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Euro Bulb Ban Begins, But Many Take Dim View of CFLs

Consumers stockpile aesthetically pleasing old-school bulbs

By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 31, 2009 6:40 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Though proponents plug the financial savings and good climate karma of compact fluorescent light bulbs, not everyone thinks the European ban on most incandescent bulbs that kicks in tomorrow is such a bright idea, the New York Times reports. Consumers across the continent are hoarding old-school bulbs, worried over the aesthetic difference of CFL-lit spaces.

The new bulbs can cost as much as $14, to 70¢ for an old incandescent, but authorities say replacing wasteful old with efficient new will save the continent $7.2 billion annually. “But the downside is that the light isn’t as nice,” says one Parisian; incandescent sales in Germany are up 34% this year. The US will begin phasing out incandescents in 2012, the Times notes.

Beginning tomorrow, shops in European Union countries won't be able to buy any more bulbs like these.
Beginning tomorrow, shops in European Union countries won't be able to buy any more bulbs like these.   (Wikimedia Commons)
  (Wikimedia Commons)
The compact fluorescent bulbs aren't as esthetically pleasing as old-school incandescents, critics charge.
The compact fluorescent bulbs aren't as esthetically pleasing as old-school incandescents, critics charge.   (Wikimedia Commons)
The compact fluorescent bulbs aren't as esthetically pleasing as old-school incandescents, critics charge.
The compact fluorescent bulbs aren't as esthetically pleasing as old-school incandescents, critics charge.   (Wikimedia Commons)
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The blanket ban could spell misery for thousands of epilepsy and anxiety sufferers who are adversely affected by energy-saving bulbs. - European Parliament member
Martin Callanan; mercury levels are also
a concern in CFLs

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 24 comments
2-bits
Sep 4, 2009 12:09 PM CDT
I only said the thing about licking light bulbs to be funny. But the danger is still quit low. http://blogs.edf.org/climate41.../
MrBisme
Sep 1, 2009 12:57 PM CDT
GE a republican leaning company? Give me a break. They, like every other major corporation are opportunists currently siding with the current administration going as far as to censor any story that even remotely opposes the current direction. In response to coal containing mercury... what does that have to do with anything? We need alternative sources of energy, no doubt, but if these bulbs will really save so much money, the people will buy them on their own (and they do). Next generation LED bulbs use way less energy than CFLs and don't contain mercury. Why not let innovation flourish and cut the nanny state crap.
DeniseVB
Sep 1, 2009 12:30 PM CDT
So being pro-choice doesn't extend to my lightbulbs anymore?
World • Green • Money • Technology

 
climate change • greenhouse gases • European Union • compact fluorescent bulbs • epilepsy • ban • CFL • savings • incandescent bulbs

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