NTU urges all Representatives to vote“YES” on H.R. 2417, the “Better Use of Light Bulbs (BULB) Act of 2011.” Sponsoredby Rep. Barton (R-TX), this bill would repeal a provision of the EnergyIndependence and Security Act of 2007 that acts as a de facto ban onincandescent light bulbs.
The regulatoryassault on incandescent bulbs in favor of compact fluorescent bulbs andlight-emitting diode bulbs is another lamentable example of Washingtoninserting its heavy-handed judgment into the free markets. The forcedtransition has been dogged by a number of problems as the new bulbs are moreexpensive, can be less reliable than once touted, and can contain morepollutants than traditional incandescents.
Unfortunately,the de facto ban eliminates consumers’ ability to take these drawbacks intoaccount when purchasing a light bulb. Furthermore, by picking winners andlosers in the marketplace well before the new bulbs have been more thoroughlyproven from a technological or economic standpoint, Washington is doingso-called green technology (not to mention taxpayers) an enormous disservice.To achieve the biggest gains, free markets must be allowed to channel theirresources toward products based on their promise of being cleaner and cheaper,not on political pressure.
TheBULB Act would reintroduce the power of the free market to lower costs and pushnascent technologies towards their true potential. For those reasons, roll call votes on H.R. 2417 will be significantlyweighted in our annual Rating of Congress and a “YES” vote will beconsidered the pro-taxpayer position.
If you have any questions, please contact NTU Federal Government Affairs Manager Brandon Greife at(703) 683-5700