Yup, I've seen the same thing wherever I go in the west, even in some "Green" homes by a couple of builders... I think there may be an easy answer. I had some work done on our business a few weeks ago, plumbers, electricians, the works and it all came down to what's in the truck. I saw the electricians putting bulbs into all our high-reflective ceiling cans. Hey, we want to put CFL's in, I told him and here's what he said. "Well, these bulbs have better color and besides, we get a great deal on them. When they burn out, replace them with CFL's and get a credit." A fact I had not thought about but they want the best possible look and they get a great deal on the things. CFL's do have much better light now, so that's out, but the money thing, well, a contractor's got to build that into their cost. Contractors don't have a lot of time to manage every little detail, so they trust their 'subs' to do the right thing. I think it's got to start at the electricians and that means a change in their attitude toward the thing they have ultimate control over...electricity. Now they just do what they're told, but imagine electricians that created value by helping you have the best customer experience. Know any "Green Electricians"? Neither do I.

Hmmm, sounds like a great opportunity to me!