Today's Energy Thought

The Energy Independence and Security Act signed back in 2007 is finally going into effect in the not so distant future. It calls for the phasing out of the 100-watt incandescent bulb in the U.S. by 2012 to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

According to Noah Horowitz, a senior scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council, "These standards will help cut our nation's electric bill by over $10 billion a year and will save the equivalent [amount of] electricity as 30 large power plants... that translates into a whole lot less global warming pollution being emitted."

The act requires new bulbs to use 25 to 30 percent less energy beginning in 2012 nationally, initially starting with the 100-watt bulb. By 2014, other incandescent bulbs, including the 75-, 60- and 40-watt, will also be phased out across the country.

California was allowed to adopt the national standard one year earlier. Beginning January 1st of 2011, the state began phasing out 100-watt incandescents, following the federal standards the rest of the country will enact next year.

Australia was the first to begin phasing out incandescents beginning in 2009, followed by the European Union, the Philippines and Argentina. Mexico and Brazil are expected to follow the U.S.