Stephen Colbert on the "Squigly Pig Tail" Light Bulbs

CFLs save money.

Photo: Christine Balderas / IStock

Interviewing an expert from the NRDC, Stephen Colbert highlighted the supposed incandescent light bulb "ban" this week.

Why "ban" in quotes? Because while it's been widely said that the incandescent bulb, invented by Thomas Edison more than a century ago, will be made illegal as of 2012. In fact, the efficiency standards for lighting will just be improving, so the bulb as Edison designed it will no longer be available for sale. More efficient incandescent bulbs, along with compact fluorescent light bulbs (a.k.a. "CFLs"), light emitting diodes (LEDs) and high-efficiency halogens. As Brian Clark Howard, former TDG staffer and author of Green Lighting, said, there's still rumored to be some highly efficient incandescents in development, though most companies are turning to LEDs as the future of lighting.

The supposed ban, however, has been a political talking point for some on the right who see the efficiency rule as an intrusion on personal rights. Government and independent studies, however, point to the fact that efficient lighting saves consumers over time, even if the cost of a bulb is often more up front. See how Colbert handled it:

Related:
7 Things You Don't Know About Home Lighting (But Should)
Will the Incandescent Light Bulb "Ban" Cost You More?
7 Fixtures Where You Should Not Put a Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb
How to Safely Dispose of a Broken CFL
Which energy efficient light bulb has the best light quality?

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