Charging You for Light Bulbs You Don't Want

FirstEnergy in Ohio is promoting a compact florescent lightbulb "giveaway" which is no bargain:

FirstEnergy Corp. is getting ready to leave two high-efficiency light bulbs on your doorstep. But they're not a gift.

The utility will charge average users 60 cents a month extra on their electric bills for the next three years — $21.60 all together. That covers the cost of the bulbs ($3.50 each), their delivery and the delivery of the power consumers would have used if they didn't have them.

The good news: These compact fluorescent bulbs will reduce your electricity use. If you replace two 100-watt incandescent bulbs with these 23-watt, warm-white CFLs, you'll save $60 by the time they burn out in five to seven years, according to FirstEnergy.

And you'll pay for the bulbs whether you use them or not, so it makes sense to use them.

If you really wanted the bulbs you could buy a five-pack from Ace Hardware for $13.99. This program is a rip-off. FirstEnergy has found a way to increase their profits by forcing purchases on people.

And will FirstEnergy clean up the hazardous toxic waste should any of these bulbs be broken during the delivery process?