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Lightbulbs, old and new Fiona Hanson/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Energy efficiency can create jobs

A European Commission ban on 60 watt light bulbs came into effect today, as we’re told we must make ourselves 20 per cent more energy efficient by 2020.

IRELAND IMPORTS OVER 80 per cent of what we consume in energy – if we can reduce that, we will grow the economy and create jobs.

That’s the message from a panel of experts attending a conference on energy efficiency and job creation, hosted by the European Commission in Ireland.

It comes on the day 60 watt light bulbs are phased out across the EU, to be replaced by more efficient alternatives.

The EC says European families can cut CO2 emissions by 15 million tonnes a year if they change all the light bulbs in their homes – that’s the equivalent of taking seven million cars off the road.

The conference is being held to discuss plans to realise an EU agreement making member states 20 per cent more energy efficient than they were in 2005, by 2020.

Speaking at the Conference in Dundalk today, Energy and Natural Resources Minister, Pat Rabbitte, said energy efficiency was an area that can contribute to economic growth through new jobs and investment.

The Minister said “Energy efficiency is an area of increasing investment and innovation in Ireland.”

Barbara Nolan, Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, said any plan to tackle the amount of energy we import will have to include renovating homes and buildings and harnessing smart technologies.

MEP Mairead McGuinness and TV’s Duncan Stewart were among those in attendance at the conference.

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14 Comments
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    Mute William McGrath
    Favourite William McGrath
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    Sep 1st 2011, 6:37 PM

    The government is wearing the Green Party’s clothes now.

    It’s stupid that an island like ours with so much wind, wave and tidal potential imports so much energy. Don’t forget solar. Many parts of Ireland has the same solar energy Wpm/sq as Germany. Germany is one of Europes largest solar users, and it’s biggest manufacturer.

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    Mute Toast Rack
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    Sep 1st 2011, 6:12 PM

    Duncan! Nuff said…

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    Mute Oil Foster
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    Sep 1st 2011, 6:32 PM

    Duncan, biggest benefactor of the green hype crap.

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    Mute Green Aware IRE
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    Sep 1st 2011, 9:09 PM

    We can improve our technology, we can up grade our homes and businesses but "if we don’t change our attitude and behavior" we will never reach our goal…

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    Mute Oil Foster
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    Sep 1st 2011, 9:46 PM

    Our goal…… which is what? Self sufficient in energy? Start pumping all that natural gas that’s available? Wind energy? Too expensive and unreliable. Wave? Unproven and not yet scalable.
    Solar, on this country?

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    Mute Ian Goode
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    Sep 1st 2011, 11:39 PM

    The goal is 16% of our energy from renewable sources, it’s a mandatory EU directive that was issued a couple of years ago.

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    Mute Eggfuel
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    Sep 1st 2011, 11:41 PM

    ENTERPRISE IRELAND was presented with a business plan to put .5% of Irish commercial vehicles on an Irish made fuel and reduce imports and create 8000 jobs directly.. They said it wasn’t innovative and wouldn’t create jobs..
    This technology is europes fastest growing alternative transport fuel with over 10 million vehicles on roads. Not one in Ireland…
    It’s not the lack of money in ireland but the lack of thinking in the giants that are supposed to create jobs…
    They are pathetic and just spend money on admin that is meant to be spent on projects…..
    Morons on the front line saying
    "it’s more then my jobs worth to take a risk on that"

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    Mute Bertie SirCastic
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    Sep 1st 2011, 6:39 PM

    "Energy and natural resources Minister, Pat Rabbitte" ..NUFF SAID!

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    Mute Na Fulacht Fia Moore
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    Sep 1st 2011, 6:23 PM

    Is it covered by homebond or local authority grants still ?? + I always thought that it was a green party policy anyway ??

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    Mute Aidan O'Neill
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    Sep 1st 2011, 10:04 PM

    I don’t see how cutting energy usage creates jobs; there is a causal link with high energy prices and lower economic activity.

    The link between lower energy usage and stimulating the labour Market is decidedly tenuous.

    Unless this relate back to before the industrial revolution when truly low fossil fuel use generated an enormous demand for labour….

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    Mute Peter Dublin
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    Feb 10th 2012, 9:31 PM

    There is also a summary of referenced reasons why the light bulb ban arguments don’t hold up,
    on Freedom Light Bulb
    http://freedomlightbulb.blogspot.com/p/deception-behind-banning-light-bulbs.html
    (with similar arguments against other energy saving product regulations, particularly electric appliances)

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    Mute Peter Dublin
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    Feb 10th 2012, 9:27 PM

    The sheer idiocy of energy efficiency regulations in general – yes, including to effectively save energy -
    and the light bulb ban in particular, is extensively covered on the Irish site http://Ceolas.net
    Buildings, cars, washing machines, light bulbs etc

    No-one welcomes the wasting of energy.
    But the personal choice of what product to use, as with light bulbs, is hardly a waste, compared to for example leaving lights (or other appliances) on unnecessarily.
    The EU standards will as seen effectively come to ban incandescent technology for ordinary lamps – including touted halogens, by 2016.

    Light bulbs don’t burn coal or release CO2 gas.
    Power plants might.
    The society savings from a light bulb switchover are much hyped up and actually amount to a fraction of 1% of US/EU energy use, as seen from US and EU stats and surveys, referenced, on http://www.ceolas.net/#li171x
    with more appropriate electricity generation, grid distribution and alternative consumption measures, as described.

    If there is a problem, deal with the problem
    - rather than to deliver big profits for lobbying light bulb manufacturers for products they could not otherwise sell.
    Anyone who doubts the industrial politics behind this can see the referenced Ceolas site linked above.
    Of course, it is already odd to see manufacturers welcome the ban:
    Why welcome being told what you can or can’t make? ;-)

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    Mute Ian Goode
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    Sep 1st 2011, 11:41 PM

    Sorry, that’s by 2020, forget to mention the deadline!

    Overall EU goal is to reach 20%.

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