GOP Lawmakers Call Light Bulb Mandate a Dim Idea
Thursday, 10 Mar 2011 03:35 PM
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Sen. Mike Enzi has a dim view of a federal law requiring light bulbs to be more efficient.
The Wyoming Republican is pushing a bill to repeal the 2007 law and give consumers the choice to buy any light bulbs they want.
Twenty-six senators — all Republicans — support Enzi's bill, but many Democrats and consumer groups say the plan is not so bright. They call it a step backward and compare it trading in a fuel-efficient hybrid car for a gas-guzzling SUV.
Sen. Jeff Bingaman, a New Mexico Democrat, said the 2007 law does not ban traditional incandescent light bulbs, as some GOP critics claim. Instead it requires new bulbs to use 25 to 30 percent less energy beginning in 2012. He says the new bulbs last longer, use less energy and save money.
The Wyoming Republican is pushing a bill to repeal the 2007 law and give consumers the choice to buy any light bulbs they want.
Twenty-six senators — all Republicans — support Enzi's bill, but many Democrats and consumer groups say the plan is not so bright. They call it a step backward and compare it trading in a fuel-efficient hybrid car for a gas-guzzling SUV.
Sen. Jeff Bingaman, a New Mexico Democrat, said the 2007 law does not ban traditional incandescent light bulbs, as some GOP critics claim. Instead it requires new bulbs to use 25 to 30 percent less energy beginning in 2012. He says the new bulbs last longer, use less energy and save money.
KN:I know, 90% of the energy of incandescent light bulbs goes to heat.
They do make cheap heaters.
But, Fluorescent bulbs have Mercury in them.
It may sound good now, but in 10-20 years with Mercury
build up in the ground it will not be good.
You will ask yourself why didn't you think of that.
Recycle? Like a battery being put in the trash.
Paul wantes government hands off his toilet
If the federal government can support abortion rights, why can’t it also support light bulb choice, Sen. Rand Paul asked Thursday morning.
And don’t even get him started about his toilet.
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“The point is that most members of your administration probably would be frank and characterize themselves — and upfront — as being pro-choice for abortion,” he said, “but you’re really anti-choice on every other consumer item.”
Paul continued on a string of attacks against federal regulations and labeled the lighting efficiency standards set by a 2007 energy law as just another government overreach.
“Light bulbs, refrigerators, toilets, you name it. You can’t go around your house without being told what to buy,” Paul said. “You restrict my purchases. You don’t care about my choices. You don’t care about the consumer.
“Frankly, my toilets don’t work in my house, and I blame you and people like you who want to tell me what I can install in my house,” Paul said. He added, “I find it insulting.
And don’t even get him started about his toilet.
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The Kentucky Republican began making the link between the personal, the political and the plumbing-related when he asked Kathleen Hogan, the DOE deputy assistant secretary on energy efficiency, “I was wondering if you’re pro-choice?”
“I’m pro-choice of bulbs,” Hogan responded.
“Actually, that’s the point,” Paul said, during an appliance efficiency hearing at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.“The point is that most members of your administration probably would be frank and characterize themselves — and upfront — as being pro-choice for abortion,” he said, “but you’re really anti-choice on every other consumer item.”
Paul continued on a string of attacks against federal regulations and labeled the lighting efficiency standards set by a 2007 energy law as just another government overreach.
“Light bulbs, refrigerators, toilets, you name it. You can’t go around your house without being told what to buy,” Paul said. “You restrict my purchases. You don’t care about my choices. You don’t care about the consumer.
“Frankly, my toilets don’t work in my house, and I blame you and people like you who want to tell me what I can install in my house,” Paul said. He added, “I find it insulting.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/51053.html#ixzz1GFcJYw00
U.S. Runs $222.5 Billion Deficit in February; Highest for Any Month
By JEFF BATER And DAMIAN PALETTA
WASHINGTON—The federal government in February ran its biggest one-month deficit in U.S. history, a development that could fuel the intensifying debate on Capitol Hill about government spending.
The federal government reported a $222.5 billion deficit last month as it spent $333.2 billion but brought in $110.7 billion in revenue, the Treasury Department said. The second-highest deficit in U.S. history was $220.9 billion in February 2010.
Herb Kohl vows Google probe
Media consolidation, net neutrality and Google's dominance in Internet search are among the issues the Senate's leading legislator on antitrust issues plans to scrutinize in the months ahead.
Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), who heads the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, listed those issues as priorities in an announcement Thursday outlining his top concerns for the 112th Congress.
Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), who heads the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, listed those issues as priorities in an announcement Thursday outlining his top concerns for the 112th Congress.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/51079.html#ixzz1GFd27tOj
House panel votes to bar EPA tailpipe emission regulations
David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau
Washington— A House panel approved a bill to block the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating tailpipe emissions — but the measure's future is uncertain.The bill sponsored by Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., would overturn a 2007 Supreme Court decision that said the EPA has the legal right to regulate tailpipe emissions as a danger to public health under the Clean Air Act.
C-SPAN Barred From Covering Obama's First Gridiron
C-SPAN says "it's time" to end ban on cameras
AOL Lays Off 20% Following Huffington Purchase
By VERNE G. KOPYTOFFAOL said it would lay off 1,000 employees on Thursday in the wake of its acquisition of news and commentary site The Huffington Post.
The cuts, which represent 20 percent of AOL’s work force, also include reductions in its operations in India.
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