Get ready for the "Better use of light bulbs" Act

Compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs ) are generally produced in China rather than in the U.S.A. This is one reason Reps. Joe Barton and Michael Burgess (both of Texas) and Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee) introduced H.R. 6144, the Better Use of Light Bulbs Act, which repeals the ban on the incandescent bulb. Technically, the new piece of legislation repeals Subtitle B of Title III of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

According to the Web site govtrack.us, the Bill has been referred to committee.

The Bill sponsors say the unanticipated consequence of the ’07 act was layoffs as several incandescent light bulb plants shut down in the U.S.

Writing on the Web site redstate.com, Bill sponsors also say even the AFL-CIO isn’t happy about the move to CFLs. The labor union’s Web site, Screw That Bulb (http://screwthatbulb.org/), makes the point that, "there are many ways to save electricity without shifting to the mercury-filled compact florescent bulb from China, or anywhere," write the legislators.

Well, "mercury filled" isn't quite the right way to characterize CFLs, which contain about 3 to 5 milligrams of mercury each. Nevertheless, CFLs still have their detractors though they are much improved over early models.

Of course, the Bill must be signed into law before it can take effect. No word on the chances of this legislation making it through the legislative hurdles needed to enact it.

You can keep up with the Bills progress here:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-6144