Washington, D.C. An amendment, co-authored by Reps. Jane Harman (D-Venice), Fred Upton (R-MI) Bob Inglis (R-SC), and Dan Lipinski (D-IL) requiring the Federal Government to use energy efficient light bulbs to save money and help reduce carbon emissions was included in the final version of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill that passed the House today.

“We must find every way possible to reduce our Nation’s carbon emissions,” Harman said. “While this amendment only affects federal facilities, it’s essential that government take a leadership role and set an example.  Changing out light bulbs might seem like a small step, but small steps can often have a large impact.” 

If every American switched just one incandescent light bulb to a more efficient alternative, more than $8 billion in energy costs would be saved, the burning of 30 billion pounds of coal would be prevented, and the equivalent of 2 million cars’ worth of greenhouse gas emissions would be removed from the atmosphere.

The authors of the amendment have pledged to amend all appropriations bills before the House with such language and have already successfully amended the Homeland Security, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Energy and Water, and State and Foreign Operations appropriations bills.