Trump admin to roll back light bulb efficiency requirements set to take effect in 2020

Several years ago I remember a debate on Intelligence Squared about climate change, and one of the first counterarguments made by to people who were generally against the idea of fixing climate change was that "No one is really against efficiency."

Cut to several years later and we have a president who is actively working against policies that would implement greater energy efficiency yet also claiming that they want energy independence for the US.

This week, the Trump administration announced that it would be rolling back energy efficiency requirements for light bulbs that were set to take effect in 2020. The rules would have increased efficiency requirements for the traditional ‘light bulb’ shaped bulbs, and phased out the incandescent and halogen bulbs used in special applications such as candle-shaped lights, bathroom vanities, and recessed lighting. Those requirements, originally set up during the Bush administration and finalized under President Obama, were aimed at moving the country further away from energy-inefficient incandescent lights and towards more efficient options like LED lights.

Science journalist and author Annalee Newitz joins Ira to talk about the light bulbrule shiftand other stories from the week in science,

https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/a-dimming-plan-for-lighting-efficiency/?fbclid=IwAR2TCjIo9MFXUgzSnJ3opW0fZPZ9yZR06ak5A5rIs7PvUJeH6Ckx_I-ynJU

I will say that businesses seem to be smart enough to implement these light bulbs regardless of what Trump is doing. They understand that it pads their bottom line to have their energy costs be as low as possible, and if you don't believe me then the next time you're out and about somewhere, take a look up, if they don't have the big fluorescent tube lights, they will have the LED or CFL bulbs. Much like coal, the economics of incandescent bulbs are no longer making sense when compared to it's competitors.

He's the worst president ever. No debate on that.

This is something he has his administration spending time on?

Apparently so.

It's a cultural thing, just like the people who intentionally make their trucks belch out exhaust as dirtily as possible. It's stupid, yes, but they get to own the libs.

Ah yes, the "culture" of pissing other people off and generally being shitty human beings.

I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just saying that people are basing their lives around finding new and exciting ways to show animosity towards their neighbors. What a great way to live.

I'm a big fan of LED they are bright and last forever.

I thought they had better things to spend their time on...

Anyhow if you live in a cold climate, the extra heat from those bulbs do add up. I got one high wattage bulb, like 230W. It does generate a lot of heat which is welcome in the winter. But still...

You mean this is something any administration has spent time on. And also this is something that needed to be posted here in PG?

TDS in full swing.

It is very sad that the US government has totally abandoned anything resembling leadership in the realm of climate change yet again. The Bush years were bad but even that is nothing compared to the Trump administration’s blatant disregard for the climate and the future of life on earth. Even by 2020 on the off chance Trump loses in the election, it will be too late (if it isn’t already) for any Democrat to rebuild confidence in the US government. This extends to other areas of government as well not just the fight against climate change.

They’ve left a huge empty hole that will no doubt be filled by someone like China or the EU.

rolling coal.

a class act.

I wonder if LED lights would have been as well developed as they are now if the bill wasn't made in the first place. I live in a climate where this change made zero impact on the electric consumption. Despite that I say it makes more sense to make the bill in the first place than to repeal it now.

@Jacanuk: something political in a political discussion board?

Oh the horror!!

If you don't like it, maybe you should go back where you came from

This is a big win for everyone's delusional grandparents.

@Jacanuk: If you pull your face out of Trump's crotch, you might make more sense.

the tungsten filament lobby is super influential

We need to waste more energy. Yippee.

The genius is strong in this POS...err...I mean POTUS.

I really enjoy energy efficiency. It helps keep my home cool.

US government is bought by corporations and it's just pathetic at this point.

The main argument in favor of this is that we have government telling people what kind of light bulbs we can install in our own damn houses. Why do people insist on thinking it's okay for government to regulate everything we can and cannot do on such macro levels? I understand the "right thing to do" argument regarding environmental concerns, but the road to hell is paved on what now?...

Let's roll back to lead paint and asbestos tile and insulation for homes too.

Why? I mean, seriously, give me a reason.

Trump apologists, what say you?

The whole screwed up thing is that corporations should be for efficiency (and generally are). A lot of newly-built automotive plants aim for a carbon-neutral footprint. It helps their image and while the capital costs might be larger, the long-term benefits will pay for that cost and then some.

Ensuring your opponents lose and rubbing their faces in it is more important than winning with dignity, it seems.

OLED for light? I get it for TV, but not as a source of light.

They are telling companies what sort of light bulbs they can manufacture, actually. It's the same end result, but not quite the same invasion of privacy.

This should be an issue dealt at the state level, not the federal government. If anything, the market will be the deciding factor in this -- consumers have choice available, and with that, can see the long term benefits of LED lighting if they decide.

Obviously the market and consumers are the only vectors for change we need. Just like how they got rid of leaded gasoline!

Who needs seat belts? Why are their food regulations? Why can't we buy that magic elixir in a bottle that whitens our teeth? Bring back the exploding Ford Pinto...it's my right to get bbq'd in a collision!!!!

Wondrous genius.

@Stevo_the_gamer: So you will make sure to let the Trump Admin know that they should f-off on this equivalent state issue then, right? The clowns in your world apparently can't make up their minds who is accountable for what.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/09/trump-admin-threatens-california-automakers-over-emissions-deal/

@SUD123456: Yes, I have close contact with the White House...

No one can be sure of that, would we still be at the old bulbs or would we be a new more useful LED´s

But if we go by normal market forces, then the answer would be clear as day a resounding yes, we would.

Spot on here.

State-level not federal.

Why? I mean, the price difference between LED lights and normal is significant. As in it would take me years to save the extra cost up front in lower electricity bills.

Sure, at the upfront market level it may seem higher. but let´s look at the facts here.

Incandescent	LED
Watts used	60W	10W
No. of bulbs needed for 25,000 hours of use	21	1
Total purchase price of bulbs over 23 years	$21	$8
Total cost of electricity used (25,000 hours at $0.12 per kWh)	$180	$30

Wow, the differences here are big between countries. I could buy 10 normal ones for the price of 1 LED when shops had both options here. And the heat from incandescent means less heat from other heating sources (which also are powered by electricity). Something to consider in cold countries.

Note that I don't want incandescent bulbs to return. LED lights have allowed for bright battery powered lights which I do make use of every morning.

Ahh, wonder if the cost is different because of extra tax in Norway or because of your deal with the EU?

But you are right about the heat,

And ya I also don´t want the incandescent back, they cost around 10times as much as the newer option so it would be crazy having that.

I guess shipping costs and profits differ on them. Prices across borders doesn't make sense. Translating the Norwegian retail price for iPhone 11 says it is an 1250$ phone, not 999$ as the US price is. There is no tax that explains the difference.

Nope, it´s local price setting i guess.

The company looks at what it´s able to charge locally.

It´s the same with digital games,

Too much no matter which monetary system you use.........

Yes I understand that excuse, but you do have a vote.

interesting.

i have a mix of incandescent and led bulbs in my recessed kitchen lights and one cannot tell the difference visually between them. LEDs have gotten much better at matching the glow of incandescent in recent years.

Remember that a prior administration spent time on the issue as well.

One article on nbc I read said the following: "Environmental groups argue that ending the regulations will result in higher utility bills for Americans and the production of more electricity by greenhouse-gas emitting power plants." Isn't a higher utility bill (if it did actually increase) the choice of the individual rather than environmental groups? Even their second concern is not necessarily a given.

I am a fan of LED lights because the lifespan seems tremendous and they don't get hot to the touch. The downside is the price compared with incandescent bulbs which are substantially cheaper. Some people might not have the liberty of paying 3x's as much for led bulbs no matter what the environmentalists believe. Burn a non scented candle if you need more heat.

The administration that signed this into law was the Bush admin. It's something of his that I support as it's a positive thing for the environment.

Yeah I know a previous administration spent time making this bill. Years ago that is, and these days undoing it seems more like done out of spite. Imo.

If that is the reasoning then I am at a loss for words.

lol

@Master_Live: If he only reflects orange... It is perhaps because he is orange in colour?

How does he explain his eyes that look like he had goggles on.

This shit is to funny lmao.