Trump Sought to Reverse Ban on Incandescent Light Bulbs—Here’s Why They’re Still Not in Stores

Experts say Congress would need to step in to reverse regulations on incandescent bulbs.

Traditional incandescent light bulbs are sintered at a light bulb factory in Chongqing Municipality, China, on March 7, 2007. China Photos/Getty Images

What began nearly 20 years ago as a technical set of federal efficiency standards on light bulbs has evolved into a broader fight over consumer choice and who decides what Americans can buy.

President Donald Trump has sought to reverse nearly two decades of federal efforts to phase out traditional incandescent light bulbs, whose proponents say the familiar warm glow, health benefits, and low upfront cost outweigh any inefficiency that prompted federal oversight.