Tell GE To Make Fluorescent Bulbs In America

Why is it that every time I turn around there is a corporation trying to screw consumers or its employees or both? Take General Electric for example. They are one of many companies "going green" but at the expense of their workers. As you may know, compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFL for short) cost a lot more than regular bulbs but last longer and reduce energy consumption. Well GE isn't satisfied with simply switching to CFLs, they're going to import a cheaper version from China and get this, get their employees to sign a pledge to go green, eliminating their jobs in the process.

From the CWA:

The growth of “environmentally sustainable technology” was supposed to be a breakthrough on par with the discovery of incandescent bulbs. Green manufacturing was supposed to stimulate our economy, not lead to further deindustrialization. Cutting-edge products like the CFLs should lead to more jobs and profits. GE is making the profits … but it is sending the jobs to China, a country known for exploiting workers and polluting the environment.

GE supported a European Commission ban on Chinese-made CFLs … so CFLs bought in Europe are manufactured in Europe. But GE is refusing to invest in advanced technology for its U.S. plants so workers here can have a future too.

Please join with us, the workers at GE lighting, to ask GE to manufacture green in U.S. plants, so we all can benefit. We shouldn’t have to choose between a clean environment or a pink slip for American workers. Sign our petition today.

Now that is a petition I can sign...and so should you.

ConEd Has A Bright Idea

I am definitely not talking about the upcoming rate hike, those are never fun. Their bright idea is rather simple and makes complete sense. The idea begs the question, how many ConEd contracted businesses does it take to install millions of energy efficient lightbulbs across the city....all without charging customers a dime?

From AM New York:

In a new citywide initiative, Con Edison is teaming up with electrical companies to install free, energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs in residential homes. Con Ed pays the smaller companies to install the bulbs, avoiding out-of-pocket expenses for the consumer. But Con Ed also saves money because the bulbs use less electricity, lessening the need to construct power plants or upgrade existing ones. And as more customers switch to the bulbs, the risk of blackouts during times of peak demand will also decrease.

All parties involved say it's a win-win situation.

"There is such a thing as something for free in New York City," Councilman Vincent Ignizio (R-Staten Island) said yesterday at a news conference at a participating home in his district, the Woodrow section of Staten Island.

All you have to do is contact Con Ed to find out what businesses are providing the service in your area. How simple is that? This really is a win-win for everyone.