U.S. pulls plug on incandescent light bulbs as new ban goes into effect [View all]

Source: UPI

Aug. 2 (UPI) -- The United States has pulled the plug on incandescent light bulbs as a new ban went into effect Tuesday, forcing Americans to buy more efficient LEDs to save energy and cut carbon emissions.

While the manufacture and sale of incandescent bulbs is banned starting Tuesday, under last year's rule passed by the Energy Department, the use of the traditional light bulb is not.

Consumers will be allowed to burn through their remaining incandescent bulbs, as manufacturers who violate the ban face a maximum penalty of $542 per bulb. Incandescent appliance lamps, black lights, bug lamps, holiday lights, plant lights, flood lights and traffic signals will continue to be made.

The incandescent light bulb, which was patented by Thomas Edison in the 1800s, was first targeted for a ban in 2007. The new rule was rolled back during the Trump administration before being renewed last year by President Joe Biden. Specifically, the rule states that light bulbs must emit a minimum of 45 lumens per watt. Incandescent bulbs emit only 15 lumens per watt, while most LED bulbs provide 75 lumens per watt or more.

Read more: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2023/08/02/incandescent-bulb-ban-begins/3941690950528/

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As a note - at least 2 GOP whiny babies (including the twice-impeached, thrice-indicted one) have been complaining and blamed it on "Biden" but neglected to mention the fact that the legislation that originally got the ball rolling for this was signed by THEIR party's leader - Shrub.

H.R.6 - Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007

The phase-out has been ongoing since that law went into effect a decade ago to start removing inefficient bulbs, and most have pretty much been replaced by LEDs now, including some of the specialty ones. It's amazing how far the LED tech has gone now including down to the tiniest of lights (e.g., the "fairy lights", that even with their small size, have an apparent brightness that often far surpasses that of the old miniature incandescents).