Gerry Brownlee MP
National Party Energy Spokesman

23 October 2008

New homes targeted in light-bulb push

National Party Energy spokesman Gerry Brownlee says not only are Labour spending $3.5 million promoting the looming light-bulb ban, but they also plan to tell us how many lights we should have.

“Electricity Commission documents criticise the installation of recessed down-lighting in new homes as a ‘paint by numbers’ approach. So not only is Labour going to tell us what light bulbs we can use, but also how many we should have.” (**Pg 13 Attached RFP)

Mr Brownlee is commenting after the release of a Request for Proposal (RFP) document issued by the Electricity Commission, which states its purpose is ‘to select one or more parties whom the Electricity Commission may engage to promote the uptake of efficient lighting technologies’.

The proposal says the key areas of action are eliminating incandescent, halogen and fluorescent lighting.

“Quoting ‘misrepresentations and misconceptions in the market’, the Electricity Commission says it plans to ‘educate the market’ and give the impression of ‘independence… to increase the credibility and acceptance’ of information in the market.

“Labour clearly hasn’t listened to the public outcry over the light-bulb ban, and now they’re going to spend $3.5 million telling New Zealanders all about it.

“All New Zealanders pay for the Electricity Commission’s work. In tough economic times Kiwi bill payers will be questioning Labour’s priorities."

Mr Brownlee says it’s very clear what a vote for Labour in the upcoming election means.

"It’s a vote for a nanny-state government spending your taxes to tell you what light bulbs to use, how much water can flow through your shower head, and how big your hot water cylinder can be.”

Mr Brownlee says National will overturn the ban on conventional light bulbs.

Ends

Attached: RFP –Efficient Lighting Programme – 15 pages [PDF].

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