Bob Blick wrote:
>> I am guessing ( I may not be correct ) , that CFLs are
>> subsidized by the government.   Is this true in California
>> and New Zealand.  When people quote a price , I would
>> like to know what the actual cost to purchase would be
>> without the subsidy.  Somebody is paying that subsidy and
>> it may be moi !
>
> [...]It
> is not a government subsidy, it is a PG&E instant rebate.

It definitely *is* a form of government subsidy. Pacific Gas and Electric is 
a government regulated monopoly: the government must approve any rate 
increases, and the government forces PG&E to offer "rebates" to customers. I 
don't see it being substantially different from a direct tax.

To further illustrate the point, the government of California recently 
bailed out PG&E to the tune of $10B:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Gas_and_Electric_Company#Bankruptcy

Similar programs are in effect across the US.

TANSTAAFL.

Vitaliy 

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