One element that's kind of flown under the radar: the US is joining the growing ranks of countries that are banning incandescent bulbs.

It's lights out for traditional light bulbs

A little-noticed provision of the energy bill, which is expected to become law, phases out the 125-year-old bulb in the next four to 12 years in favor of a new generation of energy-efficient lights that will cost consumers more but return their investment in a few months.

The new devices include current products such as compact fluorescents and halogens, as well as emerging products such as light-emitting diodes and energy-saving incandescent bulbs.

There have been a lot of requests for a dedicated thread to talk about this new legislation. Have at it!