Sales of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) have slowed, and a product manager in the Department of Energy's Energy Star program wants the government to do something about it. According to an item today on The New York Times' blog "Green Inc.", Richard Karney, Energy Star products manager, said in a letter to industry stakeholders that national sales of the bulbs have declined 25 percent from their peak in 2007 and shipments of CFLs are down 49 percent in 2009 from 2007 levels.
“These numbers paint a troubling picture,” Mr. Karney stated. “In these tough economic times, C.F.L. programs are especially important in getting consumers past the first cost barrier that often prevent the adoption of energy efficient products.”