Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Lights on
1.) Lead to lower costs for consumers
2.) Lead to a reduced carbon footprint
3.) Not lead to a health risk for consumers, particularly those in vulnerable populations, like those in nursing homes, day care centers, hospitals, and schools.
But, I would argue the Bachmann bill does not go far enough. As Mike Moffatt noted a year ago, prohibitions have a lousy history. If somehow the price of electricity is wrong such that the incandescent light isn't paying the true cost of energy it consumes, the answer is to change the price. Rather than allow a ban to go forward if GAO gives the right answers to her questions, Bachmann should have it construct the right Pigovian tax. Mike has an idea for that, too.
Meanwhile, Congress could save some energy use by just getting rid of daylight savings time. And make farmers happier at the same time.