CAFE standards, a ban on most incandescent light bulbs, and restrictions on the amount of water a toilet can use are all examples of government-mandated efficiency. But given the varying interests and situations of 300 million Americans, they’re a horribly inefficient way to run a society. Kenneth P. Green of the American Enterprise Institute summarizes some findings on the topic, and concludes the cost of energy-efficiency […]
Energy
Buy a politically mandated light bulb, get skin cancer
The political world that has brought us more highway deaths through CAFE rules (mandating econoboxes) and the TSA (prompting more people to drive, a more dangerous means of transportation than flying) may also be bringing us more cancer deaths, in the name of saving the earth from global warming, climate change, or whatever it is called these days. From Scientific American comes word that CFL […]
West Michigan Diary: Would you let a politician plan your life?
For centuries, people have pursued “something out of nothing” dreams such as alchemy and perpetual motion machines. The latest example may be on exhibit in a remote part of western Michigan. Mason County, better known as the home of Ludington State Park, is one of the latest parts of the country to get a wind farm. The 56-turbine project will cost $235 million, or roughly […]
The State-by-State Economic Impact of Proposed EPA Regulations
As a nation, we’ve made great strides in combining growing the economy and cleaning up air pollution. But as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is setting up to roll out nine new new rules or regulations, most of which are related to coal-powered electricity, it’s worth asking, “Is the gain worth the pain?” The report, Economy Derailed: State-by-State Impacts of the EPA Regulatory Trainwreck, comes in four […]
Consumer choice is … controversial
Will the U.S. House vote to repeal the ban-that’s-not-a-ban on incandescent bulbs? Henry Payne is optimistic, but as last night, The Hill had a different opinion: “House Democrats on Monday indicated strong opposition to a controversial bill to repeal federal lightbulb standards, which could lead to the defeat of the measure in an expected Tuesday vote.” Read that sentence again. The idea that Americans are competent to decide which […]
Bulb ban means more spending on bulbs, less on other items
Writing on the “it’s not a ban (wink, wink) on incandescent bulbs, Jacob Sullum points out some other problems with the arbitrary law: the higher prices on replacement bulbs mean “people will have to spend more money on light bulbs and less on other things they value more.” To be sure, light bulbs are not a large expense for most households–at least for now. But […]
Bulb ban defender is smart in physics, but flunked kindergarten social skills
David Boaz reminds us that Steven Chu, the secretary of energy, has won a Nobel Prize in physics. In other words, he’s a super-duper smart guy. I am impressed by Chu’s knowledge of physics. But of anything else? That’s another story. Chu, remember, is the guy who said of the ban, “We are taking away a choice that continues to let people waste their own money.” […]
Bulb ban defender shows remarkable degree of arrogance
There are several reasons to reverse the ban on incandescent light bulbs, but here’s a good political one: It’s a rebuke to those who act not as public servants, but as arrogant overlords. Secretary of Energy Commerce Steven Chu recently defended the ban. In comments quoted by the Wall Street Journal, he said, We are taking away a choice that continues to let people waste their own money. […]
Upton Sees the Light
Apparently Rep. Fred Upton really has seen the light. The Hill reports that Upton hopes to bring to the floor next week a vote on the repeal of energy efficiency standards (a bill he once co-sponsored) that effectively bans incandescent light bulbs. “The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), would repeal sections of a 2007 energy law that require traditional incandescent light bulbs to be 30 […]
The Bulb Ban and NRO
A new media outlet for me: National Review Online. Here’s Henry Payne, editor of the Michigan View and contributor to NRO’s blog “Planet Gore,” on my comments about the bulb ban. *** Next Week: House Vote on Bulb-Ban Repeal Apparently Rep. Fred Upton really has seen the light. John LaPlante writes at The Michigan View that the House Energy Chairman will bring a repeal of the incandescent-bulb […]