The new requirements do not ban traditional incandescents, but require that they use 72 watts or less. The new halogen bulbs emit the same amount of light, but use less energy at a comparable price.
Although the California law has not created a ton of controversy, the 2007 federal law mandating the gradual switch to energy effecient bulbs is being challenged by the Republican majority. Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann is pushing the "Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act," arguing that the mandate is another example of the US "nanny state" limiting consumer liberty.
The bill demands that the GAO (Government Accountability Office) prove that the new bulbs save money, prevent carbon emmissions, and are safe.
So the question remains, do bulb bans - and consumer restrictions in general - represent an important step forward for the greening of America? Or is big government restricting what should be a personal choice? Email your thoughts to drgreensblog@gmail.com or comment below
7 comments:
Good grief! Of course, it is important to ban incandescent bulbs. All energy saved is a small step to our huge carbon problem. The problem for incandescents is that mercury is emitted from them if they're put in a landfill and to recycle them you have to drive many miles, know where to go, use up gas, etc. Guess how many people will do that? I would love an interview with the local Waste Management Co. about the huge need for that problem to be handled.
Consumer restrictions, specifically bulb bans, are hugely important in the greening of America. One way to lead America down a greener path is for the public to adopt greener living as a way of life. But as we have seen in numerous accounts throughout history, sometimes the only way for the public to adopt anything in a widespread is for it to be enforced by government. I understand that it is controversial for the government to limit the choice available to consumers, but the limitation comes not for government profit but rather for public safety. Incandescent light bulbs are harmful to the environment in multiple ways and many of them end up in our landfills. Consumer restrictions, in this case, are beneficial for everyone.
I'm glad the government is taking steps toward energy efficiency and although several may argue that it's "limiting consumer liberty" I still think such actions are for the better.
Light bulbs don't burn coal or release CO2 gas.
If there is a problem - deal with the problem.
Overall US energy savings from a switchover are less than 1%, on US Dept of Energy stats and surveys, referenced
Ceolas.net//#li171x
also describing much more relevant electricity generation, grid and consumption savings.
RE
"new requirements do not ban traditional incandescents, but require that they use 72 watts or less."
1. Yes it is a ban,
don't be duped by the deception arguments.
Clear explanation of EISA legislation, links, references
http://ceolas.net/#li01inx
A ban on incandescent technology for ordinary lamps, given the 45 lumen per W end regulation standard (2007 EISA legilsation phase 2, after 2014).
No known incandescent can meet that requirement, including today's touted halogen replacements (typically 22-25 lumen per W).
Besides, replacement incandescents are different anyway, in light quality (whiter, hotter) as well as costing much more for marginal savings, which is why neither politicians or consumers like them much.
RE
"new requirements do not ban traditional incandescents, but require that they use 72 watts or less."
The 72W requirement is only for
1490-2600 lumen bulbs
The regulation is actually based on brightness.
Hence the anomaly that DIM 75W bulbs are still allowed in 2012!
So a DIM 100W bulb is also allowed
(some long-life 100W incandescents can be below 1490 lumens, eg as matketed by Aero and others, lifespan and brightness being tradeoffs)
http://freedomlightbulb.blogspot.com/2012/01/usa-regulation-absurdity-dim-100w-bulbs.html
ok, anyone interested can look at many other deceptions being used to push this ban...
http://freedomlightbulb.blogspot.com/p/deception-behind-banning-light-bulbs.html
....and how manufacturers profit from the ignorance (copies of documents, communications etc)
http://ceolas.net/#li1ax
.
Post a Comment