I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

Could have called that one. You even blame Bush's election on the liberals!

Just glad that W and the worst eight years in the history of an American President are behind us.  Considering the wreck that he inherited, President Obama has done remarkably well.  I think it would be a wonderful idea if all of you on the far right would move to Texas and secede from this nation!  Then you can make up your own history as you go along, and nullify to your little hearts content.

And then, we libs, particuarly Al Gore, made him get all mixed up about those WMDs! Which, of course, has no bearing at all on our current debt.

The CFL (a.k.a. "curly-fry lightbulb") issue is more controversial than it might sound.  Apparently, that segment of the "Energy Independence and Security Act" slipped through Congress in 2007 without much notice, sort of like the law that required a switch to low-flow showerheads and 1.6 gallon-per-flush toilets.

The "toilet and showerhead" law, which was aimed at conserving water, was passed in the 1990's (1992? 1995?).  Here's a synopsis:  http://www.toolbase.org/Technology-Inventory/Plumbing/low-flow-plumbing-fixtures. Incidentally, one way people got around the new plumbing restrictions -- for awhile, at least -- was to buy a 3.5 gpf toilet in Canada and smuggle it across the border.  People actually did that for the first few years the U.S. law was in effect.  Here's a column by Dave Barry that jokes about it, but bootlegged Canadian toilets were used in home construction in some parts of the U.S.:  http://www.tysknews.com/Depts/Regulation/canadian_toilets.htm

So, yes, there is a federal law phasing out incandescent bulbs.  The bill was passed in 2007, but we're only seeing its effects in stores now (e.g., IKEA no longer selling incandescent bulbs  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41080442/ns/business-oil_and_energy/). 

Here's the text of the bill, as passed by the House and Senate:   http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c110:8:./temp/~c110a2kVYF::   The relevant part is "TITLE III--ENERGY SAVINGS THROUGH IMPROVED STANDARDS FOR APPLIANCE AND LIGHTING, Subtitle B--Lighting Energy Efficiency."  The other parts of the bill are pretty entertaining, too.

As for the controversy, it's easy to find.  Here are some examples:

1) Energy Independence and Security Act signed by George W. Bush is causing future problems with energy saving light bulbs  (Published: Saturday, July 24, 2010)  http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2010/07/24/opinion/doc4c4a08f95356e653397834.txt?viewmode=default

“In one of his most shameful acts, former President George W. Bush stupidly signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. EISA establishes performance criteria that Edisonian bulbs cannot meet. As the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) explains: ‘These standards, which begin in 2012, will eliminate low efficiency incandescent light bulbs from the market.’ ”

2) 2007 Energy Bill - Are They Phasing Out or Making Incandescent Bulbs Illegal?
http://homerepair.about.com/od/electricalrepair/ss/2007_energybill.htm

“Unless the law gets repealed or groundbreaking new technology emerges … the answer is ‘yes’ for general use 100 Watt incandescents in 2012, and ‘yes’ for 75 and 60 Watt bulbs by 2014, but ‘no’ for many types of other incandescent bulbs even after 2014. … In any case, I'll review this confusing and poorly written law and what it all means in more detail in this tutorial.” 

(The homerepair.about article is a not-very-polite critique of the law and its impact.  The author describes the legislation, the incandescent bulbs that are being banned, special-use incandescent bulbs that are exempt, and the mercury issue.  If you like CFL’s, you’ll need to hold your nose as you read the article; others will find it interesting.  The author’s take is that we need more efficient lighting than our current incandescent bulbs provide, but CFL’s are not the answer.)

3) Energy Efficient Compact Fluorescent Bulbs: Homeowners Save Money and Energy by Switching Incandescents to CFLs  http://www.suite101.com/content/energy-efficient-compact-fluorescent-bulbs-a206023  (This article explains how to use and dispose of your new compact fluorescent bulbs; and what you’ll need to do if you accidentally break one.)

So, are you onboard with this change, or are you stockpiling incandescent bulbs in your closets?

otter

Now, isn't it wonderful that because of the health care reform bill, there is now expanded access to birth control through Medicaid? 

I was blaming the Energy Independence and Security Act signed by President Bush on him. The president has veto power. If he chose not to use it he is involved in the passage of the act.

Leslie - I love the new light bulbs! I also like clean air. Ms. Bachmann mentioned it and seemed to be blaming the Obama administration for it. PatMom was the one who told us it was passed in 2007. I did ask if it was such an awful bill why the President didn't veto it. But, I'm not blaming him for anything.  

Maybe I should have credited not blamed Bush for the bill. I love those lightbulbs.

I guess I've been too hard on W.  I love the lightbulbs and the reduction in our power bill!

IronJaw - You won't have an opportunity to LOVE a reduced power bill, if your beloved leader has his way:

OBAMA SAYS: "Under my plan of a cap and trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket."  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlTxGHn4sH4 

Before someone else points this out (LOL) I want to state that I have not read the bill in question. I just found out about it today. (Thanks, PatMom) and I guess I should thank Bachmann, too. This conversation would have never happened if she hadn't mentioned light bulbs in her speech last night.

I neither like nor dislike the bill. I do like my curly fry bulbs, though.

Sorry, Laura, but you'll need to come up with someone other than Dick Morris to convince me. 

Just wanted to jump in on those low flow toilets.  We have them here where I am now and if you do a partcularly 'juicy' doodle, you end up having to flush 2 or 3 times to clean the bowl.  Or is it just me? 

A 15 watt bulb??  How do you read?  See?  We use 250 watt bulbs on the chair tables in our family room.  Suppose I best run out and stock up.  Let's see, I'm 67, will have to work out how long I expect to live to see how many I'll get---or more likely will run out of space for them first. LOL

Yeah, I hated the new toilets and even considered a trip north to bring something banned into the country.  I hate the shower nozzels more.  Especially in motels.  Not much to say about water pressure before, but after, I'm really grateful I have short hair.  LOL

Oh, and our house is so old we have a Franklin fireplace---big no-no.  Of course I live in a rural area, in the mountains, so I doubt anyone cares.  Selling firewood is a second career for a Bunch of folks around here, they even advertise in the yellow pages.  I sure was glad for it after an ice storm or two and no electricity for a couple of weeks.

Why make laws for compliance to energy saving?  Just because of people like us!  Sure wouldn't sign up for the reduced carbon footprints if I was not forced to do so.  I am old enough that I figure the world will make it while I'm here.  Fortunately, not that many of "me" will be around and the young folks will take charge and save the planet for the next generations.  I am too stubborn to change without the law making me do so.