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.
I am SOOOOO tired of that word.
I was having trouble with that image, too.
The article says the 5% background sales level for the fluorescent bulbs could DOUBLE this year.
So, the elimination of the incandescent bulb can already be scheduled without the use of pesky nuisance laws as proposed by the Alpine gnome running California.
They don't fit antique light fixtures, of which there are an enormous number. My guess is that I would have to replace virtually every fixture in my home. It would cost me thousands.
I'm not a fan of banning much of anything, preferring instead to let the market drive demand.
That said, LED lights are absolutely amazing. The amount of energy to be saved is incredible.
This mechanical engineer says that is absolute nonsense.
See post 25.
How quaint.
It does seem to be a favorite of the socialists....I never hear them offer anything as an incentive to change behavior other than fines and imprisonment. Joe Stalin, call your office.
I have compact fluorescent bulbs that FIT in antique sockets. Bought them at the Safeway neighbor!
The onion should be the official publication organ of the California legislature.
Thomas Edison's company---namely, General Electric---is the leading manufacturer and marketer of compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Check it out: GE Consumer & Industrial Lighting FAQ on CFLs.
"My guess is that I would have to replace virtually every fixture in my home. It would cost me thousands."
Yes but think of the energy and natural resources you will save.
/sarc
You have to look around, because there are some cheapo energy saving bulbs out there that make everything look sickly. But if you get the right kind, they look pretty much like regular incandescent bulbs, and they only use a quarter of the power.
I have long since replaced every bulb in the house with GE spiral bulbs. In our area, at least, they are bringing out a new line of GE bulbs that are 13 watt instead of 15 watt (to replace a 60 watt bulb), and the local hardware store is selling the 15 watt bulbs for 99 cents apiece. You can't do better than that.
On the other hand, forcing people to use one product rather than another is just plain wrong. There are other ways to encourage their use rather than impose a probably unconstitutional law.
If you fail to comply you will be evicted from your built-with-natural-wood home and placed in a non-rainforest-destructive building provided by the state, you polluter. /sarc
Earth changes may ban all life on earth on 2012 (according to Mayan calender)
Florescent light is difficult to read by, or do detail work like machining.
You have GOT to be kidding.
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