How Many Lawmakers Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb?

Religious organizations have asked that question; now, a group of legislators is pondering it. California lawmakers are considering following the advice of the UK's Dr. Matt Prescott, and banning traditional incandescent light bulbs by 2012. Assemblyman Lloyd Levine introduced his bill, aptly titled the "How Many Legislators Does it Take to Change a Lightbulb Act," by noting that we still rely on a 19th-century technology for many of our lighting needs:

"Incandescent lightbulbs were first developed almost 125 years ago, and since that time they have undergone no major modifications," ...Levine said Tuesday.
"Meanwhile, they remain incredibly inefficient, converting only about 5 percent of the energy they receive into light."

Levine is expected to introduce the legislation this week, his office said.

If the law passes, California would be the first US state to take the step of banning the bulb. It likely wouldn't be the last: brisk sales of CFLs, rapid maturation of LED technology, and the relative ease of switching to one of these alternatives may make dispensing with Thomas Edison's most famous invention an easy choice for lawmakers. ::ENN