Where Have All the 100W Light Bulbs Gone?

Fearing the extinction of the incandescent light bulb, people are rushing to the stores and buying all the light bulbs they can lay their hands on. 

Stop the madness!!

Yes, the 100W light bulb is going away, BUT it is being replaced with a 72W lamp that puts out the same amount of light as a 100W.  Taking effect on January 1, 2012, the Energy Independence and Security Act will require that all incandescent light bulbs use 25%-30% less energy.  Thus, the 100W light bulb now becomes a 72W light bulb. 
What this means:

Starting on January 1, 2012, 100W light bulbs will no longer be manufactured. You will probably still be able to buy them for a while though as stores will most likely be ordering larger than normal quantities of the lamps. As for the other incandescent bulbs, they will be phased out too:

January 1, 2013: 75W lamps will be replaced by 53W lamps

January 1, 2014: 60W lamps will be replaced by 43W lamps

January 1, 2014: 40W lamps will be replaced by 29W lamps

Even though, for right now, the other wattages are still being produced, you will start seeing their replacements on store shelves. You will also start seeing more compact fluorescent and LED substitutes, but the main thing to remember is that the incandescent light bulb is NOT going away. (For now.....)