Republicans Set to Repeal Light Bulb Efficiency Standard That Would Save Consumers $12B/Year

[wtmusic]

"In a move that could be called anything but conservative, Republican lawmakers are set to bring a bill to the House floor next week that will repeal state and municipal rights to set efficiency standards for light bulbs. The bill would unravel a piece of federal legislation that was strongly supported by light bulb manufacturers and has spurred innovation in the lighting industry.

The bill, sponsored by Texas Republican Joe Barton, would strip away any “federal, state or local requirement or standard regarding energy efficient lighting” that uses light bulbs containing mercury. In other words, all compact fluorescent bulbs.

Remember, in May, Barton, denied there was any “medical negative” from mercury emitted from coal power plants. Now he fancies himself a protector of the public from a vastly smaller source of potential mercury poisoning. The reality: There is an extremely small amount of mercury in CFL bulbs. Even after more than 8 hours of exposure, mercury levels are equal to eating a 6 oz can of tuna."

http://thinkprogress.org/romm/2011/07/08/263535/light-bulb-efficiency-standard-will-lower-energy-bills%E2%80%9D/#more-263535

[shraby]

1. Everything has to go through the senate after the house.

Just because they are passing a law in the house, doesn't mean squat.

[wtmusic]

2. True. I posted more to highlight another insidious act by Joe Barton,

the denying pro-oil rep from Texas who is doing his best to neuter the EPA.

[sinkingfeeling]

3. How much of what the House (GOP) has passed and gone on to be passed in the Senate?

[joshcryer]

4. Almost nothing, the entire government has been at a standstill thanks to those assholes.

Yes military spending and other procedural stuff, but yeah. Watch Weiner complaining loudly about the firefighter pay and then just extrapolate that to the entirety of this GOP congress.