Posted on 01/30/2007 6:54:26 PM PST by NormsRevenge
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A California lawmaker wants to make his state the first to ban incandescent lightbulbs as part of California's groundbreaking initiatives to reduce energy use and greenhouse gases blamed for global warming.
The "How Many Legislators Does it Take to Change a Lightbulb Act" would ban incandescent lightbulbs by 2012 in favor of energy-saving compact fluorescent lightbulbs.
"Incandescent lightbulbs were first developed almost 125 years ago, and since that time they have undergone no major modifications," California Assemblyman Lloyd Levine said on Tuesday.
"Meanwhile, they remain incredibly inefficient, converting only about 5 percent of the energy they receive into light."
Levine is expected to introduce the legislation this week, his office said.
If passed, it would be another pioneering environmental effort in California, the most populous U.S. state. It became the first state to mandate cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, targeting a 25 percent reduction in emissions by 2020.
Compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) use about 25 percent of the energy of conventional lightbulbs.
Many CFLs have a spiral shape, which was introduced in 1980. By 2005, about 100 million CFLs were sold in the United States, or about 5 percent of the 2-billion-lightbulb market, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
That number could more than double this year. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. alone wants to sell 100 million CFLs at its stores by the end of 2007, the world's biggest retailer said in November.
While it will not give opinion on the possible California law, the EPA recommends CFLs.
"They save money and energy," EPA spokeswoman Enesta Jones said. "They are more convenient than other alternatives and come in different sizes and shapes to fit almost any fixture."
Also, CFLs generate 70 percent less heat than incandescent lights, Jones said.
About a fifth of the average U.S. home's electricity costs pays for lighting, which means even if CFLs initially cost more than conventional lightbulbs, consumers will save, Jones said.
A 20-watt CFL gives as much light as a 75-watt conventional bulb, and lasts 13 times longer, according to the Rocky Mountain Institute, a nonprofit group studying energy issues.
Southern California Edison, an Edison International subsidiary and one of the state's biggest utilities, runs a program that cuts the cost of a CFL by $1 to $2.50. In the past year, SCE has helped consumers buy 6 million CFLs, it said.
California Energy Commission member Arthur Rosenfeld said an average home in California will save $40 to $50 per year if CFLs replace all incandescent bulbs.
While not commenting specifically on Levine's likely legislation, Rosenfeld, winner of the Enrico Fermi Presidential Award in 2006, said the switch from incandescent bulbs became feasible about five years ago when CFL performance improved.
"This is clearly an idea whose time has come," he said.
Levine, a Democrat from Van Nuys in Los Angeles, last year introduced a bill that will become law in July that requires most grocery stores to have plastic bag recycling.
True, they give me a headache.
I guess I should have read farther.
Reading is dangerous. Watch TV instead.
or do detail work like machining
All machining will be done in China.
This way, they can generate income because most places charge $$ to "recycle" flourescent bulbs, because they can't just be tossed in the trash.
Without a doubt. I see 50 mph freeways, mandated 85 deg F summer temperature cooling restrictions and mandated 68 deg F winter heating restrictions, first in public buildings, then rationed fuel to restrict the heating and cooling of your own home, punitive fines for over-using fuels. These socialist commie control freaks have a gloomy future planned for all of us.
When I think of kalifornia, I always think of DIM BULBS!
Good point!
I noticed that the florescent light does not enhance the wall colors as well and makes for a less cozy atmosphere. It's not a warm light at all. Or maybe it's the Martha Stewart paint. LOL
We use them in our home. They work fine. But if the legislature tried to force me to use them, I'd probably switch back to incandescent.
I "courtesy flush" a lot (without any guilt whatsoever) and it's NEVER to prevent clogs. It simply prevents the guy in the next stall from passing out.
I saw lots of nice LED lights for Christmas trees last year. My wife purchased 2 strings of them to run up the bannister and handrail in the front room. We left them in place and leave them on 24x7. No appreciable heat, an exceptionally long life and a big improvement in safety when wandering downstairs late at night. We also have an 18" LED light bar over my wife's desk in the kitchen. The light tends to be a bit "blue/white". Adequate for reading a book.
My wife may acquire some pastel LED lamps as we approach Easter. Red, white and blue will likely adorn the area in June.
Healy, it's not about the way YOU live. It's about the control the eco-freaks want to have over all of our lives, taking away all of our freedoms and choice to live our lives the way we want to live. I have no problem with you living in an old, drafty home. Just don't force me to live in one.
Every day the grip these freaks have on our daily lives grows ever more onerous. I fear for our future.
those minifluorescent bulbs suck. guess i'll have to stock up on incandescents, just like ammo, hi cap mags, and strike anywhere matches.
--Ronald Wilson Reagan, First Inaugural Address
That's generally true - but the Ott-Lite is an exception. I have a couple of them for desk lamps.
Yep! They are screwed....or will get an exemption from Nancy Pelosi. Fluoresent light spectrums are heavy on the yellow side. Guess it doesn't really matter since the vast majority of crap is now CGI.
Well, my calendar stops at the end of 2007. We have less time than you think.
Get outta there, Norm.
It's cali. prolly not much chance it'll be needed there.
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