Yesterday, President Bush signed a law mandating the phase out of incandescent lighting.  “Incandescent” light bulbs are the “Thomas Edison” type of light bulb you probably grew up with around your house.  New types of light bulbs include “compact florescent,” which are commonly sold now a days and use about 15-watts of energy for an equivalent 60-watt bulb and “light emitting diode,” or “LED” which is the type used by Bright New Ideas in its solar lighting project.  Today an LED lighting system that uses about 12-watts puts out the equivalent amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent.

You can see the news reported online at Compound Semiconductors Online.  Or view the article below…

December 19, 2007…Today, President George Bush Signed H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. In remarks to the press, the President said, “Today we make a major step with the Energy Independence and Security Act. We make a major step toward reducing our dependence on oil, confronting global climate change, expanding the production of renewable fuels and giving future generations of our country a nation that is stronger, cleaner and more secure.” He commented, “The bill … includes revisions to improve energy efficiency in lighting and appliances.”

The new federal law provides dramatic and sweeping changes to building requirements, fuel efficiency requirements, and lighting. Among many parts for consumers and businesses, the legislation proposes tax credits for plug-in vehicles and fuel economy standards of 35 MPG for automobiles by 2020. The act gives a big boost to the the solid state lighting industry in the United States by mandating the phase-out of inefficient incandescent bulbs in favor of more efficient lighting solutions such a compact fluorescent and LEDs.