Lights Out

The House Republicans have managed to pass an amendment to the 2012 Energy and Water Appropriations Act that prohibits funding to implement light bulb efficiency standards. Light bulb efficiency standards that were set forth in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, passed by George W. Bush and several Republican congressmen. 

Rep. Michael Burgess

The amendment was introduced by Representative Michael Burgess (R-TX) who feels that, "the Federal Government has no right to tell [him] or any other citizen what type of light bulb to use at home." Representative Burgess and those who voted in favor of the amendment are, in effect, reversing much of the progress made by the light bulb industry. Energy efficiency is obviously of no concern to these members of congress and the fact that the efficiency standards enacted in 2007 were actually supported by the lighting industry seems to hold no merit either. 


There is no good explanation for the Republicans blatant attack on clean energy policy, other than their deep seeded desire to fund successful oil companies and eliminate all other competition. While the House Republicans are busy patting themselves on the back for de-funding the "light bulb bill" the rest of the country is still wondering where all the jobs are...