If you watch energy news for any length of time, you’ll see members of Congress proposing new energy standards for this or that appliance. Why are they doing this? Simple: Because the efficiencies won’t pay for themselves on energy savings. The only way to get a sale for a product that is more expensive but not much better is to have the government compel people to buy it.
For instance, Dollar Tree sells cheap 100-watt light bulbs for $1 per four-pack, or 25 cents a bulb. (If you’re going to Wal-Mart, you’re paying way too much.) The bulb will last around 800 hours and will consume between $8 and $10 worth of electricity depending on your local power prices. Total cost for 800 hours of bright light is $8.25. Suppose somebody made a bulb for a dollar that gave the same amount of light, lasted 7,000 hours, and burned only $2 worth of electricity. Would the government have to order you to use this bulb? Or wouldn’t you have sense enough to buy them yourself?
When you see this or that member of Congress proposing new energy standards for electrical devices, you should ask who is benefitting. It is all but certain not to be you. I’m not an anarchist and not really even a libertarian, but the government would be wise to leave free people alone to make economic decisions for themselves.
otherbrothersteve@gmail.com
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