Some Texas lawmakers say light bulb bill is bright idea

Some Texas lawmakers say light bulb bill is bright idea

Texas could soon be in a position to turn the lights off on a federal plan to phase out certain light bulbs.

State lawmakers have passed a bill that allows Texans to skirt federal efforts to promote more efficient light bulbs, which ultimately pushes the swirled, compact fluorescent bulbs over the 100-watt incandescent bulbs many grew up with.

The measure, sent to Gov. Rick Perry for consideration, lets any incandescent light bulb manufactured in Texas — and sold in this state — avoid the authority of the federal government or the repeal of the 2007 energy independence act that starts phasing out some incandescent light bulbs next year.

“Let there be light,” state Rep. George Lavender, R-Texarkana, wrote on Facebook after the bill passed. “It will allow the continued manufacture and sale of incandescent light bulbs in Texas, even after the federal ban goes into effect. … It’s a good day for Texas.”

Full Story Here:
Some Texas lawmakers say light bulb bill is bright idea

How hard can it be to understand? The federal government needs to keep their grubby fingers OUT of our lives.

For some, (The EPA) apparently it’s a concept foreign to their beliefs.

If you want to see a bunch of angry Democrats just go to the original story and read the comments. It seems that, according to them, the GOP and Conservatives are responsible for everything that has gone wrong since time immemorial.

Not everyone agrees.

The Natural Resources Defense Council, a New York-based environmental group, is calling on Perry to veto the bill.

“The Texas legislation is designed to showcase the state’s independence,” said Bob Keefe, senior press secretary with the council. “But what it really shows off is how some politicians in the Lone Star State will do anything to score political points — even if it means echoing misinformation and wasting time and money passing legislation that can’t practically be implemented and isn’t in the best interest of constituents.”

Perry has until Sunday to veto bills, sign them into law or let them become law without his signature.

Somehow, I think Gov. Perry will sign this, or, let it go through without his signature. The people of Texas are an independent bunch, and we hate being told what to do.

A lot of folks try to run our lives, PETA doesn’t want us to eat meat, the *greenies* don’t want us to use incandescent lighting, mow the grass, drive a car or, apparently, breathe if all of their carbon monoxide BS is to be believed.

The government wants to dictate every aspect of our lives. The environmentalist nut jobs are right there with them, dictating everything we can and can’t do.

Don’t eat this, don’t drink that, don’t wear those clothes, don’t smoke tobacco, use this type of lighting only, keep your weight down, drive a Prius, guns are BAD, have protected sex only, get plenty of sleep and send in those donations to the candidates that will become the dictators America needs to stay on the path to full blown Socialism.

Well, it’s not their business if I shoot guns, drive a 1-Ton Chevy Dually, drink beer, eat pasta or have sex with a fat woman and smoke a big cigar when I’m done. It’s MY life, not theirs, and even though I don’t do most of those things, it’s MY business if I do!

OK, I’ll admit, the swirled, compact fluorescent bulbs do put out less heat, that IS a plus, even to a knuckle dragging Neanderthal like me, but what about the dangers these bulbs present?

“Telling Texans what types of light bulbs they can manufacture, sell, purchase and use is not the proper role of the federal government,” said Janise Cookston, a spokeswoman for the Wharton-based nonprofit group “We Texans,” which works to protect “private property, personal and economic liberty” as well as constitutional government.

“This bill sends the message to Washington that Texas will no longer sit idly by and take unconstitutional intrusion into our lives.”

Some say they worry about fluorescent bulbs because they contain mercury, a toxic metal linked to birth defects and behavioral disorders. Estimates show the average bulb has 4 to 5 milligrams of mercury, enough to cover the tip of a ballpoint pin. No mercury is emitted while the bulbs are in use, but vapors can escape if a bulb breaks.

Supporters also say fluorescent bulbs can cost more than $3 each; incandescent bulbs can cost as little as 35 cents each.

That mercury thing, it bothers me, a lot. Suppose a bulb breaks? Suppose I drop one? It can happen you know.

Here’s what the EPA recommends we do in case of bulb breakage:

Before Cleanup

• Have people and pets leave the room, and avoid the breakage area on the way out.

• Open a window or door to the outdoors and leave the room for 5-10 minutes.

• Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning (H&AC) system, if you have one.

• Collect materials you will need to clean up the broken bulb:
   o Stiff paper or cardboard
   o Sticky tape (e.g., duct tape)
   o Damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes (for hard surfaces)
   o Glass jar with a metal lid (such as a canning jar) or a sealable plastic bag(s)

Cleanup Steps for Hard Surfaces

• Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place debris and paper/cardboard in a glass jar with a metal lid. If a glass jar is not available, use a sealable plastic bag. (NOTE: Since a plastic bag will not prevent the mercury vapor from escaping, remove the plastic bag(s) from the home after cleanup.)

• Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. Place the used tape in the glass jar or plastic bag.

• Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels in the glass jar or plastic bag.

• Vacuuming of hard surfaces during cleanup is not recommended unless broken glass remains after all other cleanup steps have been taken. [NOTE: It is possible that vacuuming could spread mercury-containing powder or mercury vapor, although available information on this problem is limited.] If vacuuming is needed to ensure removal of all broken glass, keep the following tips in mind:
   o Keep a window or door to the outdoors open;
   o Vacuum the area where the bulb was broken using the vacuum hose, if available; and
   o Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and seal the bag/vacuum debris, and any materials used to clean the vacuum, in a plastic bag.

• Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials, including vacuum cleaner bags, outdoors in a trash container or protected area until materials can be disposed of properly.
   o Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your area. Some states and communities require fluorescent bulbs (broken or unbroken) be taken to a local recycling center.

• Wash your hands with soap and water after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing bulb debris and cleanup materials.

• Continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the H&AC system shut off, as practical, for several hours.

Cleanup Steps for Carpeting or Rugs

• Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place debris and paper/cardboard in a glass jar with a metal lid. If a glass jar is not available, use a sealable plastic bag. (NOTE: Since a plastic bag will not prevent the mercury vapor from escaping, remove the plastic bag(s) from the home after cleanup.)

• Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. Place the used tape in the glass jar or plastic bag.

• Vacuuming of carpeting or rugs during cleanup is not recommended unless broken glass remains after all other cleanup steps have been taken. [NOTE: It is possible that vacuuming could spread mercury-containing powder or mercury vapor, although available information on this problem is limited.] If vacuuming is needed to ensure removal of all broken glass, keep the following tips in mind:
   o Keep a window or door to the outdoors open;
   o Vacuum the area where the bulb was broken using the vacuum hose, if available, and
   o Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and seal the bag/vacuum debris, and any materials used to clean the vacuum, in a plastic bag.

• Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials, including vacuum cleaner bags, outdoors in a trash container or protected area until materials can be disposed of properly.
   o Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your area. Some states and communities require fluorescent bulbs (broken or unbroken) be taken to a local recycling center.

• Wash your hands with soap and water after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing bulb debris and cleanup materials.

• Continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the H&AC system shut off, as practical, for several hours.
Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rugs: Air Out the Room During and After Vacuuming

• The next several times you vacuum the rug or carpet, shut off the H&AC system if you have one, close the doors to other rooms, and open a window or door to the outside before vacuuming. Change the vacuum bag after each use in this area.

• After vacuuming is completed, keep the H&AC system shut off and the window or door to the outside open, as practical, for several hours.

Actions You Can Take to Prevent Broken Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Fluorescent bulbs are made of glass and can break if dropped or roughly handled. To avoid breaking a bulb, follow these general practices:

• Always switch off and allow a working CFL bulb to cool before handling.

• Always handle CFL bulbs carefully to avoid breakage.
   o If possible, screw/unscrew the CFL by holding the plastic or ceramic base, not the glass tubing.
   o Gently screw in the CFL until snug. Do not over-tighten.
   o Never forcefully twist the glass tubing.

• Consider not using CFLs in lamps that can be easily knocked over, in unprotected light fixtures, or in lamps that are incompatible with the spiral or folded shape of many CFLs.

• Do not use CFL bulbs in locations where they can easily be broken, such as play spaces.

• Use CFL bulbs that have a glass or plastic cover over the spiral or folded glass tube, if available. These types of bulbs look more like incandescent bulbs and may be more durable if dropped.

• Consider using a drop cloth (e.g., plastic sheet or beach towel) when changing a fluorescent light bulb in case a breakage should occur. The drop cloth will help prevent mercury contamination of nearby surfaces and can be bundled with the bulb debris for disposal.

Yeah, that sounds simple enough…all for a broken light bulb. 😕

From my blogging buddy Bob Mack: South Carolina Sees The Light | Be Sure You’re RIGHT, Then Go Ahead