Reason:
It’s all part of the energy efficiency standards mandated by the
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The law already
killed off the 100-watt incandescent bulb in 2012, followed by the
75-watt bulb in 2013. Now, in the final step of the phaseout, the
minimum efficiency standards have effectively banned the ubiquitous
40- and 60- watt light bulbs.
The ban is crony capitalism in its most seductive form—when it’s
disguised as green.
Major light bulb manufacturers supported the ban from the
outset. The profit margin on old-style bulbs was pitifully low, and
consumers just weren’t buying the higher-margin efficiency bulbs.
New standards were needed, a lobbyist for the National Electrical
Manufacturing Association told
Congress in 2007, “in order to further educate consumers on the
benefits of energy-efficient products.”
So Philips Electronics and other manufacturers joined with
environmental groups to push for tighter lighting standards. As
the New York Times Magazine explained
in 2011, “Philips told its environmental allies it was well
positioned to capitalize on the transition to new technologies and
wanted to get ahead of an efficiency movement that was gaining
momentum abroad and in states like California.” After much
negotiation, a classic “bootleggers-and-Baptists”
coalition was born. Industry and environmental groups agreed to
endorse legislation to increase lighting efficiency by 25 to 30
percent.
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You know that the idea of limited government is a joke when that
government declares the international symbol for a good idea to be
illegal.
-Sarcasmic
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