Europe saying goodbye to the light bulb

BRUSSELS, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Wednesday marks the end for the 75-watt incandescent light bulb for European consumers, the European Parliament announced.

The 100-watt light bulb was phased out in 2009 and Wednesday marks the end of the 75 W versions. The European Parliament said the light bulbs would remain on store shelves while supplies last.

European consumers by September 2011 will no longer be able to purchase 60 W, 40 W and 25 W light bulbs. The European Parliament said compact fluorescent, halogen, light-emitting diode or "improved incandescent" light bulbs will replace the conventional light bulb in the European Union.

"The motive behind the change is the energy inefficiency of the old bulbs -- which generate a great deal of heat -- compared to newer models," Parliament said in a statement. "In addition newer bulbs can save money as they can last six to 10 times longer than the old ones."

A conventional incandescent light bulb, Parliament added, converts only 5 percent of the energy it consumes into emitting light.

Europe estimates the switch will save as much energy as Romania consumes in an average year and remove around 15 million tons of harmful emissions from the atmosphere.