How many legislators does it take to unscrew 50 million lightbulbs?

California Assemblyman Lloyd Levin has introduced the How Many Legislators Does it Take to Change a  Lightbulb Act. The bill calls for a statewide ban on the use of incandescent lightbulbs by 2012. “Incandescent lightbulbs were first developed almost 125 years ago, and since that time, they have undergone no major modifications,” Levine says on his Web site. “Meanwhile, they remain incredibly inefficient, converting only about 5% of the energy they receive into light.” The remaining 95% is converted to heat.

Compact-fluorescent bulbs are much more efficient, wasting 70% less energy, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. With 1 of every 5 watts that flow into California’s 12 million households going to lighting, this efficiency boost could have a significant effect on large-scale power consumption. According to Levine’s Web site, California Edison finds it cheaper to give away compact-fluorescent bulbs than to fuel existing power plants.

The state of Connecticut is moving even faster. Rep. Jim O’Rourke and others are working on a bill to authorize the commissioner of environmental protection to place inefficient bulbs on a “do not sell” list, giving retailers a year to clear their shelves.