There is quite a bit of press attention right now on federal light-bulb efficiency standards, with Congress last month passing something purporting to block a new standard for 100-watt incandescent bulbs. We would like to shed a little light on this subject -- sorry, we couldn't resist that -- to arm you for conversations with friends and family.

First, Congress shot a blank when it took aim at the light-bulb standard. Its provision blocks the Department of Energy from spending any money through Sept. 30, 2012, to enforce the rules. Congress votes to keep America 'in the Dark Ages' of lighting, PR Newswire, Dec. 16, 2011. But the rules actually remain in place, light-bulb manufacturers have already complied with them, and none are going to ignore them now. The incandescent light bulb is dead; long live the incandescent light bulb?, Washington Post, Dec. 21, 2011.

Second, the rules themselves: Beginning this past Sunday, newly manufactured incandescent light bulbs with the output of old 100-watt bulbs must be more energy-efficient -- they cannot draw more than 72 watts. There are exceptions for three-way bulbs and lots of specialty bulbs, and retailers can keep selling the old, basic 100-watt bulbs until they're gone. Similar standards take effect over the next few years for lower-wattage incandescent bulbs. Despite delay, the 100-watt bulb is on its way out, New York Times, Dec. 16, 2011.

Third, this kind of efficiency standard has worked very well for cars and trucks, vehicles, refrigerators, and many other energy-using items. In this case, the regulated industry, the bulb manufacturers, actually support the regulations. Industry: Light bulb war a dim idea, Politico, Dec. 18, 2011. The standard led to a lot of new light bulb choices now in the stores. Anti-government rhetoric aside, the standard will reduce energy waste -- old light bulbs produce more heat than light -- and save us all money.

Xcel declares Boulder smart grid finished, asks to recoup $16.5M from ratepayers, Boulder Daily Camera, Dec. 25, 2011. With Xcel Energy officials declaring the SmartGridCity project in Boulder is finished, is asking the Colorado Public Utilities Commission for the ability to recover the remainder of its costs of its demonstration effort through ratepayer increases.

Clean Energy

Feds approve solar energy project in Arizona, Associated Press, Dec. 21, 2011. A public-land solar project is slated for Arizona's Maricopa County, the first solar energy project approved on federal lands in the state. The 300-megawatt project is expected to provide enough energy to power 90,000 homes.  

Ecosystems      

As permafrost thaws, scientists study the risks, New York Times, Dec. 16, 2011. New efforts in the United States and Europe target understanding the climatic effects of a melting permafrost, which covers nearly a quarter of the Northern Hemisphere and could contain twice as much carbon as now exists in the entire atmosphere. With temperatures increasing across the region, questions abound as to how much of the carbon stored there will be released into the atmosphere, potentially as potent heat-trapping methane, and how much the additions could accelerate rising temperatures worldwide.