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Another Kalifornia proposed law
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California may ban conventional lightbulbs by 2012 By Bernie Woodall
Tue Jan 30, 9:05 PM ET
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.
Tue Jan 30, 9:05 PM ET
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.
Comments
...the same twits scream and holler against more drilling.
The pipeline was going to destroy the enviroment when it was built...these people have way too much time on their hands.
Kalifornia is a good example of PC crap run amuck.[xx(]
These idiots are the first to scream about government intruding into their homes, their private lives...go figure...[;)]
--[:D][:D]--JIMBO
The more energy we save, the less money we send to the ragheads.
I'm not a fan of California but even a broken watch is right twice a day
CFL's contain mercury!
Haha
Which is worse using for coal fuel or mercury in the dumps????
LCD lightbulbs use 1 percent of the power of conventional bulbs for equivalant light output.
I kinda wonder what the various governments are going to do to replace lost tax revenue when we all use all the types of conservation available to us.
Also, the companies which supply us with the energy will need to make up for lost profits.
I wonder if it is a coincidence that, as cars became more fuel efficient, both the cost of the fuel and the tax on the fuel rose.
Any thoughts?
Maybe when Kalifornia has everyone using flourescents, they will decide that the REALLY way to go is LCDs
D.
watt one for 24/7 for two years and still going strong. Our local Stop and Shop Supermarket had them on sale for .99 cents (G,E,'s) in any size so bought a shopping full. Great when on generator power as they only use one third of the amps. With 8000 hr. life it sure does beat changing bulbs in hard to get at to places. Most seem to have a quater
of a second delay to light which one finally gets used to. Greatest thing since they put ears on a hound dog.
Doesnt that just p-you off when fluro bulbs take so long to light up.
I heard something about you cant spank your disobident son; cant smoke in certian cities; and the light bulb thing in commiefornia. Whats next; suprisingly lean jail time for child offenders?
D.
This will be the bane of college students everywhere trying to set the mood using the only cool thing to come out of the 70's.
I don't have a mercury vapor light. I have dogs and guns.
LCD lightbulbs use 1 percent of the power of conventional bulbs for equivalant light output.
I kinda wonder what the various governments are going to do to replace lost tax revenue when we all use all the types of conservation available to us.
Also, the companies which supply us with the energy will need to make up for lost profits.
I wonder if it is a coincidence that, as cars became more fuel efficient, both the cost of the fuel and the tax on the fuel rose.
Any thoughts?
Maybe when Kalifornia has everyone using flourescents, they will decide that the REALLY way to go is LCDs
D.
Dont you mean 'LED's', or is that something different?
I did however find a sale of those christmas lights, and have been using the clear ones in those hallway lights. About the same wattage, and way cheaper than the night light bulbs.
Sorry.
D.
Anyone opposed to this as an idea is just nuts. I've been saying for years that we should only produce these bulbs in the US and mandate everyone use them. I HATE big government but this is a good idea.
XXXXXX
In the last ten years, how many more PC's, peripheral device power supplies, air conditioners, swamp coolers, heaters, cordless power tool chargers, printers, cell phone battery chargers, projection TV's, large flat screen TV's, steroe systems, kitchen appliances, toaster ovens and coffemakers, microwaves, satellite radios, electronic video games, etc., etc. etc. have made their way into more and more American homes?
If the U.S. population has increased to 300 million - fom 200 million 40 years ago, let's ask ourselves how much more electricity is produced for growth alone?
The demand for electricity will never decrease and the power plants will still produce a constant minimum POTENTIAL whether we use it or not.
What about electronic scoreboards, state-of-the-art marquees and billboards, light rail systems, commuter trains, bridges, tunnels, airports, office buildings, security lighting, street lighting, traffic lights, etc.?
CFL's are simply not going to work in many applications. Even a brief warm-up period is unacceptable in many critical situations. And, what about their reliability/durability in outside use in all kinds of climates?
What about the longterm impact of CFL on the human eye? Mood? The environmental impact from disposing of CFL's en mass in landfills?
Another stumblebum politician with a half-baked, hair-brained idea.
Incandescent bulbs are definitely not the problem but bozo politicians certainly are.
D.