News Updates for the Week of January 10

1. Kiss Your 100-Watt Light Bulb Goodbye - Californians can start saying goodbye to traditional 100-watt incandescent light bulbs now that the state has become the first in the country to require a new standard for the screw-base bulbs. As of Saturday, what used to be a 100-watt light bulb manufactured and sold in California will have to use 72 watts or less. Similar new standards for traditional 75-watt, 60-watt and 40-watt incandescent bulbs will go into effect in California over the next few years, with wattages reduced to 53, 43 and 29 respectively. The new rule does not ban incandescent light bulbs; it just requires those bulbs to be 25 to 30 percent more efficient. And it only affects incandescent light bulbs manufactured in 2011 or later, not those already in use or on store shelves. 1/1/11 http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_16989501?nclick_check=1

2. Times Square Ball Ignited LED Hopes - As the Times Square Ball shines this New Year’s Eve, billions of viewers watching on TVs, computer screens and cell phones will see a dazzling combination of light-emitting diodes used to illuminate arguably the most famous globe in the world. Philips Lighting North America CEO Ed Crawford and MarketWatch's Steve Gelsi discuss the famous ball that drops in New York's Times Square on New Year's Eve. The ball features more than 32,000 of the company's LED bulbs. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/times-square-ball-lights-led-hopes-for-industry-2010-12-31?siteid=yhoof

3. The Other `Greenest' State - While California gets most of the attention for its greenhouse gas reduction targets, Massachusetts just set its own greenhouse gas (GHG) target. The 25-percent reduction over the next decade was recently released in compliance with its global warming law.

California, through its own global warming law, has set its sights on a 30 percent reduction in GHG by 2020. http://www.renewablesbiz.com/article/11/01/other-greenest-state

4. Pathway Lending Announces Re-Opening of Application Period for Energy Efficiency Loan Program - Pathway Lending announced today it is once again accepting applications from Tennessee businesses for its Energy Efficiency Loan Program. The $50 million program was launched in August 2010 to help Tennessee companies finance investments in energy efficient technology, energy retrofits and renewable energy systems in order to reduce energy costs, operating expenses, greenhouse gases and spur growth. The second round starts January 4, 2011 and will remain open until all funds from the Energy Efficiency Loan Program are committed to qualified applicants on a first come, first serve basis. 1/4 MarketWire

5. NLBMDA Offers Facts on Energy Incentives - The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association issued a fact sheet on the impact of recent tax relief law on incentives for energy-efficient home products.The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act" signed into law on Dec. 17 extended credits for certain residential products for one year at reduced levels from the 2009-2010 credit. The credit covers Energy Star windows, exterior doors and skylights, and certain insulation, HVAC, metal and asphalt roofing products, biomass stoves and water heaters. EnergyStar.gov will have a complete list of qualifying products posted in early 2011. 1/6 HCN

6. Energy Audit Program Offered for Small Businesses in W.Va. - A grant sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture under the Rural Energy for America Program will aim to help West Virginia rural businesses become more energy efficient by providing those who qualify with a free energy audit. Titled "Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance," the program will allow for-profit small rural businesses with fewer than 500 employees in designated areas to apply for free energy audits performed by Industries of the Future -- West Virginia. To apply for an energy audit, visit http://iofwv.nrcce.wvu.edu/usda/.

7. Cree Ups the Performance of XLamp® MX-6 LEDs—Includes ENERGY STAR® LM-80 Data -Cree, Inc. has further simplified indoor LED fixture design with its newly optimized XLamp® MX-6 LEDs, which feature higher flux options, new, longer lifetime estimates and higher CRI options. Cree has also completed LM-80 testing on MX-6 LEDs, which can enable quicker time to market for manufacturers designing ENERGY STAR®-rated fixtures. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Cree-Ups-the-Performance-of-bw-3561838809.html?x=0&.v=1

8. Transformations in Lighting - 2011 DOE Solid-State Lighting R&D Workshop, San Diego, CA

February 1-3, 2011 - The 2011 DOE SSL R&D workshop will be held at the Marriott Mission Valley in San Diego, and a block of hotel rooms has been held at a special rate for DOE workshop attendees. DOE SSL website to register: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ssl/sandiego2011.html

9. DOE Announces Plans to Modify L Prize PAR 38 Competition Requirements - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced plans to modify the competition requirements for the L Prize PAR 38 category. Effective January 5, 2011, DOE has temporarily closed the PAR 38 competition, and entries will not be accepted until the competition reopens in May 2011. The 60-watt replacement lamp category remains open during this time. The proposed modifications to the PAR 38 competition requirements will integrate lessons learned to date from the 60-watt replacement competition. The legislated technical requirements for the PAR 38 competition will remain unchanged. DOE plans to announce and publish the revised PAR 38 requirements at Lightfair International in May 2011. mailto:doe.ssl.updates@ee.doe.gov

10. PNNL Project Pushes Energy Efficiency - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory plans to help commercial buildings from California to Rhode Island dramatically improve their energy efficiency using federal economic stimulus money. It is starting work on a three-year project to demonstrate and encourage energy efficiency in commercial buildings. The DOE lab in Richland, WA is part of the Commercial Buildings Partnership, which received $21 million in federal economic stimulus money for the program nationwide. Commercial buildings account for 18 percent of U.S. energy consumption. But under the partnership, commercial building owners and operators will receive technical expertise to help them significantly reduce energy consumption by making changes that give them reasonable returns on their investments. They must contribute at least 20 percent of the cost. 1/6 Tri-City Herald

11. Acuity Brands Offering Customers Access to Product Info on iPad and Facebook - Acuity Brands, Atlanta, now has the Lithonia Lighting Stock Guide for the iPad and Facebook. This full-color catalog features a broad offering of in-stock, ready-to-ship luminaires and intelligent controls solutions from Lithonia Lighting and Sensor Switch®. With these tools, access to product images, IES photometry and technical specifications are always within reach. The iPad catalog is accessible from any mobile device by accessing http://thestockguide.lithonia.com/ http://enews.penton.com/enews/electricalwholesaling/green_biz/2011_01_07_green_opportunities/display