Which 'BULB' Is Best?

In October, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed AB1109, a lighting-efficiency bill sponsored by Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael. The law requires an increase in energy efficiency and a reduction of the pollution associated with lighting technology. The law also will likely speed up adoption of efficiency requirements in California and could even layer on new standards.

Starting in 2012, a 100-watt bulb will have to become a 72-watt bulb. Similar reductions in wattage will roll out for other bulbs through 2014, as manufacturers upgrade the efficiency of incandescents. In the meantime, GE has announced its intention to introduce a high-efficiency incandescent lamp, or bulb, ahead of schedule by 2010.