Correspondence from Senator Lieberman re: Light bulb ban

Reply from Sen. Lieberman

[matt04]

December 15, 2011

Mr. ...

Dear Mr. ...:

Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns over any efforts to ban the use of incandescent bulbs.

First, I want to make clear that there is no pending legislation that calls for a ban on incandescent light bulbs. That being said, however, I have strongly supported efforts to set new performance standards to increase the energy efficiency of lighting products. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-140) set new performance standards for many common light bulbs. Tier I standards require a 25- to 30- percent increase in the energy efficiency of typical light bulbs beginning in 2012, with greater efficiency improvements through Tier II standards starting in 2020.

I also appreciate concerns that some people have raised about cost. Currently, about ten percent of an American household's electricity bill is spent on lighting costs. While more efficient lighting products may be slightly more expensive at the time of purchase, their useful lifespan is substantially longer than less efficient light bulbs, resulting in overall savings. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) offer considerably higher efficiency than incandescent ones since incandescent bulbs only convert about ten percent of consumed electricity into light. An ENERGY STAR qualified CFL can save more than $40 in electricity costs over its lifetime; use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to ten times longer; and produce about 75 percent less heat, making them safer to use while cutting energy costs associated with home cooling. ENERGY STAR qualified residential light emitting diode (LED) lighting is another option that uses at least 75 percent less energy, lasts 25 times longer than incandescent lighting, and provides optimal light color.

When manufacturers are enticed to use readily available technologies to achieve greater energy efficiency, consumers can expect to save billions of dollars in electricity costs over the long term. In addition, these efficiency standards can offset the need to build dozens of new power plants, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. Another important health and environment impact benefit is the ability to reduce the amount of mercury emitted due to the extra electricity used by incandescent bulbs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), if every American home replaced just one light with one that has earned the ENERGY STAR rating, we could save enough energy to light three million homes for a year, save about $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent nine million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year - equivalent to those emitted from about 800,000 cars.

Thank you again for sharing your views and concerns with me. I hope you will continue to visit http://lieberman.senate.gov for updated news about my work on behalf of Connecticut and the nation. Please contact me if you have any additional questions or comments about our work in Congress.

Sincerely,

Joseph I. Lieberman UNITED STATES SENATOR

[matt04]

I have yet to own a CFL that last as long as the packaging says it will. Shockingly, he also ignore my concerns about the mercury content of the CFLs.

[InterceptPoint]

First, I want to make clear that there is no pending legislation that calls for a ban on incandescent light bulbs.

Quite true, Joe. That legislation was passed in 2007 and, due to some unfortunate laws of physics, effectively bans the sale of 100 watt incandescent light bulbs starting in 2012. Another lesson in how to politicians bend the truth.

[DesertRhino]

A-holes,,, and I haven’t seen repub move to roll this back. Just watch, the ground wont repeal this.

[almost done by half]

My electric company has sent me enough of these new bulbs to last the rest of life for free. Now if they actually
fit our light fixtures I might be able to use a few.

[Leep]

Switching to mostly LED..will never buy GE products.

[Leep]

Most definitely will NEVER buy merc bulbs!

[apillar]

First, I want to make clear that there is no pending legislation that calls for a ban on incandescent light bulbs.

He's technically correct in a roundabout, oily politician sort of way. See the incandescent light bulb was technically never banned by the 2007 legislation, the efficiency standards were just set so high that no incandescent bulb could ever meet them. A ban in all but name. Sort of like Obamas eventual goal to ban use of fossil fuels, he knows an outright ban would never fly, but he can accomplish the same goal by setting efficiency and pollution control standards so high it's effectively a ban.

[donhunt]

These stupid new bulbs don’t last any longer than incandescent bulbs.

The last one I replaced broke in my hand when I removed it.

They make my tomato soup look green.

I’m going to call John F’n Kerry and complain.

[Jim from C-Town]

I have an entire shelf in the basement loaded with the incandecent bulbs. At least enough to last a lifetime.

I am sure I am not alone.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Shockingly, he also ignore my concerns about the mercury content of the CFLs.

Pssst, you got the bug letter.

[Paladin2]

Call it a solar simulator.

[Puppage]

The last one I replaced broke

Did you know that there's a 3 page pdf on how to safely clean up a broken CFL?

http://www.epa.gov/cfl/cflcleanup.html

[tsowellfan]

These stupid new bulbs don’t last any longer than incandescent bulbs.

I have them everywhere in my home. I'm not a Greenie. The reason why I bought them was:

1) I was sick of replacing the old style bulbs once a month.

2) They save me money

I've had them for more than 2 years and not one of them has needed to be replaced.

That being said, I think the consumer should have the choice and government should STAY OUT.

[Wurlitzer]

Where are all the fake environmentalists as our government is forcing mercury into our homes and landfills (nobody on earth follows the EPA rules on disposing CFLS)? You know the anti-American communist who lost their hero in the USSR and turned to the environmental movement as their tool to destroy the USA.

Lets force everyone in congress and the executive branch to have all their bulbs changed to CFLs and if we are lucky they will all be exposed to mercury.

[ExCTCitizen]

First, I want to make clear that there is no pending legislation that calls for a ban on incandescent light bulbs

Quite true, Joe. That legislation was passed in 2007 and, due to some unfortunate laws of physics, effectively bans the sale of 100 watt incandescent light bulbs starting in 2012. Another lesson in how to politicians bend the truth.

He did say PENDING LEGISTRATION...:-)

[NonValueAdded]

Enticed, Joe? Is that what you call enticement? I have a suggestion as to what you can do with a curly light bulb.

[white17x]

Try getting them to come on below 32 degrees

[hadaclueonce]

Why must those who work for us, lie?

My leg is wet and there is not a cloud in the sky.

Throw them all out and then throw their replacements out until they figure out who they work for.

[Political Junkie Too]

Whether there is a ban on incandescent light bulbs or not, they were still successful in driving out the last remaining light bulb manufacturing plant from the United States.

-PJ

[Peet]

That legislation was passed in 2007 and, due to some unfortunate laws of physics, effectively bans the sale of 100 watt incandescent light bulbs starting in 2012. Another lesson in how to politicians bend the truth.

What I tell them:

Sure you didn't "ban" them, but imagine I pass a rule like this: Liberals have freedom of speech but they have to tell the absolute truth without any spin. You would be effectively silenced and yet I could say I have not banned liberal speech.