Growls

Billy Gribbins of Americans for Tax Reform blogs about H.R. 6144, the Better Use of Light Bulbs Act (BULB Act), by Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas). It is co-sponsored by Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) and Michael Burgess (R-Texas), and “seeks to amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 so as to repeal the portion banning nearly all use of the incandescent light bulb by 2014.” Gribbin writes:

“As might be imagined when the federal government bans something as commonly used as a light bulb, there are also severe economic ramifications. With more and more manufacturing plants shut down due to the ban, many Americans have found themselves out of work. As of this writing, the last major manufacturing plant for incandescent light bulbs in the U.S. is closing. Located in Winchester, Virginia, the GE plant provided jobs for hundreds, jobs that are being eliminated due to the ban (Washington Post, September 8, 2010). Their work is now being shipped overseas to places like China, where production of CFLs is much cheaper.

“The switch from incandescent bulbs to CFLs has been dogged by a variety of other problems, as well. Consumers have noted the extensive time CFLs’ need to “warm up” with each use, and that they can’t be turned on and off with the same frequency before dying as their venerable predecessors. In addition, CFLs contain dangerous levels of mercury, and thus need to be disposed of in a careful manner; if one of them breaks, the EPA recommends a thorough cleaning process, including the trashing of any fabrics to come in contact with the bulb’s contents. Say what you will about Edison’s original brainchild, but at least it didn’t put a health hazard in every room of the house.”

E-mail Arlington County’s representative in the House of Representatives. Jim Moran, to ask him to sign on as a co-sponsor of H.R. 6144. Or you can call him at (202) 225-4376.