Green & Clean

Retailers and consumers in Europe are complaining about a ban that has just gone into effect on incandescent light bulbs of over 100 watts. According to this New York Times/International Herald Tribune report, the move is supposed to spur use of energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs, but the ban’s opponents are citing CFL’s higher per-bulb price and inferior quality of light.

The European Union argues that the switch (which will be gradually extended to cover lower-wattage lights by 2020) will save enough energy to power 11 million households—and save families about 50 euros (about $71.50) a year on their annual electric bills. The EU also notes that consumers can still use transparent improved incandescent bulbs with halogen technology, which they claim provides exactly the same type and quality of light as conventional incandescent bulbs.

The EU is also pinning its long-term hopes LED lights, which are free of the mercury found in CFLs and last even longer than CFLs.