(Image source: New York Times)


BY ALLIE SPILLYARDS

You're watching multisource politics news analysis from Newsy.

It’s the battle of the bulbs.
Last year Congress approved a mandate to replace traditional incandescent light bulbs with more energy efficient ones.
6 months to go until that green law goes into effect- but now Republicans are stepping back to reconsider. The Atlantic Wire explains.

“A bill to overturn [the law] is due to hit the floor of the House of Representatives sometime next week. The legislation, sponsored by Republican Joe Barton, of Texas, is just the kind of issue that ruffles feathers on both sides.”

Opponents of the 2007 law say this is just the latest in a strand of heavy handed governing. One Fox commentator suggests an alternative.

“Why doesn’t the government do this instead? The government federal buildings consume the most energy in this country, 35 percent of the energy according to the GAO energy consumption. But the federal government’s always leaving the lights on. How about turning the lights off some of these nights and you won’t have to do the bulb switch?”

But a blogger for the Huffington Post -- a Democratic Congressman from New Jersey -- argues -- the law isn’t as radical as some might think.

“The United States has a long tradition of supporting innovation by setting energy efficiency standards. For example... Congress has required manufacturers to create new, more energy-efficient refrigerators. Yet we haven't heard any calls to revert to turn-of-the-century Model Ts or ice boxes -- technologies that are roughly as old as the conventional light bulb.”

And supporters have gone on the defensive- saying the law was passed with good reason. An opinion writer for the New York Times compiles the benefits of the new bulbs.

“The long-term benefits, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, could be huge: national energy savings equivalent to 30 large power plants; household savings of up to $200 a year; and 100 million fewer tons of carbon dioxide pollution yearly, roughly the amount from 17 million cars. So far, not a single manufacturer has complained...”


But one state isn’t waiting around for Congress to make a decision. The Lone Star State is taking matters into its own hand

“Texas hopes to get around the law with a measure recently signed by Republican Gov. Rick Perry declaring that incandescent bulbs — if made and sold only in Texas — do not involve interstate commerce and therefore are not subject to federal regulation. Critics of the federal mandate hope the Texas action will spur Congress to repeal the light bulb rules or prompt other states to adopt similar laws.”

If the GOP’s unsuccessful with repeal efforts- the energy efficient bulbs will be mandatory beginning January 1st.
 

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