Spending bill nixes light bulb standards

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Among the provisions in the omnibus spending bill developed by U.S. House and Senate negotiators is language to block light bulb efficiency standards.

The legislation, which would avoid a government shutdown, would block funding for implementing some of the Energy Department's light bulb standards that were to begin phasing in next year, The Hill reported Thursday.

House Republicans have sought for months to repeal provisions in a 2007 energy law that require incandescent light bulbs to be 30 percent more efficient starting in 2012.

Republicans, describing the standards as a "light bulb ban," argue that the rules restrict consumer choice by demoting traditional incandescent bulbs in favor of light emitting diode and compact fluorescent light bulbs, both more expensive but more efficient, The Hill said.

Environmental and energy-efficiency groups said the standards don't ban incandescent bulbs, but require the bulbs be more efficient. Even with the added expense, experts say more efficient light bulbs are money-savers because they save consumers money on their electricity bills.