Trump administration rolls back energy efficiency rules for light bulbs
The rules would make light bulbs too expensive, the government says.
- She has a master's degree in journalism from Syracuse University.
The Department of Energy is rolling back energy efficiency standards for certain light bulbs.
The Department of Energy is walking back energy efficiency regulations for light bulbs. These rules would've gone into effect in January 2020 and phased out incandescent and halogens bulbs. On Wednesday, the Department of Energy said that won't be the case.
Though the energy efficiency standards were finalized under the Obama administration, they stem from a George W. Bush-era law fading out the bulbs, CBS News reported, also noting that the Energy Independence and Security Act led to a boost in the sale of LED bulbs and compact fluorescent bulbs. (Editors' note: CNET is owned by CBS.)
One reason given for the rollback was the price of more energy efficient bulbs.
"This action will ensure that the choice of how to light homes and businesses is left to the American people, not the federal government," said Department of Energy spokeswoman Shaylyn Hynes in a statement, calling it a "cost burden on American consumers and businesses."
Groups like the Appliance Standards Awareness Project dispute the idea.
"Eliminating the 2020 standards for all light bulbs would cost US consumers up to $14 billion annually, which works out to more than $100 in lost bill savings every year per household," the organization said in a statement Wednesday.
Originally published Sept. 5, 9:49 a.m. PT.
Update, 10:17 a.m.: Adds additional context.