed to get a grip…..
Yes Billy Mays is a jackhole like that.
BRW
December 16th, 2011
5:24 pm
Reagan is dead. Get over it. Your “I am more important than we” attitude is why we are still buying combustion engine cars and keeping the Arabs you love to hate rich as hell.
R U Kidding Me?
December 16th, 2011
5:24 pm
Wingnut Senator Barry Loudermilk just had an orgasm! By the warm glow of his incandscent light bulb no doubt.