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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| EU wants end to old-style bulbs | EU wants end to old-style bulbs |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| A European Union report has recommended banning conventional incandescent light bulbs by 2012 to save energy and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. | A European Union report has recommended banning conventional incandescent light bulbs by 2012 to save energy and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. |
| Most light bulbs sold in the EU are of the type pioneered by Thomas Edison in 1879. | |
| But the report says the EU could save up to $12bn (£8bn) a year in energy bills by switching to low-energy bulbs. | But the report says the EU could save up to $12bn (£8bn) a year in energy bills by switching to low-energy bulbs. |
| The report needs the backing of the European parliament and all 27 member states to become law. | The report needs the backing of the European parliament and all 27 member states to become law. |
| "It's very clear that this is a measure that will change the way that we consume energy," EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs told journalists. | "It's very clear that this is a measure that will change the way that we consume energy," EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs told journalists. |
| Phase out | Phase out |
| Once approved, the EU would phase out conventional bulbs between September 2009 and September 2012. | Once approved, the EU would phase out conventional bulbs between September 2009 and September 2012. |
| European homes will keep the same quality of lighting, while saving energy, CO2 and money Andris Piebalgs EU Energy Commissioner | European homes will keep the same quality of lighting, while saving energy, CO2 and money Andris Piebalgs EU Energy Commissioner |
| Consumers will choose between long-life fluorescent bulbs or halogen lamps. | Consumers will choose between long-life fluorescent bulbs or halogen lamps. |
| The EU says the measure will save households up to 50 euros ($64, £43) a year and pump up to 10bn euros ($13bn) into the economy. | The EU says the measure will save households up to 50 euros ($64, £43) a year and pump up to 10bn euros ($13bn) into the economy. |
| The new-style lamps carry energy savings of 25% to 75% compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, which are little changed since they were invented almost 130 years ago. | The new-style lamps carry energy savings of 25% to 75% compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, which are little changed since they were invented almost 130 years ago. |
| The report also says the switch will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 12 million metric tonnes (13.2 million tonnes) a year, and save energy equivalent to the consumption of 11 million European households. | The report also says the switch will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 12 million metric tonnes (13.2 million tonnes) a year, and save energy equivalent to the consumption of 11 million European households. |
| Mr Piebalgs said that the phasing out had to be gradual so that "production facilities could adapt to the new lighting" and the quality of illumination could be ensured. | Mr Piebalgs said that the phasing out had to be gradual so that "production facilities could adapt to the new lighting" and the quality of illumination could be ensured. |
| "European homes will keep the same quality of lighting, while saving energy, CO2 and money," he said. | "European homes will keep the same quality of lighting, while saving energy, CO2 and money," he said. |
| Several nations including Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the Philippines have already announced they will phase out or restrict sales of traditional bulbs. | Several nations including Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the Philippines have already announced they will phase out or restrict sales of traditional bulbs. |