Despite Republicans' efforts to equate efficient lighting with tyranny, the age of incandescent bulbs will be officially over as of Jan. 1. The best indication of this switch-over is not any one piece of legislation coming out of Washington, but a totally symbolic move: When the Times Square balls drops at midnight on New Year's Eve, its shining light will be emanating from 32,256 LED bulbs.
With LEDs, the energy-sucking ball of light will use 88 percent less energy than in the past and cut carbon emissions by 573 tons. Also, LEDs are awesome and can produce more special effects that boring old bulbs. (Oh please please PLEASE “Party Rock Anthem” Times Square ball.) In summary: Bye-bye incandescents. We won't miss you.
