Venezuela Switches to CFL Light Bulbs [President Hugo Chavez Orders Military To Change All Lights to CFL]

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Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has ordered the Venezuelan military and a corp of volunteers to change every incandescent light bulb in the country to a newer, energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulb.  This order comes amidst the worst energy crisis Venezuela has seen in nearly 50 years, and joins other efforts to scale back the South American country’s energy use.

Per capita, Venezuelans use more energy than any other South American country by a wide margin.  Venezuelan citizens have heretofore enjoyed a surplus of energy thanks to a booming oil industry, but now face long and difficult energy crisis.  To help reduce the nation’s energy use, President Chavez ordered the army to go door to door, giving free CFL bulbs to consumers throughout the country.  Venezuelan citizens are also getting a dose of education as a result of the act, as the firsthand savings on electric bills show consumers the impact of conservation and green practices.

There are some opponents to Chavez’s plans to reduce energy consumption in Venezuela.  In addition to the switch to CFL bulbs, Chavez has ordered electricity rationing, forced blackouts and fines for heavy consumers of electricity.  Some industrial players in the South American nation are protesting these restrictions, suggesting they will be bad for the Venezuelan economy.