Australia to Ban Incandescent Bulbs

Global warming plan would phase them out by 2009

MSNBC News Services

Updated: 9:05 a.m. PT Feb 20, 2007

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17233145/

Interesting development in Australia! While it does not solve all the problems, it is a step in the right direction. I must confess that while I am very much in favor of curbing greenhouse emissions, I am generally leery of the government instituting a ban. I would much rather see some economic incentives to get people to make the switch to CFL bulbs. - Australia will be the world’s first country to ban incandescent lightbulbs in a bid to curb greenhouse gas emissions, with the government saying on Tuesday they would be phased out within three years and replaced by compact fluorescent lighting. By 2009, Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull told local radio, "you simply won’t be able to buy incandescent lightbulbs, because they won’t meet the energy standard."

Australia is not the only place looking to replace them with fluorescent lighting, which is more efficient and longer lasting.  Last month, a California assemblyman announced he would propose a bill to ban the use of incandescent bulbs in his state. And a New Jersey lawmaker has called for the state to switch to fluorescent lighting in government buildings within three years.

Environmentalists welcomed the light bulb plan, but noted than the vast bulk of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions come from industry, such as coal-fired power stations. They urged the government to set national targets for emission reductions and renewable energy.