The state of Oregon has passed a bill banning most CFLs; moving toward more energy-efficient ways of living. Here's what you need to know.
What's Going On With Oregon's Light Bulb Ban?
2023 has been an eventful year for lighting -- and of course, topping that chart is the ban on incandescent light bulbs from the US Department of Energy.
And now, the state of Oregon is taking the optimization of lighting one step further by banning the sale and distribution of most compact fluorescent light bulbs. This action will mitigate energy usage - but how will it effect the lives of Oregon's populous? Read on to find out.
Which Types of Fluorescent Bulbs Are Being Banned?
The bill has been split into two different movements and classifies the banned bulbs by their base type, and those are as follows:
- Part 1: Compact fluorescent light bulbs with a screw base or bayonet (twist and lock) base
These are the most common compact fluorescent light bulbs, and can appear in various residential applications like homes and restaurants.
- Part 2: Compact fluorescent bulbs with a 4-pin base or 2-pin base and linear fluorescent tubes
These types of bulbs are more special and can be found in more commercial and rugged applications like garages, warehouses and industrial buildings.
How About Exemptions?
As with most light bulb bans, there are always exemptions to the rule.
Certain kinds of special applications, like CFLs used for antiques, will stay on the market. Essentially, if an LED simply won't work in a designated application, the CFL will likely remain available.
You know, with all of this talk about rules and regulations, a saying is coming to mind... something like, "rules are made to be broken..."
Well, in this case, you'd be better off breaking your light bulbs, as the government is prepared to issue fines of up to $25,000 to any violators of this ban.
When is the Ban Happening?
As of the latter half of 2023, Oregon's government has passed the bill solidifying the dates for this ban, and those are as follows.
- January 1st, 2024:
Sale and distribution of screw base or bayonet (twist and lock) base compact fluorescents will be prohibited.
- January 1st, 2025:
Sale and distribution of pin base compact fluorescent lamps and linear fluorescent lamps will be prohibited.
What Other States Have Banned CFLs?
The Beaver State isn't the first of our nation to pass a bill limiting energy consumption through lighting. Oregon has been preceded in the banning of Compact Fluorescent Lamps by 6 other states of the U.S. -- those being California, Colorado, Hawaii, Vermont, Rhode Island and Maine.
What Should I Use Instead of CFLs?
As the world moves toward a more energy efficient means of living, certain types of traditional lights are becoming obsolete. This has been brought to the forefront of everyone's mind with the recent banning of most incandescent light bulbs in the United States by the DOE.
Thankfully, with this obsolescence comes opportunity for new technology, and that's where LEDs come into the picture. LEDs make great replacements for both incandescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs. You can use an LED light bulb in just about any way you'd use a traditional CFL.
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Thanks for reading! If you're not from Oregon, I hope you enjoyed the information anyway...
And if you are from Oregon... well, best of luck. ;)
