Efficiency First

Last week, Efficiency First members across the country called Congress in support of energy efficiency standards for light bulbs that were passed in 2007. The bill failed  in the House — a victory for energy efficiency advocates:

The standards in question do not specifically ban the old bulbs but require a higher level of efficiency than the classics can produce, essentially nudging them off store shelves over the next few years. Four of Edison’s descendants said the great inventor would be mortified to see politicians trying to get the nation to hang on to an outdated technology when better bulbs are available.

The standards have not been particularly contentious before now. They were crafted in 2007 with Republican participation and signed into law by President George W. Bush. People seem to like the new choices and the energy savings they bring, polling finds.

But now they have become a symbol of a much larger divide in Washington…

We’ll be keeping on top of this issue in the coming weeks and months.