Philips Agreement Boosts E.U. Incandescent Lightbulb Phaseout Plans

[Doondoo]

European light bulb makers are close to an agreement in principle to work together on phasing out energy-wasting incandescent bulbs for the consumer market, the chief executive of Royal Philips Electronics NV's lighting division said Monday.

Philips is the largest lighting maker globally, followed by Siemens AG, known for the Osram-Sylvania brands. General Electric Co., whose founder Thomas Edison patented the incandescent bulb in 1880, is biggest in the United States.

In a telephone interview with The Associated Press, Theo van Deursen said "the tipping point is very close, to be frank, for the (European) lighting industry" to agree on a phase-out of incandescent bulbs in the home. He said an announcement from a group of major producers could come as early as this week.

.......

Van Deursen criticized GE for a statement it published last week saying it planned to introduce a new generation of energy-efficient incandescent bulbs by 2010.

"I don't think we should wait until 2010, because there are alternatives available now," he said, adding that he didn't know the details of General Electric's plans, but he didn't believe traditional incandescent lighting has a long-term future.


http://www.enn.com/energy.html?id=1454

[MADem]

1. I had an old cat that would warm herself under an incandescent light bulb

but other than a bit extra heat in a tiny room, there's not much utility in them. The newer lights are even better than the old ones.

I've been using the new lighting for a good decade (and they cost way more back then) and they do save you some money.