Sunday - April 19, 2009

THE PEOPLE SPEAK BUT … DOES ANYONE LISTEN OR CARE? NO!  THE FREEKIN EU HAS SPOKEN! PERIOD.

Pisses me off as usual. Hell, I wasn’t even aware there were anymore left to buy?  WHERE?  Not in these parts.
Oh well, we still have a cabinet full. For now.

But the EU gweenie jellyfish have spoken and the UK must go along.  Never mind only the tree huggers believe in this crap.
EU sneezes and UK catches the cold. 
Hey ... don’t be tooooo complacent there back home.  According to my embassy newsletter and listening to news here, BO wants to co-operate more with euro-peons and they are excited that the USA is “finally listening.” I don’t see that as a good sign.

You think you HATE the UN?  Ha!  Just wait till we sign on to the eu crapola.

Reminder to me ... quick. find source ... buy more 100w .... screw their carbon footprint.

what. me worry?

Customers buy up traditional light bulbs before switch to low energy alternatives
Householders are clearing the shelves of hardware stores by bulk-buying traditional light bulbs ahead of a looming EU ban.

By Alastair Jamieson
Last Updated: 11:14AM BST 19 Apr 2009

Shopkeepers say customers are “panic-buying” armfuls of the 100 watt bulbs, which are becoming increasingly scarce since many supermarkets agreed to phase them out ahead of the end-of-August deadline.

The ban on sales is supported by the government, which wants consumers to switch to low energy compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) to help meet its climate change targets.

CFLs typically cost more than four times as much as a traditional incandescent bulb – starting from £2 each compared to 50p or less – but use one fifth of the energy and can reduce electricity bills by £7 a year for each light in the home.

Many householders, however, believe the switch is unnecessary and say CFLs produce harsh and flickery light, while campaign groups blame them for triggering migraines and skin rashes. Most CFLs do not work properly in dimmer switches and those that are compatible can cost up to £12.

“Some shops have seen customers taking as many as they can carry, 20 or even 50 at a time,” said Mick Weedon, from the British Hardware Federation. “There has been mild panic-buying because it is becoming harder to get hold of the 100 watt bulbs now that the bigger stores are not stocking them.”

The 100w bulbs, as well as less common 80w bulbs, will no longer be sold after August 31. Frosted glass bulbs of all types will also be banned.

Many supermarkets and high street chains have already agreed not to replenish existing stocks as part of a voluntary agreement with the government. Traditional 60w bulbs will be allowed until the end of August 2011, with all phased out by 2013.

The trade body for light shops, the Lighting Association, says most consumers accept the need to adopt a more efficient form of lighting than the traditional bulb, which has changed little since it was invented by Thomas Edison in 1879.

However Brian Smillie, managing director of Edinburgh general store Gray’s of George Street, said: “A lot of our customers are not convinced that these new bulbs, which will end up on landfill sites, are any better and do not see why they should not have the choice to buy what they wish. We are selling lots of the traditional bulbs, sometimes at up to 50 at a time, and we keep having to scrap around to find new suppliers to restock the shelves.”

The charity Migraine Action has called for more research into the health effects of CFLs and said it was still receiving calls from sufferers who believe CFLs trigger their migraines. A spokeswoman said it was advising them to “stockpile the old type of incandescent bulb if you can”.

Argos, Tesco and Asda have already stopped replenishing stocks of 100w bulbs. A spokeswoman for Sainsbury’s said: “We have stopped selling incandescent light bulbs of 100w or over but we still sell 60w incandescent bulbs and have seen some bulk buying of these.”

Chris Gardiner, who runs three hardware stores in Cheshire including Vikings in Wilmslow, said: “We got 10,000 of the incandescent bulbs in stock because everyone was coming in asking for them. It tends to be older customers who prefer them and can’t get them anywhere else.”

Mr Weedon added: “The profit margins on a light bulb are tiny but independent stores are just happy to be seeing customers through the door at the moment and this rush to buy 100w bulbs has helped.”

Patrick Hodgell, managing director of online retailer Light Bulbs Direct said: “We have been taking large orders both from individuals and from shops. It is possible a lot of these bulbs will be turning up on offer at car boot sales once the changes take effect.”

The European Commission has admitted the bulb switch may lead to the loss of as many as 3,000 jobs in Europe because most incandescent bulbs sold in the EU are made there, while most integrated electronic lights such as compact fluorescent lamps are made in the Far East.

Posted by peiper     on 04/19/2009 at 10:29 AM   
Filed Under: • Environment • EUro-peons • UK •  
• Comments (6) • Trackbacks(0)  Permalink •  

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