Concerning your editorial "The Light Bulb Police" (June 7): I'm pleased to report that here in California we have already found a way to protest this nonsense in the marketplace. California state government, being taken over by the environmental lobby long ago, set out to beat the federal ban on 100-watt incandescent light bulbs by banning them a year earlier on Jan. 1.
Having just used my last 100-watt bulb, I set out to purchase some 75-watt bulbs and was surprised and delighted to find 95-watt incandescent light bulbs at my local market. I doubt I'll notice the five-watt difference, but then perhaps I'll soon be able to find a 99-watt incandescent bulb.
Stephen Montgomery
Los Angeles
You incorrectly state that because of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 "we will all be required to buy compact fluorescent lights." Halogen incandescent light bulbs are more efficient and longer-lasting than conventional incandescent light bulbs, are currently available, and meet the act's minimum efficiency standards.
William L. Chameides
Dean
Nicholas School of the Environment
Durham, N.C.
The 2007 energy law does not "effectively" ban incandescent light bulbs or mandate that consumers have to buy compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). The 2007 federal law requires manufacturers to produce incandescent light bulbs that emit the same amount of light but use fewer watts. Instead of buying a 100-watt light bulb, consumers can buy 70- to 72-watt incandescent bulbs that generates the same illumination. These new advanced incandescent bulbs are now showing up on retail shelves and will be available nationwide by Jan. 1, 2012.
The advanced incandescent bulbs look the same as traditional incandescent bulbs, produce the same amount of light, are dimmable and do not contain mercury. Where they do differ is that the advanced incandescent uses 28% to 30% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. Furthermore, consumers will continue to have the option to buy other energy-efficient light bulbs, such as CFLs and new LED bulbs. Choice in illumination is expanding for consumers.
One important reason federal minimum efficiency standards are needed is to avoid a patchwork of conflicting state standards for light bulbs, which is precisely what was happening in 2007 before the federal law was passed. Consumer costs would have increased if manufacturers had to produce differing light bulbs for different states. And that increase in costs would limit consumer options. That is why consensus-based federal efficiency standards have enjoyed bipartisan support in Congress and the White House.
Kyle Pitsor
National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Rosslyn, Va.
Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D. 