Light bulbs are pictured on December 7,

Light bulbs are pictured on December 7, 2008 in Brussels. The EU was set on December 8, 2008 to fix dates for the gradual banning of traditional household light bulbs in favour of new energy-saving models which use a fraction of the electricity. From next September, 100-watt versions of the old incandescent bulbs could be banned from Europe's shops, according to one of the scenarios being discussed by EU energy ministers in Brussels, one EU parliamentary source said. The whole range of old-style light bulbs, right down to 25 watts could disappear by 2012, with less-efficient halogen lights to be banned from European homes by 2016, an industry source said. AFP PHOTO/DOMINIQUE FAGET (Photo credit should read DOMINIQUE FAGET/AFP via Getty Images)