Comments on: Lighten our darkness http://blog.iea.org.uk/?p=1325 institute of economic affairs Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:42:56 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Ian Heath http://blog.iea.org.uk/?p=1325&cpage=1#comment-37322 Ian Heath Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:25:43 +0000 http://blog.iea.org.uk/?p=1325#comment-37322 I absolutely buy the author's views on the madness of this government regulation. However, I dispute his suggestion to reduce poverty by raising social security benefits rather than subsidising one part of their consumption. This would only be better if consumers could be relied upon to make the most sensible choices for themeselves. Sadly, this is very often not the case. Many would just waste the additional benefits on non-essential items and still not be able to afford the most basic essentials. Some sort of middle way has to be found that will protect the most vulnerable who do not have the good sense to protect themselves; selective food and fuel vouchers for example. I absolutely buy the author’s views on the madness of this government regulation. However, I dispute his suggestion to reduce poverty by raising social security benefits rather than subsidising one part of their consumption. This would only be better if consumers could be relied upon to make the most sensible choices for themeselves. Sadly, this is very often not the case. Many would just waste the additional benefits on non-essential items and still not be able to afford the most basic essentials. Some sort of middle way has to be found that will protect the most vulnerable who do not have the good sense to protect themselves; selective food and fuel vouchers for example.

]]> By: Richard Wellings http://blog.iea.org.uk/?p=1325&cpage=1#comment-36993 Richard Wellings Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:43:13 +0000 http://blog.iea.org.uk/?p=1325#comment-36993 Jonathan's comment about the light fittings reminds us of one reason why centralised, top-down decision making fails - because it lacks crucial place-specific knowledge. The whole light bulb fiasco has echoes of the Soviet Union, where vast quantities of low quality goods were produced whether consumers wanted them or not. Recently a council busybody was going door-to-door in my area offering free or subsidised cavity wall insulation, even though all the houses in the neighbourhood are Victorian and don't have cavity walls - yet another example of stupidity and waste in the name of environmentalism. Jonathan’s comment about the light fittings reminds us of one reason why centralised, top-down decision making fails – because it lacks crucial place-specific knowledge. The whole light bulb fiasco has echoes of the Soviet Union, where vast quantities of low quality goods were produced whether consumers wanted them or not.

Recently a council busybody was going door-to-door in my area offering free or subsidised cavity wall insulation, even though all the houses in the neighbourhood are Victorian and don’t have cavity walls – yet another example of stupidity and waste in the name of environmentalism.

]]> By: Jonathan Harris http://blog.iea.org.uk/?p=1325&cpage=1#comment-36986 Jonathan Harris Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:45:49 +0000 http://blog.iea.org.uk/?p=1325#comment-36986 I confess to having to let the bulbs lie idle in my cupboard, not because I still use the old tungsten bulbs, virtually all my lights were converted to the new energy saving variety already. The energy company supplied me with bayonet fitting light bulbs. The light fittings in my house are almost exclusively screw top fittings. I suspect I may not be alone with this. I agree that we do need the regulator to be focused on ensuring that energy companies are not abusing monopoly powers and are charging a fair market price for utilities to consumers. I confess to having to let the bulbs lie idle in my cupboard, not because I still use the old tungsten bulbs, virtually all my lights were converted to the new energy saving variety already. The energy company supplied me with bayonet fitting light bulbs. The light fittings in my house are almost exclusively screw top fittings. I suspect I may not be alone with this.

I agree that we do need the regulator to be focused on ensuring that energy companies are not abusing monopoly powers and are charging a fair market price for utilities to consumers.

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