The Tyranny of the Compact Fluorescent

Posted on Jul 12, 2011

Flickr / Jeezny

Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives are set to vote on a measure aimed at repealing part of a 2007 bill that calls for phasing out those inefficient, old-style light bulbs. If passed, it’s unlikely the proposal would clear the Senate.

The bill is called the Better Use of Light Bulbs Act, or BULB for short. It’s sponsored by Texas Republican Rep. Joe Barton, who fancies himself a true defender of the public interest, saying the measure would protect “Americans’ access to the light bulbs of their choice and guards against mandates that force Americans to use bulbs that contain mercury.” The initial bill, however, didn’t actually ban the use of incandescent bulbs. —ARK

Mother Jones:

Last fall, before they even won the majority in the House, Republican leaders were talking about one of their top priorities for 2011: preserving your right to inefficient lighting. Now, after letting the tyranny of the compact fluorescent bulbs continue for an entire seven months, the House is poised to vote on a measure repealing the part of a 2007 bill that called for a phase out of inefficient bulbs.

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