U.S. to (Finally) Phase Out Incandescent Bulbs

Yep, it's really happening. President Bush just signed into law a massive energy bill that will, among other things, spell the end of traditional light bulb.

USA Today reports that the bill will phase out the good ole (but power-hungry) incandescent bulb over the next dozen years in favor more efficient fluorescent, halogen, and LED bulbs. Specifically, the new law holds that all light bulbs must be 25 to 35 percent more efficient by 2012 to 2014.

As the USA Today story points out, compact fluorescent bulbs cost about $2, or about four times as much as a typical incandescent bulb. That said, fluorescent bulbs last six times longer than the incandescent variety, and each one will chip about $5 off your annual electricity bill. You do the math.

Of course, part of the challenge will be weaning Americans off incandescent bulbs, which we've been happily using for 125 years. Chris Null has already written about how most of us hate fluorescent bulbs because of "their initial flicker, slow warm-up and slightly weird color." Well, energy-saving bulbs may look weird, but try these stats on for size: $40 billion in savings over the years spanning 2012 to 2030, 14 fewer coal-fired power plants, and 51 million fewer tons of carbon emissions annually (says USA Today). Give me all that, and I'll happily get used to the weird colors.

Related:
It's lights out for traditional light bulbs [USA Today]
Bush signs bill to boost vehicle fuel efficiency [Yahoo! News]