Comments on: Straight talk about light bulbs http://www.clf.org/blog/clean-energy-climate-change/straight-talk-about-light-bulbs/ For a thriving New England Tue, 17 Sep 2013 23:46:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.6.1 By: Seth Kaplan http://www.clf.org/blog/clean-energy-climate-change/straight-talk-about-light-bulbs/#comment-1208 Seth Kaplan Wed, 03 Aug 2011 21:02:58 +0000 http://www.clf.org/?p=5233#comment-1208 Useful perspective.

Note that manufacturers are now making (as the Phillips North America CEO notes in letter linked to above) incandescent light bulbs that meet the new standard. Hard to believe that they would have done this without the nudge from Congress.

Clearly the market is pushing the manufacturers to get rid of mercury and keep prices down – I would suggest that the best results come from a combination of good policy and good market response.

]]> By: Hank Staniszewski http://www.clf.org/blog/clean-energy-climate-change/straight-talk-about-light-bulbs/#comment-1206 Hank Staniszewski Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:42:52 +0000 http://www.clf.org/?p=5233#comment-1206 I have had CFLs for at least 6 years wherever they are applicable. While efficiency over incandescents is inarguable, there are limitations. The 3000 hour life may not be representative for all types and brands- I’ve replaced many. Disposal is an issue. Many municipalities have no facilities, so they end up in trash and eventually landfills with mercury and other toxins. A special variety is needed where you have dimmers and those are hugely expensive and many do not work. There are applications where I haven’t seen an alternative – seen a CFL refrigerator or oven bulb.

All CFLs are imported- there are no domestic manufacturers. Regardless of which brand you buy, you are contributing to a troubling trade deficit.

LED lighting is more efficient. Will this require another government mandate? Generally the market will bring the most cost-effective, sane solution without dictates or mandates.

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