Posted on 10/10/2010 9:22:26 AM PDT by george76
So, are you ready to comply with the federal government's ban on incandescent light bulbs? Me neither.
Starting in January 2012, a little over a year from now, the phase-out begins. Simple, inexpensive lighting will become a time-capsule item.
Compact-fluorescent lights, or CFLs - the bulbs that look like a twisted ice-cream cone (and won't fit in many light fixtures where space is tight) - will become the new norm.
Anyone who has priced CFLs knows they're not cheap. Supposedly they're worth the extra money because they'll last longer.
That's cold comfort, though, given the dull, unnatural glow that these bulbs throw off.
Worse, CFLs are full of mercury. If one breaks - and who hasn't dropped a light bulb now and then? - you have an elaborate clean-up process ahead of you.
It's on the EPA's website, and it involves evacuating the area of all people and pets, and using duct tape and damp paper towels to get everything up. And no vacuuming, or you may disperse the mercury - which, after all, is a toxic substance.
Some lawmakers are trying to reverse this part of the 2007 law. Republican representatives Joe Barton and Michael Burgess from Texas and Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee, have introduced legislation to repeal the ban on incandescent bulbs.
"Washington-mandated layoffs in the middle of a desperate recession are one of many examples of what happens when politicians and activists think they know better than consumers and workers," Barton said.
The question is: Will their fellow policy makers finally see the light?
(Excerpt) Read more at themountainmail.com ...
They are virtually all made in China, and I am one of the unfortunates who had the electronic ballast of a compact “ring light” burst into flame. The FEDs (FTC) were only mildly interested — like I was bothering them with the information.
I do use CFLs in some places, but when the city showed up two weeks ago to replace the rest of the incandescents (uninvited, of course), along with a low-flow showerhead (idiots — we have the Columbia River one mile away), I ordered them off the property. Took three tries, but they finally left, shaking their heads (must be one of those crazy FReepers)...)
The tubing in the bulb will not light up unless it has a certain concentration of mercury vapor in it at all points where it is desired to light up.
I have been buying extra light bulbs too, and sugar, and salt. I think it is very sensible. With some areas of the country banning certain food items it is a precaution.
Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst is a good motto. As long as your extra stock will last long enough for you to use it, then it just makes sense to get it now before it becomes too expensive(inevitable inflation) or a shortage results.
Still stocking up on Edison bulbs. Got enough to last the lights I refuse to put curly bulbs in for a good while. Now to work on the others. And buy more for resale in 2012+
Since I am always good for some drama I threatened to take one of their CFLs and break it in the driveway so they could call FEMA out to clean up the hazardous mess. They didn’t give me the chance.
I look at all these bolshevik control freak’s decisions as a way to excel. I started buying incandescent light bulbs in all wattages about two years ago. I have enough for my own needs for the rest of my life and plenty to sell after the ban. You watch what happens to the price of these light bulbs in 2012. They will be like gold. I figure I can double my money. Oh I know, what am I going to do with all these light bulbs if the mensheviks (Read: New political class in Jan 2011) change the law? I’ll give em away like a good Samaritan should. There is risk in all investments you know.
That is nothing the 12 watt LED the alleged replacement for a 60 watt bulb costs $43.00.
Is this the daily “lightbulb” thread?
Does this mean six bulbs per month or only when the program is inaugurated for a customer? It shouldn’t be hard to get lots of burned out bulbs of various kinds from friends and family if you can just go to their office and exchange them for more every month.
I wish I had bought a truckload of Cascade before they took the phosphates out of it.
that’s it, I’ll become a bulb hoarder. I don’t like the ice cream lights.
I’ll be the crazy man on the corner with boxes of old fashion bulbs.
From Wikipedia:
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The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 is an Act of Congress concerning the energy policy of the United States.
As part of the Democratic Party’s 100-Hour Plan during the 110th Congress, it was introduced in the United States House of Representatives by Representative Nick Rahall of West Virginia, it passed in the House without amendment in January 2007.
When the Act was introduced in the Senate in June 2007, it was combined with Senate Bill S. 1419: Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007. A revised bill passed both houses on December 18, 2007.
The stated purpose of the act is “to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers, to increase the efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles, to promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and to improve the energy performance of the Federal Government, and for other purposes.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi promoted the Act as a way of lowering energy costs to consumers.
The bill requires roughly 25 percent greater efficiency for light bulbs, phased in from 2012 through 2014. This effectively bans the sale of most current incandescent light bulbs.
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Despite the ghastly price, these still work best in flood or spot applications. An LED is hard to harness as an omnidirectional light source.
I tried CFL's before all this damn "green" push. They just don't cut it in cold winter states and I believe the cold actually burns them out quicker.
Wish CFL tech would come along more WITHOUT having to be mandated on me.
Actually, I changed mine a long time ago. I do a lot of drawing work and have used flourescent for years....so have no problem and in fact, prefer it. Just get the right "brightness" for the task.
Sorry, that is not the question. The real question is by what authority did these fools do this in the first place? Most here know the answer. The congress has no authority to pass this law or most of the other laws they pass.
“Despite the ghastly price, these still work best in flood or spot applications. An LED is hard to harness as an omnidirectional light source.”
Thank you.
Wanna bet Queen Nancy doesn’t exclusively (or even extensively) use the curly bulbs in her own manse?
The incandescent bulb people have already come out with dodges such as the 95, 55, etc. watt bulb. They skirt the efficiency improvement requirements because they had no counterparts at the baseline time.
I have noticed that folks who kvetch about fluorescents on principle of inferior light usually don’t complain about the lighting in most businesses, retail outlets, offices, and schools. The oldest CFLs truly did stink but there was no reason for it besides chintzy phosphors.
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