Minnesota Representative Bachmann tired of being oppressed by light bulbs...

Wow. Just wow. The Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act.

Coming soon: a Freedom to Choose Lead Paint Bill.

Sheesh.

Bachmann bill would reverse phase-in of energy-efficient bulbs

Mar 26, 2008 6:58 PM (20 hrs ago) By FREDERIC J. FROMMER, AP

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Rep. Michele Bachmann wants to put the brake on a national conversion from conventional incandescent light bulbs to energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs.

Bachmann, a Minnesota Republican, has sponsored the "Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act," which would repeal the national phase-out of the old bulbs.

"This is about freedom, this is about consumer rights," she said.
President Bush signed an energy bill last December that mandates phasing in energy-saving light bulbs starting in 2012.

Under Bachmann's legislation, the phase-out would be repealed unless Congress' Government Accountability Office can demonstrate that it would lead to real savings in energy costs, lead to significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and not cause a health risk to people.

Bachmann said she's concerned that the mercury content in fluorescent light bulbs could pose a danger.

"The least government can do if they are going to ban the household light bulb is provide evidence to back up their claims that there's some long-term benefit," she said. "Congress should not be in the business of promoting fads and Congress should always be in the business of watching out for the health, safety and budget bottom line of the American family."

The rest of the story can be found HERE.
Read the Star Tribune article HERE.
The original post was found via Rob Cockerham's cockeyed.com.

If you would like to reach Representative Michele Marie Amble Bachmann from Minnesota's 6th congressional district, you can contact her at the following locations:

Website
http://bachmann.house.gov/

Email
http://bachmann.house.gov/Email/

Washington Office
412 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2331
Fax: (202) 225-6475

Woodbury Office
6043 Hudson Rd, Suite 330 Woodbury, MN 55125
Phone: 651-731-5400
Fax: 651-731-6650

St. Cloud/Waite Park Office
110 2nd Street S, Suite 232 Waite Park, MN 56387
Phone: 320-253-5931
Fax: 320-240-6905

It might be a green collar, but I still wouldn't pop it...

What do the following have in common?

-Bicycle repair and bike delivery services
-Car and truck mechanic jobs, production jobs, and gas-station jobs related to biodiesel
-Energy retrofits to increase energy efficiency and conservation
-Green building
-Green waste composting on a large scale
-Hauling and reuse of construction materials and debris (C&D)
-Hazardous materials clean-up
-Landscaping
-Manufacturing jobs related to large scale production of appropriate technologies (i.e. solar panels, bike cargo systems, green waste bins, etc.)
-Materials reuse
-Non-toxic household cleaning in residential and commercial buildings
-Parks and open space expansion and maintenance
-Printing with non-toxic inks and dyes
-Public transit jobs related to driving, maintenance, and repair
-Recycling and reuse
-Small businesses producing products from recycled materials
-Solar installation
-Tree cutting and pruning
-Peri-urban and urban agriculture
-Water retrofits to increase water efficiency and conservation
-Whole home performance, including attic insulation, weatherization, etc.

They're new money!

The aforementioned jobs are just a small slice in a VAST growing section of green collar enterprise. The sustainable movement is attracting a whole new breed of worker, with various estimates reporting that green collar jobs could top 40M by 2030. CEO and founder, Mother Nature, was unavailable for comment.

And apparently --contrary to popular belief-- white and blue make green. This third sector is evolving into a growing market of labor AND tech, exhibiting DNA traits of both. Not to say that the job of your run-o-the-mill plumber is strictly blue collar. Lord knows I would flood my house in seconds flat if I were faced with a leaky garbage disposal. Additionally, traditional plumbing parts and fixtures are becoming more and more complex. So please don't think that I mean that with any disrespect. But the tech and labor green collar combo is so important because the market has never trended faster. General construction is now awash in a sea of green, so much so that even architects are running out ways to categorize information. Who will act as interpreter?

Washington DC is on the right track. Not only do they understand the need for growth, but they're keeping it local.

Their apprentice programs are training workers > Trained workers beautify the city > Pretty cities spur investment > Investment brings more work to trained workers.

There's the inner-city.
There's the unions.
There's Oakland.
There's the Bronx.

New Orleans, I'm looking at you.

From the DC website:

The community and economic benefits of Green Collar Job Training and job placement are many. Our apprenticeship programs:

-Provide employment opportunities to under-served urban populations;

-Build clean and green communities and prioritize the need for green collar jobs in urban centers;

-Teach fundamental, marketable skills in an interactive, hands-on, inquiry-based manner that makes learning easy and fun;

-Nurture confidence, social skills, and a healthy respect for environmental stewardship;

-Support businesses in improving products and services through customized horticultural enhancements and cost-saving techniques;

-Assist green job placement through partnerships with local businesses, regional green employers, and employment services agencies;

-Form viable partnerships with job-readiness, job placement, AmeriCorps, Youth Opportunity, Project Empowerment, and other workforce development programs;

-and Supply needed services and beautification to local sites utilized in our training courses.

I drink to support the environment...

Waters Winery in Walla Walla, Washington (say that five times fast) has just opened a $2 million bottle of goodness with their 5000 square foot winemaking facility and tasting room. Designed by Seattle's Boxwood Architects, the facility utilizes day lighting, insulation and a whole heap of recycled materials.


Just like the age-old tradition of winemaking, the building is wonderful in it's simplicity. It went back to the basics of construction, using simple methods to reduce heating and cooling loads by relying on sun-insulated concrete. The 80% recycled steel structure surrounding the 17" thick walls is left exposed, thus utilizing the available space. Huge linear skylights also flood the fermentation room, reducing the winery's electric bill by 60%.

Waters Winery Founder Jason Huntley (also Founder and Managing Partner of Huntley Thatcher Ellsworth, Ltd.) is banking on this venture to set him apart, considering Walla Walla has 100+ wineries throughout the area.

Boxwood Architects isn't exactly new to the vino game. They've also designed wineries for August Cellars, Brian Carter Winery, Carlton Winemakers' Studio, Carlton Winemakers' Studio II, Col Solare Winery, Distefano Winery LTD, Dundee Winery, Hightower Cellars, Nicholas Cole Cellars, Reynvaan Winery, Stillwater Creek Vineyard Visitor's Center, Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center, and Washington Wine Company.

Hell, if you're going to specialize in an area of architecture, grape facilities sounds like a heck of a lot more fun than corporate commercial.

From their website:

BOXWOOD'S APPROACH TO WINERY DESIGN is based on an inclusive process that features teamwork, strong listening skills, and collaboration. This process involves establishing a clear direction and vision during the initial stages of programming, conceptual layout, preliminary cost estimating, and project scheduling. We are committed to the exploration of alternatives combined with structured decision making, so that project participants become engaged in collaborative problem solving rather than vested in opposing solutions. We recognize that wine industry projects are often driven by tight budget and schedule parameters, and require a proven project approach, as well as effective management to be successful. A combination of setting appropriate goals, bringing the right people together for input on specific project issues, correctly sequencing project milestones, and persisting with patience and enthusiasm is critical to achieving finished solutions on time and within budget.

Boxwood's role is to help raise issues, coordinate the process, document our conclusions, facilitate discussion throughout the team, and eliminate guesswork.


What's more is that that Waters Winery is also a member of the Walla Walla Valley Vinea, a sustainable trust dedicated to responsible winemaking.

From their website:

The Winegrowers Sustainable Trust: Is a voluntary group of winegrowers that have embraced a covenant with environmental, economic and social sustainability concurrent with their production of grapes and wine.

Sustainable Wine Growing: Is a holistic system of recognized cultural production methodologies that employ environmentally-friendly and socially responsible viticultural practices that respect the land, conserve natural resources, support biodiversity, exercise responsible relationships with workers, neighbors and the community and provide continuing economic and biological vineyard viability.

Mission: To develop and implement a sustainable vineyard management program, synonymous with the Walla Walla Valley, internationally recognized for its strict environmental standards and high quality farming practices.