Last time I checked, provinces such as Manitoba and Quebec, with their low production costs, and excess capacity sell as much of their electricity as they can. That would imply that every little bit that does not go to light up an incandescent light will be exported to somewhere that likely has a high reliance on fossil fuels and the like for electricity production. Hence that argument about where your electricity comes from pretty much goes out the windows.

Hydropower is not emissions-free. Water impoundments are populated by bacteria that produce methane. This methane is released when the water undergoes a significant reduction in pressure, which occurs as the water is released from the impoundment. There are researchers trying to figure out how to capture the methane for productive use. This shouldn't take more than a few years, but as of right now hydropower contributes to greenhouse gases.

The bottom line is the cost. Since CFLs and LEDs use less energy for the same amount of light, it costs less than incandescent because less energy is used. No need to look further.

Has anyone ever done a comparison of total cost of the various lighting options? Manufacturing costs and resources required for production, energy consumed during the life of the light, and recycling/disposal at end of life?

I'm a big fan of "zonal" heating, but, in the winter my house still needs some general heating, which is one reason why I switch to incandescents in many areas, in the winter. So far as I can tell, virtually none of the incandescent watts are "wasted". They are also much safer than electric space heaters (although I use those as well.) Additionally (I should really go back and check in on the Rako discussion) I still find modern FL fixtures and bulbs (including CFL's), which I use more than anything else, in general much less reliable and durable than claimed. That greatly raises costs, exacerbates disposal issues, and so on.

Incandescent bulbs are not designed to deliver heat efficiently into living spaces. Although they are often used for that purpose, for example, to keep pipes from freezing, that's because of ease and availability, NOT efficiency. Heat tape would be a much more energy-efficient solution. Likewise, incandescent light in the ceiling (where much light is located) is a POOR substitute for electric baseboard heat with diffusing fins. Couple that with the transferrability of electric power, and the high efficiency of point-of-use gas residential gas furnaces, and the argument seems pretty far-fetched.

Incidentally, correct about heat tape, but I use heat tape on "remote" pipes, a light bulb to help make sure the well pump and pressure tank don't freeze up if unused on a cold night.

I'd disagree w/ David about the efficiency, in some situations. Many, many rooms are lit entirely by table or floor lamps. Hotel and motel rooms being one example, my parents' living room being another. Many other people are strong on track lighting. Nice, diffuse radiation heating (heats the people, not just the air, you know!) When it comes to my own house, well, a watt that heats up the living space is a watt that heats up the living space. Now, if part of the heat goes somewhere else, or convects warm air into the attic, that's a different story. But, in my house, 1st floor incandescents' heat all ends up either on the 1st floor, or the 2nd floor. (100% efficiency.) The fixtures in the 2nd floor ceiling all get CFL's year-round (even if they don't hold up as well as advertised, they are still cost efficient, there.) I've even once taken a dead 4 ft. fluorescent fixture and turned it into a reflector for a string of long-life incandescents: Wonderful overhead light / heat lamp in the shop, in the winter. (Granted, to replace a bulb, I have to grab the soldering gun, but, what day do I not grab the soldering gun?) I guess I should make another: I have a whole stack of dead FL fixtures to work with. (This post was supposed to be 1st, but apparently did not go through the 1st time.)

CFLs may be more efficient, but I hate to see an outright ban on incandescents. There are many applications for incandescents: heater lights for reptiles and terrariums, lights in ovens, special effect lighting for chandeliers, special lighting for museums, theaters, etc., etc. There are probably many niche applications that I can't even think of here. What are people going to do if they can't get incancdescents for these purposes?

I have had at least 3 (out of a dozen) CFL’s die in the last couple of years. The claim is that they should last several years, or much longer than incandescents. I heard claims that they should be recycled properly due to mercury content. Who is going to do that? I heard that CFL light is not that good for our eyes, any truth to that? I tried to use CFL’s in lamps –outdoor- with photo sensors and dimmers, but they won’t work. If I want to use CFL’s with photo sensors or dimmer I must also buy new lamps. More waste to the dump.