Congress Is Still Fighting Over Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
- Amendment bars Energy Department enforcement of bulb standards
- Light bulb makers have vowed to comply with rules regardless
LED bulbs hang at the Royal Philips NV exhibition stand during the Building + Light trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany, on March 15, 2016.
Photographer: Martin Leissl/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Congressional Republicans renewed their effort to save the traditional light bulb, passing a measure to block federal energy standards that have come to symbolize government overreach for many consumers but are largely embraced by manufacturers as the cost of the newer bulbs has plummeted.
The House passed an amendment to a spending bill late Wednesday to block enforcement of Energy Department rules requiring manufacturers to phase out sales of incandescent light bulbs to cut power use. While the measure faces an uncertain future in the Senate, its sponsor called it an important victory for freedom.