Apparently Rep. Fred Upton really has seen the light.
John LaPlante writes at The Michigan View that the House Energy Chairman will bring a repeal of the incandescent-bulb ban to a vote on the House floor next week. And Upton — sponsor of the original ban — says he will be the first to vote to repeal the ban as an offense against consumer choice:
The Hill reports that Upton hopes to bring to the floor next week a vote on the repeal of energy efficiency standards (a bill he once co-sponsored) that effectively bans incandescent light bulbs.
“The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), would repeal sections of a 2007 energy law that require traditional incandescent light bulbs to be 30 percent more energy efficient beginning in 2012,” writes The Hill. “House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) hopes to bring the bill to the floor next week for a vote. Upton’s support for the bill represents a change of tune. . . . He supported the 2007 light bulb efficiency law, much to the chagrin of his fellow Republicans.”
“It was never my goal for Washington to decide what type of light bulbs Americans should use,” Upton said in a statement. “The public response on this issue is a clear signal that markets – not governments – should be driving technological advancements. I will join my colleagues to vote yes on a bill to protect consumer choice and guard against federal overreach.”
The bulb ban has already cost hundreds of American jobs as U.S. plants were shuttered since 2007.
More at The View here.