The Trump administration has scrapped a proposed ban on energy-inefficient light bulbs.

Congress and past administrations have spent years trying to get Americans to switch from incandescent bulbs to LED ones, which use less electricity.

But Mr Trump has said the savings are "not worth it" - and claimed the extra cost of the efficient bulbs outweighed the reduction consumers would see on electricity bills.

Campaigners have challenged the president's assertion. Nonprofit group Environmental Entrepreneurs warned the move would "cost taxpayers more money, make US businesses less competitive, threaten jobs and innovation and set back our efforts to combat climate change".

However, the Energy Department said scrapping the rule would "ensure that the choice of how to light homes and businesses is left to the American people, not the federal government".


The Trump administration has either relaxed or proposed the relaxation of scores of environmental protections.

It says it is focusing on rules that burden businesses while doing little to protect either public health or habitat.