News Updates for the Week of November 15

1. LEED Revision Tightens Energy-Efficiency Standards With New Credits, Categories - The first of two public comment sessions opened this week on changes proposed for the U.S. Green Building Council's rating system for sustainable and energy-efficient buildings. The update to the LEED rating system will build upon a 2009 revision. The proposed changes, put together by USGBC's technical advisory committees, include three new credit categories and a variety of reworked and new credits and prerequisites. They touch each of the rating system's sections, including building design and construction, operations and maintenance, and LEED for homes. 11/11 NY Times

2. Construction Market to Increase 8% in 2011- McGraw-Hill Construction recently released its 2011 Construction Outlook, which predicts an increase in overall U.S. construction starts for next year of 8% to $445.5 billion, following the 2% decline predicted for 2010. http://ecmweb.com/ezone/construction-outlook-20101109/?cid=nl_ezone&smte=wl

3. Emerging Lighting Technologies by Frost & Sullivan - This research service presents recent global developments as well as industry trends in the field of emerging lighting technologies for various applications. The following technologies are covered in this research:
• Light emitting diode
• Organic light emitting diode
• Fluorescent lamps (compact fluorescent [CFL] and linear fluorescent)
• High intensity discharge lamps
• Halogen lamps
• Incandescent lamps
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/product/fff9c6/emerging_lighting_technologies

4. Xcel Energy Offering Rebates for LED Lamps - Electric utility Excel Energy is now offering businesses rebates in Colorado and Minnesota for the installation of EnergyStar-approved bulbs. The rebates vary by state but information at the utility's website offers some insight into the types of rebates now available. Lighting Science Group, Satellite Beach, Fla., said in a press release that its Definity LED line meets the standards necessary for the Xcel rebate program because the company’s PAR38 LED received the LED lighting industry’s first EnergyStar label and that it recently received approval for use of the EnergyStar label for its PAR30 and MR16 LED bulb types.
http://enews.penton.com/enews/electricalwholesaling/green_biz/2010_november_8_green_opportunities/display

5. New Poll - Seventy-nine percent of U.S. federal government leaders charged with making recommendations or final decisions on agency purchasing believe that energy efficiency is among the most effective ways to meet energy needs, reduce energy costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new Zogby International poll sponsored by the Alliance to Save Energy and Schneider Electric. www.schneider-electric.us/go/government

6. WI PSC Backs Bigger Investment in Energy Efficiency - Wisconsin's energy efficiency programs would receive increased funding from electricity ratepayers in the next four years under a proposal adopted Thursday by the Public Service Commission. Under the proposal, funding for energy efficiency programs would expand to $120 million in 2011 from $100 million this year, with the goal of expanding incentives aimed at reducing energy bills. Funding would then increase to $160 million in 2012, $204 million in 2013 and $256 million in 2014, under the PSC proposal. 11/06 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel