TRENTON, N.J. - A South Jersey Assemblyman is pushing to have all state buildings switch from incandescent to fluorescent light bulbs, because they're more energy efficient and longer lasting.

The assembly environment and solid waste committee on Monday is scheduled to discuss a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Larry Chatzidakis, R-Mount Laurel, that would require all state buildings to have the new light bulbs.

The legislation would also require the state's Board of Public Utilities to launch a public education campaign to teach New Jerseyans about the benefits of fluorescent bulbs.

"Since there's a lack of national energy policy, we should try in any area where we can to be energy-efficient and minimize the impact on the environment," Chatzidakis told the Courier-Post of Cherry Hill for Saturday newspapers.

Incandescent lights were perfected for mass use in the late 19th century by one of New Jersey's favorite sons, Thomas Edison. Chatzidakis told the newspaper the proposed switch would be "in all due respect to Mr. Edison."

Fluorescent bulbs, thin and spiral-shaped, require about 66 percent less energy and burn 10 times longer than their incandescent counterparts, according to figures from the federal Energy Star Program.

They also save about $30 per bulb in their lifetime, although they are more expensive than regular light bulbs.

The issue of mandating fluorescent bulbs made national news in January when California Assemblyman Lloyd Levine announced he would propose a bill to ban the use of incandescent lights in his state.

Fluorescents, which create light by heating gases inside a glass tube, were developed in the early 20th century and sold publicly by the 1940s.