This time in New York:
The bit of news related the stance of Minnesota congresswoman Michele Bachmann, who claims she is pushing "choice" when it comes to lightbulbs.
It's my choice to be "irate" after reading about Bachmann's opposition to energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).
Bachmann, a first-term Republican, has introduced a resolution that challenges the government's phaseout plan of incandescent lightbulbs. These traditional bulbs gobble energy; 90 percent of the energy generated by old-fashioned bulbs creates heat, not light. The bulbs that eventually will replace them, CFLs, use about 70 percent less energy.
We'll get to Bachmann's introduction of H.R. 5616, which seeks to abolish the incandescent phaseout, in a moment. But, first, let's look at Congress' decision.
Phasing out the sale of incandescent lightbulbs - basically, the same bulb Thomas Edison introduced in the 1880s - was approved in December with the passage of an energy bill. The phaseout begins in 2012, with the end of the 100-watt bulb, and ends in 2014, with the demise of the 40-watt bulb. By 2014, according to the legislation, all bulbs must be 25 to 30 percent more efficient than today's bulbs. By 2020, the common lightbulb, likely to be a form of the CFL, must be 70 percent more efficient than today's bulbs.
By the way, the good, ol' USA is not leading the charge for more energy-efficient lightbulbs; Australia has a similar plan, and its phaseout begins in 2010.
Bachmann apparently is against the phaseout, because, in a story by the Minneapolis Star Tribune, she says she thinks the government has no business telling us what kinds of light bulbs we can buy. "This is an issue of science over fads and fashions," Bachmann said. Her bill is titled "The Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act."
Bachmann also is pushing the return of leaded gasoline, which was banned in the 1970s. Particles produced by burning leaded fuel stay in the air and contaminate the soil. Studies show that lead poisoning, a real danger to children, has devastating health effects. But, hey, Bachmann thinks we should return to adding lead to our fuel because it increases octane and improves fuel efficiency. When asked about the health risks related to leaded fuel, Bachmann is quoted in some places as saying, "I think the American people understand freedom is more important than brain damage."
I hadn't heard about Michele Bachmann pushing for the return of leaded gasoline - though it would not surprise me if she was. The column continues:
Fortunately, my congressman, Tim Bishop, a Democrat who represents the first district (basically, everything east of the Smith Haven Mall) is in my corner in this debate. Bishop's office told me that he was not supporting Bachmann's resolution and was in favor of energy-efficient measures, including Energy Star appliances.
"Rising energy costs and environmental concerns have inspired Americans to seek ways to reduce their energy consumption, from cars to light bulbs," my congressman said in a statement. "I have supported legislation in Congress to increase investment in renewable energy sources and to expand the use of energy efficient appliances and vehicles that will benefit consumers and the environment."
My congressman also noted that the newer compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) last 10 times longer than traditional bulbs (while costing four to five as much).
"The Bachmann bill has very few co-sponsors in Congress," the congressman's spokesman, Will Jenkins, told me, "since it would, in effect, block or delay improvements in energy efficiency as well as cost savings for consumers."
So, I'm wondering why would anyone in their right mind support Bachmann's resolution? Apparently, some critics of CFLs believe there is an issue with "mercury poisoning." In fact, CFLs do contain mercury, but it's a microscopic amount, about the same levels of mercury found in a ballpoint pen. And, in some states - New York is not one of them - CFLs cannot be tossed into the trash but must be recycled or disposed of as hazardous waste.
Frankly, mercury is virtually a nonissue, most experts say. Replacing incandescents with CFLs actually will reduce mercury emissions over the long haul. CFLs significantly reduce the consumption of electricity - much of which is produced in our country by coal-burning power plants. These coal-fired power plants are the largest source of air pollution in the United States. Burning coal sends pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and mercury out large smokestacks.
So Michele Bachmann is becoming nationally known again.
Update: Commenter Karl notes that the leaded gas part comes from an Across the Great Divide April Fool's post on Michele Bachmann. Unfortunately for those in the 6th District, every day is April Fool's Day, when Michele Bachmann is the congresscritter. |
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