As usual, while most of the American public was not looking, Congress passed and the president (Bush) signed into law another bill that will blindside Americans by imposing some new restriction or mandate that no one really wants or needs. A good example is the energy bill that was passed by Congress in 2007, which bans the use of incandescent light bulbs beginning in 2012 and will completely phase them out by 2014.
President Bush signed the 822-page measure into law, and Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said the legislation will boost the energy efficiency of "almost every significant product and tool and appliance that we use, from light bulbs to light trucks."
The phase-out of incandescent light is scheduled to begin with the 100-watt bulb in 2012 and end with the 40-watt bulb in 2014.
All light bulbs must use 25 percent to 30 percent less energy 2014. By 2020, bulbs must be 70 percent more efficient than they are today.
Australia was the first country to announce an outright ban by 2010.
Sounds good, doesn’t it? Taking responsibility for reducing America’s energy use, that is.
But just how good is it?
At the risk of raining on the parade of those who may think this is a good idea, following are some of the unintended consequences of this legislation:
1) It will have a negative effect on the economy: GE has already closed its last major bulb producing factory in the U.S., abandoning their manufacture to China.
2) Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are the least expensive alternative and last much longer incandescent bulbs, but they take longer to turn on and can flicker,
3) Fluorescent bulbs also contain small amounts of highly toxic mercury, which is classified as “hazardous” material.
4) The problem arises when a bulb breaks. Mercury vapor escapes into the air, which can be inhaled and settle can settle into carpet and curtains or drapes. The EPA recommends that the room be ventilated immediately and that all people and pets vacate for at least 15 minutes. In addition, central heating or air conditioning should be turned off. After the room is aired out, the broken bulb should be picked off the carpet or other surfaces, wearing gloves to avoid contact, after which sticky tape or duct tape should be used to pick up smaller fragments. Hard surfaces should then be wiped down with a damp paper towel or a wet wipe and all materials put into a sealable plastic bag or a glass jar with a metal lid.
Unfortunately, you’re not done yet. Read on for the rest of the process of cleaning up after breaking a fluorescent light bulb:
Do not vacuum or sweep the room, because that can spread the mercury to other parts of the house.
Finally, disposing of fluorescent bulbs that have burned out can also be a major headache. In many places it is illegal to throw them out with regular garbage, which means you may have to take them to the closest recycling facility, often miles away from your home or office.
The Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers (who knew there was such an organization) estimates a recycling rate of only 2 percent, noting: “Our first preference is not to see them go into landfills”
In some areas, you may be required to call a local Hazmat crew to clean up a broken fluorescent light bulb, at an estimated cost of $2,000.
Stephen Frank noted in his California Political News and Views: “As for me I believe I have stacked up on real, cheap, light bulbs – should last ten years or more – I have LOTS of light bulbs. Plus when they run out, I am positive there will be a black market in real light bulbs.”
Typical of the bureaucratic mindset, legislators and government regulators seem to think the new law will not only significantly reduce America’s energy use but that the population in general will obey the rules and dispose of fluorescent light bulbs as prescribed, but I submit that human nature will prevail and people will simply continue to toss used bulbs into the trash, where they will be carted off to landfills, break in the process, leak mercury into the surrounding area, and potentially drain into aquifers below. A few bulbs won’t matter, but consider the risk if millions, perhaps billions of broken or used fluorescent light bulbs are simply thrown into the trash.
What then?
Is that a risk that we are really willing to accept?
I plan to stock up on incandescent bulbs before the ban takes effect in 2012. Given my age, it shouldn’t be a problem to buy enough to avoid my ever having to use fluorescent bulbs.
How about you? What do you plan to do?
© 2011 Harris R. Sherline, All Rights Reserved