New, stricter light bulb efficiency rules will start going into effect Jan. 1, despite principled opposition from conservatives.
Republicans have ripped the new standards as a typical example of wasteful government regulation,
The Hill reports.
Indeed, House Republicans were able to pass a provision to deny money for enforcing the new standards in a year-end energy bill. But the Energy Department rules will still begin Jan. 1.
Conservatives label the new rules a “light bulb ban.” That’s because the new standards will severely curb consumers’ choices, pushing out traditional incandescent bulbs in favor of more expensive, but more energy-efficient, LED (light emitting diode) and CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs.