tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841558829925006026.post6462504595568570575..comments2023-11-02T12:36:49.801+01:00Comments on Greener Lights?: EU Energy StatisticsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841558829925006026.post-66923422395588212812009-06-02T17:40:10.865+02:002009-06-02T17:40:10.865+02:00The funny thing is that noone asks the BASIC quest...The funny thing is that noone asks the BASIC question:<br /><br />Why all the energy effficiency regulation mania ANYWAY?<br /><br />There is no particular society need to save electricity!<br />More http://ceolas.net/#el22x onwards<br /><br />1. <B>Electricity generation has no lack of energy</B>!<br />In fact if coal/gas start to run out the price goes up and renewables or long-lasting nuclear energy become more attractive anyway.<br /><br />2. <B>Electricity generation has no energy security worries</B>!<br />It has no energy security implication that say oil (Middle East) or natural gas (Russia) has, since little of these are used for electricy generation.<br /><br />3. <B>Consumers can of course choose energy efficient appliances if they like them.</B>Inefficient types of these appliances (like lighting) have their own advantages - or noone would buy them.<br />Light bulbs are of course extremely popular, bought around 9 times out of 10 as a free choice by consumers both in the EU and the USA, and similarly elsewhere.<br />Cheapness is certainly part of it, but you don't keep buying something just because it's cheap - or avoid something just because it's expensive - or any other expensive alternative products - whether handbags or forklift trucks- would not exist on the market.<br />Light bulbs give out a fast responding bright broad spectrum type of light, that many like.<br />More http://ceolas.net/#li5x onwards<br /><br />4.<B> Light bulbs don't give out any gases!</B>If emissions need to be reduced - then reduce them directly at power station level, the technology is there, including renewable energy spread<br />More http://ceolas.net/#em1x onwards<br />The problem with banning bulbs etc is also that it is unfair on emission-free households, now and in the future, who are needlessly stopped from buying what they obviously want to use.<br /><br /><br /><br />As you say the energy savings are small anyway.<br />Also see http://ceolas.net/#li171x<br />If light bulbs really must be targeted they could be taxed.<br />After all, this is a ban for consumption reasons, not safety reasons (light bulbs don't give out any gases, remember!)<br />Therefore a tax can not only reduce consumption, it gives government income at the same time <br />- that can be used for emission lowering measures more than any remianing light bulb use causes them -<br />while retaining consumer choice.<br />Product taxation is not the first choice (still unfair on emission-free households) but better than bans for all concerned.<br /><br />Accepting that power station carbon emissions are a cause for concern on current scientific evidence,<br />the correct choice is simply to impose emission regulation on all power plants, with due regard to consumer impact (better electricity competition in grids that lower prices,<br />home energy/insulation schemes for consumers etc).<br /><br />Life can be simple and life can be hard.<br />Either you deal directly with a problem, or you don't....Lighthousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08123172670211101092noreply@blogger.com