Sanity in New Zealand?

Government may overturn lightbulb phase out

The Government is considering overturning a ban on incandescent lightbulbs.

In June, the Labour-led Government announced it would phase out the old-style lightbulbs from October 2009, when new energy efficiency standards were due to be introduced.

Prime Minister John Key said it is unlikely his Government will adopt those standards.

"We have real concerns about telling people they have to move to energy efficient light bulbs by decree.

"We want to encourage people to do that, we think there may be benefits there for them to do it, but it should be a choice that they make as individual consumers"

Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee said the standards will be rewritten to accommodate the old style lightbulbs.