Western-based conservation groups are blasting a Republican-led effort in the US House to repeal a mandate requiring that traditional light bulbs be more energy-efficient by the start of next year.
A vote on the repeal could come as early as Monday evening. Howard Geller, executive director of the Boulder-based Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, says energy efficiency standards will save consumers money in the long run.
"And they will cut pollution from power plants," Geller says. "There will be less operation of power plants and less pollutants emitted from those power plants there-by improving public health."
Geller says it’s a misnomer that traditional, incandescent light bulbs will suddenly go away if the mandate stays in place. A more energy efficient version of the traditional bulb is already for sale.
The effort to repeal the mandate faces an uncertain future since Democrats are in control of the US Senate.
