Dec 19 - President Bush Signs Energy Bill, Will Phase Out Incandescents

President George Bush signed the Energy Independence Security Act today. Among setting new fuel economy standards for cars and more energy efficient appliances, H.R. 6 also sets new energy efficiency standards for light bulbs. All light bulbs will need to be using 25% to 30% less energy than today's products by 2012 to 2014, starting with 100-watt bulbs in January 2012 to 400-watt bulbs in January 2014. By 2020, all light bulbs must be 70% more efficient.

Read an article.

Link to the bill language, H.R. 6

Earlier this year, Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 1109 (Huffman), which also sets new energy efficiency standards for light bulbs by reducing the average statewide electrical energy consumption by not less than 50% from the 2007 levels for indoor residential lighting and no less than 25% for indoor commercial and outdoor lighting by 2018.

What You Can Do

  • Remember that light bulbs still contain hazardous materials and need to be properly disposed of. Find a place to recycle your old light bulbs.
Lanh Nguyen