Incandescent Light Bulb Ban

WHEREAS the Government of Canada announced in 2007 that it would introduce national standards by 2012 for lighting efficiency that would phase out incandescent light bulbs, and the Province of British Columbia has passed a law that prohibits retailers from ordering 75 and 100 watt incandescent bulbs once their current stock runs out and then must sell only compact fluorescent light CFL bulbs; with both initiatives intended to achieve environmental benefits; AND WHEREAS questions from communities seeking direction for environmentally and health-safe methods of disposal of used and broken compact fluorescent light bulbs have not been adequately answered; AND WHEREAS questions relative to the safety, efficiency and sustainability of compact fluorescent light bulbs compared to alternatives such as LED light emitting diode light bulbs have not been adequately answered; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM lobby both the provincial and federal governments to rescind their ban on the sale of incandescent light bulbs until a viable alternative is readily available, proper and convenient return facilities are available in every community and sufficient product testing and education of the public has taken place.