News Updates for the Week of December 20th

1. Dot Earth: U.S. Energy Choices and Global Climate Plans - There’s plenty to ponder in the newly released summary of the Annual Energy Outlook 2011 by the Department of Energy. While all such forecasts are implicitly uncertain, this one helps clarify where to focus efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions; reinforces the importance of resolving questions about how to safely expand, while not stopping, extraction of vast domestic reserves of natural gas; and powerfully challenges proponents of accelerated deployment of today’s menu of renewable energy technologies or nuclear power plants to lay out a credible strategy for supplanting coal. http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/executive_summary.cfm 12/16 New York Times

2. Siemens Said to Weigh Osram Options as Future Brightens for Lighting Unit - Siemens AG, Europe’s largest engineering company, is exploring options for its Osram lighting business, including a possible initial public offering or sale. Siemens, based in Munich, has held preliminary talks with investment banks about the viability of a transaction involving Osram, said the people, who declined to be identified because talks are private. No decision has been made and Siemens may keep the unit, they said. Siemens may consider an IPO or sales process for the first half of next year. Siemens is examining Osram’s future as the IPO market shows signs of thawing and the unit’s earnings surge, rising six-fold in the past fiscal year. Osram, the second-largest lighting company in the world by sales after Royal Philips Electronics NV, has an enterprise value of 6.5 billion euros ($8.7 billion) to 7 billion euros. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-15

3. GE’s Petras Sees Lighting Profit, Sales Up in 2011 - General Electric Co.’s lighting unit expects 2011 profit to rise on increased sales of LED-based products, said Michael Petras, who oversees the division. GE Lighting should increase its $2.6 billion in sales and have “strong double-digit” profit growth next year, Petras told investors at a Bank of America Merrill Lynch conference in New York. The unit, based in Cleveland, plans to raise investment in new products by almost 30 percent next year following increases in 2010. Two-thirds of new product spending at GE Lighting will be directed to LED-based products, he said. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-16/

4. Improvement Seen in Both Current and Expected North American Business Conditions in November - The Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American business conditions climbed 14.5 points in November, rising to 62.5 from 48.0 a month ago. With a reading above 50 indicating more panelists than not reporting better conditions than a month ago, and vice-versa, these results show widespread improvement in the business environment across the electroindustry in November, in contrast to the modest deterioration seen in October. 12/15 EC&M

5. Green Energy Website Launched - Schenectady County has announced the launch of a new website – http://www.gogreenschenectadycounty.com/ -- that will provide county residents with information about energy saving projects and serve as a one-stop location for residents, businesses, and organizations to find rebates, incentives, and grants available to reduce energy costs and conserve resources. 12/15 Times Union

6. EnerPath Strengthens Communities Around the Country With Energy Efficiency Programs - Utility companies across the country are turning to California-based EnerPath to run energy efficiency programs and reduce their electricity demand. Energy efficiency programs are increasing in popularity with utilities across the country. http://www.enerpath.com/

7. DEP Announces Small Business Advantage Grants to Help Improve Energy Efficiency in PA - The Department of Environmental Protection announced that 90 small businesses across the state of Pennsylvania will receive more than $560,000 in grants through the Small Business Advantage program and leverage an additional $1.1 million in private investments to reduce energy use and pollution, enabling them to become more competitive. Examples of eligible projects include HVAC and boiler upgrades, high-efficiency lighting, solvent recovery and waste recycling systems, and auxiliary power units that help large trucks reduce time spent with idling engines. Web Site: http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/ 12/16 PRNewswire

8. Texas Appliance Rebate Program Grows by $8.5 Million - An extra $8.5 million is being pumped into Texas' upcoming appliance rebate program, swelling the total rebates offered to $18.5 million. The program kicks off Monday, the day consumers can begin buying and getting rebates for new appliances that have a federal Energy Star designation signifying high energy efficiency. Rebates range from $40 to $1,000, depending on the appliance. Rebate application forms are available to download and print at www.texaspowerfulsmart.org 12/16 Fort Worth Star-Telegram

9. Housing Starts Are Up, But Not Much - November housing starts, expressed as a seasonally adjusted annual rate, increased to 555,000 in November -- up from 534,000 in October. 12/16 HCN