Texas Lawmakers Pass Bill to Get Around Federal Light Bulb Law

June 20, 2011

I live in the wrong state.

Texas lawmakers have passed a bill that would allow citizens of Texas to get around the federal incandescent light bulb ban. According to PhysOrg, the bill awaits Texas Governor Rick Perry’s signature.

State lawmakers have passed a bill that allows Texans to skirt federal efforts to promote more efficient light bulbs, which ultimately pushes the swirled, compact fluorescent bulbs over the 100-watt incandescent bulbs many grew up with.
The measure, sent to Gov. Rick Perry for consideration, lets any incandescent light bulb manufactured in Texas – and sold in that state – avoid the authority of the federal government or the repeal of the 2007 energy independence act that starts phasing out some incandescent light bulbs next year.
“Let there be light,” state Rep. George Lavender, R-Texarkana, wrote on Facebook after the bill passed. “It will allow the continued manufacture and sale of incandescent light bulbs in Texas, even after the federal ban goes into effect. … It’s a good day for Texas.”

Environmental groups are urging Governor Perry to veto the bill. (Of course they are!)

Via Fox Nation

Update: It was just reported that Governor Perry signed the bill into law!

Update 2: Linked by Hot Air – thanks!

Update 3: Maggie has some up to date information on the federal ban, and the Republican bill to repeal it.

The American Thinker article says Republicans are “flinching” on passing H.R. 91: The Better Use of Light Bulbs Act. When I look at the progress of the bill, I see that there are 70 sponsors/co-sponsors – with one Democrat among them, Rep. Tim Holden (D-PA). I see that H.R. 91 has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and on to their Subcommittee on Energy and Power. That action happened on February 1, 2011. Nothing since.
BigGovernment’s Kurt Schlichter believes the holdup is the appointment of Rep. Fred Upton as the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Upton was hotly opposed by House members for this powerful position because of his moderate politics, but Boehner bestowed the important honor on him, anyway.
The American Thinker piece by Geoffrey P. Hunt speculates Republicans who voted for the ban under H.R. 6 in 2007, may now feel they should not show their earlier stupidity by taking the opposite stance now.
Three of those Republicans who voted to kill the incandescent bulb in 2007, are today sponsoring the repeal bill: Shelley Capito, Chris Smith and Joe Walsh.

Read the whole thing. As I have noted in the past, for those of you in New York’s 25th Congressional District, Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle was a co-sponsor of the BULB Act. Even if you’re not in this district, you should contribute to her campaign. It’s looking like Dan Maffei (who was the freshman incumbent Buerkle defeated in November) may be planning another run. He has a very liberal voting record.

Tags: ann marie buerkle, bill, Dan Maffei, light bulb, Texas

17 Responses to Texas Lawmakers Pass Bill to Get Around Federal Light Bulb Law

LibertyAtStake on June 20, 2011 at 4:42 pm
Tenth Amendment in action.
d(^_^)b
http://libertyatstake.blogspot.com/
“Because the Only Good Progressive is a Failed Progressive”
Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 10 3
- Bob on June 20, 2011 at 9:33 pm
  Aw come on….
  The only good Progressive is a DEAD Progressive!
  “like Wilson and Roosevelt, etc)
  Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 8 4
AHLondon on June 20, 2011 at 6:00 pm
Come to Texas and you won’t be so lonely anymore. I, myself, am getting back as fast as I can.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 10 0
Everything’s bigger — and now also brighter — in Texas « Hot Air on June 20, 2011 at 8:06 pm
[...] Gov. Rick Perry today signed a law that will free Texans from the federal government’s impending incandescent light bulb ban: [...]
Hot debate. What do you think? 6 3
Rick Perry Signs Texas Incandescent Law « Truth Before Dishonor on June 20, 2011 at 9:38 pm
[...] Federal ban. Very Tenther, TEA Party, Free Market of him. From Tina Korbe: Texas Gov. Rick Perry today signed a law that will free Texans from the federal government’s impending incandescent light bulb ban: The [...]
Like or Dislike: 5 2
michigan on June 21, 2011 at 9:20 am
I’m sure Big Sis will be setting up checkpoints on all major traffic arteries to nab those Tungsten Mules. Trafficking in incandescent bulbs will be more of a crime than illegal border crossings or terrorism.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 5 1
CFL Bulb Repeal No Longer a Republican Goal? | Maggie's Notebook on June 21, 2011 at 11:12 am
[...] Linked by The Lonely Conservative – thank you Karen! Read her report on a new Texas law here. [...]
Like or Dislike: 2 0
Maggie on June 21, 2011 at 11:53 am
Thanks much for the link Karen. Did you notice in the PhysOrg report that some environmentalist has said this bill cannot be “practically implemented,” indicating it is a useless piece of legislation?
Like or Dislike: 3 0
Rick Perry: Texas Law Protects Incandescent Bulb Makers/Users | Maggie's Notebook on June 21, 2011 at 1:20 pm
[...] I have yet to have anyone confirm their much lowered energy costs, due to their CFLs. How about you? Do you know anyone who has actually found they saved? Thanks to The Lonely Conservative for the tip. [...]
Like or Dislike: 2 1
Tlaloc on June 21, 2011 at 3:33 pm
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Texas insists on being backwards… this is news?
I just wish perry actually meant all his secessionist rhetoric.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike: 2 5
major deek on June 21, 2011 at 5:45 pm
Some day we’ll all be “backwards” you control freak POS.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 8 1
- Tlaloc on June 21, 2011 at 6:37 pm
  Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
  I am confident that Texas will maintain a large head start on that front.
  Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike: 0 7
Dollie Martinez on June 22, 2011 at 12:45 am
I’m a very happy Texan.
Now, I want my old water wasting toilet back.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 12 0
Janelle on June 22, 2011 at 2:43 am
The light bulbs that are going to save energy are dangerous because of the lead Tlaloc. Do you even know that? Do you know how you are to dispose of them? And the cost of them vs. the savings of them?
I don’t know why you come here and comment since you do not agree with conservative values at all. I read what you post and you do make me laugh I will give you that. I live in Texas and I have a lot of respect for Rick Perry and I appreciate many of the policies he has put into place, the laws he has implemented for us. He has had reasons to get angry and yes he has said he wanted to secced but he wouldn’t allow that to happen, it was a statement made in anger…guess you never made one but I really don’t care. The man is a vet and doesn’t even make a big deal of it or has an ego like the goof in the oval office does. Perry is a man of his word and if he sets out to do something and voters are against it like the Trans Texas Corridor you’ll hear about if he runs for president…he dropped it. He listens and that is the difference in a good man that listens and a man that knows how to create jobs. No stupid light bulbs and NO TSA GROPING in Texas Airports!…look that one up. Don’t Mess With Texas or Texans!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 11 3
lighthouse on June 27, 2011 at 1:45 pm
So, to paraphrase the Casablanca movie “We’ll always have Paris”
or maybe at least Paris, Texas…
Updates on all the other current US State repeal ban bills, and Canada 2 year delay: http://ceolas.net/#li01inx
Like or Dislike: 1 0
Richard on July 1, 2011 at 11:26 am
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OK, I live in Austin, TX and I see the tunnel vision of the Conservative party. Think about these subjects before you respond?
a) 4 Years ago, our Comptroller warned Rick Perry not to push certian conservative bills through the house because it would set up back about $24 billion. She was right and Rick Perry was wrong. We have a $27 billion dollar deficit the legislature had to deal with. What did they do, they cut spending, education, health care, etc., instead of generating more revenue. Revenue does not have to come from increased taxes.
b) One day, we will run out OIL. What then? Do you know all the by products that come from oil? If not, look them up. Run out of oil and we will run out these products.
c) Mercury affects the neurological system. Mercury is a major contributor of Autism. Autism is on the rise in our country. Ever ask yourself why? Think about the under ground water tables that are being polluted with mercury. Ask yourself where this mercury is coming from? Although, a CFL only has .005 grams of mercury, multiply that by 1 million bulbs and look at how the mercury multiplies. Then go read about mercury pollution. You will learn that a very small amount of mercury, less than 10 grams, can pollute a 20 acre lake.
We need to be objective when we think about energy efficiency. Tunnel vision will only dig us into deeper trouble.
Energy efficient lighting offers more than just energy reduction.
It helps stop the environmental pollution.
Mind you, I am conservative.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike: 2 8
get ur facts right on July 2, 2011 at 9:26 am
I work for the largest lightbulb manufacturer in North America. I’m a true southerner, live in Texas, and not a fan of the current administration – so you can figure out my political viewpoint. But this bill is just silly politics. First, the DOE 2012 legislation DOES NOT ban incandescent and only allow CFL. It sets a lumen (measure of light) per watt standard to reduce energy consumption and all technolgies (CFL, LED AND Incandescent/Halogen can meet the standard). The legislation has forced us to redesign our incandescent products to meet this energy standard, which is a good thing for all Americans. Note that our incandescent products are made in PA, not China. Ignorance of the legislation is unacceptable – Rick Perry will not help his political aspiration by signing bills that are based on fear not facts. This does not make me proud to be a Republican.
Like or Dislike: 2 2