The federal government banned the sale of almost all incandescent lightbulbs. The measure took effect immediately.
The work on the ban began almost a decade ago when former President George W. Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act into law in 2007. Though it did not ban the sale of the bulbs, it did require that they used between 40 and 100 watts of electricity to gradually become more energy efficient.
Before he left office in 2017, former President Barack Obama authorized stricter regulation around certain types of incandescent lightbulbs. Donald Trump, however, stripped these regulations upon taking office.
President Joe Biden has recently come under pressure to take further action to protect the environment. According to a timeline released by the Energy Department, manufacturers were instructed to stop making the bulbs in January. Retailers were told to stop selling them on Tuesday.
Not all versions of incandescent bulbs were banned, but it will be more difficult to find them. The new LED bulbs may cost more upfront but will last longer and use more electricity, which experts say will equal lower utility bills.
Republicans are framing the decision as a result of Biden’s “obsession” with reducing carbon emissions. Many retailers believe that the move may be bad for sales.
