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How Many Legislators Does It Take to Change a Light Bulb?

By Gena Riede

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792

April 29, 2007 05:48 AM

Energy Light Bulb California is heading the pact when it comes to moving forward with our environment. Assembly Member, Lloyd E. Levine has introduced a bill to wipe out the old incandescent bulbs and make way for the compact fluorescent light bulb.

California will be the first State to ban the common light bulb.

The old light bulbs are the same as they were 125 years ago and conduct more heat than they do light. And cost the user much more in electric bills along with using our supply of energy and landfill of these wasted bulbs.

Levine's legislation bill AB 722, replacing the old light bulbs with the new more efficient fluorescent light bulb will reduce the CO2 emissions by 1.82 million metric tons per year. Give support to this legislation.

This bill, if passed will eliminate the hog of light bulb electricity use by the year 2012. This bill has passed out of the Assembly Committee and now heads for the Appropriations Committee.

If that's not enough to get you to change your light bulbs...

Replacing a 75 watt regular incandescent light with a 20 watt fluorescent bulb as shown above, would prevent 1,300 pounds of carbon dioxide from being pumped into the atmosphere by electric plants. Carbon dioxide is a major component of the gases that most experts say is responsible for global warming.

You will save $55 over the life of a single bulb. Now, that ought to grab your attention! Start replacing your old bulbs, today and save tomorrow.

Governor Schwarzenegger of California heads the pact for energy conservation. Be sure to check "GREEN CALIFORNIA" for the latest in what is Green for California.

Another bill Levine is currently working on is the Pet Act which would require most pet owners with a dog or cat over four months old to have their pets spayed or neutered.

To read the entire article How Many Legislators Does It Take To Change A Light Bulb

Other Related California Green Articles:

Happy California Cows Make Electricity

California Is Green

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Gena Riede

Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA

Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Kaye, if we don't get someone in the White House that thinks Health Insurance is worth changing...then it will be more of the same. Our emergency rooms are flooded with non-emergency conditions. There needs to be a stop to that, to that as well.

The average age in the U.S. is what I think will become the key point for change! Hang on!! And in the meantime, glad you got on the band wagon and changed your bulbs...let's hope others do the same.

Apr 29, 2007 06:56 AM

Roger Stensland

Keller Williams Realty Puget Sound - Maple Valley, WA

Let's Move!

Another example of government run amok. Believe it or not, that is not government's job. I wonder if they have considered the environmental hazards of these little compact fluorescent bulbs. There's mercury in them there bulbs. The mercury in these bulbs is much more dangerous than the amount of CO2 produced by using incandescent bulbs. Consumers need to know that these bulbs can't be thrown into land fills.

Apr 29, 2007 07:11 AM

Gena Riede

Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA

Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Roger, you bring up a very good point. The regular bulbs that last ever so much less are in our land fills. What do you see as an alternative at this time? Or do you think it best to keep using the old stand by?

Besides coming up with another type of bulb, perhaps the company making the new bulbs could recycle this bulbs and offer a rebate to the user. How about that type of idea?

Apr 29, 2007 07:18 AM

Dena Stevens

Rocky Mountain Realty - Canon City, CO

Putting The Real Into Realtor Since 2004

I use to have a broker who would say every drop of rain raises the level of the ocean. What he meant was every little does help. But I'm glad to see California leading the way.

Apr 29, 2007 07:39 AM

Gena Riede

Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA

Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Dena, your Broker was a wise person. Although there is no utopia and appears to be no absolute, a start is in a better direction is better than no start at all.

Apr 29, 2007 09:31 AM

ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779

REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC

CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

Gena~ ECO-awareness can be en-light-ening! i see an image of California as a Large stadium filled to capacity and lit by each individual who is party to the game...(that's US...)

Apr 29, 2007 09:45 AM

Gena Riede

Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA

Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

JaneAnne, yes you are right. We are all in it together and each need to shine our lights. It's a big stadium.

Apr 29, 2007 09:55 AM

Joan Whitebook

BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH

Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Gena : California is usually ahead of the rest of the nation and leads the way! I hope they continue to look at the issues regardidng affordable housing -- The prices are out of sight!

Apr 29, 2007 10:21 AM

Gena Riede

Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA

Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Joan, yes I agree we do need to work on affordable housing. Are you aware of what the City of Sacramento already is working on? This is taken right off of the State of the City Address by Mayor Fargo

City council agreed to:

Work with SHRA and county to develop an additional 1,000 units of transitional housing in county, and 1,000 units in the region by 2010.

Develop housing for emancipated youth - with 50% homeless 1^{st yr.}^{Keep the housing trust fund at appropriate level to build affordable housing.
To date we have collected $19M for affordable housing and produced over 2000 units in 37 projects, and leveraged an additional $200M.
Support student housing for CSUS on and near the campus, including the 65th St transit village.
^{I am also working with the county - specifically Supervisor Roger Dickinson, and a group of business and community leaders to develop a meaningful plan to End Chronic Homelessness in 10 years - this is a priority amongst the nation's mayors who agree that there are both moral and economic reasons to end homelessness. One area we need to stay vigilant on is the assisted housing needs of foster care youth. We have to give them a second chance to become productive members of the community.
Can we do better? You bet but at least it's a start. And for the rest of the prices...nutrition will take care of most of that...just takes a little time. It's all a cycle.}}

Apr 29, 2007 10:51 AM

Gary Smith

Agent Marketing Today - Commerce Township, MI

Gena, I love the title!

Ontario has already passed legislation and Canada is working on it. It's just a matter of time!

Apr 29, 2007 11:52 AM

Mike Stankewich, MBA, e-PRO - ZipRealty, Inc.

ZipRealty, Inc. - Huntington Beach, CA

Gena,

As a fellow Californian, I am all for conservation, preserving the environment and recycling. I have been using these energy savings bulbs for years now in the lighting fixtures that can use them and I do my part in recylcing cans and bottles.

I utilize the hazardous waste drop off within our city for paint and other materials that can cause enviromental problems if thrown in the trash. I take empty ink jet cartridges and laser toner cartridges back to Staples from proper disposal. Old bulbs if they contain mercury could be taken to the hazardous waste station.

I am not in favor of big government and question if legislation is the answer. Public awareness is a better approach. Are we going to have "light bulb police" searching our homes? I know, the intent is probably to take the standard light bulbs off the retail market.

I also question the simplicity of the solution. Lighting varies. I have halogen lamps in my work areas. I have recessed spot and flood lamps in my ceilings. These energy saving bulbs do not work in these applications. The technology is not here yet for all applications. I have not found these energy saving bulbs for 3-way lighting.

We just bought new table lamps for our bedroom. Instead of 3-way bulbs each lamp has two bulbs. Turn on one for basic lighting and two for reading. We have the energy savers in each socket. I bring this up, because lamp design will also have to change, and not everyone can afford to change all their room lamps.

It is a step in the right direction, but even with a simple thing as lighting we still have a long way to go.

Apr 29, 2007 12:08 PM

Gena Riede

Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA

Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Mike, that was a lot of excellent information. I thank you for the sound and informative education. You certainly sound like you are doing your part...now to get more to do theirs.

I know that when the bulbs first came out they didn't fit anything that I had but now I am finding new smaller ones that do. But, like you said the recessed lighting is not there yet (at least as far as I know) nor the 3 way lighting either. But it is a start.

I too don't think it's great to have government involved in everything and I know you were only funny about them being in your home but it is one way to get the industry rethinking what they put on the market for the masses to buy. Sometimes, that's the only way to motivate them...the almighty dollar always seems to work.

Yes, you are absolutely correct...we do have a longggggggggggg way to go...baby steps first. Thank you for taking the time to help not only me but others reading this post become aware of several ways to start the process of becoming a responsible citizen of Mother Earth.

Apr 29, 2007 12:37 PM

Gena Riede

Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA

Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Gary, you snuck in there...wow good for Ontario and Kudos for Canada...forward thinking. It looks like we are behind you and here I thought we were in the forefront. My hat is tipped to you.

Apr 29, 2007 12:40 PM

Mike Stankewich, MBA, e-PRO - ZipRealty, Inc.

ZipRealty, Inc. - Huntington Beach, CA

Gena,

You read me correctly, even the pun. You are doing a good job in making everyone aware of this and educating us all. Maybe another pun from my three years living in West Virginia, you all! I loved it there. Beautiful country. Wild, Wonderful, West Virginia as they used to say.

Apr 29, 2007 12:53 PM

Gena Riede

Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA

Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Mike,West Virginia...hmm I was originally brought up in several places one being the big state of Texas by a Texan Father and a New Orleans Mother so "you all" is not foreign to me. Nice to meet a Southerner.

Apr 29, 2007 01:44 PM

Jacqulyn Richey

Prominent Realty Group - Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas Real Estate

I have them in all of our fixtures. Just the fact that I'm not having to change out the porch light every other month is just a bonus. -Charles

Apr 29, 2007 08:04 PM

Wynne Achatz

Real Estate One Westrick - Marine City, MI

Michigan Realtor and Notary Trust,Care, Experience

Gena,

with regards to MIke's post above, I actually removed my Halogen lights and replaced with the energy efficient bulbs. They seem to last much longer than the halogens did, too. Made quite a statement in the office. People actually recognize the "Green effect" this will have. A few customer/clients said that is why they chose me to be their agent - not afraid to be different or to make a statement.

This can be done with the canned lights, too. Looks a little weird, but hey some of the clothes people wear are pretty weird, too. It certrainly isn't making any enemies.

As to the lamp issue. You, Mike and others above are right, some lamps still need work, but in many of them the new bulbs will work. wynne Achatz, Algonac Michigan Realtor Logo

Apr 29, 2007 09:41 PM

Gena Riede

Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA

Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Charles, I know what you mean. I did the same thing. I felt a little guilty when I took at bulbs that were still working (just a little guilt, there) but I decided to do my part for all of us anyway.

Wynne, yeah I did the same thing. Even though I have a three way lamp, I made the choice to forego the 3 way and save energy. But that was my choice and hopefully, the makers will see the need and continue to improve and supply us with a variety of energy efficient and earth friendly bulbs (even though the only friendly light is the light from up above).

You keep it up...there is nothing wrong with being different and your clients obviously think it's great!

Apr 30, 2007 01:57 AM

Stephanie Edwards-Musa

thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX

knitwit at thred UP

Hi Gena, I read this one and I thought it was cute! Busted! Guess I'm a lurker too!

Apr 30, 2007 02:15 AM

Gena Riede

Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA

Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Stephanie,well that's ok...looks like you saved yourself and commented. Thanks.

I see where this blog was FEATURED in Localism...many thanks.