The proposed changes will phase out the least efficient outdoor lighting products by the end of 2012, transitioning to new lighting products that are better for the environment and less costly to run. For example, new outdoor lights will be required to have a sensor that will turn them off during daylight hours, putting an end to wasteful streetlight operation during the day. New parking lot lights must be capable of being dimmed, which can cut their energy use in half.

The agreement also directs the US Department of Energy (DOE) to develop even better standards by 2013.

Sales of Compact Fluorescent Lights Jump to 20% of the Market

The sales of Energy Star-qualified compact fluorescent lights (CFLs)
nearly doubled last year, according to the estimates of the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 2007, 290 million CFLs were
sold, and the energy-saving bulbs now account for about 20% of the
light bulb market in the United States. Energy Star-qualified CFLs use
approximately 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than
traditional incandescent bulbs.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Europe's lamp and electricity
producers joined forces with the retail sector on Monday to
encourage consumers to buy more energy-efficient light bulbs
and help the European Union in its fight against climate
change.

An agreement signed by three pan-European industry
associations aims to promote and support the distribution of
Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) as an alternative to
conventional incandescent lamps -- so consuming far less
energy.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs are much more energy efficient than incandescent lighting. No arguments there. But is it wise to outright ban the old Edison light bulb in Ontario? Across Canada?

A year ago this writer would have had one answer: Definitely. But the answer, it turns out, shouldn't be so clear cut.

At least that's the conclusion of a recent paper by Michael Ivanco, a senior scientist at Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., and professor Bryan Karney (along with graduate student Kevin Waher) from the department of civil engineering at the University of Toronto.

The three have authored a study called "To Switch or Not to Switch: A Critical Analysis of Canada's Ban on Incandescent Light Bulbs," and you may be surprised by the findings.

While many people want to know when the lamp will be available, many others point out that it won't actually work.

The criticism is that a great deal of weight – about two tons -- would be required and current LEDs are not sufficiently efficient.

Designer Clay Mouton acknowledges that the current state of the art isn't sufficient to actually build the lamp. The news release should have said: “based on future developments in LED technology."