Legislation + Regulation

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently unveiled a new Lighting Action Plan, which outlines four policy goals for lighting: market transformation, best practices, end user demand, and research, development and demonstration. Lighting is responsible for almost 25% of California’s electric energy use, but the California Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan says that number can be [...]

After considering public comments, the Federal Trade Commission is extending the deadline for manufacturers to comply with new light bulb labels by approximately six months. The new “Lighting Facts” labels, which were announced last summer, will help consumers choose among the different lamps on the market such as incandescents, CFLs and LED lamps. The new [...]

Pegasus Lighting recently published a great series about the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and its energy standards for incandescent lamps, which are expected to eliminate most common 40-100W household lamps between 2012 and 2014. Truth & Lies: The Incandescent Phase Out, Part 1 The Fine Print, Explained: The Incandescent Phase Out, Part [...]

I’m pleased to announce that I have finally completed the long awaited (by my publisher) update to The Lighting Management Handbook, which came out in 1994, with this 300-page book about redesigning existing lighting systems: Lighting Redesign for Existing Buildings. Because light is used to see but cannot be seen, it is often overlooked by [...]

GE’s incandescent halogen lamps hit the shelves nationwide today—clear and Reveal® clear versions (MSRP $5-$7)—in two-packs in 29W, 43W, 53W and 72W varieties that dim and turn on instantly like their 40W, 60W, 75W and 100W incandescent bulb counterparts that are phasing out of production between 2012 and 2014 as a result of the Energy [...]

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published a brochure that clarifies the upcoming phase-out of incandescent light bulbs. Beginning in 2012, and a year earlier in California, traditional 100-watt, 75-watt, 60-watt, and 40-watt bulbs will be phased out, with a completion date of 2014. Based on the average number of sockets per household, NEMA [...]

From the November issue of IALD Reflections, revealing a victory for the lighting design community, and illustrating the effectiveness of the industry banding together to lobby government based on common interests: The IALD is very pleased that the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance has officially committed not to seek payment of sales [...]

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and the Environment Katherine Hammack issued a new policy memorandum to improve high performance green buildings standards for the Army. “Energy security, sustainability and efficiency are national security imperatives,” said Hammack. “This policy supports the Army’s global missions in a cost-effective, safe and sustainable manner that will [...]

On behalf of its 80,000 members nationwide, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently sent letters to each member of the new 112th Congress, congratulating them on their election and promising to work with both political parties to foster policies that encourage job creation in the hard-hit design and construction industry. “As community leaders, architects [...]