Senate Dems: GOP light bulb rider a sticking point in spending deal

A Republican-backed rider to repeal a slew of light bulb efficiency standards is one of a handful of issues preventing lawmakers from coming to a deal on omnibus spending legislation, according to Senate Democrats.

House Republicans have sought for months to repeal provisions in a 2007 energy law that require traditional incandescent light bulbs to be 30 percent more efficient starting in 2012. The House in July approved an amendment to prohibit the use of funds in a 2012 spending bill from being used to implement the standards.

Conservatives like Rush Limbaugh often cast the standards as a “light bulb ban,” arguing it amounts to the federal government restricting consumers’ choices. Republicans say the law will push out traditional incandescent bulbs in favor of more expensive, but more efficient, LED (light emitting diode) and CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs.

Environmental and energy-efficiency groups note that the standards do not ban incandescent bulbs but instead require them to be more efficient. While more efficient light bulbs might be more expensive at the point of sale, experts say they save consumers money over the long term.

The Hill's Erik Wasson has more on the fight over the omnibus spending bill here.