That will probably be all undone as a condition to EU membership (which I think is inevitable at this point).

I don't understand why this "it has not been proven whether higher manufacturing energy costs kept the new lighting from offering a net gain" argument has any traction.

It's simple economics: Energy costs money and nobody in the manufacturing supply chain is going to provide free energy. So assuming everyone is making a profit (or breaking even at least) then the price the consumer pays must cover the cost of the energy used in manufacture and transport.

So if the end consumer realizes a net saving at the end of the product's life then then it's a genuine net gain.

(I am assuming here that energy prices are in the same ball park the world over and have the same fossil fuel vs renewable ratio: a crude assumption but I think sufficient for this argument).

Computers are tools to solve problems. From my experience, those who use them as such, know how to use them best.

Degrees in using computers are like degrees in using hammers...