Nanny State Rising

Energy-guzzling plasma TVs will be banned in Brussels eco blitz

The plasma screen television is poised to become the next victim of the battle to curb energy use legitimize and perpetuate al-Gore's Hoax.

Giant energy-guzzling flatscreens are expected to be banned under legislation due to be agreed by the EU this spring.

Plasma screens have been nicknamed the '4x4s' of the living room because they use up to four times as much electricity and are responsible for up to four times as much carbon dioxide as traditional cathode ray tube sets.

The most energy intensive will be phased out under the new EU standards for minimum energy performance, which will follow the voluntary withdrawal of the traditional 100watt light bulb.

The remaining TVs of all types will have to carry energy rating labels designed to make it easy to distinguish between the best and worst performers.

LCD flat screen TVs are much more energy efficient than their plasma cousins so are unlikely to be banned.

That is, until some nitwit deems otherwise.

A 42in LCD TV uses similar amounts of energy to a much smaller traditional set.

A spokesman for the Department-for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the plasma TV would not be banned completely, with eco-friendly sets remaining on the market.

The moves are part of an effort to tackle climate change by stemming the spiralling electricity consumption in households.

It involves phasing out wasteful devices and introducing low-energy alternatives.

Families have nearly three times as many electrical appliances and gadgets as a generation ago and the amount of electricity used to power them has doubled.

Today Britain has 60million television sets - one for every person in the country.

Plasma screens, which are common in pubs and supermarkets, as well as in homes, are among the most popular buys.

A Defra spokesman said that in the past five years the main TV in many households has changed from being a 24-32in cathode ray model to a 32-42 flatscreen TV.

Busy doing some housecleaning, Carol M. Browner was unavailable for comment.

Via The Daily Mail