"First they came for the lightbulbs..."
12
Anyone endorsing Trump’s new rules
Should pause to consider what such fools
Are doing to our earth
And ask whether it’s worth
Frittering away all those joules
12
Trump's reversal of these light bulb rules proves that he is not bright but actually dimwitted .Trumpp probably thought this was an Obama rule and so felt compelled to undo it. Hard to believe we actually have a president who will go out of his way to add to our climate change problems. When will this Trump nightmare end?
21
Stifling innovation and product quality is a feasible means of sustaining consistent consumption and profits at the cost of the consumer. I upgraded to LED bulbs several years ago. Yes, they cost more but costs are coming down, they cost almost nothing to run, they don't blow out (again!), they have the same soft light as incandescents, they are dimmable, and they are good for the environment. No wonder Trump hates them.
14
Replacing old incandescent bulbs with LEDs will save the homeowners thousands of dollars over their 20 year lifespan.
9
I prefer LED bulbs in most cases, but my experience in the past decade has been that their lifespan is not what the manufacturers claim. You pay significantly more at the register for a bulb that "lasts 25x longer and uses 5x less electricity," but where is the quality control? Often they burn out as fast as incandescent bulbs. They may be using less energy, but as a general rule I'm not getting anywhere close to the 25x longer life claims.
6
It's easy to react negatively to every out-of-left-field idea this administration has, but in the case of the government's heavy-handed banning of incandescent light bulbs, it's not surprising that there are still people resisting this needless interference with the free market. The improving economics of newer lighting technology should achieve the same result without legislative coercion.
Economics and ecology aside, another galling aspect of the lighting saga is that, as is so often the case, the government and politicians have been lying throughout the process. Remember CFL's? Promoted by Washington as a suitable replacement for incandescents, they were actually a terrible substitute. They had to warm up, meaning the light was initially dim, they tended to emit sounds, and the temperature of the lighting was harsh. They didn't last very long either.
Even now the lies continue, as manufacturers insist that an LED light source with a temperature equivalent of 2,700K is the same as an incandescent of the same temperature. A simple side-by-side comparison clearly shows the LED produces a much whiter color than the incandescent.
Why try to mislead consumers? I'd be much more inclined to push back harder against this latest affront if there were a little more honesty all the way around.
4
The "new" bulbs are horrible and came out way before they were practical. They are too bright, they last anywhere between 2 and 5 years (so far). They require new switches to control them. They don't come in many sizes. Many bulbs will produce a humming sound when dimmed too low. They don't get brighter than the older 150 watt bulbs; what if you wanted a three way dimmable bulb or a 200 watt bulb for an older lamp. You can't buy them in most stores. What about outdoor lamps? These new bulbs don't get hot enough to melt snow, so more of my outdoor lamps are corroding and they remain covered in snow and ice until it warms up. They also dim over time. A bulb I recently replaced got dim enough that I could see the prior curly cue bulbs inside what appears to be a normal bulb. I believe that means they contain mercury. Read the warnings on the packages; if you break a bulb, shut the doors, open the windows, wear a breathing mask, don't allow children or pets in until you have throughly vacuumed everything and then mop the floor. They are that toxic. Then you need to double bag the broken bulb and dispose of properly. How do you do that? George Bush caved in on a terrible law and put all of the remaining US light bulb factories out of business. I applaud President Donald Trump for seeing the light and making all kinds of bulbs back onto the market.
4
@Steven Pettinga
If this comment isn’t sarcasm then I’m feeling so sorry for the American education system.
17
My single issue this election will be climate change. I think I am not alone.
10
How nice it would be if we had a President who tried to make things better instead of worse. Obviously, we need a new one.
16
Please re-read the article before complaining! The light bulbs described are decorative and designed to compliment existing installed fixtures! (chandeliers and above bathroom sink mirrors).
2
CFL's contain mercury, so if one breaks on a carpet you will never be able to let your children crawl or play there again. Even if the amount is small, breaks should be treated as toxic spills, and they are in some places. I would also not recommend using them where they might contaminate food or food prep surfaces.
2
@Kraktos
If an incandescent bulb breaks on your carpet you’ll be cutting your feet and buying more “The Incredible’s” band-aids for your children’s knees than you ever did before you stepped on it.
3
As a young boy I drove my poor father crazy by my penchant for taking things apart without knowing how to put them together again. Who knew that I had the attributes of being the President of the U.s.
12
@gm - As the late Daniel Schorr said, the Republicans are much better at blowing things up than putting things together.
8
When does the Trump administration begin the process of changing the standards for those weirdly shaped and noisy toilets that are now driving patriotic Americans to distraction?
2
Trump doesn't want anything to shine brighter than his ego.
13
I think Americans should take this opportunity to replace any remaining incandescent bulbs in their homes with LED bulbs.
6
Another blockhead move by the administration. For this one, everyone loses!
10
This is not about light bulbs at all. The stable genius in the white house is too overwhelmed and ignorant to understand world affairs. This is how he tries to get people focused on him and his craziness and not the dangerous world he has wrought on our country.
12
What a pinhead Trump is and it would be laughable if he wasn't such a danger to the rest of us. All of my light bulbs are LED's. With a choice among 2700 K (soft white) through 5000K (daylight), plenty of lumens, prices coming down, who would ever want to go back to incandescent bulbs (with due respect to Thomas Edison). And flourescent bulbs are a sorry substitute for incandescent and LED's. Please let us get rid of him in 2020 along with those despicable, pathetic lackeys in the White House - Stephen Miller, are you listening? - and those spineless cowards in the Republican congressional body. Please.
11
And for an appropriate donation or hotel room commitment a White House staff member will come to your home and Sharpie blacken every other led in your current low energy lights. At least that’s what many people say.
6
Why does anyone want to go backwards? We have all LED's in our house, we are seniors. We love them! Have only replaced a few but that was because of the lighting option (brightness) was needed to be different in specific areas. We have Daylight lighting in our basement..... wow, major difference. One spot was the best test for us. We live in a bungalow which have an odd lighting area that is difficult to get to and it gets pretty cold there as well.... so those old lightbulbs1 were a pain to have to replace often. Since we switched to LED's haven't replaced any in those spots in I would say 4 years where we would have had to replace 1 to 2 times every year before. In the beginning they were costly but have more than paid for themselves.
7
A week ago I would have agreed with this article but I just read a book called Head Strong. The book talks about the evils of LED and fluorescent lighting -- the lack of full-sprectrum light and lack of light on the red end of the spectrum.
There is a problem. It needs to be addressed. Hopefully technology can address this but, in the mean time, people's health is being damaged by "efficient" lighting.
1
@Phil Hughes I read books too! I just avoid books like you read because they are nonsense.
12
LED bulbs use 10% of the energy of an Incandescent bulb to illuminate that same room. LED bulbs also have a lifespan of 50,000 hours versus the Incandescent bulb 1200 hour lifespan. Progress of newer technologies will eventually 'crush' the old inefficient technologies! I am old enough to remember the change over from the "old fashioned" gas refrigerator to the "modern" electric refrigerator! (same mentality existed) "Time marches on, waiting for 'no man'!"
7
I guess that I’d Trump and his cohorts have their deregulatory way, we would have the un-banning of highly dangerous white phosphorous matches!
4
A normal LED 7 watt lamp is the equivalent to a 60 watt lamps saving approximately 80% power reduction. You would think a low powered DOTARD President would appreciate the fact that he is at least consumes more energy then a modern lamp.
10
Good news - Mad Magazine isn't dead. It has reappeared as the real news! Who needs satire when the Orwellian-named Alliance to Save Energy wants to waste 25 power plants' worth (coal-fired, no doubt) on antiquated lighting technology whose time has past that is inefficient, shorter-lived and creates useless and dangerous excess heat, and the 'resident thinks it's a great idea? Or when said 'resident redraws a weather map because he "misplaced" a state, couldn't admit his error, and escalates the fluff into a global laughingstock? Or when that same 'resident "suggests" that the vice-'resident stay at a facility he owns so that he can profit off our tax dollars? The list goes on...
We are living in bizarro world, where illegal is legal, immoral is moral, and stupid is smart. No wonder Mad folded; how could they top the sick satire that is Trump's America?
12
All Trump's bright ideas are out dated.
8
Uh, excuse me? Why would I buy an incandescent blub?
LEDs are cheaper to buy, cheaper to use, and can last for decades.
If you really want to go back, mandate candles, That makes just as much sense. Whale oil lamps?
Come on, Drumph. Buy a bulb. Pay an electric bill. Oh, that's right. You don't. And it was a Bush legislation, not OBama.
15
I really hope Trump gets his comeuppance while he's still sentient enough to fully appreciate it.
No one can live a life as vacuous and selfish and wantonly destructive as his without a day of reckoning?
Surely?!
15
This is a concession to Xi Jinping so trump can keep all of his trademarks in China.
2
Michele Bachmann are you happy now?
8
No respect for the rule of law. Congress makes the laws, and the Executive is suppose to implement them. This so called President, ignores the law, all of them, and abuses his control over the “the good Germans” he’s hired, to do whatever his rich corporate friends want. This is why the corporate interests want him there. And in the face of possibly losing him in 2021, they will use the next 18 months to continue to dismantle as much of our governing structure as they can - light bulbs may be the least of our worries.
9
Fake News! How much more energy is required to manufacture complex CFC and LED bulbs than a simple incandescent bulb? It's another case of transfer of cost and pollution and claiming a local victory.
And it's no secret that CFCs are much more polluting and require careful disposal. LEDs are not much better.
And how much more does it cost to manufacture and purchase?
1
@Tintin
False statements are false. Just an FYI.
5
Another case of an absurd Trump agenda. The LED and fluorescent bulbs are not just more energy efficient, they also last much longer that the old incandescent. With the LED, it is even easy to get the ugly yellow glow of the incandescent lights some posters so much love or true daylight or what ever hue one wants.
I for one have no desire to return to the outdated incandescent technology.
7
There is an "in-your-face" feeling to yet another very bad decision coming from Don the Con. It is an irrational move when the benefits of energy-efficient light bulbs are so dramatic. Electric bills for our four-year-old new and sustainably built home are a fraction of what they were in our previous, and incandescently lit, home. Our new home has more space, more windows and, yes, more lights!
Does Trump, like the incandescent industry, reflect the resistance of deadwood industries to innovation and fatal irrelevance? Is their cash play to Trump's corrupt core enough to derail, even for a brief moment, the move toward a sustainable and energy conservation future intended to keep our Earth livable for all?
How can one very bad four-year experience in governance be allowed to derail our foundations of a green and clean future? The GOP has to live in this world as well and I think they also read the science on the existential nature of global warming. I cannot believe that they would let this light bulb thing ride, waiting for the DEMS to put us back on the right track when they win next November?
If this is oligarchy's attitude toward the perils of pollution, then the swamp sustained by Trump and the GOP deserves to be buried in the history books as the disastrous climate killers and selfish provocateurs that they are.
5
The inconvenient truth is more inconvenient to the president than anyone else in the country. His denial of climate change would be laughable if it weren't so dangerous.
In the near future, we will program the human mind in the computer based on a "survival" algorithm, which will provide irrefutable proof as to how we trick the mind with our ridiculous beliefs about what is important and what is supposed to survive - producing minds programmed de facto for dirty tricks and destruction. These minds see the survival of a particular belief as more important than the survival of us all. When we understand this, we will begin the long trek back to reason and sanity.
See RevolutionOfReason.com
3
Yep. You’re free to go back to using old-fashioned incandescent lighting if you want to pay higher energy bills. While you’re at it, start using your landline and driving your 1959 Ford. Make America Great Again!
10
There is no excuse for this rollback. LED's can now be found for $1 each (or less) for standard sizes/lumens (can't say "watts," those are what's being saved - sorry- pun INTENDED).
We recently installed LED's in EVERY socket in our house. Yes, there was a cost, but our electricity bills are noticeably lower because of it. Who's saving who money here? Trump and his destructive administration are saving it for the manufacturers of the incandescent bulbs- most of whom are probably in China or other low-cost countries!
3
Looking at this and trump's other regulatory interference gives rise to the question: Why is trump so hateful of the future? Is it just disregard, an aversion to any successes of America with a connection to President Obama, and/or a puppet of Vlad or a decaying mind?
2
OMG, what's not to like about LED bulbs? They're brighter, they last seemingly forever.... I changed out every one of them in my former home and am in the process of doing the same in my new home. In my old home, one 60 w equivalent LED bulb gave out better light than a very dangerous 250 w bulb I found in a ceiling fixture! Maybe the EZ Bake oven lobby is behind this ridiculous roll back; you can't bake anything with an LED bulb because they're cool!
8
“..Energy consumption in American homes has dropped 6 percent.” Woo hoo! After all of the costs associated with retooling, restocking, replacing, and redoing, we have saved a whole 6 percent! Why does this sound like another dog and pony show?
Have you ever driven by or through a major American city or factory at night and noticed all the lights? You know, the floor upon floor of lighted offices in the major banks, or the “security lights” flooding the surrounding properties around factories? How is it that these energy consuming lights in commercial properties are allowed to continue to burn round the clock while (as usual) the little guy domestic consumer is forced to change his habits and (pay!) to reduce his usage of electricity by switching to the dimmest but most expensive lights around? Once again the consumer is getting suckered. The fact is incandescent bulbs are just better. They are brighter and warmer, literally. We use just one 75 watt bulb to keep our entire well from freezing in the winter.
I’m Pro-choice.
I have a high efficiency natural gas furnace and hot water heater; energy efficient windows; energy efficient refrigerator, washer and dryer; energy efficient home insulation.......will there be a roll back on these as well?
I think the President's light bulb as well as the administration's is either very low or completely out.........ludicrous.
6
Every day some new hateful, spiteful, childish, nonsensical, petty, destructive, consequential thing, taking us further backward, spiraling down. If he wins re-election, it will tell us more than we want to know about the kind of country we have.
7
To those who point out that the economics of led lighting is so compelling that regulations was never needed: what do you think drove of production volume high enough to bring down the unit price of leds?
2
Echos of Nero fiddling while Rome burns! Trump has already disabled almost all the past progress US has made in the fight against climate change.
Democratic candidates have begun to show some initiative in recognition of the existential threat we face. Senator Booker wisely noted the need to first consider climate effects when making all decisions before any other considerations. Senator Sanders ambitious program recognizes the level of action we must take very quickly.
The people will decide if this is the preferred direction to take. We can only hope the majority of voters will be convinced the science makes sense and the difficult choices are clear.
2
When the compact fluorescents light bulbs came out, we replaced all of our lights but were not satisfied with them. They did not last as long as advertised.
Then the LEDs came out and once again, we went though the house and replaced all of our compact fluorescents lights. The LEDs are wonderful and they actually do reduce the electric bill.
Why anyone would want to return to the past I do not understand. What I do understand is that President Trump does not read scientific data on Global Warming, it is real and we have to do something about it. At least purchase LEDs.
9
All the more frightening because a major accomplishment of President Obama was bringing the country safely and steadily out of the Great Recession.
Will Trump’s next political insanity be to reverse this?
Make America a Great Recession Again?
Will that be his last series of policies between losing the 2020 election and leaving the White House 2 months later? Will he even willingly leave, or will he have to be removed in a straightjacket?
4
What folks should remember is that incandescent bulbs are not only much more expencive to use for lighting than LED lights but they also produce an enormous amount of heat. Down here in Florida the biggest part of our electricity bill is for running air conditioners. Trump's war on the environment appalls me but even the staunchest Republican should be smart enough not to spend good money heating a home up and cooling it down at the same time!
11
The sub-headline is wrong but the details are in the article.
"In 2007, a bipartisan Congress said that requiring energy efficient light bulbs was the right idea. The Trump administration disagrees."
There's no disagreement that the newer technology blubs are better. The only dispute is whether or not the government needs to legislate the switch from the incandescent bulb. Do we need the nanny state or can we make our own decisions?
Lightbulbs used to sell at four for a dollar, now LEDs are often four dollars each, depending on where you buy them. Almost all LED bulbs come from China where there's little enforcement of environmental laws. Is that what we want to encourage?
Let's get the government off our backs and let us decide what's best for ourselves and the environment. If not, we'll soon expect the government to legislate what we eat! Communism anyone?
2
@Vivian Your pejorative language merely discredits you. You are ignorant of history.
3
If this rule change “will not impact the market’s continuing, rapid adoption of energy-saving lighting”, then why do it?
What's next, a proposal to rescue the buggy whip industry? "These people have been suffering for far too long, and I'm here to bring this manufacturing back to this country."
8
The Trump administration gets more ridiculous every day. This is another incredibly unnecessary and wasteful - need I say really dumb - reversal of a well-intended and very good regulation. Donald Trump has the right to deny climate change and ignore the benefits of sound environmental planning, but his ignorance is endangering all of ours and our children's futures. Just listen to his nonsensical explanations for his decisions and you know that something is just not right,
7
Old people like Trump seem to hate LED bulbs, with one commenter calling then “gas station bathroom” bulbs.
Sure, if you WANT your house to look like a gas station bathroom, you can get an LED bulb in that color.
But the nice thing about LEDs is that you can get a bulb in almost any color. I personally prefer a warm white, which is basically indistinguishable from an incandescent bulb.
This story sounds like that headline in the Simpsons, “Old Man Yells At Cloud.”
Of course their parents lamented the loss of lanterns and gaslighting for the newfangled electric kind...
9
Ageist much? I despise djt & his ongoing war against common sense, but don't attribute his idiocy to his age. Whatever is wrong with him has nothing to do with his birth date. By most accounts, he's always been a fool.
3
Lack of respect for the environment is an understatement. The Trump Administration is openly hostile to environmental protection. The Amazon is burning, hurricanes are more common and more devastating, species are going extinct, the Great Barrier Reef is imperiled, on so on. The WH’s response to these truths is to produce more coal, drill for more oil, make asbestos great again, open up more land for logging, roll back fuel efficiency standards—or, basically give the middle finger to Mother Nature. Trump will not go down in history as a brilliant statesman. He will never win the Nobel Prize he so-highly covets. Like Nixon, only his presidential library and maybe one school will bear his name after his death. Determined to make his mark somehow, he seems content to leave a legacy of environmental degradation and a generation of emotionally scarred Hispanic immigrant children.
4
Trump has clearly lost his mind. He has completely lost the ability to separate his own twisted view of the universe with what simply makes good sense. New technology has made light bulbs more efficient. Efficient is good. Yes they cost more, but they also last longer. Just as an electric-powered vehicle is a better way of moving people from A to B and solar panels and wind turbines are better ways of harvesting and generating energy. It's called progress through innovation. Trump wants to drag America back to the 1930s and in the process he is putting the whole world at risk. He is a dangerous, deluded fool at best and a paid lackey of the oil industry at worst and MUST be removed in 2020.
5
There is one way to predict the future with this current resident of the White House. Determine what, if anything, remains from the Obama era and good chance this man will reverse the action.
Simple, there must be a to do chart somewhere with a Steven Miller clone coordinating the effort.
2
This particular regulation is a product of the G.W. Bush admin. (2007), but you're still right. djt's obsession with Obama is beyond sick & I think he has no idea how obvious it is & how pathetic it makes him look. He makes policy based on his jealousy & insecurities. He has got to go!
3
Kamala Harris proposed yesterday a climate action plan of $10 trillion. There are 120 million households in the US, so that's about $100,000/household. NYT subscribers are wealthier, that would be $300,000/household for them.
She also said she would ban all all fracking. Virtually all oil and gas now is produced by fracking, so all of that would stop.
Look out your window. Is it often windy? Not, unless you live in the Great Plains, from the Dakotas down to Texas. And it's not very sunny in February. And there are not enough batteries for a day, let alone for saving summer energy till winter.
So under her plan, about 100 million people in the US would die of cold.
That would be twice the 50 million killed by Mao, during the Great Leap Forward. Which was a plan just about as well thought out as the Green New Deal.
Of course, they and their children would freeze for the sake of their grandchildren.
All this, in order to stop the current global warming. Which warming, any child can check from sea levels, or from engravings of Swiss glaciers, started 250 years ago.
That is, the warming started 200 years BEFORE the big industrial emissions which caused it.
And it is supposed to be stopped by our $100,000 per family and no heat during winter. In the US 15% of the world emissions. While China keeps developing, buys us and treats us like it treats Hong Kong.
That vs prosperity and record low unemployment.
That is all that Trump in 2020 and his 2024 successor have to say.
2
One more ship that’s already sailed, with Trump pandering to a tiny slice of the electorate who don’t know or understand that the vast majority of Americans have already switched to now-inexpensive LEDs, and will never look back.
7
With all the Brexit mayhem overshadowing everything else over here, this latest Trump absurdity has fallen beneath our radar. However, it probably won't make much difference since you buy the same Chinese light bulbs (which are now as cheap as chips, even when subject to Trump's tariffs) as we do this side of the Pond. It's a very simple change to adapt the lamp's electronics to suit your 110 volt household voltage - and no Chinese production manager is going to gear up to make incandescent lamps for what is now a very limited market. Result: Trump bulbs would be made in the USA (wouldn't he love this!) for your own domestic market only - you won't be able to export them! Lower production volumes will mean higher unit prices, so market forces will prevail as the more enlightened (excuse the pun) of you move to LEDs regardless of your president's wishes...
2
This is a totally political grandstanding move. Every business in America that cares about its bottom line has already replaced all their incandescent light bulbs or has plans to do so.
7
Remember when a light bulb was the sign of a bright idea?
This ain't one of them.
I think (and hope) that we are well beyond the tipping point on energy saving lighting tech.
Since GE closed the last incandescent light bulb factory in the USA in 2010, which country's workers will be benefit from this plan?
Yup, you guessed it. China which produces the most bulbs.
And then Trump can tax it, oops, tariff it.
Please, some intrepid reporter, follow the string back to its source and expose who will really benefit from this "brilliant" idea.
1
So who benefits from this change? Incandescent bulbs are generally no longer manufactured (except, perhaps, in China) as most companies have closed their outmoded production facilities. Perhaps we should follow the money.
2
I am a scientist and an early adopter of fluorescent and LED lighting - and I believe rather strongly that a legislative or regulatory ban of incandescent light bulbs is not necessary. Instead, educate the buyer with better package labeling and posters at the points of sale about the cost advantages and other distinguishing characteristics of the new technologies. Current package labeling is a mess and often misleading. If you want to regulate, then please create a standard mandatory label that lists lumens, lumens per watt, the color temperature, the color rendering index, and the bulb's expected lifetime. Let people make an informed decision. Let those who need incandescent light bulbs have them (yes, there are quite a few rare but legitimate uses that current regulation ignores).
3
@AT
You’re to be commended for your rational assessment of “lumens, lumens per watt, the color temperature and the color rendering index” as you stand in the aisle at Home Depot. But your personal virtue will not lead to effective public policy. Recall that people had to be ticketed to remember to wear seat belts. If we want to make a difference in our collective energy efficiency, and we do, it will take collective action.
7
At this point all of this rule changing seems only vindictive and compulsive. The cost to consumers evens out over time as the more expensive energy-efficient bulbs last much longer. That leaves 'reduce regulations' as the only reason to do this, i.e., that regulations are in and of themselves an inherent bad no matter how much good they might do. Sorry, but this is almost getting to be a sick joke.
6
Light bulbs. Sure, let's focus on those.
That stratagie will probably as effective as the non-existent wall.
7
This administration is quite simply unAmerican while parading under the banner of Make America Great Again. The current occupant of the Oval Office is diabolically undoing every possible protection of The Bill of Rights EXCEPT for that of the second amendment, the right to bear arms. He is clearly doing every possible thing, down to a lowly lightbulb, in childish opposition to his predecessor, President Barack Obama. By doing so, he seals his fate as a one term President.
10
Incandescent bulbs? Only manufactured in China. That'll improve the trade imbalance between the US and Red China!
6
We have former Texas governor and current Secretary of Energy, Rick Perry, to thank for this, a science-ignorant dolt who Trump picked to replace the distinguished MIT professor Ernest Moniz. When confirmed by Senate Republicans, astonishingly, Perry thought the DOE was primarily responsible for matters involving oil and gas. He previously was on the record favoring shutting DOE down, another grand example of Trump appointing incompetent sandbox dullards to run sophisticated and complex departments whose responsibilities their small minds cannot even begin to comprehend, just as he has demonstrated the lack of mental capacity to even begin to grasp what being president entails. A unique club of persons of limited intellect and understanding, collectively oblivious to their shared deficiencies. God help the United States!
12
It is amazing. The White House has nothing better to concentrate its attention except light bulbs. The White House will do just about anything to change Obama era regulation. Maybe if Obama publicly admitted Trump is a better golfer then things might change. Obama was a better US president but yes it is true Trump is the better putter.
1
It's either the Republican party or survival.
What's it going to be world?
5
In the Uk just like most of the EU you can no longer by incandescent lamps and this has been in place for the last few years its a no brainer ! unlike our present situation ! although to be fair to Boris he dose have good green credentials and his new partner at No 10 is defiantly on message for saving the planet
1
Will the POTUS ever make a decision which is not an attempt to 'damage and discredit' Obama administration ideas and decisions? Please, America do not re-elect the Trumpster.
6
What is the matter with this person? Speechless again....
3
Why aren’t Americans marching in the streets against this president?
8
The incandescent bulb is already nothing more than a small share of lighting sales in America today, it is already a niche item and will never be more again, that does not mean the incandescent bulb needs to be outlawed.
One of the greatest inventions in the history of mankind!
This roll back changes nothing about the lighting industry or market, it is completely toothless.
The law was signed in by Bush and was never needed in the first place, this is just a chance for Trump to tell his base he has rolled back regulations to the benefit of business, toothless as it is. Consumers demand longevity and efficiency in their lighting today, and the manufacturers deliver that and are pushing for even better. Hopefully rolling back this law keeps a lot of worthless bureaucratic paper pushing from happening since advances in lighting efficiency will happen and exceed what the law demanded anyway because lighting technology at this point is inherently efficiency driven, if you let that slip, you may as well not be competing.
The incandescent bulb is one of the great inventions in human history and it still has its unique applications and uses but its use is only declining, let it exist in the niche boutique slice of market share it has and find more legitimate reasons to demonize Trump. Screaming that Trump is ruining future generations because a small percent of incandescent bulbs are being used is bunk. Technology has reached these goals and is moving beyond.
1
NY and other states should pass labeling laws requiring all light bulb manufacturers to print the expected life and the expected life time costs right on their packaging. Truth in advertising!
2
I don't understand how the federal government, created FOR THE PEOPLE, is allowing the whims of one president -- and his non-elected friends and family -- to reverse course on so many things (laws, regulations, treaties) created for the good of all Americans. Many were created after careful consideration and debate, and Trump is allowed to simply strike them down ... via Twitter, of all things. Outrageous!
5
10 Democratic candidates spoke on CNN for 7 hrs today focusing on the Climate Crisis - while Hurricane Dorian was the subject of most news for the better part of the past 7 days. Naturally then, the Maestro of the White House Reality Show had to switch up his news production with controversial nonsense; what better than something completely contrary to what all the experts, scientists, pundits, candidates & 89% of the general population agree is an urgent national & international concern & a high priority for Washington's full, bipartisan attention immediately. Trump's pattern of distraction is to use oppositional behaviour - the kind used by acting out kids & the same kind that got him sent to military reform school for discipline in his early teens. (Clearly, it had no perceivable lasting effect.)
I digress. With his new polls today at 39% approval rating, the cancelled trip to Poland as Dorian threatened Fla in order to monitor it from his Golf Course & the criticism about installing the Pence family & tax paid security contingent in Trump's Hotel in Ireland & his recent humiliation felt by the laughter heard around the world over his Denmark/Greenland clumsy, indiscrete fantasies. Then, there was the game of playing meteorologist with made up hurricane tracking which the Alabama Governor had to correct.. Clearly, the Trump Reality Show Producer needed to switch gears. Changing the light bulb with its environmental harm & backward ignorance would surely do the trick..
6
Virtually every energy saving idea originated in the private sector. Solar cells, wind turbines, hybrid cars, electric cars, LED bulbs, and virtually every energy saving device. But one party believes that only the government can manage energy conservation. Go make sense of that.
3
@michjas
Only one party, and one ignorant man at its helm, believes in sabotaging every aspect and step of progress in energy-efficient products developed by the private market and fostered by previous governments. Go make sense of that!
3
Just add this to the long list of actions that will be reversed in the first 100 days of office for the next Democratic President. Which is one reason why manufacturers and retailers won't be in a rush to turn back the hands of time.
8
@Jeff That's a good point. Moving backwards is not a good idea.
1
The Trump Admin seeks to undo everything Obama touched - that's clear. I'm curious to see how many light bulb and light fixture manufacturers will decide it's worthwhile to produce the again-allowed low tech bulbs and fixtures to showcase them, given the shift in consumers' understanding about the lower comparative total lifetime cost of higher efficiency bulbs v. incandescent bulbs? Same goes for retailers like the local Ace Hardware, Target and Lowe's and their decision to devote expensive shelf space to the new v. old bulbs and fixtures. It's strange how anti-market the GOP has become. Can't wait to see what the sales data shows in a couple of years' time.
5
One could maybe understand the Right’s weird obsession with incandescent light bulbs back when LEDs were expensive, had those weird coil-like designs, and had a delay from the time you flipped the switch and the bulb turned on. None of that is the case anymore.
I’m sitting in a room lit by LEDs, currently set to a soft and warm color as I wind down my day. The lights look and behave identically to incandescent lights, and have many additional features as well. And of course they’re much more energy efficient.
When my Trump-supporting parents switched all the lights in their house from incandescent to LEDs, their power bill dropped dramatically. You probably couldn’t give them incandescent light bulbs for free now because of the electricity cost.
People on the right who are still whining about light bulbs need to set their emotional attachments to an inferior and harmful* technology aside and grow up.
* Externality of climate change not priced in. Others bear the cost of greenhouse gas emissions disproportionately.
14
Those "bulbs with the coil-like designs and turn-on delays" were compact fluorescent (CF) bulbs, not LEDs.
4
What if all these piece meal environmental announcements are meant to paralyze and distract us from the bigger issues at play? When you can’t decide which angle to attack from, you freeze. But if we took a different approach — not getting caught up in the daily outrage, and focusing big picture — perhaps we could accomplish more. Like a general strike. Or protests at the border. As citizens, we have the power to halt the country and the economy, which is what will really get the politicians to tremble with fear. If we want change we need big picture thinking. Light bulbs? This is diversion.
9
@Elise I suggest donating time and money TODAY to electing Democrats and retiring Republicons. Promoting obsolete technologies may not seem to be a lot but combined with other environmental actions this is aimed at destroying the environment we are handing over to our children and grandchildren.
1
Light bulb changes will save us? Really?
Fiddling while Rome burns.
The root cause of global warming is people: Too many of them.
The world population is at 7.7 billion, double what it was in 1972, and its growth shows no sign of abating.
We cannot compensate for the additional 80 million each year with conservation, cleaner living -- fossil fuel reduction, etc. Climate change is inexorable so long as we keep multiplying.
The population reached its tipping point -- the point at which a process can no longer be halted – at least half a century ago. No matter what kind of amelioration is proposed: If you, the individual "you", brought more than one child into the world: You are personally responsible for the death of mankind, indeed, of all animal life on the Earth.
Pogo said it in the 1970's: "We have met the enemy and he is us." Walt Kelly had Vietnam in mind, but it applies to today's situation. Actually, worse: "We are the enemy, and we are committing suicide."
It's all over, folks.
14
Pretty much nailed it. And the other by-product of sustaining such a population is the death, nay, the outright murder of our greatest planetary asset: the diversity and sustainability of our planet's species. This is the greatest resource we have for the perpetuity of our planetary balance & nature.
2
Can we stop clutching our pearls every time the Trump administration rolls back some environmental protection?
A European study confirms that the single biggest contribution to climate is the human being. No amount of cutting back on gasoline cars, airplane trips, old light bulbs can match the decision to not have a child. In fact, every other eco-friendly action taken together still don't come close to the impact reducing the carbon footprint by not having a child.
Of course, the Democrats can bang their heads against the wall at everything Trump is undoing because empty virtue signalling is more impact than talking about what really works: unchecked population growth.
When Democrats starts to talk about who among us should have children and how many, then I'll take their climate change action plan seriously. Until then, it's all empty rhetoric.
5
@Jason W... You should have gotten together with Jeffery Epstein. He shared the same approach as you appear to in deciding who gets to have children. As did many other notables in history.
9
OK. Let's see how things work out when there's 10-12, or even 20 billion human beings on planet earth. Sounds logical.
If only LED bulbs were as easy as the "lowly" incandescent, but they are not. Dimmable? Maybe. Appropriate for enclosed fixtures? Better check that. Shed light more than 300 degrees of a sphere like a reading lamp generally needs? Tough find. Use an LED on a circuit with a glowing "night light" switch? That's a concern. Will the shade or globe still fit? Not sure. UL certified? Do not bet on it, as LED makers from the Far East attack the market without conformity, like it is the Wild West. Handle by the glass portion? Not those curly CFLs. Easy to dispose? Not when there is mercury in them.
While mandating which bulbs we use was not as overbearing as dictating how our toilet seats were shaped, greater consideration should have been given to making them easy to purchase and use. Buy the bulbs you want and be happy ... IF you can decipher the shape, size, circuit, and a handful of other characteristics.
2
It is estimated that using LED bulbs in the home saves about 90 dollars per year on your electrical bill. I would venture to say that might be even a greater savings as Led bulbs have a longer life.
"Many LEDs have a rated life of up to 50,000 hours. This is approximately 50 times longer than a typical incandescent, 20-25 times longer than a typical halogen, and 8-10 times longer than a typical CFL. Used 12 hours a day, a 50,000 bulb will last more than 11 years. Used 8 hours a day, it will last 17 years!"
3
There is still one valid use case for halogen lamps: proofing of photographic prints made using a calibrated printer. This is because, unlike LED lamps, halogen lamps are a "back body source" like the sun, differing only in tne colour temperature. Viewed even under the best 90% CRI LEDs, prints will still exhibit slightly incorrect colours due to metamerism. (Some professionals seem happy with special, very expensive, fluorescents.)
So I have a halogen fitted to a desk lamp, that I use maybe half an hour a year. Most of the time I can inspect prints under sunlight and not use a lamp at all.
As for bathroom and chandeliers, the bathroom lights are LED because those are waterproof, and the chandeliers LED because the incandescent ones used to heat up the fitting too much.
I would have thought the solution was to put a large tax on halogens but leave them on sale for edge cases like mine. It will be years and years before I need to buy another lamp.
The pre-halogens have been unavailable for years now in Australia, and the sky has not fallen in.
6
Two examples, quite different results:
Cable TV de-regulation vs. Government 'light-bulb' regulations.
Before Cable was de-regulated, the monthly bill was $45. After de-regulation, it's the highest bill in the household. And it notoriously continuously keeps getting higher.
But with Light Bulbs, now, for the same price (due to rebates), you get a better bulb (lasts 5x longer), and uses 1/20th of the the energy. Remarkable.
Government, and government initiated regulation works.
When you are against every attempt to improve our existence, you are just being resentful and whiny.
Do something other than complain.
15
The common theme of the Trump administration repeats itself once again on this issue.
He just goes with what he knows, instead of seeking out the best and brightest.
(In this case, quite literally.)
9
What next? Will Mr. Trump want to bring back the Edsel?
7
@JCAZ. No Obama was not responsible.
3
That train left the station years ago.
5
Oh, forgot one way to make America great again- bring back the Easy Bake Oven! Time is ripe for investing in Kenner’s - oh wait , it’s Hasbro now. We can forget about the recall stemming from kids burning their fingers, one a five year old who had part of a finger amputated, because it is much more important to protect the freedom of Americans to cook with whatever light bulb they want.
4
Why is this even a legislative question? Did we have to outlaw the 'horse and buggy'?
2
Fluorescent bulbs are causing mercury to leach into our drinking water.
They're almost as bad for the environment as ethanol.
Thanks liberals.
@George Orwell
If fluorescent tubes are improperly disposed of, then mercury can vaporize into the atmosphere. It has to fall out and be methylated to enter a food web (generally an aquatic or marine ecosytem). It's nowhere near the problem that the wasted carbon emissions are from using incandescent bulbs, and is a dwindling technology. LED lights have no mercury and are more efficient.
Thanks, "conservatives" for your profligacy in burning carbon.
17
@Eric L. Peters My town tells me to put compact and tube fluorescents into general trash, wrapped in newspaper. Globally, more than 95% of fluorescent light bulbs end up in landfills - or worse.
Will we go back to candles and gaslights next? What a colossal waste of time by this administration. Seriously this is what conservatives want as a priority?
15
Oh, get serious... there’s no major industry money in candles and gaslights...
1
That the goal of this change is impish and nefarious doesn't make it altogether wrong.
EPA (by way of EnergyStar) has been setting utterly absurd standards for light bulbs since LEDs became mainstream. Even as EnergyStar and conservation-minded utilities pushed hundreds of millions in incentives to make them palatable, CFLs were mostly reviled by the general public. That was a giant disservice to the broader conservation movement, and to energy efficiency generally--not to mention, a massive waste of taxpayer funds.
When the far superior LED emerged as an affordable alternative, with none of the performance drawbacks of CFLs, EnergyStar set ridiculous escalating standards for lumens (light output) per watt at the expense of light quality, evidently oblivious to the CFL failure. Moving from 60 to 12 watts wasn't enough. They needed manufacturers to get to 10 watts, customer preferences be damned.
I'd love to see an LED in every American light socket, but EnergyStar and the larger conservation movement, even with all their incentives, almost seem hell bent on preventing that.
2
No store is going to offer incandescent bulbs, in part, because no manufacturer will tool up to start making them again. It's just one stunt after another. In grammar school we called a guy like Trump a dooofus. At least he has that going for him.
12
How many Trumps does it take to unscrew a lightbulb?
20
There is something deeply wrong with this picture.
There is nothing good about wasted energy, especially with a planet in crisis.
I have more to say but it isn't printable.
12
Looks like a play to make some quick stock market money, where insiders have advance notice of these wacky shifts no one would ever expect and so a chance to get a jump on investing in legacy companies on their last legs. Anyone want to predict the stock prices for those companies still making the wasteful heat producing antiques Edison invented when Trump was a young man...? I am sure if we asked Don, he could tell us how he was the first to come up with the carbon filament, as well as the steam powered battleship catapult launchers he thinks are superior to what the Navy wants. This is just another gift to some donors in need of a bailout.
5
It takes a dim bulb to know one.
17
I’ve gotten the wagon out and hitched the old mare to it.
7
Beaver hats, anyone?
5
does the pettiness of the current white house occupant ever end?
13
Good lord, get it together REPUBLICANS!
8
Dim bulb in Oval Office...
12
This is obviously just to keep fuel demand high for his cronies. Same as the auto legislation.
I’m both cases the operating cost even to the lowest income folks is more. It’s actually the same as usury level interest charges. You’re telling someone who’s cash strapped “buy this today, it’s cheaper, but the effective interest rate on those savings is the same as taking a loan out at, in the case of lightbulbs, 200-500% per annum (some quick math on a 60 watt bulb used just 6 hrs a day would cost around $50 a year in most states... all this to “save someone” $10.
Same goes for the lower consumption car - almost everyone qualifies for financing these days and would save money on total monthly costs versus buying a car that is $3k less but uses $2k a year more gas - again usurus that works out to 66% pa interest. Trump is using language that if anyone cared to dig into would be seriously flawed. I’m concerned about democracy if this sort of bafflegab flies as facts for the exact people he claims to be helping, he’s actually taxing and lining pockets of a handful of billionaires.
4
I wonder what Trumps kids think knowing that his grand kids will have to deal with his legacy.
9
@JenB. They are too rich to care. They think money makes them immune
4
I’m not sure what’s holding him back from outlawing seatbelts, getting rid of smoke-free spaces, and legalizing debtors’ prison. Also, why not bring back DDT?
11
Min
Just happy the government isn’t pressuring me into buying those horrible, gas station bathroom led light bulbs! Love my incandescent bulbs! Still remember when as a child, I’d go with my mom to turn in the old ones and get new ones for FREE at the Edison Store in Birmingham, Michigan.
1
The saving grace here is that the vast majority of consumers know these energy efficient bulbs save them gobs of money. Yes, a little more to buy initially, but their much longer life span and greatly reduced electrical consumption puts real dollars in their pockets. Those smart people are not going to go back to old 19th century technology.
It’s too bad trump does not expend all this energy and time doing something really useful. If he is so dead-set on turning the calendar back to bygone eras, why doesn’t he pass a law that says only flintlock firearms can be manufactured, purchased and possessed? That’s some old timey technology a lot of people could get behind.
8
Mr. Trump, the cost to consumers (and everyone else) of energy inefficiency, greenhouse gases and climate change are far in excess of whatever will be "saved" by buying wasteful lightbulbs.
Who and what is behind this one? It's not a "relaxing" of the rules in order to benefit consumers, you can bet on that.
6
Flouride, seat belts & now, plastic bags. Conservatives will turn back the assault on their precious 'ight bubs. There may be a pig farm soon coming to your neighborhood.
6
I posted comments earlier today. Did this idea get any less idiotic since then? No?
9
@Mexico Mike, ... relax. It's the trump administration that is making this light bulb plan silly. If you want seriousness, then go next door to the story that trump 'may' have altered his hurricane map with his marker to include Alabama, like he said ...
5
Light bulbs? From the list of "divert the news cycle" greatest hits, this is a stretch. Why spend tweet time on building the wall, Hillary, obsession over President Obama, yet another on and off meeting with n. korea.... he's talking about light bulbs to appeal to the base... wow either he's in Epstein universe or just so stuck in 1950.
8
What type of bulbs do they use at Trump buildings since the true cost of operation affects the bottom line?
7
Dim bulbs...
8
Q: How many Administration staffers does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Two. One to hold the bulb and the other to fly to Moscow for instructions.
15
Is this part of Trump's Make America Grate strategy?
7
I don't believe that this relaxation of light bulb standards is directly attributable to an edict by Trump. He was very likely oblivious of the existence of the policy and its relevance (and he still may be), as well as too ignorant on many of the associated issues, from the difference between incandescence, fluorescence and LED to the very concept of efficiency and cost savings. He probably never changed a bulb by himself or even bought one in a store. No, the idea of diminishing the energy standards were more likely raised by an overzealous Trumpian in the DOE, whose purpose was to please Trump with another anti-environmental proposal. I am sure that DOE director Rick Perry, whose credentials for the job are not much better than those of his boss, had his hand in there as well.
8
Maybe Trump is just trolling us for the benefit of his supporters? Other than some payoff, tribute, or other contribution, I don’t see any other reason for this.
5
Donald Trump, making America great again one light bulb at a time!
9
Dim bulbs a specialty for these folks.
14
This one I won't get upset about. Most bulbs are already LED and that train has long since left the station. Interesting though that the push to LEDs started under Bush. Trump's backward policies are perfect for his backward base, but stupid policies like this only point out stupidity. It does seem to be true that Trump is doing more than any other president in the history of the country . . . more damage that is.
7
So trump is now done with Obama, now he's going to roll back Bush 43 rules. Why one would ignore the fact that LEDs use 1/10th the power of 140 year old incandescent tech is beyond me.
When we moved 4 years ago I began replacing our incandescent and CFLs a year after. taking about 4 months to do so. Didn't tell my wife, she tends to leave lights on hours after she's left the room (would she do the same with faucets?).
Have done so with all but the two chandeliers we rarely use. Our electric bill is a fraction of its initial self, or in our previously much smaller house.
Opposition to this tech is insane. trump. insane. Will he reinstate the space shuttle?
8
Leaded gas, anyone?
10
Makes sense, since China is, by far, the largest producer and exporter of LED light bulbs in the world. He's waging a "trade war" against them, so it's coherent in this context.
2
Awesome, I’ve been wanting to get back to using my sperm whale oil lamps. Now we have the roll-backs in regulations to let me do it! Next, my coal-powered furnace will make a return. This is so exciting!
26
This just in!
The Trump administration has rolled back another set of rules for common sense, common decency, common morality, common bond, common purpose, common ethics, common thinking, common behavior, and common common, in favor of uncommon advantage for another bunch of rich, white people.
It's what they do! We can stop this if we vote.!
13
Save consumers money huh? Less money per bulb yes, but more money in the long run because they don’t last as long as LEDs. Yet another lie from Donald Trump.
And yet another means to help destroy the environment. Apparently no idea for causing climate chaos is too big or too little fo this administration.
Let’s turn off this dim bulb taking up space in the Oval Office come November 2020.
12
what is going on now is CRIMINAL
8
The only good thing about this Trump administration decision is that we may buy fewer products made in China. The vast majority of LEDs are made in China, while halogen and incandescent bulbs are usually made in the USA.
Otherwise, silly decision.
2
So something that started under Bush in 2007, and then supported by Obama and Democrats, is tossed out.
Something that is PROVEN to gave helped us develop new technology that is better for most all 7 billion if us?
Sure am glad I renewed our family's patents on buggy whips.
10
It has not yet ceased to amaze me the way this train wreck masquerading as an administration cannot help but get on the wrong side of every issue out there.
Even one as plainly beneficial as this one.
Next: Trump administration to recommend reinstating lead paint.
16
@Claude G
Wouldn’t be surprised if they’re drawing up plans for that as we speak!
7
I see the lights are definitely off in this President’s head.
Hard to imagine a more clueless leader for our country. American voters must put an end to this Administration in 2020.
11
I really don't know what's up with these guys. It is a mystery to me why they would attack light bulbs. So many problems! Light bulbs hit the top of the list guess.
8
@Jerome Stoll
My guess is the proverbial light bulb went off in the head of the “stable genius” and he said “Ah Ha!”.
6
These are the things Democrats should be talking about. Plain English, explain the environmental costs.
If they have a few extra minutes, point out that this is what happens when you put an amoral grifter into office.
But just explain to moms across America that in Trump’s future America their kids will have a lower quality of life.
5
Trump is taking the world down the slippery slope to destruction. Does he think his Republican cronies are going to go down with the ship. Trump is the kind of guy that would cut off his nose to spite his face. He is the most amoral president of all times. Let's get a Democratic candidate and defeat him and then put him in jail for the flagrant abuses of power during his administration.
6
I'm beginning to think that Putin now pranks Trump every day by ordering him to damage this country and world in ever more absurd, backwards ways. Tomorrow: reclaiming asbestos for home construction.
10
I see the lights are definitely off in our current President’s head.
Hard to imagine a more clueless leader for our country.
Hopefully American voters will soon end this Administration’s mandate.
7
Trump, any resemblance to a dim bulb is purely coincidental
11
I see the lights are definitely off in our current President’s head.
Hard to imagine a more clueless leader for our country.
Hopefully American voters will soon end this Administration’s mandate.
1
The definition of insanity is letting an insane man remain as president when everyone knows he is insane.
Now that's insane.
8
Does he hate us because we are turning away from him or is he just ignorant of science and technology. Reviewing the latest polling, I see that Trump is underwater in Wisconsin, a must get state for his reelection. In the latest Marquette Law School poll, approve, 45, disapprove 53 with Biden +8. Is his present strategy to appeal only to his base or is he totally indifferent to his own prospects?
1
Don't you get it? Its simple! These regulations that Trump is rolling back were created by "the swamp", those elites wiling to destroy middle America flyover country to support their east/west coast grandiosity. The energy industry is out to support our great American mining/industrial might. They know that the climate change hoax and that other 'pseudo science anti Christmas hooliganism' is the fake news media's cover for the liberal left. Light bulbs (use energy), methane (created by energy extraction), cars (burn fossil fuels), and all these regs require subtracting tax dollars from your paycheck and kill our MAGA industry. A win win win all around!
1
All I can ask is, "What's the point?"
3
This is stupid, as the market has clearly shifted to LED and most households are very pleased with the results. Not only is there a much lower energy use, but there is a much lower fire hazard. The average person is smarter than the President of the USA
5
Make smoking mandatory.
signed: the clown at 1600 Penn.
7
Light bulbs are a great example of government regulation lagging ecomomics. Every light bulb in our house is now LED and we have a box of those halogen and CFC bulbs in the closet, waiting for the next recycling event.
While the GOP was energizing their base about incandescent light bulbs, the technology was leaping two steps ahead to dimmable LED in various light color values.
It is similar to the GOP promoting coal, while renewables became the most cost effective electricity source going forward and the reddest states lead in KWH increases.
It is similar to the GOP trying to roll back EPA CAFE fuel economy standards, while the major car companies promise to offer all of their popular models in plug-in electric versions.
It is similar to the GOP siding with other industries that brought us acid rain, ozone holes, DDT, mercury from coal plants, lead in gasoline, paint and plumbing, dioxin, and other environmental disasters.
The picture should be pretty clear by now.
3
Why ????
1
This is about trying to destroy everything that Obama did. Only the most petty, pathetic loser would do something so purposely wasteful, hateful and unnecessary. But then again, it's Trump.
3
Wife and I were sitting in the den one fall evening. When I got up to fetch a post-prandial adult beverage I noticed that the area in which I was sitting was comfortable, but moving away from the lamp with its 3-way 150W bulb there was a noticeable drop in temperature.
Instead of heating a volume of X cubic meters in its entirety I was heating the small volume right next to myself.
Did any of you "smartest kids in the room" ever take this into account, the utility of the modest inefficiency of an incandescent bulb in warming the one who pays the electric bills?
2
@jackinnj : Well, you do get heat from incandescent bulbs, but it is about 1/3 as efficient as the heat that comes from your boiler. The reason is, the power plant has to use a boiler to heat the water to make the steam to rotate the turbine and the electric generator. Then comes the miles of power lines the electricity traverses. If your power plant is coal or oil-fired, your little bit of heat out of a light bulb comes from three times as much carbon burned, which pollutes the air and acidifies the oceans. We need to do better. If you want efficient electric heat, buy an air-to-air ductless split heat pump. They're quite efficient.....
2
@jackinnj, I’m with you on this. I will never stop enjoying the warmth of my favorite vintage lamp with its incandescent bulb, I’ve tried, and switched back every time. I have LED bulbs in other places of my house.
Incandescent bulbs only carry a small fraction of the market at this point, but they still have their purposes and applications, and always will. Anyone heard of a Dim Bulb Tester used to repair (usually) vintage electronics? An incandescent bulb is best in that tool.
I agree with Trump on almost nothing, but I can’t hold this one against him, the consumers have already chosen efficiency and long bulb life of modern lighting with their voting dollars, and the manufacturers see this and are driven to deliver the most efficient lighting systems they can.
It doesn’t matter in this instance what Trump rolls back because this technology succeeded on its own and he’s doing away with regulations that are self driving. It was all just a bunch of ‘look there’s a law fuddy duddy paperwork’ floundering on itself. Perhaps we can all be satisfied that less paperwork will need to be pushed around to see these regulations/requirements meet themselves.
Just because this has been ‘rolled back’ doesn’t mean you’re all scouring your houses to find and smash every LED you can with a hammer, the other hand filled with money to go out and replace it all with incandescents with a vengeance does it? Let the boutique incandescent market exist.
3
Don’t buy Mitsubishi, get a Daikin unit.
We The People have to forever end the reign of the scientifically illiterate, ignorant and selfish Republicans who are beholden to an even more illiterate, more ignorant and more selfish "president."
12
Also, he would like to bring back tube TVs. These newfangled 55" flat screen things are fake news.
21
Next step...Petroleum lamps!
21
The Donald Ego is vengeful and irresponsible. Its revenge is more important than the country and world it is supposed to serve.
In any branch of the armed service, The Donald Ego would have been relieved of command for unsound behavior and irrational speech and thought, a long, long time ago.
14
I am waiting for Trump to roll it back even further, back to candles. After all, it seems the motto of his administration is no steps forward, two steps back.
17
Another Trumpian dose of that sweet, sweet certainty.
4
What is this dude's problem?
14
@Felix
I wonder if the problem is Trump hates Obama
1
Poor Trump such a bad student of history; this law came out under Bush II not Obama.
16
Destroying the environment every day. The 2020 election can’t come soon enough. We will vote out trump and his evil sidekicks.
15
Alex B...... I just hope and pray you are right!!!!
4
Don’t hope and pray, VOTE!
3
I seem to recall George Bush getting flack for originally signing this into law in 2007 as this was seen as a favor to large manufacturers looking to push consumer into energy efficient bulbs at higher profit margins over commoditized incandescent which were dirt cheap. The worm turns...
5
@K R\But now LED bulbs are commoditized. You tell me which is better. High tech, lower power consumption, much longer life, lower heat generation. What's the rest of the world doing? But with Trump, the U.S. is stuck in old, outdated technology which eventually will kill our economy. Promoting less fuel-efficient automobiles, propping up old fossil fuel power generating plants, supporting fossil fuel production instead of green energy. What a ludicrous national policy!
5
This is simply depraved thinking. Progress of this country to the Republican Party is tantamount to garlic to a vampire. What more needs to be said or done to convey the Republican Party isn't at all interested in the future? They love the past so much they want to legislate right back to it. I wouldn't be surprised if bullheaded Republican legislation sought to roll-back Internet connectivity and speeds, just to bring back the phone books. Now that's admittedly a stretch because the rudderless Republican's may be a sorry excuse of a political party, but they have no shame in only exercising backward legislation for things that provide a personal benefit. So for those fearing the future of the Internet, automobiles, airplanes, trains, television, air conditioning, phones and heated swimming pools, fear not - they're safe.
6
Which light bulbs does Trump dislike? Let me know and I’ll only buy those. All the vindictive nasty laws Trump has produced shall be rescinded. Damnatio memoriae. Also we need a law that says no public building, bridge, base, ship, airport, park or national wilderness can be named after this man or his children.
20
How could this possibly save consumers money? LEDs pay for themselves in a few months. You can purchase LED bulbs for as little as $2.00 (think Costco). Even Dollar Tree sells LED bulbs. This is a classic case of trump's hatred for anything that makes sense.
21
As a consumer, I won’t spend money on energy inefficient anything from appliances to bulbs to cars. And the industry better listen to consumers not this incompetent Administration.
17
The hopes of a payday are running high.
3
Can we count on Home Depot, Lowe's and patriotic small hardwire stores to provide incentives to do what the sensible lighting ruie, which as you point out, dates from W's administration, would have done. That is tp say, make the nation more energy efficient and assist consumers to spend less om their lighting bills.
It is a big a lie as the size of President's inauguration day crowd to say that trashing the lighting rule "will keep prices low." The long term savings from millions of LED houses will lower peer house electricity costs and help electric utilities avoid the huge sunk costs of new electric power plants, plus reduce cancer causing pollution from thermal plants.
The President and his minions want average Americans to become poorer, sicker and dumber.
19
And they seem to have just the plans to do it.
2
This was NOT Obama's law, it was that of George W Bush, Both Presidents suppored it because it makes sense to help the American people save not only in energy costs but also less in replacement bulb costs. Costs just a little more up front, so maybe a few folks had to be forced to try something new.....once they tried it, folks would realize it is better and keep with the new LED bulbs. But Trump does not care about helping the people, he wants them to be able to make bad decisions that also hurt the planet but help his rich coal mining friends, you know, the ones who have replaced the miners mostly with automated mining equipment.
4
You have to wonder, “What goes on in Trump’s head before he announces his Decision of the Day?”
Or maybe, “Is there anything going on in there at all?”
18
I’m almost rooting for more hurricanes to keep him distracted.
1
Republicans rolling back regulations are all about ideology no matter how ridiculous.
Do not vote for republicans for they are not healthy for children and other living things.
20
"Do not vote for republicans for they are not healthy for children or other living things." I love how you have so well and so succinctly stated the basic, most important facts. I hope we all heed this excellent advice.
5
@Marian O`Brien Paul
Can't take credit, its an appropriation from a late 60's anti-war poster..."War is not healthy for children and other living things".
2
While the Amazon burns, Trump fiddles with Light Bulbs.
13
Upon being told that falling objects kill and injure thousands, Trump repeals the law of gravity.
13
Tomorrows headlines: Trump brings back smoking on airplanes. Trump brings back lead based paints. Trump brings back littering on public highways. Where will this end?
13
Be careful. You might be giving him ideas.
4
Maybe the same idiotic logic use to justify going backwards on lightbulbs would also work for going backwards on guns.
Real Americans burn incandescent lightbulbs and target practice with flintlocks.
7
@oldBassGuy bingo!
2
This roll back just defies logic and wisdom....
4
Trump Administration rolls back requirement for Trial by Jury of Peers.
Trump Administration Reintroduces Death by Stoning.
Trump Administration announces plans to use captive populations to build giant pyramids as tombs for Trump family members.
Crikey, how bad is this going to get....?
15
It will get worse. Trust me.
3
This idiot and his cronies, the remorae that ride along with this mindless predator, they won't be happy until they've wrung out every last nickel of filthy lucre to be had from fossil fuels. They don't give a single thought to what's best for the consumer or the planet. Bloated old men who don't care about the smoldering ruin they'll leave for our children.
7
Trump and his minions, including all 53 spineless GOP senators, are mentally ill.
11
Trump's goal is increasing demand for fossil fuels. Anything promoting efficiency, be it LED bulbs, automobile fuel economy, or solar or wind power must be attacked because it hurts the bottom line of his primary constituents, the oil and gas industries.
6
This is a really interesting predicament because of the age old question of which is more important; the individual or the state? Our democratic ideology puts the individual before the state, however in this case, that same ideology supports potential terrorists. However if we put the State before the individual, yes our fellow Americans would be safer but that would be facism. As an 18 year old fresh out of high school, my government class did not prepare me for this. I guess this is why federal judges make the big bucks!!
I guess a light bulb went off...wait, nah.
5
The come back was absolutely brilliant. Pun extended
And let's all start driving horse and buggies again while we're at it.
9
The more energy you burn the more you pay the oil/gas/coal industry. The oil/gas/coal zillionaires must be getting desperate.
I hope CA, WA, OR, and NY introduce bills to ban the sale of incandescent light bulbs soon.
15
Walmart is again ahead of President Trump. Walmart embraced the new bulbs after calculating the many millions of dollars the company would save over the years.
Walmart, often the target of my criticism , has shown itself an erstwhile corporate citizen in two areas, guns and lightbulbs. Sadly , our President is behind the times.
8
I sold my stupid big Ford 150. That I loved. I now use a Honda Fit with a tow for my pool cleaning trailer. Little consequence and my neighbors laugh at me, but I'm trying.
19
I for one would love to see Trump go back to a rotary phone.
28
You win!!
3
Republicans really do want to take us back to the 1950s. They'll be bringing back cathode ray tube televisions next.
10
This is yet another example of the GOP luddites wanting to go back to an era, a golden era, when America was great, which in their mind is before the 13th amendment was ratified.
13
It is clear Trump has no plans to help this country in any way shape or form. If he were president long enough he would move us backwards until we were a third world country with an even more defined line between the haves and have nots. In this case he is halting our achievements in cutting energy costs, both for the individual, and for the power companies. He doesn't care. Why should he? While the middle class struggles to survive he goes home to Mar-a-logo to play golf.
12
I work in the movie industry and have replaced all of my household bulbs with LED's. But incandescent bulbs still have better color than all but very expensive LED's. And the color of flourescents are terrible.
I contribute strongly to the NRDC, but completely outlawing incandescents is not a good idea. Just make financial incentives rather than complete removal.
10
@Steve
The solution is to find LED makers, and tell them about your need. An unserved customer base, is something any company would scramble to develop products for, especially such an important segment as the movie industry.
1
@Bubo
Hi, they know, and they do make them. But they are very expensive, and less efficient, because we require more red (for better fleshtones). The better the color, the less of an efficiency benefit you get. A typical LED movie light costs $4000 rather than $600-1000 for the incandescent unit
1
He doesn't want energy efficiency. Why? This guy is insane. A friend of mine started jokingly saying things like this the other day. I told him he should stop, of some day people might think he means it and think he's crazy.
4
I will not vote for Trump or any politician who dismisses climate change. I am sorry to America and the world that I voted for him in the first place.
14
@Mixilplix Welcome back to the other side - and thank you.
6
Why? Because "stupid" is what the Trump administration does... starting right at the top.
More proof that mothers and fathers everywhere can tell their children "Don't be like Trump." and they will grow up to be good people. So, he -is- good for something... he's a great 'bad example'.
5
I’m convinced Trump and his band of scary men are out to ruin America forever. It appears to be just plain evil. It’s risen before and is back. They must be beaten down once again. Fight hard and don’t give up. My uncles who fought valiantly in WWII must be rolling in their graves that the enemy is now our own President and his henchman. I weep.
10
But why??
At least 90% of deregulation this president is pushing make no sense whatsoever.
This is so silly!
4
Bring back buggy whips, bring back buggy whips, bring back buggy whips!
4
Next thing the a Trump "Administration" will mandate opening new landfills that leak, plastic bags for grocery shopping, and an end to solar gardens. These people are pathetic. You can't even find old style light bulbs at the Dollar Store anymore.
8
everything the republicans do is motivated by "sticking it to the libs." that's it. no overthinking required. that's why they love their pathetic excuse of a president. he will wreck them, like he wrecks everything.
8
Libs buy into, and push, the "global warming" nonsense.
Americans don't
2
@Brian G Valentine Are you the Brian G. Valentine who has a PhD and works for the Department of Energy? And who wrote "I am a thorough carbon dioxide climate change denialist and I wouldn't believe in carbon dioxide induced climate change at gunpoint--because it is physically impossible"? And "These people [the EPA] are just psychotic...."?
Wow, I have now encountered one of the rare anti-climate-change "scientists"--PhD in engineering physics--who the Trump Department of Energy found to work on "energy efficiency" and "serve as the department's liaison to the U.S. petroleum refinery industry." Your words, not mine.
10
@Brian G Valentine
If, you are indeed, a climate denying scientist, where will you work when the crazies are voted out along with Trump? Maybe a growth industry, like tobacco or coal. On second thought, they probably have real scientists that prefer the truth, as bad as it may be.
6
Some stuff he does because it benefits business, but some stuff he does just to be a petulant jerk. There is no legitimate reason to implement this.
8
This Trump Administration action is probably moot.
People have decided to use more energy efficient bulbs.
When they do, those bulbs have a long life.
They've bought the bulbs and they won't need to buy any more for at least 5 years and up to 10 years from now.
The new bulbs also have the ability to show daylight spectrum.
I use both compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFL) and LED bulbs in daylight spectrum.
I save electric bills that will pay for the higher initial expense of the bulbs.
Like attempts to roll back other regulations such as auto efficiency, industrial pollution and many others, the industries have decided largely based on consumer demand to make more efficient products.
I've seen the change to the more efficient bulbs in popular major hardware stores and dropping of older inefficient bulbs. Why? Competing stores that keep selling more efficient bulbs will gain market share, so the changes in regulations are effectively moot.
3
Maybe moot now but would we be here if it weren't for regulation in the first place?
1
Yes, please I am longing for a return to the days of changing light bulbs 2-3 times a year.
Anyone nostalgic for tube tv's?
14
If you still aren't convinced that Trump is The Enemy (not simply a member of an opposing party), please take a long hard look around the world just prior to when you exit and note how many good things this pathological "president" damaged or destroyed.
If Obama had invented the light bulb, Trump would smash and ban it.
7
We have entered the twilight zone. Nothing makes sense anymore. The clocks seem to be running backwards and the leaves of the calendars reattaching themselves.
Soon we will be dreaming of cold when the heat is unrelenting.
7
The LED bulbs are so much better, there's no way I'd go back to the hot incandescent bulbs.
6
Another idiotic move from the Trump Administration.
7
Yeah, we’ll git ridda them squiggly light bulbs, which are a part of the massive commanust conspiracy infecting the land. Right boys?
7
If you have missed leaded gasoline, that's coming next!
12
Because what real Americans have been suffering under is the efficiency of lightbulbs.
13
Why? It makes no sense. Reading the news now is an endless experience of hearing about common sense environmental regulations rolled back merely our of spite.
14
Have we lost our collective minds to allow one man to upend any and all environmental progress , for the sake of some kind of revenge?
Trump doesn't get to do this!
Nor does he get to destroy public lands.
Are we supposed to sit here while he willfully destroys whatever good remains in this country?
Which is fading faster by the day.
Meanwhile I'm thinking of all the traumatized for life children on our southern border.
20
@Carla
Well said, Carla. Well said indeed!
2
The best strategy is to ignore the Trump regime just like the auto industry with California did.
21
You can buy a whole lot of these at estate sales. Virtually every old person in America has a supply of those bulbs they bought and forgot they had them. By the way, incandescent bulbs have 6% of the light bulb market. Nobody wants them.
14
Led is not just for your house hold and will effect your buying choice. It lights train stations, tunnels, airports, schools and saves you a lot of energy while you are reading this.
7
This is take 2. I didn't see my first effort from a few hours ago post, so I'm trying again. My apologies if this shows up twice.
Light bulb efficiency the only concern with lighting:
There is an important source of energy waste that is easily visible to everyone but that few seem to have noticed. Look up into the sky at night and notice that you can see all the clouds. This is due to badly designed and badly aimed outdoor lighting. It's been estimated by the International Dark Sky Association that 35% of all outdoor light is beamed needlessly into the sky. This is $3 billion dollars worth of wasted energy, which of course contributes to climate change. Bad lighting has other negative effects, like producing visibility-reducing glare, thereby less security and safety; clutter, meaning an ugly nighttime environment; and many animals and plants react negatively to it. See https://www.darksky.org/light-pollution/energy-waste/ for details. So to help stave off global warming, one important thing we can do is to stop wasting energy that is caused by lighting up the sky. Use properly designed lighting and aim it so that it doesn't overshoot your property. You can then use lower wattage bulbs to get the same illumination levels as before. [Note: The clouds starting becoming visible at night around the late 1980s or so.]
13
@Betaneptune
Great post!
4
@Betaneptune - Uh, make that "Light bulb efficiency _is not_ the only concern with lighting"
This administration is reprehensible. What next block the sun, so solar energy goes away?
17
For Conservatives, there is no dead horse that should not be beaten.
12
I only have one question? Why ? Or if you would prefer really??
7
It's a good thing Obama didn't issue an executive order in support of eating Big Macs and KFC chicken, or else Trump would be in a real bind.
19
My house has only LEDs and fluorescents. They have already paid for themselves in lower electricity bills AND they will outlive the fool in the white house.
15
@CitizenJ and a few might even outlast his children including baron
4
Trump.. of all people.. being an owner of high end properties, with big electricity bills, would know that LED is the way to go to lower total cost of ownership.
What do you want to bet that Trump properties eliminated incandescent bulbs years ago?
Hypocrite in action.. once again.
8
The fear that the government could impose something bad on the American people is the biggest fear and a problem in this country. Other nations - many European countries - rely on their government and politicians decision making to save energy, gas etc. These politicians are elected by the people and if the voters have a problem with federal lawmaking they will express it by voting for a different party or representative next time.
Regulations are good - ask yourself - if you have kids do you put smart regulations on them or do they decide themselves when to go to bed? Well again - it needs common sense.
Regardless trying to go back to old light bulbs makes no sense. It’s amazing to see that America is allowed to do anything counterproductive they can do to express their freedom in deregulation.
4
Trump can do whatever he wants. I’m still going to use all LED lights forever now. They’re more versatile, come in every imaginable shape and size, tie in directly with smart home products, and they are very efficient (offsetting some of the extra cost). They also don’t generate a bunch of heat which is a must have feature during the summer in Texas when your AC is fighting for survival on the best of days.
8
I want to use LED bulbs, but I can’t find anything with the glow of a standard bulb. I have tried numerous color temperature including ones that are supposed to be the same, but no luck.
If a manufacture can replicate the color then I’ll move, otherwise I’ll keep using bulbs from the hoard I started when the various wattage were discontinued.
I’m almost exclusively solar so I’m not impacting anyone.
3
2700k lamps are available which are indistinguishable if you get the right ones. No need to hoard!
2
I hated LED bulbs.
But they have become better, offering softer lights and dimmable options and now my house entirely converted with monthly savings in energy use.
The consumer will decide and hopefully it will be energy-saving bulbs that win, and hopefully they will continue to get better and cheaper.
As for Trump - obviously not the brightest bulb in the chandelier.
11
Does this mean the end of Obama bulbs? I always liked to good old light bulbs, not LEDs. But I'm pretty much alone. Westinghouse won't make the old bulbs...not enough profit margin
1
Have you tried the newer LEDs? Admittedly an expensive bulb because it’s a smart-bulb, the hue white causes me less eye strain than an incandescent, much less a fluorescent. There are now a good number of LEDs well under $10 that power costs alone will save you save you the uplift in 2-3 years, and if it’s a frequent use bulb, you’ll save the difference in replacement costs in a few years.
3
Unfortunately, I've not found a LED bulb that will fully dim with the same temperature curve of an incandescent or halogen bulb. I have a few photography studio lights and when dimmed they produce a very natural orange glow (much like a setting sun). Please tell me there are LEDs that can reproduce this.
5
We’re getting close. I work in theater and the LEDs there are close enough where most can’t tell the difference. That said, the cost curve isn’t there yet for consumer grade., but even there they are getting a lot better.
5
@Jerrythesurfer
Yes, there are some options. Check out Fiilex.
@Jerrythesurfer
Have you tried color changing LEDs? They can produce pretty much any color you’d want.
Trump's policies on climate are sort of the opposite of the Green New Deal. His policies have the effect of speeding up climate change and rewarding mainly the rich. Basically this country and the rest of the world are heading toward disaster and actually experiencing some consequences of climate change already and Trump has his foot on the accelerator.
5
American business operates quarter to quarter without any concern for future generations. Is it any surprise that a "businessman" president behaves the same way? You get what you vote for.
4
Trump pushes inefficiency. All Conservatives rejoice. It is the foundation of everything Conservatives revered, and want to inflict on the entire nation. One just needs to look at their economics, give the kids money to the rich.
5
I hope these light bulb people decide to forgo this and begin to produce energy efficient bulbs anyway... Those who don't we can always take to the streets! We will protest, boycott, drum circle, poetry slam and social media shame them into submission!
2
Trump supporters, if not Republicans in general, hate being told what to do. If you warned them to watch out because they were stepping in front of a speeding train, the would take umbrage.
5
It’s up to the people to make the right choices for the future generations. I’m waiting for survival instincts to kick in as we see our beaches full of trash, as deforestation continues, as smoke fills the air.. well if this is the end.. enjoy it, spend time with people who matter, fill every second with joy. As we deplete the earth of its resources.. and kill ourselves in the process.. guess all we can do is love those who are close to us and just find happiness each day.
We’re all part of the problem. It’s not just the one guy. It’s all of us who accept this and continue to use plastic and eat meat..
We’ve got a choice in it. And it seems like we’re choosing extinction.
4
This is one more poor move by the administration. I'd like the NYTimes to address a bigger question - why are so many of the policies that regulate this country coming from the administration rather than Congress. Is this the end product of the growth of the imperial presidency?
10
Not the brightest light, is he (that’s a rhetorical question.)
6
The rollback of any environmental regulations is “future mass murder”.
3
Trump may be too late to this party to do much damage. The first round of energy efficiency standards already created the space for much more energy-efficient lightbulbs that are now also cost-efficient. Eliminating the second round of standards may not have much effect; the alternatives now exist and the public has learned to love LEDs. Cue Trump shaking his fists.
3
To Trump, anyone who cares about saving the environment from climate-change disaster is a left-wing enemy. So any chance he gets to kick them in the teeth he takes.
It's astounding to see how much power a president has to reverse years of environmental progress with a mere flick of his pen.
Meanwhile, the hurricanes rage off our coast, as if Nature were trying to rid itself of HER foes, the forces of willful ignorance.
6
Vote out trump and vote in as many democrats as possible.
6
Next stop: eliminating standards for the inch, quart and pound. Who needs regulation?
4
Why "could" contribute to greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. It is "will" contribute.
Are you really not sure? Or has this administration made you afraid?
1
Trumpf and his Administration is totally in the dark about this and all other environmental issues. Even Sec. Ricky Perry thinks the US Dept of Energy is responsible for the Energy Bunny rather than the US Nuclear program.
The 2020 Presidential Election can not come soon enough so we can restore leadership and morality to the White House.
Get the Grifters out!
4
when will Americans be brave enuf and smart enuf to stop the ignorant, bombastic, madman who lives in our White House and is doing everything he can with the approval of his republithug party to wreck what is left of our democracy and planet! DISGUSTING malevolence pervades our nation. NO MAS!
3
The fool in the White House is risking turning the US from the envy of the world to a pariah nation.
This failed businessman with six bankruptcies under his belt is doing everything he can to unite the world working hard to avoid global climate catastrophe against the US.
How long will it take for the Europeans and the Chinese to unite defending the survival or planet earth?
2
More madness.
3
Pleasant and accurate LED lighting is still a specialized product. There are much better options for the home now and the technology will continue to improve, but consumer bulbs do not match the natural look of incandescent lighting. That is just how it is. LEDs work like fluorescent bulbs. Narrow band emitter with a phosphor. Usually blue LED, yellow phosphor. Professional LED lighting uses multiple emitters to create a full and smooth spectrum. This also allows for variable color temperature. To some extent this is personal preference, but if you are picky you notice. Most "warm" LEDs are greenish yellow and lack red. Low CRI LEDs have very poor red reproduction. They are also weak in the violet range.
That said, I wouldn't worry about it. LEDs are already widely deployed and will continue to spread. It's OK to have an option to use a few "old fashion" bulbs here and there.
7
Thank for the well-informed analysis. I’ve made some of my own LED luminaires and tried to make a similar comment earlier about how the lower CRI, spike in blue range, lack of warmth shift when dimming, etc. makes a difference. It was quickly drowned out by commenters making claims that evidenced almost no understanding of the limitations of current consumer LED technology. Most people don’t notice or don’t care, and that’s fine and preferable given the overall environmental impact. But for some, it does matter - film, theater, photography, painting are big ones; numerous commercial applications (e.g. high-CRI lights in the produce section), and certainly some home uses such as for sensitive individuals, historic properties, and certain home-automation applications that require resistive loads. I too very much look forward to the day that multiple-emitter LED fixtures that cover a fuller color range that shifts while dimming works its way down to the consumer level.
6
Trump is just doing this to maintain his base because they don’t believe in the science that brought us more efficiently, and he knows they can’t do the math that proves they will save money in the long run.
5
While CFL's and LED's are certainly more energy-efficient, their unnatural light emissions are terrible for health, and their ugly glare makes everyone look their worst. The use of just a few low-wattage, amber, orange and red incandescent bulbs at home in the evening creates a delightful, relaxing atmosphere and uses modest amounts of energy. I welcome this particular loosening of regulations and hope to see a proliferation of antique bulb, halogen, and other incandescent bulbs in the marketplace soon!
5
@Tad Hanna CFL's and LED's come in different tones, from blue to a warm yellow to red. Both also emit natural wavelengths close to sunlight. Incandescent light bulbs have been called heaters that have a side effect of producing light because they are so inefficient.
7
Go to your local home center and walk the bulb aisle. You will find all the energy efficient hues you desire.
2
If you go to a store and “find a hue you desire,” that single “hue” is actually the receptors in your eyes and your brain combining lots of different wavelengths coming into your eyes simultaneously. A spectral analysis of consumer-grade LED lights would show some unusual peaks—usually a big sharp one in the blue end and a broader dip on the red end. If you shine the light on a white piece of paper and did the same thing with an Incandescent light, they might look practically the same. The problem is when you shine it on colored items. It causes color shifts. With older “cool white” LEDs, this wasn’t subtle, especially on skin tones. With newer warm-white lights, the shift is less, and it’s also a more pleasing shift, but it’s a shift nonetheless. Most ordinary consumers won’t notice or care, but it could be a big issue in applications where color accuracy is important (painting comes to mind but there are many). Another issue with picking one’s favorite LED hue is dimming— it stays the same color temp at every brightness instead of getting more orange/red as the brightness goes down. If one also doesn’t care about that or feels the trade-offs are worth it, perfect. The tech gets better each year, and eventually, high-CRI LED fixtures with color-shifting dimming will make there way into the consumer space.
1
Dinosaur bulbs are probably still used in the hotel industry and other institutional systems. I stayed with them, for reading paper, until the new bulbs increased in apparent wattage and CRI.
Economics dictate that people change to LEDs and so most people have changed over. But the ones who haven't changed over probably have a good reason for not changing.
Trump's actions leave options open for all needs. It's also possible that Trump and Co realized that the Chinese could easily cause discomfort by hiking prices or slowing supplies.
Conventional bulbs, at retail, are not cheaper than LEDs. The energy savings with LEDs are huge. That means the movement to LEDs is unstoppable.
@Analyst
Just the opposite.
1
"The Trump administration said the changes would benefit consumers by keeping prices low and eliminating government regulation."
Our government is now certifiably insane. Sometimes government regulations help companies to do the right thing. How about cigarette warnings, food safety, seat belts, air bags, airline safety regulation? Too much government? Yes, let's go back to the cobwebbed and muddled corners of Trump's twisted mind, to the 1890's.
Who likes light bulbs that need replacement every year when bulbs now last 5 or even 10 years. I have never heard a single person ever complain about having to buy LED light bulbs. In fact, industry saves billions of dollars in lower utility costs. Prices are half what they were 5 years ago. LEDs produce less heat, reducing air conditioning loads in the summer. Our power grid is already overtaxed. Why put more burden on it? Trump likes to deregulate for no reason. Surely, California and other states will pass legislation to oppose this.
The bottom line is, the Trump administration doesn't represent the American people. It represents interests from the energy industry, who want to build more fossil fuel power plants.
I can assure you that I will contact Home Depot and Lowe's to tell them that if they start buying more incandescent bulbs, I will start picketing their store that they are responsible for adding to global warming. We will see who wins this war on the environment--the Trump administration or the American people.
16
You have to trust people. If it is true that LEDs and CFLs are the right thing to do, then people will use them.
No one needed to force anyone to wear seatbelts via a law for it to make sense in the first place.
I hope someone is keeping a list of his ridiculous regulatory rollbacks similar to the Washington Post’s list of his lies.
Why would you rollback regulations that have saved people money, produced less pollution and are more convenient?
Maybe it can be a question during the Presidential debates next year; if he attends any.
6
You don't have to keep a list
Just primt off every accomplishment of President Obama and check off everything Trump rolls back, obliterates, or alters.
1
If Trump is faced with a candidate who would call out aggressively, he'll refuse to debate -- saying that the "fake" networks are "so unfair."
The "Debates," created by hegemony TV held over public attention in 1960, formally died when Trump refused to show when Megyn Kelly was a moderator.
The obvious inheritor of the power to compel Trump to public, now that he's also killed the White House Press Conference, is Twitter. Trump cannot abandon the account -- as his getting his followers to switch to another service isn't possible even for him.
So let's encourage Jack Dorsey, Twitter co-founder and CEO, to declare "The Presidential Twitter Debates" using 2 simple rules. 1) Privilege the accounts of all candidates who are qualified as candidates using the same criteria used by the networks -- formal declaration and poll placement and 2)allow the candidates to unblockably respond to a tweet by any other, but pinned to the top of the response queue do that trolls can't post in volume to push them out of sight. Viola: continuous, fair, and direct debate uncontrolled by candidates or moderators -- and impossible for Trump or any other qualified candidate to avoid.
1
@SJ and Eben, unfortunately I believe you are both right, but I also have a hunch that Trump’s ego would not tolerate someone else attending a debate about the presidency without him. Especially if it is on television.
So while the list of both lies and regulatory rollbacks grow, I still hope some one keeps track.
1
THIS is what's important to these idiots?! Good grief, they should all go golfing and just leave things alone. They have done enough damage.
11
I've NEVER voted a straight party ticket in my 40+ years of being an eligible voter, but I'm sure going to make an exception next year. The idiot in the big chair is bad enough. But his circle of GOP sycophants and cowardly enablers amplifies his stench.
Out with EVERY SINGLE GOP crumb ASAP!
25
@Ken,
I hear you. The GOP is completely bankrupt and increasingly a serious danger to the very freedom and constitution they supposedly like to represent
3
What a moron.
This is purely to unwind all the good that Obama did.
VOTE!
14
The US under Trump is effectively being forced to commit environmental suicide as though the entire population lives in a Jonestown nation-state.
8
I'm not surprised:
Early in his presidency Raegan removed the solar collectors which Carter had installed on the white house. Yes, the same Raegan famous for: 'The Harlem welfare queen with 5 babies from 5 fathers in a Cadillac.'
Hatred, fear and ignorance; the 3 pillars of republican politics.
As the saying goes: ...'the more things change, the more they stay the same.'
8
@CD
Don’t forget his comment about the giant redwoods. “ you’ve seen one tree you’ve seen them all”
2
This administration is not just beholden to “Big oil” but apparently doing the bidding of “Big light bulb” as it enters a realm of Michelle Bachman and the farthest right fringes of his party, again jeopardizing the livability of our planet as other countries move onto greener, longer lasting, and over the long term far cheaper light bulbs.
2
It seems Trump delights in annoying liberals. Perhaps it is a political strategy, albeit a weak, ineffective one.
I know a few individuals that use the common bullying tactic of annoyance and badgering.
All are 12yrs or younger.
2
It's worked wonders for him as Egan wrote today. The point is daily and shifting outrage -- distraction while McConnell builds a Federal judiciary that will be the gift that keeps on giving or until Washington disappears under a tidal wave, whichever comes first.
2
The people of the USA are not willing to even inconvenience themselves with a light bulb to protect the environment.
Americans truly live for the hear and now.
3
I know I’m just naive but it never fails to astonish me that it is not only trump who is such a complete fool, but apparently many others in government too.
6
Say what?! LED technology is so efficient and cost effective, it’s light years ahead (pun intended) of this asinine regulatory rollback. Our petty, petulant current occupant in the White House couldn’t be more transparent if he were made of cellophane. He wants to undo every Obama accomplishment no matter how much it benefits the greater good. Sad!
5
What do you say, everyone? Leaded gasoline? Asbestos insulation? Red dye No. 40! Life was so much better with Red dye No. 40.... This president's regulatory inanities merely serve to remind us why he is an anachronism.
5
@JPK
Give him time. He will test the idea at once of his “Two-Minutes Hate” rallies that the GOP are mesmerized by.
Once he gets a standing ovation, he will push those retro ideas through.
2
Trump is not the brightest bulb in the Rose Garden but he casts a very long shadow.
10
Can Trump be charged with aggravated assault on Homo sapiens?
4
Remember who the Energy Secretary is. His glasses didn't make him any smarter.
4
LEDs not only save electricity they reduce the risk from fire.
Do your self a favor and convert your entire house over to LED lights you sleep safer.
4
There really is NO limit to the petulant, arrogant idiocy this country seems willing to put up with to make the besotted maga hatters happy as can be; and with so little complaint from everyone else that this is just too much hubris, too much petty mindedness, too much ignorance, too much complacency.
We won't even be able to get Congress to say in one loud and clear voice that this is beyond the pale and will be overturned since we just won't accept looking like utterly moronic saps and blithering, fool hardy, idiots in front of the world.
It just keeps on going on and on.
Do we really not have any shame at all that we are even
unwilling to make this most trivial of gestures to help reduce
even this most minute quantity of co2 from rising to where
it will do us no good at all.
When combined with the recent loosening of methane leaks regulations, apparently not. The demonically possessed in charge now just don't care. Business as usual is all they want and ever will care about.
4
“Ooooh! Look how tough I am! I rolled back regulations on stuff nobody really wants anymore! I’m so good! I’m the best!”
10
Two things we must never forget:
President Trump despises President Obama ( the reasons would be an epic of their own) and is always happy to do anything to erase Obama’s efforts and accomplishments as a stand-in for erasing the man himself.
And, our president is a thoughtless, ignorant shortsighted idiot who depends upon his appeal to a constituency very much like himself. He will do almost anything to please them because he sees doing so as key to remaining in office and out of the hoosegow.
7
I’m surprised utility companies have not come out more forcefully against this. I know it sounds counterintuitive since you would think they want to sell more power and burn more coal, but given the state of the electric grid and the massive increase in consumption by electronics, the upgrades necessary would be devastating to these companies. They are actually thankful LED’s came into the picture because it spared them, or at least bought them time, to make major infrastructure upgrades to the grid.
Con Ed, what say you?
5
Why are people attributing the original legislation to Obama when it was Bush Jr that signed the bill? This proposal have no power either because very few are buying incandescent bulbs. More a political move than anything else
3
Don't stress, consumers have no appetite for conventional bulbs, Home depot can't even give them away. Its a regressive move by the administration but will have little impact.
6
....But in many cases, the more energy-efficient bulbs were found to contain mercury.
Thank you Lord Thomas Swift, Mr. Westinghouse, Thomas Edison and Nicola Tesla for several different versions of the electric light that we still love today. Thank you for your dedication.
"Empires of Light " Great book AC VS DC
2
Poor folks pay the bill, you could buy 4pk 75 watt incandescent bulbs for $1.00 now each bulk costs over $1.00
1
@David B
Nothing stopping poor folk from saving money with cheaper LEDs that reduce your electric bill immediately. Hope common sense occurs to you soon.
4
But last 10 times longer, saves significant money on energy and has the potential to save your life as it is less likely you’ll start a fire with them. Gee...maybe this is not as bad as you thought for the poor folks (while also helping everyone else).
3
Saving money is a mid to long term focus. If you’re desperate your mindset is in the here and now. In fact, we all live in the here and now. The future doesn’t exist yet so why worry about something that doesn’t exist. As far as LEDs they might make a lot of sense but if they are inferior in whatever way the invisible hand will make them irrelevant. Or do you not trust people to make necessary and proper decisions.
1
Pretty quick he'll ban all text books from schools.
The word imbecile comes to mind!
12
Yet another story to share with our children about the moronic, anti-innovation behavior of this terrible terrible administration.
8
We are the dumbest country on the planet, how embarrassing.
10
Inefficient light bulbs mean higher power demands, which means more coal being burned to generate said power. I am unsure which special interest group is being pandered to the most in this asinine decision.
When his regime is over, trump should be brought before his own version of the Nuremberg trials...
16
He can change the regulation. But he is the only idiot that will buy them.
6
We have a domestic terrorist in the WH. Vote blue everyone in 2020.
11
Trump likes bankruptcy. His current challenge is the US and the world.
6
Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? This so-called leader is leading the nation backwards, not forwards. For what reason? To spite his predecessor. This might have been how the dark ages evolved.
7
Honestly, if Americans truly mean to reduce greenhouse emissions, just stop using dryers. Hang your clothes and let them dry by sun and wind. It’ll do a lot of good for the environment and save money on electricity.
1
I do that already.
2
In Houston it was 96 degrees outside and 80 percent humidity. Bugs fly on your clothes. Dust and pollen on everything. Drying clothes outside won’t work here.
Imagine what would happen if Trump and his administration weren't doing so much for the ecology?!
2
Better watch that 7-hour climate change town hall tonight. You won't need lights at all because you will fall asleep after about 10 minutes.
How do you know?
2
@M: 7 hours to hear ideas on how to save the planet? Sounds like a good use of everyone's time. Or at least those interested in saving the world from climate destruction.
1
Also helps his friends in the white nationalist Tiki Torch manufacturing lobby.
9
Bring back the coal-fired automobile!
5
How many Republicans does it take to change a light bulb?
Three - one to change it and the other two to talk about how good the old one was.
7
Was Stephen Miller involved in this decision? His previous employer, Michele Bachman, was anti-LED.
8
Some men feel that recycling makes them look gay. Does trump think that energy efficient lightbulbs are less “manly”? Is there no end to the insanity?
5
Just when you think the insanity in America couldn't delve any deeper, it does.
8
Well, I hate CFLs and I hate LEDs, but I'm not going back to energy-guzzling incandescents.
2
Soooo short sighted!!!
Send bulb Mfgrs a message: Do NOT buy inefficient bulbs (Edison, CF, LED, etc.). Period.
This is the same thing (well, sort of) as loosening the emission standards for Power Plants and Cars.
2
Donald and his loyal dude exist in the world of white Mr. Edison. Bell Labs in New Jersey thrashed by the rest of the country provide the smartphone by these not so smart like Donald with his tweets.
It is sad and pathetic to see Pinocchio’s efforts to
Leave behind a trail of destruction. It looks like the only way Pinocchio measure himself is in relation to Obama. Since he is not a constructive person
His only way is trying to erase what Obama build.
Pinocchio doesn’t think pass the news cycle will find out that all his efforts are in vain. It would take on executive order to return every thing he did back to what it was before this petty, little petulant boy came to office.
3
Every day of Trump as President is another day of dangerous incompetence in the office.
6
The fascist regime is more destructive by the hour.
And no one does a thing about it including Democrats.
Are we so apathetic, uncaring about our grandchildren ‘s world? Lazy? Too busy staring at our screens and shopping for things we do not need? Where is our Joshua Wong?
I weep and rage- and resist fiercely.
This country looks like a failed experiment.
3
Just another ridiculous thing in the list of many from the twitter in chief. When is enough enough. How’s that wall going?
4
More #MAGA. From the same gleeful ignorance that brought us Trump-branded plastic straws.
5
Has Melania changed out all the energy saving light bulbs in the White House to nice old fashioned hot and high energy light bulbs?
6
The basic Philips LED bulbs are $10 for 24 and can last 21 years. I don’t see how it can be cheaper to run non-LED
5
Who is asking for this? Is there any constituency, even among Trump supporters, that desires this rollback? I mean, really, is there anyone aside from some narrowly-focused interest group, who objects to making light bulbs more efficient--especially after the recent example of the near-universal adoption of LED lighting?
It's as if Trump's minions spend their days combing through the Code of Federal Regulations looking for random rules to overturn or sabotage, without any kind of policy rationale other than attacking Obama's legacy or simply owning the libs.
This destruction is underway throughout the administrative agencies. Meanwhile, armchair hurricane forecaster and all-around science expert Donald Trump keeps the the country's attention strategically focused on himself and his antics. (Actually, "strategy" is giving him too much credit, but the end result is the same.)
11
In one respect I have to agree with the decision to not outlaw certain halogen lamps, but for reasons that have nothing to do with energy usage. My house was designed with dozens of recessed lighting fixtures that use certain low wattage, e.g., 45w, halogen lamps. Almost all these fixtures are on dimmers. Halogen lamps, like incandescent lamps, can be smoothly dimmed from zero to full and back. I have purchased a number of so called dimmable halogen (and also compact fluorescent) lamps and none of them even come close to being fully dimmable. They can be dimmed about halfway and then start to flicker and finally go off at about half output of lumens. There are multiple lamps on a circuit and each individual lamp starts to flicker and turn off at a different voltage. This is completely unacceptable from the perspective of lighting design and aesthetics. It is a scandal that certain LED and fluorescent lamp products can be advertised and sold as "dimmable" when, in fact, they are only partially dimmable. When someone can produce an LED lamp that is fully and completely dimmable in a manner analogous to the halogen lamp it replaces I will be more than happy to purchase them.
1
Love me some energy efficient bulbs. That’s all I have in my house now. The lighting is warm and awesome. The bulbs don’t go out and I am more likely to expire before any of the lights in my house.
Rollback all you want Trump, you can’t force people not to embrace progress.
11
It astounds me that Trump seems to want people to have higher electricity bills. Why wouldn’t someone want to save money by using a more efficient bulb?
13
@Thinkative Nothing will prevent people from buying energy-efficient lighting if they want to. And the drawback to LED bulbs is the upfront cost, which while decreasing, is still very steep compared to incandescents. Some people may feel they lack the resources to pay upfront.
I don't like the manchild any more than the rest of you, but what you do not understand is LEDs consist mainly of blue light.
This will cause damage to your mitochondria and melatonin over the years and you WILL develop metabolic disease.
You really don't want to use any artificial light after sundown, but if you do, you're actually better off with incandescent.
Sooner you figure out the importance of circadian rhythms, the better off you'll be.
4
@J
You can get LED lights in different colors. The typical incandescent lamp is soft white, LED equal would be 2700K.
4
The addiction to smart phones as well as heavy computer screen time is far more of a problem than the few hours of indirect lighting in your home at night.
2
@J
LEDs do NOT consist mainly of blue light. LEDs are made in a wide range of color outputs. LED bulbs have a spectrum closer to natural light than incandescent bulbs actually.
There is ZERO evidence that LED lights will cause metabolic disease.
4
As with his devotion to coal miners, President Trump is merely attempting to save the sorely challenged whale oil industry.
Why can't America's elites just acknowledge the man's deep concern for America's economically disadvantaged?
Trump's goal is to bring all Americans into the top 0.1%.
Give Trump a chance...
5
Nice sarcasm...
1
The ultimate goal of the Trump administration -- and his Republican minions -- is to roll back the Enlightenment. Science, democracy, the rule of law, the idea of human equality -- these things are too inconvenient for the wanna-be Masters of the Universe among Trump's base, and so one by one he is undermining the intellectual and political legacy of the Enlightenment.
However, I would not blame it all on Trump. He is merely representing a more ruthless and dastardly version of the Republican agenda since Ronald Reagan. Will the Democrats finally rise to the challenge of stopping this agenda from going any further? Or will they capitulate, as usual?
12
This is sheer perversity on the part of the Trump Administration. The switch to non-incandescent lighting was begun under a Republican administration and has been embraced by the public. What next, bring back asbestos?
14
Don't know about light bulbs, except the longer life the better, but definitely, the light bulb in Trump's head has gone out about fifteen years ago.
Certainly, a walking advertisement for a long life light bulb with a higher electric efficiency.
7
Who wants incandescent bulbs?
It’s like going back in time.
I look to the future....
8
Sad from the smartest man on the planet - is this an attempt to drain the pockets of his constituents or just a wilful move to make global warming worse?
Why not offer a program for replacing all lighting to efficient LED’s at least for homeowners? Such a program was initiated in some States of Australia before our own climate denying Federal Government fell in love with Coal (before our current Prime Minister arose from the Ashes of his previous leader he brought his own Pet Lump of Coal to show and tell in our Parliament!) at all costs and joking about rising sea levels in the Pacific when thinking the Mic was off.
The Dumbing down of Science (through political chicanery is a signpost of the decline of the West - don’t get me started on the les that led us to Iraq and the probable repeat performance on Iran that will lead to tears and a terrible drain on life and wealth.
4
Local utility companies have had several plans like that here in the region. They come and replace all your bulbs for free with LEDs or CFLs. In exchange you sign a promise to replace them, should you ever have to with an equivalent. Sounds silly until you realize even the utility companies know that the reduced consumption and strain on their grids far outweigh initial cost.
1
Does anyone think he has a staff that just researches previous energy savings bills and then writes legislation to rescind it?
8
@Samgil, does anyone think he doesn't? :(
1
Once again, President Trump, attacks integrity, honesty, and the health of our nation and world. Why must we continue to endure his ignorance and mean actions. Unfortunately, his behavior sets the standard for community behavior; it starts at the top. It would be far better if he were to inspire citizens to be the best they can be, rather than appealing to base instincts. Never dreamed that in all my seven decades we could have devolved as we have since "he" took office.
3
This, along with the many other rollbacks of regulation s aimed at protecting the environment, amounts to environmental vandalism. He might as well be spraying graffiti onto the walls of the White House (only that would actually be a much less serious kind of vandalism). That it has been undertaken as a result of a 73-year-old President's juvenile obsession with dismantling the legacy of his predecessor is disgusting beyond words!
4
Evolution will not be denied. The cost of energy will increase. Trump and the industry dinosaurs are fools. I know a guy with a closet full of incandescent bulbs. He works two jobs to support himself and complains about his energy costs. He invested in. A digital thermostat but has not programmed it. LED bulbs are cheap and inefficient. How long will we allow the citrus fool to harm the future of our kids?
4
Here is a better argument to counter Trump:
Attention light bulb manufacturers. If any of you produce anything other than energy efficient bulbs, we will divest and short sell your company out of existence. When it is a choice between living on the only planet we got and your company, guess which one will go extinct first? Signed, your shareholders.
4
It’s treason. The GOP does whatever it can to undermine the long term safety, security, and well-being of the USA. Trump is just the current face. But it’s Putin laughing behind the mask.
5
This was a Bush Administration law.
Not Obama.
Bush got this right; Obama upheld it; then Trump comes in with the wrecking ball.
10
It's always the wrong path taken by Donald...But someone will make money from these backward decisions...
2
This is why we can't have nice things.
I recently watched a documentary on Groningen in the Netherlands, essentially the cycling capitol of the world. It looked like paradise.
We will never have anything close to that in the US, because 1/3rd of the country would rather live in the 1800's, and our politics allows them to derail any progress towards the future.
12
Use burning hot bulbs, that are more expensive to operate, and burn out every few months, and heat up the house, so cooling costs are higher, because putting cash into a burning hot bonfire wouldn't dispatch it fast enough? Or why? I think I lost the plot...
3
How can the Trump administration reverse an action that was passed into law by Congress? Is it just the four new categories that are being rolled back, and was that set administratively by the Obama administration? I'm a bit confused.
4
LED bulbs are not a good substitute for incandescent in areas where one cares about the quality and nuance of the light, like living rooms, bathrooms, restaurants, bars, etc. The color rendition has improved but the improved versions are not available at Home Depot. They are commercially available to the design trade and significantly more expensive. In addition some fixtures come with the computer chip and bulb built-in. When the bulb fails the whole fixture goes to the landfill. Not to mention the expense and waste I have witnessed with unhappy clients throwing away a whole restaurant of LED bulbs because the patrons looked ghastly due to a greenish glow, inability to get a narrow beam spread and problems with dimming. LED has its use but not, in my opinion, as a blanket replacement to the incandescent bulb. I am hopeful that the market will demand both a flattering light source and one which is efficient. We should not accept LED as the answer with it's many faults. We deserve better. We have smart scientists in the world.
3
Try shopping somewhere other than Home Depot. The bulbs you wish for are widely available and are very nice.
7
@k martino
I'm a highly trained artist and designer and LEDs are far superior in color rendition and accuracy. All the new improved TVs are LED so are the best pro computer monitors, they cost thousands. There are multiple choices for interior lighting and they're great.
What you've witnessed is lousy implementation, the wrong color choices for the environments you name.
2
Any electrical supply business/store will sell you bulbs at the right lumens (natural light) you desire. The big box retailers only sell what they believe will sell in high volumes.
As I read this, I am convinced that this end-of-the-world, breathless reporting does not reflect reality, as usual. The Energy Department is seeking to allow consumers to continue purchasing specialty light bulbs that have not yet been required to be replaced by LED bulbs.
These categories - three-way bulbs, candle-shaped bulbs used in chandeliers; globe-shaped bulbs found in bathroom lighting; reflector bulbs used in recessed fixtures; and track lighting - do not account for the bulk of light bulbs which are now required to be LEDs.
And this rollback certainly does not require replacing the LED bulbs in homes with older incandescent bulbs.
Again, IMHO, there will be no substantial change in electrical demand and little change in the light bulb habits of most American consumers.
The end of the world.
2
Great piece, just one suggestion, if I may. Since the article discusses incandescent bulbs regulation, maybe it would help to give us some indication as to why people want to buy them.
Instead of simply stating that it's not the money.
Thank you!
1
Good. It should be up to me to choose what bulbs I want in my house. I have LEDs where they fit but loads of incandescents in fixtures where LEDs simply do not fit. The government should mind its own business and leave me alone. If people want LEDs they will buy them, and are. If they don’t, they shouldn’t be forced to.
3
@DRS
I've got a buggy whip you might like to purchase.
3
Halogen bulbs are already discontinued in Europe. In Canada, it’s by province, Quebec leading and Ontario next year.
A kilowatt averages out to seven cents in Quebec. A DEL light on all day and night for a year costs 3 bucks, a 60 watt incandescent light is ten times more.
The city of Montreal has a program to change all the street lights.
Lighting has become so cheap that it’s almost irrelevant to think about it.
3
I know full well that incandescent put out less lumens per watt than a fluorescent or LED. Indeed, I worked on the development of LEDs for lightening.
But for some applications, I still prefer incandescents.
I like to have choices.
As to reducing green house gases, far more effective would be outlawing Americans driving giant SUV's and Pickup Trucks.
7
I read of oil company executives disagreeing with these roll backs. So, why? What’s Trump’s point?
3
Why is the devastating cost of climate change never considered an expense that the consumer/citizen will have to bear? The exorbitant costs of rising sea levels and increasingly powerful and destructive storms will make the so-called extra cost of energy efficiency (which saves money!) laughable, if we all weren’t crying so hard.
9
I suppose if we could get ahold of a list of all the things President Barack Obama did during his time in office, it would be easy to predict what else Mister Trump will undo.
Fortunately, as Stephen Miller, Trump's personal gauleiter, said about the upcoming White House plans to cancel out Barack Obama's every accomplishment, "A president who rules by executive privilege can be undone by executive privilege."
True enough. But I think in a year or two, Miller may wish it weren't.
6
American Manufacturers had the opportunity to own the energy efficient lightbulb industry. Instead they spent the last 15 years spreading fear, uncertainty, and doubt about "newfangled" light bulbs. Now that LEDs have become almost ubiquitous, the buggy whip....uh, that is, Light bulb industry is still fighting a rear guard action to hang on to the most inefficient remaining pockets of the market.
American electrical manufacturers should be leading the way by producing the widest variety of the best quality, longest lasting, most efficient lightbulbs in the world. Instead, they have abandoned the opportunity at the cost of thousands of jobs, and have ceded the entire industry to foreign competitors.
5
I have complete faith that Gen-Xers and Millennials are going to kick these backward flat-earth Republicans out of government no later than 2028-32. I work with them and they are just not falling for the stuff that Trump and the GOP, Fox News, etc. peddle. Just not as easily brain-washed, bamboozled and frightened by "conservative" politicians, media, or "preachers" as older folks seem to be.
4
Wasn’t the Nobel Prize in Physics a couple years ago given to the guys that made LED lighting commercially viable?
1
No that was for a new process for making blue LEDs more efficiently, and cheaply. Blue wavelengths are the highest energy and therefore hardest to produce effectively.
Don't tell any Trump followers, but you can get LED bulbs made to look just like old-fashioned incandescent bulbs. You can use them and none of your GOP friends will know you're saving lots of money. But if anybody wants real "Republican light bulbs", let me know; I've got boxes of them I'd be happy to sell to you.
5
@Steve It doesn't "own the libs" if it's still actually an LED.
1
@DFS, what was the origin of that "own the libs" phrase?
I'm an independent person, and can't imagine how the conservatives think that they can "own" anyone.
Oh. Wait. Never mind. I forgot about the time between 1619 and 1865, when some people actually did "own" others.
3
The worst part is that DOE has to pretend this is a good idea.
3
Arent LEDs like a million times better than CFLs. Like CFLs take 30 seconds to warm up.
2
The Trump administration throws more MAGA shrimp on the barbie. Mission accomplished. His Royal Genius will soon be raving to his Flat Earth Society about saving Republican Light Bulbs. They are so easily entertained. Beyond SAD.
7
"In a statement, Shaylyn Hynes, a spokeswoman for the Department of Energy, said that the 2007 law requires the department to issue standards “only when doing so would be economically justified. These standards are not,” and would lead to price increases on incandescent bulbs. "
Right. Because for conservatives, saving a buck on a light bulb is a greater savings than saving $50 in power over the life of the light bulb (and having to buy several more light bulbs along the way).
I was wondering when they would get around to this one. The specialty bulb exemption was aimed at low volume light bulbs, like one that might in an instrument panel of a 50 year old airplane. The bulbs they want to exempt are sold by the millions. Not exactly specialty.
But, Obama did it, so it MUST be undone!
3
The market has already decide. Rules or no rules this is not going to bring back incandescent light bulbs. I don't think there is s single one in my house anymore, I have changed entirely over to soft white LEDs.
4
I've been in the world of energy and resource efficiency, sustainability for decades. Why would anyone who considers themselves a "leader" or a "genius" suggest that we waste energy, add to the greenhouse gas emissions and throw money away with a lightbulb built for the mid-20th century? Is this really the smart thing to do? Incandescent bulbs vs LEDs? I know - the answer must be that trump is making a joke; kinda like his idea of dropping nuclear bombs on a category 5 hurricane. Or writing love letters to Kim Jong Un. Oh - maybe he's serious.
3
Once again the world has moved on and the GOP is stuck in the last century. They reduced auto emissions and the car makers had moved on, they allowed burn off of methane and it is a thing of the past. Now this when everyone has LEDs.
3
“Trump Orders All Children Over the Age of 5 to Start Smoking Non-filter Cigarettes.” That’s coming next. “It’ll be good for business folks, both the tobacco companies and pediatric pulmonologists around the country, folks.” This has probably been seriously discussed among Trump, Stephen Miller and Mick Mulvaney. Don’t be shocked when he signs the Executive Order.
10
Except that is exactly the opposite of what he is doing. He's saying the federal government should NOT tell people what to do.
Your confusing anti government conservatives with left wing socialists. It's a common problem when our schools choose to teach that big government is your new nanny, and you must love that!
1
Top 10 things that Trump Administration rollbacks have in common:
10. They are conceived by a present or former lobbyist of an industry, who is nameless and unaccountable.
9. They are executed by an agency where the top echelon has been decapitated and replaced by wholly unqualified hacks.
8. They are done with no scientific consultation.
7. They are announced by a press release with no public comment.
6. They are wholly unnecessary, and have no economic justification (except to wealthy executives of a small group of industries).
5. They are presented as offering the public a “choice”, using specious or unsupportable justifications, without actually educating the environment about the real choices.
4. They are costlier and more inconvenient for consumers and small businesses than the current regulations.
3. They are bad for the environment, and are particularly likely to exacerbate global warming and/or environmental and public heath.
2. They are appealing to Trump ignorant base’s desire to “own the libs”.
1. They undo something that the Obama Administration did.
17
There's got to be a "How many Trump supporters does it take to change a light bulb?" joke in there.
Of course, it's not funny in the least; one tries humor only because it hurts so much.
7
How many trump supporters does it take to change a lightbulb?
None. There are no lightbulbs in the Bible.
One. Only he can do it.
Two. The first one resigned.
Three. The first two were fired.
Four Hundred Thirty Nine. A Democrats will eventually replace it.
3
Trump just goes down his list of Obama Administration rules and positions to reverse.
2
I'm Craughing--crying and laughing simultaneously. I got nothin' else left.
7
One point: LED light causes retinal cell damage which may lead to blindness. Blue light emmitted from a specific type of LED lights is eye damaging. Individuals suffering from Glaucoma or Retinitis Pigmentosa, who need light with a consistent spectrum of safe light, need the incandescent light bulbs.
Personally, I just escaped having a diagnosis of cancer of the eyes, both.
Nearly all the manufactured light fixtures today are designed for LEDs. At IKEA in California, there are only four of maybe one hundred different light fixtures which can accept the voltage/ampherage of an incandescent light bulb.
My friend who is going blind must have special lighting.
Only Batteries and Bulbs sells incandescent light bulbs at a cost twice or four times the original cost of a US manufactured incandescent.
As one who road a bicycle for forty years in the Bay Area with public transportation, I can tell you there are countless other ways to save on energy consumption, other than a home light bulb.
1
@RR
I am THE ONLY READER in this entire post, or comment section, that responded to the article about facts that LED lights are harmful to human and perhaps other organism's eyes. The damage that specific LED lights cause to the human retina cannot be undone.
Individuals who suffer from Retinitis Pigmentosa cannot
suffer the light from LEDs. They can only use specific artificial light.
I am outraged that the Times suppresses any views that oppose the only thing that it seems to want to do, create outrage against President Trump.
There also seems to be countless ways to avert military conflict but we routinely dive head first into war.
3
Vote every antediluvian republican out of office at every level from local to national.
End this self-destructive insanity for which we, our children and our children's children (if there are any) will pay the butcher's bill.
1
Once again, a solution to a problem no one had.
6
Personally, I'm not switching back from LED bulbs. I like the fact that they last much longer than incandescent bulbs. Plus does anyone still make incandescent bulbs? Even the Chinese phased them out ...
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-light-bulbs/china-to-phase-out-incandescent-light-bulbs-in-5-years-report-idUSTRE7A40MV20111105
I'm not a conspiracy theorist but......
Why is Trump doing anything and everything to undermine the USA. For example with the economy, the trade war with China is pointless especially since he no has strategy or can even articulate the goal. US manufacturing is not coming back, they are just making contingencies to go to Vietnam and elsewhere. The result is a disaster for our economy. He backs Boris Johnson and Brexit which only weakens Europe as a whole and our allies. He ignores Latin America except the Brazilian President who is burning down the Amazon. Trump is in "bed with Israel and Saudi Arabia angling for a destructive war with Iran. Everything Obama did in trying to reduce climate change he has dismantled. Only one country benefits from the USA, Europe, China, and The Middle East in chaos........RUSSIA.
4
I believe Potus is indebted to some Russians, who want more than anything to melt all the ice in the Arctic, so they can make hundreds of billions of dollars in oil profits that they don’t need. This saving of the Earth, it is all a joke to them. So are all of our lives, and the lives of our descendants. They are spitting in our faces, and laughing about it. I do hope people vote in 2020 to stop this.
2
Is Trump trying to resurrect Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann's greatest "big" issue? Is this a prelude to selecting one of them as a running mate? I won't wait for enlightenment from any of those three.
3
There isn't a day that goes by without hearing yet another stupid, arrogant, self-serving, cruel, vindictive, and blatant
act of destruction and total lack of caring about our country and its people, from Mr. Trump.
I want my country back. I want people to be free from harm and ridicule. I want to take away the power of money, the NRA, corporations, and Trump's puppets.
I want someone in charge who is honest has a heart and soul and an over-flowing love for freedom for all and compassion for the downtrodden.
I want a leader who understands the office of the Presidency of the United States, is well informed of world affairs, curious, reads, is reflective and has more experience than a tv show personality.
I want my President to have enough sense to listen to advice from experts in the field. I want a leader who still holds Press Conferences, who doesn't play golf and use the tax-payers money to fly from golf resort to golf resort. I want my President to respect and honor women, not brag about doing whatever he wants to them because he's rich. I want a president with high standards of civility and morals. I want a president who isn't racist and doesn't put down the disabled. I could go on and on but I know we all get the idea. Only, why aren't we doing anything about it? He doesn't even believe in Climate Change?!
What does it take?
I don't think that is too much to ask.
9
Not surprising. Most Republicans are eagerly awaiting the end of the world because they think they’ll meet their God. Sad for the rest of us. But then again, caring for someone other than yourself is not Republicans’ strong suit. In fact, I think their intolerant God forbids it.
5
Utterly mind-boggling how Trump and his gang (here the Rick Perry "run" Energy Dept) constantly concoct destructive notions, especially in a case like this where there's really no motive for it, nor a "constituency" whose interests are being served, even covertly (except maybe GE or Big Power?)
Apart from apparently apparently in favor of the destruction of what's left of our natural environment and simply stupid, the pure maliciousness of an act like this really suggest a sewer of depravity and ill-will that seems to have no rational explanation. Except malice and destructiveness for its own sake... the definition of "evil" in many sources...
2
There's a time again in the near future when the egregious, spiteful, self-defeating actions of any administration will be their own punishment. My lighting is good, pleasing to the eye, and cheap (especially since I don't have to replace my lighting so frequently, or crawl up a ladder to do so). I can benefit from sophisticated controls, or not.
Few international bulb-makers will benefit from this obvious middle-finger to Obama (by way of GWB, who first proposed the regulation), or change their manufacturing goals. There's a lot of wasted energy in spite and hate, but we can't convert it to anything useful.
2
This is getting ridiculous. Ten bucks says he folds on this next week when literally everyone in the country says "why would we want to use more electricity to get the same lighting?"
2
Oh goodie. I think we should all go back to candle power; I mean if you need more light try an Argand Lamp or a kerosene lantern (fun to clean).
BTW in fact, a wood powered stove is much better than most of what we have now because your can get it up to 800 degrees F for roasting your leg of personally harvested (by gun or car) venison.
2
Trump rolls back environmental standards because he wants to endear himself to wealthy donors. Many in his base see it as a way to bring about the "end times" when they will all meet Jesus and the sooner the better.
Have a blessed day.
8
They are NOT rolling back the existing rules, just the ones scheduled to go into effect in 2020. The new standards affect only "three-way, the candle-shaped bulbs used in chandeliers; the globe-shaped bulbs found in bathroom lighting; reflector bulbs used in recessed fixtures; and track lighting.". I think the industry has refused to develop good replacements for these types of bulbs. Remember how unpleasant those early CFLs were? Democrats in the house need to introduce new legislation requiring manufacturers to meet specific quality requirements, perhaps over the next 5 years. Maybe one type of bulb per year. Obviously they need more regulation since even with 13 years of lead time they refused to develop acceptable replacements.
3
Too late! Trump can't turn the clock back as much as he tries. Just today I went to replace a set of halogen bulbs. The LED's were 7.5W each instead of 50W each for the halogen bulbs and cost 30% less.
7
I thought I'd never give up my incandescent bulbs, and I bought enough boxes of 60-watt bulbs to last a lifetime.
Then, hearing that LEDs are long lasting, I tried a couple on my outdoor security lights. What a relief not to have to reach up with that 13-foot pole contraption to change them. I used to get a crick in my neck every 3-4 months.
Then I tried an LED on my desk lamp because I'd heard it was cooler. It was.
And so now almost all my lightbulbs are LEDs. They don't heat up the space beneath them, many imitate the warm look of incandescent bulbs, they last forever, they save money.
What's not to like?
Anyone want some old 60-watt lightbulbs?
17
The good news is that this standard, unlike some others, is basically self-enforcing among consumers. The benefits of LED lights are quite obvious to most of us, and the market will cater to that preference quite nicely, I suspect.
5
"Mr. Horowitz, the N.R.D.C. director, said regulation was necessary. 'Energy-wasting incandescents and halogens still make up more than a third of new bulb sales. We need standards to ensure every new bulb sold is an efficient one.'"
Anybody verify this number? I could not find data to substantiate it with a quick Google search.
Also, doesn't it make sense that incandescents will make up a large percentage of annual sales? If CFLs and LEDs really last longer as we're told, then total annual bulb sales should decrease or at least grow at a slower rate. Say bulb sales this year are 100,000 and 40,000 of those (40%) are incandescent. Next year bulb sales are only 80,000 because people are not having to replace the energy efficient bulbs. But incandescent customers still have to replace theirs, so they still buy 40,000 and suddenly they make up half of the annual sales.
3
My town has replaced all of its incandescent/halogen/sodium vapor street lights with LED street lights. All of our traffic lights have been retrofitted from incandescent to LED. After the initial cost, they figure that the extended bulb life, lower wattage and the lower costs of maintenance/replacement will save them thousands of dollars a year.
And our town board is run by Republicans !
20
Umm, I just Googled "What country does GE manufacture Light Bulbs" and surprise, surprise, none in the USA. It all comes from China for the LED's. They closed the last manufacturing plant in the US not long ago.
So is Trump trying to save American businesses or trying to cut deals with China? Either way, the planet suffers and we do too.
11
@me, just me
So. The Master Negotiator has done shot his nation and his self in the foot again.
I wish Mr. Trump would stop making deals, and start making sense.
3
Destroying the planet, one rollback at a time. The only way to counter this administration is when consumers and companies push back. It's great news that car manufacturers are sticking to prior standards rather than follow Trump's latest rollback.
19
Anyone with half a brain has already switched to LED bulbs. One cold January winter Sunday, The Home Depot was running a great sale on LED bulbs. We counted up our light bulbs...all of them, even CFL's (which they took for recycling). We headed over to the store and bought probably 90 different bulbs. The savings on our electric bill was substantial...$50 a month.
I also own a small retail store. With a program through PECO Smart Ideas we were able to change all our 50W MR16 bulbs to LED.. The MR16's cost a fortune at $9per bulb, 3 went out a month...all year. Cost savings to my business was/is a wopping $100 per month.
Anyone who thinks going back to incandescent lighting is a fool...the cost savings alone speak for themselves.
70
@Karen
And change out your old fridge if it's not energy efficient and try an induction burner... at least one. You can do without the crock pot etc... because you can set the temp on these very energy efficient (don't heat up much) cooking devices. Also cheap to operate.
But as an American consumer, I want more energy efficient lightbulbs, so thumbs down to the ecologically destructive Trump Administration. Again.
17
Why would a law passed in 2007 not take effect until 2020?
2
@MM because like so much else in this country, corporate greed and lobbyists dictate policy
2
Does “conservative” mean not only to stand in the way of progress, but also to attempt to go back in time? The decisions made by this Looney Tune President are wacky.
16
One needs to ask why has Trump chosen to systematically dismantling all things related to a better environment and towards lessening an impact on climate? Is he truly that ignorant? Or is greed paramount? How will our children and the coming generations look back on our government and the inaction by those in Congress to stop him?
Answer: it won’t be kind as they pay the consequences in ways we can’t comprehend.
14
MAGA means back to the 1860's.
I'm surprised Trump isn't mandating good clean whale oil lamps or candles.
I got the ending of political correctness, you know Trump has to dismantle everything Obama did. Kind of like he's Trump's Moby Dick.
By all the Republican Congress members bailing recently, besides the bad polls, they have some insider information that Trump is going down.
The gratuitous attacks on the Squad haven't widened his White Nationalist base.
Xi will clean his clock on this China Trade war as Trump has no exit.
I see the greatest defeat by any US incumbent President in history. Hose will stay Dem; maybe Dems will even get the Senate
His replacement will be picking up the pieces of a shattered america for years.
14
Can we please advance the country's technology past the 19th century?
What is wrong with our country?
11
Certain of the sickest narcissists can't stand the idea that the human race might go on without them. It contradicts their world view, which is that only they themselves are real. So they try to take as many people as possible with them when they go. Think Jim Jones and David Koresh. And the President of the United States.
9
Every day another headline about another deranged effort to destroy life.
Trump blathers, rants and raves while his business supporters poison the stream, not realizing that when we are poisoned we are all poisoned together.
8
Let the whining Trumpers sweat under their hot old-fashioned lightbulbs, and pay for it! For the rest of us, this train left the station a long time ago.
8
Upcoming newsflash: Trump administration outlaws seatbelts. You laugh, but if seatbelts are getting in the way of some greedy shortsighted republican donor then watch out. Ridiculous.
6
The Trump administration seems to hate our planet
11
Pure revanchism.
2
Yet another rollback, eh, NYT? Environmental rules are always "rolled back" in the media -- in addition to being in bed with Putin, the Trump Regime is entirely beholden to specific lobbying groups.
Smart countries will make smart decisions on the environment. Stupid countries led by ignorant leaders will make bad decisions on the environment. The 2020 election should be about the US rejoining the 21st century, not careening back to the 19th.
6
"If it's stupid, we'll try it."
27
Why are people getting so upset with this rule change? Sure it will mean that we will use more energy and increase greenhouse gas effects upon climate change, but we can make up for the wasted energy by burning more "clean" coal, drilling for more oil in environmentally sensitive areas, and fracking, and let's bring back kerosine lamps and candles.
6
In my prep for Dorian I did bring back lamps and candles
It's too late. I have already stockpiled a chest full of old 100w bulbs as a defense from those weird fluorescents with the bad colors.
Now, I find there are places in my house where spot lights and floodlights are better replaced with LEDs that should last about 20 years.
I will not be buying light bulbs again for quite a while. I suspect I am not alone.
6
This roll back of efficiency standards reveals the lie in the GOP's claim to be "conservative". They clearly are not interested in conserving energy through existing technology. There is nothing conservative about deliberate waste of money unless "conservative" means funneling money to energy companies.
11
@AreWeThereYet The Republicans are conserving liberty.
1
Let's talk about your claim: that the Republicans are a "Grand Old Party."
Because that's not just an abbreviation. It's a branding statement.
Don't endorse it? Then. Don't. Use. It.
1
I hadn't really thought about it, but thanks for bringing it up Donnie. I'm going to go to the store this week and replace all the incandescent bulbs in my house with LED bulbs....
19
You will see there currently are few choices in the way of incandescent bulbs.
1
This is just another attempt by this President to stick his finger in the eye of his predecessors. The market will choose LEDs anyway.
17
Does he have a problem w the company who makes energy efficient light bulbs. How many ____does it take to roll back energy efficient light bulbs.
3
I think the first mistake most commentators are making here is to try and make any sense of this.
16
This is a disgrace, but like so many measures from this contemptible White House, it's doomed.
Trump can't roll back engineering, cost-accounting, and capitalism, and it's those forces--not environmentalism--that assure the irreversible future of energy efficiency. It saves money. The energy manager who announces that his company is going back to inefficient lighting thanks to Trump will lose his job. The company that does it will lose its customers, its talent, its recruits, and its stock value. Capitalism doesn't tolerate accidental stupidity and it destroys the willful version.
And The Times, dishwatery as always, hints that "this move ...could contribute to the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change." It's not "could contribute ". It's "will contribute, certainly", in tonnage measurable every day in the thousands and more. That is why they're doing this. They demand for the good of the fossil fuel industries to force waste and externalization back into an economy that is rapidly wiping out that willful stupidity. It will not work.
10
The far right has seized on this issue as well. Buying LEDs is a no-brainer. I guess that's why they are so against them.
16
...and in other related news, Trump tweeted that by the end of the year he plans to ban Green buildings, second-hand stores, Energy Star appliances, rooftop gardens, beekeeping, bulk bins at grocery stores, zero-waste stores, e-Waste disposal sites, curbside compost pickup and bicycles. Oh, and anyone caught walking in their own neighborhood (vs driving themselves in their massive SUV/pickup truck/jeep/Range Rover) will be fined $125 for the first offense, $250 for each subsequent offense.
8
.....and all Trump properties will convert to coal fired boilers!
6
It is pretty hard to understand some of the hatred against climate science, and just simple common sense, that drives the Trump administration. There is another article in today's Times that helps a little: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/04/opinion/trump-voters-chaos.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage
5
These attempts by the current administration to repeal sound regulation are asinine.
LED technologies have only become cost effective due to the marketplace responding to improved lamp efficiency standards.
Once again, the US is tarnishing it’s long held technological leadership in favor of retrograde, wasteful erosion of sound public policy.
8
Where I live, National Grid offered deals on LED bulbs several times; the more we bought the more we saved. One batch cost us a little more than a dollar a bulb. We are giving them away to friends and family.
The Trump administration has already been soundly trounced on this very dumb measure, but they don't care about anything but continuing to deny the science of climate change and the economics of innovative design.
2
Where I live, National Grid offered deals on LED bulbs several times; the more we bought the more we saved. One batch cost us a little more than a dollar a bulb. We are giving them away to friends and family.
The Trump administration has already been soundly trounced on this very dumb measure, but they don't care about anything but continuing to deny the science of climate change and the economics of innovative design.
11
A state program called Efficiency Vermont allows Vermonters to buy them for very low prices
1
The alleged “successful businessman” that Trump proportion to be, climate change not withstanding, LED lights make business sense and can cut back on energy cost and increase shareholder value. Further, who make an iridescent bulb today? China?
4
On what basis has the administration made this decision? Was a valid explanation given?
7
Nevada was outraged calling for Secretary Rick Perry to resign over nuclear waste disposal. July 10, 2019 the DOE revealed it sent shipments of radioactive waste to the Nevada National Security Site that did not meet disposal requirements. The shipments “were not in compliance with NNSS waste acceptance criteria” and were “potentially mischaracterized as low-level waste rather than mixed low-level waste,” DOE spokesperson Shaylyn Hynes.
The DOE’s admission sparked the ire of the state’s congressional delegation, including Rep. Mark Amodei, the only Republican.
“I’m getting a little tired of being the only guy trying to keep an open mind with respect to the Department of Energy, in the delegation,” Amodei said in a brief interview off the House floor.
1
So what else is new? It would not surprise me if the President required the addition of raw diesel fuel to exhaust of trucks making it a requirement to belch black smoke.
All I can say is that I have already replaced any regular use lamps in my house with LEDs, and anyone who does not is essentially wasting their money. We will make the world more energy efficient and reduce our carbon footprint in spite of the direction from his Russian handlers. As one person once said, Russia is an oil company posing as a country.
5
Who at the White House spends their time finding new and completely insane and inane regulations to unravel to "make America great again?" Is this just another ridiculous distraction from the really scary state of the world or part of the larger attempt to make the earth uninhabitable for most living things before the end of the century?
6
Any LED lights in any government building should be IMMEDIATELY changed to incandescent lighting. MAGA!
2
If there's something lazy and evil to be done, Trump will do it.
9
This is simply just another example of trump behavior that makes zero sense - no economic, environmental, social or common sense. Why in G-d's name would anyone support a buffoon like trump for President of the U.S. If you think he's good for the economy, it's time to wake up. Maybe the stock market will go up today, maybe down. Why would you think the world economy, society and the environment will be better off with trump just looking out 1 year, maybe 5 years? Can you imagine the damage to life and the environment trump's insanity will bring? What are you thinking? It's time for all our inner light bulbs to flipped on, for all the alarm bells to be ringing - "this guy must go". He's a danger to himself, to his children, my children and all of humanity.
9
Many, if not most, of the comments are very similar in style and share a common fallacy. Are most comments actually written by just a few individuals? The fallacy is that "rolling back rules" equals mandating inefficient technologies. After the rules are rolled back, people can choose which lighting products best suit their needs. This is freedom and it is the antithesis of force.
2
@Mackaroo
However, prior to the rule, there was no choice for LEDs. So, the rule increased freedom and reduced energy expenditure.
6
@Mackaroo
The distinction between freedom and force can be tricky business.
For the government to allow users of pesticides a much broader selection of products than are currently marketed, would increase the consumers’ freedom and lessen the force the government exerts on individuals.
However, is their any practical benefit to allowing a return to the use of DDT? Should this restriction be changed? What is gained? What might be lost?
Freedom vs. force. A very difficult balancing act in many cases.
3
No, Mack, they're not. But you have the freedom - no, the obligation! - to spin conspiracy theories.
Now get to work. Your President needs you.
3
This has gone way past any argument that these rules impose an economic hardship (translated less profit) to affected companies. The prime motivation for this administration is pure spite for anything their opponents support regardless of merit or common sense.
16
Buy a car that gets better mileage, spend a little more initially but save a bundle over the life of the car.
Buy a light bulb that lasts 10 years and uses 1/5 the electricity and save on your electric bill.
Switch from coal to natural gas and save a bundle on energy generation plus add less CO2, mercury, sulfur to the atmosphere.
The industries involved actually prefer not changing athe higher standards because they can plan on future production costs. New standards cost them money and they know we will return to the more efficient standards in the future.
Eventually wind and solar will be less expensive as well.
All of these things add less carbon to the atmosphere. We all are paying for the downstream costs of global warming except for the fossil fuel industry which passes it on to us in the form of higher insurance rates, higher FEMA costs, higher food costs, destruction of the coral reefs and forests.
But don't worry, our politicians are bought and paid for by the fossil fuel industry, so nothing will change.
This is all spite by the Trumpster.
11
I have been slowly replacing my incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs with LED bulbs and I see no reason for manufacturers to stop producing them. I have yet to replace any LED bulb in my home.
If any light bulb maker stops making LEDs I will simply stop buying any of their products, period!
6
I see this as connected to Edsall's piece today about Trump supporters as embracers of chaos.
Trump's record on the environment perfectly aligned with the idiots with their "rollin' coal" trucks designed to pump out the maximum amount of soot and pollution, just to "make liberals cry." I normally phrase this "militant stupidity", but Edsall's column definitely gave me some new perspective on the phenomenon.
9
So, emblematic of Trump.
I'm imaging a poster of Trump giving one of those farcical faraway looks that he gets on his face when he's pretending that there's a thought in his head that doesn't involve grasping a dollar.
Over his head, there's an incandescent light bulb.
The slogan:
Old bulbs for old ideas.
12
Did America’s premier, traditional incandescent lightbulb manufacturing mogul recently purchase a family membership to Mar-a-Lago, besides a suite at you-know-who’s D.C. hotel? Good grief!
8
Is there no end to the EVIL this administration will do? Disgusting.
9
I think the horse is already out the gate on this one...LED bulbs are mainstream, cheap, and have a "green" halo. The regulation phasing out incandescent bulbs is no longer needed to make LED bulbs competitive, if not superior, in the market. This is a non-event on the energy saving front, so it really comes down to how much we want the government to be choosing out products for us. I prefer LED bulbs, but support the rollback of this heavy-handed approach to the relationship between the government and citizens.
2
Next, the Administration will mandate that homes have gas lights as used in the good old days of the late 19th Century.
Not quite what I though Make America Great Again meant.
6
Great idea Trump! How about allowing burning of all fall leaves, outlawing vehicle catalytical converters, abolishing ethanol, putting lead back in gasoline, making 4 and 6 cylinder engines and hybrid cars illegal and requiring all utilities to burn coal. Only a stable genius could have such great visions.
14
Whew!
I was so tired of superior lighting at a lower price!
18
Well, I have been using the LED's for awhile. I rather like not having to climb on my step ladder every few months to change a lightbulb.
I plan to keep using the LED bulbs.
10
And the Trump Administration's next move will be to return the steamship and the horse drawn buggy. They must both be coal powered however. A new R&D program to develop coal based horse feed was also announced.
8
"Trump administration is against the environment, will roll back anything that might result in clean air, water, improved energy efficiency, or improved quality of life."
7
I am not sure if it is a good policy for America to cling to technologies of the past. Don't rely too much on big IT companies to shape your self perception. When I was in the US in 2017, I was really surprised at how underdeveloped some technologies were. Washing machines that looked like out of the 50s, cars with primitive engines and huge consumption, paying with checks were a few examples.
7
This it is the Republican playbook. Convince people to do the wrong thing and give it to them even though it is bad for them in the end just to create a wedge issue to win elections. SAD!! Leaders are supposed to be adults and professionals. They are not to be indulgent parents that feed their children junk food and junk science.
10
Perfect! We’ll need more coal to provide all the needed energy these inefficient old bulbs require.
This, my friends, is progress to Trump and the Republican Party.
Vote!!!
13
Trump and Republicans apparently can't wait for total global warming. Why? Do they have some secret plan to escape it themselves?
How many people are aware that Geo-engineering Does Not Work? Do voters know geo-engineering actions once done, are not changeable -- that they could throw the climate into a 'nuclear winter'?
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/geongineering-aerosols-injection-stratospheric-farming-agriculture-a8483341.html
2
Trump's singular skill: if there's any uncovered evil to be found, he'll find and use it.
11
Every Republican donor needs to be called out. Every business they own boycotted . Only one way to fight evil is it has to be brought out into the light.
12
What is wrong with the people in this administration?
11
@Doug, they're vindictive and petty. And aparently not very bright...unlike my 21st century LED smart lights.
12
Does anyone have a timeline for Trump’s plans to reopen the Love Canal?
11
Arguably the most egregiously stupid move to date by an administration that seems bent on proving it can always do worse. This is a bit of gratuitous anti-regulation posturing to the “back to the future” technophobes and troglodytes in his “base”.
4
The Trump administration is obviously playing to the Michele Bachman (i.e. imbecile) wing of the Republican party. Next, outlawing HPV vaccinations.
15
Trump & Cronies -- forecast of Future (Fake?) News:
I hereby order that all electric/hybrid vehicles be banned for the streets and highways of America, and no further research & development, or production of electric/hybrid vehicles be allowed.....
... Let it be written... let it be done.
Sir - does that mean you'll get off your fat as and walk the golf links... no electric power golf carts!
7
Another poorly thought out executive order which will get stopped by the courts. So what trump foolishness is the dummy trying to distract us from today? Trump foolishness - redundant.
7
As new efficiency standards were implemented under Obama we know why the madman on 1600 has done this. Check one more Obama accomplishment off of crazy man’s hatchet list. Such a sick human.
12
The largest supply of additional energy in the world is simply to use less to accomplish the same thing. I know this sails over the head of Trump and his supporters for that matter.
8
“Congress passed legislation to phase out inefficient incandescent and halogen bulbs in 2007, during the administration of President George W. Bush.”
I know the question I’m about to ask has been asked in regard to Mr. Trump’s actions/decisions countless times, but I can’t help myself.
Why does anyone take the president seriously when he makes announcements like this? The president does NOT have the authority to repeal legislation passed by congress and signed into law by a former president.
This silliness has been going on nearly constantly since 1/20/2017. Can’t someone get through to Trump as to his actual, constitutional executive powers?
5
Why are some of the most successful countries (USA, UK) determined to self-destruct and bring the planet with it? Not only that, the destruction is controlled by a very small fraction of the population. it is something in our species that we are reluctant to recognize and acknowledge.
David Koch is the poster child for this, i.e., knowlingly promoting lies about global warming for very short term profit, while well aware of his prostate cancer and that he would never live long enough to endure the consequences.
7
Donald Trump, his fellow administration grifters, and Mitch McConnell have no clear policy agenda other than to sow chaos and make the average Americans’ lives miserable only because they can. Very little of what this administration does is logical or for the benefit of the country. It is as they they are governing only out of spite.
It doesn’t matter if they damage companies that bolster our economy, or alienate allies overseas, or create the largest deficit since world war II, or send our economy into the tank, or bankrupt farmers hurt from tariffs. As long as Trump personally is “winning” all is good. The rest of the US is collateral damage.
9
Of course he did. If a policy makes sense, saves the planet, helps feed, educate or house people, Trump will do his best to obliterate it. What a horrid mess of a human being he is.
8
One of the things I like most about using LEDs is the fact that they use so much less electricity that I can leave one on just because I enjoy the glow of it. I remember well my dad telling us to turn off the lights because he wasn't working for the electric company. Well now I can leave a light on in a room, or all over the house, without guilt. And my home is a warmer and more inviting place to live. Self-indulgent, maybe, but so much more civilized. I have been saying since Barack Obama was elected that republicans are why we can't have nice things and this is just one more example.
12
After the last several regulation rollbacks, the only thing that makes sense is that Trump is trying to undo everything that was done in the Obama administration.
6
I am an engineer and the switch to LED lighting in commercial and institutional buildings has been swift and complete...and occurred several years ago. The industry is not going to turn back the clock.
Why is the Trump administration so insistent on not only rolling back regulations but also rolling back technology. That is no way to become a dominant player/manufacturer on the global stage.
Pretty soon he will insist we go back to using FAX machines, dial-up modems, and VHS machines.
34
At this point - if it would switch *rump to an old school beeper/pager - I’d be happy
3
You really can't blame Trump himself for forwarding this issue.
The man can barely keep up with Tweet responses, let only issues. The market has spoken regarding LED lighting.
Make whatever legislation to disdain LEDs, consumers are onto their advantages and there is no turning back.
6
The DOE announced new rules
Rolling back requirements for
Bulbs that are energy saving?
Don’t bother discussing the situation
They know best what is best
For the nation
Save your energy
Watt is their explanation?
Something to do with the
Obama administration
They were too bright, I guess
We need to dim the lights
Put on some music
Sound romantic?
Don’t get frantic
Greenhouse gasses are increasing
My patience is decreasing
I would like some understanding
That is watt I am demanding
Doubt that I will get it
May as well forget it
The bright folks at the DOE
They’re just too dim
6
Wow! Deregulation! It seems like “Reaganomics” or should I say “trumpomics”... history is repeating itself.
3
My wife and I have this thing where we wake up in the morning and ask, “What stupid thing is he going to say or do today?”
This is today’s winner.
He doesn’t let us down- regarding that.
19
@Thomas
Update: I had posted this before the Sharpie weather map incident. The light bulb thing has now moved to second place.
It's a close second, though.
Bush did it, not Obama. Someone please correct Trump on this.
5
Duh!
Aren’t most LED’ made in China?
Start Worrying people...Trump just heard about the Ozone layer and thinks it's something that Obama must have had his hands in building ...an O-Zone (Obama Zone).
Upon hearing about how earlier it was being damaged by CFC's leading to a Hole in the Ozone Layer and that the World banded together to ban CFC's and thus setting in motion it's complete repair...it looks like his next move will be to order the reintroduction of CFC Production and use in all applicable devices.
Someone has to convince Trump that the Ozone Layer is nothing at all to do with Obama!
Or we are Toast.
1
Simply disgusting....
We need to have a way to hold these people (men?) accountable... some type of serious consequence - trial/hearings, penalties (e.g., prision?, public shaming, tomatoes in public square, billboards, internet "Most Wanted").
The consequence has got to be so SEVERE and HORRIBLE.. . that future generations of politicians and their enablers will think TWICE before acting in such a way.
1
Light bulbs mean nothing to Trump. He's spent his entire life living in the dark.
12
Trump and his minions want to take us back to the 18th century. Since candles pollute, why not make them mandatory?
Trump must hate his children and grandchildren since he will leave this earth much worse than when he became president. He should be charged with crimes against humanity. May the economy collapse in 2020 before the elections. We need all means to stop this madman, not just hope he will be voted out, out of memory ( a bad one) and perhaps into jail.
3
Trump is putting the responsibility for climate change issue back in the hands of citizens and out of the government. It’s the best way. The government is always ineffective and inefficient. It’s time the citizens take responsibility for our actions instead of always deferring to the government.
Trump's next move?
Require that all faux fur be replaced with the real thing, especially from endangered animals.
I am seething.
4
This decision to roll back light bulb standards is just pure nihilism and in-your-face antagonism against the elite's --Obama especially -- who want to tell people what to do.
There is a parallel column in today's NYT by Thomas Edsall on the stunning fraction of our population who just want to break things because the country is not headed the way they want.
That chaos and "just break things" and "shake things up" attitude is where this regulation change is coming from. I can't even believe that most light bulb manufacturers are opposed to selling LEDs. This is Trump plain and simple; it's what he's about.
5
Over the 12 years since the law was passed requiring people to use LEDs, I have replaced my incandescent bulbs with LEDs as the incandescents blew out. Now almost all the bulbs in my house are LED's. It was a bit of a transition to the kind of light shown by LED's but I will never again by an incandescent except in those round bulbs used in the bathroom. I have been replacing the ones in chandeliers with LEDs. The result is saving money on our utility bill and not having to replace bulbs very often. Why on earth would anyone buy incandescent bulbs when they can get LEDs? I guess the ones who want to go back to incandescents are like our President, trying to live in an age that has passed.
7
LED bulbs are just bad for our health.
The incandescent bulbs provide a much broader spectrum of light which our bodies need for adequate functioning.
I only use incandescent bulbs and recommend them to my patients as a physician.
Glad to hear this news.
5
@simon sez: If you are truly a physician, your grasp of facts is terrifying. LED bulbs are bad for our health? Where's the data? What on earth are you talking about with the "broader spectrum" from incandescent bulbs? I've just looked at PubMed, and of the 32 studies on impact of LED vs incandescent lighting, not a single one found incandescent to be better at anything (vitamin D activation, circadian rhythm disturbances). As a doc, there's always a temptation to sound off and sound knowledgeable, but take care that you actually have the knowledge you are spouting. I hope your patients have the ability to find other sources for their medical information.
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@simon sez Troll. It does not seem possible that a physician could be quite this dim. I would love to see the evidence that our bodies need full spectrum light to be healthy. You must also be aware that LEDs can be (and are) made with all sorts of spectral compositions including full spectrum grow lights. Its getting hard to tell the trolls these days as they have mostly cleaned up the severe grammatical errors.
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Thank you for raising this point. I suffer from autoimmune disease and LED lights trigger autoimmune responses in me. For me, LEDs are completely disorienting, incredibly jarring to the senses and I’m extremely sensitive to the flicker factor in ALL LEDs. More thorough research is needed to fully appreciate and understand the adverse health affects caused by LEDs. Some museums, such as the Getty, have posted findings from their own lighting research and found that LEDs alone can damage works of art, despite the fact LEDs are cooler. Hence, many museums now use a combination of lighting, including natural light, halogen and LEDs. Also LEDs alone diminish quality and color of the works from the viewer perspective. Environmental studies have shown that LED lights affect salmon and sea turtle populations. Studies have shown LEDs contribute to cardiovascular disease in humans, increased depression, vision problems, etc. It’s my understanding that adverse health affects can, in part, be attributed to the fact that LEDs operate in the blue light spectrum vs. red light spectrum (sunshine, halogen, incandescent) and cells can not regenerate in the blue light spectrum. In our home, we went through great expense trying different types of LEDs and in the end had to replace all LEDs with expensive high energy incandescent and halogen lights. I truly wish I were able to tolerate LED’s, but with the current technology, I cannot. Please, more research is needed in this area.
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Seems to me we might as well go back to gas lights and candles. Coal too for home heating. The fossil fuel cheerleaders will be pleased.
2
Smart politics, thinks Trump. In case you didn't know, incandescent lights were preferred among his voters; there was intense anger at them disappearing from store shelves and efforts to replace them with newer technology. The moves he makes are always aimed at solidifying his voter base for 2020.
2
The President cannot negate a law. I wish the article was clearer about how relationship btwn laws of their enacting rules.
But besides that...Trump seems intent on innovating us right into the 1890s with his energy-related actions.
5
This is quite insane, one retrogressive step after another is taking the country backwards at jet speed.
Yellow filament or incandescent lamps are quite cheap but they are not only sore to the eyes but increase the monthly electricity bill like anything. In addition it’s wastage of energy and contributes to the global warming.
For example a 100 watt incandescent lamp used for 10 hours amounts to 1000 watt hours or 1 kWh equalling one unit whereas a 25 watt LED bulb emitting same but bright light needs 40 hours to equal one unit. In the sense energy consumption is literally one fourth in the same time of 10 hours. Further the costs of LED lamps have come down to $ 2 each as mentioned in the article. Over a period of time, it purely amounts not only saving in one’s money but also involves in overall saving of energy and also helps in reducing global warming all in one stroke.
Right now I am staying at the residence of my daughter as tourist in Ann Arbor, MI. Daily I see a huge wastage of electricity in their lane. Many in that lane simply put on the lights outside car garages 24 x 7, a huge wastage of energy and costs plenty of money too over a period of time. Imagine such a scenario country wide, it’s mind blowing.
Country wide awareness programme must be launched in this regard.
3
Why get upset over this rule change? You already save money buying non-filament bulbs. We don’t need the government to force us to do something that has a positive net present value. Capitalism: learn it, love it, live it.
1
@Michael Blazin. With that kind of ridiculous way of thinking we'd still be treated to PCB-filled capacitors in our appliances, asbestos covering our kitchen floors, wrapping our boilers, ductwork, popcorn ceilings, and lining our cars' brake pads, mercury filling our fluorescent bulbs, and lead painting our homes' walls and filling our gas tanks. Those harms were removed from commerce not out of the goodness of the hearts of capitalist business owners --- far from it! But because the government, guided by thinking people, banned them. Incandescent lights burden our power grids and waste energy -- for no reason other than, perhaps, nostalgia and ignorance of better, cleaner, more efficient alternatives.
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This just in...
Trump Administration to urge all patriotic households to leave every light in the house on all night long to offset the damage being done to our great coal and gas fired power plants by unpatriotic Democrats using LED bulbs to light their homes.
Fight the Blue Light Special with the Red Light District!
MAGA
The incandescent light... good enough for Ike... good enough for Trump!
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@John
Ten roger there, John.
When I think of those millions of tons of coal, lying there, unused, beneath the permafrost of Greenland.
And I consider the awesome damage that men like D.J.Trump could do with that coal, if the tree huggers and the president of Denmark would get their silly selves out of the way.
Sometimes I just break down and cry.
Why elect a comicbook-villain to the presidentistry, if you’re not going to let him destroy stuff.?
4
Pence just left for Great Britain where he and dozens of aids, staff and family will be making two stops in Ireland, where they will stay at Trump properties.
This is against our Constitution - to receive gifts over ten dollars as part of the administration. Barr will be spending thirty thousand plus at the Trump Hotel in December.
How anyone in good conscience could continue to support this historically corrupt president and Republican party is mind blowing.
The self loathing they must have within themselves to continue to feed this beast of utter greed is frankly horrifying.
11
Yeah, I don't like those politically correct light bulbs, so there! I also don't like all those BMWs and KIAs, etc., that we allow into our country. And don't get me started on letting any more immigrants get in unless I personally approve each one. Finally, I'm not accepting that Obama was born in Hawaii.
@C.L.S. But I’m sure you are all for our purchasing the autonomous Danish Territory of Greenland. I mean, why not? Its permafrost is rapidly melting and there are lits of good resources there to be used by America!
1
Nobody is going to buy trumps incandescent bulbs.
2
@Vivien Hessel Sadly not true. We still have the 'rolling coal" crowd and those who refuse to buy water saving toilets. Its tough to keep track of all the politically incorrect things one has to do to show Trump loyalty.
Trump is criminally myopic. All he cares about is doing the opposite of what Obama did. And the spineless Republicans in Congress continue to accede to his wishes for fear of engendering a tweet storm.
6
Next thing you know, he will outlaw fluoridated water.
5
Wait a minute, are flush toilets and indoor plumbing on the way out too! Outhouses and backyard wells are the way to go. Will we be living in the 1800s again?
1
The Sarah Palin syndrome: sneer at anything that could help the planet.
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Rolling back auto emission and economy standards-check. Reduce or eliminate credits for renewal energy sources-check. Reduce emission requirements on power plants- check.
Well, he, the climate destroyer forgot something-demand coal fired warships, railroad locomotives and home heating.
What could go wrong with that?
6
It's too late, Mr. Trump. I've replaced all my lightbulbs with efficient LEDs. They provide better light at a cheaper cost and will last a long time. Doesn't the president have anything useful or important to do these days?
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Someone should ask Trump about this directly. I would bet that he knows absolutely nothing about this change in regulations. He's not a detail guy.
What he has done is to put a whole bunch of industry hacks into positions where they can undo all the progress that forward-thinking people have painstakingly achieved. The motive is profit. Most likely very personal profit. I challenge the press to find out exactly who is profiting and how much, by all these changes in environment rules -- as the NYT did with Margaret Chao.
Drain the swamp, indeed. Trump's people are just digging it deeper.
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Steven, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. Thank you
3
Trump seems to personally have it in for energy efficiency. Why, one asks, since he only engages in activities that benefit him personally. Why is he interested in high fuel consumption. It came to me the other day when I see that the Saudis are preparing their Aramco IPO, the largest ever offered. Who has gotten so cozy with the Saudi Arabia and Russia - oh, the president of the United States. How easy it would be to offer Trump stock in exchange for US support and no one the wiser. In Trump think removing energy efficiency from US business means better stock prices for his deal.
To Trump all things lead to the lining of his pocket. The governing of the country is no longer about that grand experiment conceived so long ago but about about world dictators like Trump, Putin, Netanyahu, MBS taking the Earth's assets that belong to us all and stealing them for themselves. Then holding us hostage to our own laws while they run their scams.
5
I'm curious to know the import/export consequences of this decision.
1
Too late, Bubba, everyone has been dumping incandescents for years. Now we are slowly replacing fluorescents with LEDs.
Anybody still using old bulbs ...have fun with heat and frequent changes.
6
Remember, this is not a law, its a rule change at best, more like an edict.
What is to be gained by this? More kickbacks from old light bulb makers?
More coal burning due to the need for more wasted power running these ancient bulbs?
I mean why exactly are we doing this? Its is not helping anyone but Trump
3
Trump and the GOP are anti-science, and-environment, anti-reproductive freedom, anti-education.
Any little thing Trump can do to harm the environment and reward industries that harm it, he gladly does it.
Anything he can do to steal our public lands and national parks away from us, he gladly does it.
Anything he can do to expand the use of poisons that kill people and the biosphere, he does it.
Impeachment should be happening right now in the House.
Trump is a clear and present danger.
6
There is significantly more pollution is manufacturing LED bulbs than incandescent bulbs. But no worries all that takes place in China.
3
@Mkm.definitely a good point! Although likely had nothing to do with DT's decision.
"Trump usually thinks about the economy first which is probably the main reason I support and I believe hes a great president in that aspect."
Where are the coal mining jobs? Where is the great trade war deal?
Trump thinks only about himself and how he can make more money.
3
Of COURSE he did this. The only surprise is that it wasn’t something Obama did.
I wonder what donor/lobbyist will reap the benefits?
Another disgraceful move by a disgraceful “president”.
8
I'd like to know if Putin is aware of this change. Did he approve?
5
Dear NYT, It is not "could contribute to a rise in greenhouse gas emissions". It is "will contribute".
6
Do we need any further evidence that our country is in the hands of a dim bulb?
23
I switched to LED bulbs years ago and I am not going back. Yes, they initially cost more. On the other hand they last for literally years so they more than make up for their original cost (which has been lowered considerably in the last couple of years). Second they don't throw heat. Third they give a bright or soft light depending on which style you choose. Lastly, they lowered my electrical bill because they are more efficient.
So make a stupid law. Waste more time on trying to cancel out a real president's legacies. I won't waste anymore of my time and money on stupid.
5
And they are much cheaper now.
4
God only knows what the members of this administration think the words "energy efficient" mean.
5
Every 'light bulb' that goes off in this president's brain puts us all further into 'the dark'.
12
South Korea has already passed a law that is similar to this and, as of the last two months, many street lights have been replaced with LCD bulbs.
Though they are more cost efficient, they are literal spotlights that are blinding in their brilliance.
It would be great if someone in the US were to further develop better LCD streetlights or lighting systems that wouldn't put one's eyes out with their brightness. I now know I'm going to need new window shades for when the lights in front of my apartment get converted so I can sleep at night!
@Ronn
Typo...LED bulbs.
LED bulb are made with a range of brightness.
1
Clearly a move to support thermal coal usage in power plants, then go stump in West Virginia where Trump desperately needs their mere 5 electoral votes.
5
By trying to undo the prior administration policies he is actually revealing how strong it was.
Every slight makes the Obama that much stronger.
Without putins help DJT would not have been elected once which makes twice all the more improbable.
Obama will always be great and DJT knows he never was or will be. That just seems to be too much for him to take- and it shows!
5
It seems like it is time for a few big states, like California, New York, etc., to adopt laws requiring light bulb manufacturers and sellers to comply. Obviously the light bulb manufacturers are not as smart as the automobile manufacturers because as soon as Democrats are back in control, the federal government will reverse course anyway back to the Obama standards. These changes are inevitable. Evolve or die.
5
Perhaps LED and other high efficiency bulbs will simply become too expensive and out of reach for mere consumers with the tariff taxes and all. Keeping the incandescent alternatives around longer people will not notice being price gouged by this president on the light bulb front.
1
I despise the Trump administration, but as someone with a rare vision disorder who cannot tolerate LED lighting, I welcome this move. The quality of incandescent light is still superior to LED and is better for health because it better mimics the light spectrum of the sun.
3
@Tracy, I'm with you. I can't deal with LEDs, though I have tried many. The highest CRI (color rendering index) I can find is about 93, and even that gives a creepy cast to everything. While color temperature has improved, incandescents still provide a full spectrum light which LEDs don't yet replicate. Hopefully with time the technology will continue to improve.
2
Here’s a thought...
Quit complaining about what Trump does and continue using energy efficient bulbs.
Do you really need the government to tell you what to do? To think for you?
If you do, there’s more wrong than what Trump says or does.
4
The problem with leaving “the choice of how to light homes and businesses is left to the American people, not the federal government.” is that people don’t always make choices for the good of other people nor the planet- human nature. Some of the people may not be informed. Others will make whichever choice is cheapest, as their wallet dictates. But as your article states, the good things get innovation and then, like the little calculator that could (totally dropped in price within a few years from release)- innovation will happen. And faster with a little push from lack.
3
Has no one noticed that climate change became a huge issue about 10 years after the West donated all it's factory jobs to China, who then promptly built hundreds of coal-fired plants?
Maybe if we brought jobs back to the U.S. where there are labour laws and environmental laws (you know, the things that a democracy put in place), we'd all be better off and we wouldn't need to be so fussed about these lightbulbs.
Sure, things would cost more for each of us, but a small price to pay for our planet, don't you think?
1
@m. k. jaks Actually, China is working diligently on improving the environment after years of neglect.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/04/china-is-going-green-here-s-how/
3
There is a chart in my eye doctor's office showing what sort of bulbs are least harmful to the human macula. It shows incandescent bulbs as the least harmful, followed by halogen, then florescent, and as the very worst: light from LED bulbs. Whether this is still true across the board I do not know. I'm sure the color temperature range of the various sorts of bulbs in each category is another factor. However, I have macular degeneration, and would prefer not to take unnecessary risks. As for Trump, I agree he is just doing this out of spite - which is why he does most things. Nevertheless he could be unwittingly doing us a favor. I would also point out that we are still permitted to heat and cook with electricity.
5
Given the fact that LEDs can be adjusted for color and intensity. I wonder if this is up to date.
3
@Joe Runciter There was a comment above from a physician who thought that LEDs were dangerous to our health. He must have had the same historically dated chart as your eye doctor. Actually, none of that is true anymore. LEDs are made with all sorts of spectra and if you want to avoid short wavelength light you can buy one that does that. Yes, it is highly unlikely that our pres is on top of these issues.
1
When we see Trumps tax returns, we will see how he invested and how these choices add to his wealth, and the wealth of his friends.
8
Dear Light-Bulb Manufacturer:
Would you like to become the top-selling light-bulb brand?
Here's how. Start an ad campaign- that shows how LED bulbs now duplicate, exactly, every kind of previous bulb; same intensities; same color scales; but- always - less power consumption, and far less LIFETIME cost to the household.
Then- after the lovely images- go on and state "This is why we WILL NOT make, or try to sell you old-style bulbs that cost every one of us, and the environment, more than is necessary. Every time you flip that switch."
Run that ad campaign for a year; during the Super Bowl, etc. Keep repeating it. You will very soon be the top-selling bulb brand; and will likely stay in that position for decades to come.
"Common Sense" - eventually wins out. As Thomas Paine demonstrated.
9
Why is does this President think that speeding up the destruction of the earth is good for the USA and the economy ?
It's not. But, maybe he wants all of us to suffer long after he is dead.
8
@RB It's the end of the world? Again? And this time because of light bulbs? Is it any wonder that doomsday prophets are held in so little regard among normal, rational individuals?
2
@Ed Its all the environmental rollbacks, clean water, clean air, etc... 84 and counting. I refer you to this New York times article: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/climate/trump-environment-rollbacks.html
Welcome to your kakistocracy, America. My condolences on seeing every gain made in the 20the century erased.
Maybe you should vote for the candidate that may not excite you, but promises not to be completely insane.
5
Pure Dump Administration spite, lashing out at the libs who want to take away your 'Murican rights to buy dinosaur light bulbs! Like the "right" to sell 64 ounce sugar drinks and the "right" to sell uninspected meat and poultry, the "right" to sell polluting products helps the seller only, and only in the very short run. Climate change is breathing its fiery breath down all human necks. Hey oligarchs, those dollar bills will burn and that gold will be useless to carry across deserts without water. But with the help of benighted MAGA minions, you shut down those socialist light bulbs in 2019--something you can always be proud of!
11