DEC 16

The 2012 sale of regular incandescents was never banned
Only the manufacture and import.
Since stores are stocking up, it will not change things for consumers short term.
http://freedomlightbulb.blogspot.com/2011/12/after-funding-amendment-clear_18.html

Long term is a different story:
Incandescent technology for ordinary lamps will effectively be banned,
on the mandated 45 lumen per Watt end regulation standard

Explanation of light bulb regulations,
official links,
and updates on all 7 US local state repeal bills
http://ceolas.net/#li01inx

Am I surprised?
No.
Am I angered?
Yep.

Each energy efficent bulb would save $30 to $50 in energy costs that we would otherwise pay to foreign countries that hate us.

The whole ban is stupid. CFLs and florescents in general have mercury in them, making them toxic and environmentally unsafe. Additionally, they don't work very well outdoors, and they don't work in appliances that use light bulbs (refrigerators, ovens, microwaves, dryers, etc). Another case of radical tree huggers flying off half-cocked without thinking. I, for one, support saving energy and believe LEDs are the answer. We just need more research to make them work in all applications.

Tom-
Not to insult your homeboy Ronald Reagan, but he wasn't exactly a reliable scientist.
All the waste from a Nuclear powerplant could fit under a desk, sure, but the radiation would kill the whole neighborhood. I'm still a fan of using some nuclear power, but I don't kid myself about it being some magical cure-all.
The hydrocarbon statistic refers to 'vegetation' that has been buried underground and compressed for thousands of years. Another word for this is "coal", and it is only released into the atmosphere when burnt.
Natural emissions do exist and should not be ignored, but they are few and hard to stop, while the man-made issues are much more feasibly combated.
All of your other seemingly nit-witted claims are built around a tiny grain of truth, but they are covered with such horse-hockey that they are hard to acknowledge with a straight face.
Your final paragraph is ridiculous enough that I do not trust myself to respond to it without swearing and becoming angry, so I will not do so.

Jerry-
"CFLs and florescents"
CFL=Compact Fluorescent Lamp.
Do you also use your PIN Number at the ATM machine? hehe... But I jest.
You are right in suggesting that CFLs have their own issues, mercury especially, but as you yourself pointed out LED lights are a lovely source of light. I am in favor of the Incandescent Phase-out, and I hope to turn to LEDs as soon as possible regardless of the ban.

It's pure b.s. to ban light bulbs. If you dont want people buying them then make a better, cheaper alternative.

The Standard Incandescent Light Bulb

What is Incandescence?

Incandescence is the light produced by a heated object. This light contains BILLIONS of frequencies. It is the highest quality of light you can get.

How NOT to save energy:

- Using light source that cause a disturbing effect on people and environment around them. These sources are cold, aggressive, eerie forms of lighting. These include CFL, Fluorescent, and white-LED.

How TO save energy:

- Solar power
- Wind power
- Turn off electrical when not in use
- Use light dimmers (on INCANDESCENT lights)

(Note: Modern light dimmers use a TRIAC and no rheostat (have not heard that word for 20 years or so). They are VERY efficient. I use trailing edge dimmers and these dimmers also slowly turn on the light (dark to dimmer setting in about 2 secs) to further prolong the life of your INCANDESCENT. Do not be fooled by some of the current false news about light dimmers. They are efficient).

Sometimes CFLs are the best solution. Sometimes incandescent bulbs are preferred. Banning them is a one-size-fits-all solution to a complex, multi-faceted conservation issue. By letting each light bulb user make the choices that will result in their greatest value and efficiency, energy will be saved in many different, custom-tailored ways. Also, regulation of an all out ban would require use of electricity for new workers enforcing the ban along with additional fossil fuel being burned to track down violators... Wouldn't it be simpler to promote conservation-minded citizens that can then self regulate and brainstorm their own energy-saving ideas?

votes up

Energy price increases will mean more households switching to energy saving LED Light bulbs. LED light bulbs are improving all the time, and will eventually available offer beam angle of light similar to incandescent bulbs (approx 270 degree of light). Also LED light bulbs offer more choice of color temperatures.