Walk through a store or schools, and there's a chance the overhead lighting will come from long fluorescent tubes. Minnesota is taking steps to phase out those bulbs that experts say are harmful to the environment and human health.
In the spring legislative session, Minnesota became the latest state to ban the sale of fluorescent bulbs starting in 2025. The end date for more specialized bulbs is January 2026. Supporters of the ban say people already have a lot of safer LED options at their fingertips.
Eric Fowler, senior policy associate of buildings with Fresh Energy, said remaining fluorescent products still on the market pose hidden dangers.
"We're going to keep the market moving in the direction it's already going and transition away from these lights that, at this point, are unnecessarily hazardous, fragile glass tubes with toxic mercury," he explained.
Legislative researchers say despite recycling requirements for fluorescent products, they still end up accidentally broken or thrown away. That exposes custodial staff, waste workers and others to mercury, a well-known toxin that's especially harmful to pregnant people and children. Backers say the law change, passed with bipartisan support, also paves the way for more energy efficiency.
Josh McClenney, state policy associate for the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, has been tracking the passage of these laws around the country. He said while the LED bulb might be a more expensive purchase, businesses will find them to be valuable over time through energy bill savings.
"For the most common type of LED replacement, it's just about 11 cents more expensive and it pays itself back in less than a month," said McClenney.
Fresh Energy said switching from fluorescent to LED bulbs could save Minnesota close to 800 gigawatts of electricity in a year, avoiding 650,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
People who buy fluorescent bulbs before the state's end date will still be able to use them until they burn out.
-
Erin Bowman/KAXEA bipartisan appropriations bill included $10 million in federal funding toward Northland infrastructure projects, $1 million of which will fund Hib-WATER. -
Contributed/Chelsey PerkinsThe Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists highlights the best work from around the state. KAXE News reporting and photography won five awards at the 2026 Page One Awards ceremony. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe three-sport athlete and recent graduate made an impact through her positive attitude, hard work and leadership — whether her team was winning or losing. -
Events this week include a powwow in S. Lake, a gallery hop in Hibbing and a youth literacy event in Baxter. -
Contributed/Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach Facebook pageAnnual financial disclosure reports show that party affiliation in Minnesota is no predictor of wealth as both Democrats and GOPers report their assets and liabilities. -
Contributed/Gilbert Police DepartmentThe string of incidents was an uncommon run for the Iron Range city, which features a handful of locally owned shops and an active bar scene at night. -
Contributed/Minnesota Northwoods Writers ConferenceThe conference presents its Evening Reading Series on June 23-26, 2026, at Hagg-Sauer Hall on Bemidji State University campus. Readings are free and begin at 7 p.m. -
Maria Hileman/KAXEKAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Simon Cropp, Between Howls, Creekbed Carter Hogan, Bruce Archer, Aaron Tank, LaPlant Road and Landon Pahl. -
Plus: Hermantown opens another public comment period related to the proposed Google data center; and the sixth annual Juneteenth celebration is set for Friday in Virginia. -
Contributed/Dave McMillanDuring the week of June 16, 2026, we enjoy reports of sundews, damselflies, and Common Nighthawks. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds.
