EU May Turn Off Edison's Bulbs

The European Union may ban incandescent light bulbs, replacing them with low-energy lighting that would slash 13.2 million tons of carbon emissions and create energy savings equal to taking 11 million European households off the grid, reports the BBC. A new report urges the European parliament to follow the lead of Australia, Canada, and five other countries that are phasing out or limiting traditional bulbs.

The 27 EU states could save $12 billion a year—that's $64 per household—if they switch to fluorescent bulbs and halogen lamps. The low-energy bulb industry would also give the economy a $13 billion boost, the report says. Backers propose Thomas Edison's bright invention be gradually phased out starting next year, and banned altogether by September 2012.
(More greenhouse gases stories.)