Resistance to Change

Unfortunately industries must survive on their immediate profitability, not their concern for long range benefits. The result can be a stubborn resistance to do what is "right" for the long term. In order to effect global change consumers must be willing to support the efforts of those companies that are willing to go the "extra mile" with regard to the long term effects of their products. The following excerpt is from the Appliance Standard Awareness Project, more information can be obtained at: http://www.standardsasap.org/ballasts.htm

BALLASTS: WE WON!

"Manufacturers finally agreed to an upgrade for the fluorescent ballast standard in October 1999. Ballasts are components in every fluorescent light that adjust the incoming electricity to allow the lamp to work properly. About half of all ballasts currently sold use modern, energy saving electronic technology while the other half rely on energy wasting magnetic technology. The new standard, which becomes effective for most applications on April 1, 2005, will require all new ballasts to use electronic technology. Magnetic ballasts will remain available for repairing existing light fixtures through 2010. Most fluorescent lamps are used in office buildings, retails stores, warehouses and other commercial buildings.

The new standard will:

Reduce annual carbon emissions, the main greenhouse gas, by more than 3 million metric tons 2030.
Eliminate thousands of pounds of power plant emissions that contribute to smog, acid rain and other air pollution problems.
Save 13.7 billion kWh/yr by 2020, with a net benefit of $2.6 billion by 2030.

How did it happen?

Manufacturers only agreed to a new standard once it became apparent that the Department of Energy would upgrade the standard with or without their support. The Department of Energy issued its final standard in October 2000. Credit goes to former Energy Secretary Bill Richardson and his Assistant Secretary Dan Reicher and all the citizens, businesses and groups that encouraged them to stand firm.

http://www.standardsasap.org/stndsvgs.pdf A chart of the overall savings through product improvements published by the ASAP.