Light at the end of this debate
Compact flourescent bulb Credit: Dave Sanders
When Thomas Edison patented the incandescent lightbulb in 1879, he likely didn't envision it inspiring two congressional hearings and a news network firestorm. But our nation is now battling over bulbs, because a law requiring that they meet new efficiency standards kicks in next year.
Most bulbs currently meeting those standards are the pigtailed compact fluorescent ones, which initially cost much more than traditional incandescents but end up being cheaper because of their efficiency and longer life. Some consumers dislike their shape and the quality of their light, and the angriest traditionalists claim the new standards attack personal choice.
But a rarely discussed effect of the new law has been research and innovation on the traditional bulbs, and updated versions now meet the 2012 specifications while keeping the old glow. These bulbs are much more expensive than older incandescents too, but, like compact fluorescents, they last longer, use less power and are cheaper over the long haul. And even cheaper and better versions are under development.
So the new efficiency law that the dim bulbs are so concerned about has given us a whole new technology -- a big improvement on the old one -- and energy conservation over time.
As nuclear reactors melt down and oil flirts with $100 a barrel again, that seems like an outcome more deserving of praise than hysterics.
