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Mike's Economics Blog

By Mike Moffatt, About.com Guide to Economics since 2002

Side Effects of a Ban on Incandescent Lightbulbs

Saturday April 28, 2007
Garth of Reviving Economics reacted to my post Should Governments Ban the Incandescent Lightbulb? and brought up a good point in an amusing way:
I just found a new calling - thanks Mike! I am going to become an incandescent lightbulb smuggler!

We get drugs from Canada, and I will provide that… "Special warm glow that only comes from a Garth-distributed incandescent lightbulb. Tired of the harsh light from your government mandated fluorescent bulbs? Worry not, fellow North Americans. I can provide you with all your incandescent lighting needs at the fun and fast price of $35 (US) per bulb."
The ban appears to be on selling bulbs, not in using them. What is to stop Canadians from traveling to the United States, buying a few cases of incandescent bulbs, and bringing them home? Particularly since the majority of Canadians live less than 100 miles from the U.S. border. In that case, the ban could have little impact on GHG emissions, as the added car trips would offset the reduction in emissions from coal based electricity production.

Comments

May 1, 2007 at 9:10 pm
(1) dean says:

why the hell would you leave the country to get lightbulbs?

if hydro one wants us to be inconvenienced, so they can sell our surplus electricity to the states, they can kiss my ass. im gonna open a stand in front of the mall when I get off school. and Im gonna put lights all over it.

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