"Republicans Revive Effort To Repeal Energy-Saving Lightbulbs Law"

"It's not yet lights out: Republicans have revived their effort to crush energy-saving lightbulbs, with a vote in the House of Representatives as early as Friday.

Just days after losing their effort to repeal a law promoting more efficient lighting, Republicans – who claim the new standards are an assault on personal freedom – have revived their effort.

The latest offering, put forward by the Texas Republican Michael Burgess, would seek to tack an amendment onto a broader bill cutting funds for environmental protection.

Like the original, the bill to hinder the take-up of energy-saving bulbs would stop the federal government from enacting the provisions of a 2007 law raising efficiency standards of incandescent bulbs by 25%, starting from 2012. But it would not block city or state governments from promoting energy-saving lighting."

Suzanne Goldenberg reports for the Guardian July 15, 2011.