Banning incandescent bulbs a bright idea, Ontario says

Ontario is impressed byAustralia's decision to ban old-fashioned incandescent bulbs.

The province is in the midst of drawing up plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions and Environment Minister Laurel Broten says the government hasn't ruled out following in Australia's footsteps.

She said banning incandescent bulbs is just one of many great ideas being put forward.

Australia announced Tuesday it will ban incandescent light bulbs in three years, estimating the move to fluorescent bulbs will cut 800,000 tonnes from the country's current emissions levels by 2012.

Premier Dalton McGuinty says replacing older energy-draining bulbs across the province with more efficient ones could help Ontario shut down its coal-fired power plants.

Among Canadian groups pushing for a move to fluorescent bulbs is thenot-for-profitorganization One Change in Ottawa.

The group has the backing of Hydro Ottawa and has replaced 250,000 bulbs in Ottawa. Similar campaigns are underway in Whitehorse, Guelph and Thunder Bay.