Battle of the lights

A measure (HB2504 HD1) that would ban the use of certain lighting products with lead and high mercury content, establish a lumens-based standard for general purpose bulbs and make the Department of Health develop a statewide program to recycle all fluorescent lamps was deferred yesterday in a Finance Committee hearing.

The DOH and the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism had budget concerns as the cost of implementing the bill was not included in the executive supplemental budget proposal.

The Sierra Club of Hawaii testified that a lighting standard is necessary because consumers are usually more focused on the initial cost of the bulb instead of later lucrative and environmental benefits

A representative gave the committee a light show, displaying an incandescent, a compact fluorescent (CFL) and a LED light bulb. Although CFL and LED light bulbs are significantly more expensive, residents would save three times what they spend on electricity with an old school bulb every hour the bulb is used.

Here's a graph from the Sierra Club written testimony :

What do testifiers want?

Include measure into HRS 196. The Senate has already done so.

In 2014, Hawaii should increase standards, a standard greater than 60 lumens per watt.

Photo from productdose.com, Incandescent vs. CFL vs. LED Light Bulb Challenge