As incandescent light bulbs disappear, anxious shoppers search High Street

After being passed by Congress, Bush just signed into law a massive energy bill that will, among other things, spell the end of traditional light bulb. USA Today reports that the bill will phase out the venerable (but power-hungry) incandescent bulb over the next dozen years in favor more efficient fluorescent, halogen, and LED bulbs. Specifically, the new law holds that all light bulbs must be 25 to 35 percent more efficient by 2012 to 2014.
http://www.metaefficient.com/news/us-to-phase-out-incandesce...
A little-noticed provision of the energy bill, which is expected to become law, phases out the 125-year-old bulb in the next four to 12 years in favor of a new generation of energy-efficient lights that will cost consumers more but return their investment in a few months.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/environment/...
Under the measure, all light bulbs must use 25% to 30% less energy than today's products by 2012 to 2014. The phase-in will start with 100-watt bulbs in January 2012 and end with 40-watt bulbs in January 2014. By 2020, bulbs must be 70% more efficient.

Ron Paul for POTUS 2012

Boston Globe: Mercury Leaks Found as New Bulbs Break

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/02/26/mercury...

My taxes have already paid for them, no doubt. I haven't had any negative side effects, but its true that they are nowhere near as bright as conventional light bulbs. "Mood lighting" it used to be called.

"That Socialism would be immediately practicable if an omnipotent and omniscient Deity were personally to descend to take in hand the government of human affairs is incontestable." - Ludwig Von Mises.

At my grandparents house around Thanksgiving, we were sitting around the dining room table when one of the fluorescent bulbs started spewing a foul smelling smoke and sparks. It didn't stop until the power was switched off. Man, that was some foul smelling crap, probably from the mercury. We were all pretty much convinced that had we not been there to shut off the power, that bulb could have very well burnt the house down.

We have it here in Germany too (of course). These bulps are indisputable toxic waste. And I know many people who went for it because they are supposed to be cheaprer (the higher acquisition costs are supposed to be outweighted by the longevity and the lower energy costs). But very often the longevity is not as it should be and the light is simply horrible! It says a lot, the EU thinks it neccessary to impose them by law instead of letting the market decide. I just wonder if not a certain industry lobbied for it, since the production of the traditional bulps is much easier and is a good entry-market for low-loan countries.

Fellowship of the White Rose