NORTH EAST BENEFITS FROM BULB BAN (Greg Stone)

NORTH EAST BENEFITS FROM BULB BAN

September 2, 2009 12:00 AM
Originally published by Fiona Hall MEP

light bulbs North East Lib Dem MEP Fiona Hall has welcomed the end of the 100-watt incandescent light bulb saying it will open the way for new jobs in the innovative North East lighting industry.

Fiona, who is an energy efficiency expert in the European Parliament, recently visited Thorn Lighting in County Durham where she learnt about exciting new developments in the field of printable electronics which make possible innovations such as wallpaper acting as lighting.

Said Fiona:

"Raising the bar and demanding that lighting becomes more efficient is good news for North East England. Our region is at the cutting edge of new lighting technology. By insisting on high standards for lighting across Europe we are driving forward a market demand for new forms of lighting which will translate into more jobs.

"The industry is very innovative and compound fluorescent light bulbs are only one option for energy efficient lighting. Local DIY stores already have on sale two or three other types of energy efficient lighting in addition to compact fluorescent bulbs.

"The EU is not alone in banning the 100-watt incandescent bulb. The United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have all put in place similar bans. There is a global consensus that the 100-year old technology of incandescent light bulbs is not a bright idea any longer. "