Dark forces at work against lightbulb stardards
Forbes.com reported the other day that a Californian electricity company is lobbying the US Congress not to ban energy-wasting incandescent lightbulbs. Southern California Edison were forced to reveal that they spent over half a million dollars, in only the first half of 2007, lobbying against proposed climate change regulations.
It just goes to show that for all the talk about "smart energy" and "switching to energy savers", some companies are still adamant to carry on business as usual.
We're calling on the Irish Government to announce a model lightbulbs law next week. That should bolster efforts in other countries, where some retailers are changing already, but manufacturers and politicians are still dragging their feet. Have you signed the petition yet?
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Comments
Hi Eoin,
heard you on the radio with the representative from SOLUS. I couldnt believe my ears when he said they were planning for phasing out the 'ordinary' incandescent lightbulb by 2016...
We here in Ireland find it very dificult to buy CFL's (and certainly LED (GU10 equivilents). You almost certainly have to go to big multi's to buy them. Local distribution is particularly woeful. By the way, we have a fairly normal semi- 4 bed house and it cost €320 to change them all to CFL. I have no idea where that SOLUS representative was coming with his €1000 to change them all... he must (should!)live in an institution!
Addo
Posted by: addo zappler | December 4, 2007 2:08 PM
Success,
The minister for the environment announced today:
"While the National Climate Change Strategy proposed a levy on low-efficiency bulbs, I believe a more direct approach is necessary. The standard I will introduce will see an end to incandescent bulbs and will have to be met by all lightbulbs on the Irish market from January 2009".
Not alone that, but all government departments and bodies have been requested to not buy incandescents starting next year (2008).
Well done Eoin and boo hoo SOLUS
Addo
Posted by: Addo Zappler | December 7, 2007 1:30 AM