Calif. lawmaker: Turn off old-fashioned bulbs

Kytro · 01-31-2007, 09:22 PM

California could*outlaw traditional lightbulbs by 2012 - Jan. 31, 2007

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.

Is this a government violation of liberty and heavy-handedness or simply a sensible move?

On one hand the government is interfering with choice, but on the other is always a good idea to allow people to make bad choices?

Discuss

kinggovernor · 01-31-2007, 09:32 PM

I think this is a good idea

sj23 · 01-31-2007, 11:02 PM

It's sensible to me. Every summer in CA for the last few years we push our overall power supply to the limit with no real interest in building more power plants thanks to environmentalists. With the rediculous yearly population increases I can't imagine the demand for power 5 years from now.

RMNIXON · 01-31-2007, 11:16 PM

How about "How many people can you cram into this State before you run out of water and power and do permanent damage to the environment?"

Why don't they talk about slow growth? Oh that might mean less Democrat votes for handouts. How dumb of me!

Nonphixion · 02-01-2007, 04:26 AM

It's about damn time.

motivez · 02-01-2007, 09:51 AM

Not sure I agree with making it 'illegal' honestly. I agree with providing incentives for the people to use energy efficient technology though.

Diesel66 · 02-01-2007, 12:18 PM

so instead of one strong light we will have two weaker lights on?

Diamond Cross · 02-01-2007, 03:24 PM

How will it save us money? We'll have to buy two lightbulbs for one? How will it prevent pullution? These bulbs don't cause pullution.

Diesel66 · 02-01-2007, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by Diamond Cross

These bulbs don't cause pullution.

they dont have a bunch of heavy metals in them either. Nope no sir.

7960 · 02-01-2007, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by Diesel66

they dont have a bunch of heavy metals in them either. Nope no sir.

expect an article in 2013 about the increase in mercury poisoning

motivez · 02-01-2007, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by Diesel66

so instead of one strong light we will have two weaker lights on?

The good florescent bulbs I've seen are just as bright as incandescent ones

I started switching to them a few months ago and there's no problems with lack of light.

R-Type · 02-04-2007, 07:52 PM

Here in CT they're making noises about this too. copycat legislation I guess. Banning specific items is stupid, but I wouldn't mind seeing tax break incentives of some sort for using these instead of regular bulbs where possible...and why limit it to lightbulbs? apply it to any need which has a 'green' product and a not so green product. Personally I find AC powered flourescents to be irritating to the eyes so I wouldn't want every other kind of bulb banned.

Nonphixion · 02-04-2007, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by Diamond Cross

How will it save us money? We'll have to buy two lightbulbs for one? How will it prevent pullution? These bulbs don't cause pullution.

I've replaced all 9 of the incandescent light bulbs in my house with compact fluorescent lamps of varying color temperatures (2500K - 5000K).

And now my home has a substantially more "clean" feel to it now. If that makes any sense

No complaints.

7960 · 02-04-2007, 09:45 PM

I had three 60W traditional bulbs in my living room. I replace them with the 100W equivalent CF bulbs. Two days later my seven year old son asked me why it was so dark in the living room. Even he noticed........... I put the old bulbs back.

motivez · 02-04-2007, 11:09 PM

You must have bought an off brand or something, because there's no noticeable difference as long as you get the wattage equivalent with the brand I'm using.. and some of the brighter ones (than the 60w equiv.. like i use in the bathroom) are way better than the incandescents I used to have.

The only difference I've noticed is immediately after they're turned on, there's a short 'warm up' period.. but that's hardly a huge deal.

7960 · 02-04-2007, 11:49 PM

I just checked, they're sylvania CF bulbs and they weren't as bright.

motivez · 02-05-2007, 12:15 AM

No idea then, the ones I bought from home depot kick ass. They're not Sylvania.

Those are the ones 6 recommended to me though, he says they're some of the best.

Kytro · 02-05-2007, 01:03 AM

Originally Posted by 7960

I just checked, they're sylvania CF bulbs and they weren't as bright.

Product quality differs. Another point is those bulbs require warm up time.