Stay of Execution

Despite Delay, the 100-Watt Bulb Is on Its Way Out - New York Times

The traditional [incandescent] light bulb — that lowly orb of glass, filament and threaded metal base — has become a powerful emotional symbol, conjuring both consumer anxiety over losing a familiar and flattering light source and political antipathy to government meddling.

On Friday, the House voted to delay enforcement of the new standards until at least Oct. 1, with the Senate expected to agree, as part of a last-minute budget deal to keep the government operating through the rest of the fiscal year. Republicans have vowed to press for a full repeal of the new rules.

Shaun Cooper, a furniture dealer who stopped by a Home Depot in Midtown Manhattan on Friday to buy the lower-watt incandescent bulbs he favors, said he found the light from C.F.L.’s to be too cool.

“I buy and sell furniture so I’m really into the quality of the light,” he said. “It sounds stupid, but you go into someone’s house and you’re seated in the living room and you’re next to a lamp with one of those, whatever they’re called, C.F.L.’s — it’s just a pretty bad experience.”