2011-12-18 Economy
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Congress Dims the 100-Watt Ban
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The traditional incandescent light bulb won a nine-month reprieve late Thursday from new federal rules that would have led to its demise. The deal to avert a government shutdown starting Friday night includes a provision that prevents the Department of Energy from spending any money to implement or enforce the energy efficiency standards for light bulbs that is set to start going into effect for 100-watt bulbs in 2012.
The new standards and regulations remain on the book, even if they now won't be enforced.
Right next to the immigration laws.
"The industry is concerned that any delay in federal enforcement...will undermine those investments and also create regulatory uncertainty," said Kyle Pitsor, vice president of government affairs for the trade group.
He said it could allow some "bad actors" to import less efficient bulbs from overseas "without any fear of enforcement, thereby creating an uncompetitive disadvantage for U.S. manufacturers that made those investments."
Only if the public wants to buy them, Kyle.
But while environmentalists and the manufacturers supported the new rules, many conservatives and some consumers had objected at the lack of choice they would entail. The issue has been a lightning rod issue for the Tea Party.
Whynot just add a carbon tax to the incandescent bulbs? OK, how about a surtax? Maybe a tax credit for CFLs. Why do they have to take away the choice?
David Goldston, director of government affairs for the National Resources Defense Council, a leading environmental group, said there is broad bipartisan support for the higher standards. If there had been an up or down vote on the provision, rather than having it attached to a must-pass piece of legislation, he said it would never have passed.
David knows this, because he is one of the elite who get to choose for the rest of us.
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Posted by Bobby 2011-12-18 13:25||
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Posted by Iblis 2011-12-18 13:53||
2011-12-18 13:53||
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Posted by Anonymoose 2011-12-18 13:59||
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Posted by Frank G 2011-12-18 14:12||
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Posted by Bill Clinton 2011-12-18 15:43||
2011-12-18 15:43||
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13:08 Abu Uluque
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