Many of the most commonly used light bulbs will be outlawed in July of 2012. If you are using older 4 foot cool white, U shaped, or 8 foot fluorescent tubes, they are all included in the list of bulbs being outlawed by the federal government. WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO? You can gradually change the bulbs and ballast over the next two years without any compensation. OR You can change them all at once with CS Lighting and receive both a Virginia Power rebate and a Federal tax deduction. Once you have changed to the new energy efficient lighting you will see a dramatic savings in your electric bills. The savings is often as much a one third of your monthly power bill. The 4 foot and 8 foot fluorescent tubes that have been in use since 1938 are the bulbs being outlawed. They are called T12 lamps and are 1.5 inches in diameter. The new energy efficient bulbs are called T8 (1 inch diameter) or T5 (.5 inch diameter) However even some of the T8 bulbs are being discontinued. The 8 foot T8, the 4 foot, and U shape 32W 700 or SP series will no longer be available.