[MTP Reggie]

Government-subsidized green light bulb carries costly price tag
By Peter Whoriskey
Published: March 8
washingtonpost.com

<More Here>

The U.S. government last year announced a $10 million award, dubbed the “L Prize,” for any manufacturer that could create a “green” but affordable light bulb.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu said the prize would spur industry to offer the costly bulbs, known as LEDs, at prices “affordable for American families.” There was also a “Buy America” component. Portions of the bulb would have to be made in the United States.

Now the winning bulb is on the market.

The price is $50.

Retailers said the bulb, made by Philips, is likely to be too pricey to have broad appeal. Similar LED bulbs are less than half the cost.

“I don’t want to say it’s exorbitant, but if a customer is only looking at the price, they could come to that conclusion,” said Brad Paulsen, merchant for the light-bulb category at Home Depot, the largest U.S. seller of light bulbs. “This is a Cadillac product, and that’s why you have a premium on it.”

How the expensive bulb won a $10 million government prize meant to foster energy-efficient affordability is one of the curiosities that arise as the country undergoes a massive, mandated turnover from traditional incandescent lamps to more energy-
efficient ones.

Energy legislation signed by President George W. Bush in 2007 introduced a ban on inefficient incandescent light bulbs, covering traditional 100-watt bulbs this year. Sales of traditional 75-watt incandescents will be prohibited next year, and 60-watt incandescents will go after that.

When replacing a bulb, consumers must now go out and buy energy-efficient incandescent, compact fluorescent and LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs, in a compulsory transition that has prompted some conservatives to characterize the law as an unfair burden on consumers and an “issue of freedom,” as Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) put it.

The L Prize was meant to ease this transition by enticing manufacturers to create affordable bulbs to replace the most common type, the traditional 60-watt.

A Philips spokesman declined to talk in detail about the bulb or its price because the product has yet to be formally launched. It is expected to hit stores within weeks and is available online. But the spokesman said the L Prize bulb costs more because, as the contest required, it is even more energy-efficient, running on 10 watts instead of 12.5 watts. It is also brighter, renders colors better and lasts longer.

Still, the contest set price goals. According to the L Prize guidelines, manufacturers were “strong­ly encouraged to offer products at prices that prove cost-effective and attractive to buyers, and therefore more successful in the market.” The target retail price, including rebates from utilities, was to be $22 in the first year, $15 in the second year and $8 in the third year.

(snip)

<More Here>

[horseman]

A couple of local stores have been selling 100, 75 and 60 watt bulbs really cheaply. I guess they're trying to get rid of them. And I have been buying bunches of them.

[Wyn]

We have half the country too poor to pay any taxes, yet Barry Hussein thinks these same people are going to pay $50 for a light bulb?

The lights are on at Barry's house, but nobody's home.

[natural_selection]

MTP Reggie, on 09 March 2012 - 08:29 AM, said:

The L Prize was meant to ease this transition by enticing manufacturers to create affordable bulbs to replace the most common type, the traditional 60-watt.

Flawed logic.

The only enticement that manufacturers need to develop a product in our free market system is the belief that demand will be high enough to make a profit. Offering the L Prize does not change the equation. It only offers manufacturers a short-time goal for a one-time profit. After the prize is awarded the fact remains that the demand at that price point is not high enough to make a profit.

The free market naturally rewards a "better mousetrap". There is no need to waste tax dollars on $50 light bulbs.

[MTP Reggie]

natural_selection, on 09 March 2012 - 10:07 AM, said:

Flawed logic.

The only enticement that manufacturers need to develop a product in our free market system is the belief that demand will be high enough to make a profit. Offering the L Prize does not change the equation. It only offers manufacturers a short-time goal for a one-time profit. After the prize is awarded the fact remains that the demand at that price point is not high enough to make a profit.

The free market naturally rewards a "better mousetrap". There is no need to waste tax dollars on $50 light bulbs.

Racist.

[natural_selection]

MTP Reggie, on 09 March 2012 - 10:08 AM, said:

Racist.

This whole racism thing is more complicated than I thought...

I'm going to immediately correct the situation by buying a $50 light bulb and putting the included bumper sticker on my car.

Thanks, brother, for catching me when I stumbled and pulling me back onto the shining path.

[bikerken]

I will NEVER pay 50 bucks for a freakin light bulb. I'm much too bright for that. I already have a stockpile of regular bulbs that will last me for several years. I think we ought to come up with a new nickname for these 50 dollar bulbs though, how bout the "Volt"?

These bulbs are so cliche in the way that they represent what happens when government tries to insert itself into the market to change peoples behaviour. They ALWAYS muck it up. My advice to uncle sam, leave brilliance to the brilliant.

[De Oppresso Liber]

natural_selection, on 09 March 2012 - 10:52 AM, said:

This whole racism thing is more complicated than I thought...

I'm going to immediately correct the situation by buying a $50 light bulb and putting the included bumper sticker on my car.

Thanks, brother, for catching me when I stumbled and pulling me back onto the shining path.

Sexist

[Mr. E. Monkey]

De Oppresso Liber, on 09 March 2012 - 01:53 PM, said:

Sexist

I'm sorry you were offended by that, sister.

[MTP Reggie]

Mr. E. Monkey, on 09 March 2012 - 03:22 PM, said:

I'm sorry you were offended by that, sister.

Pervert. Put your tongue back in your mouth.

[Mr. E. Monkey]

MTP Reggie, on 09 March 2012 - 03:24 PM, said:

Pervert.

Dominionist. Quit pushing your social conservatisim on me, you tyrannical puritan!

[MTP Reggie]

Mr. E. Monkey, on 09 March 2012 - 04:07 PM, said:

Dominionist. Quit pushing your social conservatisim on me, you tyrannical puritan!

I'll have you know my ankles are NOT fat.

[Mr. E. Monkey]

MTP Reggie, on 09 March 2012 - 04:11 PM, said:

I'll have you know my ankles are NOT fat.

Oh, so you're a faker, too.

[Taggart Transcontinental]

Quote

Two other manufacturers, General Electric and Lighting Science Group, announced last year that they were developing entrants to the competition. But before they could submit, the prize was awarded and the competition closed.

This is illegal by the way, when creating government contracts like this you have to allow for other entrants to make their play. This looks like a payout to a Obama stooge.

[Hieronymous]

bikerken, on 09 March 2012 - 12:44 PM, said:

I will NEVER pay 50 bucks for a freakin light bulb. I'm much too bright for that. I already have a stockpile of regular bulbs that will last me for several years. I think we ought to come up with a new nickname for these 50 dollar bulbs though, how bout the "Volt"?

These bulbs are so cliche in the way that they represent what happens when government tries to insert itself into the market to change peoples behaviour. They ALWAYS muck it up. My advice to uncle sam, leave brilliance to the brilliant.

I see what you did there.

[De Oppresso Liber]

Mr. E. Monkey, on 09 March 2012 - 03:22 PM, said:

I'm sorry you were offended by that, sister.

Its a darn good thing that none of us know what oppression is...

[Mr. E. Monkey]

De Oppresso Liber, on 12 March 2012 - 12:44 PM, said:

Its a darn good thing that none of us know what oppression is...

FYI - you're not qualified to make that determination. Full stop.

[De Oppresso Liber]

Mr. E. Monkey, on 12 March 2012 - 01:54 PM, said:

FYI - you're not qualified to make that determination. Full stop.

I think I am being repressed...

[Mr. E. Monkey]

De Oppresso Liber, on 12 March 2012 - 01:58 PM, said:

I think I am being repressed...

What is your favorite colour?