A bill that would remove the traditional light bulb from California store shelves is moving forward at the state Capitol. An Assembly committee has approved Democrat Lloyd Levine's bill to phase out the basic incandescent bulb by the year 2012.
Levine says alternatives -- such as compact fluorescent bulbs -- are widely available and are 75 percent more efficient.
Levine : You have what is now a perfect substitute for an incandescent light bulb, except for the fact that it saves a considerable amount of money to the consumer, but the information they have is old information -- 20-25 years old -- so they’re not making the changes.
Opponents include several lighting companies, who say they favor new lighting efficiency standards -- but not an outright ban on the incandescent bulb. They say that stifles creativity and new technologies. Some Republican lawmakers say it’s another example of so-called “Nanny government,” and consumers should decide on using more energy efficient bulbs.
